FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH OOWNS REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Charity Re8lStration Number 230329 Company Number 319437 Annual Report of Trustees and Directors 20Z3 Reglstered Office- 5, Swan Court. Station Road. Pulborough. West Sussex RH20 IRL Telephone: 01798 875073 Email: enquiries@friendsofthesouthdown5.org.uk Webslte.. www.friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk President: Baroness Jones of Whitchurch Vlce-Presldents Peter Harris, Lord Lloyd of Berwick PC, Richard Reed, and Gerard Ryan QC. Patrons Lord Sawyer of Darlington, Lord Egremont Corporate Sponsors Albourne Estate & Nyetimber Vineyard. Landmark Systems, Lan8hams Brewery and The Pulborough Exchan8e Members of Councll during 2023 (The CharltyTru5tee5 and Dlrertors of the Company) David Sawyer Patrlck Haworth David Coldwell Glynn Jones Andrew Lovett Nick Isaac Caroline Douglas Richard Reed Chris Steibelt David Green Paul Wilkin50n Janet Goody Elected May 22 Martin Small Elected May 22 Indicates actual and posslble number of Councll meetings attended. Chalrman 414 414 1/1 oil 414 314 314 1/1 Iii 414 414 314 414 ResS8ned May 23 Resi8ned May 23 Treasurer Resigned May 23 Resl8ned May 23 Staff at 31st December 2023: Office Manager Marketing Manager Social Medla Coordinator Allson Isaac Gill Llnturn Laura Llbricz Bankers CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kln8s Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Mailing, Kent ME19 4JQ PO Box 358 Barclays Bank plc. North Street, Brighton BNI ISF Independent Examiner of the accounts David Wheeler, Cheeld Wheeler & Co, Redhlll Chambers, 2d Hl8h Street, Redhill, RHI IRJ Investment Managers: Cazenove Capital Management, 12 Moor8ate, London EC2R 6DA Representatlves on slgnlficant external bodies a5 at 31 December 2023 Campaign for National Parks: Martin Small South Downs Network: Martin Small The trustees, who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their annual report. The financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023 are available on the Companies House website at www.companieshouse.gov.uk. The trustee5 have adopted the provisions of the statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI 'Accountlng and reporting by Charities" issued in 2019. This report has been prepared in accordance wSth the special provision5 of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. structure, Governance and Mana8ement The Friends of the South Downs is a company limited by 8u3rantee under the Companies Acts (number 3194371 and a registered charity (number 2303291. The name of the company and charity changed from South Downs Society during 2022. The Articles of Assoclation were revised at the Annual General Meetin8 7 November 2020. Membership of the Friends is open to all. Membership on 31112123 wa5 1,425, The Council is responsible for the management of the Frlends and for setting its Strategic direction. Its membership consists of the Treasurer and up to 12 ordlnary members who are elected at an AGM. The Treasurer Is elected annually but may be re-elected whilst ordinary members are elected for three year5 after which they may be re-elected. Members are Invlted to become trustees, by the Chairman, in the Down5man magazine and in the monthly e-news. Applicants are interviewed by the Chairman and one other trustee, The names of members of the Council serving in 2023 are shown on pa8e 2. New members of Council are provided wlth relevant Charlty Commlssion publications and offered a one-to-one briefin8. The Frlends have three commlttees which are appointed annually. These are the Plannin8 and Conservation Committee whlch co-ordinate5 the work of District Offlcers In advlslng on developments in their area,, the Access and Rights of Way Committee which provides 8uidance to the team of Area Access Offlcers In considerin8 access and ri8hts of way issue5 currently in the proce55 of reinstatement,. and the Membership and Marketing Committee which aims to increase the membership of the Frlends and Is responslble for fund raislng and member events. A large team of volunteers perform a variety of task5 including belng commlttee members, District Officers, Area Access Offlcers, walks leaders and providin8 administrative 5UPPOrt. Objectives and Artlvities The Frlends's objective is to conserve and enhance for the publlc benefit the beauty and amenitles of the South Downs in and withln the vicinity of the South Downs National Park. We are the only membership or8anls3tlon dedicated to conserving and enhancing the beauty and amenities of the South Downs National Park. We work hard to improve access to the park and take an inform'ed interest in planning policy and planning applications. As well as providing a comprehensive programme of walks and strolls we take a special interest in access, rights of way and other park initiatives both in the Park and in the immediate area. The Monday Group, based in Ditchling, are