2024-02-29-accounts - Urban Design Group

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Urban Design Group

Annual Report and Accounts 2024

Urban Design Group: Annual Report 2024

Report of the Trustees for the year ending 29 February 2024

Address: 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ

Charity Number: 326123

Trustees as at 29 Feb 2024: Marion Roberts Janet Tibbalds Marcus Wilshere

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities:

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its incoming resources and resources expended during that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the activities of the charity will continue
Confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidelines on public benefit.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2005. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In the course of the year, the trustees produced a report on conflicts of interest and member behaviour, leading to the adoption of an updated constitution. It is expected that in the coming year, the Urban Design Group will progress from being an unincorporated charity into a charitable incorporated organisation.

Constitution

The Urban Design Group is governed by a constitution approved at a Special General Meeting held on 26 April 2023. It is based on the Charity Commission SG3 model constitution for unincorporated charities.

Executive Committee 2023-2024

The UDG Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the UDG.

Members as at 29 February 2024 were:

Elected:

Paul Reynolds (Chair) Husam AlWaer Hannah Smart (Honorary Leo Hammond Secretary) Lucy Fineberg Louise Thomas (Treasurer) Naike Zambotti Katja Stille (Past Chair) Rob Thompson Amanda Reynolds Roger Evans Ana McMillin Scott Adams Patrons Alan Baxter Roger Evans

Performance & Achievements

The year 2023-2024 efforts were made to re-establish activities in the post-pandemic era, with sustained efforts by the membership, Executive Committee, Editorial Board, and staff.

Membership

Membership
Category	Feb 2024	Feb 2023	Nov 2022	Mar- 2021	Mar- 2020	Mar- 2019	Aug- 2017	May 2015	Jun- 2013	Jun- 2011	Jun- 2009
Standard Individual(UK)	562	550	531	539	523	548	582	633	647	714	826
Standard Individual (International)	80	47	67	72	66	66	80	81	81	79	88
RecognisedPractitioner	218	202	203	173	154	122	112	104	88	63	9
Concession(UK)	185	165	163	160	139	153	155	158	175	192	153
Practice (UK)	148	149	151	138	138	128	118	120	128	135	167
Practice (International)	3	1	3	2	2	2	4	5	6	7	11
Local Authority	57	53	52	42	42	33	25	25	36	36	46
University	4	4	1	12	12	11	16	19	15	14	12
Library (UK)	28	29	29	29	31	34	41	42	44	41	41
Library (International)	32	24	30	31	35	43	46	42	42	39	41
Sub-total	1317	1224	1230	1198	1142	1140	1179	1229	1262	1320	1394

Newsletteronly	3029	2839	2660	1909	1451	1380	1131	926	675	476	212
Totals	4346	4063	3890	3107	2593	2520	2310	2155	1937	1796	1606

Urban Design Journal

Urban Design is directed and managed by the UDG Editorial Board. The membership of the Editorial Board for 2023-24 comprised:

Sebastian Loew (editor) Richard Cole Chris Martin Louise Thomas (editor) Richard Crappsley Geoff Noble Jane Manning (editor elect) Tim Hagyard Judith Ryser Joe Holyoak Todd Strehlow Patricia Aelbrecht Krystallia Kamvasinou Matthew Carmona Daniela Lucchese

Over the past year a number of high-quality contributions were received on a variety of topics, occasionally fairly controversial. The Editorial Board always welcomes these and encourages members to make contact if there is an issue that they would like to share with others. The Editorial Board has also received letters responding to previous articles and would welcome more of these.

The editions of Urban Design published were:

167 – Australia and New Zealand Topic Editor, Mark Sheppard

168 – Low Traffic Neighbourhoods Topic Editor, Christopher Martin

169 – Placemaking Tools Topic Editors, Jessica Richmond, Patricia Aelbrecht, Wes Aelbrecht and Francesca Sartorio

170 – Working together with Trees Topic Editor, Sue James

During the course of the year a major redesign of the journal was introduced, with a wider format, and greater space for photographs, illustrations, maps and diagrams.

Events

The UDG continued its programme of events, where possible, working in partnership with other organisations.

National Urban Design Conference 2023

The conference was held in Sheffield over 2 ½ days under the theme: Rethinking Place. Attendance was in excess of 160.

Sponsorship was provided by:

Design Officers Network

The Network continued to be convened, to provide a safe space for anyone involved in design in the public or not-for profit sector to share views, ideas, concerns and latest intelligence.

General Events

Better Streets Summit II
Design Officers Network
Why Parking Matters – with CPRE London
Indian Urban Futures 5

Housing – Family Housing
Housing – Higher Density Housing
Damascus and Aleppo
National Urban Design Awards Masterclass
Planning, Transport and a Little Philosophy
Bikes v Cars – Film Night

Visits

Guildford Placecheck

UrbanNous- Video on Demand

Thanks are due to Fergus Carnegie who continues his largely voluntary work. He has recorded and packaged the UDG zoom events making them available to a global audience through the Urbannous website and Youtube channel. They are also embedded on the UDG website events archive pages and shared on the UDG Youtube channel.

