The Kew Society
THE
ANNUAL REPORT
ACCOUNTS
Year Ended 31st July 2012
Contents
Page 1Charity Information
Page 2Chairman’s Report
Page 3Trustees’ Report
Page 6Independent Examiner’s Report
Page 7Statement of Financial Activities
Page 8Balance Sheet
Page 9Notes to the Accounts
The Kew Society
Charity Information
TrusteesUlrike Bulle(appointed Oct 08: retired Oct 11) Giles Dixon (appointed Oct 07 & Oct 10)
Mary Done (appointed Oct 11)
Michael Glazebrook(appointed Dec 06)
Gillian Horne(appointed Oct 08: deceased Jun 12)
Benjamin Knight(appointed Oct 09: retired Oct 11)
Sue May(appointed Oct 10)
Simon Owens(appointed Oct 08 & Oct 11)
Robert Sheldon(appointed Oct 07 & Oct 10)
Barnaby Smith(appointed Oct 05: retired Oct 11)
Sally Sutton(appointed Oct 06)
Juliet Thompson(appointed Oct 07)
Principal Address32 Alexandra Road
Kew Gardens
Richmond TW9 2BS
Independent ExaminerG.L.Turner
23 Pine Gardens
Surbiton KT5 8LJ
BankersBarclays Bank Plc
9 George Street
Richmond TW9 1JU
Charity Registration296591
Number
The Kew Society
The Chairman’s Report
The continuing economic downturn is putting pressure on the Government to support business, including the construction sector. Proposals are being considered which would soften planning guidelines, relaxing development restrictions on the Green Belt and raising the threshold below which developments such as house extensions will not require planning permission. We are fortunate to have two new committee members focussed on planning and our expanded team is working on a published planning policy for the Society. Development in Kew and Brentford continues apace and we objected to a further application for the Inland Revenue site in Ruskin Avenue, which was subsequently turned down. Once again, we worked alongside the Kew Residents Association on this application. We have a good co-operation and will combine forces wherever felt appropriate.
As ever, we had a popular calendar of events this year, including a visit to the Orange Tree Theatre with a delightful talk by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Sam Walters and a wine tasting evening at the Barn Church. For each of these events, the surplus was donated to the Orange Tree education programme and the Barn Church. Many thanks to our members for supporting such events – and by doing so, supporting local good causes. We can all look forward to the exciting programme of future events being planned for 2013.
There have been a number of changes to our committee this year and we have co-opted Martin Taylor and Caroline Brock to join a newly formed Planning sub-committee. We have also co-opted Teresa Hartley to focus on events and assist on planning. Sally Sutton will be retiring at the forthcoming AGM after her maximum six years of service. Sally has been a huge asset to the Committee and the Society over the last six years. As well as Honorary Secretary, Sally has played a key role in organising our events, including many we will never forget, such as Frederick Day in 2007 - a glorious day of Georgian cricket, music and entertainment on Kew Green. Sally will be sorely missed.
I am very sorry to tell you that Gillian Horne, our webmaster, passed away earlier this year. Gillian was a burst of energy and enthusiasm and had plenty to contribute to all aspects of the Society, as well as doing an excellent job on our website. She was taken from us at a young age and we send our condolences to her husband, John, and her family.
The prospect of Heathrow expansion never seems to go away, in spite of reassurances. There has been intense lobbying for Heathrow expansion and I can assure you that the Richmond Heathrow Campaign (RHC), which we are members of, is working harder than ever. RHC has carried out extensive research into capacity at Heathrow and remains convinced that there is significant capacity which is not being fully utilised. With respect to runway alternation, the current trial, whereby simultaneous use of both runways is being scaled up, is a significant threat. Unless the trial receives serious objection, it may well become a permanent arrangement, meaning runway alternation - as we know it - would disappear. For more information, contact us or visit the RHC website.
Our finances remain stable, with a small surplus of £749 for the year increasing our reserves to £28,517. As in previous years, we donate all surplus from events to local charities.
Many thanks to our volunteers, Trustees and Patrons for all their hard work and to our members for their continued support.
Michael Glazebrook
The Kew Society
Trustees’ Report for the year ended July 31, 2012
Constitution & Rules for Election
The current governing document of The Kew Society is its Constitution, as adopted by the members at the 2007 Annual General Meeting.
The Society is constituted as an unincorporated association.
The Society’s Executive Committee, comprising all trustees, meets eleven times a year. None of the trustees, nor any persons connected with them, has received any remuneration during the year. The Officers of the Society, consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary are elected annually while other trustees hold office for a period of three years. Trustees can be re-elected for a further term, subject to a maximum of six years and can then only be re-elected after standing down from the Executive Committee for one year.