replacing sliles with gates which the Friends are fundin8, 58 of which have been completed. A project to provide seats made of oak and with various designs at regular intervals along the South Dowlls Way has achieved seven seats to date, We a150 run projects to encourage the Interest of children in the South Downs. For the first tlme th15 year we have worked closely with Brighton Unlver5ity, provldlnB encouragement for environmental students with prizes and an m.sc project. The trustees believe that all these activities ensure that we fulfil our duty in section 4 of the 2006 Charities Act to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Achlevements and Perforrnance th 2023 was the 100 anniversary of the creation of our organlsatlon. An enthusiastic and knowledgeable group of Trustees led the Friend5 to a successful and actlve centenary year, with many speclal prolects arranged to recognise the achlevement. Durlng the year we: Continued to respond to plannSn8, transport and acce55 Issue5 (see below) Provided a full walks and strolls programme. Thls pro8ramme continues to be well supported by members, encouraging many onto and around the Downs on walk5 and strolls that provide a warm welcome to newcomers and regulars alike. Our project to fund stiles on paths wlthin and around the park wlth kissln8 gates has continued. We were fortunate to find the Monday Group who are an enthuslastlc 8roup of men who have undertaken to provide gates alon8slde their existing work refurbishing stiles. This project enables very many le55 mobile walker5 to Use popular paths that have been Impossible for them to use because they cannot climb over stlles. Continued to run projects encouragin8 children to learn about the Downs Pro8ress contlnues wlth the provlslon of oak seats on the South Downs Way. Seven seats have been fitted.. a new supplier has also been engaged who is fitting seats faster then has hitherto been possible. Our staff have continued to provlde support to Trustees and members. All three current members of staff work part time, 8iving a full-time equlvalent staff level of 1.3. Our office manager Allson Jone5 Wlth her team Gill Linturn and Laura Libricz managed all finances, membership records, attendance at local shows etc. We have signlflcantly increased our presence on social medla thanks to the expertlse of our staff. Planning and Conservation The Planning and Conservation Committee is tasked with monitoring all planning activity across the National Park {NPI. This 15 done through a network of District Officers ID051, all member5 of the Friends and volunteer5 and each coverin8 a group of about 617 parishes across the 170 odd parishes in the NP. Each week the NP Authority INPA) issues separate lists of new application5 received and validated. decision5 made and appeals determined. ThSs year there has been no noticeable 51owdown in the number of applications coming in. We would only reckon to comment on a very small proportion of these, those Identifled bv DOS as of significance to the NP, or to local communlties within it. That is where the local knowledge of DOS is so vital. Probably the single most important application for the NP in the last few years has been that for the Phoenix Causeway, North Street development in Lewes. It is a bold, excitin8, even visionary mixed-u5e scheme. It would provide 685 new homes, but much more. It had our support and has now been passed. The other major application of late has been the Towner Gallery led scheme for the change of use of the Black Robln Farm complex off Beachy Head Road just outside Eastbourne Into cultural and education centre. Our vlew was that the scheme involved a confllct between the two primary purposes of the NP, conservation and acce55 for the publlc. In those circumstances, it is clearly established that the NPA has to attach greater weight to the conservation purpose. We did speak against the Officer's recommendation to grant permlsslon, but It was passed by a margln of 5 to 4. Access and Rl8hts of Wav The SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY have said that they will no longer be conducting audlts of a representative sample of PROWS in the Park Just the SDW. It is also lookin8 at strearnlining the process for monitorin8 the maintenance of the SDW. Car parklng at Whiteways Is now free again, but currently closes at 4pm..We will continue to monltor the introduction of car parking charges. but to be realistic the objective must be to keep charges at an acceptable level rather than to oppose all together. The Environmental Land Management Scheme contlnues to be rolled out. The Labour Party has wlthdrawn the Right to Roam as a Manifesto Pledge but will continue to pursue the extension of CROW. An open letter drafted by CNP and signed on behalf of nine Friends organisations including ourselves has been sent to the leader of political parties with an MP in England a5 to policies CNP would like to see adopted in manifesto pledges