## **Report of Trustees to Charity Commission - 2024– 2025** ## **Introduction** The Friends of Kennington Park was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission in April 2020. Seven Trustees were appointed. Our status is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registration number 1188922. Our Charitable purpose is defined as _**being for the benefit of the inhabitants of South London ("the area of benefit"), to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants of the area of benefit in particular by supporting the preservation, conservation, improvement and protection of Kennington Park**_ . Our financial year ran from 1[st] April 2024 to the end of March 2025. Our current income level means that we are classified as a small charity. Our accounts are audited annually by an independent Auditor and copies are available on our website. _**This activity report covers the period starting from the AGM in September 202**_ **4** _**.**_ ## **Park Infrastructure – Improvement and Protecton** 2024/25 has been another busy year. As well as organising the annual programme of events and managing the day-to-day issues relating to the park, members of the committee have particularly focused on pressing the council to make greater progress on the tendering and contracting of the work for the refurbishment of the iconic 1970s skatebowl, a major component of the **capital development programme for the park** . The delay was added to because of the council’s insistence on reissuing the tender specification and for a review of the budget to ensure that there is sufficient funding for both phases of the project to be completed. Due to the state of the Council’s finances, there is currently a spending freeze and a complete review of the capital programme, so, apart from minor improvements to some of the pathways, there has been no progress on the park’s capital programme which includes the new toilets the Friends have campaigned for or the proposed youth zone. ## **Events and Actvites in the Park** FoKP has held a diverse programme of events this year – all events were free, open to everybody and well promoted through park posters and social media. The programme included nature and history walks, including a Chartist walk to commemorate the 1848 Rally. The Easter Egg Hunt was again held in the Flower Garden and was enjoyed by lots of local children. Working again with our co-organiser Melanin Health & Wellness, the Summer Festival (KPF25) was a great success. It was slightly bigger than in 2024 with more commercial stallholders. The event included music, dance, and games as well as a wide range of workshops, including flower crown making, crafts, dance and drumming and a Surrey County Cricket Club session on ball skills. Our successful (and important) monthly gardening sessions continue to be popular. One of our members continues to part fund this with a very generous annual donation, for which we are very grateful. This year, we organised our first Dog Show which, despite the pouring rain, was a great success and will be held again this year. The Committee recognises the need to arrange events which will appeal to all ages and communities. Other ideas include a tree hugging competition and the possibility of an outdoor art event. We also hope to restore and enhance the Nature Trail. This project has been proposed by a local community group and is subject to securing funding. In November there was a well attended Remembrance Day service at the park’s war memorial. There have been few commercial events licensed by the Council, but, with virtually no notice, in August 2025 (as a result of issues elsewhere in Lambeth), Bensons Funfair were given permission to come on to the south field of the heritage park with their rides and caravans for a 3 week residency. FoKP’s view is that the park is not an appropriate location for this size of event for such a prolonged period. ## **Partnership Working and Protecton of the Park** The working relationship