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Filename: Y.E. 31.12.2024 Accounts Pack CPRA1233.pdf ~~EE lli—“‘OCOC~~ Client of: Rushtons ~~EE lli—“‘OCOC~~
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Name: Debbie McConnell ~~EE lllt—“(‘_OCOCSC~~ Email: debbiecpre@gmail.com ~~——Elll—“‘“‘_OCOC~~ Date & Time: 29/10/2025 14:53:11 PM (GMT) ~~——Elll—“‘“‘_OCOC~~ IP Address: 185.149.211.176 ~~——Elll—“‘“‘_OCOC~~ CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region agrees Signing Statement: and approves the contents of this document. ~~—ULUlUlt~—~—~~
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PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Mrs D G McConnell
CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Limited Acres Brook Sabden Road Higham Lancashire BB12 9BL
Shorrock House Faraday Court Fulwood Preston Lancashire PR2 9NB
T: 01772 693111
F: 01772 652661
E: mail@rushtonsaccountants.com
W: www.rushtonsaccountants.com
28 October 2025
Our Ref: CPR A1233/NM/LB
Dear Debbie
I have pleasure in uploading the following for your consideration and e-approval-
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Accounts for year ended 31 December 2024.
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Trustees Letter of Representation.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. I have uploaded a note of our charges for your kind attention in due course. As I discussed with Clive, I have had significant time costs this year with a very inefficient handover from your previous accountants. As you can see, I have still heavily discounted my fee from the time costs incurred which I trust you to find reasonable.
Kind regards.
Yours sincerely
ADAM D CALVERT RUSHTONS
A list of Directors is available at the Registered Office
Rushtons is the trading name of Rushtons (NW) Limited Registered in England Number 07160541 VAT Reg No: 483 2595 21
Registered to carry on audit work in the UK regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1107376
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FOR
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
Rushtons Chartered Accountants Shorrock House 1 Faraday Court Fulwood Preston Lancashire PR2 9NB
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 11 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 15 to 20 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 21 to 22 |
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objects of the charity
To promote and encourage for the benefit of the public the improvement and protection of the English countryside and in particular that of the county of Lancashire, the metropolitan boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Knowsley, Oldham, Rochdale, Sefton, St Helens, Wigan and the cities of Manchester and Liverpool and their towns and villages and the better development of the rural environment.
Aims of the charity
CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester covers a significant part of the north west of England. It is part of national CPRE, the Countryside Charity. It aims to achieve the best use of land by influencing land-use planning policies and planning decisions taken at national, local and neighbourhood level including:
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reducing our carbon emissions;
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avoiding the use of green belt, the countryside and other designated landscapes for inappropriate development. This is largely through campaigning, education and objecting to and supporting the objections of local residents' groups to inappropriate development;
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advocating "brownfield first" in land use;
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campaigns focused on:
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sustainable food and farming;
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affordable rural housing;
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sustainable transport, particularly public transport and active travel;
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energy and waste, particularly renewables "done well" and cessation of fossil fuel use including shale gas (fracking) as major issues for and relating to environmental protection; and
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access for all to green space for physical and mental health and well-being.
Campaigning aims for 2025 will continue to be:
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the protection, promotion and enhancement of the countryside and green space including in urban settings. Many of our members live in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region where access to the countryside can be problematic. We continue to respond to emerging spatial development strategies at the Greater Manchester and Liverpool City region scale - especially the defence of the countryside and green fields from damaging development;
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the climate and biodiversity crises;
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truly affordable housing with a blend of tenures including housing for social rent;
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housing design and build quality as described in national CPRE's Housing Design Audit for England 2020. The nation is blighted by poor house and housing estate design and build quality with insufficient action on carbon neutrality; and
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objections to inappropriate development of rural places and elsewhere. We contribute to Councils' Local Plans emphasising positive protection of the beautiful countryside of our region, advise on Neighbourhood Plans and protect green spaces within our urban environments. CPRE supports appropriate developments of the right quality in the right places
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public benefit
We regularly respond to the many requests made by both CPRE members and the public for help with their concerns over loss of trees, hedgerows, agricultural land and over threats to the countryside and its character, including intrusive developments of large housing schemes adjacent to small villages and in sensitive rural environments.