and plans. There is a campaign to resolve the i55ue of Acce55 Land created without access. The Darwall case relatin8 to the ri8ht to wild camp on Dartmoor is to go to the Supreme Court. Membershlp and Marketln8 The purpose of the M&M Committee is to increase our membership, to organise member events, and to raise funds - so that we can continue to achieve our charitable objectives. Our membership did grow during 2023, at a time when other National Park Societie5 have struggled to maintain their membership numbers. On events, our focus thls year has been on celebrating our Centenary. This included publishln8 Rlchard Reed's excellent history of the FSD, talks by high-profile speakers, and a reception in the House of Lords generously hosted by our President, Baroness Jones. Plus, we established a relationship wlth the University of Brighton. adding another link with young people to the work with schools mentioned elsewhere in this Report. This resulted in the award to top University Students of prizes in honour of our founder Robert Thurston-Hopkins and of our thrice Chairman, Richard Reed. Walks and Strolls We are pleased to report that, durlng 2023, we provided our members wlth 172 walks and strolls across the whole length of the South Downs, ranging from 3 to 27 miles in length. Obviously, this included a number of Centenary-themed events. For example, at the more challenging end we retraced the route described by Hilaire Belloc in his novel 'The Four Men, coverin8 96 miles over 6 days. We also organized a well-attended stroll which included lunch and ioolh birthday cake at our Pulborough office. Such a successful programme was only possible because of the dedication of Walks Coord inator lan Lancaster and Strolls Coordinator Mick Heywood, assisted by many gallant members volunteering to be leaders. Educatlon and Understandlng The trustees have agreed that one of the key ways in which the Friend5 can safeguard the Downs in the future is to encourage the interest of children in the hope that they wlll get to know the landscape and culture and look after it when they grow up. The Friends have set up the projects descrlbed below wlth that objectlve. South Downs Generatlons was a two-year project largely funded by the National Lotterv Heritage Fund. We worked with four primary schools to encoura8e children to learn about South Downs history and culture. The project finished in 2021, but we have continued to maintaln a wonderful webslte htt southdowns enerations,or The website Is a great resource for everyone Interested In the Downs, e5peclally schools. We have sent a leaflet to all schools encouraglng them to use the site. South Downs for All is our current two-year centenary project, a150 largely funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are involving eight schools and takin8 children on fieldtrips on the Downs. The schools have higher than average numbers of the less well-off and ethnic minorities: groups seen less in the natural envlronment. The chlldren's resulting work will be featured in a book and some heritage trail leaflets. We will contribute £IOk of a total cost of about £55k. We have completed the greater part of this projett. A website carries the content of the project: htt southdownsforall.or Explorers of the South Downs is a project financed from a recent legacy. We have donated £IOk to the South Downs National Park Authority who arranged an experienced company called So Sussex to run about 30 fieldtrips for children during the summer term of 2023. Again the focu5 was OD schools with childrer) less likely to know the Downs. We plan to exiend the project into future years, including both Hampshire and Sussex schools. No child left behlnd is a Youth Hostels Association scheme to enable children who don't normally visit to the countryside to stay overnight in a youth hostel. We donated £5k to enable a School to enjoy this experience on the South Downs. Servlces for members The Downsman ma8azlne and the monthly E-News keep members informed ofthe Society's activities and concerns. 2022 saw us further increase our social media presence with a greater use of Twitter, Facebook and Insta8ram. Our team of staff are asSlSted by many volunteers who ensure the smooth running of the society, Flnanclal revlew and reserves pollcy The Friends uses its financial resources to help achieve Its charltable oblectlve of conserving and enhancing for the publlc benefit the beauty and amenities of the South Downs In and around the South Downs National Park. During 2023 expendlture exceeded income by £28,05812022'. surplus £145,749). The market value of investments rose by £17,76112022: fall of £79,111), resultln8 In an overall reduction in funds of £10,29712022: Increase of £66,638}. Durlng the year legacies recelved amounted to £47,205 {2022: £150,1201. At the year-end total funds stood at £859,912 12022.. £870,209). The Frlends maintains Its funds at a level to provlde Income to support activities which