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2022-03-31-accounts

Registered Company No: 06166868 Registered Charity No: 1119150

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

CONTENTS

Page
1 General Information
2-6 Report of the Trustees
7 Independent Examiner’s Report
8 Statement of financial activities
9 Balance sheet
10-12 Notes to the financial statements

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

PAGE 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

Directors: Richard Barker Davenport (Chairman) Jonathan McNaughton Reekie Andrew John Ingram Mark Andrew Loader NOTE: Because the Company is a Registered Charity the Directors are also known as Trustees. Company Secretary: Jonathan McNaughton Reekie Treasurer: Mark Loader Registered Office: Ground Floor, Arena Court, Crown Lane, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 8QZ Registered Company Number: 06166868 Registered Charity Number: 1119150 Bankers : CAF Bank Limited PO Box 289 West Malling Kent ME19 4TA Solicitors: None appointed Accountants : None appointed Independent Examiner: Richard Curry, ACMA

PAGE 2

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The Trustees of the charity, who are also its Directors, submit their report and financial statements for the period ended 31 March 2022.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Legal, administrative and other information

Details of Directors, key officers, Registered Office, Registered Company Number, Registered Charity Number, Bankers and Independent Examiner may be found on page 1.

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee, governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It was registered as a company on 19 March 2007 and as a Charity on 10 May 2007. It began trading on 1 June 2007 and took over the activities, assets and liabilities of an unincorporated member association also named Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group, formed in April 2006.

Trustees

The Charity's Trustees are alert to opportunities for recruitment to the board, and welcome proposals for appointment of additional trustees of all backgrounds. New Trustees are selected to bring to the board such skills as the existing Trustees believe to be necessary for a balanced board. A programme of familiarisation with the workings of the charity is utilised when new Trustees join the board.

The election of Trustees takes place by ordinary resolution of the Charity at a general or annual general meeting, or by a resolution of the Trustees at a Board Meeting.

Policies

The Charity has in place appropriate policies covering such issues as Health & Safety, Competitive Tendering, Equal Opportunities, and Child Protection.

Trustees have identified and considered the risks to which the Charity is exposed. They have reviewed controls in place to minimise loss or damage from such risks. At present they are not aware of any major risk to the Charity or its current operations. Trustees pay particular attention to additional risks which may arise during the design, construction and operational phases of the project. Policies of insurance are maintained to cover public liability, employer liability and third-party risks.

Trustees review these policies annually or, if required, more frequently. If sub committees are set up for this purpose they will report to and make suitable recommendations to the full board of Trustees.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company in the year was to promote and help undertake the restoration to a navigable standard and on a sustainable basis the historic former waterways that link Maidenhead town centre to the River Thames, for the purpose of enhancing and making accessible the restored waterside environment for the benefit of the general public, wildlife and river users alike.

PAGE 3

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of the year’s activities

In the year to March 2022 the activities of Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group (MW) again were closely linked with the restoration of the waterway and its role in the regeneration of Maidenhead town centre. Many of the town's recent developments adjoin and are linked by the waterway corridor and are benefitting from acquiring a waterside setting. As restoration has proceeded, public recognition of the benefits that the enhanced waterside environment and new public amenity bring to the town has continued to grow.

While the project was initiated and planning consent secured by MW, implementation has been in the hands of Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) since 2014. MW provides informal advice to the build and takes the lead on flow and groundwater monitoring, targeted maintenance of the feeder channels to ensure the water supply and supporting RBWM in its maintenance of the restored channels and new structures.

