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2021-03-31-accounts

Annual Report 2020/21

As a result of the Covid Pandemic we had to cancel our events in 2020/21.

Here are some highlights from the last 5 years:

----- Start of picture text -----
Plastics Day at the Coop Electric Vehicle shows
Celebrating the 1000th charge Martin Goodman & James Thornton, Client Earth
Family fun at Duck Races Richard Millar, Committee on Climate Change
----- End of picture text -----

A Message from David Howard, Chair

One of the consequences of the pandemic has been to nudge us into thinking rather more about life and death issues which, previously, we have preferred to avoid. We have been pushed out of the comfort of our regular routines. Our hopes for the future, either of continuity or of improvement, are now shot through with uncertainty.

The immediacy of virus testing, of over-crowded hospitals, and, now, of vaccination programmes could easily lead a worried population to ignore, or at least put to one side, any concerns about an even bigger crisis: the looming threat of irreversible climate change.

We are one year closer to the deadline year of 2030 – the date by which the world has to change course if we are not to face the horrific consequences of global heating: extreme weather, droughts and floods, hunger, war and mass migrations. These are not the products of a febrile imagina-

tion. Just as Science has enabled us to find vaccines against Covid, so Science gives us the forecast for a future world.

As narrow nationalism and blind populism increasingly dominate world politics, the chances of reaching a global agreement to meet our greatest challenge are 50/50 at best. The stumbling and disjointed approach of our own government, which is chairing the important COP26 conference in November this year, does not augur well for a successful outcome. Our ability to live in hope is being tested to destruction. Nor should we expect salvation from rich men such as Bill Gates, riding in on a white charger of new technology. Human ingenuity can do a lot, and we must use it - wisely - but it will not be enough.

As has been said many times before: Business as usual is not an option. While our minds have been focused on the pandemic, temperatures have continued to climb, with record levels of CO2 recorded in March (despite the lockdowns); sea levels rise, forests burn and ice-sheets melt. We need a new normal. Locally, initiatives such as South Shropshire Climate Action and Zero Carbon Shropshire are mapping out alternatives.

Much will be required of politicians in the coming months, but it is we who elect them. Much will be required of groups such as ours, as we continue the fight for a sustainable world. But what is required of individuals is for each of us to look at ourselves, and how we live our lives. It is our reckless consumption that is driving climate change, and our politicians are either unwilling or afraid to challenge our bad habits. The hard message is that the future of our world depends on us learning to live more modestly – and sharing the resources of our planet more equitably amongst its peoples. These are the stark choices – both personal and political – that we must make. Are we brave enough to live with our eyes on the future of our children and grandchildren?

Review: April 2020 to March 2021- Our Key Activities-

We were not able to hold any of our planned events during the year as a result of the Pandemic. We considered holding Zoom talks but a survey of our members indicated that many would not be able to access them. All our Committee Meetings and Board meetings were held through Zoom video conferencing.

We actively promoted the Green Homes Grant introduced by the Government which was prematurely withdrawn at the end of March 2021. We provided extensive advice to Philip Dunne MP, as Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, on the problems with administration of the grant which affected both householders and installers. We also met with Philip Dunne MP to discuss climate change and energy efficiency issues. Continued

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Review: April 2020 to March 2021- Our Key Activities-Cont.

We were, nevertheless, able to offer advice to many people who were able to install new heating systems and other energy efficiency measures. We issued advice on our website about carefully selecting renewable energy companies to avoid future problems.

We continued to offer general advice by telephone to many callers and those who contacted us through our website. We expanded our online advice notes.

We contributed policies and proposals on climate change for the Community Led Plan.

We made representations on government consultations and that Energy Performance Certificates need updating to enable recommendations to include zero carbon heating systems rather than upgraded gas boilers. We welcomed long delayed government proposals to upgrade energy efficiency standards in the Building Regulations, although these are not yet in place. We advised government that the sale of fossil fuelled powered cars should end by 2030 but, regrettably, they have allowed these to continue until 2035.

We advised Shropshire Council that their strategy for net zero carbon emissions contained a significant inaccuracy which meant that their strategy does not achieve net zero emissions.

We have prepared a new set of events for when the Pandemic lockdown permits.

We made Representations on the Draft Shropshire Local Plan which does not include satisfactory policies to address climate change. There will be an Examination by an Inspector in 2021/22.

We encouraged Church Stretton Town Council to commission Maintenance on the EV point at Lion Meadow when it went out of service and we are pleased that this is now back in operation.

We conducted a survey of all our members, consulting about events and the establishment of new Groups to help take forward topic areas. Groups have now been set up including members on both Building Efficiency and Retrofit and Resource Management which is taking forward our work on recycling and preparing to set up a Repair Café.

