CHARITY COMMISSION Foundation For Common Land (A company limitgd by guaranteo) Annual Report and Financial ststements 30 June 2024 Company registration number: 08113120 Charity registration number: 1150439 dOdd&co
Foundatlon For Common Land Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees. report Trustees. responsibilities in rèlation to the finan¢ial statements Independent examinerfs report statement of fin8n¢ial activities 10 11 Balance sheet 12 Notes to the fin8n¢ial s18ternents 13
Foundation For Common Land Reference and Administrative Details Charity namè Foundation For Common Land Charfty registration number 1150439 Company r•gl$tratlon numbèr 08113120 Principal office Low Nook University of Cumbria Rydal Road AMBLESIDE LA22 9BB Règlsterod office Low Ni)ok University of Cumbria Rydal Road AMBLESIDE LA22 9BB Trustses C Short J Bailey R J Milton J C Phelps L C Branfield H Fraser P Arkle (Appointed 18 June 20241 Se¢retary L M Stride Accountant Dodd & Co Limited FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way Rosehill Estate CARLISLE CA12RW Page 1
Foundation For Common Land Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 The financial statements have been ppad in accordance with the accounting poli¢ies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document. the Charitie5 Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended practi applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financi81 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES The aim of our work is to safrguard and enhance the heritage of common land and keep commons alive by supporting active grazing. Our aims fully refiect the purposes the charity was sel up for. The Foundalion for Cornrnon Land's (FCLI charitable objectives 85 set out in its Articles of Association 8re'. To conserve the agricultural systems and the cultural landscapes associated with commoning and the management of common land forthe benefitotthe public. To promote Ihe conservation of the physical and natural 8nvironmenl of common land by supporting the responsible and sustainable pastoral use of commons. To Conduct and commission r8search into commoning and common land issues and publish the results of such research to the public at large. To educale Ihe publi¢, particularly policy makers and other intsrested parties in subjects pertaining to commoning. The common land of Eng18nd and Wales and the common grazings of Scotland 8re ngtionally important for access. tourism, wildlife, carbon storage. water suppty, archaeological conservation, food production and livestock breeding. Commons deliver more publi¢ bonefits than any other type of farm18nd but this heritage is at risk from a continuèd declin8 in its acbve management and the challenges in accessing financial support for delivering public goods. Strategies and activities for achievlng obJectlvo8 We deliver our core work in the following ways.. Influence and advocacy through bilaleral engagemenl and membership of technical advisory groups and alliances Convene and chair strategic partnerships Contract out work lo the best consumants in our field Design and deliver training to dpen the knowledge of policy makers and praclitioners who can influence future commoning Develop partnership projects to secure the culiural heritage of commoning Provide up-to4ate and in-depth infomation on common land and commoning on our website Choose trustees with strong links to commoners and commoning On the ground d81iv6ry to devèlop. demonstrate and disseminate best practice Due to devolution of agricultural and 8nvironm8ntal policies to the devolved nations, and FCL being a small charity, our current activities are restricted to England though we sèek lo relain active links with netsvoths in Scotland and Wales and our conslilulion allows us to work across Great Britain. Page 2
Foundation For Common Land Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 2024-2025 will be a year of making the most of the last year of the Lottery funded 'Our Upland Commons. ensuring we can capture and share the learning and embed the ability for cornmunicating it within our core team and functions. . Growth in the charity and its worf< over the past five years during Our Upland Commons. . The Charity will continue to strengthen staffing and governance stiuctures to support the growing body of wotk which FCL is now delivering. . Working with a fijndraiser FCL will appty for a Heritsge Lottery grant focused on resilien building within the organisation. To continue to offer a commercial service to moorland owners enabling the application of SFI Moorland stsndard and generating income to support the ongoing work of FCL. . Develop the Faer Led Habitat Assessment moorland app beyond the pilot phase to Beta testing at scale. To prepare training materials for a course on Collaborative Practi¢e8 for Uplands Environmental Land Management as commissioned by the Universty of Cumbria. . To continue to work with and hold the Rural Payments Agency, Natural England and Defra to account over their delivery of schemes on common land in England wth particular emphasis on expiring