WEST JESMOND ALLOTMENTS CIO (charity no. 1205501)
Trustee Annual Report for West Jesmond Allotments CIO
(year ending 30 September 2025)
1. Introduction
Our CIO was registered on 30 September 2023. It had eight Trustees, two of whom stepped down during the year (Brian Barnes and Francis Mogg). We also welcomed John Waddell as a new Trustee. The Trustees were also the Management Committee of West Jesmond Allotments Association (WJAA). WJAA was set up in 1917 and has run an allotment site on the Town Moor of Newcastle upon Tyne since then. The Trustees decided not to set in operation the CIO immediately pending the signing of a new lease for our site and various administrative needs (e.g. a new bank account). Since October 2024 the CIO and Association have operated in parallel as the lease by which we hold the site has still not been signed and the successor rights in title rest with the Association until the new lease is signed by the CIO.
2. Object
The object of the CIO is to benefit the residents of Newcastle upon Tyne without distinction of gender, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by providing allotment gardens in the interests of social welfare for recreational leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the lives of all residents. We do this by providing opportunities for allotment holders to take joint action for common benefit and enjoy the benefits and pleasures of gardening, as well as advancing education and understanding relating to the benefits of gardening.
3. Year under review
3.1 Activities
All 114 plots on our allotment site were fully occupied from October 2024 to September 2025. In the course of the year, 15 plots changed hands and we welcomed 22 new members. Membership is open to all in the Newcastle area and plots are allocated in chronological turn from our waiting list.
During the year we held an open day for the public as part of the Jesmond Community Festival, including a guided tour of the site. Several social events were also organised for members, such as a Big Lunch, a summer and end-of-season BBQ and a fire on Bonfire Night.
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WEST JESMOND ALLOTMENTS CIO (charity no. 1205501)
3.2 Financial review
The CIO is subject to scrutiny by an independent auditor and following approval of our year-end accounts, our financial results can be summarised as outlined in the following sections. For further details, please see the statements in Appendix 1.
In the year from October 2024 to September 2025, the organisation received a total income of £8,386, derived mainly from membership fees (£4,601), donations (£247) and takings from sales on our Open Day (£439). No grants were applied for or received.
Outgoings came to a total £7,403 and we saw our costs for water, insurance and minor works go up. However, with no funds needed for major works, including as required by our lease with the Freemen of Newcastle, the year ended with a surplus of £983. This was added to our major works funds, which we maintain and build up to ensure resilience and cover large cost items such as the replacement of equipment and on-site structures, including fences.
Newcastle upon Tyne, 10 July 2026,
The Trustees
G. Herzmark S.C. Steele Trustee / Chair Trustee / Vice Chair J. Hargreaves J. Frehen Trustee / Membership Secretary Trustee / Treasurer R. Taylor C. Ingram Trustee Trustee
S.C. Steele Trustee / Vice Chair
R. Taylor Trustee J. Waddell Trustee
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WESTJESMOND ALLOTMENTS CIO (charity no. 1205501) endix 1- Financial statements WESTJESMOND AILOTMENTS CIO 1)2 247 illlr 17J •urF•JDJ¥*l14lor 17J
WEST JESMOND ALLOTMENTS CIO
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 30th September 2025
2023/2024 2024/2025 Income - rents & fees 4601 incomings & keys 445 use of hoses 984 sale of manure & woodchip 1568 seed order discount 102 open day / plant stall 439 miscellaneous income & donations 247 8386 less: Expenditure - rent for site 1368 water 1244 NSALG - affiliation fee & insurance 1029 manure, straw & woodchip for resale 1010 minor works & repairs 1175 mowers & equipment - new equipment 230 servicing 254 fuel 117 control of pests 173 locks & keys 46 secretarial & miscellaneous 828 7473 surplus / deficit (-) for year 913 Balance Sheet as at 30th September: at 30/9/25 Net Current Assets - Lloyds Treasurer Account 2441 5241 Net Current Liabilities 5241 Less: rent and seed orders received in advance -2441 -3509 1732 0 Net equity 1732 Represented By - General Fund - balance brought forward 0 0 surplus for year 0 913 t/f to Major Works Reserve Fund -913 balance carried forward 8 0 Major Works Reserve Fund - balance brought forward contributions in year 913 t/f from General Fund 820 grants received 0 less costs incurred 0 balance carried forward 1732 1732