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2025-03-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1195616

Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the year ended

31 March 2025

Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

Pages
Trustees' annual report 1 to 5
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Statement of financial position 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 to 15

Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Histon & Impington Green Spaces
Charity registration number 1195616
Principal office Histon & Impington Recreation Ground
New Road
Impington
Cambridge
CB24 9LU
The trustees Mr J Jenkins (Served from 24 August 2021 to 30 September 2024)
Mr A Jenking (Served from 24 August 2021 to 09 July 2024)
Ms D Fisher (Served from 24 August 2021 to 22 March 2025)
Ms K Holliday (Appointed 24 August 2022)
Mr J Pavey (Appointed 08 August 2022)
Mr D Dives (Appointed 16 March 2024)
Mr I Ellis (Appointed 16 March 2024)
Mr D Parkin (Appointed 16 March 2024)
Dr N Bailey (Appointed 16 March 2024)
Mr D Richardson (Appointed 22 March 2025)

Structure, governance and management

Histon & Impington Green Spaces is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission on 24 August 2021. The charity was governed by its constitution of 24[th] August 2021 up to 20[th] January 2023 when the Charity Commission endorsed a revised constitution based on the 'Association' model form. (Originally the charity had a 'Foundation' model constitution.)

The charity had seven trustees at the end of the period, all bar one drawn from the local community. Their expertise covers a mix of conservation, legal and business experience.

The Parish Council has a right to nominate a non-voting representative to attend charity trustees' meetings, recognising the importance the charity puts to engaging with the Histon & Impington community and the considerable support the Parish Council has provided.

At the end period under review 146 people had to date become members of the charity.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

The charitable objects for which the charity is established are, for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment in the parishes of Histon and Impington by the advancement of biodiversity.

The vision of Histon & Impington Green Spaces (HIGS) is that the people of Histon & Impington will be the custodians and beneficiaries of an expanded network of wildlife-rich, green spaces that present and future generations can access and enjoy.

The mission of HIGS is to secure, by acquisition or otherwise, long-term access to land in and around Histon & Impington and enable this to be managed for these twin purposes:

The first spaces for these purposes are Long Meadow (LM) and Croft Close Nature-Reserve (CCNR) - which was previously known as Croft Close Set-aside. Here the charity is seeking to protect and enhance the two sites' biodiversity. Importantly these areas will be for local people to enjoy, to savour their serenity and to connect with nature.

The charity took on the lease of Long Meadow effective 21 June 2022 and has an option to purchase the Meadow on the current owner's demise. The charity completed the purchase of CCNR on 8 June 2023.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

Achievements and performance

In the period under review, HIGS has continued with a range of activities aimed at both facilitating access to CCNR and Long Meadow, improving the habitat quality, undertaking biodiversity monitoring and engaging with its supporter base. The activities have included:

The charity has also supported interventions to improve the environment and biodiversity within Histon and Impington away from Long Meadow and CCNR.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

In recognition of the potential to secure benefit from the UK Government's Biodiversity Net Gain scheme, the charity continued to research how this may be achieved while improving the quality of Long Meadow's grassland and wildflowers.

The design, fabrication and installation at CCNR of an artist-designed portal, entitled "Fides", paid for under the Thalia WB Community Fund grant was successfully completed. The form of the portal references features of the CCNR site: the arches in the trunk of the veteran oak, and the egg of the endangered turtle dove. The grant, awarded in March 2023, was fully utilised on this artwork and, as a payment in arrears, contributed towards the previous year's purchase of CCNR.

Financial review

At the end of the period, the charity had total assets less current liabilities of £348,285.

Of this, cash at the bank and in hand was £71,705 and the remainder, £260,330 are the tangible fixed assets relating to the charity’s Croft Close Nature Reserve property.

Reserves policy

As of the end of this reporting period, the charity's policy is to maintain reserves of not less than £20,000. Of this, £10,000 is to cover unforeseen events in day-to-day operations. It is noted the charity's expenditure is heavily weighted towards the winter when most site management work occurs whilst fundraising is spread more evenly from autumn through to mid-summer. In its budgeting, the charity makes no provision for emergency tree safety work, but should this be required, the necessary sums will be drawn from reserves, which will then be replenished in a timely manner. The charity also holds £10,000 as an "Early Response Reserve" to cover initial professional fees and the like should a land purchase opportunity present itself. This is in line with the charity's mission. Unless drawn down for its stated purpose, this reserve will be maintained indefinitely. The foregoing notwithstanding, the charity seeks to raise sufficient funds each year to cover day-to-day expenditure.

Risks and significant events

There have been no significant events affecting the charity's financial performance. However, in the period of this report there has been a modest decline in routine donations which was offset by two relatively generous donations (from a local resident and a community group). The charity has no investments, nor currently intends to have such investments, but cash not required for day-to-day activities is held in an interest-bearing bank deposit account. The charity's income is from a mix of public donations, sales of a calendar and grants. The proportions vary between years. The main risk to which the charity is currently exposed is an absence of committed, informed and competent volunteers required both to ensure the charity is run well but also to ensure biodiversity is being enhanced in the properties managed by the charity. In addition, the charity is responsible for mature trees of varying ages. The risk of these causing harm is managed by reference to The National Tree Safety Group's recommendations for the inspection of such trees.

