OpenCharities

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

2022-12-31-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 2022

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

CONTENTS
CONTENTS 2
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS 3
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WESTMILL SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY TRUST 9
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 10
BALANCE SHEET 11
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 12

2

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Trustees

Alicia de Haldevang (appointed 05/10/22)

Cecilia Park Olley

Chris Church

Fran Tattersall

Liam Wilson

Mike Blanch, Chair

Paul Beattie (retired 05/09/2023)

Robert Tapsfield

Sarah James (retired 26/04/2022)

Warren Hicks

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

Banker

The Co-operative Bank

3

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Introduction

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 under the Charities Act 2011, together with the unaudited 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).

1. Objectives and activities

Objectives

The objectives 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.

Education

Site

As part of our ongoing maintenance and improvement of site visits 6 new interpretation boards were designed and installed on lecterns. These focussed on Wind Power, Solar Power, Community Energy, Biodiversity and 2x “Welcome to Westmill” boards all with dedicated, trackable QR codes for all the relevant links to the self guided tours. The self guided tours also benefited from the development of tour fact sheets.

Resources

We continue to produce high quality educational materials. Meetings were held with the teachers running the EPQ courses and IB extended essays to determine the best approach. This project, funded by Low Carbon Hub with a grant of £1500, made good progress in 2022 with the resources completed in 2023.

Case studies were also designed, around the subject of wind and solar, with associated materials specifically for us by teachers and students at KS4 in line with GCSE specifications.

Schools and clubs

Schools

In March our Education Officer devised a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style activity for South Marston C of E Primary school after meeting with Head of year 5/6. A presentation of ‘The story of Westmill, Renewables and Community Energy’ was given ahead of the launch of the challenge fielding a short Q&A about the Dragon’s Den challenge. To meet the requirements of the school and pitch it appropriately we used one of our online lessons to create a scaled-down visual resource that supported the presentation. This worked well, and the questions and discussion were excellent and very encouraging. The year Head felt that the challenge took on a life of its own and fortunately the DBAT (The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust) seem to agree. They have 17 academies, several of

4

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

which are in our area and may be interested in talks and or tours and all of them could potentially use our resources to run the challenge. In a second visit to South Marston C of E Primary school in April we were part of a team of ‘Dragons’ judging the challenge/activity. We were very impressed with several team pitches and as other Dragons included the Head and a member of the school’s trust’s Buildings and Logistics Team, it was felt that more than one of their ideas could be rolled out in school. They are also keen to use our materials in their other schools.

In May Woodstock Primary School visited the site. Resources were sent prior to the visit and pupils used worksheets during the tour whilst teachers were given the facts and answers sheets for back at school. Pupils and teachers seemed to really enjoy themselves and feedback on the day from teachers indicated we had engaged all pupils, even some who had been reluctant to come on the trip.

In late June we took part in a STEM fair at Bilton Grange Prep school running 5 x 45- minute renewable energy workshops with groups of KS2 children of all ages.

After the success of last year’s visit, on the 15th of November our Education’s Officer spent the day at Swindon New College, setting up an exhibit in the foyer and speaking informally with passing members of staff and students as well as giving a more formal presentation to year 12 and 13 Environmental Sciences classes. We were also able to have a meeting with the teacher in charge of EPQ and to discuss the opportunities for students to work with WeSET and visit the site.

We also took part in a virtual school tour and resulting meetings discussing how these may be made more child friendly.

Clubs

On Tuesday 15[th] March a talk and activity evening was held with 1st Challow Beavers/Cubs. Resources specifically for this event were designed however they are in a re-usable, easily resourced format for future similar events.

The 1[st] Swindon cub scouts were hosted on-site on 14th June. This was a successful visit and feedback on the night was excellent with us aiming to continue to promote these visits.

On 21[st] September the 1st Faringdon Beaver Scouts were welcomed on-site. The tour went well and proved a useful opportunity for networking and sharing our details and event with their leader who passed this on to other local groups.

Collaborations and Events

We attended the Festival of Tomorrow in Swindon 25th – 26th February. We had a good stand in one of the main halls for the Friday and Saturday of the festival, footfall over the two days was thought to be around 1300 visitors a day giving WeSET excellent exposure. We were constantly busy with interest from small children to older adults and plenty of good conversation and questions. The demonstration wind vehicles were a real draw and out over 60 (sustainably) printed activity sheets were handed out.

Whilst attending the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire’s Climate Action Award Ceremony on 21st February we were awarded a Climate Action Award for our education pack.

5

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

In May we took part in the 3-day Earth Summit at Coleshill. Our volunteer guides’ support was invaluable in running engaging activities. Later that month Coleshill National Trust family Eco Summit we spoke to well over 100 people of all ages and used demo turbines and a range of resources to explore wind and solar and encourage people to visit the site.