Local Plans allocate sites for residential development, industry, economic activity and green space. Local communities can "have their say" on the creation of such Plans but there is ignorance of the right to contribute and there can be a lack of local community input. Objecting to planning applications is more difficult when local Councils have failed to complete their Local Plans. For example it is very difficult for housing development to occur on land in a local plan that is NOT designated for housing. If a local authority does not have an up-to-date Local Plan, then local land, including green space, farmland and countryside, is under threat from speculative housing development. We input in nearly every Local Plan consultation to procure the best possible outcome for the countryside and our green spaces and the communities who rely on them.
We also assist in the creation of Neighbourhood Plans which similarly frame the use and purpose of land but at a parish or neighbourhood level.
We object to inappropriate major residential development applications and support local groups campaigning against such development. We also consult on nationally significant major Infrastructure projects eg HS2, new road schemes and coal, oil and gas extraction.
We work in liaison with many other groups, e.g. other CPRE groups, particularly CPRE Cheshire, Parish Councils, Civic Trusts and other environmental protection groups, in particular with Friends of the Lake District and Friends of the Peak District. We give the public expert advice to enable them to engage positively to protect their environment and respond appropriately to complicated planning applications.
We have an excellent website and e-communications to give CPRE members and the public greater information and guidance. We are very active on social media.
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Financial review
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Total net income was a loss of £6,843. In comparison, the total net income in 2023 was £72,505. This significant reduction was principally due to a large donation in 2023 and a sharp fall in consultancy income, as we moved from a full- time to a part- time planning manager. Expenditure was reduced to £154,778 from £181,254 in 2023.
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Net assets reduced from £130,508 at the end of 2023 to £123,665 at the end of 2024.
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Total funds at the year end were £123,665, of which £14,988 were restricted funds.
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At the year end the charity had reserves of about 50 months of operating costs, which was a strong position. The Trustees will continue to look at the potential to invest surplus reserves into strategic projects that contribute towards the mission and/or long-term sustainability of the charity. Reserves are therefore expected to reduce over the next few years subject to any legacies or donations that may be received.
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
1. Town and Country Planning : general ethos
Our "bread and butter" work is town and country planning. Eddy Taylor MRTPI, MCD, MA Urban Design was appointed planning manager in September 2024 to succeed Jackie Copley.
CPRE, the Countryside Charity's aim is to ensure thriving, beautiful countryside for everyone. It does this by supporting people to better engage with the planning system and environmental decision making. We have a network of volunteers, or 'Eyes and Ears' who help support rural places, by keeping track of what is happening in local planning departments. When responding to local plan consultations we seek countryside friendly policies and land allocations and volunteers echo our messages and respond to applications for development consent that are considered inappropriate.
The recruitment and support of new planning volunteers continued to be a priority in 2024.
Eddy meets regularly with "Eyes and Ears" and other planning volunteers. The meetings provide a forum for people to discuss local planning issues. He also continued to liaise with Val Watson of the Lancashire Association of Local Councils.
2. Working with national CPRE
Our group engaged, and influenced, the CPRE Manifesto for working with political parties and the "One CPRE" (collaborative consensus across the CPRE network of 42 county Groups) consultation responses to Government announcements on rural planning and environmental matters. Key topics during 2024 included:
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Consultation on the publication in 2024 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Key issues included (a) the stringent housing land supply rules which enable unsustainable and inappropriate (location and lack of affordability) residential and commercial development, (b) the need for more affordable rural homes including housing for social rent, (c) the ability of developers to increase balance sheet value by avoiding the development of sites with planning permission that they own (in their land banks) whilst procuring more land for development, (d) need for more brownfield site development , (e ) developer performance monitoring to observe excessive profiteering and poor quality housing delivery and (f) protection of "Best and Most Versatile" farm land.
