Earthlinks UK
Trustees Annual Report
for the period 01.02.2022 to 31.01.2023
Reference and Administration Details
Earthlinks UK is a registered charity in England and Wales with charity number 1133056 and registered with Companies House with number 06472901.
The principal address is 46 Hunters Moon, Dartington, TQ9 6JT, Devon, UK
The Charity Trustees during the year to 31[st] January 2023 were:
Mr Martin Crawford Mrs Anne Phillips Mr Mark Burton
Structure, governance and management
Earthlinks UK is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, incorporated with Companies House on 15 January 2008 and registered as a charity with the Charities Commission of England and Wales.
New trustees are appointed by resolution of the existing trustee body.
Objectives and activities
Objects
Earthlinks objectives are:
1) Promoting for the benefit of the public, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in any part of the world and the prudent use of resources; 2) To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and sustainable development;
3) The relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and disadvantaged communities in any part of the world by the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration;
Sustainable development means "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Activities
Earthlinks UK is currently running the following projects:
1) The Flow Partnership which is an overarching project, working to disseminate knowledge of natural catchment measures to communities and help them build local interventions to resolve floods and droughts. The project is currently working with partners in India, Africa, Slovakia, France and the UK.
2) Educational outreach on water , both on site and online. Starting of online share of community practices through the Water Schools program worldwide. Water School Africa, Water School Europe (being planned for 2023) and Water School India (being planned for 2023).
3) Holistic Science Journal - Publishing a unique and independent journal uncovering the living dynamic in the facts of science and associated courses.
4) Online educational outreach on Goethean Science in Brazil, Hong Kong , China, Europe
Achievements and performance
1) The Flow Partnership:
a) Water School Africa
Water School Africa is a newly funded Flow Partnership project promoting water literacy and the creation of water holding structures through co-operation with local African NGO partners. Water School Africa (WSA) has two expressions:
1) an online gathering every month for farmers, landowners and communities to exchange methods and successful water holding practices. Over time, it's begun to be very well attended and by the local communities. Some of the successful methods and presentations that have been given on this WSA platform are here: Water School Africa : http://waterways.world/africa/
2) As of this year, through an initial set of 4 ground partners TFP started work to increase water harvesting and ground water recharge in 4 regions in Africa: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Burkina Faso as well as spreading of this water literacy locally through them. The project is developing, assessing and disseminating community projects across these four African countries to restore their water balance and to enable water security locally.
b) Paani Shakti India (in collaboration with CCRF and Organic India Foundation)
The Flow Partnership’s collaboration with Community Catchment Restoration Foundation, India(CCRF), the Organic India Foundation (OIF), and Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS) completed Phase 1 of the project Paani Shakti which undertook a detailed study of 37 villages in the Organic India farming villages of Bundelkhand. Phase 2 was also completed successfully by constructing 3 water bodies to restore water security in Kilahua village as a prototype of the work in the balance 36 villages.
The project is now paused due to lack of availability of funds from OIF.
c) Consultancies
The Flow Partnership did two landscape water management consultancies in UK (near Tiverton) and Ireland (Freshford, near Kilkenny) to assess and design natural catchment measures, with farmers and community involvement.
d) Book Chapters Published:
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A case study by TFP done on theArvari Catchment in Rajasthan was published by The US Army Corps of Engineers/ Natural Catchment Methods Atlas
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A chapter on the Water School was written for the following book and published : “The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes That Repair the Environment” by Erik Ohlsen.
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e) New Projects: with ARUP UK and with PSSS in India are being discussed
2) Holistic Science Journal (HSJ)
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a) Successfully completed the one year online course Goethe and the Language of Holistic Science with 16 participants from Brazil, China, Scotland, Argentina and Holland in a collaboration of the Holistic Science Journal and Escola Schumacher Brazil .
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b) Initiated a forum for students to present their writing on Holistic Science. The work will form the basis of the next issue of Holistic Science Journal
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c) Two additional online courses were held over 6 sessions on Goethean Science. The first was with 25 students and the second following on from the first with the entire staff team of an NGO in China/Hong Kong. The courses were conducted in collaboration with Schumacher Garden, China .
3) Outreach, Presentations, New Ventures, Networking and Partnerships Building
- a) A number of online presentations and educational filming of methods were held during the year at the following Symposiums and Summits both nationally and internationally:
Presentations:
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Soil Food Web Summit/USA 2022
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Permaculture Water Summit/USA 2022
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Earth Repair Conference/USA 2022
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Transformative Impact Summit/USA 2022
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Two presentations to the Open Future Forum USA
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Trees for Hope, Scotland Event
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UN/World Water Quality Alliance: TFP presentation in Sweden during World Water Week 2022
Courses on Water:
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Initiative Earth -Development of an online water regeneration course with filming of 6 sessions
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Creating the Water Module and teaching the foundational water literacy course to regenerative agriculture students at Huxhams Cross Farm (one week)
Internship:
Student of Exeter University did an Internship with TFP over 9 weeks – She helped set up TFP’s Instagram account
- b) The Water School Africa website https://waterways.world/Africa was maintained and now includes talks and presentations from a community of practitioners, laying the ground for the project being initiated in Africa.