Higher Level Stewardship schemes and the new ELM schemes. To continue our core work of advocacy. outreach and communicats.ons with the aim to reach wider audiences including refreshing and improving our website and holding free of Gharge webinars How our a¢tlvltles deliver publi¢ beneflt In the 1600s ov6r 50Vo of England was common land. It is now less than 3 /0 so commons are a resourrA under threat. Common land delivers more public benefits than any oth8r type of farmland and is more hèavily designal8d than enclosed land., for instance Common Land is seven times more likely to be designated for nature as a SSSI than enclosed land. Commons are closely linked wrth a history of traditional and sympathetic pastoral systems developed over many centuries, adapted to local circumstances and informed by the expériènce of local famiing ¢ommunitiès. However, as a result of inappropriate government policies and schemes from the mid 1970s onwards biodiversity has declined and alongside this the cultural heritage of commoning is at risk. Farming communities and conservation organisations alike are concemed about the loss of skills and heritage. The impacts of climate change are also becoming apparent though the potential for commons to mitigate the impacts of climats changè and be a rege for some Species is high. It is now over eight years since thè decision to leave thé EU and therefore the Common Agricultural Policy. Sadty, the par£ of change from BPS to ELM has been glacial 8nd unpredictable leading to significant risks that the environmental benefits from commons are at risk as are the commoning communities that manage this12nd. Therefore. while we fully support the policy of public money for public goods we are increasingly concemed that implementation by the Government falls far short of what is required. Responsible commoning is not financially viable in most areas of the UK without government support as there is no reward for public goods from the market. Private markets for public goods are poorly developed. If these traditional systems and techniques, local infrastructure and expertise is lost. they will be difficult and expensive to re*tablish. Loss of pastor81 grIng woukl lead to the loss of many significant habrtats and species and damage archaeological sites as well as affecting access and recreation and an erosion of cultural heritage. We also support Ihe appropriate planling of trees and natural regeneralion of scrub on common land especially through maintaining, enhancing and creating new wood pasture which has been an ancient land use on common land with the New Forest being a shining example. There are safeguards though the Commons Act 2006 to ensu this is planned with fijll consultation as work5 on common require the Defra Secretary of State's consent. Through our work we take action to address these concerns to enable our cultural and natural heritage on commons to thrive as well as the unique collaborative system of management. We work with commoners. owners of common land, environmental NGOS. famiing bodies and government agencies to be the national voice for common land and commoning. Our ambition is to ernpower individuals and organisations through their work to improve outcomes for the public benefits from common land. Pag8 3
Foundation For Common Land Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 hl 202312024 was a year of consolidation. Julia Aglionby stspped back as Executive Director in September 2024 for 15 months, but continued to provide project management support for th8 Our Upland Commons Lottery project work as well as oversight of the SFI Digital App. Her roles were shared betNeen Trustees and Jo Swiers. Robin Milton has tak8n th8 lead on policy. meeting regularty with Defra and other officials, supported by Chris Short and Jim Bailey. Jo Swiers led on project devèlopment. particularly focusing on resilience and the legacy of Our Upland Commons alongside Sam Caraway the OUC Project Manager. Lyndsey Stride has provided the Company Secretarial role and Susie Hodgson continues to undertake our Administrator Role, supporting both the re charity work and the Tests and Trials. Trustees remain actiV81y engaged and we now have an established stsff and trustse buddy system. During this year we recruited Rhiannon Jones to support training and knowledge exchange t¥0 days a week and Owen Morgan to support Tom Lawrence run the SFI Moorland App Service. The FCL'S main 8Ctivities and a¢hievement$ for the year July 2023-June 2024 hav8 boen.. Projècts 'Our Upland Commons,, continuing this major £3.1 million Natural Lottery Heritage Fund project maintsining a good working relationship with our 25 project partners. The a¢¢ountable body is the Nats'onal Trusl. Highlights during 2023J2024 include,, Collaboratively planned and contracted Natural Flood Management IntaNentions for Brant Common. York$hire Dales with leaky dams, footpath diversions and welland crèation and restorats'on. In Dartmoor a detailed management plan wa$ agreed for Harford and Ugborough Common. Molinia Trials UndeaY and extended in Dartmoor . Animal health and dung beetle research