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Reports - input by Edward Taylor on behalf of all 26 areas within the Group's region on Green Belt release and appeals, and on Rural Affordable Housing.
3. Sub-Regional Planning
The planning volunteers continued to engage in important strategic environmental planning, such as reducing carbon emissions, slowing the flow of water along river catchments to prevent flooding and ensuring peat areas are restored to sequester carbon and farming practices support environmental outcomes. As with 2023, this was principally by attending the Local Nature Partnership (LNP) meetings. The LNPs are environmental champions for their areas and are formed of bodies including Natural England, Environment Agency, local authorities, United Utilities and environmental organisations, such as CPRE. In our area they include:
Lancashire - Debra McConnell, trustee, continued to represent the group on the Local Nature Partnership, co-ordinated by the Ribble Rivers Trust. It remains a useful networking forum for CPRE.
Liverpool City Region - Nick Thompson, trustee, is a member of the Liverpool City Region's (LCR) Nature Connected and LCR Climate Change Partnership. He is vice chair of the Sefton Coastal Landscape Partnership and chair of Crosby Coastal Park Forum.
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Greater Manchester - CPRE is a member of the Natural Capital Group that is helping to make the combined authority a world-leading "Green City Region". We help promote the value of the environment, which underpins all aspects of our daily lives and its proper recognition.
The GM Ringway, the 200 mile NLHF funded walking trail around Greater Manchester trail created by our Group with assistance from The Ramblers, was launched in August 2024. All 20 stages were completed, the Trail App "Go Jauntly" launched, walking routes/ maps created and Trail "guardians" and guides appointed. Nick Thompson chairs the GM Ringway Board.
4. Climate
Significant challenges are presented by a changing climate that require us all to act now if we are to achieve our goal of carbon-neutrality by 2038.
A key area of work at the Greater Manchester level was continual attendance at the Examination of the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan (JDP).
The Group is represented by Nick Thompson at the Liverpool City Region(LCR) Climate Change Partnership, the body that has identified targets for LCR to be carbon neutral by 2040.
5. Local Plans
The planning volunteers helped to respond to the various consultations on emerging local plans across the 26 local planning authorities within our CPRE Group (and a couple of Cheshire authorityareas that are within the City Region areas, such as Stockport, Trafford, and Warrington). These include Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Knowsley, Lancaster District, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Rossendale, Ribble Valley, Salford, Sefton, South Ribble ,St Helens, Tameside, West Lancashire, Wigan and Wyre.
Blackpool - The Council continues to prepare its new Local Plan for Blackpool, commenced in 2023 including updating and collecting evidence to inform the strategy, objectives and policy in the new plan, that will set out a vision and policy framework to 2042: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/newlocalplan.
Blackburn with Darwen - The Blackburn with Darwen Local Plan was adopted on the 25 January 2024.
Bolton - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
Burnley - No update (The 5-year Review for the Burnley Local Plan was considered by the Council'sExecutive in 2023 and the decision was that an Update of Burnley's Local Plan 2012-2032 is not necessary at the present time).
Bury - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
Chorley - Lies within the Central Lancashire Local Plan area and preparation of the submission version of the Plan started following consultation.
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Prison expansion - application 21/01028/OUTMAJ refusal and appealed. The Inspector agreed withRule 6 arguments that there are highway issues. However, the Secretary of State asked the ministry of Justice for more highways information and was minded to approve; the Inquiry reopened in March-April 2024 - December 2024 agreeing with the Inspector's recommendation to dismiss the appeal.
Fylde - Charlie Bowman has been keeping an eye on planning matters during 2024.Hyndburn - Hyndburn Borough Council worked on submission version of Local Plan for submissionto examination early 2025 after Vinette Davitt supported Jackie with the response at Regulation 19.
Knowsley - falls within Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy. Engagement on theb'Towards a Spatial Development Strategy for the Liverpool City Region up to 2040' document closedbon February 16th 2024.
Lancaster District - Local Plan Scoping and Issues & Opportunities Stage ran in 2024 after the City Council agreed to review the Local Plan including housing, employment, climate change and the natural en vironment. Local Groups have been in contact with us in 2024.