The Objects and Work of the Society
The Kew Society is established for the public benefit and its objects have always been to promote high standards of planning and architecture in Kew, to educate the public about the locality, to preserve and enhance the village and to extend and preserve public amenities in the domain. An amendment to the Constitution in 2007 allows the trustees to use Society funds for other such local charitable purposes as the trustees shall decide.
When planning our activities for the year the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. In particular we aim to meet our objectives by:
• examining all planning applications that are submitted for the Kew area, as
well as other applications and government proposals that could affect Kew
• organising events for members that give information about the surrounding
areas
• liaising on behalf of members with local councillors, the local planning
authority and other local and national voluntary organisations
• providing a community network to facilitate information gathering and
promoting understanding
• enabling newcomers to Kew to meet other residents to become part of the
village life.
• periodically holding events which help to publicise the Society’s presence
in the community or which provide information thought to be of interest to
its members.
The Kew Society
Trustees Report for the year ended July 31, 2012 (continued)
Developments, Activities and Achievements
Planning
The Society continues to monitor all Kew planning applications and comments where appropriate. Within Kew the largest project that we successfully objected to was the application for a very dense mixed use redevelopment of the Inland Revenue site on Ruskin Avenue, which would include 97 flats, on which we co-ordinated our efforts with the Kew Residents Association. As part of our work on this, we obtained some useful advice from planning counsel.
On the positive side we supported the proposed restoration of the historically important Kew Observatory.
In addition to commenting on local issues, we submitted our views to the Government on the draft National Planning Policy Framework during the consultation period. Those views, which were shared with a lot of other organisations, resulted in a more balanced final document when it was published in March. We also submitted comments to Richmond Council on their Affordable Housing policy consultation.
The continuing overdevelopment of Brentford and its impact on Kew is a cause of concern. The plan to build a large new stadium for Brentford Football Club just north of KewBridge station has been resurrected and we will be monitoring this: the previous scheme included two 25 storey blocks of flats.
Our planning team has been considerably strengthened in recent months with Caroline Brock and Martin Taylor as well as Teresa Hartley joining the planning subcommittee.
This has led us to prepare a Kew Society Planning Policy document which is being issued to all Kew Society members for information and comment. And we do need to hear from members and other residents on matters of concern. This is also important following the recent publication by the Council of the Kew Village Plan. It remains to be seen how this will affect us but with luck it could lead to more co-operation between the Council and local groups on planning and other neighbourhood issues.
Membership
The trustees are committed to encouraging as many people as possible to join the Kew Society. We realise that our aims will be more easily achieved if we have strong community support behind us and so we take every opportunity to let people know of our existence. To this end we have a stall at local community events. This year we attended the Kew Fete – now in its third year - in June and the Kew Horticultural Show in August. We are delighted with our smart new gazebo which gives the Society a more professional image.
Ujder the auspices of Sue May, our membership secretary, we have nearly completed the membership drive begun last year –delivering a redesigned leaflet to the majority of the households in Kew. In addition, thanks to Felice Oxborrow, we now print an excellent newsletter four times a year.
The Kew Society
Trustees Report for the year ended July 31, 2012 (continued)
Events
The trusteesorganize a series of eventswhich aim to increase awareness of our area, sometimes raising funds in the process, and to provide a social focus for our membership, thus contributing to the strong sense of community in Kew. We started the year with a most enjoyable AGM at the Musical Museum in Brentford followed byour annual 12th night Drinks Party at St Anne’s. February saw a successful Bridge night at St Luke’s and March a fascinating evening at the Orange Tree Theatre which included a lecture by the Artistic Director Sam Walters on his 40 years at the theatre. In May, with Kew’s Good Wine shop, we organised an enthusiastically received wine tasting evening at the Barn Church.
The Chairman and Executive Committee believe that they have met the criteria inherited and listed in “The Objects and Work of the Society” and that the above is evidence of “Developments, Activities and Achievements”.
The Financial Position
Subscriptions received from members, donations, Gift Aid tax credits and interest
receivable constitute the bulk of the Society’s income.
The statement of financial activities shows a surplus for the year of £749 on the General Fund increasing its accumulated surplus to £28,517.
.
Reserves Policy
The policy of the Society is to maintain, subject to available funds, an amount as part of general reserves to provide for items such as legal fees and other costs incurred in carrying out two of its purposes: “To promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit” and “To secure the preservation protection development improvement and enhancement of features of beauty or historic or public interest in or affecting the area of benefit” as set out in its Constitution Article 1, Section 2, paragraphs (i) and (ii). The Trustees have decided to set this amount at £15,000.
