OpenCharities

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

2020-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1158820

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust (WeSET) A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers 3
Trustees' report 4 - 7
Independent examiner's report 8
Statement of financial activities 9
Balance sheet 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 15

2

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Trustees

Mike Blanch, Chairman Fran Tattersall Robert Tapsfield Chris Church Sarah James Dr Paul Donald Beattie Cecilia Park Olley Liam Wilson (appointed 18 May 2020)

Charity registered number

1158820

Registered office

8 Maple Gardens, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4GP

Website

https://www.weset.org/

Independent Examiner

J.R. Mercer Associates Ltd 48 Chelworth Road. Cricklade. Wilts. SN6 6HD

Bankers

The Co-operative Bank

3

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Introduction

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020 under the Charities Act 2011, together with the unaudted financial statements for the year, and confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Westmill Energy Sustainable Energy Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 1158820).

Objectives and activities

1. Education Packs

Following from work started in 2019, six originally agreed education pack lesson materials were completed including a a range of tasks and suggested activities. The six lessons were:

  1. Energy

  2. Electricity

  3. Story of Westmill

  4. Wind power

  5. Solar power

  6. Sustainable Future

Each lesson includes:

These are now available from our website.

In response to continued Covid induced lockdowns we began to create video versions of all 6 lessons with voice overs. These were completed in January 2021 and are now all online.

In collaboration with Osney Lock Hydro, 3 lesson packs were developed which are co-hosted on the WeSET website. These are titled:

  1. Hydropower

  2. Osney Lock Hydro

  3. The Fish Pass Following these, production of 3 more lesson packs was started and finished in 2021: 10. Electric Vehicles

  4. RE Storage

  5. RE in the Home and Workplace

2. Visits

2020 proved to be a challenging year for tours of the Westmill Wind Farm and Solar Park - due to restrictions imposed by the Government surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

4

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

A team of two-dozen students studying for a Masters degree in Energy Policy at Imperial College London visited Westmill in January to see in person the technologies covered in lectures, and to discuss the unique features of Westmill's community ownership. Imperial students visited in 2019 and were glad to return again.

In February, television network London Live arrived at Westmill to film a piece for its output, and car manufacturer Mini choose Westmill as a backdrop to shoot a promotional film for its vehicles. Another educational trip was also made this month, as students from Kingston University arrived to experience operational aspects of wind and solar farms.

During March, the decision was taken to postpone all ad-hoc visits and public visiting days to Westmill due to a national lockdown imposed by the Government, restricting all social interaction. This proved to be a problem for the Westmill community which found it impossible to effectively continue its outreach with the public and beyond. Ten ad-hoc tour requests to visit Westmill were either refused, cancelled or postponed. And seven public visiting days were also cancelled.

As summer approached, a virtual tour of the site was planned: a visual excursion of Westmill, including site footage mixed with informative graphic sequences, and all narrated live by one of the team of volunteer guides. A few of the Westmill team visited the site to for a day's shoot. to gather material for the film. The first virtual tour took place in November with a second in December, with both tours welcoming over 30 (32) people - including many from overseas who would not normally be able to make a physical visit to site. These tours are continuing in 2021.

Some film crews were welcomed to Westmill during the autumn. In September, media production outfit The Alpha Grid used the site as a backdrop for a short documentary with the FT and Iberdrola on new technological innovations in solar. And in December, a film crew from Coldhouse Collective arrived at Westmill to shoot a short film to increase awareness of the potential to embed ecosystem benefits into solar parks - which included an interview Chris Hewlett, CEO of the Solar Trade Association.

3. Westmill Centre

During the course of 2020 we continued to investigate the possibility of a Centre at Westmill. Unfortunately, once all costed up we forecast to have little to no contingency and breaking ground held too much risk for us. As we write in 2021, we continue to assess our options, are on the look out for grants, and as ever welcome donations through our Virgin money giving page not only for a centre but to continue our educational work.