We expressed our concern that new houses proposed by Connexus in Lutwyche Road will be built to current Building Regulations standards rather than the upgraded standards proposed for later in 2021 They responded that they would like to do more but are constrained by the finances available.

We purchased an infra-red camera which will identify poor areas of insulation in buildings.

We submitted articles and press releases on many topics.

We continued to improve our web site and grow the numbers of our Twitter followers. We had to make unforeseen payments as a result of including some photographs on our website without permission. We have now improved our procedures. We updated the strapline to our logo.

Many of our Trustees were involved supporting South Shropshire Climate Action with their Conference and to prepare a Report on achieving Zero Carbon emissions in the Ludlow Constituency.

Other Trustees played significant roles with Shropshire Climate Action Partnership in their Zero Carbon Plan and associated activities for the whole of Shropshire plus Telford and Wrekin.

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlnerfs report on the accounts Sectioii A Indepèndent Examii)er's Report R•portto tho trusta••l m•mb•r• of STRErroN CLIMATE CARE ICIO) On •rxounts for th• year ondod 31° March 2021 Charlty no (If aryl 1159816 S•t out on pag8• lyl I report to the Irust88s on my examinalion of the accounts of tho above charity ('the TnJst'} for the year ended 31. 03 . 2Qll RwKxwlbllftles and As th8 ¢hanty truJte88 of the Tru8t. you ar• rn8ponsible for the Pfepafalion b•sh ol rnport of the 8(xounts in aCcO￿ance with th8 requiroments ol tho Charities A¢X 2011 (Ihé Acv,). I report in ￿speCt of my examination of the Trust'$ accounts canied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in cArrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of tho Act. I have rximpleted my examinatron. I confim that no material matters have corrn to my attention { '} in connection with the examination which give$ me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. ac￿)untIng records Y•*re not kept in accordance with 8ectK)n 130 of the Act or the accounls do not accord with the accounllng remrds Independent examlnerfs statement I have no con￿M5 and have come across no other matters in conn8Ction with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable 8 proper understanding of the ac￿untS to ￿ reached. ' Please delete the words in the brad(ets rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Z021 Name: Relevant professional quallfication{s) or body (If any): Address: IER October 2018 The Second page is blank.

Charity Name No (if any) Stretton Climate Care (CIO) 1159816

Receipts and payments accounts
p py
For the peri-
od from
Period start
To
Period end
01-Apr-20
31-Mar-21

 CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts Unrestrict-
ed funds

to the nearest
£
 Unrestrict-
ed funds

to the nearest
£
 Restricted
funds


to the near-
est £
 Restricted
funds


to the near-
est £
 Endowment
funds
to the nearest
£
 Endowment
funds
to the nearest
£
 Total
funds
to the near-
est £		 Total
funds
to the near-
est £		 Last year
to the nearest
£
417
430
756
121
100
63
1,887
Membership Fees 328




328





417
Donations & Fees 484 484 430
Local FundRaising 756
Grants
Bank Interest 74 74 121
Referrals 100 100 100
GiftAidRefund 64 64 63
Sub total(Gross income for AR)
1,050		 1,050 1,887

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).

Sub total(Gross income for AR)
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
1,050
A2 Asset and investment
**sales, (see table). **
Sub total
-		 - -
Total receipts
A3 Payments



1,050		 1,050 1,887


Website 529















529







Printing, Postage & Stationery & Misc 555 555 539
Accomodation & Rentals 276
Support for SSCAG Conference 500 500
Goods & Equipment 444 444 128
Publicity 317
Other Costs & Fees 591 591 529
School Projects & Youth Council 40
Computer Software 214 214
Sub total
2,833		 2,833 1,829
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)















1,829
1,829
58
12,359
12,417
Sub total
2,833		 2833
1,829
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end

2,833		 2,833 1,829

- 1,783		 - 1,783 58







12,417 12,417 12,359

10,634		 10,634 12,417

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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B3 Investment assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities		 Details

 Details

 Unrestrict-
ed funds
to nearest £
 Unrestrict-
ed funds
to nearest £
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
Restricted
funds
to nearest £		 Endow-
ment funds
to nearest £
-
-
Endow-
ment funds
to nearest £
-
-

Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-

Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-

When due
(optional)
TSB Current Account 233

-

TSB Deposit Account 10,401 -
- -
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and
payments account(s))
Details




Details






Details

Computer Equipment ,Screen
etc

Display Boards

Exhibition Equipment

Energy Meters



Details
10,634		 - -




Fund to which
asset belongs











Fund to which
asset belongs
Gen Capital
Fund

Gen Capital
Fund

Gen Capital
Fund

Gen Capital
Fund





Fund to which
liability re-









 Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-


Cost
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-


Cost
(optional)

-
-
-
-
-


Amount due
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

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Signature
MJ Hymas
C DGeorge		 Print Name
M..J. Hymas

C.D. George
 Date of ap-
proval
MJ Hymas M..J. Hymas 20 July2021
6
C DGeorge		 C.D. George 20 July 2021

Stretton Climate Care: Organisation and other Facts

Charity Name and Number and address

Stretton Climate Care is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Registered charity number 1159816. It was established in 2015, replacing a charity of the same name which was established in 2008.