This is a great resource and a tremendously valuable archive of the huge number of presentations given at the UDG over recent years.

Urban Update

The UDG’s weekly email newsletter Urban Update continued throughout the year, featuring latest news, research and events relating to towns, cities and urban design. Circulation was in excess of 4000.

Financial Review

Reserves policy

The definition of ‘reserve’ is: ‘Income which becomes available to the Charity and is to be expended at the Trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the Charity’s objectives, but which is not yet spent, committed or designated’. This definition therefore excludes restricted funds and sums already invested in fixed assets.

The trustees have reviewed the reserves of the charity and, in view of the current financial situation, are of the opinion that they should fall no lower than a minimum of £50,000. This will provide sufficient funds to enable the charity to meet outstanding obligations.

Approved by the Trustees on 10 December 2024 and signed on their behalf

Marcus Wilshere, Trustee, UDG

Summar of Accounts y

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
		Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals
INCOMING RESOURCES
Subscriptions	126,394	114,160	115,987	98,320	113,911	108,816	96,075	113,410	100,072	114,461	76,781
Publications and Awards	12,374	8,601	10,944	31,864	7,225	46,755	8,842	10,291	40,939	6,099	13,354
Conference Fees and Sponsorship	31,229				23,916	21,026	18,975	17,163	20,213	14,246	-
London Events	30	381	208	331	3,488	3,010	2,456	1,040	1,912
Study Tours & Recruitment Services	7,850	18,550	19,500	2750	23,557	46,758	41,170	45,599
Donation			18,779						26,102	13,963	9,824
Activities to Generate Funds
Interest Received	930	202	85	86	85	85	32	315	338	373	920
Inland Revenue: Gift Aid									(3,600)	4,216	3,992
Miscellaneous Income	1,500	70		750		5,638	703		-	458	335
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES	180,307	141,964	165,503	140,293	172,182	232,088	168,253	187,818	185,976	153,816	105,206

RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure
Publications & Awards	44,269	40,231	45,836	41,717	42,425	63,953	36,584	38,193	57,846	24,110	30,933
Conference Expenditure	23,039		3,652	621	15,183	9,836	12,774	18,273	18,295	16,201
General	105,529	82,629	135,759	117,582	107,472	104,980	90,280	78,886	72,019	65,538	79,431
Study Tours Expenditure						15,300	22,284	25,296
Development Expenditure										-	-
Governance costs (accountancy)	1,360	2,040	1,230	1,630	1,740	1,680	2,753	2100	1,200	1,200	1,140

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	174,197	124,900	186,477	161,550	166,820	195,749	164,675	162,748	149,360	107,049	111,504
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR	6,110	17,064	(20,974)	(21,257)	5,362	36,339	3,578	25,070	36,616	46,767	(6,298

FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,734	93,967	100,265
FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD	228,642	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,734	93,967

CURRENT ASSETS	263,923	18,144	252,711	268,244	276,382	257,188	218,879	220,890	182,418	188,044	125,359
CURRENT LIABILITIES	35,282	204,388	47,244	41,803	28,684	14,852	12,881	18,471	5,069	47,271	31,393
TOTAL NET ASSETS	228,642	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,733	93,967

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF URBAN DESIGN GROUP

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Urban Design Group

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Urban Design Group (the Group) for the year ended 29 February 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Group 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 Group’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Group as required by section 130 of the Act; or
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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 confirm that there are no matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Andrew Thurburn Andrew Thurburn & Co. Chartered Accountants 38 Tamworth Road Croydon Surrey CR0 1XU

10 December 2024

URBAN DESIGN GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024

	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	2024	2023
		Funds	Funds	Totals	Totals
		£	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming Resources from Charitable	Activities
Subscriptions		126,394	-	126,394	114,160
Publications & Awards	2	12,374	-	12,374	8,601
London Events		30	-	30	381
Conference Income		31,229	-	31,229	-
Recruitment Services		7,850	-	7,850	18,550
Miscellaneous Income		1,500	-	1,500	70
Activities to Generate Funds
Interest Received		930	-	930	202
		––––––	–––––	––––––	––––––
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES		180,307	-	180,307	141,964
		––––––	–––––	––––––	––––––
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure
Publications & Awards	3	44,269	-	44,269	40,231
General	4	105,529	-	105,529	82,629
Conference Expenditure		23,039	-	23,039	-
Governance Costs	5	1,360	-	1,360	2,040
		––––––	––––––	––––––	––––––
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED		174,197	-	174,197	124,900
		––––––	––––––	––––––	––––––
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR		6,110	-	6,110	17,064
FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD		204,388	18,144	222,532	205,468
		–––––––	–––––––	–––––––	–––––––
FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD		£210,498	£18,144	£228,642	£222,532