4. People matter

The Trustees would like to thank all those who volunteered time and effort to make WeSET so successful. It has been a difficult year and we really appreciate your support and patience.

5. We want to give

We are happy to share our documents as examples of what is needed to become a CIO – every energy scheme should have one!

6. You

If what you have read interests you in anyway, please get in touch and get involved. We welcome views on how we can best to promote the sustainable use of energy. please contact: Mike Blanch, 8 Maple Gardens, Milton, Abingdon, michaelblanch@btinternet.com

5

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

5. Structure, governance and management

The Westmill Sustainable Trust is a registered charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), charity number 1158820 constituted by a constitution dated 18 June 2014. Previously it had been a registered Charity, charity number 1132379, constituted by trust deed dated 27 January 2009. The CIO charitable structure was not available when WeSET was originally formed and the 1132379 charity was formerly closed in January 2019.

As far as possible 65% of Trustees should be members of either Westmill Wind Farm or Westmill Solar Farm, and 65% of Trustees should reside within 25 miles of Westmill Wind Farm (SN6 8TH).

6. Objects

The objects of The Westmill Sustainable Trust are to promote the advancement of environmental protection or improvement for the benefit of the public, in particular but not exclusively, within 25 miles of Westmill Wind and Solar Farms (SN6 8TH) by promoting the deployment of sustainable energy, promoting education in the deployment of sustainable energy and making grants to such persons or organisations as the trustees see fit in order to promote and encourage the deployment of sustainable energy.

7. Recruitment and appointment of new trustees.

Applications to be a trustee are welcome at any time. Appointment of new trustees is subject to meeting the eligibility for trusteeship in the constitution and agreement, and a majority vote in favour by the charity trustees who must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.

8. Trustees' responsibilities

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare a receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. These are to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial activities for that year, to properly present the charity's receipts and payments for the year together with its assets and liabilities at the end of the year, and to adequately distinguish any material special trust or other restricted fund of the charity. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

b) make judgement and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

c) state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and

d) prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the Charity will not continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity, enable them to ascertain the financial position of the Charity, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In the opinion of the Trustees the Charity is entitled to prepare accounts on a receipts and payments basis.

9. Financial Review

Income fell in 2020 as result of our Coop partners paying early in the last months of 2019, and late in the early months of 2021.

6

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Significantly WeSET was in receipt of a generous gift of £8,500 Westmill Wind Farm shares in 2019 causing the apparent fall in income.

Donations in the year fell by approximately 50%, likely due to our reduced exposure to members of the public through visits and events due to Coronavirus.

Expenditure increased in educational resources as we focused our attention on developing the packs and virtual tours. Most significantly, in comparison to 2019, expenditure on Westmill Centre professional fees rose as we continued to assess the suitability of the plans.

We finish the year with a balance sheet that ensures we can continue to provide our services, whilst the board of trustees assess our options for Centres, installations, events and increasing interactions with the members of public.

9.1 Policy on reserves

It is the policy of the charity to seek to maintain reserves of £3,000 to maintain contracts with consultants delivering work especially in the beginning months of the financial year before expected income is received.

9.2 Risk management

The fixed operating costs of the charity are primarily fees to consultants. The Trustees consider that this prudent closing cash balance policy minimises the risks to which the charity is exposed.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on

