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2021-12-31-accounts

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2021

Registered Company No 04443278

Registered Charity No 1093081

Registered Office

First Floor 20 High Street Watlington Oxfordshire OX49 5PY

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2021

Registered Charity No. 1093081
 Registered Company No. 04443278 Registered Company No. 04443278
President
 John Harwood
Vice-Presidents
 David Astor
Dr Peter Collins *
Gordon Garraway *
Gillian Salway *
Mr Bruce Tremayne *
Chairman of the Executive Committee Professor Richard Harding ,**
Dr Peter Collins ,,***
Vice - Chairmen
 Gillian Salway **
Bruce Tremayne **
Brian Wood ,**
Executive Committee
 Sir David Gilmour ***
Colin Thomas ***
Dr Lisa Buchan ,**
Dr Geoff Botting ,**
Peter Emery ,**
Olivia Field ,**
Heneage Legge-Bourke ,**
Philippa Phelan ,**
Professor Richard Harding ,*
Brian Wood ,*
Secretary
 Dorian Grier ***
Treasurer
 Nicholas Dolden *, ***
Director
 Helen Marshall
Independent Examiner
 Kelvin Barnes of Barnes4Business Limited
CPRE Oxfordshire Buildings Preservation John Alexander
Trust Ltd
Honorary Consultants

Angus Dart – Farming Jim Fletcher - Transport Professor Richard Harding - Water George Lambrick – Archaeology and Historic Buildings Nick Moon and Gordon Garraway – Rights of Way and Footpaths

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Dr Ian Scargill – Oxford Green Belt Network ** Martin Harris – Oxford Green Belt Network * Michael Tyce – Without Portfolio Lisa Cheung - Planning

appointment from 19 June 2021 appointment to 19 June 2021 **trustee and director

**** The then Chairman covered the role as Treasurer until the new Treasurer’s appointment on 19 June 2021.

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The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

Trustees’ annual report for the year end 31 December 2021 (Incorporating the Directors’ Report)

Governing Document

The memorandum and articles of association were incorporated as of 21 May 2002 as amended by special registration registered at Companies House on 4 August 2018.

Structure and Management

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is currently supported by four active districts committees i.e. Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. It is also the intention to establish a fifth district committee covering Oxford City in the near future. Each of the districts meet separately and have their own chair, treasurer and secretary. Trustees comprise branch appointed trustees as well as the district chairs. Each trustee is elected annually. The trustees are also directors of the charitable company. They meet four times a year, in addition to the AGM In addition, there is a small network of specialist advisors that provide pro bono advice to the charity in their areas of expertise. The Branch had a membership of 787 as at 31 December 2021.

During 2021, the charity had three salaried members of staff i.e. Director, Communications Manager and Administrator. The Director reports to the Chair of trustees, with remaining staff reporting to the Director.

The Branch is also supported by a President, and currently five Vice-Presidents.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is open to all members, is held once per annum, normally in the Summer months.

Objectives

To promote and encourage for the benefit of the public, the improvement and protection of the English countryside and in particular that of Oxfordshire and its city, towns and villages and the better development of the rural environment.

Public Benefit

The trustees have complied with their duty in having due regard to the guidance on public benefit, as published by the Charity Commission, in exercising their powers and duties.

Activities in 2021

2021 saw our 90[th] birthday celebrations. Despite the Covid restrictions we celebrated with style, with a garden party (socially distanced), in the garden of one of our founders, and a fascinating four part webinar series on the future of the English Countryside. Our 90[th] birthday appeal exceeded our expectations (raising over £16,000) and will secure our finances in the coming years. Thank you for everyone who contributed to our appeal and our activities throughout the year.

It’s been a busy year, with many successes and setbacks. Of our many successes our Hedgerow Project stands out. Hedgerows are important for carbon storage, flood prevention and to provide wildlife refuges and corridors, but, perhaps most importantly, they are a

3

quintessential part of our modern landscape and add considerably to the beauty of our countryside. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Wild Oxfordshire have been working with the community groups and parish councils of Kidlington, Watlington and Eynsham to plant new hedgerows and rejuvenate ancient ones. This is a real community effort to protect and enhance our environment.

