FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
REPORT
And
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
Contents
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS............................................................................................ 3 THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK............................................................4 TRUSTEES’ REPORT...................................................................................................................................5 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT.................................................................................................8 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES............................................................................................9 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025..............................................................................................9 BALANCE SHEET.......................................................................................................................................11 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS.................................................................................................................. 12 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025............................................................................................12
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
Legal and Administrative Details
The Committee of the Friends of Battersea Park are the Trustees of the Charity. The officers (starred below) are initially elected for a term of three years; they are eligible for re-election thereafter.
| Name | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenella Barber | Trustee | ||
| Kate Bock | Chairman | Acting from | 1 April; elected 8 Oct 2024* |
| Karen Buckle | Trustee | ||
| Russ Cofey | Trustee | ||
| Inge Darling | Trustee (Resigned) | Resigned 31 | March 2025 |
| Adrian Flook | Treasurer* | ||
| Martin Graham | Trustee | Elected at AGM 8 October | |
| Miles Kerstein | Trustee | ||
| Peta-May Law | Trustee (Resigned) | Resigned 31 | March 2025 |
| Juliet Lyon-Smith | Secretary* | ||
| Sara Milne | Trustee | ||
| Briony Newman | Trustee | ||
| Sally Orman | Trustee | ||
| Frances Radclife | Trustee | ||
| Annabel Stein | Trustee | ||
| TSB, Clapham | Bankers | ||
| Shawbrook | Bankers | ||
| George Coe | Independent Examiner |
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
The objectives of the Friends of Battersea Park shall be for the public benefit to secure the preservation, protection and improvement of Battersea Park (hereinafter called “the Park”) as a place of historic and ecological interest, beauty, rest and recreation; to promote the conservation of the natural plant, animal and bird life of the Park and, in particular, its retention as a semi-natural habitat for wildlife; and to educate the public in the history, natural history and other aspects of the Park.
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
Activities
The year ending 31 March 2025 marked a period of significant transition and continued engagement for the Friends of Battersea Park. Garon Watkins stood down as Chairman on 31 March 2024 and Kate Bock took over as Acting Chairman on 1 April 2024. Parkrun launched in the Park on 12 October, Wandsworth Council significantly revised its parks and open spaces contract with Enable, Leisure and Culture (the new contract came into effect on 1 April 2025) and the Council agreed a revised ground maintenance contract with the same contractor, Krinkels, previously known as Continental Landscapes, which came into effect in February 2025.
The Annual General Meeting took place on 8 October 2024 at All Saints Church. Kate Bock was elected as Chairman, Martin Graham was elected as a Trustee and George Coe ACCA was reappointed as Independent Financial Examiner. After formal business, Councillor Judi Gasser (Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Environment), Neil Blackley (Head of Parks, Enable) and Inspector Steve Biggs (Parks & Events Police) responded to questions and comments from some of the 43 Friends present. On 31 March 2025, the Friends had 716 members, including family members.
Kate Bock represented the Friends on the Wandsworth Green Spaces Forum which brings together representatives from Friends groups and Management Advisory Committees, Councillor Gasser, senior Council officers and Enable. The Forum meets to address strategic issues relating to the management, use and preservation of parks and open spaces. It continues to be an important avenue for voicing shared concerns and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Among the most significant topics addressed this year was the implementation of the new park management and ground maintenance contracts. The Friends have maintained regular dialogue with both Enable and Council officers throughout this period of change.
In parallel, the Friends have focused attention on the increased pressures placed on the Park by visitor numbers, particularly as Battersea Power Station continues to grow as a destination. This ongoing concern has informed conversations about wear and tear, litter management, and the adequacy of toilet and visitor facilities.
The Friends formally adopted a neutral stance on Parkrun, encouraging individual members to contribute their views to the Council consultation. We have since provided feedback to the Council, Enable and the organisers of Parkrun on the impact of Parkrun particularly in relation to problems with the overcrowded start at the Bandstand, runners failing to keep to the tarmac or give way to other Park users and the inevitable consequences of the lack of sufficient lavatories in the Park.
In May, the Friends held a third informal evening party in the Old English Garden. Despite the rain, it was thoroughly enjoyable and gave members an opportunity to meet each other and trustees. Thanks go to Sara Milne who organised this event.
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FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
The annual Friends’ Summer BBQ was once again a highlight of the calendar and was held in June for a second time at the Bowling Green. In addition to bringing the community together, the event raised over £12,000 which will support FoBP’s charitable aims and upcoming project commitments. Thanks go to Peta May Law and Inge Darling who organised the BBQ with their usual skill and enthusiasm. Thanks are also due to the many local residents and businesses who contributed to the silent auction or donated raffle prizes.