Public benefit

The charity trustees confirm they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees' annual report was approved on 2[nd] January 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Mr J Pavey Trustee

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Year ended 31 March 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Histon & Impington Green Spaces ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent Examiner

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 8,412 35,270 43,682 45,021
Charitable activities 5 2,972 2,972 6,666
Investment income 6 253 253
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total income 11,637 35,270 46,907 51,687
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Costs of raising donations and
legacies 7 192 216 408 1,080
Expenditure on charitable activities 8,9,10 1,887 11,059 12,946 13,875
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total expenditure 2,079 11,275 13,354 14,955
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net income 9,558 23,995 33,553 36,732
============================ ============================ ============================ ============================
Transfers between funds 277,380 (277,380)
--------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net movement in funds 286,938 (253,385) 33,553 36,732
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 13,413 301,319 314,732 278,000
--------------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 300,351 47,934 348,285 314,732
================================= ================================= ================================= =================================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

2025 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 13 276,580 260,330
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 71,705 54,402
---------------------------- ----------------------------
Net current assets 71,705 54,402
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 348,285 314,732
================================= =================================
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 47,934 301,319
Unrestricted funds 300,351 13,413
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Total charity funds 14 348,285
=================================
314,732
=================================

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 2[nd] January 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Mr J Pavey Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Histon & Impington Recreation Ground, New Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9LU.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities upon receipt.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on a payments basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Fixtures and fittings

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly.

4. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Donations
Donations including Gift Aid 8,412 270 8,682
Grants
Grants received 35,000 35,000
------------------------ ---------------------------- ----------------------------
8,412 35,270 43,682
======================== ============================ ============================

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

4. Donations and legacies (continued)

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations including Gift Aid 6,599 19,999 26,598
Grants
Grants received 18,423 18,423
------------------------ ---------------------------- ----------------------------
6,599 38,422 45,021
======================== ============================ ============================
5. Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Walking tours and educational activities 769 769
Merchandise sales 2,203 2,203
------------------------ -------------- ------------------------
2,972 2,972
======================== ============== ========================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Walking tours and educational activities 1,358 2,577 3,935
Merchandise sales 2,731 2,731
------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
4,089 2,577 6,666
======================== ======================== ========================
6. Investment income
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Bank interest receivable 253 253
============== ============== ============== ==============
7. Costs of raising donations and legacies
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Fundraising costs 192 216 408
============== ============== ==============
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Fundraising costs 161 919 1,080
============== ============== ========================

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives 1,887 10,674 12,561
Support costs 385 385
------------------------ ---------------------------- ----------------------------
1,887 11,059 12,946
======================== ============================ ============================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives 1,132 12,111 13,243
Support costs 632 632
------------------------ ---------------------------- ----------------------------
1,132 12,743 13,875
======================== ============================ ============================
9. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
Activities
undertaken Total funds Total fund
directly Support costs 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Activities in furtherance of the charity's
objectives 12,561 385 12,946 13,875
============================ ============== ============================ ============================
10. Net income
Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):
2025 2024
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 800
========================

==============

11. Staff costs

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

12. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

No trustees have had any expenses reimbursed in the current or preceding year, other than refunds of legitimate trustee expenses.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

13. Tangible fixed assets

Land and Fixtures and
buildings fittings Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2024 260,330 260,330
Additions 17,050 17,050
Transfers (2,000) 2,000
--------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------------
At 31 March 2025 258,330 19,050 277,380
================================= ============================ =================================
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year 800 800
--------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------------
At 31 March 2025 800 800
================================= ============================ =================================
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025 258,330 18,250 276,580
================================= ============================ =================================
At 31 March 2024 260,330 260,330
================================= ============================ =================================

The land and buildings relates to Abbey Fields, the balance of £258,330 (2024: 260,330) relates to land which is not depreciated.

14. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At At
1 April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 13,413 11,637 (1,729) 23,771
Fixed asset fund (800) 277,380 276,580
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
13,413 11,637 (2,079) 277,380 300,351
============================ ============================ ======================== ================================= =================================
At At
1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
General funds 4,018 10,688 (1,293) 13,413
Fixed asset fund
------------------------ ---------------------------- ------------------------ -------------- ----------------------------
4,018 10,688 (1,293) 13,413
======================== ============================ ======================== ============== ============================

The fixed assets fund is the value of unrestricted funds represented by fixed assets owned by the charity. The transfer represents the net movement on additions, disposals and depreciation for the year.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

14. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)

Restricted funds

Restricted funds
At At
1 April 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Abbey Fields Properties 301,319 270 (11,275) (242,380) 47,934
Thalia WB Community
Fund 35,000 (35,000)
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
301,319 35,270 (11,275) (277,380) 47,934
====================================== ============================ ============================ ================================= =======================================
At At
1 April 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Abbey Fields Properties 273,982 40,999 (13,662) 301,319
Thalia WB Community
Fund
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------
273,982 40,999 (13,662) 301,319
====================================== ============================ ============================ ============== ==========================================

Thalia WB Community Fund

During the year a grant was received to purchase fixed assets. An amount of £35,000 has been transferred to the general fund in respect of the assets purchased.

Abbey Fields Properties

This fund is for the acquisition and management of the Abbey Fields properties. The funds can also be used for anything related to developing and sustaining HIGS as a viable charity, able to be an effective owner and custodian of Abbey Fields on behalf of the community in perpetuity.

The balance relating the purchase of the fixed asset has been transferred to a separate designated fund for fixed assets.

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Histon & Impington Green Spaces

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 March 2025

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 276,580 276,580
Current assets 23,771 47,934 71,705
--------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------------
Net assets 300,351 47,934 348,285
================================= ============================ =================================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 260,330 260,330
Current assets 13,413 40,989 54,402
---------------------------- --------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Net assets 13,413 301,319 314,732
============================ ================================= =================================

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