| REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES |
|
| The board of Directors/Trustees presents their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2025 |
|
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION |
|
| Company name |
CLAPTON COMMONS COMMUNITY ORGANISATION LIMITED |
|
| Company registration number |
9104046 |
|
| Charity Registration number |
1187211 |
|
| Directors/Trustees |
Pauline Campbell (resigned 15 May 2024) |
|
|
Rev William Campbell-Taylor (Chair) |
|
|
Holly-Gale Millette |
|
|
Jacquline Benjamin (resigned 2 July 2024) |
|
|
Ben Hayhow Gilchrist |
|
|
Rev Toby Lewis Thomas |
|
| Chief Executive Officer |
Joe Walker (left September 2024) |
|
|
Aaron Barbour (interim CEO, September 2024 to date) |
|
| Registered office |
1 Clapton Terrace |
|
|
London |
|
|
E5 9BW |
|
| Accountants |
Lewis Curtis Ltd |
|
|
Chartered Accountants |
|
|
10 Durham Avenue |
|
|
Romford |
|
|
RM2 6JS |
|
| Independent examiner |
Knight Goodhead Ltd |
|
|
Chartered Accountants |
|
|
7 Bournemouth Road |
|
|
Chandler's Ford |
|
|
Eastleigh, Hampshire |
|
|
SO53 3DA |
|
| Bankers |
Barclays Bank UK plc |
|
|
1 Churchill Place |
|
|
London |
|
|
E14 5HP |
| REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES (continued) |
|
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
|
| The objects of the charity are to further or benefit the residents of that area of the London Borough of Hackney which is covered by Clapton Commons, without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the residents. In furtherance of these objects but not otherwise, the trustees shall have power— to establish or secure the establishment of a community centre and to maintain or manage or co-operate with any statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre for activities promoted by the charity in furtherance of the above objects. |
|
| ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE |
|
| Clapton Commons is a local community charity, based in the heart of the London Borough of Hackney. We were established by and for local residents in 2013, with a focus on Community Building and Community Organising. We bringing local communities into relationship with one another to bring about action and sustainable change in our neighbourhood. We are guided by the values of reciprocity, solidarity, localism and social justice for the common good of all local residents. |
| Clapton Commons’ flagship programme over the last year has been its Warm Welcome Hub run from ‘The Common Rooms’. The Hub hosts a range of projects, events and activities developed in partnership with residents and community organisations. It grew out of the cost of living crisis, but today it still fulfils an important role in encouraging social connections, alleviating loneliness and isolation, addressing poverty (particularly food poverty) and enhancing our guests overall mental health and wellbeing. |
| Here are some highlights from the last year: |
|
| Addressing food security through community building |
| · |
120 local people directly benefit from 42 Warm Welcome’s sessions (2024, with 11 sessions delivered to 31 March 2025) |
| · |
21 people attend on average each week |
| · |
£65 is the average cost of feeding people each week |
|
| We continued over the summer holidays because guests wanted somewhere to be. Our amazing volunteers agreed that for our vulnerable guests, especially those with dementia and memory issues, that consistency was important. So, during this time we paused the craft gathering but provided other activities like film club, bingo etc. which were enjoyed by all. |
|
| We worked with our volunteers to improve food management and expand the meal offerings. Towards the end of last year (2024) we introduced the concept of a Food Co-operative to our volunteers and residents, leading to the formation of a group committed to establishing one. This initiative has the potential to address food supply, meal planning, community cooking and skills exchange, while also celebrating the diverse culinary traditions within the local community here in Clapton. We are looking to launch a new Food Co-operative project over the summer 2025. |
|
| Creative expression and community building |
| The Re-Live Zero Waste project joined the Warm Welcome. They provide crafting activities to our residents and volunteers. Initially we encouraged a few to work on creating a community banner with the slogan ‘good things are coming’ to express hope in the face of the cost of living crisis. This "craftivism" approach proved to be a powerful tool for engagement and with the support of Freda (upcycle fashion expert) and Ange (upcycled art and craft expert), we established weekly sessions that provided opportunities for skill-sharing in areas like sewing, upcycling, crochet, knitting, embroidery, and jewellery making. Four sewing machines were later purchased and the use of recycled and donated materials ensured the sustainability of these projects. |
| REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES (continued) |
|
| Participants created a diverse range of items, demonstrating their creativity and resourcefulness, among them: lavender bags; glasses, phones and bottles holders; cards and money wallets; shopping bags; scarfs; even lamp shades or wrapping paper. There are plans to work with Makers Market in summer 2025 so we can showcase the work to the wider public. |
|
| Gardening for Good |
