2021-09-30-accounts - Knowle Dorridge And Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Forum CIO

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	Trustees' Annual Report for the period
From	Period start date			To	Period end date
	22	July	2020		30	September	2021

Section A Reference and administration details

Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Forum Charity name CIO Other names charity is known by KDBH Neighbourhood Forum Registered charity number (if any) 1190521 Charity's principal address Office 2, Greswolde House (new address from December 2021) 197b Station Road Knowle, Solihull Postcode B93 0PU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
	Roger Cook	Chair
	Elisabeth Hedley	Secretary/Treasurer
	Jane Aykroyd	(Former Chair)
	Andrew Marston
	TonyAykroyd

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Constitution; Code of Practice How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

KDBH Neighbourhood Forum CIO

December 2021

Section C Objectives and activities

Section C	Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects	1. To promote for the public benefit, high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Area. 2. The protection, preservation, improvement and revitalisation of the natural and built environment in or affecting the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Area. 3. To promote sustainable development for the public benefit by: • the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of resources; • the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration. Sustainable development means “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. In furtherance of the above objects but not otherwise the trustees shall run a Neighbourhood Forum for Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath to promote and or improve the social economic and environmental well-being of the Area.
	The full report on Forum activities over this first reporting period can be read HERE. In carrying out the programme of work, Trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In summary, since charity registration in July 2020 our work has included: a. 17 e-newsletters keeping those registered with the Forum fully informed on our activities b. Creating a weekly extract of all KDBH-related planning applications under consultation and making this available to residentson our website c. Placing the Forum’s responses to planning applications (as a statutory consultee), and key other Council communications,on our website d. Undertakingon-line resident consultations in 2020 and 2021 enabling residents to vote on their priorities for using funds from new developments to support community-led projects (NCIL); and providing an analysis of voting outcomes to inform Council decision making e. Raising resident awareness of, and seeking feedback on, theCouncil’s Local Plan final consultation in late 2020:this included 3 x explainer videos; making all draft representations on our website prior to issue, and enabling residents to provide on- line feedback f. Participating in outdoor community events, eg. Knowle Heritage weekends and Dorridge Day, gaining positive and very valued feedback from over 140 face-to-face engagements

Section C

Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects
of the charity set out in
its governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for
the public benefit in
relation to these objects

1. To promote for the public benefit, high standards of planning and architecture in or
affecting the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Area.
2. The protection, preservation, improvement and revitalisation of the natural and
built environment in or affecting the Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath
Neighbourhood Area.
3. To promote sustainable development for the public benefit by:
•
the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the
prudent use of resources;
•
the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and
regeneration.
Sustainable development means “development which meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs”.
In furtherance of the above objects but not otherwise the trustees shall run a
Neighbourhood Forum for Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath to promote and or
improve the social economic and environmental well-being of the Area.

The full report on Forum activities over this first reporting period can be read HERE. In
carrying out the programme of work, Trustees have had due regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
In summary, since charity registration in July 2020 our work has included:
a. 17 e-newsletters keeping those registered with the
Forum fully informed on our activities
b. Creating a weekly extract of all KDBH-related
planning applications under consultation and making
this available to residentson our website
c.
Placing
the
Forum’s
responses
to
planning
applications (as a statutory consultee), and key other
Council communications,on our website
d. Undertakingon-line resident consultations in 2020 and
2021 enabling residents to vote on their priorities for using
funds from new developments to support community-led
projects (NCIL); and providing an analysis of voting
outcomes to inform Council decision making
e. Raising resident awareness of, and seeking feedback on, theCouncil’s Local Plan final
consultation in late 2020:this included 3 x explainer videos; making all draft
representations on our website prior to issue, and enabling residents to provide on-
line feedback
f.
Participating in outdoor community events, eg. Knowle Heritage weekends and
Dorridge Day, gaining positive and very valued feedback from over 140 face-to-face
engagements

KDBH Neighbourhood Forum CIO

December 2021

g. Publicly representing the KDBH community and its Plan policies at the Solihull Local Plan Hearings in Person taking place from September 2021 onwards. This has involved at least 20 working days spent in preparation, review and issue of representations; attending hearings; and documenting potential implications for the Plan and the KDBH community
h. Trialling ways to reach new audiences, extend our community presence and deliver enhanced community benefits. Given Covid, the main thrust here has been to capitalise on our Forum web assets to create new on-line community facilities for eg. Coronavirus ; KDBH Listed and Heritage buildings; interactive local walks

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Planning: The KDBH Neighbourhood Forum has designed and implemented appropriate Plan monitoring systems and processes. Using these, the Forum team has created a summary of KDBH-related planning applications for years April 2019 - March 2020 and April 2020 - March 21. Again, our full report contains all details, with a graphical dashboard and detailed schedule of Forum responses to planning applications included in Appendix 1. In summary, we :

The Forum’s focus is on development proposals that raise KDBH Area-wide policy considerations, rather than minor applications. In 2019/2020, the Forum responded to 6 applications and 1 appeal; this increased in 2020/2021 to 7 applications and 1 appeal.

