Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Charity name: Friends of Finchley Way Open Space
Charity registration number: 1192844
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by reinstating, protecting and enhancing the habitats and increasing the biodiversity of Finchley Way Open Space that has been neglected. 2. To advance the education of the public in Finchley in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Landscaping, planting and maintenance of site. Provision of seating and information board. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We have regard to the guidance given by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The charity works with the landowner (London Borough of Barnet Borough Council) to make the site safely accessible and attractive to people in the local area bearing in mind that the objective is to create a wildlife area in part of the site. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The charity does not make grants |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The charity does not make financial investments of any kind |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Work is carried out by volunteers, including all administration, website, fundraising and work on the site. Some of these volunteers are also trustees. In addition to the 10 trustees in the year we have had 29 other volunteers. Contractors are employed for specialist tasks such as replacing fencing and work requiring machinery. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In the year the charity’s volunteers designed and prepared an area for planting with native plants and developed a fernery. In order to provide suitable soil, the area was planted as a slightly raised bed. We also added another information board on the trees on the site. The annual consultation conducted in the autumn showed that respondents value the area as somewhere quiet and peaceful to walk and sit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Given the limited resources and the small size of the site (approximately 1.8 acres), objectives are set by identifying small scale projects. The main objective set for 2024 was to plant- up a new area with different plants to those already on the site, to develop the fernery and to instal another information board on trees on the site. These objectives were achieved. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising objectives are set on a project- by-project basis. The target was to have sufficient funds to complete the new planting area, the fernery and add an information board and this was achieved. The charity also receives small and medium sized donations from time to time from local residents and businesses, which is enough to cover the overheads of the website etc. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The charity does not make investments. |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the year the charity had £3792.63 held as cash in the bank and no other assets. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The size of the reserve in the current account is set at £300, which will be reviewed annually at the AGM. This is three month’s estimated running costs. This has been raised from last year. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At least £300. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Given the level of cash in the bank, future plans and likely future income from various sources, the trustees are confident that the charity remains a going concern. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Barnet Council (which owns the land) has ring fenced money for projects proposed by the trustees. Other funds in the year have come from local residents and businesses. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | We have a detailed risk assessment and mitigation table. The main risks are: GDPR breach; vandalism; and deteriorating relations with those living around the site and volunteers. The biggest risk currently is that replacement trustees, especially a new Chair, cannot be recruited. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Foundation Model |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Anyone can apply to join the Board of Trustees at any time. Any trustee has the right to ask the Board to invite an individual with specific skills and interests to join the Board at any Board meeting, subject to the constitution limit of 12 trustees. Trustees have the final say on who joins the Board. Secret online ballots are used with most trustees on decisions on renewals and new Board members. Consensus is sought on new members. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | New trustees are provided with a copy of the constitution, the latest minutes and statement of accounts before their first Board meeting. A verbal briefing on background to the charity and current issues is provided by the Chair along with a copy of the minutes of the previous Board meeting. The minutes of earlier Board meetings can be found on the website. New trustees are able to contact the Chair, Treasurer or Deputy Chair or any other trustee, for additional support on an ad hoc basis. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is governed by its Board of Trustees. There is an Executive Committee comprised of the Chair, Deputy Chair and Treasurer. The Board has delegated much of the day-to day running and decision- making to this group but all financial decisions are referred to the full Board – by correspondence if a Board meeting is not imminent. Generally, a budget is set for each project and the Executive Committee manages the project within this limit. Other subcommittees are established as needed for specific projects. Subcommittees are allocated set a budget for each project by the full Board. Within this they have leeway to make spending decisions. |