Liverpool - The Liverpool Local Plan 2013 - 2033 was adopted in January 2022. falls within LiverpoolCity Region Spatial Development Strategy. Engagement on the 'Towards a Spatial Development Strategy for the Liverpool City Region up to 2040' document closed on February 16th 2024.
Manchester - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
Was the "European Capital of Cycling 2024". The city council and its partners presented the successes and benefits of cycling in Manchester in a bid to win the award. The council also announced their vision of the future of cycling in the city region.
Oldham - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024. Matthew Broadbent, volunteer, has been active in Oldham, and he provided useful evidence on employment projections for the area and wider Greater Manchester.
Draft Oldham Local Plan consultation deadline was extended to Sunday 25 February 2024 - This consultation is now closed. It contains a vision for Oldham based on a set of plan objectives and draft planning policies covering a wide range of topic areas informed by comments collected from two consultations previously run by the Council, ongoing studies and pieces of evidence work Pendle - Local Plan consultation took place Friday 25 October to Friday 6 December 2024.
Preston - Lies within the Central Lancashire Local Plan area and preparation of the submission version of the Plan started following consultation.
- This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
Rossendale - Pre-application consultation on Scout Moor 2 - see Rochdale above
Ribble Valley - Working on its Local Plan Review.
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Salford - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
Sefton - falls within Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy. Engagement on the 'Towards a Spatial Development Strategy for the Liverpool City Region up to 2040' document closed on February 16th 2024.
Rimrose Valley (site of proposed major highways development ) - this was pulled in October which is a major victory for everyone who was involved in campaigning against it including Save Rimrose Valley, CPRE and Sefton Council.
South Ribble - Lies within the Central Lancashire Local Plan area and preparation of the submission version of the Plan started following consultation. Jackie Copley had submitted a holding response to planning application as well as for the Central Lancashire Local Plan consultation. The application has still not been decided. Farmers would lose their farms and homes if this development proceeds and England must have food security. CPRE prefers to see new housing developments focused instead on South Ribble and Preston's existing settlements reusing the brownfield sites available and providing more truly affordable homes.
- falls within Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy. Engagement on the 'Towards a Spatial Development Strategy for the Liverpool City Region up to 2040' document closed on February 16th 2024. CPRE and community have been responding to a planning application for enabling works at the Parkside site.
Stockport - previously part of the 'Places for Everyone' JDP but the council withdrew over the JDP's proposed Green Belt loss; the authority decided to pursue its own local plan.
Tameside - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
A57Mottram Bypass application has been approved and cleared a Judicial Review.
Trafford - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024. Marj Powner, volunteer, has continued to work tirelessly to campaign for a brownfield first local plan and Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' JDP. She has lobbied for more affordable housing and a more sustainable approach to land use, including opposition to large scale employment shed developments, a proposed Carrington Relief Road and peat loss due to Green Belt and other environmental harms. She has liaised on a regular basis with her local MP Graham Brady and Anne Morgan head of spatial planning. Marj has also had a coordination role for Save Greater Manchester Green Belt Group and provided regular meetings for volunteers working across the sub-region and we are grateful for her input in rural campaigning. She raised a significant amount of money to mount a legal challenge to the PfE Plan.
West Lancashire - David Cheetham and Karen Martindale are active volunteers keeping track of local plan consultations and planning matters, including development on peat moss land at Simonswood, a cosmetics factory and mushroom farm in Scarisbrick, a Waste incinerator at Kirby, waste tipping a nd Round O, Parbold Hill, West and Appley quarries.
Wigan - This local planning area falls within the geography of the Greater Manchester 'Places for Everyone' Plan which was adopted by nine Greater Manchester Authorities on 21 March 2024.
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Wirral - falls within Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy. Engagement on the 'Towards a Spatial Development Strategy for the Liverpool City Region up to 2040' document closed on February 16th 2024. Jackie and Wirral Green Space Alliance's response to the emerging local plan consultations, submission, and examination stages persuaded persuading the Council to progress a 'no Green Belt release' Local Plan was an impressive local community win and is one that CPRE are now keen to document so that lessons can be learnt and awareness can be increased.