looks to redu vet and med interventions to enhance soil flauna. Labour of Lové Exhibition held at Hawes - over 7.500 visitors to see the Words and Pictures by Harriet and Rob Fraser Clee Libety Common signed up to a Countryside Stewardship Scheme after years of negotiation$ and &xtensive suNeys for birds and buttefflies. New equipment now allowng active management for nature outcomes. Ongoing conslruclive discussions over intsrpretation panels in the Longmynd, Shropshire Over 40 commoners and advisors awarded bursary places for Uplands Environmental Land Managem8nt Level 4 accredited courses wn by the University of Cumbria Grassington Lead Mine Trail completed in the yorkshi dales • Farmer Led Habitat Ass8ssm8nt undertaken by commoners on over 3,000 ha of moorland Undertook further suNeys and research lo better understand the species & habitats on upland commons and thèir managemènt requirements including bleleS, birds and habitats on over 12,000 ha. . We supported sustainable commoning by providing equipment including remote controlled bracken cutter, restoring historic sheep pens, and researching flocklherd health providing actionable insights for commoners to improving flock and herd health. Page 4
Foundation For Common Land Trustees. Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 • Defra Test and Trial SFI Comme[al Servico: After completing the SFI Moorland Test & Trial we rolled out the SFI Digiial App to a universal national service employing part lime employees. The service enables managers of moorland both common and non-common moorland to survey their land on a phone app and assess the environméntal beneffts on the ¢ommon and opportunitie$ to eThhan these public benéfits. The information is then provided to thè managers in a series of spatial maps and in a spreadsheet. Over 62,000 ha of moorland used the SFI Moorland seNice in our financial year 202312024 We undertook three field training sessions in how to use the App and how to fvlfil SFI common land eligibility requirements. We are developing the Fanner Led Habitat Assessment Tool as a top up to th8 SFI following trialling during Our Upland Commons. Outreach and Engagement . Thé level of outreaGh is made possible by the funding of comms support by the Our Upland Commons. We are now seeking to ensure these communication skills are being integrated into OUC'S core stsff a¢tivitiés. Through OUC we have éngaged over 10.000 people in events educating, celebrating, and experiendng the natural and cultural heritage of common land, many targeted at hard-towreach audiences. Our dalabase of interested individuals stands at 1331 and Mailchimp provides us with infomation about level of engagementwhilst maintsining ¢ompliancewith GDPR. . A Quarterly newsletter has been written and distributed to all our contacts Provided ongoing guidance to commoners. groups, ¢ommoners, owners of common land and stak8holdets via our website, attendance at th8ir meetings and ne0<S Raising the profile of commons through appearances on BBC Faming Today, the Financial Times, the Farmerfs Guardian and in the Famer supplement of the Cumb6rland News Hosted five well attended webinars during the 2023124 year. Over 1100 people registsred for the webinars and there have over 1000 views of these webinars on YouTube after the livé events. 'Our Common Slories, videos are very popular wilh over 11.500 views in 2023124 We hosted five Hill Fami Training courses lor Conservation Professionals training over 70 individuals. These are delivered in partnership with the Famier Netsvork and were commissioned by thé National Trust, Natural England and the RPA. Advo¢a¢y Regular attendance at Defra stakeholder and policy meetings with senior Stakeholder staff to attempt to find ways forward for common land governance issuès with agriwenvironment schem6s. . Incréasing our social media presen through regular ets. New Instagram and Facebook accounts set up to reach a wider more public audience . Submitted Written and Oral Evidence to the Dartmoor Review of Protected Sites A list of all our fijnders and their contributions appears in the income sedion of these accounts. As ever, we would like to exprèss our huge gratiiude to all who have Supported our work this yéar and we would like to take the opportunity to thank the following for their kind support: Esmèe Fairbaim Foundaknon, Garfield Weston Trust and National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as the many trusts and partners who are contributing in cash and kind to Our Upland Commons. FINANCIAL REVIEW Review of the flnaneial posltlon Our financial position has remained slrong over 202312024. Our ¢haritsble aclivilies have increased, and we have beén SUCsSl in drawing down grant funding and contracts to undertake our work. Our total Income was £336,039 (2023= £340,928) and our Expenditure was £330,285 (2023.. £293,002). This included funds received and spent as agent as part of the SFI Moorland Digital Test and Trial project We ended the year with fRe reseNes of £128,053. Page 5
