CPRE Hampshire the countryside charity
Report of the Board of Trustees – year ended 31 December 2021 Registered charity number 1164410
1. Introduction
The Charitable objects of CPRE Hampshire are to promote and encourage for the benefit of the public the improvement, protection and preservation of the countryside of Hampshire and its towns and villages, and the better development of the rural environment. CPRE Hampshire works closely with National CPRE but is a separate charity.
The environment within which we work continues to be challenging. As the Countryside Charity for Hampshire, we are campaigning for the proposed changes in the planning system to better protect the countryside on our doorsteps and reduce urban sprawl, while building much needed affordable homes in the right places.
For the last two years the Covid Pandemic has meant that live events have had to be cancelled and most of our meetings have been held virtually. Nevertheless, we have succeeded in maintaining our core activities.
2. Campaigning and Influencing
Green Belt - We continue with our work to promote a Green Belt for South Hampshire. The Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) have announced that they support it, but it always seems to be pushed to the backburner. The Green Belt was mentioned by CPRE at the Havant Local Plan Examination and also included in a Reg 18 version of the Fareham Local Plan, but it had sadly disappeared by the time of the Reg 19 submission version. Test Valley voted to support it at Full Council, so we wait to see it manifest in their next draft Local Plan. We also hope that Winchester agree with the response of their public consultation, which was wholeheartedly in support.
North Hampshire Downs - We are in the early stages of campaigning locally for the protection of the chalk landscapes of the North Hampshire Downs, possibly by the adoption of AONB status. We are seeking views and support from a series of local Parish Councils within the area.
Dark Skies – During 2021 CPRE Hampshire, along with Sussex and Kent CPREs, commissioned work to identify the changes that have occurred in dark skies across the south of the country over the past 5 years. The outcomes from this were used to help raise awareness as to why dark skies are important for both people and wildlife as part of the National CPRE Star Count campaign and will be available for our District Group planning leads to discuss with their local planning authorities in future meetings.
Valued Landscapes – We continue to raise the issue with local planning authorities of the importance of them identifying valued landscapes within their local plans, to highlight the importance of protecting these high-quality and “demonstrably special” landscapes. Good traction has been made with East Hampshire, Winchester, Fareham and the South Downs National Park.
Hedgerow Heroes – We were successful in bidding to National CPRE for funding to run a major hedgerow restoration project in the western part of the New Forest. This involved planting 1.7 km of new hedge and a further 1.3 km of gapping-up of existing hedges. We recruited a team of volunteers, working under the supervision of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, to carry out wildlife and soil surveys and
hedge-laying activities. And we have engaged with students at local primary and secondary schools to plant hedges and learn the benefits of hedgerow restoration, not least in the context of climate change mitigation.
3. Work of the District Groups
Our six District Groups, run entirely by volunteers, continue to do sterling work in their local areas to respond to Local Plan reviews, inappropriate planning applications and large threats to the countryside including NSIPs. Highlights of 2021 included a decision by the Secretary of State to refuse permission for the proposed Aquind Interconnector to exchange electricity with France and a dogged campaign against the building of a massive commercial waste incinerator in the middle of the rural Wey Valley near Alton.
Unfortunately, Covid put paid to most of District Groups’ fund-raising activity through events, with the notable exceptions of North Hampshire’s wonderful autumn Supper and South Downs & Central’s virtual raffle (following the unfortunate cancellation of two quiz nights). For more information on District Groups’ work, please visit our website and sign up to the e-newsletter.
4. National Involvement
We continue to work closely with National CPRE on raising public awareness of the importance of the countryside and green spaces to people living in towns and cities. It is good to see the government backtracking on some of their proposals to reform the Planning System. Latest pronouncements suggest that they will continue to attach importance to local consultation, will pay attention to Neighbourhood Plans and will give priority to development on Brownfield sites. All of which are issues on which CPRE has been pressing hard.
5. Governance and Staffing
Two new members of staff joined us during the year: Mandy Roberts, who has taken on the role of Office Administrator and Vicky Marr, who has been appointed as Communications Manager. The four new trustees who joined in late 2020 have brought new energy and skills to the Board of Trustees.
Our Chair, Dee Haas, stood down in November, having completed the maximum term permitted by our constitution. Before retiring Dee received a “Connected and Inspirational Award” from National CPRE in recognition of the huge contribution she has made both in Hampshire and nationally over her time as a trustee and Chair. She will of course continue to support CPRE Hampshire, a cause in which she believes deeply. Peter Prag also stood down as a trustee and has retired from the role of Chair of the North Hampshire District Group.
