Litter Free Norbury - Trustees' Annual Report 2024 (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1200540)
Aim and purposes
Litter Free Norbury (LFN), rooted in its commitment to environmental sustainability, focuses on reducing litter and enhancing green spaces in Norbury. Our vision is to foster a community deeply engaged in environmental stewardship.
Objectives and Activities
Litter Free Norbury is devoted to enhancing the environmental health of our community and enabling as many people as possible to engage in the stewardship of our local environment. Our objectives are centred on promoting responsible waste disposal, recycling, and general environmental awareness to ensure a cleaner, greener Norbury for all.
In line with our commitment to public benefit, we maintain a broad perspective on environmental initiatives within the community, offering opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in our activities. Our efforts are embodied in practical action, education, and community engagement.
When planning our activities for the year, the trustees have taken into account the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Specifically, we aim to empower residents to contribute positively to their environment, facilitating a collective effort towards a sustainable future. This is achieved through:
1. Monthly Clean-up Events
In January 2022 we decided to start holding a monthly litter picking event to bring members together and target different areas of Norbury each month.
Between October 2022 and March 2023, we undertook 6 events with 115 attendees who collected 208 bags of litter from our streets and green spaces.
2. Manor Farm Nature Reserve
Norbury’s own nature space has been sorely neglected over recent years after a previous group/project folded and the council has not had the resources to undertake regular maintenance. As such it had seemingly just turned into a fly-tipping dumping ground and was full of litter. We undertook 2 community clean-up events there that cleared over 70 bags of litter and other detritus from the area as well as undertaking cleaning of the Norbury Brook.
3. Litter Picking Equipment provision
We have purchased and distributed a number of litter picking kits to members and residents that are keen to undertake solo litter picking activities.
4. LFN Street Cleaners
In March we started a new initiative to employ our own dedicated street cleaners to help with the litter issues and report other environmental issues, such as fly-tipping.
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5. Maggie’s Garden Project
This council owned space located on Green Lane over the past few years has become a litter and fly-tipping hot spot. Receiving little to no regular maintenance by Croydon Council, we were given permission to undertake a renovation of the site and transform it into a beautiful community garden. LFN undertook the bulk of the fundraising activities, raising nearly £2500 in donations (2022/23 period) from our trustees, benefactors, members and other residents. This allowed us to undertake several planting events for the garden to take shape, During the 2023/24 period.
6. Sticker & Signage Campaign
We have undertaken a concerted signage campaign to attempt to educate people not to litter or fly-tip on our streets and worked with other local groups to place them within our parks. The signage deployed has been a mix of bespoke LFN printed designs and off the shelf stickers supplied by specialist retailers.
To enable this crucial work, it is imperative that we maintain our equipment, manage funds judiciously, and foster partnerships with local businesses and authorities. This ensures that Litter Free Norbury continues to serve as a beacon of community-driven environmental change.
Achievements and Performance
● Environmental Engagement and Education
Litter Free Norbury is dedicated to offering a variety of initiatives and projects throughout the year that our community finds both beneficial and fulfilling. For example, our monthly clean-up events provide a hands-on, proactive environment for environmental stewardship, while educational workshops offer opportunities for people to engage in learning about sustainability and conservation efforts. This year, we have successfully engaged more families and community groups in our activities, including the launch of Maggie's Garden Project, which has been instrumental in not only beautifying the local area but also in fostering community spirit and environmental responsibility. This initiative has necessitated a new approach to organizing volunteers and resources, and we are pleased to report that the community has embraced the new program since its inception.
● Community and Volunteer Growth
The trust has placed a significant emphasis on community participation, seeing an increase in volunteer numbers and collective hours contributed. Our volunteer program has been recognized for its inclusivity and impact, attracting individuals from various demographics and backgrounds to participate in our cause.
- Outreach and Impact
Throughout the year, Litter Free Norbury has maintained its focus on outreach work, expanding its environmental impact to surrounding areas and schools. Our efforts have not only improved local green spaces but have also raised awareness about the importance of environmental care.
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● Community Support
Reflecting our commitment to the well-being of our community, Litter Free Norbury has provided support to various local initiatives, such as community gardens, that align with our objectives. Our efforts have contributed to a stronger sense of community and increased awareness of environmental issues.