between committee members and Lambeth Council management remains strong, as do relationships with local councillors. We continue to work in partnership with other park-based organisations such as Bee Urban and Trees for Cities to promote events and activities. Events such as the Summer Festival strengthen our ties with local businesses and organisations such as community services, schools, churches and colleges, also with community groups and independent traders. Junior Park run is now a weekly event in the park. In addition, FoKP is an active on Lambeth’s Park Forum and Local History Forum and a member of London-wide organisations helping us to keep in touch with developing issues, legislative requirements, etc. The Park was again awarded a Green Flag, has accreditation as a Green Heritage Site and received Gold awards from London in Bloom. We continue to encourage the council to proceed with the Field in Trust Initiative helping to ensure the long-term future of the park as a recreational space. Registration for the park has been delayed as the Council is trying to position itself to take all its parks through in one application. ## **Park Incidents** Unfortunately, earlier this year a dog being exercised in the fenced Dog Walking Area escaped, left the park and was sadly killed by a car. This is the second incident involving the death of a dog in the last couple of years. The uneven surface of the large dog area plus holes dug by animals means that it is not possible to ensure that the fencing fully lines up with the rise and fall of the ground. Small dogs can squeeze out of small gaps. The responsibility for handling matters relating to the incident falls to the council not the Friends, but inevitably we have been drawn into the extensive communication. Our approach has been agreed by committee and trustees and we have tried to remain as neutral as possible while providing relevant information and support. At a recent Junior Parkrun, there was a near miss incident when a large branch fell unexpectedly from a tree very close to a young child. Nobody was hurt but it was obviously a shock. The park has many large and old trees which the Tree team regularly inspect, but we will be reviewing with council staff what advice we should give park users. The Parkrun organisers have also had reason to complain to the council about the use of park vehicles while the children are running. Again this is not an issue that affects the FoKP directly, but we have sought to help create an effective solution which creates a safe environment but allows important park services to continue to be delivered. The park is no longer locked overnight and there has been increase in the number of rough sleepers in tents. The Friends have frequently reported these to Lambeth and Streetlink. Apart from the resulting litter, hedges in the Flower Garden have been reduced in height and some wooden benches had to be removed. ## **Governance** ## **Financial Reporting and Updated Policies** As the result of commercial sponsorship for some of our events and the generosity of members our budget position is healthy. The usual financial protocols have been followed. Our Treasurer has prepared the final accounts which were submitted to our Auditors for review prior to the AGM. This year we have reviewed and updated a number of our policies and role descriptions. ## **Membership Numbers** Similarly, our membership levels are relatively stable although there has been a slight reduction in new members. We have a sizeable list of non member gardening volunteers. We are working to revitalise our promotional material and to develop a new membership drive. ## **Committee Membership and Trusteeship** A new trustee was co-opted part way through the year and was formally approved by the 2024 AGM. There are currently 5 committee members and 6 trustees Two trustees will be standing down at this year’s AGM as part of the required rotation. Both are prepared to continue to stand. Recruiting new