Wyre - Charlie Bowman, volunteer has been keeping an eye and ear on matters including Barton Neighbourhood Plan, the Local Development Scheme, Housing Monitoring Report and On-Shore Wind Energy Call for Sites.
6. Liverpool City Region Local Transport Plan
- gave detailed response on this Transport Plan arguing for promoting active travel, public transport and sustainable travel in general and integration of Land Use Planning and Transport Planning to avoid sprawl.
7. Neighbourhood Plans
Jackie Copley, Planning Director and Lindsay Beaton, Vice Chair continued to work with Bretherton Parish Council, Chorley to progress a draft Neighbourhood Plan. This is important as Mr MichealGove highlighted Chorley as an area without an up-to-date local plan or five-year housing land supply making it likely to be the target of 'off-local plan' speculative development applications.
8. Planning Applications
CPRE wishes for thriving and sustainable rural areas where the intrinsic value and character of countryside is enhanced. It recommends planning applications should be consented (or refused) in line with adopted local plans that have benefited from sustainability assessment and public consultation rather than adversarial 'off-local plan' speculative applications, which might be unsustainable. Some examples below (Eddy only started September 2024 so earlier engagement by Jackie not included.)
Hyndburn & Blackburn Application for energy storage facility in very narrow strip of Green Belt (700m) which already has M65 running through it. Close to SSSI, Local Wildlife Site and Wildlife Corridor. Applicatio n refused.
Pre-application consultation on Scout Moor 2 . Eddy responded to this by outlining concerns and what would need to be addressed in any appli cation including Environmental Impact Assessment.
Supported Mersey Barrage in principle in pre-application consultation as it supports fight against limate change in a way that is better, from CPRE's point of view, than ground based solar but needs to respect the riv er and surroundings.
Submitted objection 130 house proposal in Green Belt on Land off Powderhouse Lane, Lancaster
Objection to Proposed Cemetery, in Green Bely, Hyndburn
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
9. Revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Revised Standard Methodology
Revised Standard Methodology for calculating housing need proposed and the revised NPPF was published in 2024 after considerable effort by CPRE to engage in consultation. Our branch contributed strongly to this debate and was very much in line with the OneCPRE approach.. Many of the welcomed changes, including the reduced severity of the housing land supply requirement which enables property developers to "get round" the "exceptional circumstance" justification for green belt development will not benefit local plans post Regulation 19 stage, meaning Green Belt land is to remain the target. Only those plans submitted after the transitional arrangements in two years, i.e. after 19th of December 2025 will benefit from the NPPF revisions.
NPPF 2024 also includes very concerning Grey Belt designation and this is one that will require a close watch as it is an idea that developers will test and push at.
10. In 2024 we kept up our rural planning work with the aim of conserving and enhancing our countryside. It is understood from Mr Gove that the 'Future Homes Standard' will ensure an audit of potential space, orientation of roof space, improvements to existing, and requirements to enable house ng provision.
11. Student Project Supervision
In 2023, our former Planning Manager Jackie Copley was interviewed by a number of students and provided supervision of PhD projects. This continued in 2024, ensuring that CPRE benefits from relevant research opportunities and that future planners/environmentalists are aware of rural planning.
Major Projects 2024
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We secured £250,000 of National Heritage Lottery Funding in 2022 to create with our partners, The Ramblers, a 300 km walking trail which encircles Greater Manchester, passing through every borough. The Ramblers also invested in the project. It was completed and formally opened in August 2024. Every stage is accessible by public transport and provides access to green space, the countryside and industrial and cultural heritage to the 2.8 million people on its doorstep for physical and mental health and education. The trail has information boards, walking guides and an App to enable users to get the most out of it.