During Oxfordshire Great Big Green Week (OGBGW) we advertised and ran three online events to increase our reach. These were well subscribed with children joining from as far away as California. The online events were Winds of Change - A look at Renewable Energy for Key Stage 2 children, Westmill Renewables for your Cubs Environmental Conservation Activity Badge, and Be a Westmill Energy Saving Hero - live online event for Key Stage 2.

55th Oxford Cub Scouts made contact with us having not been able to attend the OGBGW session, so we tailored and ran an online session for them on the evening of Monday 3rd October.

As part of OGBGW, we attended the screening of ‘We the Power’ at UPP Oxford on 29th September where the panel discussion was chaired by our Trustee Chris Church and panelled by our Education Officer Emma Arnold.

We took a stand to Faringdon Big Green Day on Saturday 1[st] October which was well attended, and we were able to speak to a wide range of local people and did some badge making with children.

On the 15th of October we helped to run one of the workshops at the Westmill Futures Event. This was an excellent chance to meet some of the shareholders and tell them about what we are doing as well as hearing their ideas and networking with those we were running the workshop with as well as some of the speakers. As a result on 30th November we held further discussions with Younity to talk about the potential for sharing each other’s resources to reach a wider audience and how we might find and communicate with people doing similar things in terms of producing educational resources, and to create a network through which we can discuss sign-posting each others’ work and getting together to discuss best practices.

Visits

The first activity on-site saw a collective of local councillors from two parish councils pay a visit to Westmill in January. The visit was an exploratory field trip to gain an understanding of how new solar farms can be developed.

In February, we welcomed the University of Oxford's Environmental Change Institute and students from Cranfield University.

A group from UTC (University Technical College) Oxfordshire visited in March. The leader of their group said: "Thank you so much for organising our trip to Westmill. Your volunteers were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They did a fantastic job. Thank you to all of them for their time and effort with my students!"

As April arrived, EIB School, a group of bilingual schools in Paris, visited Westmill. Their group leader said: "Thank you once again for your time, your kindness and the passing on of knowledge to our students. It was a perfect activity. We studied green energies in class last month and they could then witness the reality of it. They learned so much more on the ground then in class! We would love to come again next year."

6

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

Demand for tours continued throughout the rest of the year. Westmill welcomed visitors from educational and social establishments like Oaktree Primary School, Woodstock C of E Primary School, Brightwalton Primary School Newbury, 1st Swindon Sea Scouts & Nelson Cubs and 1st Faringdon Beaver Scouts. Plus, Westmill opened its doors to business-oriented groups such as RWE Global's Acoustics and Wind Measurement Team, and Wiltshire Council's Corsham Area Board Climate Group.

Westmill's regular monthly public tours ran through the summer. Ten tours in all were held. 83.8% of visitors said it would be extremely likely that they would recommend the tour. An additional 13.5% said "likely". 97.3% in total would recommend. Feedback on these tours has included comments like "It was a fascinating hour and a half, which I had not expected to enjoy quite so much." and "(the best part of the tour was)... discovering how the project was conceived and carried out." and "being able to see the wind generators and solar panels working. I was pleased to hear how quiet the wind generators are."

An offering of virtual tours also continued in tandem - for large groups such as schools, associations and clubs. Sixty children from Gorse Hill School in Swindon were learning about renewable and nonrenewable energy. and chose a Westmill Virtual Tour as part of their education. These tours continue to offer a creative way of sharing the important work of Westmill with local schools and further afield.

Over 540 people visited Westmill during 2022.

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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 at michaelblanch@btinternet.com

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 and formerly closed in January 2019. The CIO charitable structure was not available when WeSET was originally formed.

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).

7

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

6. 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.

7. MOU with Westmill Solar Co-operative Limited and Westmill Wind Farm Cooperative limited

WeSET agreed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Westmill Solar Co-operative Limited and Westmill Wind Farm Cooperative Limited formalising where we share an overall vision and a commitment to promote renewable energy and sustainable lifestyles and defining a set of shared objectives. It included:

8. Financial Review

Income fell in 2022 as a result of the 2021 receiving the Q4 2020 instalment promised in the continued generous support of our Coop partners MOU.

Expenditure fell in 2022 as the Westmill Centre assessment development came to an end in 2021.

Education costs remained steady whilst costs associated with site visits rising, as with 2021, as a result of our renewed focus on making the site available for the public facilitated by additional resources committed to this area.

We have continued to not have any large events.

We remain in a strong financial position with limited restrictions on funds.

8.1 Policy on reserves

It is the policy of the charity to seek to maintain reserves of £10,000 to maintain contracts with contractors delivering work especially in the beginning months of the financial year before expected income is received.

8.2 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 9 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Mike Blanch, Chairman

8

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

Independent examiners report to the Trustees of The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 10 to 17.