The Friends’ bi-annual lecture series continued under the stewardship of Annabel Stein, who curated two excellent and well-attended events: a lecture on mosses by Friend Clive Freedman in November and one on birds of prey in March. The Friends contributed to the Wandsworth Heritage Festival with a walk led by Frances Radcliffe and also organised a tree walk for Friends led by Greg Packman. A small group of Friends collected a lot of litter on our first formal Park Litter Picking Day on 22 September.
As usual, the Friends had a stall at ‘Summer at the Bandstand’ and the Battersea Park Dog Show. These provided a valuable opportunity to recruit new members and engage directly with Park users.
Having funded educational projects for schools in previous years, this year the Friends donated £2,000 to the Katherine Low Settlement to enable their Elders to visit the Park.
The Friends continued their long-standing support of the Winter Garden, funding new plants and designer Dan Pearson’s annual visit. Thanks go to the small group of Friends who volunteer in the garden on Wednesday mornings. The Friends also worked with Enable on the redesign of part of the Russell Page Garden.
The Friends remained active in responding to planning and development proposals with potential impact on the Park, including making formal objections to the Glassmill Tower proposal at 1 Battersea Bridge Road. We welcomed the temporary portaloos at the Pear Tree Café but continue to press for new permanent, purpose-built lavatories, as proposed by the café in a planning application submitted in late 2023. This would require funding by Wandsworth Council.
I would particularly like to thank Trustees Peta May Law and Inge Darling who stood down on 31 March; all those who work in the Park for their continued commitment to maintaining and enhancing this much-loved green space under increasingly challenging conditions; and Enable for their continued partnership and generosity in donating proceeds from the Dog Show to the Friends.
We also thank our members whose continued support, enthusiasm, and participation in events and consultations ensure that the Friends remain a strong, independent voice advocating for the long-term health, heritage, and enjoyment of Battersea Park.
This year marked a period of leadership transition, and I would like personally to thank the Trustees for their support and dedication during this time.
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
Responsibilities
Financial
Charity legislation requires the Trustees to prepare the Statement of Financial Activities for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of that period. In preparing Financial Statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and apply them on a consistent basis making judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable. The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records, for the safeguarding of the assets of the Charity and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are required to indicate where the Statement of Financial Activities is prepared other than on the basis that the Charity is a going concern.
Approval
This report was approved by the Trustees on 9 September 2025 and signed on behalf of the Trustees by
Kate Bock
Chairman, on behalf of the Trustees of Friends of Battersea Park
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FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 9 to 15.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.
In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under the 2011 Act
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under the 2011 Act
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items disclosed in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
George Coe 24[th] July 2025 Independent Examiner
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FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Incoming resources Funds Funds this year last year £ £ £ £ Voluntary income Subscriptions 7,842 0 7,842 8,891 Gift Aid HMRC refund 0 0 5,370 Miscellaneous donations and Rattle Boxes 4,953 4,953 1,931 Activities for generating funds Events 21,275 0 21,275 18,736 Advertising 2,525 0 2,525 2,690 Book Sales 30 0 30 156 Stock Sales 25 0 25 303 Investment income Bank interest 839 0 839 828
Total incoming resources 37,489 0 37,489 39,254
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds
Costs of generating voluntary income
| Membership Expenses | 2,050 | 0 | 2,971 | 1,239 | Review Magazine costs | 4,746 | 0 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,746 | 2,146 | |||||||
| Event expenditure | 9,138 | 0 | 9,138 | 7,655 | ||||
| Re-usable plastic cups | 1,225 | 0 | 1,225 | 0 | ||||
| Book postage 17 |
0 | 17 | 0 | |||||
| Charitable activities | ||||||||
| Investment by FoBP | ||||||||
| Thrive 6,000 0 |
6,000 | 0 | ||||||
| Katherine Low Settlement | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 | 0 | ||||
| Dan Pearson advice | 737 | 0 | 737 | 737 | ||||
| Yew clipping 825 |
0 | 825 | 420 | |||||
| Merchandise (Mugs) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 780 | ||||
| Winter Garden Planting | 586 | 0 | 586 | 2,376 |
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
Pachyphragma 270 0 270 0 Daffodils 0 0 0 185 Spring Plants 895 0 895 0 Strawberry Tree 655 0 655 0 Miscellaneous 304 0 304 0 Governance Costs Professional Services & Fees 921 0 921 1,959 Insurance 0 0 0 456 ______ Total resources expended 30,369 0 30,369 17,953 _______ Net incoming/(outgoing) resources 7,120 0 7,120 21,301 _______ Total bank balances carried forward_ 106,402 0 106,402 99,281 _______
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
BALANCE SHEET
AT 31 MARCH 2025
==> picture [398 x 226] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds income funds this year last year
£ £ £ £
Current assets
Deposits & Cash at bank 106,402 0 106,402 98,833
Capital and Reserves
Net incoming resources 7,120 0 7,569 21,301
Total funds brought forward 99,282 0 98,833 77,981
______
Total funds carried forward 106,402 0 106,402 99,282
______
----- End of picture text -----
Approved by the Trustees of the Friends of Battersea Park on 9 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Kate Bock Chair
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. Basis of Preparation
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities – the updated second edition of the SORP (FRS 102) issued in 2019 and with Accounting Standards as detailed in the Charities Act 2011.
