2025-07-31-accounts - Urban Design Group

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Urban Design Group

Annual Report and Accounts 2025

Urban Design Group: Annual Report 2025

Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 July 2025

Address: 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ

Charity Number: 326123

Trustees as at 31 July 2025: 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.

Transition of Urban Design Group from Unincorporated Charity to Charitable Organisation

The Annual Report and Accounts cover the 17 month period between 1 March 2024 and 31 July 2025, marking the transfer of all activities, assets, creditors, debtors and contractual obligations from Urban Design Group Unincorporated Charity 326123 to the Urban Design Group Charitable Incorporated Organisation No 1211478 commencing 1[st] August 2025.

Executive Committee 2024-2025

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

Members as at 31 July 2025 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 Scott Adams Ana McMillin Patrons Alan Baxter Roger Evans

Performance & Achievements

The year 2023-2025 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	July 2025	Feb 2024	Feb 2023	Nov 2022	Mar- 2021	Mar- 2020	Mar- 2019	Aug- 2017	May 2015	Jun- 2013	Jun- 2011
Standard Individual(UK)	508	562	550	531	539	523	548	582	633	647	714
Standard Individual (International)	65	80	47	67	72	66	66	80	81	81	79
Recognised Practitioner All nations	320	218	202	203	173	154	122	112	104	88	63
Concession All nations	139	185	165	163	160	139	153	155	158	175	192
Practice (UK)	137	148	149	151	138	138	128	118	120	128	135
Practice (International)	3	3	1	3	2	2	2	4	5	6	7
Local Authority	56	57	53	52	42	42	33	25	25	36	36
University	4	4	4	1	12	12	11	16	19	15	14
Library (UK)	25	28	29	29	29	31	34	41	42	44	41
Library (International)	31	32	24	30	31	35	43	46	42	42	39
Sub-total	1288	1317	1224	1230	1198	1142	1140	1179	1229	1262	1320

Newsletter only	3724	3029	2839	2660	1909	1451	1380	1131	926	675	476
Totals	5012	4346	4063	3890	3107	2593	2520	2310	2155	1937	1796

Design Officers Network	240

Urban Design Journal

Urban Design is directed and managed by the UDG Editorial Board. The membership of the Editorial Board for 2024-25 comprised:

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

Sebastian Loew retired during the course of the period, as editor following many years of dedicated service.

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 editions of Urban Design published were:

171 – Urban Illumination - Sharon Stammers & Martin Lupton, guest topic editors

172 – Making Vibrant Places - Martyn Saunders, guest topic editor

173 From Roads to Boulevards - Paul Lecroart, guest topic editor

174 – India - Vinita Dhume, guest topic editor

175 – Community-led Urbanism - Paul Reynolds, guest topic editor

Events

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

National Urban Design Conference 2024

The conference was held in Plymouth over 2 ½ days, under the theme of Towards a New Urban Renaissance, marking the 25th anniversary of the report. Attendance was in excess of 160. The Urban Design Group is grateful for the leadership and hard work of Martin Ivatt, and Niki Read of Plymouth City Council in the organisation of the conference.

UDG Chair Paul Reynolds

The conference stage of the Theatre Royal, Plymouth.

Plymouth city centre public realm works – tour led by Martin Ivatt

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. Leo Hammond took over the role of convenor from Lisa Richards.

General Events

Online and in person events included

Community Led Urbanism
Rhythms of Brazilian Cities - An introduction to Brazilian urbanism
Mohenjo Daro and Ancient cities of the Indus valley and India
The Future of Council Housing
Make it Happen 2025! - Housing - Regeneration - Active-Design - SuDS and more. – 1 day conference held in Nottingham in partnership with RIBA & RTPI East Midlands.
New perspectives on walking and wheeling in the city
UDG at Building New Communities Conference 2025
Designing Child Friendly Neighbourhoods
Utrecht Nearby - the Ten Minute City
Understanding the 20-Minute Neighbourhood
Creating better places through vision-led transport planning
Porto City: Renaissance, Renewal and Reinvention
Research Handbook on Urban Design - A Book Launch and Discussion
Speakeasy and Book Launch: Meet Laura Alvarez and Rob Cowan
Lunchtime Consultation Seminar: Policy for Brownfield Development
Property: A Lunchtime Talk with Rowan Moore, Architecture Critic, Observer
UDG at FutureBuild
Applied Urban Design - Book Launch
How high-quality housing can be delivered in less well-off areas
UDG Film Night - The White Flats - Designed for Children
• Design Codes - An International Comparison

Designing for social interaction in high-density housing
Cities of the Eastern Mediterranean: Insights from Damascus and Aleppo
Concrete Dreams - The Rise and Fall of Cumbernauld Town Centre
When Driving Is Not An Option
National Urban Design Conference 2024, Plymouth
Better Streets to Stations
EcoResponsive Environments - New Book Launch
Foundation Certificate in Urban Design -supported by UDG
Al Za'atari - urban design by refugees
Towards a Neighbourhood Renaissance Living-well locally
Housing Atlas: Europe - 20th Century
Urban Design and Young Children

Many of these can be viewed on Urban Nous.

