The London PLaying FieLds FoundaTion annuaL RePoRT and

London Playing
Fields Foundation
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
ACCOUNTS 2007
The
London Playing
Fields Foundation
The
PATRON
HRH the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Alex Welsh
PRESIDENT
Field Marshal The Lord Bramall KG GCB OBE MC
HEAD OFFICE STAFF
Paul Baker
Gregory Wolcough
Roger Reed
Jo McKenzie
Katherine Shutler
Jenna Schillaci
VICE PRESIDENTS
Sir Malcolm Bates MSc FCIS FRAeS CIMgt
The Lord Coe KBE
Mike Gatting OBE
John Hollins MBE
Peter Nathan OBE DL
Sir Bobby Robson CBE
Micky Stewart OBE
Bob Wilson OBE
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
SOLICITORS
Farrer & Co
CHAIRMAN
The Rt Hon the Earl Cadogan DL
PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
Savills Plc
CHAIRMAN OF F&GPC & HON TREASURER
Julian Bell FCA
INVESTMENT ADVISORS
Hoare & Co
TRUSTEES
Colin Ainger
Christopher Anderson
Christine Double
Rodney FitzGerald (retired May 2007)
Matthew Fleming
Gilbert Holbourn FCA FCCA
Nick Judge
John Lawton
Jack Miller
Andy Sacha
Evan Stone QC
Andy Sutch
Michael Wates CBE
AUDITORS
Crowley Young
BANKERS
Bank of Scotland Plc
Incorporated by Royal Charter in 1925. Charity No 302925
COMPREHENSIVE List
OF
CURRENT GROUNDS
CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
The
Ground
BoroughAcreageHead Groundsman
Douglas Eyre Sports Centre
Waltham Forest
33
Colin Howard
Peter May Sports Centre
Waltham Forest
32
Dave Gerrett
Fairlop Oak Playing Field
Redbridge
30
Ray Lambell
London Marathon Playing Field
Redbridge
12
Mark Hickford
London Marathon Playing Field
Greenwich
9
John Wallace
London Marathon Playing Field
Greenford
22
Gary Mellows
Boston Manor Playing Field
Hounslow
22
Darren Rorie
Prince George’s Playing Field
Merton
57
(leased to David Lloyd Leisure Ltd)
I am delighted to report on another successful year in which the
Foundation has been able to deliver its charitable objectives. Recalling why our Victorian
ancestors founded the Charity—as a response to rapid urbanisation and the resulting loss
of green space and as a recognition of how sport can enrich lives—it is gratifying to record
the acquisition of a new ground in west London and the launch of a new project targeted
at one of society’s most marginalised groups. These examples encapsulate what the
London Playing Fields Foundation is all about, protecting playing fields to improve lives.
Thanks to the foresight of City Parochial Foundation and the continuing
outstanding generosity of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, Birkbeck College Sports
Association Ground was acquired on a long lease in April 2007. The ground, now known
as London Marathon Playing Field Greenford, is the third example since 1999 of how
the Foundation, working in partnership with other like minded organisations, can fulfil its
strategic objectives.
Taking on the operational management of a new ground is just one way in
which the Foundation can use its knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure the site
is fully used by the local community. Another is to provide arms length or consultancy
advice on how fields can be run viably. With this in mind we are developing a Saving
Playing Fields guide and a consultancy service that will help to safeguard and ensure
that London’s 1500 playing fields are fully used.
The launch of Coping Through Football, a ground breaking project which
uses sport to aid the recovery of the long term mentally ill, illustrates another facet of the
Foundation’s work. In addition to providing accessible, affordable and attractive facilities
for schools and clubs, the Charity is continually looking for ways it can support groups and
communities who have historically been excluded from mainstream sporting provision.
As in the Foundation’s other projects, Coping Through Football is based
on an innovative and partnership approach to engaging with a marginalised and hard
to reach group. In essence it highlights the over reliance on medication as a cure for
young to mid-adults with enduring mental illness and advocates using sport as a means
of increasing the physical activity levels, the self esteem, confidence and interactivity of
the client group. The project, delivered in partnership with the North East London Mental
Health Trust, Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust and Leyton Orient Community Sports
Programme, has already met with critical acclaim and the intention is to deliver it in
other community mental health trusts across London.