| The charity is also an active member of the Barnet Green Spaces Network, which is affiliated to the London Friends of Green Spaces Network. The charity’s Chair is Vice Chair of the Barnet Network. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The land is owned by the London Borough of Barnet and the trustees work closely with the Greenspaces Team at Barnet on plans for the site. The Council team is responsible for mowing the grass and maintaining the trees on the site. Additional funding for projects has been awarded by a Council Committee for specific projects. |
| Other | The charity has the following polices in place: a. Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures b. Safeguarding policy and procedures c. Financial reserves policy and procedures d. Complaint’s policy and procedures, within the safeguarding policy e. Internal risk management policy and procedures f. Trustee expenses policy and procedures g. Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures h. Bullying and harassment policy and procedures, within the safeguarding policy i. Social media policy and procedures j. Serious incidents policy and procedures The trustees do not believe that DBS checks are necessary as volunteers work in groups in an open space. No serious incidents occurred. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Friends of Finchley Way Open Space |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1192844 |
Charity’s principal address |
9 Hamilton Way London, N3 1AN |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suzanne King | Chair | |||
| Nick Dimant | Deputy Chair | |||
| Karen Goodman | Treasurer | |||
| Richard Bartholomew |
||||
| Simon Dukes | ||||
| Arlette Garcia | ||||
| Ross Houston | ||||
| Samuel Levy | ||||
| Daniel Rich | Resigned 23 July 2024 | |||
| Hilda De Souza | Membership Secretary |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
| Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others | ||
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A | |
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A | |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
| Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
Additional information (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | |||
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | |||
| No staff |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Suzanne Hilary King Karen Julia Goodman Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc)[Chair ] Date 28/01/2025 30/04/2025
FoFWOS Accounts 2024
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Summary
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Cash position at start of year £3,995.15 £0.00 £3,995.15
Expenses incurred, not paid yet £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Accounting balance at start of year £3,995.15 £0.00 £3,995.15
Income during year £725.65 £0.00 £725.65
Expenses incurred during year £928.17 £0.00 £928.17
Transfer to Unrestricted £0.00
Overall balance £3,792.63 £0.00 £3,792.63
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FoFWOS Accounts 2024
Summary
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Unrestricted Restricted Total
Cash position at start of year £3,995.15 £0.00 £3,995.15
Expenses paid £928.17 £0.00 £928.17
Income during year £725.65 £0.00 £725.65
Transfer to Unrestricted £0.00
Cash position £3,792.63 £0.00 £3,792.63
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FoFWOS Income 2024
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Date Who Unrestricted Restricted
10/01/2024 UK Online Giving £2.94
15/01/2024 Martyn Gerrard £500.00
31/01/2024 PayPal Giving Fund £47.33
31/01/2024 UK Online Giving £3.14
27/02/2024 PayPal Giving Fund £7.66
04/06/2024 UK Online Giving £5.17
01/07/2024 UK Online Giving £2.43
02/08/2024 UK Online Giving £2.33
03/09/2024 UK Online Giving 2.32
29/10/2024 UK Online Giving £2.33
23/12/2024 PayPal Giving Fund £150.00
Total £725.65 £725.65 £0.00
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FoFWOS Expenses 2024
Unrestricted Restricted - other Restricted -
Refunded/ Refunded/ Refunded/
Date Who Description Paid Not Paid Paid Not Paid Paid Not Paid
10/01/2024 Access Trustee Insurance £142.00
12/02/2024 Amazon - Weed Control Membrane £35.94
20/02/2024 Amazon - Membrane Pegs £9.94
19/05/2024 Amazon - Water Pump £59.95
25/05/2024 Charity Digital Exchange - Admin fee for WIX £33.60
27/05/2024 Lidl - Drinks for volunteer event £12.24
03/06/2024 WIX - 2 year Website Fees (70% off) £120.96
27/06/2024 Tesco - Drinks and nibbles for Volunteer event £26.12
09/08/2024 Finchley Nursery - Shears £66.00
11/08/2024 Amazon - Membrane Pegs £9.94
07/10/2024 Nestbox plates £6.72
25/10/2024 Shipton Bulbs - Ferns £16.00
28/10/2024 You Garden - Lavender £3.99
28/10/2024 Meadowmania - Bulbs £157.98
22/11/2024 Toolstation - Cable Ties (100) £4.39
16/12/2024 Bradenham Hall Farms - Tree Labels £80.40
28/12/2024 Access Trustee Insurance £142.00
TOTAL £928.17 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
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Donations 2024
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Date Private Donations Gift aid collected Company donation Payroll Giving PayPal Donations UK Online Giving Grants
10 January 2024 £2.94
15 January 2024 £500.00
31 January 2024 £47.33
31 January 2024 £3.14
27 February 2024 £7.66
04 June 2024 £5.17
01 July 2024 £2.43
02 August 2024 £2.33
03 September 2024 £2.32
29 October 2024 £2.33
23 December 2024 £150.00
Total £0.00 £0.00 £500.00 £0.00 £204.99 £20.66 £0.00
Grand Total £725.65
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