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 5000.

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 15 December 2025 and signed on their behalf

Marcus Wilshere, Trustee, UDG

Summar of Accounts y

	2025 17 Months	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals	Totals
INCOMING RESOURCES
Subscriptions	170,459	126,394	114,160	115,987	98,320	113,911	108,816	96,075	113,410	100,072	114,461
Publications and Awards	17,135	12,374	8,601	10,944	31,864	7,225	46,755	8,842	10,291	40,939	6,099
Conference Fees and Sponsorship	32,204	31,229				23,916	21,026	18,975	17,163	20,213	14,246
London Events	2,899	30	381	208	331	3,488	3,010	2,456	1,040	1,912
Study Tours & Recruitment Services	17,925	7,850	18,550	19,500	2750	23,557	46,758	41,170	45,599
Donation				18,779						26,102	13,963
Activities to Generate Funds
Interest Received	1,964	930	202	85	86	85	85	32	315	338	373
Inland Revenue: Gift Aid										(3,600)	4,216
Miscellaneous Income	3,918	1,500	70		750		5,638	703		-	458
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES	246,504	180,307	141,964	165,503	140,293	172,182	232,088	168,253	187,818	185,976	153,816

RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure
Publications & Awards	72,854	44,269	40,231	45,836	41,717	42,425	63,953	36,584	38,193	57,846	24,110
Conference Expenditure	20,399	23,039		3,652	621	15,183	9,836	12,774	18,273	18,295	16,201
General	187,297	105,529	82,629	135,759	117,582	107,472	104,980	90,280	78,886	72,019	65,538
Study Tours Expenditure							15,300	22,284	25,296
Development Expenditure											-
Governance costs (accountancy)	1,440	1,360	2,040	1,230	1,630	1,740	1,680	2,753	2100	1,200	1,200

TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED	281,990	174,197	124,900	186,477	161,550	166,820	195,749	164,675	162,748	149,360	107,049
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR	(35,486)	6,110	17,064	(20,974)	(21,257)	5,362	36,339	3,578	25,070	36,616	46,767
PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT	32,168
FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD	228,642	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,734	93,967
FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD	225,324	228,642	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,734

CURRENT ASSETS	227,469	263,923	18,144	252,711	268,244	276,382	257,188	218,879	220,890	182,418	188,044
CURRENT LIABILITIES	2,146	35,282	204,388	47,244	41,803	28,684	14,852	12,881	18,471	5,069	47,271
TOTAL NET ASSETS	225,324	228,642	222,532	205,468	226,442	247,699	242,337	205,998	202,420	177,350	140,733

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 period ended 31 July 2025.

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

15 December 2025

URBAN DESIGN GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 17 MONTHS ENDED 31 JULY 2025

				Period	Year
				Ended	Ended
	Notes	Unrestricted	Restricted	31/7/25	29/2/24
		Funds	Funds	Totals	Totals
		£	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities
Subscriptions		170,459	-	170,459	126,394
Publications & Awards	2	17,135	-	17,135	12,374
London Events		2,899	-	2,899	30
Conference Income		32,204	-	32,204	31,229
Recruitment Services		17,925	-	17,925	7,850
Miscellaneous Income		3,918	-	3,918	1,500
Activities to Generate Funds
Interest Received		1,964	-	1,964	930
		––––––	–––––	––––––	––––––
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES		246,504	-	246,504	180,307
		––––––	–––––	––––––	––––––
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable Expenditure
Publications & Awards	3	72,854	-	72,854	44,269
General	4	187,297	-	187,297	105,529
Conference Expenditure		20,399	-	20,399	23,039
Governance Costs	5	1,440	-	1,440	1,360
		––––––	––––––	––––––	––––––
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED		281,990	-	281,990	174,197
		––––––	––––––	––––––	––––––
NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME FOR
THE PERIOD		(35,486)	-	(35,486)	6,110
PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT	12	32,168	-	32,168	-
FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD		210,498	18,144	228,642	222,532
		–––––––	–––––––	–––––––	–––––––
FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD		£207,180	£18,144	£225,324	£228,642