| We collaborated with Lucy, a local gardener, who facilitated gardening sessions at Liberty Court and Limetree Court (local retirement and supported housing complexes respectively), empowering residents to cultivate their own green spaces. Currently Lucy is working with Clapton Commons and Springfield Park User Group (SPUG) to engage more volunteers in maintaining green spaces around Liberty Hall, and on the Commons previously done in collaboration with children from the local school, and/or join the monthly litter picking with Lisa, a local resident who organises this. |
|
| Supporting existing groups |
|
| Aga, our Warm Welcome lead, provided support to a group of single mothers previously involved with Roundchapel’s ‘Mothers of Hackney’. Their initial interest in flower arranging evolved into the creation of herb products, candles and wreaths. This group further contributed to the community by tending to St. Matthew's garden, fostering intergenerational engagement and connections |
|
| Partnerships |
|
| Our partnership with our anchor institution, St Thomas’ Church, continues, and collaboration with other local organisations enabled us to pool resources and expand our reach. These include: |
| · |
Made in Hackney (food), who use the refurbished Liberty Hall on the Commons |
| · |
Old Hill Community School (education) |
| · |
Anchor Hanover Housing Association (housing) |
| · |
Playbus (education/play) |
| · |
Hackney Housing (Residents participation team) |
| · |
Clapton Terrace residence association (residents) |
| · |
The Jewish-Christian forum in Stamford Hill (socio-religious) |
| · |
Rethink (mental health advocacy) |
| · |
The Shoreditch Trust (community, health and wellbeing). |
| We look forward to building on these into 2025. |
|
| Advocacy support |
| Since autumn 2024 we have been working with Rethink Mental Illness, a mental health charity, to support the most vulnerable guests at the Warm Welcome. James, the Rethink worker, provides regular advocacy service and casework support for people with mental health issues. |
|
| After school clubs |
| We encouraged local small businesses to collaborate on providing activities for intergenerational groups such as Mothers who Make and Plysu on creative design and building workshops; and Monika-Holy, who shared their expertise in sewing skills, fashion design and textile printing. |
|
| Cultivating creative expression |
| Students from the Royal College of Art (RCA) led a number of art workshops at the Warm Welcome, which in turn spurred the establishment of a weekly ‘Art Jam’ in the Commons Room, led by George and Bill. The aim is to sustain these sessions by leveraging a network of local creatives, offering expertise in various artistic fields. We are planning an Art Exhibition to showcase the work later in the year. |
|
| FUTURE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENTS FOR 2025/26 |
|
| In 2025/26, the trustees, staff, volunteers and members want to connect deeper with the wider local community through a programme of community listening and community organising. We are working with St Thomas’s Church and London Citizens to conducted a series of door knocking (listening and relationship building) sessions this spring. The information and ideas gathered will help us identify our priorities for the next 1-2 years, as well as the residents and community organisations to work with. |
| We are working with local partners from the Jewish and Muslim communities and organisations in the education sector around the closure of Oldhill Community School, to see how the building can continue to benefit the immediate local community. Our initial organising and largely successful work with The Tenants Club showed us the greater need for organised representation. The Oldhill school work gives us a chance to identify leaders from across the area to support this. |
| Following a review of the Warm Welcome (in part prompted by funding coming to end in August), the team and members have agreed to refine the offer further and relaunch it as the Clapton Commons Social Club in the autumn. We are also exploring how best to set up a Food Co-operative. |
| We hope that you will join us in the coming year as we work hard to bringing about the common good in Clapton. |
|
| HOW OUR ACTIVITIES DELIVER PUBLIC BENEFIT |
|
| In its work to advance the social welfare of the local communities the charity has sought to unite ‘resource’ with ‘need’. It has worked in a rhizomatic way, recognising that groups and individuals are, more often than not, looking for a container for co-design and a mutual flourishing, rather than a series of top-down service-delivery programmes. |
|
| In its regeneration of the toilet block on the Common, the charity has been able to reach out to all communities and ensure that the Common Land requirement for the space (necessary for the planning permission) continues to be met. |
|
| GOING CONCERN |
| The Trustees have reviewed the financial position of the charitable company as of 17 July 2025 together with the budget, income and expenditure, cash flow and investments, for the period April 2025 to March 2026 inclusively. The Trustees consider that the budgets are reasonable, and that the charity has sufficient reserves and cash resources in order to continue as a going concern. |
|
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
|