I don’t know whether it is a ‘success’ but our report on flooding and sewerage pollution (https://www.cpreoxon.org.uk/care/water-matters/) invoked a lot of interest. The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England sent a survey to the 235 Parish Councils, 15 Town Councils and 68 Parish Meetings in Oxfordshire. The report showed that at least 17% of towns & parishes in Oxfordshire experience flooding problems and at least 20% of towns & parishes experience issues with sewage/sewerage infrastructure. This is a shocking conclusion and there is a growing demand that our rivers need cleaning up. In many ways the River Thames and tributaries define the Oxfordshire countryside. Throughout Covid times many people discovered our rivers, for swimming, boating, walking and nature, and there is an increasing demand that they be made ‘fit for purpose’ and, practically, sewerage discharges should be stopped and tour rivers have designated bathing water status.

Through 2021 the Oxfordshire 2050 Plan has been developed and consulted on. We welcome strategic planning, but it is vital it is got right! We have made robust representations, covering, for example, the growth forecasts and the need to protect our existing designated landscapes (the Green Belt and AONBs) and expand this protection to the Nature Recovery Networks. We have serious reservations about the methodologies used to project future populations and the decision making processes. Who decides what growth Oxfordshire will aim for in the future? Is it the communities or developers? We will be following the plan very closely in 2022.

A major concern across the county is the rash of applications to build solar farms in our open countryside. These are big developments, typically exceeding 100ha. Most worrying is a recent application, which was approved at a site near the Baldons, South Oxfordshire, within the Oxford Green Belt.

The 2021 Pathways to Zero Carbon Oxfordshire report - (https://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/publications/downloads/PazCo final.pdf) suggests we might need 60 such farms across Oxfordshire. The same report suggests we might have to reduce the amount of food we grow as land is diverted to other purposes. I should emphasis we are not against renewable energy but there are other ways (one is to put solar panels on all the industrial warehouses popping up over the county). What we do need is a detailed land use plan and a public debate on how to use and nurture our countryside.

Many of us have developed a new appreciation of our green spaces and countryside in last two years. Despite the gathering storms (both real and metaphorical) I would encourage everyone to step back and marvel at our woods, hedgerows, rivers and vistas. They are worth protecting.

As part of longer term planning, the Branch will be organising a Strategy Day to take place in early 2022 to enable trustees and District committee members to consider the priorities for campaigning and resources.

Impact of COVID

In March 2020, the country entered a period of social distancing and self isolation in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. During 2021 the Branch office was closed for some

4

of the time. Furlough payments were received for a period to cover payment for the Branch’s employed Communications Manager who was not able to work from home for that period. Most trustee meetings in 2021 were held virtually, including the AGM.

The Branch’s share of membership income from the National Charity has remained broadly at previous year levels. There was a downturn in income received from donations in 2019 but this revived last year due in part to money received for the Branch’s 90[th] anniversary.

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has adapted to the continued challenges presented by COVID and its activities have been largely unaffected from the impact of COVID.

Financial Review

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has continued to manage its investments to provide funds in the pursuit of its objectives.

The 2021 accounts have been reformatted in line with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). This has meant a restatement of the prior year accounts (2020) to enable a meaningful comparison to be made between the 2020 and 2021 accounts.

There was a net excess of income over expenditure before gains/losses on investments on unrestricted funds of £4,880 (net expenditure of £14,922 in 2020) and net income of £40,876 on restricted funds (net income of £67,854 in 2020). After adjustments for transfers between funds and the unrealised increase in value of investments, there was a net gain in unrestricted funds of £56,014 (net gain of £3,669 in 2020) and a net gain of £40,056 in restricted funds (net gain of £70,612 in 2020). Total unrestricted funds as at 31 December were £455,249 (£399,234 in 2020) and restricted funds were £126,726 (£86,670 in 2020). Total funds were represented by investments and bank and building society accounts and other assets totalled £581,975 (£485,905 in 2020).