Recognising that playing fields are much more than parcels of open space
and are about helping local people to be more active so that their physical, mental and
social well being is enhanced is central to our work. There is a golden thread that links
the protection of playing fields to the drive to increase participation in sporting activity
and eventually to the resulting improvement in health of the people who use them.
However, protecting and operating playing fields is an expensive business
and whilst the Foundation would, in an ideal world, like to save every threatened site it
would not be feasible. It is an unfortunate fact of life that playing fields, no matter how
well utilised, are inherently loss making and the Foundation, which receives no direct
local or central government funding, has to find additional income streams to make
them sustainable. Therefore in deciding whether to acquire a new ground its potential to
generate income must be carefully assessed.
This same principle applies to existing grounds where every possible
source of revenue is explored. For example, productive discussions have continued with
the London Borough of Hounslow to create an iconic ‘Gateway to London’ on Boston
Manor Playing Field. It is envisaged that the structure will yield an income that will
initially help fund a new state of the art pavilion and subsequently a predicted income
stream that will help maintain the site to a high standard for the local community.
Similar creative thinking has been displayed at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre where
progress has been made with the ‘Waltham Forest Building Schools for the Future
Programme’ to finance the construction of a new pavilion and artificial turf pitch on the
northern end of the site.
One of the ways in which the Foundation can widen and increase
participation in sporting activity is through its projects. In addition to Coping Through
Football, there are four initiatives that contribute to the following:
—Improving physical and mental health in all ages.
—Helping to keep young people off the streets.
—Promoting responsible behaviour.
—Bringing people from different backgrounds together.
—Encouraging healthy lifestyles.
All of these projects are externally funded to some degree and we are
greatly indebted to the various organisations that have supported us.
Finally 2007 saw the retirement of Dr Goodson-Wickes after almost ten
years at the helm as Chief Executive. I would like to place on record my gratitude to
him for his tremendous contribution to the Charity during a time of significant change
and modernisation.
The Rt Hon the Earl Cadogan DL
Chief
Executive’s
report
The
The Foundation’s mission
Looking forward over the next five years and the enthusiasm and excitement generated by build up to the
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Foundation’s mission is to become the first port of call on all
things related to playing fields in London and to become a champion for community sport. It will achieve
this by demonstrating leadership and expertise in the protection of London’s playing fields.
The challenges
In order to assume this more strategic role it needs to:
—Secure its long term financial position.
—Raise its profile.
Where the Foundation gets its money
Currently the Foundation derives its income from hiring charges, commercial rents, investments, various
projects and consultancy work. One area that has not been developed is corporate fundraising and with
this in mind a Marketing Strategy will be designed.
Why the Foundation should be supported
There are a number of reasons why the London Playing Fields Foundation is worthy of support:
—It receives no direct funding from central or local government.
—Playing fields are inherently loss making.
—The Foundation’s pitches are subsidised in order to stimulate and sustain
participation by local people.
—Disadvantaged groups cannot afford to pay for pitches.
—Funds are needed for acquiring new sites, improving facilities, purchasing
equipment, maintaining high quality pitches and delivering projects.
Raising its profile
The Foundation will be addressing the issue of its lack of public profile through the production of a
Marketing Strategy that will position the Charity as the leading expert on playing field protection and
management in London.
Strategic ambitions
Having stabilised its financial position, the Foundation will be better placed to assume the position as the
guardian of London’s playing fields. Its strategic ambitions are to:
—Become the custodian of a comprehensive audit of London’s 1500 playing field sites.
—Ensure that there are strategies for the protection of playing fields in place across London.
—Produce a saving playing fields guide.
—Identify and save threatened sites.
—Design and deliver more projects in order to increase participation.
The Staff
I would like to place on record my thanks to the twenty seven Foundation members of staff for their
sterling efforts over the last twelve months. The Charity is fortunate to have such a hard working and
dedicated team of groundsmen, development officers and Head Office workers.
London Marathon
Playing Field, Greenford
The man responsible for looking after London Marathon Playing Field
Greenford is Head Groundsman Gary Mellows. The Foundation’s groundsmen work
tirelessly to ensure that the playing fields are maintained to a high standard so that
the charity can promote innovative projects such as Coping Through Football, the All
Nations Football Festival and Active Angels. If anyone understands the impact playing
fields and good sports facilities can have on the local community it is the groundsmen.