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we received £15,000 from National CPRE's grant to the North West region of CPRE (comprising CPRE Cheshire, our charity and Friends of the Lake District (CPRE Cumbria)) for a "solar renewable" project to support and enhance the national solar energy campaign of national CPRE. We used the grant to produce a 104 page report "Harvesting the Sun: increasing the use of solar power in the north west". It analyses, using data mapping, the use of solar energy in the north west, examining the difficulties and problems of solar power use and take-up by domestic households, business and industry.
National Campaigns
National CPRE has launched nationwide campaigns that affect the north west and many other regions. Our Group and many others have contributed to many of the following:
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National produced in 2023 "Unravelling a crisis: the state of rural affordable housing in England" This was followed in 2024 with a call to the network groups to submit case studies on local rural affordable housing with a view to a major campaign launch;
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the General Election in 2024 took up much of National CPRE's resource in terms of lobbying with the various political parties;
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CPRE Response to Strengthening Brownfield Consultation 2024;
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CPRE published its Future Homes Building Standard (2024) ;
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CPRE Transport Policy (2024) ; and
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- CPRE report on peri-urban farming , demonstrating the multiple benefits of sustainable models of farming and food production in Green Belts and 'comparator areas', meaning countryside within 5km of the urban edge where there i s no current Green Belt designated.
Events
August
Debbie McConnell, Chair and Jonathan Clarke, Chair of CPRE Cheshire, met the head of Britain in Bloom NW to discuss joint events or collaboration.
September
Guided tour of Erddig House, National Trust. CPRE Countryside Day: "The Tolkien Trail" walk
October
A "Fungi Foray" at Heaton Park, Greater Manchester. Lancashire Youth Climate Conference.
November
Manchester Green Summit
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document and legal status
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The charity is registered with the Charity Commission (number 1107376). The charity is governed by its constitution of 21st July 2023.
How we operate
Employees and Volunteers
Staff and volunteers and the support of national CPRE help us build on our established reputation for professionalism and expertise. Our impact is disproportionate to our small membership base and income.
The Executive Committee
The Committee (the equivalent of a Board of Directors) numbers five trustees. The trustees are:
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Debbie McConnell, Interim Chair;
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Lindsay Beaton, Vice Chair;
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Nick Thompson, President;
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Dr Clive Elphick; and
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Peter Black.
They are responsible for and have control of the activities of CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester (the Group). Until September 2023 the Chair was Debbie McConnell, LLB.,FLS. She retired as Chair at the 2023 AGM and the Chair was rotated from trustee to trustee with Debbie appointed Interim Chair in May 2024 pending a replacement for Debbie being appointed.
Our volunteers
They include:
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a team of volunteers working on the GM Ringway project;
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Suki Jhalli, treasurer; - over 25 'eyes and ears' planning volunteers spread throughout our region;
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Communications Volunteer, Anthony Jolly, who manages our website, newsletters and social and press media;
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a photography volunteer; and
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our volunteers serving our regions including David Cheetham (West Lancs), Karen Martindale (West Lancs), Charlie Bowman (Fylde Peninsula) ,Pam Leadbeater (Liverpool), Marj Powner (Trafford and Carrington) and Ken Marr (St Helens).
The team are highly valued and appreciated for the time and devotion they give. We need more of them as our ambition and our work load rises, notably because of the intense political pressure to build, build and build. We have several employees supporting the GM Ringway Project and our Planning Manager, Eddy Taylor was appointed in 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1107376
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CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Principal address Acres Brook Sabden Road Higham Lancashire BB12 9BL
Trustees
Dr C H Elphick Trustee Mrs L Beaton Trustee Mrs D G McConnell Trustee C N Thompson Trustee P Black Trustee (appointed 25.10.24)
Independent Examiner
Rushtons Chartered Accountants Shorrock House 1 Faraday Court Fulwood Preston Lancashire PR2 9NB Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
.......................................................... Mrs D G McConnell - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Adam Calvert ACA
Rushtons Chartered Accountants Shorrock House 1 Faraday Court Fulwood Preston Lancashire PR2 9NB
Date: .............................................