The trustees have determined that a reserves policy is not required at the present time. The Charity is in receipt of a regular income and holds an accumulated fund which is sufficient to meet all identified present and future commitments.

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Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The Trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees 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 accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

This report has been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by 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) (effective 1 January 2015), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies’ subject to the small companies’ regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Executive Committee and signed on their behalf.

Professor Richard Harding

Chairman and Director

Date: 29 March 2022

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England for the year ended 31 December 2021.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS 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 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 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 EXAMINERS STATEMENT

I have completed my examination. In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Kelvin Barnes FCCA Barnes4Business Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 12 Murdock Road Bicester Oxfordshire OX26 4PP

Date: 31 March 2022

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The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2021 (including Income and Expenditure Account)

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
National subscriptions - branch
share
4
Donations grants and local
support
Other Trading Activities
Sale of books
Sundry
Investments
Dividends COIF Charities
Investment Funds - Income
Units
Bank Deposit interest
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Direct Costs of Fundraising
Indirect Costs
Charitable Activities
5
Total expenditure
Net gains(losses) on investments
Net Income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net Movement in Funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 2020
Fund balances at 31 December 2021		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Fund
Fund
Funds
Fund
Fund
Funds
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
£
£
£
25,934
25,934
-
24,934
24,934
89,818
49,405
139,223
107,575
15,306
122,882
2,376
2,376
-
1,638
1,638
1,749
1,749
11,391
11,391
-
11,107
11,107
238
238 -
93
93
89,818
91,093
180,911
107,575
53,079
160,654
-
0
0
612
612
0
1,572
1,572
48,941
84,029
132,970
39,721
68,001
107,722
48,941
86,213
135,154
39,721
68,001
107,722
50,314
50,314
-
21,349
21,349
40,876
55,194
96,071
67,854
6,427
74,281
(820)
820
0
2,758
(2,758)
0
40,056
56,014
96,071
70,612
3,669
74,281
86,670
399,234
485,904
16,058
395,565
411,623
126,726
455,249
581,975
86,670
399,234
485,904

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The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 December 2021

Notes
Fixed Assets
Investments
7
Current assets
Barclays Bank – Branch
Banks & Building Societies – Districts
Debtors
Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total net assets
Total Funds
8
Unrestricted Fund
Revaluation Reserve
Restricted Fund		 465,691 Total
Funds
2021
£

465,691
116,285		 403,982 Total
Funds
2020
£

403,982
81,923
106,325
4,420
7,295		 69,402
5,375
7,146
118,040
(1,755)		 81,923
(0)
167,800
287,448		 162,100
237,134
581,976 485,905
455,248
126,727		 399,234
86,670
581,975 485,904

For the year ended 31 December 2021 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The Directors/Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Directors/Trustees on 29 March 2022 and signed on their behalf.

Professor Richard Harding – Chair

The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these financial statements

9

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021

1. Accounting policies

(i) Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by 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) (effective 1 January 2015), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

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) Fund accounting

The Unrestricted fund is available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

(iii) Income recognition

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty of receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

The Oxfordshire share of subscription income received from the National Office of CPRE is accounted for on an accruals basis. Income from events is treated as income when the events actually occur. Dividends are credited to the revenue account as they are received. Donations and legacies are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resource and it is probable that the resources will be received.

(iv) Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

The charity is not registered for VAT and where applicable, expenditure is shown inclusive of VAT. Campaign costs have been apportioned between expenditure on charitable activities and costs of raising funds based on an estimated percentage.

(v) Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(vi) Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

10

2. The Company

The Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is formed under the Companies Act and has no share capital, being a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each of its members is £1.

3. Directors/trustees information

Directors/trustees received no remuneration for their services (2020: £nil).

Expenses of £ nil for mileage, parking, other travel, and subsistence were reimbursed to directors/trustees (2020: directors/trustees reimbursed £nil. There were no other related party.

4. Share of subscription income

Members of CPRE, who are resident in Oxfordshire, and those wishing to support Oxfordshire are automatically members of the Oxfordshire Branch of CPRE which is funded by a variable percentage of subscriptions and linked donations which National Office pass on quarterly.

