2022-12-31-accounts

The Kensington Society

Registered Charity Number 267778 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2022

The Kensington Society Registered Charity Number 267778

The Kensington Society

Report of the Trustees

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Constitution and objects

The Charity‘s objects shall be to preserve and improve the amenities of Kensington for the public benefit by stimulating interest in its history and records, promoting good architecture and planning in its future development and by protecting, preserving and improving its buildings, open spaces and other features of beauty or historic or public interest.

The Kensington Society was founded in 1953. The constitution is a trust deed adopted on 11 November 2010 and is available at www.kensingtonsociety.org.

Patron

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, KG, GCVO

President

Nick Ross

Vice-President

General the Lord Ramsbotham of Kensington GCB, CBE

Council

Barnabas Brunner Peter De Vere Hunt Susan Lockhart Sir Angus Stirling

Trustees

Amanda Frame, chairman Martin Frame, treasurer and membership secretary Michael Bach, chairman of the planning committee Michael Becket, annual report editor

Thomas Blomberg, editor of newsletter and website, member of planning committee Vanessa Bartulovic, member of planning committee Sophia Lambert, member of planning committee

Peter Mischcon Barry Munday, member of planning committee Steve Mertz Henry Peterson, member of planning committee

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The Kensington Society Registered Charity Number 267778

Review of the year’s activities and achievements

It is strange what a year can do with your memories. Last year as I wrote this report we were still in the shadow of a pandemic. It seems a horrible memory but oddly one which many remember as terribly unproductive while others have wisely used the time to develop new hobby or even new professions.

For the Kensington Society the pandemic had no effect. Life did not slow down. For 2022 and as we are already in the middle of 2023, it is busier than ever. No complaints except the usual plea for volunteer help with multiple tasks and for renewal of membership.

In reflection it is odd to me that with Kensington and Chelsea is the richest borough and the smallest borough in the nation in population, still development can be forced on us. The housing numbers required by the government is unattainable. The only means for reaching though numbers is to go higher and higher. And still developers balk at the proposed requirement for two stairs. Over five years since Grenfell there is still no defined restrictions on cladding. The much touted sustainable and greening proposals can be side stepped by paying a penalty or as RBKC would like to look at it, a contribution to their own promises for carbon free buildings in their own ownership by 2030. The new Building Regulations announced in June 2022 have yet to have any effect on our own buildings which have not made a ‘material start’ with the council seeming to be reluctant to impose the restrictions.

Most concerning is the extent of the planning applications which are approved contrary to our own policies, damaging to the imposed housing target, and ignoring our conservation constraints.

When you have situations such as the current appeal by Native Land and TfL against the council’s refusal of the South Kensington Station development proposal one does despair. That application was refused by the planning committee against this borough’s own planning department’s recommendation for approval. There were over 1939 letter of objection. There were 689 support letters however, the majority of those were solicited by Native Land’s PR firm, were worded exactly the same and all stated they wanted step free access. However, having forensically reviewed the plans and proposal what was obvious was that the step free was not to be done until and only then if, Native Land was to build the second phase. And even the required station safety upgrade and capacity increase were not within the proposal. Oddly the planners seem to not have comprehend this subtly. The appellant was represented by the highest level of legal, planning, architectural, structural, environmental, and transport consultants. They packed the hearing chamber. The council was gallantly represented by one barrister and the planning team who had recommended approval.

A consortium of residents’ associations and the Kensington Society applied for and were accepted as Rule 6 parties. As the other three associations were well versed with the issues of heritage harm and architectural failings, we took on the station. This basic allowed us to fill in where the council lacked the will. Please read the section with planning in this report on the South Kensington Station. This also cost us over £20,000 in legal and professional fees. Luckily, we have been very prudent in our expenditures and had the funds. However, one does reflect on how we got there in the first place. How were the planners so convinced by the proposal? How did they actually believe that the proposal would provide step free in our lifetime? Why following the application, was there zero dialogue with the residents? Time will tell whether the 20 or so expensive professionals employed by Native Land and TfL will convince the planning inspector. If she allows the appeal, we will have an extremely damaging development which will obliterate the wonderful character of South Kensington. We are not opposed development. We, and the residents association are no NIMBY. Development must happen. However, if there had been a dialog with

