-• FRIENDS OF SANDFORD PARK sJndtordpaTktTJ?nd5.C• 2024-25 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE CHARITY COMMISSION REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The Fnends of Sandford Parks IFOSP) is a Charitsble IncorpcKated (ganisatIon (CIO) Ihat was registered on 22 May 2023, and its regislered charity number is 1203191. This repyt covers the acc(nting penod from 1 September 2024 unb'l 31 August 2025. FOSP'S wISted address and principal office address is: 4 Belgravia Court 116 London Road Chellenham G1ceStershIre GL52 6HJ The current FOSP Trustees are: Richard Dominic Did¢ens Woolley (Chair) Anne Evans OBE. MA (Vu Chair} Celia fvlary Macnab Nigel Gilhe8d lan Alexander Johnstrjne (Treasurer)
STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT The Friends of Sandford Parks (FOSP) was established as an Unlncorpated membership group in 2014. The members conduct fundraising, litter pbcking and park maintenance ath"vities. FOSP liaises wilh Chelienham Borough Council and campaigns to pSeIe and enhance the parks, faciltties. Wrth revenue exceeding £5,OCH). it became necessary to register the organisation as a charity and. tn May 2023. FOSP was reglstered as 8 Charitable Incorporaled Organisation (CIO). FOSP is an ind8perKlent CIO and is governed by a constitution that dosely follows the Chafity Commission's M(Mdel Constitution for a CIO with a voting membership ('Association Model Constitution'}. General Meetiros for the membership are held quarterfy, arKI the trustees meet every four to six week5 to manage the chanty's aclivities. The Conslituts'on requires a mlnimum of four trustees. In gust 2025, FOSP'S membership induded 86 subscribing members and 11 honorary members. FOSP has no empk>yees and does not own (y lease any land or tjuildings. FOSP'S assets are limited to cash lunds plus malerials and equipfflent. The total value of t materials and equipment is less thal £2(M). As FOSP'S gross income is less than £SOO,000. the charity's accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments ba515 and have l)een subjoGt8d to an Irependent examinab'on. OBJECTIVES AND ACTNMES Gen•rnl FOSP'S objectives are to benefit the residents of Cheltenham and the surrounding area (-the area of benefit-), by providing, or supprjrting the Provision of. facilities for recreatson and other leisure activities in the interests of social welfare. The aim is to improve the quality of lrfe for the hxal community, particularly. though not exdusivety, through the preservalion. promots"on. supp, assistance, and enhancement of Sandford Parks. FOSP raises funds fof park infrastruciure, induding lighting, exercise equipmenl. seab"ng, iable tennis taLeS, plants"w and horticultural restorats"on. Its members help with park mainterkince and (x)nduct regular litter picking. FOSP is currenty Campaning to raise funds for installing heritage inf0mtion SnS and fof upgrading the playgrourKJ. FOSP liaises dosely with Cheltenham Borough nCIl WIK) own and manage Sandford Parks.
2024-25 Actlvltles The 2024-2025 financial year was another successful period ts FOSP. Membership grew to jiist under 1 CK), while volunteers continued lo work tirelessly on litter pi(&ing and gardening. helping to keep both parks well-maintained and attractive. Community feedback has praised the improvements, noting that the two secbons of Sandford Parks are looking better than ever. This firHrKial yew ha5 seen a strern1 of FOSP'S reputstion. Participaln in the Mayor's Charities <2024-2025) involved members ntributing to many events. Three of these were led by FOSP: Music in the Park. A Champagne Tea with Dame Prue Leth. arwj a c(xnmunity celebrab.on of Christmas at a Ial church. These cx)nln'buted funds to the Mayor's Charity. fr whith FOSP benefitted to the amunt of £17,775. the IthC1vj year. FOSP has idenlffied im) mai(x propcts: upgtadiThJ the thildren's playgrwnd and raising awareness of the parks. Ig heritsge. Work on both projects is already Undeay. As part of this heritage I'alIVe. Herilage EnglarKI requires FOSP to improve the public is lor[ned att the history of the parks, ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE In spring 2025. the parks, Green Hag siatus was awarded for the se)nd rcutIve year. Tlwee events Ihis year iNustrate dNerse aryj successful FOSP (an be. In November, the tea with Dame Pnje Leth was g1amC0U$. entertaining and (Jelicious. It was njn alory the lines of a Cheltenham Literature Festival event. with a One-t(ne inteThivw. arKI quests'cS being taken from the audnce. In De(xrnber, the celebratK of Christrnas invdved a kKal wimary s(KX)l. the thurth and members of the public. sharing music. readiThJs. carols, as v1 as hLYnemade mince pies with fNlled wine. The greatest achievefftht was Ihe Summer FestivaF on of the days of ttr year. The event attracted huge cxowds and raised rwrly £6,0 to kbckstart t upgrade of the playqround. The festiv81 demonstrated trKYW FOSP has tlIt reputation fc deliveriry SucssIU1. responsible arml EII ganised public events. These three events FOSP'S diversity of skills and abiltties to pull togeltr different, Iwl equaNy mable (KlOn8 for th8 benefft of thg k)cal MmunIty.