5. Expenditure on charitable activities

5. Expenditure on charitable activities
Campaign Costs
Staff Salaries
Projects
Subscriptions and donations
Bank Charges
Travel/Expenses
Telephone/Internet
Stationary/Office Expenses
Web/Email Expenses
Rent Insurance
Sundry
Contractors Costs
Allocated to expenditure on raising funds
Members newsletters
Governance
AGM and Annual Report
Independent Examination Fees
Total Expenditure on charitable
activities		 Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
£
£
£
57,277
57,277
9,600
45,149
54,749
5,434
5,434
-
10,105
10,105
18,761
1,490
20,251
30,121
429
30,550
260
260
-
177
177
274
274
-
479
479
1,109
1,109
-
1,207
1,207
1,147
1,147
-
901
901
3,667
3,667
-
57
57
5,295
5,295
-
5,250
5,250
1,290
1,290
-
80
80
30,180
30,180
-
48,941
77,242
126,184
39,721
63,833
103,554
(1,572)
(1,572)
48,941
75,671
124,612
39,721
63,833
103,554
98
98
-
573
573
7,361
7,361
-
3,594
3,594
900
900
-
0
8,261
8,261
-
3,594
3,594
48,941
84,029
132,970
39,721
68,001
107,722

11

6. Employee Information

6. Employee Information
Salary
Employer's National Insurance
Employer's Pension Contributions
Total		 2021
£
56,073
-
1,204
57,277		 2020
£
52,946
857
946
54,749

The average number of employees in the year was 3 (2020: 3).

All employees have opted in to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme.

7. Investments
7. Investments
COIF Charities Investment Fund
As at 1 January 2021
Revaluation for the year
As at 31 December 2021
COIF Charities Deposit Account
Total as at 31 December 2021		 2021
£
372,423
50,314
422,737
42,954
465,691		 2020
£
351,074
21,349
372,423
31,559
403,982

The company holds 135,288.78 Income Units in COIF Charities Ethical Investment Fund (held in the UK). One unit was valued at pence 312.47 (2020:275.28 pence) as at December 2021.

12

8. Analysis of movements in funds
2021
Restricted Fund
Need not Greed NNG)
Group Against Reservoir Development
(GARD)
Donation in Memory of Margot Collins
Cherwell Development Watch Alliance
(CDWA)
Vale District
Hedgerow Heroes
Unrestricted Fund
Income Reserve Fund
Revaluation Reserve Fund
Total Funds		 Funds
Gains/
Funds
1 Jan
(losses) on
31 Dec
2021
Income
Expenditure
Investments
Transfers
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
7,001
1,568
(101)
8,469
11,750
56,250
(15,000)
53,000
62,500
62,500
2,661
1,000
(3,661)
0
2,758
2,758
31,000
(30,180)
(820)
-
86,670
89,818
(48,941)
-
(820)
126,727
162,100
91,093
(86,213)
820
167,800
237,134
50,314
287,448
399,234
91,093
(86,213)
50,314
820
455,248
485,904
180,911
(135,154)
50,314
-
581,975

£820 is contribution from Hedgerow Fund contract towards CPRE Costs

2020
Restricted Fund
Need not Greed
Group Against Reservoir Development
Donation in Memory of Margot Collins
Cherwell Development Watch Alliance
Vale District
Unrestricted Fund
Income Reserve Fund
Revaluation Reserve Fund
Total Funds		 Funds
Gains/
1 Jan
(losses) on
2020
Income
Expenditure
Investments
Transfers
£
£
£
£
£
8,058
8,665
(9,721)
8,000
33,750
(30,000)
-
62,500
-
2,661
-
2,758		 Funds
31 Dec
2020
£
7,001
11,750
62,500
2,661

2,758
16,058
107,576
(39,721)
-
2,758
86,670
179,780
53,079
(68,001)
(2,758)
215,785
21,349		 162,100
237,134
395,565
53,079
(68,001)
21,349
(2,758)		 399,234
411,623
160,655
(107,722)
21,349
-
485,904

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