Address: Mayfair Community Centre, Easthope Road, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6BL email: info@strettonclimatecare.org.uk Website www.strettonclimatecare.org.uk Tel 07528 493181

Finance

We have adequate funds although these have been depleting over the last few years and the Trustees intend to reduce our annual losses by raising more funds in a variety of ways. It is the policy of Stretton Climate Care to operate with a financial reserve equivalent to at least 9 months of our annual expenditure, and we exceed that. The Committee receives a Report analysing expenditure and income at each of its meetings and controls expenditure accordingly. We do not undertake any significant fund raising and we are compliant with Charity Commission Fund Raising Guidelines and do not need to register with Fund Raising Regulator. We comply with Charity Commission guidelines for our financial controls.

Summary of Charitable Objects

for the benefit of the public in the Church Stretton area: a) the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment b) education about use of energy to reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide emissions c) the relief of fuel poverty by promoting the efficient use of energy

Public Benefit

The Trustees of Stretton Climate Care have had regard to providing public benefit in delivering our services in accordance with advice from the Charity Commission. In particular our main service is to assess and advise on the carbon footprint and energy use of households and provide advice where appropriate on reducing this. This includes information on the choice of transport modes and vehicles. And we have also supported the development of renewable energy in our area. We encourage reuse and recycling. Our services are provided free of charge to any household in the community and we do our best to give priority to households in fuel poverty. We provide subsidiary activities and services, such as lectures and talks that are either free or subject to a small charge to cover costs. Other activities such as the duck race are intended to attract additional households to our service and although there is small charge for entry to the duck race, our household advice service is free. Our activities also generate opportunities to advance education about conserving, protecting and improving the environment.

Trustees

The new Constitution provides for the election or appointment of up to 12 trustees. The current 9 Trustees are Michael Bourke (Vice Chair), Marcus Cash, Jon Cooke (Publicity Officer), Chris George (Treasurer), David Howard (Chair), Mike Hymas (Secretary), David Matthews, Lorna Taylor and Jane Wrench. Our Trustees are normally elected annually at the Annual General Meeting which is held in Autumn each year but this was deferred because of the pandemic.

Other Information

We are dependent upon our dedicated and enthusiastic Volunteers who undertake all the functions of the organisation. There are no employees. We joined Green Shropshire Exchange a Network of environmental groups in Shropshire. We continue to review our data security arrangements in the light of the General Data Protection Regulation. Our Privacy Policy is on our website and we have registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We have reviewed our Organisation against the Charity Commission’s Governance Code and will address a number of issues raised. In particular some Trustees have served for more than 9 years and our Board is not as diverse as it should be.

Structure of Stretton Climate Care

Our Board of Trustees makes the key decisions for the organisation and comprises all our Trustees. It has delegated many of its responsibilities to the General Management Committee which comprises all of our 9 Trustees and Rachel Foster and Valerie Morris.

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Our Volunteers

are an essential element of our organisation.

Without them we could not deliver our services. So here we list the names of those who are not Trustees who made Stretton Climate Care effective during the last two years :

John Annetts, Wally Blake, Liz Bourke, Brian Bradley, Isabel Carter, Richard Clements, Ann Cooke, David Edwards, Trish Howard, Victoria Hurn, Andrew Middleton, Valerie Morris, David Newbrook, Helen Sansom, Mark Tocknell, Richard Walker, Ken White, plus many other occasional volunteers who make our services happen.

We are very grateful for their actions, support and dedication.

Our Supporters and Funders

Our Mission Statement:

To advance environmental protection and improvement by reducing the carbon footprint of the local area. Aims and Objectives

2.1 To provide a free home energy service

2.2 Pursue a Sustainable Strettons agenda

2.3 Organise an electric car day

2.4 Organise Talk on renewable energy and heat

2.5 Organise a Talk on vegetarian & vegan cooking

3.1 Provide tangible support to fuel poor following Home Energy Check

3.2 Provide regular advice sessions at the Health & Wellbeing Centre 3.3 Develop practical relationships with other support agencies 3.4 Provide Talks to Community Groups

Annual Report Supported by

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