Gary Mellows, who is originally from South Africa and counts surfing,
rugby and golf amongst his hobbies, believes playing fields are vital to the health of the
capital ‘In a city this condensed you need playing fields. In this day and age when kids
are buying playstations instead of cricket bats it is important that kids stay in shape. It
lends itself to a long healthy life with positive values, good friends and high self esteem’.
All the Foundation’s Head and Assistant groundsmen are committed to the
charity’s cause. They understand the best way to stop a ground from being threatened
by development is to ensure it is fully utilised and the Foundation strives to provide the
best possible experience for people using its facilities. ‘You have to take pride in your
ground and make sure you have the best possible playing surface you can at that time’
says Gary. ‘My favourite part of the job is completing the recovery of the ground after
the season ends’.
The experience of running playing fields and making them work is one
of the strengths of the London Playing Fields Foundation. The Foundation is passionate
about providing high quality facilities at competitive rates for disadvantaged groups
and this passion is evident in all LPFF employees such as Gary ‘I enjoy doing something
for a living that I actually wake up looking forward to. My favourite day of the week
is Monday!’
‘ THE Foundation strives to
provide the best possible
experience for people
using its facilities’
Coping Through
Football
Walking past the group of men playing football to a chorus of ‘pass it’,
‘shoot’ and ‘good goal mate’ you could be walking past any football game on any pitch in
London. This, however, is a Coping Through Football session and the group is made up
of mentally ill men.
Coping Through Football is the latest innovative project from the London
Playing Fields Foundation. Through a programme of training sessions, football matches,
tickets to Leyton Orient games, FA coaching, refereeing courses and volunteering
opportunities, Coping Through Football aims to give the service users the skills,
confidence and opportunities to re-engage with mainstream society, as well as improving
their physical health.
Jason, a participant on Coping Through Football tells us how the project has helped him:
‘My anxiety is like being imprisoned. Yet I am both the inmate and jailor. Instead of being
in a 6x4 cell, my walls are all encompassing, like an invisible force field continuously
pulling me down emotionally, and it is my thoughts that keep me here.
It is a debilitating condition and not a happy place to be. My natural
inclination is to avoid places, people and situations that can arouse my fear. My answer
for years has been to hide away, to stay indoors creating a comfort zone that I could live
with. This only exasperates the problem as the isolation fuels my anxiety, creating panic,
paranoia and inevitably depression.
Thanks to Coping Through Football I have been able to pierce some of this
destructive emotion. I’ve always enjoyed sport and not only has this helped me regain
some of my fitness but I’ve made new friends from different walks of life; yet with similar
situations to mine. Making these contacts helps you realise you’re not alone. I’ve built up
a lot of my lost confidence, and broken many of the shackles that were holding me in my
self-imposed prison.
I might still be an inmate, but during my Coping Through Football time,
I feel like I’m on day release!’
‘I’ve Built up a lot of
my lost confidence’
Active Angels
It was a grey, windy Thursday afternoon and the rain was pouring down
over East London. A group of girls had made the short journey from school to the Peter
May Sports Centre in Walthamstow to take part in Active Angels.
Amongst those girls were 13 year old Yasmina and 14 year old Pamela
who were both in the sports hall perfecting their badminton serve whilst trying to stifle
the giggles brought on by watching each others attempts.
As the badminton coach John tried to show Pamela the forehand serve,
Yasmina shared her thoughts on Active Angels. ‘I like it because the coaches don’t tell
you exactly what to do, you can make choices for yourself. They are also really friendly.’
‘We get to hang around with people we don’t hang around with at school’ added Pamela.
Both Yasmina and Pamela have been coming to Active Angels since
the beginning of the school year when Tina Dudley, the Project Co-ordinator, gave
a presentation about the project to their class. ‘We come twice a week and we are
definitely getting fitter’ observed Yasmina.
The project is aimed at 14–16 year old girls who aren’t the traditional
sporty types. Activities are put on in a fun, relaxed, safe environment and are chosen by
the girls themselves. Activities include street dance, badminton, hockey, boxercise and
the gym, which is very popular according to Pamela ‘Our favourite activity is the gym
because we wouldn’t get a chance to do it otherwise.’