would not otherwise be affordable and to fund projects which are consistent wlth Its objettives. The Frlends on occasions make grants to other bodles for purposes which achieve the Frlends, charltable objective. Concluslon We celebrated our Centenary In 2023 and produted a comprehensive program of actlvltles to mark the year. We used the year to Increase our exposure on print and electronlc media with the alm of furthering our oblectlves, and to especially increase awareness of the National Park and our role in protectin8 It. We are the third lar8e5t National Park Society and compare well with those in other National Parks in our contribution to current policy issues and provision for its members. Our professlonal approach In responses to issues continues to achieve a good relationship with the National Park Authority, the Campai8n for National Parks and other public bodles. Statement of Memberfs Responsibllltles The members of Council are required to prepare financial Statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of the Friends's affair5 at the end of the financial year and of net incoming resources for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; and make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. Trustees are responslble for:_ al keeping proper accounting records which dlsclose with reasonable accuracy at any time financial p051tion of the Friend5 and enable them to ensure that the financlal statements comply with the relevant statute; bl Safe8uardln8 the assets of the Friends and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities; and cl Preparing the financial Statements on a 80ing-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Friends wlll continue to operate. Approved bythe Councll on Aprll 8th 2024 and slgned on thelr behalf by Davld Sawyer- Chalrman Friends of the South Doivns IDdepend¢nt examiner'5 report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Independent exxminer's report to the truste¢s of FrieDdi of th¢ Soutb Downx Cthe Chgritable Comp*ny') I report to th¢ charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the cotnpany for the year ended 31 December 2023. Re8pon8ibilitiu and baAIB of report As the charity's 1nJstees of the charit&ble ¢omp8ny (8nd also ils directors for the PUryN)ses of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of th¢ ac¢ounts in ac¢ordance with th¢ rquir¢m¢nis of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 ACV). Havin8 satisfied rnyself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In ￿nYing out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. Tndependtnt ¢x4mlner'$ 8tatem¢nl I have completed my examination. I confirni that no matters have come to my &tt¢ntion in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe.. counting re¢ord8 were not kept ith resP￿t of the charilable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 2. the acwunls do not 8CeOTd with those records; or 3. the Account5 do not comply with the accounting rwuirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requircmentthat the accounts give atrue and fair view which is notamatter considered as partof an independent exatninatiort. or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the St4lement of Recommend¢d Prnctice for 8¢counting ond reporting by ¢h8rilies (appli¢abl¢ to ¢horiti0s preporing th¢ir a￿oUntS in accordanee with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicmble in the UK {FRS 102)). I hav¢ no oonc¢rns and have come acr￿8 no other matters in ¢onneclion with the exarninaliim to whi¢h attention thould be drawn in this report in order to ¢n&bl¢ a prop¢r under$l8ndinB of the accounts to be reRched. LJLk David Wheeler FCCA Ind¢p¢nd¢nt Exomin¢r Cheeld Wheeler & Co Chartered C¢rtifi¢d Accountxnts Redhill Chambers 2d High Str¢et Redhill SutTey RHI IRJ Fr1*b￿•1￿*s￿uth Fwth• y••r•nrf•d 31 O•rnmbÈr202J 2022 Tot•1 rotol 5ubstflptlons. don•tlons and l•yd•s Ch•rltsble all1￿￿•$ Othertfad** adtfvltl•s ln¥Ystn￿ts1pd Int•rest T•tsl 87.93J 19,63B 71S 33.647 I41.9￿ 198,263 27.987 756 29.640 16.174 153,817 17,869 93.028 Ila897 Totsl 145,749 GalnsllLol￿sI on In¥•stment 11sets 17,701 f79,IllJ N•tmo¥•mqnl INIW Tot•1 lunds bro￿ht fop•Ja 170.2•9 803,571 WJ.912 874209 Th14at•m•nt ol fln•Thrl•l xtkjtlu Indudu •llyhis •nd IgMe5 ￿[0￿*•d Inthe￿Ir. All InromEandexp•ndi¢di•d*￿•l from I lund5 we ￿re￿IlLIed. FI*M¢••tth¢StyJth Down5 Flnartd￿ stthmknts ￿th•¥•IrlftdId JI DprembEr202J 22 D*bifdN UUg1 J• Iw¢• Ihpdlr•rttrihiwt4•lknY pr•wrod IheC•ffwrdoiArt2r•]6Wth•Owtt*i*£llOII ￿t￿￿￿1p]liEC0￿nith4WI•*5 •doMt4, fvJdyrn¢ntswdkn¥¥urCesolestln￿thn ￿•$101￿¥5.. Th• fir41h￿l1 s￿￿￿+01>￿￿e been prewrel lTrK¢4ro•￿￿fthAfCVJ￿r1￿ Ch•rlll•i". &atem¢nt olR•£Dnun•fidod Pfi(tk• (SORPJ 1o*•ThCowtPthrwh pry•ar. I1Tiry￿effje1 pIFlTrir*W ￿P￿￿•￿Il ￿5S￿￿nCwj1LSL4￿l￿lDjd.1k￿L*4￿h.vlQ5t￿SsYINlU1rtL. Joli 2•Zi m116 )ÉJ J9.146 453 2&dlT JJJ¢ J?AO 171 ilo r¢y*nb1Oi￿1rO￿I￿I rhlldp GI￿ltJtrF 091 14tr 2022 ChDiitibleAMh IJ7 JJ IUSJ 17.7 t41 12 4r•Tr VA.•