2021-12-31-accounts - The Alde And Ore Association

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

THE ALDE & ORE ASSOCIATION

Your Voice – Your Estuary

THE THIRTY FIRST

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ALDE AND ORE ASSOCIATION

will be held on

Thursday 28[th] April 2022 at 6.30pm

by Zoom

If you wish to attend please let the Honorary Secretary, Kim Puttock, know and the email address you will be using to view the Zoom proceedings at: info@aldeandore.org

The Association, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, exists to preserve for the public benefit the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers and their banks from Shingle Street to their tidal limits and such of the land adjoining them or upstream as may be considered to affect them, together with the features of beauty and or historic or public interest in that area .

Registered Charity No. 1154583

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Alde and Ore Association will be held on Thursday 28[th] April 2022 at 6.30pm by Zoom.

AGENDA

Apologies
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the AGM held on 15 April 2021 by Zoom
Trustees Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2021
Accounts of the Association for the year ended 31[st] December 2021
Election of Trustees
a) The following Trustees are due to retire by rotation at the Meeting and offer themselves for reelection:
- Alison Andrews
- Colin Chamberlain
b) The following Trustees were co-opted ~~b~~ y the Committee during the year pending election at the Annual General Meeting and offer themselves for election:
- Monica Allen
- Sholto Lindsay-Smith

Please see over the page for biographies of both candidates.

The Way Ahead – Report from the trustees
Any other business

Note: Anyone wishing to become a Trustee or nominate a person is invited to get in touch with the Chairman, Alison Andrews (email: aldeblackburn@aol.com). Applications should be made initially to the Chairman who will be able to explain the work of the Committee and responsibilities of Trustees.

It is important to renew Trustee energy and interests whether in planning, marketing, website matters, newsletter publication, organising fun events, commenting on formative government and other policy consultations or a fresh approach. Anyone who wishes to use their particular skills for the benefit of safeguarding the Alde and Ore estuary area and helping provide ways to enjoy it will be welcome. Terms of office run for three years and can be renewed.

Monica Allen:

Monica volunteered for the role of the Association’s Newsletter Editor in autumn 2020. She is also a volunteer with Shannon Trust, a prison literacy charity. After 14 years with the British Council and postings in India, Italy, Brazil and London, she established a design partnership in London and then became a freelance editor with an emphasis on overseas development, business and arts subjects, before retiring in 2020. Dividing her time between London and Aldeburgh, she leaves the sailing to her husband and prefers walking with the dog.

Sholto Lindsay-Smith:

Sholto has lived in Suffolk with his family for over 20 years and has a strong attachment to the area, with a love for walking the coast and sailing. He has been an active member of the Association since October 2020, working closely with the trustees to define the Association’s core purpose and establish the foundations for a marketing plan which will help ensure it can meet its aims long into the future.

Sholto has over 30 years’ consulting experience in branding and communications. He is a cofounder and director at Industry Partners Limited, an international brand consultancy which he set up in 2011. Prior to founding Industry, Sholto spent six years as managing director of Uffindell, an independent brand consultancy and seven years as a board director of international brand consultancy, Lloyd Northover. Before making the move to brand consulting he spent nine years at Citigate, one of the top financial and corporate PR firms. Over his career he has worked extensively across the UK, USA, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East for government, corporate, charity, educational and industrial clients. His areas of expertise include market research, brand strategy and place branding.

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Alde and Ore Association held at 6pm on Thursday 15[th] April 2021 by Zoom

(as corona virus restrictions did not permit meetings where people attended in person)

PRESENT: Committee: Alison Andrews (Chairman), Birgitta Bostrom (Treasurer), Kim Puttock (Honorary Secretary), Colin Chamberlain, Keith Martin, Roy Truman, Mark Goyder, Monica Allen

Members: 39 members attended and 11 registered to join but were not seen. (List available from the Honorary Secretary)

APOLOGIES: Caroline Clark, Caroline Donsworth, Mervyn and Jane Hall, Michael and Jane Hannen, John Kerr, Kathrin Peters, George Theo

1. MINUTES

The minutes of the previous AGM of the Alde and Ore Association held on Thursday 23 October 2020 by Zoom were approved.

2. TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2020

The Chairman read out her report.

In the papers for the meeting, you have the report for the year ended 2020 which can be noted but I will bring us up to date with a report on the first three and a bit months of 2021 and then we can have an opportunity for questions.