Foundatlon For Common Land Trustees, R8POrt for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 Golng ¢on¢orn After making appropriate enquireS, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequat8 resources to continue in operational existen lor the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concem basis in preparing the financial statements. Prlnclpal flnanclal management policies adopted The directors scrutinisa management a¢¢ounts and budgets vs actual expenditure at monthly directors, meetings. This is for both the organisation as a whole and on a proje¢Ufunding stream basis. The adoption of Xero bookkeeping system allows accounts to be kept up to date and easy to analyse. Dodds in Carlisle remain as our accountants who have offered excellent support to Susie and Julia over the past year. Reserves policy FCL has completed its e1fth year ol operation_ During the yexr to which these accounts relate FCL had low liabilities with four permanent part time employees. We have low expenditure on overheads. The primary reason FCL needs reserves Is to fund short-tem deficits in cash flow and for investment in new projects where grant funding may not be forthcoming or for match funding for larger projecls. The Trustees consider that the presenl level of reserves available to the charity are enough and this is reviewed on a regular basis. The reserves held are considered suffi¢ient due to the following financial siluation.. We have $uffi¢ient reserves to meet our Commilment for Continuing operations. The Charity owns no tangible assets thal require repairs or inveslment. We have a license for a fiJlly serviced shared office space at the Universty of Cumbria in Ambleside. The charity èmployed four part time members of staff during the financial year. Two are employed on the SFI Digital App that has covèred all costs and generated a small surplus lo enable us to develop future digital tools. Half of our Administrator's salary in 2023-24 is funded by the Esmée FaiTbairn Core Funding and that funding also covers all the Training and Knowl8dg8 Exchang8 Post salary for four years. The Executive Director was self*mployed though stepped back in September 2023. Additional Senior Operations Support was contractsd in on a temporary basis - Jo Swiers. The charity's Directors are chosen as individuals who are actively involved through their day jobs in activities that are ¢losely linked to FCL'S charitable obj'ective so that in the worst Case that project income ceased our Directors would continue to deliver the charitable objects if at a lower level of activity. The Charity has enough fvnds in unrestricted funds to cover essents'al Trustee expenses of insurance. our part-time administrator, travel lo the Annual Meeting and Accountants costs for at least 6 months a8 recommended by the Charity Commission. In 2023124 we have maintsined our unrestricted fiJnds through the delivery of contracts lo have reserves for all essential costs for at least 12 mDnth5 and to be able lo tnake offer match fvnding for future grant applications. Princlpal fundlng sources We were delighted to be awarded a core funding grant of £49,000 per annum for four years from Esmée Fairbaim Foundation,. this will last until September 2027. This is the 13th year Esmée Fairbairn has supported FCL. Funding in 2023124 has come from Esmée Fairbaim for core funding. Defra for undertaking Environmental Land Management Test and Trial Projects and from the National Lottery Haritage Fund, Esmée Fairbairn and Garfield W86ton for Our Common Cause.. Our Upland Commons. Page 6
Foundatlon For Common Land Trustees, Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 In addition, as part of one of our Defra Test and Trials, we have invested in building a Phone App to support commons and moorfand to undertake the Moodand SFI survey option. We have now made this service available to all charging a nominal fee per Ha. providing an important tool and with the aim of covering all costs and generating some surplus to ¢ontribLrte towards our charitable objectives. For this year the main sourcè of funding of our charitable activity is the £3.1 million 'Our Common Cause.. Our Upland Commons. National Lottery Heritage Fund project. The Foundation for Common Land holds the grant with the National Twst who are the accountable body for the finances for that projecL This means staff are employed by the NT and seconded to FCL and that contracls are with the NT. Our Executive Director chairs the project board and leads the partnership. The Charity in this financial year has reiVed funds for Our Common Cause: Our Upland Commons, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Detra. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS Securing the legacy froTn Our Upland Commons wll be a priority for the year 2024125 and in particular our focus will on knowledge exchange and embedding the learning from all the work undertaken over the last four years. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Gov•mlng docum•nt Foundation for Common Land is g oompany limited by guarantee and a registered Charity govemed by its memorandum and articles of association. These were amended by special resolution r8gistered at Companies House on 28 November 2012. Re¢rullment and Appointment of the Dirgctor-Truslees The management of FCL is the responsibility of the charity trustses who are eleGted and ¢o-OPted under the tem)s of the Articles of As$o¢iation. Under FCL'S Articles of Association the trustees are known as the direclors. The d1ctOrS of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under Ihe réquirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the dirèctors are elected to seNe for a périod up to the following yearfs AGM where all directors stand down and stand for re-elèction. Paul Arkle was recruited to the Board of Trusteès in June 2024. Methods adoptsd for the training and indu¢tlon of directorl tru8tee8 The Charity Commission's guide 'lhe Essential Trustee" is available to all Directors Ma a shared filing system. This syslem also contains all Ihe essential govemance documents including.. Memorandum and Articles of Association.. minutes of Director Meetings. away days. business plan. financial strategies, register of Directors, interests. project files and policies. FCL recognises the need for directors to be familiar with the work of the organisation. Staff are invited to attend the Trustees. Meetings to encourage sharing of infomation and experien. Staff have also been buddied with Trustees for mentoring and support. Directors are encourage(J to be members of relevant working parties and advisory panels and attend conleren¢es (often giving presentations on our work) to keep their knowledge current. During this financial year we have continued to have had the benefit of a Mentor paid via the National Lottery Heritage Fund and they have worked with the trustees and consultanls to enhance our systems. governanc£ and risk management. Page 7
Foundatlon For Common Land Trustees. Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 Organisational Structure The affair5 of FCL are managed by the directors of the limited company who ate also trustees of the Charity. According to the Articles of Asso¢i8tion there must be a minimum of three Directors and there is no maximum number of directors. The directors aim to meet face-to face at least On 8 year. This is supplemented by 2-hour Director meetings by Zoom {aiming for four per year) following a prepared agenda and written reports Covering agenda items. The minute5 are recorded and reviewed at each subsequent meeting. The directors are responsible for the strategic direction 2nd policy of FCL. At the year end we had seven directors from a variety of backgrounds relevant to the wojk of the charity. The Executive Director, Company Secretary, 8nd other staff and consullants also attend director meetings as appropriate but have no voting rights. A scheme of delegation is in place and day-to4ay responsibilty for the work of FCL rests with the Executive Director, the Operations Lead and the Administrator. They are responsible for ensuring that FCL delivers agreed projects and contracts and all work is delivered in line with good prartiGe models and relev8nt quality Standards and key p8rfomian¢e indicators are met. Rlsk managemènt The Trustses have assessed the risks relatsd lo the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. The d1ctorS have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and errol. A risk register has been developed and is regularfy reviewed. Post Year End Events and Rlsks None to reporL Small ¢ompany provlsions This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. Approved by th8 Board on 25 February 2025 and signed on its behalf by= C Short Truslee Page 8
Foundation For Common Land Trustees. Responsibilities in relallon to the Flnancial Statements The trusteès {who are also directors of Foundation For Common Land for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Truslees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland,. Company law requires the trustses to prepare financial ststements for each financial year whi¢h give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charitable company and of the incoming resour$ and application of resources. including income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial ststements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then appty them consistently- observe the methods and principlas in the Charitses SORP.. make judgements and estimates thal are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial ststements; and prepare the financial statements on the going con¢em basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees gre responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hénce for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Page 9