Page 12
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Grants Receivable Investment income 2 Total EXPENDITURE ON Other Net gains on investments NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted fund £ 16,589 - 2,670 19,259 27,779 1,689 (6,831) 115,508 108,677 |
Restricted fund £ - 130,987 - 130,987 126,999 - 3,988 15,000 18,988 |
2024 Total funds £ 16,589 130,987 2,670 150,246 154,778 1,689 (2,843) 130,508 127,665 |
2023 Total funds £ 99,558 149,506 2,480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 251,544 | ||||
| 181,254 | ||||
| 2,215 | ||||
| 72,505 58,003 |
||||
| 130,508 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 13
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Investments 5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted fund £ 56,924 3,950 49,521 53,471 (1,718) 51,753 108,677 108,677 |
Restricted fund £ - 2,206 16,782 18,988 - 18,988 18,988 18,988 |
2024 Total funds £ 56,924 6,156 66,303 72,459 (1,718) 70,741 127,665 127,665 108,677 18,988 127,665 |
2023 Total funds £ 55,235 48,077 38,031 86,108 (10,835) 75,273 130,508 130,508 115,508 15,000 130,508 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. D G McConnell - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 14
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Page 15
continued...
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Investment income Deposit account interest |
2024 £ 1,594 1,076 2,670 |
2023 £ 1,647 833 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,480 |
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Grants Receivable Investment income Total EXPENDITURE ON Other Net gains on investments NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward |
Unrestricted fund £ 99,558 - 2,480 102,038 46,748 2,215 57,505 58,003 |
Restricted fund £ - 149,506 - 149,506 134,506 - 15,000 - |
Total funds £ 99,558 149,506 2,480 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 251,544 | |||
| 181,254 | |||
| 2,215 | |||
| 72,505 58,003 |
Page 16
continued...
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 4. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||||
| fund | fund | funds | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED | ||||||
| FORWARD | 115,508 | 15,000 | 130,508 | |||
| 5. | FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS | |||||
| Listed | ||||||
| investments | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
| MARKET VALUE | ||||||
| At 1 January 2024 | 55,235 | |||||
| Additions | 1,689 | |||||
| At 31 December 2024 | 56,924 | |||||
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||||
| At 31 December 2024 | 56,924 | |||||
| At 31 December 2023 | 55,235 | |||||
| There were no investment assets outside the UK. | ||||||
| 6. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE | YEAR | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Trade debtors | - | 43,089 | ||||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 6,156 | 4,988 | ||||
| 6,156 | 48,077 |
Page 17
continued...
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Other creditors 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.1.24 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 115,508 Restricted funds Restricted fund 15,000 TOTAL FUNDS 130,508 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 19,259 (27,779) Restricted funds Restricted fund 130,987 (126,999) TOTAL FUNDS 150,246 (154,778) Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.1.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 58,003 Restricted funds Restricted fund - TOTAL FUNDS 58,003 |
2024 £ 1,718 Net movement in funds £ (6,831) 3,988 (2,843) Gains and losses £ 1,689 - 1,689 Net movement in funds £ 57,505 15,000 72,505 |
2023 £ 10,835 At 31.12.24 £ 108,677 18,988 127,665 Movement in funds £ (6,831) 3,988 (2,843) At 31.12.23 £ 115,508 15,000 130,508 |
|---|---|---|
Page 18
continued...
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 102,038 149,506 251,544 |
Resources expended £ (46,748) (134,506) (181,254) |
Gains and losses £ 2,215 - 2,215 |
Movement in funds £ 57,505 15,000 72,505 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.23 £ 58,003 - 58,003 |
Net movement in funds £ 50,674 18,988 69,662 |
At 31.12.24 £ 108,677 18,988 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 127,665 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 121,297 280,493 401,790 |
Resources expended £ (74,527) (261,505) (336,032) |
Gains and losses £ 3,904 - 3,904 |
Movement in funds £ 50,674 18,988 69,662 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 19
continued...