Approved by the Executive Committee and signed on its behalf by:
Michael GlazebrookJuliet Thompson Dated: 1st October 2012
Chairman Honorary Treasurer
The Kew Society
Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of The Kew Society
I report on the accounts for the year ended July 31, 2012.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.
- which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Geoffrey Turner AFA, MIAB, MCMI.
23 Pine GardensDated October 2012
Surbiton KT5 8L
The Kew SocietyStatement of financial activities for the year to July 31, 2012
Note / TOTAL
2012
£ / TOTAL
2011
£
Incoming Resources
Subscriptions / 4,352 / 4,561
Donations / 618 / 689
Interest receivable / 133 / 91
Surplus on events / 1,261 / 1,064
Gift Aid / 1,166 / 1,520
7,530 / 7,925
Resources Expended
Planning and appeals / 1,200 / 294
Society Activities / 521 / 564
Printing and stationery / 901 / 1,301
Postage / 587 / 538
Donations and subscriptions 8 / 2,108 / 1,995
Insurance / 231 / 336
Deficit on events / 0 / 0
Sundry expenses / 1,233 / 435
6,781 / 5,463
Surplus/(deficit) for the year / 749 / 2,462
Fund balances brought
forward at August 1 / 27,768 / 27,246
Transfer to Friends of Kew Pond / 0 / (1,940)
Fund balances carried
forward at July 31 / 28,517 / 27,768
The Kew Society
Balance Sheet as at July 31, 2012
Note / TOTAL
2012
£ / TOTAL
2011
£
Current Assets
Cash at bank / 29,935 / 28,753
Debtors & prepayments / 9 / 184 / 170
Stocks / 0 / 0
30,119 / 28,923
Creditors due within one year / 10 / 1,104 / 739
Net current assets (liabilities) / 29,015 / 28,184
Total assets less current liabilities / 29,015 / 28,184
Creditors due after more
than one year / 10 / 498 / 416
Provisions for liabilities
and charges / 0 / 0
Net Assets / 28,517 / 27,768
Represented by:
Accumulated fund balance / 28,517 / 27,768
Approved by the Trustees on
1stOctober 2012
and signed on their behalf by
Michael Glazebrook Juliet Thompson
1stOctober 2012
The Kew Society
Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission's Statement of Recommended Practice ("SORP") covering Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005), and with applicable accounting policies under the historical cost convention.
2. Income
Donations are accounted for on receipt. Subscription income is accounted for on an accruals basis. Interest from bank accounts and the COIF Charities Deposit account are disclosed on receipt. Gift Aid claims are accounted for on approval by the Inland Revenue.
3. Expenditure
Expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis.
4. Fund Accounting
The General Fund is an unrestricted fund for use at the Society’s discretion.
5. Stocks
Stocks of publicity articles are valued at the lower of cost and market value.
6. Trustee Insurance
At an Extraordinary meeting held on January 27, 2001 the members voted to amend the Constitution, as approved by the Charity Commission, to authorise the trustees to use Society funds to purchase Trustee Indemnity Insurance.
The Society's Insurance, including Trustee Indemnity Insurance, is that provided for Civic Societies by Lockton. It is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance and the annual premium is £245.
7. Surplus/Deficit for the year
This is stated after charging Independent Examiner’s remuneration of £117.50. (2011: £117.50)
The Kew Society
Notes to the Accounts (continued)
8. Grants, Donations and Subscriptions Paid
TOTAL2012
£ / TOTAL
2011
£
Civic Voice & London Forum / 545 / 540
Friends of the National Archives / 50 / 50
HACAN (Subscription) / 42 / 42
HACAN (Donation) / 458 / 458
Richmond in Bloom / 0 / 300
West London River Group / 20 / 20
Vineyard Community Centre / 500 / 0
Orange Tree Theatre / 178 / 0
The Barn Church / 315 / 0
Kew Community Trust / 0 / 385
Thames Strategy Kew to Chelsea / 0 / 200
TOTAL / 2,108 / 1,995
9.Debtors and Prepayments
TOTAL2012
£ / TOTAL
2011
£
Sundry debtors – Gift Aid / 0 / 0
Prepayments / 184 / 170
TOTAL / 184 / 170
10.Creditors & Accruals
TOTAL2012
£ / TOTAL
2011
£
Subscriptions paid in advance:
Due within 12 months / 784 / 739
Due after more than 12 months / 498 / 416
Other creditors – Strawberry Hill / 320 / 0
Accrued expenses / 0 / 0
TOTAL / 1,602 / 1,155
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