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← The Westmill Sustainable Trust

2024-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1158820 Company number: CE003083

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust (WeSET)

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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 10
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 11
BALANCE SHEET 12
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 13

2

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

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

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees

Cecilia Park Olley

Chris Church

Fran Tattersall

Liam Wilson

Mike Blanch, Chair

Robert Tapsfield

Warren Hicks

Mark Foyle (appointed 19/04/2024)

Alicia Katarina de Haldevang

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 2024

Introduction

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 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

Work and projects

Work this year has been focussed on making new contacts in schools and expanding our education packs with lesson packs and activities including:

White Horse Hill Signage

We collaborated with The National Trust and English Heritage to design a replacement for the existing panoramic information board on White Horse Hill to include the wind farm and solar park at Westmill. Both NT & EH approved drafts at the end of 2024, with graphics finalised with printing and installation in 2025. This has been installed next to the much loved and preserved original wooden board.

Fig 1. Graphics for installation board

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)

Fig 2. Installed information board

Collaborations and Events

The Beyond COP Symposium 31st January 2024

We attended the ‘Beyond COP 21 Symposium’ event at Wychwood school on 31st January. We had a stand and several sessions during the day where children from various schools explored the exhibition, spoke to exhibitors, and experimented with demo models. We also took part in the discussion panel entitled ‘Youth Voices on Climate Change’. https://www.beyondcop21symposium.org/

The Festival of Tomorrow 16th - 17th February 2024

Since first attending in 2021, the fabulous Festival of Tomorrow (FoT) has grown and grown; the event now runs for 9 days at several venues and this year over 21,000 people experienced the festival. So, it was with genuine anticipation that I set up at the Deanery in Swindon for the grand finale on 16th and 17th February. It was a non-stop couple of days speaking to children, families and visitors of all ages and a great opportunity to share what we have to offer, our educational resources, site visits, and school visits. It is always very rewarding to speak to people we met last year at FoT who have since visited the site and were excited to share their experiences as well as gaining many new contacts. In fact, in the week after the festival we took 4 new bookings for on and off-site visits with more enquiries received since. We even feature in their video review! Spot the Lego wind farm at 0.35 secs.

https://x.com/FestOfTomorrow/status/1759152569715249452?s=20

Fig 3. The Festival of Tomorrow display stall

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)

Wantage Earth Day event on 20th April 2024

We were invited to attend Wantage Earth day in April; the event had clearly faced some unexpected challenges due to the illness of one of the key council members organising the day; as a result, there were far fewer groups involved, and the event itself largely revolved around sustainable wantage. It did mean we stood out! We were able to pick a prime spot by the entrance to the main venue where a queue was forming for a clothing exchange organised by Sustainable Wantage. As a result, individuals and families were filtered past us and we were able to speak to a large number of parents, teachers, group leaders and some councillors about what we offer and had follow up contact after the event – one of these with the head of Faringdon Community College who was interested from a variety of perspectives including KS3, ECT and possible visits.

Earth Summit at Coleshill - 20th May – 24th May 2024

As ever, this was a very well attended event with several local schools enjoying 4 days of workshops. We had a great deal of good feedback from teachers and from the children themselves who enjoyed experimenting our wind and solar demo models and running across the field with our handheld turbines in full view of the Westmill turbines themselves. We were able to take note of all attending schools and followed up with them all after the event. A number have since contacted us regarding site visits and school visits and we have had some bookings off the back of this.

Great Barn Festival – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September

Footfall was good at this year GBF especially on the beautifully sunny Saturday and we managed to bag an excellent position next to the puppet show and storyteller, so we were able to attract many children and families! We were joined by Energy4all and together we ran a popular pinwheel making activity and made some good new contacts. We had two bookings straight away (1st King Alfreds Cubs Wantage and The Hendreds C of E School) and had several further enquiries after the event.

Fig 4. Great Barn Festival event and stall

New College Swindon Monday 18th November

This was our 4th year visiting New College Swindon. We manned our stand in the foyer, spoke to passers-by, and gave a more formal presentation to a year 13 Environmental science class with a particular interest in the impact of renewables and biodiversity. We have been working with New College’s Head of Environmental Sciences to devise a list of essential skills and characteristics for young people who may be thinking about working in the renewable energy industry. We discussed possibility of expanding this and linking these attributes to KS5 activities e.g. debating. This was the prompt for developing our new debating activity sheets.

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)

LCH Grant Application for new printed materials and event resources

In March we submitted successful application for LCH grant for £1,500 (including an application on behalf of WeSET, Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar) to be used for promotional materials specifically for education for use and distribution on visits and at events. These have been designed and with our new website and social media information to be printed in April 2025.

Fig 5. Illustration of promotional materials

New Assistant Education Officer

A highlight of the year was the appointment of a second contracted education officer in October thanks to funding from the Solar Co-operative. John Helsby, an experienced primary school teacher, has already had a hugely positive impact. With 2 Education Officers we are now better able to expand our education pack and associated resources whilst nurturing existing relationships with schools and building new ones. It is also a huge advantage when attending events as we are better able to deliver workshops and activities. The benefit will be seen more evident across 2025 so stay tuned!

Visits

2024 saw Westmill tours continue to be very much in demand. Numbers of visitors to the site reached their highest amount since 2018. And the total number of people visiting Westmill since the site began operating reached just shy of 17,000.

Tours around Westmill continue to prove popular with the academic sector. Visits from educational establishments like Cranfield University, Imperial College London, Activate Learning College, Abingdon & Witney College plus several local primary schools. Overseas academic groups also made a trip to Westmill including the ESCP Business School, the Saint Joseph Group and the Lycée du Vimeu School, all from France, plus St Oliver's Community College from the Republic of Ireland.