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The Kensington Society Register8d Charity Number 267778 the developers or even a dialog with our own planners, we would not have been where we are now...in peril. Currently there are three major projects in developments.. Earl's Court, Kensal Canalside and Newcomtse House. Again, please read the planning report on sites. As to whether lessons will be learned from the South Kensington proposals and appeal, time will lell. Last year I reported that we 'worked hard to build good and constructive partnership wilh the planners. In some case we have in particular with the multiple appeals for the overdevelopment oflhe Academy pub, but in other we have been stonewalled. With the ever-revolving door of planners, the department push for development at all costs, and the inconstancy of decisions and the ignoring of our own policies, our task is greater than ever. Amanda Frame ChaDrman tr/Dg/zoz> Financial review The Society wishes to thank all the members who have generously subscribed £10,577.00, donations and legacies of £2,975.71 which qualified for Gift Aid of £2,730.06. The total income for the year was £31,062.53. an increase of £10,630.65. The cost of administration is allocated on a time basis to the various charrtable activities. The lolal expenditure was £36,025.07, an increase of£12,085.75. The balance sheet has unrestricted funds £68,228.79, a reduction of £4.962.54. These funds are ne￿ssary to seGure the fulure of the Society. However further p13nning costs are anticipated of £18,943.00 in 2023. Rebuilding funds through subscriptions, donations and legacies is welcomed. Public Benefit Statement The Iru5tees confirm that Ihey have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit 'Charities and Public Benefit, klScJw z/os12023 Martin Frame Treasurer

The Kensington Society Registered Charity Number 267778

Income Donations and legacies Membership subscriptions Donations and legacies Gift Aid Total donations and legacies Charitable activities Events Annual report advertising Total charitable activities Investment income Bank interest Total income Expenditure Charitable activities Newsletter Events Annual report Planning Membership Charitable Subscriptions Total charitable activities expense Other Insurance Examiner Total other expense Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Total unrestricted funds brought forward Total unrestricted funds carried forward	2022 £ 10,577.00 2,975.71 2,730.06 16,282.77 4,038.00 10,250.00 14,288.00 491.76 31,062.53 3,001.97 6,590.21 9,347.96 14,540.96 1,030.66 195.00 34,706.76 658.31 660.00 1,318.31 36,025.07 (4,962.54) 73,191.33 68,228.79	2021 £ 9,757.00 2,553.50 2,238.49
		14,548.99
		625.00 5,225.00
		5,850.00
		32.89
		20,431.88
		2,719.94 750.00 9,344.93 9,330.68 1,079.99 195.00
		23,420.54
		518.78 0.00
		518.78
		23,939.32
		(3,507.44) 76,698.77
		73,191.33

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The Kensington Society RegiSte￿d Charity Number 267778 2022 2021 Current assets Debtors Accrued income and prepayments Interest Insurance Total accrued income and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Nationwide Building Society Barclays Bank PayPal Total cash at bank and in hand 122.31 64.00 186.31 596.09 596.09 80.000.00 12,738.57 1,604.16 74,342.73 60,OCrf).00 15,181.41 1.520.61 76,702.02 Total current assets 74,529.04 77,298.11 Credllors: amounts falling duo wlthin one year Deferred incomo Subscriptions and donations Creditors and a¢¢rual$ Creditors City Living Local Life - Norland Accruals Total deferred income and accruals 1,010.00 702.00 3.632.09 998.16 660.00 6.300.25 2.389.94 1,014.84 0.00 4.106.78 Total net assets 68.228. 79 73,191.33 Funds of the charity Unrestricted funds 68.228.79 73,191.33 Approved by Ihe Trustees 16 February 2023 Signed. Date: Martin Frame CA Treasurer and Membership SèGretary The Kensington Society

The Kensington Society Registered Charity Number 267778

Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022

• Charity’s registered address and number

• The Kensington Society’s registered address is Westwoods, Clatford Bottom, Marlborough SN8 4DY and the charity number is 267778.

• Accounting policies

These accounts have been prepared based under the historical cost convention in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102).

Income

• Recognition of incoming income

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

• The charity becomes entitled to the income;

• The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the income; and

• The monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

• Donations

Donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the income.

• Tax reclaims on gifts and donations Incoming income from tax reclaims are included in the SoFA to the extent that claims have been made.

• Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the financial activities.

• Investment income

This is included in the financial activities when receivable.

Expenditure and liabilities

• Liability recognition

• Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to expenditure.

Financial instruments

Debtors

Debtors do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value. Appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the SoFA when there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired.

Cash at bank and in hand

These comprise cash at bank and other short-term highly liquid bank deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

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The Kensington Society Regi$t8red Charity Number 267778 Independent examlner's report to the trustggs of Konsington Socigty I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022 which are set out on pages 2 to 8. Respectlve ￿sponsIbl11t19s of Trustges and Independent Examlner As the charrty'5 Trustees, you are responsible for the prepafation of the accounts., you ¢on$ider that the audit requirement of section 14412) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply. 11 is my responsibility to stale, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Cornmissioners under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. whether particular matters have Gome to my attention. Basis of Independent Examlner'8 roport My examination was carried out in accordan¢e with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a ¢omparison of the accounts presented with those re¢ord$. It also in¢ludes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and Seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The pro¢edures undertaken do not provKle all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the a¢¢ounl$ present a 'true and fair. view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Indgpgndent Examlner's 8tatement 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 bèlieve that in any material fespect-. the &¢ounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act.. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gNe a "true and fairf. 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 rexhed. Signed.. Angela Ktislakis ACA FCCA GMAK Chartered Accountants 517 Vernon Yard London W11 2DX Date". 26 2023