Note that the total number of responses (letters) sent to the Council can be greater than the number of applications responded to. This arises where a single planning application is subject to more than one consultation, eg. following a planning amendment; a report to, or attendance at, Planning Committee; or an appeal following a refusal by the Council. Every Forum response is recorded for monitoring purposes

Forum responses were mainly in respect of breaches of Plan policies concerning:
loss of trees
inappropriate design or density (usually through windfall developments)
unacceptable impacts on Local Green Space
impacts on Conservation Areas and impacts on employment/commercial centres

KDBH Neighbourhood Forum CIO

December 2021

Section D Achievements and erformance p

o In 2019/20, of the 7 objections made, 4 applications were approved, 1 was refused, 1 was withdrawn and 1 is still on-going. In 2020/21, the Forum responded to 8 applications, of which 3 were approved, 3 were refused, 1 was withdrawn and one is awaiting an appeal decision. The schedule for 2020/21 shows that the Forum made several follow up responses; as well as being active regarding loss of protected trees and commenting on the Council’s draft document on Backland Residential Development. Continued monitoring of planning applications and related data will develop knowledge, improve understanding, and extend insights into new development in KDBH and what this means for the Plan. Transport Study: The Forum responded to a request from the community to use its expertise in commissioning a Transport Study to assess the impact of the Solihull Local Plan on the KDBH Area, and specifically proposals to build 800+ new houses on two large areas of Green Belt land. This was successfully delivered. Community Projects: The Forum has played a very active role in successful delivery of Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL) projects to allocate £160,000 of funds generated from new development in our Area since the scheme started in 2019. On a day-to-day basis, the Forum’s collaboration with the Council on NCIL community funding has progressed well and is generally positive. Some material issues remain, however, where the Forum is seeking changes from the Council in both its bidding and assessment processes to better align these with, and to reflect more closely, KDBH community expressed wishes.

Community Engagement: The Forum team continues to actively seek and encourage greater participation from residents in Forum activities, without which we remain severely constrained in the level of activity we can undertake on behalf, and for the benefit of, our whole KDBH community.

In 2021, the Forum has explored various avenues to extend its presence in the community,	In 2021, the Forum has explored various avenues to extend its presence in the community,
and to broaden its appeal beyond just those interested in planning matters. This has
included applying the Forum team’s knowledge, skills and IT assets to create an on-line:
•	interactive map of local listed building and heritage assets to showcase what makes our
	Area so special
•	listing of KDBH Groups and an associated KDBH Events Calendar to promote our local
	clubs and organisations as they re-set post lockdowns
•	inter-active map with details of walks in and around the KDBH area, including printable
	/ downloadable leaflets.

While some of these developments remain a work in progress, ideally needing interactive community involvement once Covid constraints ease, the team is pleased and proud that as a result since becoming a charity: • our Facebook followers have increased from 1,750 to 2,327, a 33% increase • Forum membership continues to grow steadily, with over 130 new registrations • our total number of registered contacts has grown to 1,571.

KDBH Neighbourhood Forum CIO

December 2021

Section E Financial review

The Forum’s Year End Accounts can be seen HERE .

Year End Accounts

Covid-19 lockdowns have been a recurring feature of Forum operations ever since it became a registered charity and have prevented virtually all face-to-face community interaction over this first reporting period. Nevertheless, in Spring 2021, the Forum launched a first, on-line campaign to raise funds for its continued operation (grant funding being no longer available once a Neighbourhood Plan is completed). Donations totalling £926 were the primary source of income supporting Forum operation. Although pleased to have a proven system and supporting processes now in place, and grateful for the donations received, future funding is a key aspect of concern and future focus for Trustees to establish sustainable operations. A benefactor provided a one-off donation of £1,800 to enable the Forum to use its expertise to commission the Transport Study mentioned above.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position Date
	Roger Cook	Elisabeth Hedley
	Chair	Secretary / Treasurer
	10 March 2022
	10 March 2022

KDBH Neighbourhood Forum CIO

December 2021

iCnowle Dorridge and Bentley Heath Neighbourhood Forum ao Registered Charitv Number: 1190521 Income & Expenarture for year endinglO September 2021

inowle Dorridg and Betey Heath Neighbourhod Forum ao Regis Charit Number: 119521 Incom & Epenartue for year endingl Septmber 202
				£
Income Oation: Ring Fencd Donation (Transr Study} Less Exenditre Cnsultants Printing Leafets Posr etc Website hosting, sofre etc Company Insurnce Sttoner and Ink		925.82 1,800.00 1,80.00 72.00 213.26 236.00 200.26			2,725.82 2,521.52
Ecess of Income over Ependiture					20.30
Kle 0orldge and Bntey Heath Neighurood forum 00 Reistere Cart Number: 119521 Balance Sheet for year endin 30 Sepber 2021
	f
Current Assets
cash in hand
Main Sank Account Sundr Dbtors Cumm lbilitie Sundry Creditors Net Current A et		2,728.97 20.00 80.0			2,748.97 80.0 2,668.97
Reprented by Funds brought forrd Excess of income over Expenditure		2,464.67 204.30
					2,668.97
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by;
Roger Cook
Trustee			Date
Elisabeth Hedley
Trustee			Date
Independent examiner's sttement I have cmplet my exminton. I cnfrm that no maerl mters have cme to my atnln in cnn wth te examintion wich give me cus to blieve tat in, any materal re acunting rerds wre no kep in acoranc wt s 130 of te Ac or the acunt do not acrd w the acount rerds I have no conc and have cme acss no oter mater in cnneion w the eaminat to wie atenton should b drn in -be a proper undding of te acunt t be reached.
Andre· ark Dobson CIMA, CGMA
Independent Examiner			Date