Active Angels is managed by the London Playing Fields Foundation and
run in partnership with Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust, Waltham Forest Healthy
Schools Co-ordinator, Rushcroft Specialist Sports College, Leyton Orient Community
Sports Programme, London Borough Waltham Forest Sports Development and Greenwich
Leisure Ltd who run the centre’s health and fitness facility.
Alongside the activities, workshops are organised in conjunction with the
Waltham Forest PCT which tackle topics such as healthy eating, smoking cessation,
sexual health and drugs misuse.
Yasmina and Pamela both agree their Active Angels experiences are having
a positive effect on their families as well. ‘My mum is really proud of me coming to Active
Angels’ said Pamela. ‘I also try to get my family to eat healthily’ reported Yasmina.
Active Angels works because it is a social event as well as a chance
to get fit. The girls don’t feel the competitive pressure they would in a traditional club
environment. The Peter May Sports Centre provides the perfect opportunity to experience
a range of indoor and outdoor activities.
The London Playing Fields Foundation believes playing fields can improve
the lives of local communities and Yasmina agrees ‘I really like the playing fields as well
because when you’re outside you can just run around. I’m not wasting my time sitting at
home watching TV.’
‘ I HAD never held a racquet
before, last week I played
in a tournament’
Girls mini
soccer
If you visit London Marathon Playing Fields Greenwich on a Saturday
morning you will be greeted by the sight of young girls dribbling balls around cones,
practising passing, playing football matches and generally having a good time. That is
because every Saturday the London Playing Fields Foundation runs a Coaching Clinic
funded by the Football Foundation, for girls aged 6–12 to develop their skill and interest
in football.
Over one hundred girls regularly attend Saturday classes. These girls are
then linked with local clubs providing girls teams so they can gain experience of playing
competitively. Sally Dolan, the Girls Mini Soccer Coordinator, believes that this project is
vital in developing mini soccer for girls ‘we have identified a way of introducing girls to
the game in a positive learning environment.’
There are currently thirty-four teams playing in the league spread across
three age groups – Under 10/11, Under 12/13 and Under 14/15. Many of the teams
are managed by a parent who has been identified by Sally and put on an FA Level 1
Coaching course. Through a series of schools festivals, Saturday coaching, half term
soccer schools, six week school leagues and Sunday League football, opportunities for
girls in Greenwich to play football and learn new skills are extended. ‘They need this
project to enhance the skills playing with other girls produces, rather than the physicality
they would experience against boys’ says Sally.
FINANCIAL
SUMMARY
Summary financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2007
These summarised financial statements do not contain sufficient
information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the Foundation.
For further information the full annual financial statements, the Auditors’ report on those
financial statements and the report of the Trustees should be consulted; copies of these
are available from the Head Office of the Foundation at 73 Collier Street London N1 9BE.
The London Playing Fields Foundation’s objects are the protection,
provision, and promotion of playing fields in Greater London for sport and physical activity.
During the year, the Foundation acquired a new ground at Greenford,
funded by the London Marathon Charitable Trust Limited. A much wider programme of
sporting activities at its grounds was also developed during the year, notably at the
Peter May Sports Centre, Douglas Eyre Sports Centre and London Marathon Playing
Field, Greenwich.
There was a net deficit for the year before transfers and gains on
investments on unrestricted funds of £394,478 compared with a deficit of £354,727 in
2006. Significant movements during the year were:
—In 2006, the Foundation received £150,000 under the terms of the Raynes Park lease.
—A contribution of £51,486 (2006: nil) from trading subsidiary Wadham Lodge Sports
Centre Ltd.
—A deficit of £37,341 before any allocation of central costs at the new Greenford ground.
—Donations of £53,054 (2006: £517).
No Trustee received any remuneration from the Foundation during the year.