● Financial Prudence and Fund Management
Financially, we have been prudent, focusing on maximizing the impact of every donation. We are preparing for future projects and potential needs by setting aside funds, which demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and long-term planning.
● Looking Ahead
As we look forward to the coming year, Litter Free Norbury remains committed to expanding its reach, improving its programs, and continuing to make a significant impact on the environmental health of our community. We eagerly anticipate the continued support and growth of our volunteer base, the successful implementation of new projects, and the strengthening of our community partnerships.
Financial Review:
In the past year, LFN has seen a positive financial performance with notable achievements in both income and asset management. Total unrestricted fund receipts amounted to £31,818, with donations making a significant contribution of £31,745. Additionally, we received a refund from Croydon Council amounting to £73.
Expenditures for the year were well-managed, totaling £15,090, and necessary operational costs like street cleaning labour (£11,921) and equipment (£580).
The net result of our receipts over payments was a robust £16,727, which reflects our commitment to efficient financial management and community engagement.
We also saw a healthy cash fund increase from the previous year's end balance of £23,878 to a closing balance of £40,605. This is a testament to our successful fundraising activities and prudent financial stewardship.
Our assets have been strategically utilized to support the charity’s mission, with investments in computer equipment, litter picking equipment, and advertising materials such as leaflets and posters. These assets are essential for our ongoing community outreach and operational effectiveness.
As we move forward, we are dedicated to continuing our work with vigilance and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that every penny is put towards making Norbury a cleaner and greener place for all.
Structure, governance and Management:
Litter Free Norbury is governed by a dedicated team of charity trustees who are foundational to our structure and operations. The initial trustees appointed are as follows:
Guillaume Raillard Anthony Hooker James Evans
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These trustees have been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding LFN towards achieving its charitable objectives and ensuring that the organization’s governance is robust and transparent.
At LFN, our trustees are responsible for making key decisions on all matters of significance to the charity. This includes strategic planning, operational management, and the allocation of funds. Each trustee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to their role, contributing to the effective oversight of the charity's activities.
Meetings of the trustees are held regularly to discuss and review the progress of LFN's projects, financial status, and future plans. In the past year, the trustees met multiple times, maintaining a high level of engagement and attendance.
Given the breadth of responsibilities, the trustees may form committees to focus on specific areas of LFN's work, such as community engagement, environmental impact, and financial oversight. These committees are tasked with managing particular facets of the charity’s work and report their findings and recommendations back to the full board of trustees for discussion and decision-making.
The trustees are committed to fostering a transparent and inclusive atmosphere where all members of the community are encouraged to offer their input and support the charity's mission.
Through this structure of governance and management, Litter Free Norbury aims to continue its work effectively, ensuring that our goals for a cleaner and more sustainable community are met with the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
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Litter Free Norbury - Financial statements for the period 06/04/2023 to 05/04/2024
Receipts and payments
| Receipts | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds |
Total funds |
Last year | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
|||||
| - - 5,029 500 5,529 - 2,056 500 |
- - - - - - - |
||||||||
| Donations | 26,716 | - | |||||||
| Croydon Council (insurance premium refund) |
73 | - | |||||||
| Donations - Maggie's | - | ||||||||
| Donation-Annual Report Examination | - | ||||||||
| Subtotal (Gross income | 26,789 | ||||||||
| Payments | |||||||||
| Street Cleaning (Labour) | - | - | - | ||||||
| 11,921 | 11,921 | ||||||||
| Stickers & Signage Campaign | |||||||||
| 122 | 122 | ||||||||
| Equipment | |||||||||
| 580 | 580 | ||||||||
| Insurance Policy Premium | |||||||||
| 73 | 73 | ||||||||
| Administration | |||||||||
| 338 | 338 | ||||||||
| Maggie's Garden Project Expenditure |
2,056 | - | - | ||||||
| 2,056 | |||||||||
| Annual Report Examination | - | 500 | - | 500 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total | 13,034 | 2,556 | 0 | 15,590 | 0 | ||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 13,754 | 2,973 | - | 16,727 | - | ||||
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Cash funds last year end | 23,878 | - | - | 23,878 | - | ||||
| Cash funds this year end | 37,632 | 2,973 | - | 40,605 | - |
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NOTES
The financial statements of Litter Free Norbury (LFN) have been prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards using the Receipts & Payments basis for the period 06/04/2023 to 05/04/2024.