FINANCIAL REVIEW The total receipts for the year ended 314 August ami)unled to £29,823. Thi5 figure Includes restricted funds totalling £19,365 and £10,458 in unrestricted funds. Restricted funds induded £17,775 reiVed from the Mayor's Charity and £1,0 (Jonats"ons for the Playground ProjecL The Summer Festival contributed £8.301 towards unrestricted inwme. The total expendrture amounted lo £2.714. of which £2,358 related to the costs of the Summer Festival. Cash funds at the end of the financial year amounted to £2,802 in a current account, and £27,500 in a deFM)Sit account, totalling £30.302. This figure comprises £22,165 in restried funds arHJ £8,137 in unrestricted funds. FOSP seeks to ensure thal membership subscripbons are sufficient to cover general and marketing costs. For this finarbcial year. subscription irbcome was £589, and total administrab'on costs amounted to £356. Reserves Policy is to ensure that there are sufficient unrestricted funds io covef general arKI marketing ¢x>sts for at least six months. The Trustees consider that a reserve of £500 is suffi(ient for this purpose. Expenditure on charitable projects Is always limited to the restrbcled funds Ihal have been receive(J. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES ON BEHALF OF OTHERS Each charity project is separately accA)unted for. and the detsils are as follows: Park B•nch Project In January 2024, FOSP received 8n £800 grant from Cheltenham Rotary arKI in May 2024. a donation of £2,OCM) was recerrfed from the Jockey Club's Gold Cup 100 Fund. These donats'ons will be used lo pay for iwo wooden part berths that were installed in late 2024. Payment will be made once all signage is complete. Twlnnlng Slgn A sum of £500 has been alkKated for a Twinning sign, wrth payment to be made on the sign has been installed.
Playground Update In July 2025. a donab'on of £17,775 was rpceived from the Major's Charity. supplemented by individual donations totalling £1.09). At the year end. total funts raised fof the proiecl arnounted to £18.865. PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The purpose of FOSP is to hdp 8nsure that Sanford Parks retsin their amenty value for Ihe hearth and benefil of park users arwj othef interested members of the public. Membefship of FOSP does not proVe any wvileges other than what is available to the wblic. Based upon the Charity Commissions GuKJance document (PB1), the Trustees believe that FOSP has complied with section 4 of the 2006 Charilies Aci. sign behalf of Ihe FOSP Trustees Anne Evans. Trustee Dated ......2.4 2026 lan A Johnsione. Trustee & Treasurer .......... .... ..,..
Accounts for the year ended 31st August 2025
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The Friends of Sandford Parks (FOSP)
– Income & Expenditure For y/e 31 August 2025
General Income & Expenditure
| General Income & Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Income Membership Summer Festival Donations Sale of cards Bank compensation Interest received Expenditure Summer Festival Website costs Banner Surplus for the year Restricted Income Mayor’s Charity Twinning sign Playground donations Assets |
589 8,301 1,365 85 100 18 £10,458 |
|
2,358 158 198 £2,714 £7,744 17,775 500 1,090 £19,365 |
2,358 158 198 £2,714 £7,744 |
|
£ |
2
| Current Account Deposit Account Representing: General Account Balance Restricted Funds Balance Liabilities Due to CBC for Park Benches Due to CBC for Twinning Signs Total Liabilities Member’s funds |
2,802 27,500 8,137 22,165 2,800 500 3,300 £27,002 |
2,802 27,500 |
|---|---|---|
£ |
FUNDING PROJECTS
Park Bench Project
We have received £2,800 for this project. Two benches have now been installed in Sandford Park (West) and we are currently awaiting an invoice from CBC.
Twinning Signs
We have received £500 for this project.
Playground Fund
We have received donations net of charges of £1089.66, together with £17775 from the Mayor’s Charity..
Heritage Signs
We have received a donation of £920 for a board.
Ian Johnstone, 31 October 2025
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Thg Friends of Sandford Parks IFOSP) I report lo the trustees on rny examination of the accounts of The Friends of Sandford Parks <FOSP) for the yoar ended 31 Augus12025. Responsibilities and basls of report As the charity tnjslees of FOSP you are responsible for the preparation of the account6 in accordance wilh the roquirements ol ihe Chzritips Act 20111'lhe Act.). I report in respect of my examination ol Ihe Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of tho 2011 Act and in carying out my examinab'on I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){b) of the Act. Independent examFner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm thal no material matters have come io my atteniion in connection with the examination giving me cause lo believe that in any niaierial respect.. accounling records wore not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act- or 2. ihe accounts do not accord wilh Ihose records. I liave no concerns and havo Gome across no other matters in connects.on with Ihe examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of ihe accounts to be reached. Signed: N8me= John Christian Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (If any)= Associate Member of tlie Chartered Institute of Managernent Accountants Addre5s'. 23 010 Bath Road. Cheltenham, G105 GL53 7QE Date: 21 st January 2026