After the earlier Stages 1 & 2 of the waterway build, construction of a weir, fish pass, eel pass and boat rollers at Green Lane was completed by RBWM by the end of 2019/20. The weir has lifted and stabilized water levels throughout the town centre, increasing water depths and creating continuous aquatic connectivity and fish/eel passage for the first time, to and through the town centre. As the waterway established, wildlife has returned in abundance, with grey heron, swans, ducks, an egret and even kingfishers seen in the centre of town. Growing awareness amongst residents and visitors is leading to greater enjoyment of the restored waterway by walkers, boaters, fishermen and wildlife lovers. During the pandemic especially, the ‘green lung’ the waterway provides has become increasingly popular for all forms of recreation, directly contributing to health and wellbeing. Ongoing regeneration, mostly in the form of flatted developments, is increasing the number of residents living in the town centre, for whom the waterway corridor provides important public open space and amenity.

Phase 3 of Shanly Homes’ Chapel Arches waterside development is now nearing completion and incorporates a second water basin on the north of the restored c1825 Chapel Arches bridge. The new water basin complements the large water basin already established on the south side of the bridge. The new water basin and final linking sections of the York Stream channel were completed at the end of 2020/21, allowing through passage by small craft for the first time. A public boat loading pontoon, co-funded by RBWM and Shanly Homes, was added at Chapel Arches towards the end of 2021/22, with boat storage provided for MW use in the adjoining closed west and central arches. The first stage of Countryside’s streamside development adjoining the channel at York Road is also now complete, with businesses and residents moving in.

Responsibility for maintenance of the restored waterway channels rests with RBWM. As pandemic restrictions allowed, volunteers coordinated by John Morgan, Ian Caird and Ian Rose monitored surface and ground water levels, also the condition of the restored channels and new waterway structures. Ian Caird coordinates the volunteer teams that target blockages in the feeder channels which would otherwise undermine water supply to the town centre, the work being timed to avoid the nesting season wherever possible.

RBWM has adopted its long awaited new Borough Local Plan. Adoption extinguished the policies in the earlier Area Action Plan for the town centre, but a new Master Plan is now promised. In the meantime a Vision and Charter for the town centre has been developed by RBWM to help guide continued town centre regeneration. Enhancing the waterway green and blue corridor remains a key aim of both the Borough Local Plan and Vision and Charter, as an amenity for the growing population and as a wildlife corridor.

PAGE 4

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

With the restored York Stream channel fully open, MW partnered with Rotary to organize a very successful inaugural Waterways Fun Day in September, with some 55 boats taking part. Music in the adjoining amphitheatre followed, with a welcome by Theresa May MP plus civic leaders and entertainment on and off the water throughout the day.

MW’s technical group, chaired by John Morgan, continued to review and update MW’s long-term strategy, objectives and options to progress and further enhance the waterway. A priority for the coming year is to progressively clear the Bray Cut channel for small craft in order to connect the restored town centre waterway to the main River Thames next to Bray Marina. Work on this important next step was started in October by a volunteer team from the Inland Waterways Waterway recovery group.

Trustees adapted the way the group works during the pandemic, moving to online meetings and closely following all government guidelines regarding social distancing and safe volunteer working practices. A hybrid AGM in November was well attended and received presentations on progress achieved in the 2020/2021 year and the annual accounts, also renewing Trustee and Independent Inspector appointments. With restrictions eased, we are progressively but cautiously reverting to normal working practice.

MW has continued as a member of the Friends of Battlemead Common group, chaired by RBWM, which brings together a number of wildlife, Environment Agency and South East Water initiatives aiming to protect and enhance the ecology in this newly acquired public open space. With the main feeder channel running through the site, MW’s main concern is to ensure any environmental initiatives there do not undermine the water supply to the town centre, or accidentally damage the downstream ecology.

Toward the year end, Trustees welcomed Theresa May MP as our new patron. Mrs May has been our local MP for many years and a long term supporter of the waterways project from its inception.

We look forward to continuing working with RBWM to develop and implement further stages of the waterway, as and when funding allows. Apart from some specific works needed to finish off the York Stream arm of the project, the Moor Cut arm will be the next major stage but it is likely to be a few years yet before it can get underway.

By their periodic reviews of the activities and progress of the charity Trustees continued to take account of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The charity maintains an ongoing relationship with relevant authorities and keeps in touch with local environmental and community groups to maximise the benefits for the residents of Maidenhead and the surrounding areas.