7

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)

The ESCP Business School found its visit very engaging. It gained "a clear understanding of how such a facility operates" and "learned about the real-world challenges involved in building a project that has the local community at its centre. Overall, the site visit was a very memorable experience!"

Many cub and scout groups visited Westmill during 2024, and there were also visits from private sector organisations including Oxford Printmakers (OPC), a fine art print workshop based in East Oxford. In 2023 OPC applied for a grant from Westmill Solar Co-operative to install secondary glazing and destratification fans to improve the energy efficiency of its workshop, primarily to create better heat retentive measures. To recognise the financial support provided by Westmill Solar, OPC decided to centre its new exhibition around a theme called “Renew”, as a nod to renewable energy, with the work created during its summer visit to Westmill as the centrepiece.

In addition to the many groups visiting during 2024, our regular open public tours continue to appeal. And our visitors continue to find our tours appealing: "Right from the front gate, the guides were warm and welcoming. The tour was fascinating, and our guide’s knowledge of the science, the logistics and the ecological impact was spot on", said one attendee.

93% of visitors polled in a feedback questionnaire said it was likely that they would recommend the tours others.

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. 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. 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.

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)

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

operative 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

As noted in 2023, income rose back up in 2024 due to the timing of instalments paid through the MOU with our Coop partners. FIT payments paused in 2024 with missed meter submissions however we expect to recover these in 2025.

Payment from the Coops was also received for their contribution to the 2023 open day, artificially lowering costs. Where costs were saved in 2024 due to no open day, general costs increased along with WeSET giving £6,000 of grants for energy surveys.

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 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Mike Blanch, Chair

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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 2024, which are set out on pages 11 to 18.

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: 09/07/2025

For JR Mercer Associates Ltd

10

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
34,969
-
34,969
25,711
-
1,500
1,500
-
-
-
-
1,456
-
-
-
1,000
34,969
1,500
36,469
28,167
(33,267)
-
(33,267)
(42,565)
(6,539)
-
(6,539)
(4,501)
(39,806)
-
(39,806)
(47,066)
(4,836)
1,500
(3,336)
(18,900)
21,710
1,950
23,660
26,996

The notes on pages 13 to 18 form part of these financial statements.

11

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Charity number: 1158820

2024 2023
Notes £ £
Fixed assets
Fixed assets 8 14,562 15,447
Investments 9 9,137 9,137
Current assets
Cash at bank and in
hand 23,660 26,996
Net assets 47,359 51,580
Charity funds
Restricted funds 10 1,950 450
Unrestricted funds 10 45,409 51,130
Total funds 47,359 51,580

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 9 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Mike Blanch, Chair

The notes on pages 13 to 18 form part of these financial statements.

12

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. Accounting policies

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation (registered charity number 1158820). Its registered office and principal 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 its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.

1.6 Depreciation of Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided 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.

13

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)

2. Income from donations

Donations Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
34,969
-
34,969
25,711
34,969
-
34,969
25,711

3. Grants

Low Carbon Hub Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
-
1,500
1,500
-
-
1,500
1,500
-

4. Investment income

Feed In Tarriff
Dividend
ding Activities
Educational Projects		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,456
- - -
-
1,456
-
1,456
1,145
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
1,000

5. Other Trading Activities

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)

6. Charitable activities

activities
Education
Visits
Events
Grants and donations		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
(22,202)
-
(22,202)
(17,418)
(13,565)
-
(13,565)
(9,111)
8,500
-
8,500
(16,036)
(6,000) - (6,000)
-
(33,267)
-
(33,267)
(42,565)

7. Other costs
Independent Examiner's fees
Premises costs
Administration costs
Sundry costs
Depreciation		 2024
2023
£
£
(840)
(780)
(956)
(1,332)
(4,501)
(2,329)
(242)
(60)
(6,539)
(4,501)
(885)
(885)
(7,424)
(5,386)

8. Staff costs

During 2024, WeSET had no employees (2023: 0). The progression of WeSET's objectives was achieved by its Trustees, contractors, and volunteers.

15

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)

9. Fixed assets

Cost
As at 1 January 2024
As at 31 December
2024
Depreciation
As at 1 January 2024
Charge for the period
As at 31 December
2024
Net book value
As at 1 January 2024
As at 31 December 2024		 Solar
Panels
22,142
22,142
6,695
885
7,580
15,447
14,562

10. Investments

Westmill Wind Farm Shares 9,137

16

The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)

11. Statement of funds

Statement of funds - current year

. Statement of funds
atement of funds - current year
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Carbon Hub		 Balance
at 1
January
2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
Balance
at 31
December
2024
51,130
34,969
(40,691)
-
45,409
450
-
- -
450
-
1,500
-
-
1,500
450
1,500
-
-
1,950
51,580
36,469
(40,691)
-
47,359

Restricted funds

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

The Low Carbon Hub grant is for printing informational and promotional materials for WeSET to improve engagement at the increasing number of shows and symposia attended by the education officers.

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The Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (continued)

Statement of funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
People’s Power Station live website
enhancement
Low Carbon Hub (EPQ)		 Balance
at 1
January
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
at 31
December
2023
70,375
28,167
(46,752)
(659)
51,130
450
-
- -
450
540
-
(1,199)
659
-
(990)
-
(1,199)
659
450
71,365
28,167
(47,951)
-
51,580

12. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
14,562
-
14,562
9,137
-
9,137
21,710
1,950
23,660
45,509
1,950
47,359

18