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 p￿pa￿d 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 d￿pen 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 Fa￿er 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 re￿ge 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 gr￿Ing 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 Unde￿aY 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 bl￿e￿leS, 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 ne￿0￿<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 SUC￿sS￿l 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 enquir￿eS, 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 re￿iVed 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 d1￿ctOrS 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 d1￿ctorS 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 prO￿dureS 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 prO￿d￿reS 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 0nd0v￿ents 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 lo￿ard
T¢)tsl fvnds carried lo￿ard
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
Un￿rtaInlieS 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
ServI￿S 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 re￿iVed 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
MeasU￿d 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 a￿1VIte9 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 Y￿rk.
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