Committee member continues to be difficult despite publicity among members in our regular e-bulletins. One of the Committee formally stood down at the AGM and was proposed and elected as a trustee. The Secretary also formally stood down from her role, but agreed to continue to act as Secretary until a replacement was found. To date, no replacement has been identified. Very sadly one of the committees was involved in a serious accident resulting in significant injuries which curtailed her active involvement over many months. ## **Public Beneft Statement** FoKP continues to act in accordance with the necessary protocols and legislation required by the Charity Commission. This means that there is appropriate decision making and recording of decisions and there are protocols and policies in place. Specifically, this ensures that: - money is appropriately spent, managed, and reported. - decisions are made through the committee process and in accordance with our charitable purpose; these decisions are recorded in meeting notes and through the AGM process. - the interests of the park and its users are the focus of our decision-making and actions. ## **Summary** We have continued to help create improvements in the park and to run a successful programme of events. Progress on some of major developments in the park have been slower than anticipated mainly due to technical difficulties with only one fully completed and launched. Work has currently halted on the restoration of the skatebowl due to the Council’s review of the Capital Programme, FoKP Committee members continue to liaise with the Council on this. We have unfortunately not been able to add additional committee members this year, but we are pleased to have welcomed a co-opted trustee. Recruiting new committee members and event organisers remains a priority. **Marietta Crichton Stuart – Trustee and Chair of FoKP** **September 2025** **Recommendaton** **The AGM is recommended to endorse the report of the Trustees.** The Friend5 of Kennington Park Report and Financial Ststements For the Year Ended 31" Ma￿h 2025 HW Associates Limiied Chartered Accoutktants and Registered Auditors The Friends of Kennington Park CONTENTS Managernenl Committee's Report Independenl Auditor's Report Balance Sheet Statement of Financlal Activiiies Income and Expendimre Report i oles to the Financial Statements The Friends of Kennington Park NL4NAGEMENf COMKllThEE'S REPORT The Man8g¢ment Committeepresents its annU￿￿Ortw1th the ruW￿l￿stateffjellts of tbe or8aDis&tionforthe y¢arended 31st Match 2025. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATTVE DETAtLS The Frien(ts of Kejwington Park is a rw5tered chatty {11889221 by volvntttrs. The addres5 is Priiwe ConsLlrt Lodge. KetULiugton Park Place, London. SEI 14AS. The objects of th¢ or8aotsation are set out in the ¢onstilUtion". for the benefit of the inbabÈtants of s￿rtb Lojthn I'the Area of beDefir}. tts provide or 8ssi5t in the prnvision of fgcilitseg forre￿tatIOll and other leisure Iwne occupatioll ut the interests of 50Cio1 welfare witb the object of improving rhe condiUoDS of hfe for the thbjlauts of the of be[￿fit by supp)rtsng tbe prts¢rVatiO￿ tODseTVdUO improvement and protection oFK¢twmgton Park HM Revenue and Cus10rn5 accepted The Friends olKennwon Patk as achan'ty for t&xpwwses under the refern?te XT26286 with effe¢¢ from l2 fvlay 2008. Followillg the p￿10d elld 2020 Tht Fnends of KeDntngton w8$ registered as a Charitable lll¢oiporaled Orgauisaijon I'flo" 11889??