Post Year End Events

None

PAGE 5

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

To enhance public benefit the Charity aims remain:

MW and its funding partner RBWM are tackling the project in stages as funding allows. The agreed strategy remains to restore York Stream and Moor Cut to create a waterway ‘Ring’ allowing small boats to operate in and around the town centre. To the south we aim to open up the Bray Cut channel to allow small and eventually larger craft to enter from the Thames. With the consented works already part completed, MW's technical group is reviewing the strategic options for the long-term enhancement of the restored navigation.

Trustees continue to be aware of the need to identify other funding sources. Encouragement is given for developers of property adjoining the waterway to contribute directly towards the project. Shanly Homes funded and built a key section of the consented waterway plans in 2020/21 and continue to cofund local initiatives in 2021/22.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Funding in the period from RBWM has fallen further, as the build activity remains paused and minor works are undertaken directly rather than via MW where feasible, allowing VAT recovery. Specialist support, procured previously via MW, for project management and waterways maintenance has now been concluded.

Membership subscriptions are mostly gift aided and contributed to the cost of routine administration, while donations from other organizations in appreciation of our members giving talks were also welcome. Income this year was boosted by a very generous donation from Orbis Investments under its employee nominated charity donation scheme. The funds are expected to enable MW to accelerate the clearance of Bray Cut by supplementing volunteer efforts with contractors.

Expenditure by the Charity remains focused on promoting the waterway restoration project, on progressing future phases and channel designs, and on monitoring and improving water supply to the

Maidenhead 'Ring'. In 2022/23 MW will be engaged in similar activities, and in the longer term planning for an extended waterway. An updated group leaflet was produced in 2021/22 and a web site refresh is currently in progress.

PAGE 6

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP (A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are required by the Companies Act to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its surplus or deficit for that period.

In preparing these 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 company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 1993, and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, as amended from time to time. 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.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF ACCOUNTS

The Trustees are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from an audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. In accordance with their governance policy the trustees have obtained a report of an independent examiner although this is not statutorily required.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE TO INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

In accordance with company law the Trustees certify that:

On behalf of the Board Richard Davenport Chairman of Trustees

Richard Davenport 24[th] July 2022

PAGE 7

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

I report on the accounts of the company for year ended 31 March 2022, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act), but have requested, as a matter of good governance, that an Independent Examination be undertaken although this not a statutory requirement. I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 Examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 24[th] July 2022

Richard J. Curry Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants The Boynings, 31 Altwood Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4PB

PAGE 8

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

(incorporating income and expenditure account)

Prior Year Prior Year Prior Year
2021-22
2020-21
Total Total
Funds Funds
Notes: £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations, grants, sponsorship and legacies 57,277 11,115
RBWM S106/Other Grants 10 8,982 5,384
Other income 2,339 308
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 68,598 16,807
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Cost of Generating Funds
Costs of generating Voluntary income
0 0
0 0
Charitable Activities
Development, promotion and maintenance of waterway

RBWM Funded.
6,10 3,032 5,384

other project expenditure
6 11,401 2,904

donations
6 50 0

sundry charitable expenditure
6 0
0
14,483 8,288
Governance Costs 6
1,594 814
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 16,077 9,102
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING)
RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR 7 52,521
7,705
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
AT 1 APRIL 35,905 28,200
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
AT 31 MARCH 88,426 35,905

There are no recognised gains or losses other than those passing through the statement of financial activities.