The full annual financial statements from which these summary financial
statements are derived and on which the Auditors gave an unqualified opinion, were
approved by the Trustees on 5 May 2008.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
The Rt Hon The Earl Cadogan DL, Chairman
5 May 2008
Statement of financial activities
ENDOWMENT (386,768)
Net Incoming/(Outgoing)
Resources for the year
7,755,807
Funds at 1st October 2006
652,911
(26,272)
679,183
246,485
£1,788,653
1,135,724
652,911
270,393
1,394,964
92,753
£638,210
631,541
6,669
–
2,419
4,250
£9,870,744
9,532,072
347,672
26,043
51,236
270,393
18,562
(14,312)
14,312
–
911,746
375,107
15,358
1,665,357
–
307
925,668
170,275
51,486
6,000
357,869
21,981
53,054
78,717
2007 TOTAL There were no recognised gains or losses for 2007 or 2006 other than those included in the Statement of Financial Activities
£7,443,899
(311,908)
Net movement in funds
Funds at 30th September 2007
–
238,985
14,312
7,500
26,043
–
48,817
7,710
Transfer between funds
(394,768)
92,753
658,449
367,607
Net Incoming/(Outgoing)
Resources before transfers
Realised
Unrealised
925,668
15,358
739,689
–
1,134,167
Gains on investment assets
925,668
307
–
Total resources expended
Governance costs
Direct costs
Support Costs
Charitable activities
Costs of generating funds
Resources Expended
Total incoming resources
Capital sum received under
the terms of a lease
Other incoming resources
Consultancy fees and sundry income
Grants receivable
170,275
51,486
6,000
Contributions from Wadham Lodge
Sports Centre Limited
Donation
Management fees
Rental income and hire of
catering facilities
357,869
21,981
53,054
78,717
RESTRICTED
Hiring Charges
Champion coaching and fun weeks
Incoming resources
from charitable activities
Voluntary income:
Donations
Investment income
Incoming resources
from generated funds
Incoming Resources
FUNDSUNRESTRICTED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007
£9,523,072
9,820,946
(297,874)
49,068
35,031
(381,973)
(381,973)
1,285,819
91,413
867,505
311,820
15,081
903,846
150,000
1,052
169,769
143,072
–
6,000
346,559
20,269
517
66,608
2006 TOTAL
BALANCE SHEET AT
30TH SEPTEMBER 2007
Fixed Assets
Sports grounds and buildings
Equipment and machinery
Furniture and office equipment
2007
2006
7,735,453
210,660
14,357
7,960,470
7,150,593
220,117
13,192
7,383,902
INVESTMENTS
1,752,174
1,677,187
CURRENT ASSETS
Stock
Debtors
Bank balances and cash in hand
2,399
227,442
389,453
619,294
–
178,161
564,022
742,183
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors
Hiring charges receivable in advance
268,844
192,350
461,194
111,884
168,316
280,200
NET CURRENT ASSETS
158,100
461,983
£9,870,744
£9,523,072
638,210
631,541
INCOME FUNDS
Unrestricted General Fund
Revaluation Fund
7,318,946
124,953
7,443,899
7,679,671
76,136
7,755,807
Restricted
1,788,635
1,135,724
£9,870,744
£9,523,072
NET ASSETS
CAPITAL FUND
Permanent Endowments
TOTAL FUNDS
Approved by the Committee of Trustees on 5th May 2008 and signed on its behalf by:
The Rt. Hon The Earl Cadogan DL, Chairman & Julian Bell FCA,Treasurer
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ STATEMENT
To the Trustees of The London Playing Fields Society. We have examined the summarised financial statements
set on these pages. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Auditors—The Trustees are responsible for
preparing the summarised accounts. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of
the summarised accounts within the Annual review with the full Financial Statements and Trustees’ Report.
Opinion—In our opinion the summarised accounts are consistent with the full annual Financial Statements and
Trustees’ Report of The London Playing Fields Society for the year ended 30 September 2007.
Crowley Young Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors London 5th May 2008
The Foundation is extremely grateful to the following organisations that have supported it throughout the year:
London Marathon Charitable Trust, Football Foundation, City Parochial Fund, Sport England, City Bridge
Trust, London Councils, Henry Smith Charity, Capital Volunteering, London Catalyst, Cadogan Charity,
Livanos Charitable Trust, Arsenal Charitable Trust, Jack Petchey Foundation, Mercers Company, Wates
Foundation and Nike for their generosity.
London Playing Fields Foundation
73 Collier Street
London
N1 9BE
www.lpff.org.uk
[email protected]
T: 0845 026 2292
protecting playing fields,
improving lives