and signed on its behalf by

Mike Blanch, Chairman

7

The Westrnill Sustainable Energy Trust INDEPENDEfrif EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 Ind•p•nd•nt •xmrnln•rn i•￿rt to th• TnMt••• olTh• W••lrnlll Su•tsinalJl• En•ryy Tnl I report to tho ¢￿rity TnMt•# on rny •xthnakn ofth• ofthe comp•ny lor th? ￿ren￿￿ 31 t>ecmber 2020, whlch arn 8et ¢xrt on p4•5 9 to 15. Thi8 rewt is made 8oldy to th• ¢hantabkn t￿nIS Tn￿t￿l. My •yJftNnorf8 ￿lIk urtrrtaken io that I mvJht state to th8 ¢harfty8 Tn thc40 mattw8 18m rw4uir•d to stste to Ih8m in an In(knpendent examin•rf8 rnport and lor no oth•r purpom. To thg luI￿t oxknt peThrtte•J by Iww. I do not •¢<4pt or asswne mpon8itx.lity to anyon• oth8r than Ihè thwty, t￿ tharitY• M￿be[S u a the eknirwl • bth, f¢rmy Irr exarninerfi work. for th18 report or lor the oplnth8 I fcrtnthj. RMpon•lbMltlw •nd b••l• al v•port th• eh•rlV• you ar• hr th• Fnpwr4lh)n of1￿ ar￿unts. HavlNJ 8ati8ifled mrnlfthat th ormjnts oftr Chanty w• not wuwad to ￿ audit•J urthr Part 16 of tl 2W8 Act and arg oligibl• lor independ￿t wrninats)n, I report In rg8pect ￿ my •xamlnabon Off￿ Chanty8 ar<ounts cam8d out und•r •odon 145 01 the chari1￿ Act 2011 th 2011 Adl In c•ryiThJ lxrt my •xAmlnatkn I hm tHr￿tkInS giv•n by the Charlty CC¥nrnIBs￿n urtraor 8OCtJon 1451SXbl ol tr 2011 Ind•p•nd•nt •xamln•rf• •tstsm• I have Cornp￿ my ex•minaticffi. l ¢an c(¥lkm thai rnatt•r8 hffii to my attwrtth in cA￿r￿￿On 7pthh tha examifiation me Caw to belie￿.. l. a¢￿￿nt￿n0 Wytre nL kept in re•rd ofts c(¥np￿Y 01 rwwlr•d by ••ckn 386 ofts 2￿8ACt or 2. the ac¢ounl# do not aceord wrth th08e TeeAYd$'. 3. the accounts do not cwy ilh •ce4)unt requir•I￿ts ofsactin 396 ofts 2CK¢ Ala fAher Ihon any requlrem•nt that thè •¢counts give a Ir￿ fair whKh ra not a rnalt8r corthr•S ¥ pgrt ofn ITrJeper￿nt ?xwn1n•t￿n', or 4 the aC￿rnts ha￿ not begn prep8f8d in ￿cordanCe wlh the rnethcth and wnopl88 oftho Stst•mgnt ol Recornmended PRactic for aTrJ mpor￿ry by ehanbe8 lapplie4bk to dribes wepariTrJ thelr ac￿untI In acctsrdanca 4th tho FInan0￿ R•wing Stsr#lard appl￿ in UK ￿ Rwt of IrelgTrJ IFRS 10211. be drawn in the r•pfyl in ¢xd•rto enat4¢ a ur¥Jer8tsrn1iThJ oftho •ccwts to be reacl*d. Soned..

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes
Receipts from:
Donations
2
Grants
3
Investments
4
Total receipts
Payments for:
Charitable activities
6
Other
7
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
Cash funds this year		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
28,858
8,890
37,748
60,170
-
-
-
1,500
609
-
609
1,813
29,466
8,890
38,356
63,483
25,653
19,584
45,237
22,879
3,225
-
3,225
3,566
28,878
19,584
48,462
26,445
588
(10,694)
(10,106)
37,039
33,576
4,153
37,729
46,950

The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

9

Charity number: 1158820

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Notes
Fixed assets
Fixed assets
9
Investments
10
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
10
Unrestricted funds
10
Total funds		 2020
£
18,102
9,137
37,791
65,030
4,153
60,877
65,030		 2019
£
18,987
9,137
47,012
75,136
14,847
60,289
75,136

The Trustees consider that the Charity is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and members have not required the Charity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with the section 476 of the Act.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on signed on their behalf, by:

Mike Blanch, Chairman

The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

10

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. Accounting policies

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation (registered charity number 1158820). Its registered office and principle place of business is 8 Maple Gardens, Milton, Abingdon, EX14 4GP.