Our apologies to those of you who are members via AYC who will be getting the Spring Newsletter in early May. As the AYC AGM was postponed until 24 May, our mutual mailing arrangement was out of sync.

In the first three months the Association has taken action where covid restrictions have not applied. So, while we have had no walks and meetings, the Association has been much taken up by planning matters, national and local, addressing ways of widening the reach of membership, the River Defence Committee volunteers have started their annual spring surveys, and the Butley Ferry is going full steam ahead. And the Association’s walks booklets written by Angela Sydenham have been selling well from the Aldeburgh Bookshop.

As of yesterday, there are now two major national powerplant infrastructure planning application hearings on the go. Working within its charitable remit, the Association is not commenting on energy policy as such, or indeed the seeming lack of it, but focussing on making sure the potential impact on the Suffolk coastline is well understood and, should permission be given to those projects, monitoring and mitigation plans set in place. In both cases the Alde and Ore Association’s concern is because these developments could adversely affect the natural coastal erosion and sedimentation flows and might, given the longevity particularly of the SZC buildings which will eventually project out into the sea, adversely affect the shoreline bounding the Alde and Ore Estuary.

In the dark early winter months, the Association played an active part in the National Planning Inspectorate’s Public Examination of the Scottish Power Renewables Project to bring wind farm power in at the fragile Thorpeness cliff and take it inland by digging huge channels for underground cables all the way to Friston. This Examination has now been extended for a further three months to July.

Simultaneously, despite pressure to delay the Sizewell C Examination, we learned yesterday that the massive SZC Examination too will from now go on all summer until October. Again, The Association will focus mainly on concerns about the long-term impact on the coastline which could affect the shingle bank forming the eastern bank of the estuary.

There have also been a couple of small local planning applications to East Suffolk Council so far this year but nothing yet of major significance.

Another development, or rather disappointing lack of progress, I want to bring you up to date on, is that the Estuary Community is still waiting to hear whether the Environment Agency (EA) will approve the plan for refurbishing the estuary river defences. This was expected late last year. The wait continues. Some of you may have come across a very ambiguous document called a Community Update which the EA issued in March to explain the process of its investigation of the possible dumping of clay at Iken (the AOCP’s understanding from the IDB is that this is not waste but clay for the future repair and maintenance of the river walls), but the EA’s line is that while this investigation is underway no other action can be taken in the estuary. The ambiguous update led to misleading press reporting and it is no way the case that work had been paralysed since Sept 2018, indeed in that time the full grant submission and flood defence project has been put together and submitted, so once approval is given work can, with seasonal limitations, crack on. The AOCP, of which The Association is a member, and AOET, the Estuary’s treasury, are issuing responding statements for public record to correct the public position reached by the EA and will be tackling the EA further. The strong feeling is that the investigation cannot drag on or the business plan should be detached from it, and that refurbishment must be allowed to continue apace before more winters pass and that case is being made.

Looking ahead for The Association, this was, indeed is, the 30th anniversary of the Alde and Ore Association. We had had in mind some events to make this a memorable year but with current covid restrictions and no great certainty even after the hoped for freeing up on 21 June and the likelihood of continuing with hands, face, space rules, launching major events with large numbers in close proximity seem unwise but the year is not passing unnoticed.

First, thanks to Monica Allen and help from Birgitta Bostrom, a splendid photographic competition has been launched so that everyone can go out and about the estuary and take photographs to enter a competition to celebrate the river. If it proves possible, we hope to have a small exhibition of the photographs but in any event, they will be seen online. There will be prizes for the best in each category - children, those under 18 years and adults.

Secondly, a bumper Autumn edition of the Newsletter is in hand about the past, present and future of the Estuary area and the Association. If anyone has ideas for, or can write, articles or challenges to go in this edition, we want to hear from you.

And for all our summer enjoyment, the Butley Ferry is fully operational every weekend and bank holiday - it started on Easter Saturday and goes on until the middle of October, so you have every reason to enjoy walking over that side of the estuary and explore the Butley river. I commend the ferry team under Roy Truman for getting the boat painted, launched and all the jetties ready in the 5 days available once people were allowed to meet in groups of six and in time for the Easter Saturday start.

For the bird watchers among you the Suffolk AONB Unit are looking for help on monitoring redshanks - Suffolk and Essex populations have declined by 44% in the last 25 years so you will find information about this on the AOA website. But while we are around the estuary, we are asked to stay 75 metres away from redshanks, keep dogs off the mudflats and stick to footpaths.

In the summer too, there will be some more thinking within the Association - what is the Association here for and how is it seen. Trustees have been somewhat frustrated by covid restrictions in getting face to face discussions going, but with Sholto Lindsay-Smith’s help and two new trustees we are in the process of addressing clarity of focus on what the Association is about, its place in the estuary jigsaw of organisations and actions and what activities would be valued by current and a wider membership with the aim of continuing to sustain support for preserving and protecting the estuary and its enjoyment. We hope to surface on this either by focus groups or a new meeting later this summer.

On other fun ahead, it is beginning to look really possible that the AOET’s plans, which have been in the making since 2019, to run another flotilla for swimmers and paddle boards may take place Sunday 4 July from Aldeburgh to Orford - do tune into the AOET website. And let me know if AOA members would like to walk in company to

cheer on those in the water, quite possible as we will be well in the open air and spread out, along the bank as before.

Lastly, I do want to thank a good number of people but will do that under Agenda Item 5.

Looking to the rest of the year, I do hope that covid situation improves and that we can all get out and about and enjoy a lovely summer and autumn in the estuary area.

The Association remains very much the custodian of the wellbeing of the area and, in all that, all members are included, so please keep sending in comments or offering to help. If anyone wants to take up specific projects to help with aspects of the Association activities such as walks or talks or new activities, current trustees would be delighted- the broader the spread of skills and enthusiasms, the livelier the Association can be.

Questions:

Peter Howard-Dobson asked if there was any way the Environment Agency (EA) could be brought to account in regard to whether they will approve the plan for refurbishing the estuary river defences as it appeared that the EA can stall the decision indefinitely. The Chairman clarified that it was more a case of getting the EA to separate the business case from the investigation. A lot of pressure is already being placed on the EA from a higher level. It appears that it is not understood by the EA that every winter that passes misses an opportunity to repair the walls. The East Suffolk Internal Drainage Board had advised the Alde and Ore Community Partnership recently that the EA have got it wrong thinking that the business plan is dependent on bringing in free clay from building sites. The EA is referring to the clay as “waste” which means that people are being interviewed under caution for having dumped it and hence EA say that it cannot move forward with the decision on the project ahead of the investigation. IDB had assured the AOCP that the project is completely viable regardless of whether there is any clay there currently or it needs to be brought in and the costings and contingency costings take into account that clay may need to brought in. The need is to press EA to detach the two. The Alde and Ore Estuary Trust and the Alde and Ore Community Partnership will continue to press hard for a decision to be reached and as an Association we are inside of the AOCP and we will support them with this endeavour.

Ian Robson asked if our local MP could assist with moving this forward if it was purely a case of the EA being unreasonable and not responding? The Chairman confirmed that Janey Marson, Chairman of the local Internal Drainage Board, had advised that Dr Thérèse Coffey has been very active including organizing a meeting at ministerial level and had then come up against the investigation problem. It is understood that Dr Thérèse Coffey will continue to help.

Colin Chamberlain asked for clarification as to whether or not Dr Thérèse Coffey was aware of what the EA were investigating as it may help us understand how to approach the matter. The Chairman said that the issue was not known, but it has been assumed that because the EA are interviewing people under caution that the EA think that the clay has been dumped as opposed to stored. The AOCP was trying to make clear to the EA that the clay is there because it is being stored for river walls and repairs and emergencies.

3. ACCOUNTS OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2020

Birgitta Bostrom, Treasurer, presented the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020. She outlined the key points of the accounts pointing to the relevant pages in the Annual Report and Accounts.

Total income for the year was £16,770 compared with £42,281 previous year. Expenses were £7,316 compared to £13,449 year before giving us a net income for the year of £9,454. Total funds balance at the end of 2020 stood at £706,638. In detail, both membership and gift aid were very similar to 2019. Income and expenses from activities were all down due to the COVID virus, but Butley Ferry managed to operate for 2.5 months raising an income of £1,787 compared to £2,733 the previous year. The ferry expenses for the year stood at £885, compared with £2,931 in 2019. The biggest expenditure for the year was our newsletter which we produce biannually. The expense for the newsletter went up from £3,409 in 2019 to £4,467, the reason was due to increased postage costs. Normally the AGM notice and documents are sent out with the spring newsletter, but as the AGM was delayed until October, the notice and documents had to be sent out separately.

We were also unable to coincide the distribution of our newsletter with the Aldeburgh Yacht Club (AYC). In previous years we have been able to “piggyback” on the AYC mailing.

The accounts were Examined and signed off by our accountants Ensors of Saxmundham.

Questions:

Rufus Gilday asked what the cost would be of emailing the documents as opposed to posting them. The Treasurer confirmed that the cost of printing the newsletter for 2020 was around £2,000 and therefore funds could be saved if we could email the newsletter to all members, but she felt that probably many of our members would prefer a hard copy. Mr Gilday acknowledged that the cost appeared to be value for money. The Treasurer thanked Mr Gilday for his question and said that the organisation would try to ascertain if some members might be happy to receive the newsletter via email.

Ian Robson sought clarity on whether the Association receives reduced price postage as the AYC have a franking machine and it costs less to post. The Treasurer confirmed that the Association receives the maximum price reduction for sending out bulk mailings.

Robert Tindall, Vice Commodore from Slaughden Sailing Club mentioned that they had gone to publishing their quarterly newsletters online. For those who don’t want to receive the newsletter online they receive a hardcopy. This has proved very successful so far.

4. ELECTION OF TRUSTESS

This part of the agenda fell in to three parts.

The Chairman said that she remained extremely grateful to the Trustees who all contribute very significantly to making the Association work for the benefit of the estuary- Birgitta the Treasurer, Colin as legal adviser, Keith who carries the work on planning assiduously tracking down possible developments and is also Chairman of SCAR, and Roy who runs the ferry. She also stressed that Monica Allen who while not being a Trustee is our splendid Newsletter Editor and is injecting a lot more life, creativity and interest bringing all her energies to it, witness the last two editions.

Secondly, the constitution provided that one third of serving trustees should retire by rotation but may offer themselves for re-election. This year it was the turn of Birgitta Bostrom and Roy Truman. The Chairman was more than delighted that both of them, Birgitta our amazingly efficient Treasurer and source of good governance advice and Roy Truman who is leading the ferry to delivering an even more splendid service every year, including excellent covid precautions, huge enthusiasm and spreading the word and appreciation of the wonderful estuary area, were both happy to stand again.

Keith Martin proposed that Birgitta and Roy were re-elected. Peter Howard-Dobson seconded the proposal, and all voted in favour.

Thirdly, the Chairman was delighted to introduce two new trustees whom the other Trustees appointed pending election at the AGM. We are so pleased that after a short time with the Committee, they have wanted to join as Trustees. Short relevant biographies were set out on the agenda but briefly:

Mark Goyder has been a very constructive and positive contributor to the Marketing Group which Simon Barrow led, and we looked forward to having the benefit of his wise council on perspectives of securing wider membership and the work of the Association and making the Association’s activities come to life.

Kim Puttock had, as the new Honorary Secretary, already been well tried and tested and had contributed a great deal to the Association’s operations. Not only was she Hon Sec but, realising that the Membership Secretary work is greatly changed with the internet and IT facilities, has also cheerfully taken on the Membership Secretary work and was also now the web site mastermind. If members had not looked at the web site www.aldeandore.org recently she urged them to do so, the Association was getting into the swing of posting more news and reports, so it was always being refreshed.

The new Trustee appointments were proposed by the Committee and seconded by Bobby Rusack. All voted in favour.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman particularly asked for ideas on what members would like to see the Association doing, whether to celebrate the thirtieth year, which could be next year when hopefully larger events may be more easily organised, talks in person or on zoom or any other activities, or indeed how communications with members can be enhanced to give trustees a greater insight into the detail of what people want.

Robert Tindall wanted to thank Keith Martin publicly for assisting him with a large problem relating to a planning application to protect the shoreline at Slaughden Sailing Club.

Jonathan Hunt said that in relation to the waste point, mentioned earlier in the meeting, there seemed to be similarities with this situation and how the Countryside Alliance had dealt with a similar situation. The Countryside Alliance example related to a shoot in Derbyshire where they had been clearing 8 small circles to place the guns and they were effectively being criminalized for having done that. Jonathan suggested it may be worth speaking with Countryside Alliance who are dealing with similar problems to see if there is any mileage in combining forces in order to carry the day. The Chairman thanked Jonathan for the idea and would mention to the AOCP.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and invited members to write in separately to raise any points of concerns or with suggestions.

THE ALDE & ORE ASSOCIATION

Your Voice – Your Estuary

The Trustees' Annual Report and Accounts

for the year to 31[st] December 2021

Registered Charity No. 1154583

Report of the Trustees

The Trustees present their Report and the Accounts of the Charity for the year to 31[st] December 2021.

A. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

The Alde and Ore Association Charity Registration No 1154583

Correspondence Address

19 Lee Road, Aldeburgh, IP15 5HG

Email address

info@aldeandore.org

Names of Charity Trustees

THE COMMITTEE at 31st December 2021

Officers Alison Andrews Chairman Birgitta Bostrom Treasurer Kim Puttock Honorary Secretary, Membership Secretary & Webmaster (from 25 January 2021) Other Trustees Colin Chamberlain Legal Adviser Mark Goyder Marketing (from 25 January 2021) Keith Martin Planning, SCAR Roy Truman Butley Ferry

Representatives Appointed by the Trustees

Brian Upson Wildfowlers Association Co-opted members Newsletter Editor Monica Allen River Defence Convener Roger Baxter

B. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Alde and Ore Association (The Association) was founded in 1991. On 1[st] January 2014, the charitable status was changed to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which assumed all the assets and liabilities of The Association.

Organisational structure

The Charity Trustees constitute a committee which manages the affairs of the CIO and for that purpose exercises the powers of the CIO.

Recruitment and appointment of Trustees

Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting of The Association, in accordance with Clause 13 of the Constitution. One third of the Trustees must retire each year but are eligible for re-election, those to retire being the ones who have been longest in office.

C. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives

The objects of The Association are to preserve and protect for the public benefit the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers and their banks from Shingle Street to their tidal limits and such of the land adjoining them or upstream as may be considered to affect them together with the features of beauty and historic or public interest in the area.

We confirm that the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Activities

The main activities undertaken towards achieving The Association’s objectives during the year have been to:

continue to help to ensure that river defences are upgraded in order to sustain the Alde and Ore and Butley rivers within their landscape to safeguard all the activities, places of interest and wildlife habitats contained within this unique area. This includes very active participation in the work of The Alde and Ore Community Partnership (AOCP).
work to safeguard the estuary by commenting on planning developments or other proposals which might either detract from or enhance the area.
assess, photograph and report on the state of the river walls. This has been done through The Association’s River Defence Committee.
provide activities to encourage enjoyment or use of the area through the provision of the Butley Ferry. Other activities such as organised walks and an annual barbecue were postponed because of COVID-19 restrictions.
take initiatives and contribute to commissioning research to illuminate policies or projects dealing with the river defences and the natural landscape.
ensure communication with members: two Newsletters have been published and circulated to members and members are kept up to date by emails and through the website.
work on clarifying the stance and direction of The Association and encourage a broader membership and, critically, the recruitment of new trustees and volunteers.

Contributions

Donations have also been received over and above membership fees for which The Association is extremely grateful.

D. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The most outstanding achievement of the year was the Butley Ferry being selected to receive the Queen’s Award for Volunteers, the equivalent of an MBE. Further, the Butley Ferry operated effectively with great success, following all COVID-19 rules, and carried a record number of passengers. Other usual activities which would enable us to bring our members together were paused because of the uncertainty of any larger gatherings being allowed by the various restrictions necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic measures. Instead, The Association held a Photography Competition to mark the 30th anniversary of The Association seeking to involve as many as possible who love the rivers. Other significant work involved challenging two National Significant Infrastructure Planning Examinations for two big energy projects because of the potential injurious impact on the erosion of the coastline bordering the Alde and Ore and a number of local building planning applications. The Committee also used the time to think through how to broaden membership once the COVID-19 restrictions period passed.

The role of The Association

Within the coronavirus restrictions, Trustees continued to meet regularly, but mostly virtually by Zoom. The Association continued to work to achieve its aim to preserve the rivers and adjoining land which may affect the estuary for the public benefit. The Association seeks to keep track of proposals and ideas which may affect the estuary and its banks either positively or adversely, and to act in the interest of the continued life of the estuary. It provides a voice on the Alde and Ore Community Partnership (AOCP) and seeks to inform members of matters affecting the estuary overall. The Association has over the years contributed significantly to the preservation, protection and enjoyment of the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers area.

But the estuary needs the support and involvement of all who live and work in and visit the area, now more than ever.

Working with the Alde and Ore Community Partnership on the river defences

The Association continued to work with and support the Alde and Ore Community Partnership (AOCP) but AOCP action was limited both by COVID-19 restrictions and a delay in the official approval of the main estuary project to construct sustainable defences caused not by the project itself, which passed technical approval, but because of a perceived link with deposits of clay at Iken which have been under legal investigation since 2018.

As background, if the estuary river walls are not put into good repair, then they will eventually fail with serious consequences for life in, on and around the estuary. The AOCP is the guardian of the Alde and Ore Estuary Plan strategy and is the main body to ensure good communication throughout out the estuary about progress of plans; the East Suffolk Internal Drainage Board carries the responsibility of implementing the construction of the defences, the Alde and Ore Estuary Trust is responsible as the treasury of the Estuary for raising funds to contribute to cost of the defence works and ensuring that they are effectively spent.

The AOCP involves the whole of the estuary community having representatives from all parishes bordering the estuary, one county and two district councillors, a business sector representative, a local IDB Board member and from The Association which is the only body covering all parts of the estuary. The Association continues to be an active member of the Partnership to ensure that it works well in the interests of the wellbeing of the estuary and its use.

The Association continued to report directly to the Environment Agency on the state of the river walls and the shingle wall south of Martello Tower in Aldeburgh. The Environment Agency are monitoring the coast carefully but have said they appreciate the regular local updates.

The Association has sought to keep members informed about the estuary plans, through its Newsletters and would have also done that via email had there been any urgent news to pass on or views required. The Association places great store on its communications about the Estuary and regards it as important that members can obtain a good understanding of the area and progress being made.

Protection of the landscape

During 2021 The Association continued to monitor all planning applications, local and national, which might affect the estuary environment. It also liaised with the AONB planning team on relevant applications. Comments were submitted

where it was thought necessary, of which the application to substantially increase activity at Iken Canoes was significant.

The Association, following comments in 2019, participated actively in the National Planning Inspectorates examinations, each of more than six months’ duration of two separate major power company proposals where the proposed installation of new power stations could, if not properly researched and implemented, lead to damaging the fragile but dynamically eroding coastline to the north of the estuary and so possibly lead to damaging the coastline bordering the estuary. This work involved attending the lengthy inquiry days all online and submitting evidence and comments on new additions to the applications. Members were alerted to these consultations so that individual responses could also be submitted.

River Defence Committee

The River Defence Team, under the direction of Roger Baxter, conducted its annual survey of the state of the river walls of some 44 km. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic restrictions meant that some surveys were done later than usual but all reports were submitted to the Environment Agency, which expressed appreciation for the information. The Environment Agency has put in place plans for some repairs to identified places needing attention, subject to weather and repair teams completing work elsewhere, in two sections of the walls, at Snape and the Aldeburgh Marshes.

We are extremely grateful to twenty or so volunteers for their commitment in time and effort in producing the reports which provide a running benchmark of the state of the walls and provide early warning of when repairs are needed.

Enjoyment of the area

As in 2020 it was again necessary to cancel our programme of walks and the annual barbecue because of the pandemic though we very much hope they can be restored in the future and members will be notified as appropriate.

The Association set up a Photography Competition to celebrate individual enjoyment of the river on the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the Association, as large gatherings were not appropriate given the need to avoid the spread of COVID-19. (See below: Communication with members ).

Although news was expected from the Government on the outcome of the plans for the England Coastal Path around the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers, none had emerged by the end of 2021 although some new paths around the Butley river seem likely.

While group events were not possible, clearly members and the general public were able to get out and enjoy the estuary area in the summer: sales of The Association’s two walks’ books continued.

The Butley Ferry

The ferry, led by Roy Truman with his excellent team, started the season with the COVID-19 protocols introduced in the previous season and these were relaxed later on in the year in line with government advice. The requirement for two people to be present when the ferry was in use did not cause any major problems as spouses, partners and family members all stepped up to support the ferrymen. This practice proved invaluable as the Ferry experienced its busiest season yet, with passenger numbers up by 25% from its previous best. Carrying 1,252 passengers, with 518 of them being cyclists, made for some very busy days. This year’s income was a record one of £3,761, being by 27% above the previous best. Only 4 days were lost to bad weather.

The most notable event of the year was the awarding of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service” to the ferry by H.M. Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, at the annual ‘Ferryman’s Lunch’. Each volunteer received a Queen’s Award badge. In September, Brian and Juliet Johnson represented the ferry at a garden party hosted by the Lord Lieutenant at Bruisyard Vineyard.

Research commissioned

The Association contributed to securing an independent academic assessment of EDF's evaluation of the possible impact on the Suffolk coast were Sizewell C to be built. This proved to be a very valuable report and was used extensively in The Association's and other local organisations' submissions to the National Planning Inspectorate. It

provided additional confidence and backing to our critical assessments of the assumptions and basic factual material used by EDF on the dynamic coast of Suffolk including that part bordering the Alde and Ore estuary.

Communication with members

The Annual General Meeting took place via Zoom on 15 April 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions precluded a meeting in person. Some 39 members attended.

Two newsletters were circulated to keep members informed about what was going on in the estuary and provide items of interest on different aspects of the estuary. The Autumn edition was double the normal size to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Association.

Sales of walks booklets continued, mostly via the Aldeburgh Bookshop. The usual connections to engage with members and potential members at the Butley and Orford Flower Shows were not possible because all such local events were cancelled given the corona virus limitations.

As COVID-19 restrictions were in place for some of the year and their time unpredictable because of the nature of the pandemic, The Association organised a 30th Anniversary Photography Competition to celebrate the river. Entry classes covering Activities and Nature seen in and around the Alde, Ore and Butley rivers with adult and junior age groups received over 40 entries. These were kindly judged by local expert photographers Shelley Nott and Hugh de Las Casas and first and second cash prizes were given. The winning photographs were published in the Autumn Newsletter and all entries will be displayed on The Association website and used in future publications.

The website was kept updated as news items arose.

Members continue to be encouraged to provide email addresses and to give permission for their use so as to ensure timely and much less costly circulation of matters affecting the estuary area. Where permission is not given those members do not receive updating emails, only the main printed distributions of Newsletters and Annual General Meeting documents.

There was no annual talk on a subject relevant to the estuary: this will be revived when meetings in person can be safely restored.

The Trustees work on promotion of The Association

Following up the valuable thinking and ideas of the Marketing Group led by Simon Barrow in previous years, Trustees, were finally able to meet in person to continue this important process. The Committee continued the discussion during regular Board meetings as well as and during two special focus meetings lead by a facilitator. Focus was on how to broaden the appeal of The Association reaching out to a wider membership, encouraging a more engaged and vibrant relationship with members, and to strengthen its voice to protect the rivers and support enjoyment of them. This work has been very positive and short, medium and long-term plans are being put in place.

E. FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Association has a Reserves Policy of building its reserves without significant increases in membership fees whilst continuing to maintain existing services to members.

The Association’s main source of income is its membership fees (there are currently over 2,000 members in total, including members enrolled by reason of their membership of the Aldeburgh Yacht Club).

The Association expects to have to use its reserves to employ consultants, advisers and possibly even contractors to ensure the objectives of The Association in preserving the Alde and Ore Estuary for the benefit of the public are met. The Association might also give grants to other charitable organisations in order to achieve its aims.

Both unrestricted as well as restricted reserves of The Association are currently held in savings deposit accounts with CCLA, Virgin Money, Shawbrook Bank, and current accounts at Barclays Bank.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

Members of The Association’s Committee are responsible for preparing the Charity’s annual report and financial statements in accordance with the law applicable to charities and UK Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law requires that the report and financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP);
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements and
prepare the financial statements on a ‘going concern’ basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees, for the purposes of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 1.

Approved by the Trustees on 24[th] January 2022

……………………………

Lady Andrews, OBE Chair of the Trustees

www.aldeandore.org

To reduce our postage expenses, this is updated with current news, Association events, AGM minutes and reports. We welcome comments and ideas.

** NB to enable us to send you news/events etc. without incurring expensive postage costs, please send your email address to: info@aldeandore.org**

Statement of financial activities for the year ending 31st December 2021

For general comments see Note 1.

Notes Income 2 Membership fees and donations Other Trading Activities Investment income Total Income Expenditure 3 Raising funds Charitable activities Total Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances brought forward Net movement in funds Fund balances carried forward	Unrestricted funds £ Restricted funds £ *2021* *Total funds* £ *2020* *Total funds* £ 10,379 - 10,379 12,185 3,878 - 3,878 1,802 10 1,380 1,390 2,783
	14,267 1,380 15,647 16,770
	3,485 - 3,485 885 12,021 - 12,021 6,430
	15,506 - 15,506 7,316

	(1,239) 1,380 141 9,454
	76,476 630,162 706,638 697,184 (1239) 1,380 141 9,454
	75,237 631,542 706,779 706,638

Balance sheet as at 31st December 2021

Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets Intangible assets Investments Total Fixed Assets Current Assets Stocks Debtors - Interest earned Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Liabilities and Credits Due in less than a year 4 Net Assets	Unrestricted funds £ Restricted funds £ *2021* *Total funds* £ *2020* *Total funds* £ - - - - - - - - - - - -
	- - - -
	- - - - 2 15 17 6 75,013 631,542 706,555 707,663
	75,015 631,557 706,572 707,669
	224 - 224 (1,030)
	75,239 631,557 706,796 706,638

Approved by the Trustees and signed by:

…………………………… ………… 24[th] January 2022

Lady Andrews, OBE Chair of the Trustees

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Basis for preparing the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 a restatement of comparative items was needed. No restatements were required.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

Fund accounting

The Charity has restricted income funds to account for situations where a donor requires that a donation must be spent on a particular purpose, or where funds have been raised for a particular purpose. All other funds are unrestricted.

Incoming resources

Annual memberships are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. Memberships received in advance are deferred and included in creditors.

Legacies and donations are recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received, and the monetary value of grants can be measured with sufficient reliability. Legacies can be categorised as either pecuniary (specific cash amount) or residuary (share of an estate). Pecuniary legacies are recognised as receivable once probate has been granted and notification has been received. Residuary legacies are recognised as receivable once probate has been granted and where they can be measured reliably.

Income from sales of publications is recognised as earned as the related goods are provided.

Investment income is credited to income on the accrual’s basis, with daily accrual of interest calculated by reference to the distribution dates.

Resources Expended

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Taxation

The Association is a registered charity, so there is no charge for taxation.

Notes to the accounts (continued)

2. Income

Income from membership fees and donations Membership fees Membership fees from Aldeburgh Yacht Club Gift Aid Refund Donations and legacies Total income from membership fees and donations Income from other trading activities BBQ Walks Butley Ferry Sales of publications/DVDs Total income from other trading activities Income from investments Interest on cash deposits Total income from investments Total income	Unrestricted funds £ Restricted funds £ *2021* *Total funds* £ *2020* *Total funds* £ 6,321 - 6,321 6,148 2,766 - 2,766 2,766 1,242 - 1,242 1,271 50 50 2,000
	10,379 - 10,379 12,185
	- - 0 0 - - 0 0 3,868 - 3,868 1,787 10 - 10 15
	3,878 - 3,878 1,802
	10 1,380 1,390 2,783
	10 1,380 1,390 2,783

	14,267 1,380 15,647 16,770

Notes to the accounts (continued)

3. Expenditure

Cost of raising funds BBQ Walks Butley Ferry Total cost of raising funds Cost of Charitable Activities Newsletter Website costs Postage/Stationary Miscellaneous (photography competition) Consultants Donations and grants (Coastal assessment) AGM Independent Examination of Accounts Insurance Governance Total cost of charitable activities Total expenditure	Unrestricted funds £ Restricted funds £ *2021* *Total funds* £ *2020* *Total funds* £ - - - - - - 3,485 - 3,485 885
	3,485 3,485 885
	5,070 - 5,070 4,467 76 - 76 86 48 - 48 - 1,202 - 1,202 110 - - - - 2,500 - 2,500 - 787 - 787 1,127 - - - 370 437 - 437 270 1,901 1,901 -
	12,021 - 12,021 6,430

	15,506 - 15,506 7,316

Notes to the accounts (continued)

4. Liabilities and Credits

4. Liabilities and Credits
Liabilities Autumn newsletter postage Photography Prize Unclaimed Total Liabilities Credits Wildfowlers Subs 2020 Total Credits Net Liabilities and Credits 5. Funds Restricted funds David Andren Bequest Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds	*at 1 January* *2021* £ *Incoming* *resources* £ *Outgoing* *resources* £ 630,162 1,380 -	*at 31st* *December 2021* £ (76) (100)
		(176)
		400
		400

		224
		*at 31 December* *2021* £ 631,542
	630,162 1,380 -	631,542
	76,476 14,267 15,506	75,237
	76,476 14,267 15,506	75,237

	706,638 15,647 15,506	706,779

Purpose of restricted funds

The bequest from David Andren has been described in the Accounts for the sake of identification as 'restricted funds’. They are held by The Association to be applied as The Association sees fit and The Association has determined it will do so having regard to the wishes expressed in David Andren’s will as follows: for the purposes of encouraging the community to help finance actions which will preserve the unique charm of the estuary, and in hope that the funds should be used to improve walls around Orford.

Purpose of general funds

General funds are those which are unrestricted and not designated for any other purpose. The balance on the general fund will be used to cover the excess of expenditure over incoming resources aims and mission.

Ultimate Controlling Party

The ultimate controlling party is the membership of the Charity.