Independent Examinerfs Report to thè Trustees of Foundation For Common Land I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 June 2024, whi¢h are set out on pages 1110 22. R8spe¢llve responsibililles of trustèès and examiner The trustees {who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) ar8 responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is Dot required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. The charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered A¢countsnts in England and Wales. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under seGtion 145 of the 2011 Act follow the prOdureS laid dt)wn in the General Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 {5) (b) of the 2011 Act-. and state whether particular matters have come lo my attention. Basls of Independènt èxamlnetr8 report My examination was carried out in accordan 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 prOdreS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to wh8th8r the accounts present a 'true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statemenl low. Independent oxamlner's statsment In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attèntion.. (1 } which gives me rèasonab5e ¢au$e to believè that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 ofthe Companies Act 2006; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the a¢counting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statemenl of R8¢ommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities havo 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. FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way Rosehill Estate CARLISLE CA12RW anne Thomlinson FCA Dodd & Co Limited Chartered Accountsnts 25 February 2025 Page10
Foundation For Common Land ststement of Flnanclal Activltles (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 Unrestrictsd R•stri¢ted Total Funds Totsl Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 Income and 0nd0vents from: Donations 2nd legacies Charitable Aclivilies Totsl income and endowments 165.250 24,856 190.106 165.250 170.789 336.039 71,340 269.588 340,928 145,933 145,933 Expenditur• on: Charitable activities Totsl expenditure 114,103 114,103 216,182 216,182 330,285 330.285 293,002 293,002 Net income before transfers 31,830 (26,076} 5.754 47,926 Transfers Transfers between funds 727 (727> Net movements in ftjnds 32.557 126.803> 5,754 47,926 Rocon¢lliation of funds Total funds brought loard T¢)tsl fvnds carried loard 95,496 128,053 26,803 122,299 128.053 74,373 122,299 All of the Charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above peTiods. The notes on pages 13 to 22 fomi an integral part of these financial statsments. Page11
Foundation For Common Land Company reglstratlon number: 08113120 Balance Sheet as at 30 Jun• 2024 2024 2023 Note Flxed assets Tangible assets 720 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 10 9,384 131,863 141,247 20,844 117.632 138,476 Creditors: Amounts falling due wlthin one year {13.914) 116.1771 Net Current assets 127,333 122.299 Net assets 128,053 122.299 The funds of tho ¢harlty: R•strf¢ted funds 26,803 Unrestrfcted funds Unrestricted income funds 128,053 95,496 Totsl charity funds For the financial year ended 30 June 2024. the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006. 128.053 122,299 The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordan with section 476 of the Ad. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of acGounts. These accounts have been pr8pared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regim8. Approved by the Board on 25 February 2025 and signed on its behalf by: C Short Trustee The notes on pages 13 to 22 form an integral part of these financial ststem8nts. Page 12
Foundatlon For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 Accounting pollcles Summary of significant accounting poli¢ies and key a¢¢ountlng osllmatss The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to 811 the years presented, unless otherwise statsd. Slatemenl of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordan Accounting and Reporting by Chatities.. Statement of Recommended practi applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) {effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) and the Companies AGt 2006. Bagls of preparation The charitable cnmpany 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 8¢counting policy notss. Golng ¢onc•m These financial statements have been prepared on a going concem basis. The Irustees assess whether the use of going concèm is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material UnrtaInlieS related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the abilty of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of on8 year from the date of approval of the financial statéments. Fund accounting policy Unrestrided income funds are gen6ral funds that are av8ilablè for use at the Iw$tse$' discretion in furtherance ofthe objectives of the ¢harity. Restiicted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for sp8cific Purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 15. Income and endowments Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement dats. In the evenl that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of perfonnance by the Charity before the Charity is entitled to the funds. the income is deferred and not COgnised until either those conditions are fully met. or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fijlfilled in the reporting period. Legacy gifts are reccgnised on a case by cas8 basis following the grant of probate when the administorlexecutor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange. recognits-on is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measured with a d8gr8e of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the Chaiity- Income from Government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is re¢ognised when the ¢harity has entitlement to the funds, any performan conditions attached to the grants have been m81 it is probable that the income will be rerkived and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Page13