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Stanard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under payments and receipts basis.

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

1.2 Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which the Trustees consider to be appropriate as a result of projections prepared, which together with the level of working capital and realisable investments available indicate the charity will be able to operate within the facilities currently available. There are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result from the going concern basis becoming non-applicable.

1.3 Payments and receipts basis

Payments and receipts are recognised within the accounts on the date of transaction.

1.4 Investments

Investments of shares within Westmill Wind Farm are stated at historic cost.

1.5 Taxation

As a registered charity The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust is entitled to taxation exemptions on all of its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.

1.6 Depreciation of Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided in order to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets owned over their anticipated useful economic life (UEL) as follows:

Solar PV Panels - 25 years straight line

11

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1.6 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific instructions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for a particular purpose. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes the the financial statements.

Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.

2. Income from donations

3. Grants

Donations
Low Carbon Hub		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
28,858
8,890
37,748
60,170
28,858
8,890
37,748
60,170
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,500

4. Investment income

Feed In Tarriff
Dividend		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
2019
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,604
609
-
609
209
609
-
609
1,813

12

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

5. Charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2020
2020
£
£
Education
3,563
8,003
Visits
2,215
-
Events
19,165
-
Westmill Centre
-
11,581
Grants and donations
711
-
25,653
19,584
s
Independent examiner's fees
Premises costs
Administration costs
Sundry costs
Depreciation		 Total
Total
funds
funds
2020
2019
£
£
11,566
4,384
2,215
4,721
19,165
9,386
11,581
4,387
711
-
45,237
22,879
2020
2019
£
£
-
900
699
839
1,164
248
477
694
885
885
3,225
3,566

6. Other costs

7. Staff costs

During 2020, WeSET had no employees (2019: 0). The progression of WeSET's objectives was achieved by it's Trustees, contractors and volunteers.

8. Fixed assets

Cost
As at 1 January 2020
As at 31 December 2020
Depreciation
As at 1 January 2020
Charge for the period
As at 31 December 2020
Net book value
As at 1 January 2020
As at 31 December 2020		 Solar Panels
22,142
22,142
3,156
886
4,042
18,986
18,100

13

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

9. Investments

Westmill Wind Farm Shares

9,137

10. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
ID
Restricted funds
2.10
3.10
5.10
8.00
School Energy Resource Packs
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Warm room at Westmill site
Carbon Hub		 Balance at
1 January
2020
Income
Expenditure
Balance at 31
December
2020
60,289
29,466
(28,878)
60,877
9,052 8,890
(8,003)
9,939
450 - -
450
3,845 -
(11,581)
(7,736)
1,500 - -
1,500
14,847
8,890
(19,584)
4,153
75,136
38,356
(48,462)
65,030

Restricted funds

The School Energy Resource Packs comprises of funds donated by Westmill Solar Coop for the development and publishment of educational materials.

Website enhancement was to install a live dashboard on their website showing real time energy production.

Warm room at Westmill has developed into the "Westmill Centre", assessing the feasability, and installation of a centre based on the Westmill farm.

14

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

10. Statement of funds (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
ID
Restricted funds
2.10
3.10
5.10
8.00
Carbon Hub
School Energy Resource Packs
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Warm room at Westmill site		 Balance at
1 January
2019
Income
Expenditure
Balance at 31
December
2019
31,397
46,983
(17,206)
60,289
13,018 -
(3,966) 9,052
450 - - 450
(6,767) 15,000
(4,387) 3,845
- 1,500 - 1,500
6,700
16,500
(8,353)
14,847
38,097
63,483
(25,560)
75,136

11. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
2020
2020
2020
£
£
£
18,102 - 18,102
9,137 - 9,137
33,638 4,153 37,791
60,877
4,153
65,030

15