| Income for the year was £110,464 including restricted funds of £61,038 (2024 restated £174,168 including restricted funds of £87,896). Expenditure for the year was £117,468 including restricted activity costs of £54,150 (2024 £271,315 including restricted costs £231,288). |
|
| The unrestricted surplus for the year of £12,448 is carried forward for future activities. |
|
| RESERVES POLICY |
| The charity was registered in 2019 and is in a phase of building resources and reserves. The charity operates mainly through voluntary services and closely manages operating costs so that income can be directed towards the charities’ aims as effectively as possible. As the charity grows and takes on additional employees, it’s aim is to build and retain a minimum of 6 months operating costs within unrestricted reserves. |
| REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES (continued) |
|
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
|
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT |
| The organisation was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee on 26 June 2014 and registered as a charity on 6 January 2020. The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. |
|
| RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES |
|
| Any member of the Charity may stand for election as a trustee provided that they are nominated and seconded by another member. All members of the charity are entitled to participate in the election of trustees. One third of the trustees are required to retire at each AGM; the trustees to retire are those longest in office since they were last elected. A retiring trustee is eligible for re-election provided that no Trustee may serve for a continuous period of more than six years. The trustees may appoint a member as a trustee to fill a casual position. |
|
| STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES |
|
| Company laws require the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing those financial statements the Board of Directors should follow best practice and: |
| - Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; |
| - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; |
| - State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and |
| - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in operation. |
|
| The Board of Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. |
|
| The Board of Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities. |
|
| MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
| Members of the Board of Directors, who are directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 2. |
|
| ACCOUNTANTS |
|
| Lewis Curtis Ltd has signified their willingness to continue in office. |
|
| Approved by the Directors on 23 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by |
|
|
| Rev William Campbell-Taylor |
| (Director/Trustee) |
|
|
| 1 |
Accounting policies |
|
|
Basis of preparation and accounting convention |
|
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared on the accruals basis, under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. |
|
|
Change of year end date |
|
In the previous year the charity has changed its financial year end from 30 June to 31 March. Current year figures are reported for the 12 months ended 31 March 2025 and comparative figures are reported for the 9 months ended 31 March 2024 |
|
|
Restated comparative figures |
|
The allocation of income and expenditure between unrestricted and restricted funds in the comparative period ended 31 March 2024 has been reviewed and reanalysed. The overall income and expenditure is unchanged but the fund balances at 31 March 2024 are revised. See Note 9 for restricted fund balance details. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Original |
Revised |
|
Unrestricted funds at 31/03/2024 |
£ 5,814.00 |
£ 26,341.00 |
|
Restricted funds at 31/03/2024 |
£ 46,797.00 |
£ 26,271.00 |
|
Total funds at 31/03/2024 |
£ 52,611.00 |
£ 52,612.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis |
|
The trustees considers that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. |
|
|
Fund structure |
|
The charity's general funds consists of funds which the charity may use for it purposes at its discretion. Grants received for specific costs which have already been incurred by the charity are included as unrestricted income. |
|
The charity's restricted funds are those where the donor has imposed restrictions on the use of the funds, which are legally binding. |
|
Rental Income |
|
Rental income is recognised in the accounts according to the period for which the rent is receivable. |
|
|
Voluntary income |
|
All voluntary income is included on receipt. Grants receivable is credited to income immediately on receipt. |
|
|
Governance costs |
|
Governance costs comprises costs incurred in running the charity which are neither direct charitable expenses nor restricted fund expenses. |
| 2 |
Grants receivable - restricted |
2025 |
|
2024 |
| £ |
£ |
|
|
Mercers |
Mercers |
20,000 |
|
20,000 |
|
The National Lottery |
Warm Welcome |
20,000 |
|
- |
|
London Borough of Hackney |
Windrush |
1,690 |
|
- |
|
Hackney Parochial |
Warm Welcome |
- |
|
5,000 |
|
London Community Fund |
Common rooms (spacehive) |
- |
|
19,700 |
|
St Thomas' Church |
Commons Chorus Choir |
- |
|
1,295 |
|
Trust for London |
Community Organisation |
19,348 |
|
38,691 |
|
LB Hackney |
Youth Development |
- |
|
3,210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,038 |
|