URBAN DESIGN GROUP BALANCE SHEET AT 29 FEBRUARY 2024

		2024		2023
	£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS(Note 6)		1		1
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank
NatWest Current Account	162,370		188,784
Scottish Widows Account	86,740		85,810
Cash Float	310		93
Debtors (Note 7)	14,503		20,649
	–––––––		–––––––
	263,923		295,336
	–––––––		–––––––
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors Falling Due Within
One Year (Note 8)	35,282		72,805
	––––––		––––––
NET CURRENT ASSETS		228,641		222,531
		–––––––		–––––––
TOTAL ASSETS		£ 228,642		£ 222,532
Represented by:
ACCUMULATED RESERVES
Restricted Funds		18,144		18,144
Unrestricted Funds		210,498		204,388
		–––––––		–––––––
		£ 228,642		£ 222,532

Approved by the Trustees on 10 December 2024 and signed on their behalf

...................................................................... Janet Tibbalds, Trustee, UDG

..................................................................... Louise Thomas, Treasurer, UDG

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(i) Accounting Convention
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

(ii) Depreciation
Equipment is depreciated at 25% on a straight line basis.
(iii) Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Subscriptions are recognised when due and not when received.

(iv) Resources Expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category.
(v) Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

2.	PUBLICATIONS INCOME	2024	2023
		£	£
	Sales of Journal	7,274	3,861
	Journal Sponsorship	2,700	1,800
	Urban Design Awards & Events Sponsorship	2,400	2,940
		–––––	–––––
		£ 12,374	£ 8,601
3.	PUBLICATIONS EXPENDITURE
	Journal Production & Printing	44,245	36,081
	Urban Design Awards	24	4,150
	Urban Design Directory	-	-
		–––––	–––––
		£ 44,269	£ 40,231

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 (Contd)

4.	GENERAL CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE	2024	2023
		£	£
	London Events	565	-
	UrbanNous	-	4,000
	Expenses for Regions	1,886	-
	Events Online Expenses	779	-
	Consultant Director's Fees	36,801	33,439
	Salaries & Pension Costs	18,277	22,093
	Rent, Rates, Light & Heat	10,680	9,728
	Telephone & Broadband	531	584
	Postage, Stationery & Office Supplies	940	857
	Website	14	326
	Insurance	241	453
	Bank Charges	1,456	1,338
	Payroll Admin	1,433	223
	Accounts Consultancy	-	210
	Grants	5,000	-
	Bad Debt Provision	26,926	9,352
	Miscellaneous Expenses	-	26
		––––––	––––––
		£ 105,529	£ 82,629
5.	GOVERNANCE COSTS
	Independent Examination Fees	£ 1,360	£ 2,040
6.	FIXED ASSETS		£
	Cost of Equipment
	As at 1.3.23		5,766
	Additions		-
			–––––
	As at 29.2.24		5,766
			–––––
	Depreciation
	As at 1.3.23		5,765
	Charge for the Year		-
			–––––
	As at 29.2.24		5,765
			–––––
	Net Book Value
	As at 28.2.23		£ 1
	As at 29.2.24		£ 1

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 (Contd)

7. DEBTORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Subscriptions Prepayments Sundry Debtors £ 8. CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade Creditors Other Creditors £	2024 2023 £ £ 13,360 16,917 - 2,262 1,143 1,470 –––––– –––––– 14,503 £ 20,649 2024 2023 £ £ 30,402 67,427 4,880 5,378 –––––– –––––– 35,282 £ 72,805

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION

No Trustee received any remuneration or expenses during the year, nor were any expenses reimbursed.

10. STAFF COSTS Salaries Social Security Pension Costs £ The average number of employees was	2024 2023 £ £ 18,277 20,088 - 1,934 - 71 –––––– –––––– 18,277 £ 22,093 0.7 0.7

11. RESTRICTED FUNDS

The restricted fund is reserved for use according to the charitable objects of the former Francis Tibbalds Trust including the funding of publications.

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 (Contd)

COMPARATIVES FOR THE SOFA	Unrestricted	Restricted
	Funds	Funds	Total
	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities:
Gifts & Donations	-	-	-
Other	141,964	-	141,964
	––––––	––––––	––––––
	141,964	-	141,964
	––––––	––––––	––––––
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Publications & Awards	40,231	-	40,231
Other	84,669	-	84,669
	––––––-	––––––	––––––
	124,900	-	124,900
	––––––	––––––	––––––
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR	17,064	-	17,064
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD	187,324	18,144	205,468
	––––––	––––––	––––––
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD	£ 204,388	£ 18,144	£ 222,532