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . continued Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation Committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and ServIS for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those Costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Support costs Support costs include ntral functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating propety Costs by floor areas. or per capita, staff sIS by the time spent and other costs by their usage. Irr•¢overable VAT Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it Was incurred. Taxallon The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable Company for UK corporation tex purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially 8X8mpl from taxation in respect of income or capital 9ains reiVed within catégories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the 8Xt8nl that such income or gains are applied exdusively lo charitable purposes. Flxed assots Individual fixed asset5 Costing - or more are inilially recorded at cost. Depreciatlon Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows-. 3 years Straight line basis Fixtures. fittings and office equipment Trade Debtors Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently MeasUd at amortised cost Using the effective interest method. less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective eviden¢e that the Charity will not be able to collect all amounts due a¢¢ording lo the original tem)s of the receivables. Cash and Cash Equlvalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits. and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertib18 to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. Page 14
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . continugd Liabilities Trade creditors are obligations lo pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least Iwelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlemeT)t for at least Iwelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Operating leases Leases in which substantially all the risks and reward5 of ownership are retained by the lessor a classified as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the Slalemenl of Financial Activities on 8 straight line basis over the leas8 term. Pensions The charity operates a defined ¢ontribLrtion pension stheme. Contributions are charged in the statement of financial activities as they becom8 payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Finan¢lal In8trurnents Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity be¢omes a paty to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity Instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual irrterest in the assets of the Charity after deducting all of its liabilities. All financial assets and liabilities are initialty measured at transaction price {including transaction costs}. except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss. which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs). unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an ariangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset OT financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the Charity intends either to settle on a nel basis, or to alise the assel and settle the liabilsty simultaneously. Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, bl the Charity transfers to another party 5ubslanlially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the Charity, despite having retained some, but not all. significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party- Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged. cancelled or expires. Pago 15
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . continued Donatlons and legacies Unrostrl¢ted Restrlct•d Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 Donations and lega¢le$ Appeals and donations 40 Grants Esmee Fairbairn Garfield Weston Historic England 115,250 50,000 115,250 50,000 13,300 50.000 165,250 165.250 71,300 185.250 165,25Q 71,340 Of the donations and legacies income in 2023. all income related to unrestricted funds. Charltable A¢tivities Unrostrl¢ted Restricted Totsl Fund8 Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023 Provision of project management for Our Uplands Common Defra T&T Defra Lowlands T&T SFI Road Test SFI Commercial Hill Farm Training Exeter Funding Other 49.654 23.011 49,654 23,860 97,384 124,973 42,360 3,573 37,413 11.133 1,800 42,360 28,429 37,413 11,133 1.800 24,856 360 269,588 145,933 24,856 170.789 Of the other trading a1VIte9 income in 2023, £195,020 related to unrestricted funds and £74,568 related to restricted fvnds. Pag8 16