URBAN DESIGN GROUP BALANCE SHEET AT 31 JULY 2025

	31/7/25		29/2/24
	£	£	£	£
FIXED ASSETS(Note 6)		1		1
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at Bank	225,875		249,110
Cash Float	104		310
Debtors (Note 7)	1,490		14,503
	–––––––		–––––––
	227,469		263,923
	–––––––		–––––––
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors Falling Due Within
One Year (Note 8)	2,146		35,282
	––––––		––––––
NET CURRENT ASSETS	225,323		228,641
	–––––––		–––––––
TOTAL ASSETS	£ 225,324		£ 228,642
Represented by:
ACCUMULATED RESERVES
Restricted Funds (Note 11)	18,144		18,144
Unrestricted Funds	207,180		210,498
	–––––––		–––––––
	£ 225,324		£ 228,642

Approved by the Trustees on …….. 15 December 2025 and signed on their behalf

...................................................................... Janet Tibbalds

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

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 17 MONTHS ENDED 31 JULY 2025

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	Period	Year
		Ended	Ended
		31/7/25	29/2/24
		£	£
	Sales of Journal	12,735	7,274
	Journal Sponsorship	3,100	2,700
	Urban Design Awards & Events Sponsorship	1,300	2,400
		–––––	–––––
		£ 17,135	£ 12,374
3.	PUBLICATIONS EXPENDITURE
	Journal Production & Printing	69,709	44,245
	Urban Design Awards	-	24
	Urban Design Directory	3,145	-
		–––––	–––––
		£ 72,854	£ 44,269

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 17 MONTHS ENDED 31 JULY 2025 (Contd)

		Period	Year
		Ended	Ended
4.	GENERAL CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES EXPENDITURE	31/7/25	29/2/24
		£	£
	London Events	5,632	565
	UrbanNous	8,403	-
	Expenses for Regions	11,194	1,886
	Events Online Expenses	225	779
	Consultant Director's Fees	55,422	36,801
	Consultancy Fees	20,669	-
	Salaries & Pension Costs	26,158	18,277
	Rent, Rates, Light & Heat	16,020	10,680
	Telephone & Broadband	1,692	531
	Postage, Stationery & Office Supplies	1,151	940
	Website	233	14
	Insurance	498	241
	Bank Charges	2,200	1,456
	Payroll Admin & HR	696	1,433
	Grants	20,829	5,000
	Bad Debt Provision	15,964	26,926
	Miscellaneous Expenses	311	-
		––––––	––––––
		£ 187,297	£ 105,529
5.	GOVERNANCE COSTS
	Independent Examination Fees	£ 1,440	£ 1,360
6.	FIXED ASSETS		£
	Cost of Equipment
	As at 1.3.24		5,766
	Additions		-
			–––––
	As at 31.7.25		5,766
			–––––
	Depreciation
	As at 1.3.24		5,765
	Charge for the Year		-
			–––––
	As at 31.7.25		5,765
			–––––
	Net Book Value
	As at 29.2.24		£ 1
	As at 31.7.25		£ 1

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 17 MONTHS ENDED 31 JULY 2025 (Contd)

7.	DEBTORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR	31/7/25	29/2/24
		£	£
	Subscriptions	(101)	13,360
	Sundry Debtors	1,591	1,143
		––––––	––––––
		£ 1,490	£ 14,503
8.	CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR	31/7/25	29/2/24
		£	£
	Trade Creditors	376	30,402
	Other Creditors	1,770	4,880
		––––––	––––––
		£ 2,146	£ 35,282

9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION

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

STAFF COSTS	Period ended	Year ended
	31/7/25	29/2/24
	£	£
Salaries	26,158	18,277
Social Security	-	-
Pension Costs	-	-
	––––––	––––––
	£ 26,158	£ 18,277
The average number of employees was	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.

12. PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT

A prior year adjustment of £32,168 has arisen as a result of a previously excessive provision for trade creditors in connection with the charity’s previous trading company, which is now in the course of dissolution.

URBAN DESIGN GROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE 17 MONTHS ENDED 31 JULY 2025 (Contd)

COMPARATIVES FOR THE SOFA	Unrestricted	Restricted
	Funds	Funds	Total
	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities:
Gifts & Donations	-	-	-
Other	180,307	-	180,307
	––––––	––––––	––––––
	180,307	-	180,307
	––––––	––––––	––––––
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Publications & Awards	44,269	-	44,269
Other	129,928	-	129,928
	––––––-	––––––	––––––
	174,197	-	174,197
	––––––	––––––	––––––
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR	6,110	-	6,110
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD	204,388	18,144	222,532
	––––––	––––––	––––––
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD	£ 210,498	£ 18,144	£ 228,642