1.2 Change in basis of accounting
Until the 2016/17 accounts the charity had chosen to prepare accrual accounts. However, since the Charity has, in recent years, income between £25,000 and £250,000 the Charity can choose whether to prepare accounts using either receipts and payments accounts or accruals accounts.
2. Accounting policies INCOMING RESOURCES
Recognition of incoming
resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity has received the resources.
Incoming resources
with related expenditure Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising income such as the BBQ) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross in the SoFA except for PayPal and Stripe charges which are separately recorded below under bank charges.
Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the
resources.
Tax reclaims on donations Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SoFA in and gifts the year in which it is
received.
Gifts in kind Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised.
Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity.
Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SoFA as incoming resources when receivable. There were no gifts in kind in this financial year.
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FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2.
Accounting policies (continued)
INCOMING RESOURCES (continued)
Donated services and These are only
included in incoming resources (with an Facilities equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
Volunteer help The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees annual report.
Bank Charges As a charity, the TSB does not charge us any fees for banking with them. Stripe (£495.00) and PayPal (£41.34) charges the charity a variable percentage of what is put through their system, which includes Zettle; in the last year in total these fees amounted to £536.34.
PayPal and Stripe Without excess and unjustified effort, it is not possible to allocate payments to the penny received by PayPal or Stripe to their source (eg ticket sales, subscriptions, event sales, books mugs and postcards).
From 2024-25 we have decided that we will not include the small amounts ‘sitting’ in Paypal or Stripe at the year end date of 31 March as assets to be included in the balance sheet as they were not technically then available to be transferred to our TSB account which happens automatically early in the new financial year.
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org
FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
In 2024-25, the amount in both Paypal and Stripe combined, and awaiting to be sent to our TSB account, amounted to only £38.
Gift Aid There are outstanding applications to HMRC for Gift Aid to be made for this financial year which was made in July 2025.
Investment gains and losses The charity does not have any investments. It does have two interest bearing bank accounts at TSB and Shawcross.
EXPENDITURE AND LIABILITIES
Liability recognition Liabilities are recognised on a cash accounting basis meaning the Charity recognise liabilities when it pays them Governance costs Include, when applicable, the costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
ASSETS Tangible fixed assets for The Charity has no tangible fixed assets use by the charity 3 Creditors and accruals
3.1 Analysis of creditors This year Last year
Invoices dated billed before 31 March 2025 that were outstanding. £0 £1,498 3.2 Analysis of debtors Advertising £90 £795 This amount of £90 was subsequently received in April 2025
4. Analysis of incoming resources
The analysis of incoming resources is given in the SoFA
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FRIENDS OF BATTERSEA PARK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
5. Analysis of resources expended
The analysis of resources expended is given in the SoFA.
6. Details of certain items of expenditure
6.1 Trustee expenses This year Last year
Number of trustees re-imbursed for expenses 7 8 (Postage, photocopying, stationery, AGM expenses and other events) £7,082 £5,082
7. Paid employees
There are no paid employees of the charity
8. Grant making
There were two grants made to other charitable organizations in 2024-25. These went to Thrive (£6,000) and to the Katherine Low Settlement (£2,000) and as per usual we made in lieu of payment contributions for the two lectures of £50 which were paid to the charities of the speakers’ choice.
9. Security over assets
There are no outstanding loans, overdrafts or other creditors of the charity.
10. Transactions with related parties
10.1 Remuneration and benefits
The charity paid no remuneration or other benefits to any trustees or related parties.
10.2 Loans
The charity had no loans with any trustees or related parties during the year or at the year end.
10.3 Other transactions with trustees or related parties.
The charity had no other transactions with the trustees or related parties.
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Friends of Battersea Park | Registered Charity No: 802905 | www.friendsofbatterseapark.org