} 6. Apnl ?020 ￿1th the Charity Co￿1￿￿1)ll for ED81grd and Wales. STRucfuiiE. GOVERNANCE MANAGEME Th¢ Friends of KellniTrglon Park is a re￿51¢[￿1 cb*xitygovtrned by tNste¢s and D]ana8eA by a nwia8ement con)Intttee elected at tbe AllDii81 General Meeti ACTTVrr￿S AivArded 4 Green filg for rhe 14th ye&r and London ill Bltsjm awards for the pwk and fl￿Ver garden Hosied Voluntttr 88rd¢ttiD8 sessioDS rhroughout rhe year Ran 4th annu*l Kwon park SwJMner Fesiival. allother 8r#t success, bi88er be￿r¢. New siyle Easter Egg Huni deNYloped catenD8 forA laryer oumi*r of cluE¢kni Orgajllsed successfiil inaugural Dog Sho1% io Septemt*r Designs for a Dew Ni'aDJre Trall th the park developed - fundEDg be￿8 sougbi Continiied coUaboraiiTre workillg with Lambeth Council to *Jvallce larger ￿PItal inlestmellr projects Ran re8ular c8lendar of ei'ents.. a stall for RSPB G8rdell Bwthvaicb. chonjs. bat aDd bislory ivalks FINANCL4L REVIEII. Gr8nt$ and the support of donors ODd members baveprovEdwJ an JDCOn)e of £15.136120?4.. £162051. A surplus of £3.379 1?024. £? 058} il'as recorded. The Friends of KeonEngton Park apply th$ income to the pronK)tion of their objeciii'es. In the eyellt thal incOrt￿ excee(L8 expeDdittwe such surplus is llot dJ"Stribu¢ed bui is re(atned by th¢ F[￿llds foi. the projnotiott of these objectives. A ststemenl of finaoct81 actsviti¢s ￿ Sel out oll page 5. The Friends of Kennillgton Park STATENIEYT OF N￿NAG￿llENr CONLwrrEES' RESPONSIBILtrtES Tbe Management ConunÈttee is requ￿ed to prepare f￿¢￿al statenteats for each vegr T¥hich gil'e a ttue aad fair 'se￿" of the stsle oFaff3ir5 of the orgatslsatioll ai the elld of the fjD2llaal ywaad oFth¢ IDcoJne & EN)enthbJre for tbat year. In preparin8 those staietnents. the collunittee is requlled 10.. sel￿t the 8ppmwi2¢e accounting p0￿cleS and apply th¢tn consi5tentlv (see Note I I: Make jvd8emeots 8ttd ¢5tsmates thai reasollable and pn￿ell( Page I whether applicable ac¢ouotmg have been followat" Prepare the fillancial statejjknts on the goillg Co￿eM baw waess it 15 iiiappropriate to presume tbat the orgattisatioll will coni]nu¢ its *ctivities. The Managenielll Committee members ère respoDsible for eDsufiDg that the O￿a01$&tiOn keeps 8c¢oynting records ivhich disclose with rea50￿ble accurncy. the fJnancJal position of tbe OTgauJsAtioD and wkn.ch enable it to e[￿￿¢ the financial statements comply ￿1th the ¢onstststioll of the orgatJi5ation. Thty 8re also respoDsible for safe8uardmg the 15sets of the orgallis8tion by iaking reasonable steps for the pteveotion and detects¢n of fraud and other rylaritse5. Approved by the Management Committee atid Si￿1 on its ithlf by: Marietta Crithtott Stugrt {Cb8ir} Dated 18- q 2025 ViLde A#ger￿s (TreaAw) 20?5 Dated Page 2 INDEPENDENT AUDfTOR'S REPORT To ihe Member of The Friends of Kennington Park FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 We bave audited the financial ststerllellls of Tbe Friellds of KentiÈDgton Park for the year ellded 31 MaTch 2￿5 a5 sel out on pages 4 to 7. These fwxn¢iai statements bav¢ b¢ell prepared iti a¢cordallce with the accountiU8 policies set out the￿]￿ and the requiretnents of the Management coll￿1ttee. This rep)rt ks made solely to the m¢mber5. as a body, ID o¢cordattce with the ¢C￿titUtiOn of The Friends of Kenni￿8t01) Park. Chil audit Iwork has been undertaken so that ￿¢ n)igbi $tAte lo the men)bers those n￿tte[S we ar¢ reQu￿ed ro stak to them ill A Auditor's report olld for llo other purpos¢. To the fijllest extent pemiitted by law, we do llot accept or wume responsibiLLty to anyone otb¢r than th¢ members as tt body. lor our audit worl for this report or forthe opiwoJs we have f¢)rme& Respeetlv¢ r¢$poD￿bU￿tke5 of ￿I8￿geMent Ctsmmlttee As d¢s¢ribed in the Statement gf Th¢ Mana8eTneni Commtttee'$ ResPO￿bI￿￿es tbe m8nagerneTkt coll)n￿ltee are responsible for ttse preparation of the fwan¢iat ststetnellts in a¢cord8llce with tbe eODStitutsoD Our reypousibility is to Audit the fiDall¢￿1 statements in xcord2￿t with rel•vaDt l¢g81 and regulatory requiremellls And International Stalldards Audit￿8 IUKI. We report to you ow trpÈllion 85 to whether tb¢ fill8ncial stalemeDts ￿Ve a tsije aud fair i'i¢w. the finkllcial statements Bre properly prepared Jn a¢cordatsce ivith the CODStituUon aThd the itifornwtion gii'en in the Enan8gement comtnittees, report is consislenl wittrl the f￿anCIal ¥tatenienis. We also rrport to you if, m otsr OPiDi0￿ th¢ n)ana8ell￿llt con]tMttee has not kept proper #ccoiwting Trcords aod if we hai'e not Te¢eis'ed au the itifomwtioo