Financial Review
Bankers: Lloyds Bank, 31 Fore Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5HH Independent examiner/ accountant: Peter Ellington, Triple Bottom Line Accounting, Enterprise Centre, Room TEC 0.12, University of East Anglia
Monetary assets on 31-1-2023 stood at £123,909 (Compared to £48,618 at 31-1-2022)
Policy on reserves
The money in the bank is advance funding for work to be carried out in completion of the existing projects and putting in place new foundation for the coming years.
Additional money is required for day to day operating capital and unusual expenses – there is a continuous attempt to raise core funding for each year.
The reserves as of 31-1-2023 stood at £123,909
The policy on reserves is reviewed annually by the Trustees
Funds materially in deficit
There are no funds materially in deficit
Further Details
Attention is returning to environmental concerns after the focus of funds to combat the emergency of the pandemic. There are signs of a concerted effort amongst organisations and countries to push for actual on the ground work, following commitments to Net-Zero carbon targets in the next decade(s).
The charity does not have an endowment fund.
The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees report above
Signed as a trustee on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Martin Crawford | ||
|---|---|---|
| 15/5/23 | ||
| ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
| Signature | Print name | Date |
Charity number: 1133056 Company number: 06472901
(England and Wales)
Earthlinks Uk
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 January 2023
Contents Page
For the year ended 31 January 2023
Page Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees 3 Statement of Financial Activities 4 Statement of Financial Position 5 Notes to the Financial Statements 6-8
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Earthlinks Uk
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees
For the year ended 31 January 2022
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
• to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s 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, with the seeking of explanations from the 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 material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
• the accounts did 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.
Peter Ellington FAIA Triple Bottom Line Accounting Limited The Enterprise Centre University of East Anglia Norwich Norfolk NR4 7TJ
05/07/2023
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Earthlinks Uk
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)
For the year ended 31 January 2023
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations, legacies and Grants 2 Charitable activities Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 120 120 7,554 34,256 95,035 129,291 40,633 |
|---|---|
| 34,376 95,035 129,411 48,187 |
|
| 43,864 9,238 53,102 33,676 |
|
| 43,864 9,238 53,102 33,676 |
|
| - - - - |
|
| (9,488) 85,797 76,309 14,511 |
|
| (3,771) 51,425 47,654 29,605 |
|
| (13,259) 137,222 123,963 44,116 |
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Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 January 2023
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Other debtors Creditors:amounts falling due within one year Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities The funds of the charity Restricted income funds Unrestricted income funds Total Funds |
2023 2022 £ £ 123,610 48,613 1,147 - 762 958 123,995 47,655 |
|---|---|
| 123,995 47,655 |
|
| 137,222 51,425 (13,259) (3,770) |
|
| 123,963 47,655 |
For the year ended 31 January 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476,
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The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records
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and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and signed on its behalf by:
Martin Richard Crawford
Mr Martin Crawford
Trustee
05/07/2023
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Earthlinks Uk
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 January 2023
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and 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 (FRS 102), and the Companies Act 2006.
Earthlinks Uk meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Statement of cash flows
The Trustees have taken advantage of the exemption in SORP FRS 102 from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the charitable company is small.
Funds
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations and grants which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the Charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended when there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure.
Charitable activites
Please see Trustees Annual report
Allocation and appointment of costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support charity's activities. These costs have been allocated between expenditure on charitable activities.
2. Income from donations, legacies and charitable activities
| Unrestricted funds Donations, legacies and grants income Charitable activities Total |
2023 2022 £ £ 120 7,554 34,256 27,777 |
|---|---|
| 34,376 35,331 |
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| Restricted funds Charitable activities Total |
2023 2022 £ £ 95,035 12,856 |
|---|---|
| 95,035 12,856 |
3. Costs of charitable activities by fund type
| CGCW ARUP/Water Up Water School Africa Mildon Farm Kilkenny Holistic Science Online Course Support Costs |
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 2022 funds funds £ £ £ £ 159 159 6,792 12,500 12,500 21,899 7,200 5,857 1,112 11,240 11,240 4,984 12,995 2,038 15,033 |
|---|---|
| 43,863 9,238 53,102 33,675 |
4.Analysis of support costs
| Management IT Governance costs |
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 4,008 629 425 425 1,511 237 1,761 1,761 7,477 1,173 4,139 4,139 |
|---|---|
| 12,995 2,038 15,033 6,325 |
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5. Accountancy costs
| Unrestricted | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds |
Total 2023 | Total 2022 | |||||
| £ | £ |
£ | |||||
| Accountancy fees | 1,380 | 1,380 | 1,422 | ||||
| 6. | Staff costs and emoluments | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Salaries | 25,941 |
25,200 | |||||
| 7. Funds | |||||||
| Balance | at | Transfers between | Incoming | Resources | Balance at | ||
| 01.02.2022 | funds | resources | expended | 31.01.2023 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted | funds | ||||||
| General | 3,771 | 51,426 |
34,376 |
(43,864) |
38,167 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||||
| Water School | Africa | - | 95,035 | (9,238) |
85,797 | ||
| - | |||||||
| Holistic Science | 11,605 | 11,605 |
|||||
| - | |||||||
| ARUP/Water up | 39,821 | 39,821 |
|||||
| Total Funds | 47,655 | - |
129,411 |
(53,102) |
123,964 |
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