2023-03-31-accounts - Farncombe Community Garden

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Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Annual report and Accounts 31[st] March 2023

Charity’s principal address: c/o Binscombe Medical Centre 106 Binscombe Lane Godalming GU7 3PR

Trustees: Helen Farmer (Chair) Dr Martin Brunet Deepa Craig Dr Karen Jones

Aims and Objectives

Farncombe Community Garden is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The charitable objectives are stated in its constitution: -

To provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation by providing an area for use as a community garden for individuals in Farncombe and the surrounding area who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.

Farncombe Community Garden is an ambitious project which aims to bring the local community together in the creation of a vibrant, beautiful, productive, and wildlife-friendly garden. It will be inclusive to all, seeking to share the health and well-being benefits of the outdoors, connecting people more closely to the natural world on our doorstep and encouraging community cohesion as individuals of all ages and backgrounds work together towards a common goal.

Vision and Mission

The project vision is to establish a working community garden within Farncombe for all the local residents to benefit from, whether it is through taking up gardening for the first time to aid recovery from a physical or mental health problem, finding purpose by volunteering in

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

support of the project, enjoying passing on a passion for gardening to others, or in education as people of all ages are encouraged to learn about horticulture and the importance of encouraging and supporting wildlife in an urban environment.

In planning the charity’s activities the trustees have regarded the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Organisational Structure

As well as the four trustees to oversee and give strategic direction to the project, there is a management team who meet regularly consisting of 10 volunteers with different areas of expertise.

Achievements and performance

During the first year of the charity the key achievements were as follows: -

Securing a 2.5 acre site by signing an initial 15 year lease with Surrey County Council at a peppercorn rent;
Raising over £100,000 in income through grants and donations;
Over 80 people engaging with the garden and activities so far;
Raising the profile of the garden through fundraising events, social media, a new website, a radio appearance on BBC Surrey, and talks to the public;
Developing links with other community groups and other service providers, including the local care home.

The charity commissioned various ecological surveys to determine the suitability of the site and preserve its natural features and biodiversity.

Future Plans

Over the next year our aims are to achieve the following:

Install a wildlife pond
Install a temporary building on the site to allow all-weather activities for up to 30 people
Install accessible pathways around the site
Install accessible plant beds
Install a polytunnel to allow a wider range of gardening opportunities and development of skills
Enlist and train a team of volunteers and provide safeguarding training and undertake DBS checks
Continue to develop links with other local charities and services
Hold at least 4 regular sessions per week, with the aim to engage at least 100 people

By the end of 3 years, we hope to:

Have a core team of support volunteers to help run sessions
Recruit further trustees with a variety of relevant skills

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Hold at least 6 sessions over 3 days, including one weekend session
Each session with up to 30 people including supported and supporting volunteers
Have an annual schedule of activities to cover the full calendar year
Have at least one open garden event per year to showcase the garden and sell plants and produce from the garden
Have a programme of workshops throughout the year to generate revenue and increase community engagement
Have collected strong evidence of impact

Financial Review

The charity received grants from People’s Postcode Lottery, The National Lottery, Openworks, The Community Foundation for Surrey, Binscombe Medical Trust and Penny Rivers via the Surrey County Councillor nomination. A grant was also awarded by Godalming Town Council for a storage container, but planning permission needs to be granted before this will be received.

A restricted donation was also received towards a building on the site.

Donations of goods/services have been gratefully received from Honey Brothers, Lucas Groundworks, Alstom and Network Rail. These included a donation of loose tools which totalled £577. The Charity has chosen not to include these in the Accounts. Donations were also received from individuals through various initiatives, including a crowd-funding campaign and a wreath-making workshop.

Expenditure of funds was delayed due to waiting for confirmation of the lease from Surrey County Council. This is now in place and it is expected that the grants will be spent in the next few months on developing the infrastructure so that the garden can be made safe and accessible to the public.

Whilst the charity has been successful securing grants in the first year, the aim will be to try and build up sustainable income sources and reserves to cover running costs once the garden is fully open.

This report was approved by the trustees on 28[th] June 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Helen Farmer (Chair of Trustees)

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Farncombe Community garden (the charity) for the period to 1 December 2021 to 31 March 2023 as set out on pages 5 and 6.

Responsibilities and basis of report

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s trustees consider an audit is not required for this financial period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’ report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

P I Vickerman FCA Practising Accountant 31a Nightingale Road Godalming Surrey GU7 2HP

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Farncombe Community Garden Receipts and payments accounts

Charity number: 1198491

1st December 2021-31st March 2023

RECEIPTS Grants Donations Total receipts PAYMENTS Infrastructure Fundraising costs Administration and insurance Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS £ £ £ - 59,700 59,700 15,150 30,000 45,150
	15,150 89,700 104,850
	4,528 14,279 18,807 212 - 212 403 - 403
	5,143 14,279 19,422

	10,007 75,421 85,428
	- - -
	10,007 75,421 85,428

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31st March 2023

Assets Cash in current account Total Liabilities Amounts due in respect of acquisition of lease Total	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS £ £ £ 10,007 75,421 85,428
	10,007 75,421 85,428
	978 - 978
	978 - 978

The notes on page 6 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the trustees on 28th June 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Name:

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023

Farncombe Community Garden

Charity number 1198491

Notes to the Financial Statements

1[st] December 2021-31[st] March 2023

Assets are only capitalised when future income or cost reduction from their acquisiation can be identified.

2. Restricted Fund Analysis

Postcode Society Trust National Lottery Openworks Penny Rivers SCC CF Surrey Care UK (donation)	Total Received £ 25,000 10,000 10,000 2,500 12,200 30,000 89,700	Total Expenditure £ 11,779 - - 2,500 - - 14,279	Balance C/fwd £ 13,221 10,000 10,000 - 12,200 30,000
			75,421

FARNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS MARCH 2023