Principal Assets and Fund Management:
The primary fixed asset of LFN includes equipment used for litter collection and community clean-up projects. These assets, while recognized, are not individually valued in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
LFN does not hold endowment funds. All resources are directly utilized for our active environmental projects and operational costs, aligning with our charitable objectives.
Financial Movements Summary:
The movements in funds during the year were as follows:
| Fund Type | Balance B/fwd | Receipts | Payments | Transfers | Balance C/fwd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund | £23,878.00 | £31,818.00 | £15,090.00 | - | £40,605.00 |
-
The General Fund represents the unrestricted funds available for use in any of the charity's projects and restricted funds for use Maggi’s Project and Annual Examination.
-
The Transfers column has been left blank as there were no transfers between funds.
-
The balance carried forward represents the closing balance post the year's activities, set to be utilized in the following year.
Expenditure Breakdown:
The expenditure reflects LFN’s commitment to its mission, with a significant portion allocated to street cleaning and community projects. The details are as follows:
-
Street Cleaning (Labor): £11,921.00
-
Stickers & Signage Campaign: £122.00
-
Equipment: £580.00
-
Bank Charges (HSBC): £68.00
-
Maggie's Garden Project Expenditure: £2,056.00
-
Annual Examination fee £500.00
-
Printing/Advertising Costs: £167.00
-
Miscellaneous: £104.00
-
Insurance Policy Premium: £73.00
Total Income: £32,318.00 | Total Expenditure: £15,590.00 | Net Income for the period: £16,727.00 Administrative costs were minimized to maximize the allocation of funds to our charitable activities.
The financial statements were approved by the board and signed on their behalf by the trustee on ………….
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Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories | Details | Unrestricte d ed funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||
| Cash funds | Funds held at Bank (Current Account) | 40,605 | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| Total cash funds | 40,605 |
- | - | |||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
||||||
| OK | OK | OK | ||||
| Details | Fund to which asset **belongs ** |
Cost (optional) |
Current value (optional) |
|||
| Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Computer Equipment | - | - | |||
| Litter Picking Equipment | - | - | ||||
| Advertising Materials (eg Leaflets/Posters) |
- | - |
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| Income & Expenditure Summary 2024 (Annual Return) (Details receipts and payments for LFN Charity period 06/04/23 - 05/04/2024) |
Income & Expenditure Summary 2024 (Annual Return) (Details receipts and payments for LFN Charity period 06/04/23 - 05/04/2024) |
Income & Expenditure Summary 2024 (Annual Return) (Details receipts and payments for LFN Charity period 06/04/23 - 05/04/2024) |
Income & Expenditure Summary 2024 (Annual Return) (Details receipts and payments for LFN Charity period 06/04/23 - 05/04/2024) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Details receipts and payments fo |
||||
| Money In | Money Out | |||
| Starting Balance 06/04/2023 | £23,878 | Expenditure: a) Street Cleaners b) Stickers & Signage Campaign c) Equipment AMAZON 026-259828 AMAZON 205-326770 LONDON AMAZON 205-525278 LONDON AMZNMktplace amazon.co.uk Mr A C HOOKER 6x Litter Pickers Mr A C HOOKER Events Work Gloves Mr A C HOOKER Folding Trolley Mr A C HOOKER Sticky goo remover Trackers/SIMs Annual Report Assisting d) Insurance e) Administration Admin/Bank Fees Printing Costs Miscellaneous f) Maggie's Spending* |
£11,921 £122 £23 £74 £49 £14 £15 £11 £96 £11 £286 £500 £73 £68 £167 £104 £2,056 |
|
| Income: Donations Donations - Maggie's Annual Report Assisting Insurance Refund CC |
£26,716 £5,029 £500 £73 |
|||
| Total income | £32,318 | Total Expenditure | £15,590 | |
| Income vs Expenditure | £16,727 | |||
| Cash Balance carried forward | £40,605 | |||
| (as at 05/04/2024) |
Independent Examiner’s Report
Litter Free Norbury (LFN) Report to the trustees On accounts for the 5[th] April 2024 Charity no 1200540 year ended
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 05/ 04 / 2024.
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did 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.
Date: 08/01/2025 Signed: Name: AURORA GUINDEL SANCHEZ Relevant professional Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Joubert Solutions Ltd 7 Bell Yard, London, England, WC2A 2JR