The statement of financial activities has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

PAGE 9

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2022
2021-22
Notes:
£
£
FIXED ASSETS0
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
8
5,950
Cash at bank and in hand
82,851
88,801
CREDITORS:Amounts falling
due within one year
9
(375)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
88,426
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
88,426
INCOME FUNDS
Restricted funds
1,582
Unrestricted funds
86,844
88,426

Prior Year
2020-21
£
£
0
547
35,905
36,452
(547)
35,905
35,905
35,905
35,905
Prior Year
2020-21
£
£
0
547
35,905
36,452
(547)
35,905
35,905
35,905
35,905

The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these financial statements

For the year ending 31 March 2022 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors’ responsibilities:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the Board on Richard Davenport ) 24[th] July 2022 ) ) Trustees ) Mark Loader )

PAGE 10

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting convention

The financial statements 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 for Smaller Entities published on 16/07/14, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Going concern

The assessment of the trustees is that the charity is a going concern.

Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.

Resources Expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. No allocation of costs is required since the charity has one activity, being the promotion, design and restoration of the waterway. The Cost of Generating Funds includes the cost of publicity materials produced during the year along with the cost of other fundraising activities.

Expenditure on Charitable Activities includes costs of investigating the feasibility of current and future stages, and of implementing the waterways project.

2. LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to no more than £1 per member.

3. ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS

Other than for services requiring paid professional help, the management, direction, and activities of the Charity are carried out by unpaid volunteers. Trustees have not attempted to quantify the value of volunteers' donated time but are most appreciative of the community spirit they represent.

4. STAFF COSTS

There were no persons employed during the year. Trustees do not receive remuneration for their services.

During the year a total of £0 was reimbursed to Trustees for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

5 . TAXATION

No corporation tax is charged in the accounts due to the charitable status of the company.

PAGE 11

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (con't)
6. ANALYSIS OF TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED Prior Year
Includes the following 2021-22 2020-21
£ £
Cost of Generating Funds:
Cost of generating voluntary income 0
0
0 0
Charitable Activities:
Project Management and maintenance (RBWM funded) 3,032 5,384
Sundry project costs 11,401 2,904
Donations 50 0
Sundry Charitable Expenditure 0 0
14,483 _ 8,288

_
Governance Costs:
Sundry office costs 251 137
Insurance 809 514
Website costs 159 163
Travel & training 0 0
Other 375 0
1
,594
814
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 16,077 9,102
7. INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR
PriorYear
2021-22 2020-21
£ £
Total
52,521
7,705
These are stated after charging:
Depreciation 0 0
Audit / Examiner's remuneration 0 0
_
2021-22 2020-21
8. DEBTORS £ £
Reimbursement due from RBWM
5,950 547
5,950
547

PAGE 12

MAIDENHEAD WATERWAYS RESTORATION GROUP

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (con't)

9. CREDITORS:amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
2021-22

£
375

375
2020-21
£
0
0

10. S 106/OTHER GRANTS

Grants were received from The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) under a financial protocol set up for that purpose between MW and RBWM. To access those funds MW applies to RBWM with a schedule of expenditure to be approved. Only when funding is confirmed does MW enter into contracts with suppliers, usually via a process of competitive tendering. RBWM reimburses MW following sight of the supplier's invoice.

Where RBWM is directly contracting and paying for design and implementation costs, MW does not report such sums either as Resources Expended, nor as Grants received.

11. SINGLE TENDER CONTRACTS

The Charity has a policy of competitive tendering for significant contracts with suppliers of goods and services wherever practicable. Contracts with a value >£10,000 are usually competitively tendered, whilst any contract >£5,000 that is not competitively tendered must be disclosed in the annual report.

MW continued a call off contract with Portmead Limited for the services of Chris Mitchell of Portmead Limited as part time Project Manager and incurred further costs for this work of £3,088 in 2020/21 all of which was reimbursed. Chris Mitchell is a Chartered Civil Engineer and MBA, with a specialist waterways background. He has been closely involved with the project for some time and continues to sit on our Technical Group on a voluntary (unpaid) basis. The appointment was pre-agreed with RBWM, and the council has committed to fund this aspect of the project. The contract is due to terminate in August 2021. See also Note 10.

12. CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS

At the year-end the Trustees had no contractual commitments.

13. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

See Trustees Report and narrative at Page 4.