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 continued Expènditvre Charltabl8 activity Totsl 2024 Total 2023 Direct Costs Provision of Charitable Activities Our Uplands Commons Defra T&T Hill Farm Training Lowlands T&T SFI Road Test SFI Commercial Wages and salariès Staff pensions 12,046 154,078 12,046 154,078 4.046 97,600 271 10.842 17,989 64,271 10,921 40.995 825 311,967 10,842 17,989 64,271 10,921 40,995 825 311,967 27,473 102,112 53,234 1.094 285,830 Support Costs Rent Insuran< Sundry expenses Accountsncy fees Independent examiner's fee Consufiancy fees Bank charges Depreciation ofoffice equipment 1.011 522 11,322 1,053 500 3,850 47 13 18,318 1,011 522 11,322 1,053 500 3,850 47 13 18,318 1,011 494 4,291 838 500 38 7,172 330,285 330.285 293,002 Of the expenditure in 2023, £236,357 related to unrestricted funds and £56,645 related to restricted funds. Governance costs 2024 2023 Accountancy feas Independent examinees fee 1,053 soo 1.553 838 500 1.338 Trustees. romun8ratlon and oxponsos Expense8 lotalling £49712023- £nil) in relation to travel were claimed by 3 trustees. Trustee R Milton r8c8ived £1,750 (2023- £nil) in relation to consultancy & 8dvocacy Yrk. Page 17
Foundatlon For Common Land Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . Continued Net incorne Net income is stated after charging.. 2024 2023 Depreciation of langible fixed assets 13 Employee8, remuneration The monthly average number of persons (including senior management) employed by the charity during the year was as follows.. 2024 No. 2023 No. Charitable activities The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows.. 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Other pension costs 40,995 825 41,820 53,234 1,094 54,328 No émployee receivecl emoluments of more than £60,000 during th8 year (2023- No. 01. Page 18
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . continuad Tangiblo fixed assets Fixtures, fittings and office equipment Cost As at 1 July 2023 Additions As at 30 June 2024 634 733 1.367 Depre¢latlon As at 1 July 2023 Charge for the year As at 30 June 2024 634 13 647 Net book value As at 30 June 2024 As at 30 June 2023 720 10 Debtorn 2024 2023 Trade debtors 9,384 20,844 11 Creditors: Amounts falling du• wlthln onè year 2024 2023 Trade ¢reditors Taxation and social security Other creditors AGGruals and deferred income 100 4,403 121 9,290 13,914 1,915 6,990 169 7,103 16,177 12 Momber8' liablllty The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liabl8 to contribute an amount nol exceeding £1 towards the assets of the tharity in the event of liquidation. Page 19
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 . continued 13 Pension s¢heme Definod contributlon penslon s¢heme The charily operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the period represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £82512023- £1.0941. Contributions totalling £121 12023 £169) were payable to the scheme at the end of thè pèriod and are included in creditors. 14 Related partles Controlllng entlty The charity is conlrolled by the trustees who are all directors of the company. 15 Anaty3is of funds At1Juty 2023 Incoming resourcos Resources oxpended At30June 2024 Transfers Gon•ral Funds Unr8stricted income fund 95,496 145,933 (114,103} 727 128,053 Restricted Funds Restricted income fund DEFRA 1,947 24,856 26,803 165,250 24.856 190,106 (166,4701 (49.7121 {216,1821 {727) 17271 122,299 336.039 (330,2851 128,053 Restricted fvnds- these are fund5 held relating to previous projects. DEFRA - Funds held for direct payment to commons associations from DEFRA as part of the agreement in our T&T. Page 20
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 - continued Prlor perlod At 1 July 2022 Incorning rosour¢os Resources expondèd Tran8fer8 At 30 June 2023 General Funds Unrestricted income fvnd 55,797 266.360 {236.357) 9.696 95,496 Rvtrl¢ted Funds Restrided income fund Esmee Fairbairn Our Uplands Common Exeter University DEFRA 1,947 3,333 9,696 3,600 1,947 (3.333) 19,696) {3,SOO} (49,7121 156,6451 (293,0021 74,568 74,568 340,928 24,856 26,803 122,299 18.576 74,373 <9,6961 16 Trangfers The transfers totalling £727 from restricted to unrestricted funds represènts funds on which the restriction is no longer in pla. Page21
Foundation For Common Land Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 Jung 2024 . continued 17 Net assets by fund Unrestricted Funds Ro$trl¢ted Funds Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Tangible assets Current assets Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year Nel assets 720 141.247 720 141,247 138,476 113,9141 128.053 113,914) 128,053 116,177) 122.299 Prlor period Unrestrictsd Funds Restricted Funds Totsl Funds 2023 Total Funds 2022 Tangible assets Current assels Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year Net assets 111.673 {16,177) 95.496 26,803 138.476 (16,1771 122,299 78,831 (4,458} 74,373 26,803 Page 22