87,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
Wages and salaries |
2025 |
|
2024 |
| £ |
£ |
|
Wages and salaries |
12,648 |
|
29,914 |
|
Contributions to defined contribution pension scheme |
255 |
|
617 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,903 |
|
30,531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average monthly number of employees |
1 |
|
2 |
|
|
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 |
|
|
| 4 |
Remuneration of directors |
|
No directors have received remuneration as directors of the charitable company during the year. No trustees have received payment of expenses during the year. |
|
| 5 |
Fixed assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrestricted |
Community Spacehive |
Total |
| £ |
|
Cost |
|
As at 1 April 2024 |
949 |
746 |
1,695 |
|
Additions |
- |
- |
- |
|
As at 31 March 2025 |
949 |
746 |
1,695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
|
As at 1 April 2024 |
869 |
746 |
1,615 |
|
Provided during year |
80 |
- |
80 |
|
As at 31 March 2025 |
949 |
746 |
1,695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value at 31 March 2025 |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net book value at 31 March 2024 |
80 |
- |
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
| £ |
£ |
| 6 |
Debtors - unrestricted funds |
|
Trade Debtors |
3,599 |
|
15,536 |
|
Prepayments |
- |
|
- |
|
Accrued income |
5,499 |
|
2,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,098 |
|
18,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
| 7 |
Cash at bank - restricted funds |
£ |
£ |
|
Community Spacehive |
- |
|
- |
|
Mercers |
19,731 |
|
20,000 |
|
Community choir |
- |
|
195 |
|
Community Organisation |
5,308 |
|
6,076 |
|
Warm Welcome |
8,120 |
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,159 |
|
26,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year - unrestricted funds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
| £ |
£ |
|
|
Social Security and Other taxes |
241 |
|
1,754 |
|
Trade creditors |
121 |
|
3,370 |
|
Accruals |
3,500 |
|
8,250 |
|
Other creditors |
60 |
|
220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,922 |
|
13,594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
Restricted funds |
|
|
As originally reported in the Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2024 |
|
|
|
01/07/2023 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfer |
31/03/2024 |
|
Common Rooms (spacehive) |
110,314 |
|
19,700 |
(169,967) |
39,953 |
- |
|
Commons Chorus Choir |
- |
|
1,295 |
(540) |
(560) |
195 |
|
Mercers |
- |
|
20,000 |
(18,469) |
- |
1,531 |
|
Groundwork |
969 |
|
- |
(969) |
- |
- |
|
Community Organisation |
11,400 |
|
40,296 |
(6,624) |
- |
45,072 |
|
Warm Welcome |
3,682 |
|
5,000 |
(13,702) |
5,020 |
- |
|
Youth development |
- |
|
3,210 |
(7,115) |
3,905 |
- |
|
|
|
126,365 |
|
89,501 |
(217,386) |
48,318 |
46,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As restated in the current year financial accounts |
|
|
|
01/07/2023 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfer |
31/03/2024 |
|
Common Rooms (spacehive) |
110,314 |
|
19,700 |
(169,967) |
39,953 |
- |
|
Commons Chorus Choir |
- |
|
1,295 |
(540) |
(560) |
195 |
|
Mercers |
- |
|
20,000 |
- |
- |
20,000 |
|
Groundwork |
969 |
|
- |
(969) |
- |
- |
|
Community Organisation |
11,400 |
|
38,691 |
(44,015) |
- |
6,076 |
|
Warm Welcome |
3,682 |
|
5,000 |
(8,682) |
|
- |
|
Youth development |
- |
|
3,210 |
(7,115) |
3,905 |
- |
|
|
|
126,365 |
|
87,896 |
(231,288) |
43,298 |
26,271 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
01/04/2024 |
Income |
Expenditure |
Transfer |
31/03/2025 |
|
Commons Chorus Choir |
195 |
|
|
(195) |
|
- |
|
Mercers |
20,000 |
|
20,000 |
(20,269) |
|
19,731 |
|
Community Organisation |
6,076 |
|
19,348 |
(20,116) |
|
5,308 |
|
Warm Welcome |
- |
|
20,000 |
(11,880) |
|
8,120 |
|
LBH Windrush |
- |
|
1,690 |
(1,690) |
|
0 |
|
|
|
26,271 |
|
61,038 |
(54,150) |
- |
33,159 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purpose of restricted funds |
|
Commons Chorus Choir |
Weekly subscriptions from singers to take part in the choir |
|
Mercers |
Revenue funding for Clapton commons and our Warm Welcome programme |
|
Community Organisation |
Revenue funding for Clapton Commons from Trust for London |
|
Warm Welcome |
Revenue funding for Warm Welcome from National Lottery Community Fund's Award for All |
|
LBH Windrush |
Revenue funding to support Windrush celebration events rom hackney Council |
|
| 10 |
Share capital |
|
|
Clapton Commons Community Organisation is a company limited by guarantee and does not have share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1. |
|
| 11 |
Other financial commitments |
|
|
Total future minimum lease payments under non -cancellable operating leases |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land & Buildings |
|
Land & Buildings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Falling due: |
|
|
within one year |
12,000 |
|
12,000 |
|
within two to five years |
16,500 |
|
28,500 |
|
|
| 13 |
Related Party Transactions |
|
There were no related party transactions that require disclosure in the reporting period other than transactions with Saint Thomas Clapton where Father William Campbell-Taylor is the Vicar. |
|
During the year ended 31 March 2025 the charity made grants of £4,423 (2024: £169,846) to Saint Thomas Clapton for the Undercroft refurbishment to cover the agreed improvements. |