This report is made solely to the charitable company's Trustees. My independent examiner's work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity, the charity's members as a body and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my independent examiner's work, for this report or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the account requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in the report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Dated: 18[th] September 2023

9

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Receipts
from:
Donations
2
Grants
3
Investments
4
Other Trading Activities
5
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
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
33,166
-
33,166
55,246
-
2,000
2,000
500
1,145
-
1,145
412
1,000
-
1,000
-
35,311
2,000
37,311
56,158
(21,180)
(3,920)
(25,100)
(27,836)
(7,263)
-
(7,263)
(26,934)
(28,443)
(3,920)
(32,363)
(54,770)
6,867
(1,920)
4,947
1,388
44,844
990
45,834
40,063

The notes on pages 12 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

10

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Charity number: 1158820

Notes
Fixed assets
Fixed assets
9
Investments
10
Current assets
Cash at bank and in
hand
Net assets
Charity funds
Restricted funds
11
Unrestricted funds
11
Total funds		 2022
£
16,332
9,137
45,896
71,365
990
70,375
71,365		 2021
£
(restated)
17,217
9,137
40,063
66,417
(3,059)
69,476
66,417

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 12 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

11

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

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 Standard 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

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 of the financial statements.

Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.

12

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

2. Income from donations

Donations Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
33,166
-
33,166
55,246
33,166
-
33,166
55,246

3. Grants

Art and Energy
Low Carbon Hub		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
-
500
500
500
-
1,500
1,500
-
-
2,000
2,000
500

4. Investment income

Feed In Tarriff
Dividend		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
940
-
940
-
205
-
205
412
1,145
-
1,145
412

5. Other Trading Activities

Educational Projects Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
1,000
-
1,000
-
1,000
-
1,000
-

13

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

6. Charitable activities

e activities
Education
Visits
Events
Westmill
Centre
Grants		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
2021
£
£
£
£
(restated)
(11,920)
(3,920)
(15,840)
(14,359)
(8,829)
-
(8,829)
(7,455)
(182)
-
(182)
-
- - -
(6,023)
(250)
-
(250)
-
(21,180)
(3,920)
(25,100)
(27,836)

7. Other costs

Independent Examiner's fees
Premises costs
Administration costs
Sundry costs
Depreciation		 2022
2021
£
£
(720)
(1,500)
(936)
(23,441)
(4,578)
(1,108)
(144)
-
(885)
(885)
(7,263)
(26,934)

8. Staff costs

During 2022, WeSET had no employees (2021: 0). The progression of WeSET's objectives was achieved by it's Trustees, contractors and volunteers.

14

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

9. Fixed assets

. Fixed assets
Cost
As at 1 January 2022
As at 31 December
2022
Depreciation
As at 1 January 2022
Charge for the period
As at 31 December
2022
Net book value
As at 1 January 2022
As at 31 December 2022
0. Investments
Westmill Wind Farm Shares
9,137		 Solar
Panels
22,142
22,142
4,925
885
5,810
17,217
16,332

10. Investments

15

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

11. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

. Statement of funds
atement of funds - current year
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
School Energy Resource Packs
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Warm room at Westmill site
Low Carbon Hub (Educational
material)
Art and Energy (MTAF)
Low Carbon Hub (EPQ)		 Balance
at 1
January
2022
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
at 31
December
2022
69,476
35,311
(28,443)
(5,969)
70,375
2,573
-
(2,920)
347
-
450
-
- -
450
(3,758)
-
-
3,758
-
(180)
-
-
180
-
(2,143)
500
(40)
1,683
-
-
1,500
(960)
-
540
(3,059)
2,000
(3,920)
5,969
990
66,417
37,311
(32,363)
-
71,365

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 feasibility, and installation of a centre based on the Westmill farm. This project has ended in an overspend therefore transferred to unrestricted.

The first Low Carbon Hub fund was to produce educational materials which was completed with an overspend against the restricted funds therefore transferred to unrestricted.

Art and Energy grant to fund the Moths to a Flame materials which has now ended with an overspend therefore transferring to unrestricted.

The second Low Carbon Hub grant is for production of EPQ course materials and additional materials. This project was still ongoing at year end.

16

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year (restated)

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
School Energy Resource Packs
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Warm room at Westmill site
Low Carbon Hub
Art and Energy		 Balance
at 1
January
2021
Income
Expenditure
Balance at
31
December
2021
60,877
44,028
(35,429)
69,476
9,939
1,630
(8,996)
2,573
450
-
-
450
(7,736)
10,000
(6,023)
(3,758)
1,500
-
(1,680)
(180)
-
500
(2,643)
(2,143)
4,153
12,130
(19,341)
(3,059)
65,030
56,158
(54,770)
66,417

12. Analysis of net assets between funds

of net assets between funds
Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
16,332
-
16,332
9,137
-
9,137
44,906
990
45,896
70,375
990
71,365

17