thd explaoations we rg4vire for our audit. Bi*l% of audit opinlo Ive cottdiicted our audit U> 8ccordance with International st￿dards on Auditing (iJXI issued by the Auditing Prnctices Board. An Audit inclLid¢s examLDalioru on o iesl basi¥ of evidence relevant 10 the *molu￿ and disclosuxts in the fillanc￿l statements. li also ￿￿ludeS #n ossessmentof the si8ttJfi¢ani ¢SIitDates￿d jud8D￿nts made bythe m•rJagementcon]mitt¢e In the prepar&tson of the f￿AnCial51#[ernents. and of wbether the accountmg p)hcies 8ppropri8te to the group's ciicumstan¢es. consistelltly applied uid &d￿￿telY dixlos¢d. We pla[￿ed aad wforned our auth't so ￿ to obtaw 011 the ￿fo￿￿￿"0ll aDd expla￿￿01}$ whKb we collsidered necessary ill rder lo pro%'ide us ivitb su￿1¢1t￿l evidence to give reasonable tSSUTaThce Ibat the fIn￿tI#l sialements fyre free from mot¢rial ll715&1alem¢nl, Ivheiher caused by hiid or other trreglllarity or error. In forn￿￿¥ our opiwoffj lie also eyalualed the overall adOqLi&¢y of th• prea¢ntattOLI of information iti th¢ fioallcJ41 >t&temeDt¥ Oplnio In our oP￿i0￿.. tILe fittuncial ￿￿terneThts8jlY a tnJ¢ alld hirview, iti accordaoce ivith United KthqO)m GenetallyAcceptedAc¢ountillg Practice app￿￿b]e to Smoller Elltitse5, of the state of the affaus as ai 31ST Morch 2025. the illforniatsou prosided ￿ the knageEtWht CoJJuokttee Report is consistellt ￿ltb the f￿￿1¢[al ststements pw k~4* JLI HW Associates Limited Chkttered A¢coonlaJLrs and R¢￿stered Auditor5 Porthll House Portmjll Lane Ritchin Herts SG5 IDJ i(-KJ U ?u2T. Paee 3 September ?025 The Friends of Kennington Park BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 NOTE 2025 2024 FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash al bank and in hand 4.257 920 S8￿ng$ Account 16,942 21.270 17,862 LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Credllors IAmoun15 due wlthln one yearl 551 NET CURRENT ASSETS 20.7¢ 17,311 TOTAL ASSETS 20.706 17,311 RESERVES Restrfcted funds General Funds 20,706 17.311 20.7C6 17,311 The Draft Financial Siaiem¢n15 were considered by the Board of Management on ?3 September 2025 eita Crichion Stuart (Cbair} ilde Aagenaes I easurer) Page 4 The Friends of Kenntngton Park STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTI￿rIEs FOR THE YEAR FROM I APRL 2024 TO 3 E MARCH 2025 Total Funds 2024 G8ner81 Reslncted Fur¢ds Funds Total Funds NOTES INCOME Memberships, Sales & Oonations Recelved Festival income and donatSons Garden donatsons Interest Recelved Toial Incoming resources 2.932 10.535 1.600 69 2.932 10.535 1.600 69 8.147 8.040 18 RESOURCES EXPENDED Management and a￿r￿nIstra￿Dn Fesllval Events Gardens 2.178 8.037 515 1.027 11.757 2,178 8,037 515 1.027 11,757 4.836 8,276 1,035 14.147 Total resources expended Nel Incominglloutgoingl resources 3.379 3.379 2,058 Transfers be￿een runowAccruais Fund balance$ brought forward at 1st Aprll 2024 Fund balances carrted forward at 31st March 2025 Paee 5 TILe Friends of Kentiington Park INCOME AND EXPENDrtURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR FROM I APRJL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 INCOME Memberships. Salès & Donatlons Festival 2,932 10.535 1.600 69 8.147 8,040 Garden5 8ank Intèrest 18 15.136 16,205 LESS GENERAL EXPENDITURE M4nagement & AdmSnlstr•tlon Accountancy Fees Festlval 1,602 552 8.037 515 1.027 24 4,229 580 8.276 Evènts Gardens 1,035 27 8ank th8rges and Interest {11.757) 14.147 SURPLUSIIOEFICITI FOR THE YEAR 3,379 2,058 Pa.oe 6 The Friends of Kennington Park NOTES TO THE Acco[￿rS FOR THE YEAR FROM I APRIL 2024 TO 31 MARCH 2025 NOTE5 TO ThE FINANCIAL5TAf£MENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st MARCH 31st MARCH 2025 I ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1.1 Acwunling conventions The Flnancid Statements have been prepared under the historttsl cost convention. 2. SUNDA Y CREDITORS & ACCRUALS 2025 2024 Accountancy Fees Other Creditors 551 551 3. GRANTS AND NAMED PROIEcfs RECEIVED 2025 2024 Festival Project Gardens Proléct 8.300 8.040 8.040 Paqe 7