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 20
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Membership income Consultancy income Other income Investment income Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Grants Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Support costs Management Wages Social security Pensions Accountancy & legal fees Training costs Project costs Insurance Telephone Postage and stationery Advertising Sundries Travel & subsistence Finance Bank charges Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income before gains and losses |
2024 £ 868 13,343 2,250 128 16,589 1,594 1,076 2,670 130,987 150,246 52,411 - 1,518 2,170 - 63,879 1,954 154 352 27,261 1,873 3,146 154,718 60 154,778 (4,532) |
2023 £ 56,060 13,874 24,620 5,004 |
|---|---|---|
| 99,558 1,647 833 |
||
| 2,480 149,506 |
||
| 251,544 68,155 6,660 5,518 1,942 12,190 57,478 1,652 234 349 19,601 3,632 3,782 |
||
| 181,193 61 |
||
| 181,254 | ||
| 70,290 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 21
CPRE LANCASHIRE, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION AND GREATER MANCHESTER
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Realised recognised gains and losses Realised gains/(losses) on fixed asset investments Net (expenditure)/income |
2024 £ 1,689 (2,843) |
2023 £ 2,215 |
| 72,505 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 22
CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Limited Acres Brook Sabden Road Higham BB12 9BL
Rushtons Chartered Accountants Shorrock House 1 Faraday Court Fulwood Preston PR2 9NB
Dear Sirs
The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.
General
-
We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and that you do not express an audit opinion.
-
We confirm that the charity was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 audited.
-
We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees as set out under the Charities Act 2011 for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you.
-
All the transactions undertaken by the charity have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records.
-
All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your independent examination. We have provided you with unrestricted access to all appropriate persons within the charity, and with all other records and related information requested, including minutes of all management and trustee meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission.
-
The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions.
-
The effects of uncorrected misstatements are immaterial both individually and in total.
Assets and Liabilities
-
The charity has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the charity’s assets, except for those that are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
-
All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as appropriate.
-
We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and where relevant the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.
Page 2
Rushtons, Chartered Accountants
Accounting Estimates
- Significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value, are reasonable.
Legal Claims
- We have disclosed to you all claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received and such matters, as appropriate, have been properly accounted for, and disclosed in, the financial statements.
Laws and Regulations
- We have disclosed to you all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements.
Related Parties
- Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with legislative and accounting standards requirements.
Subsequent Events
- All events subsequent to the date of the financial statements which require adjustment or disclosure have been properly accounted for and disclosed.
Going Concern
- We believe that the charity’s financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charity's needs. We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We believe that no further disclosures relating to the charity's ability to continue as a going concern need to be made in the financial statements.
Grants and Donations
- All grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or conditions, have been notified to you. There have been no breaches of terms or conditions in the application of such income.
Yours faithfully
........................................................................ Signed on behalf of the board of trustees
Date: …………………….
Invoice No: 54320
28 October 2025
Our Ref: CPR A1233/NM/LB
CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Acres Brook Sabden Road Higham BB12 9BL
Shorrock House 1 Faraday Drive Fulwood Preston PR2 9NB T : 01772 693111
F: 01772 652661
E: mail@rushtonsaccountants.com W: www.rushtonsaccountants.com
To professional charges:
Preparation of the Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2024 as required by The Charities Commission.
Preparation of Statement of Financial Activity for the period ended 31 December 2024 together with a Balance Sheet as at that date.
Preparation of Notes to the Accounts.
Correspondence and telephone calls.
Additional time with handover from accountants and changes from trustees
Our time costs: £2,450
| Our Charges: | Our Charges: | 1,250.00 |
|---|---|---|
| VAT @ 20% | VAT @ 20% | 250.00 |
| _ | ||
| £1,500.00 | ||
| _ |
Terms 30 days net. Interest chargeable on overdue amounts Bank Details: HSBC A/c Name: Rushtons Sort Code: 40-37-25 A/c No: 44422244 If you wish to pay by Debit or Credit Card please telephone 01772 693111 Rushtons is the trading name of Rushtons (NW) Limited Registered in England Number 07160541 VAT Reg No: 483 2595 21 A list of Directors is available at the Registered Office Registered to carry on audit work in the UK regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales