Trustees' Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date From 1 April 2020 To 31 March 2021
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name
Sustainable Merton 1156639
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1156639 Charity's principal address The Old Boiler House, Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Rd, Morden
Postcode SM4 5JD
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gillian Leigh | ||||
| Ruth Baber | Secretary | |||
| Isabelle Bano | Until 22/10/20 | |||
| Blanca Pena-Mendez |
From 17/9/20 | |||
| Juliet Boyd | ||||
| Ben Cuddon | Chair | |||
| James Webb | Vice Chair from 14/1/21 |
|||
| Vera Lahme | Until 22/2/21 | |||
| Louisella Lazzarino |
From 17/9/20 | |||
| Alan Maries | From 16/7/20 | |||
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Diana Sterck – Chief Executive
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document Constitution (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (eg. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods election
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where Staff were transferred from fixed term to permanent contracts reflecting their value relevant, about: to the charity. All staff received the London Living Wage as a minimum. Several staff were allocated increased hours as a result of additional funding gained. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and In February 2021 Sustainable Merton took on a Community Fridge Co-ordinator training of trustees; on a sessional basis. the charity’s organisational structure and any wider The Trustees appreciate that neither they, nor the staff, nor the volunteers reflect network with which the charity Merton’s ethnic make-up and are attempting to rectify this, recognising that this is works; likely to be a long-term task. relationship with any related parties; As the charity has grown considerably and circumstances changed since the last trustees’ consideration of formulation of its overall strategy, in February the Trustees met (remotely) with an major risks and the system external consultant to review the charity’s overall strategy and consider our Vision and procedures to manage and Mission statements. The work continued in 2021/22 developing short and them. medium term priorities and KPIs
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Section C Objectives and activities
To promote for the benefit of the public in and around the London Borough of Merton: (a) the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, in Summary of the objects of the particular but not exclusively by encouraging the prudent use of natural charity set out in its governing resources, and raising awareness of environmental issues; document (b) the advancement of education of the public in the subject of sustainable development, in particular, but not exclusively by raising awareness of the issues associated with peak oil and climate change and the consequent need to develop a low carbon, sustainable future. In common with all organisations Sustainable Merton had to adapt its operations to deal with the restrictions and new needs thrown up by the pandemic . The staff worked from home, the Trustees held meetings including the AGM on Zoom, and many other activities took place online rather than in person. The recruitment of new Community Champions continued. Through their awareness raising work supporting Sustainable Merton’s four key areas of work (food, waste, energy and air quality) they helped residents benefit from lower energy, water and food bills and a cleaner environment. Community Champions themselves benefited opportunities to extend their skillset when in person activities were possible and some training sessions at events which moved online due to the pandemic. The Community Fridge launched just at the time when it was urgently needed as households fell into food poverty due to the pandemic. Volunteer Fridge Friends organised and ran the fridge sessions, taking in donated food, much of which would otherwise have gone to waste, and handing out food parcels to Summary of the main anyone in need, without the need for formal referrals. In February 2021 a activities undertaken for the part-time (sessional) Fridge Co-ordinator post was created, enabling permanent public benefit in relation to staff to concentrate on other work for the charity. The Community Fridge concept these objects (include within was extended through a partnership with the Polish & Eastern European this section the statutory Families Network, Commonside Development Trust and Wimbledon Guild declaration that trustees have creating a network of fridges across the borough, with SM being the lead partner had regard to the guidance funded by LB Merton. issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) SM’s gardening projects were able to continue running throughout the pandemic with some additional safeguards, as they take place in a low risk outdoor spaces where social distancing is easily achieved. The Phipps Bridge Community Garden continued to flourish with regular volunteers working there each week. Community Harvest funding for seeds and plants boosted the volume of produce. Volunteers benefited from the fruit and vegetable harvest shared amongst them, as well as in person (socially distanced) social interaction and physical exercise. The users of the Community Fridge also benefited from the organic fruit and vegetables donated from the garden. Since the lead volunteer for Mitcham Orchard left the area, site had become a little neglected. The few remaining volunteers asked SM to take over responsibility for the project and handed over their funds. The administration was brought entirely in house. New volunteers were enrolled and work sessions and training workshops reinstated from July, albeit with limited numbers due to Covid restrictions. Community Harvest funding was obtained to purchase compost to reinvigorate the garden beds. A local company donated and installed a new shed.
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Funding from Sustain was used to link all the local community gardens that grow food (including those run by organisations other than SM) to the network of Community Fridges. These gardening projects benefit local residents by providing opportunities for reducing food miles, teaching about gardening and eating seasonally, and most importantly during the pandemic, offering opportunities to improve mental and physical health through social interaction and exercise. Sustainable Merton’s partnership with Clarion Housing Association for their Tree project continued. Volunteers watered the trees in containers and the new native hedge and mowed the grass, bringing beautify to a somewhat neglected corner of Morden Recreation Ground. Sustainable Merton continued to chair and manage LB Merton’s Environment Sub-Group , now moved online, bringing together interested parties from within and beyond Merton Council to discuss topics such as air quality and the circular economy. SM worked in partnership with Merton Council and the Library of Things to introduce a waste reduction project to the borough where tools and equipment can be hired, saving residents expensive purchases and reducing the amount of equipment lying unused in people’s homes . A Community Champion was appointed to co-ordinate the Library of Things based in Morden Library, Due to the pandemic the launch of this project was deferred until 2021/22. In response to Merton Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in July 2019 3 SM members continued to sit on the Working Group drafting a Climate Strategy and Action Plan. This 30 year plan sets out a vision for Merton in 2050 and the key actions required to get to net-zero carbon across four thematic areas (the Green Economy, Buildings and Energy, Transport and Greening Merton), as well as how the Council is going to decarbonise its own operations by 2030. The whole borough will benefit over the coming years. SM volunteers participated in the Great British September Clean up acting individually, rather than together in a single location. Litter picking continued on a monthly basis, where individuals posted photos and reports of their activities. Funding was obtained to co-ordinate, finish and present a textile momento of lockdown relating to sustainability and the environment as part of the Loving Earth project set up by a Sustainable Merton supporter. Individuals produced panels of a uniform size, using any textile techniques they wished, with accompanying short texts explaining their sources of inspiration. Online workshops supported those new to textile work and provided a forum for exchange of ideas. Abundance Wimbledon continued its work to minimise waste of fruit and provide fresh fruit for other groups which feed those in need. The group were able to organise a well attended covid-safe Fruit Day on 19/9/20. Sustainable Merton continued its work of awareness raising of issues related to climate change in weekly or monthly webinairs on a wide variety of sustainability topics given by Community Champions and outside experts. Green Coffee continued online and offers a considerable archive of past newsletters with information on all types of local sustainability issues. Green Drinks took place online for some months, providing a forum for more informal discussion of
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sustainability issues and offering opportunities for informal social interaction at a time when social isolation was a significant problem for some.
The trustees have regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance would be relevant.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
Sustainable Merton does not make grants, but uses its funds to execute the projects undertaken to enable it to achieve in line with its charitable objects.
You may choose to include Sustainable Merton is grateful for the many hours of unpaid work over 150 volunteers have put in to run projects. In addition the CEO, Community further statements, where Champions Project Manager, Trustees and other volunteers have spent many relevant, about: hours in Zoom meetings with Merton Council officers and councillors, funders policy on grantmaking; and other groups pressing for actions to combat climate change and introduce policy programme related sustainability initiatives for the benefit of local people, in addition to seeking investment; further funding for the charity’s activities. contribution made by The Trustees are extremely grateful for the quick response and hard work of the volunteers. staff team during the pandemic which has kept the charity afloat during a very challenging year. The charity owes much to their tolerance and willingness to adapt their working methods
Section D Achievements and performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
The sudden onset of the covid 19 pandemic demanded a significant change in working methods and increasing prioritisation of projects offering community support. The staff team responded extremely quickly, followed up new funding streams and supported each other in working from home. Due to their hard work the charity has increased its reach and raised significant extra funds in very difficult circumstances. By March 2021 there were 117Community Champions. Over the year 1212 food parcels were put together and distributed by 40 Freidge Friends who volunteered 860 hours of their time at Sustainable Merton’sCommunity Fridgein Morden. 10,971kg of food (equivalent to 26,295 meals and 35,056kg of CO2)donated by around 20 businesses as well as several local gardening projects was distributed to those in need. Community Champion volunteers atPhipps Bridge Community Garden contrubuted 1538 hours of work and harvested a record breaking tonne of fruit and vegetables, a significant proportion of which was donated to the Community Fridge. Around 40 Sustainable Merton volunteers participated inMitcham Community Orchard. |
|---|---|
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Section D Achievements and performance
A Community Champion was appointed to co-ordinate the Library of Things based in Morden Library, whose launch was considerably delayed due to the pandemic.
LB Merton’s Climate Action Plan , to which SM members made significant contributions, was published in September 2020 and adopted by the Council in November 2020. Sustainable Merton staff and volunteers submitted a response to consultation on the Local Plan
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Sustainable Merton’s policy is to maintain reserves of £1,500 or 3 months estimated running costs, whichever is the larger in order to ensure the sustainability of the charity. £26,262 unrestricted funds were available at the end of the period
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
Expenditure for Sustainable Merton’s activities has been covered by grants You may choose to include specifically obtained in relation to each project and general donations. additional information, where Sustainable Merton receives no core funding, but is paying essential office relevant about: and support staff from its own funds, in addition to project funding provided the charity’s principal for this purpose. sources of funds (including any fundraising); Due to the pandemic some existing funders cancelled old funding streams how expenditure has and created emergency funds which Sustainable Merton was able to tap supported the key objectives into. A substantial amount of new funding from the People’s Postcode of the charity; Trust, Merton Giving, London Community Response Fund, Wimbledon investment policy and Foundation, the team’s 2.6 challenge and Waitrose Raynes Park green objectives including any tokens, fully funding the running of the Community Fridge during 2020/21 ethical investment policy and also making substantial contributions to the charity’s overall running adopted. costs. Care has been taken not to incur additional costs for the charity as the funds we have are limited, but Local Giving has proved a cost effective way of individual receiving donations.
Merton Council funded the Community Champions for a further year, whilst Clarion Housing continued to fund the Tree Project.
Arrangements were put in place to claim Gift Aid from HMRC, as an earlier arrangement had lapsed.
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Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s)
Full name(s)Ruth Baber
Benedict Michael Cuddon
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)Secretary to the Trustees
Chair of Trustees
Date 24th January 2022
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Sustainable Merton
NO 1156639
Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date Period end date To from Wednesday, April 01, 2020 31 March 2021
CC16a
| Sustainable Merton NO 1156639 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period from Period start date To Period end date Wednesday, April 01, 2020 31 March 2021 |
Sustainable Merton |
Sustainable Merton |
Sustainable Merton |
Sustainable Merton |
Sustainable Merton |
NO 1156639 | CC16a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
Period start date Wednesday, April 01, 2020 |
To | Period end date 31 March 2021 |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| Donations , memberships etc DIG Merton Community Champions Mitcham Community Garden Clarion Housing Food Poverty Action Plan Library of things Community Fridge Loving Earth Project Recycling on the go |
- 3,858- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 3,858- |
- 4,329- |
||
| - -- |
- 150- |
- -- |
- 150- |
- 20- |
|||
| - -- |
- 50,000- |
- -- |
- 50,000- |
- 30,000- |
|||
| - -- |
- 2,103- |
- -- |
- 2,103- |
- 4,328- |
|||
| - -- |
- 6,315- |
- -- |
- 6,315- |
- 6,315- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 7,320- |
|||
| - 107,743- |
- -- |
- 107,743- |
- 5,670- |
||||
| - 5,000- |
- -- |
- 5,000- |
|||||
| - 5,184- |
- -- |
- 5,184- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
- 3,858- |
- 176,495- |
- -- |
- 180,353- |
- 57,982- |
||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| Sub total Total receipts A3 Payments General DIG Merton Community Champions Mitcham Community Garden Food Poverty Action Plan Clarion Housing Library of things Community Fridge Loving Earth Project Recycling on th go Office overhead |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - 3,858- |
- 176,495- |
- -- |
- 180,353- |
- 57,982- |
|||
| - 8,265- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 8,265- |
- 14,137- |
|||
| - -- |
- 172- |
- -- |
- 172- |
- 932- |
|||
| - -- |
- 39,938- |
- -- |
- 39,938- |
- 30,000- |
|||
| - -- |
- 1,139- |
- -- |
- 1,139- |
- 1,952- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 1,000- |
|||
| - -- |
- 6,315- |
- -- |
- 6,315- |
- 10,681- |
|||
| - -- |
- 2,320- |
- -- |
- 2,320- |
- 2,000- |
|||
| - -- |
- 45,389- |
- -- |
- 45,389- |
- 2,129- |
|||
| - -- |
- 4,000- |
- -- |
- 4,000- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| **Sub total ** | - 8,265- |
- 99,273- |
- -- |
- 107,538- |
- 62,831- |
||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end **Cash funds this year end ** |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - 8,265- |
- 99,273- |
- -- |
- 107,538- |
- 62,831- |
|||
| - 4,407- |
- 77,222- |
- -- |
- 72,815- |
- 4,849- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||
| - 30,669- |
- 24,278- |
- -- |
- 54,947- |
- 59,796- |
|||
| - 26,262- |
- 101,500- |
- -- |
- 127,762- |
- 54,947- |
|||
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
Details | Details | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAF Bank | - 26,262- |
- 17,907- |
- -- |
|||
| Cooperative Bank | - 83,593- |
- -- |
||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||
| B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Details Key deposits nest pension accruals Signature |
- 26,262- |
- 101,500- |
- -- |
||
| OK | OK | |||||
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
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| Fund to which asset belongs |
Current value (optional) |
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| - -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
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| - -- |
- -- |
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| Fund to which asset belongs |
Current value (optional) |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
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| Fund to which liability relates |
When due (optional) |
|||||
| - -- |
||||||
| - -- |
||||||
| - -- |
||||||
| - -- |
||||||
| - -- |
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| Date of approval |
||||||
| Ruth Baber | 24/01/22 | |||||
| Benedict Cudden | 24/01/22 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES,, Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of SUSTAINABLE MERTON On accounts for the year ended 31 MARCH 2021 Charity no (if any) 1156639 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trust") for the year ended 3110312021. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"i- I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed Ihe applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51{b) of the Ad. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come lo my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do nol accord wth the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding oflhe accounts to be reached. Please delete the wonys in the braGk8ts rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: loL Name: KEVIN A. MALLE Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body {if any): ICAEW Address: 18 THE BROADWAY STONELEIGH, EPSOM SURREY, KT17 2HU IER October 2018