6. Treasurer’s Report
The charity continued to operate with a reduced staffing level, with all staff employed on freelance contracts. Funding from National CPRE for the Hedgerow Heroes project has paid for a proportion of our staff costs and covered part of our overheads. The annual appeal and Christmas card sale brought us a total of over £13,000. Unrestricted reserves increased by £7,352 to £88,927. The level of reserves is now comfortably above £70,000, the level set by the Board of Trustees to ensure sustainability.
Campaign to Protect Rural England Hampshire Branch CIO
1 Balance Sheet as at December 31st 2021
| Balance Sheet as at December 31st 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31st | December 31st | ||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible Assets | 6 | 657 | 491 |
| Investments | 7 | 45,596 | 37,203 |
| 46,253 | 37,694 | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Stock | - | 50 | |
| Accrued Income & prepayments | 8 | 11,555 | 7,850 |
| Debtors | - | - | |
| Cash at Bank | 34,598 | 36,469 | |
| 46,153 | 44,369 | ||
| Creditors | |||
| Accrued Expenditure | 9 | 887 | 489 |
| Income received in advance | 10 | 2,593 | - |
| Net Current Assets | 42,674 | 44,272 | |
| Total Assets Less Current Liabilities | 88,927 | 81,575 | |
| Income Funds | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 86,734 | 79,382 | |
| Restricted Funds | 11 | 2,193 | 2,193 |
| Total Income Funds | 88,927 | 81,575 |
Campaign to Protect Rural England Hampshire Branch CIO
2 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended December 31st 2021
| Note Incoming Resources Membership subscriptions Fund Raising and Events Donations Legacies Trusts and Corporate Investment Income District Groups Total incoming Resources 3 Expenditure Staff Costs Admin Costs Other Total Resources Expended 4 Gain/ (Losses) on Investment Assets Net Movement of Funds Opening Fund Balance Closing Fund Balance 3 Incoming Resources Membership Income Fundraising and Events Merchandise Donations Trust and Corporate Legacies 500 Club Gift Aid Branch Appeal Investment Income District Groups Total Incoming Resources |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 34,464 34,464 31,942 16,923 16,923 20,145 3,645 3,645 2,826 0 0 5,000 0 42,672 42,672 25,000 941 941 890 1,350 1,350 979 |
|---|---|
| 57,322 42,672 99,994 86,782 |
|
| 31,907 2,010 33,917 22,836 14,498 800 15,298 15,069 1,959 39,862 41,821 14,902 |
|
| 48,364 42,672 91,036 52,807 (1,607) (1,607) 487 |
|
| 7,352 0 7,352 34,462 79,382 2,193 81,575 47,113 |
|
| 86,734 2,193 88,927 81,575 |
|
| 2021 2021 2021 2020 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 34,464 34,464 31,942 2,547 2,547 78 688 688 738 3,645 3,645 2,826 0 42,672 42,672 25,000 0 0 5,000 1,095 1,095 1,112 2,498 2,498 4,234 10,095 10,095 13,984 941 941 890 1,350 1,350 979 |
|
| 57,322 42,672 99,995 86,782 |
Campaign to Protect Rural England Hampshire Branch CIO
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended December 31st 2021
| 4 Resources Expended Staff Costs Hedgerow grants Office and venue rent IT Telecomms Broadband Consultancy reports Campaign Costs Insurance Recruitment Printing Copying Stationery Postage Professional fees Subscriptions Depreciation Other costs Total Resources Expended 5 Staff Costs Staff Salaries Employer's National Insurance Recruitment Temporary Staff Staff Expenses Total |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 31,907 2,010 33,917 22,836 0 35,400 35,400 0 4,522 500 5,022 4,495 2,551 2,551 1,690 0 3,000 3,000 14,880 265 265 22 362 362 679 99 99 1,040 3,742 3,742 2,734 2,793 2,793 1,405 322 322 863 263 263 554 491 491 587 1,049 1,762 2,811 1,022 |
|---|---|
| 48,364 42,672 91,036 52,807 |
|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 33,917 22,819 0 17 99 1,040 0 0 0 34,016 23,876 |
No employee received more than £60,000. The number of part time employees at the end of the year was three. No Trustee received any remuneration during the year
| 6 Fixed Assets and Depreciation Cost As at January 1st 2020 Assets written Off Additions As At December 31st 2021 Depreciation As at January 1st 2020 Depreciation written back Charge for the year As at December 31st 2021 |
2021 2,902 0 657 |
|---|---|
| 3,559 | |
| 2,411 0 491 |
|
| 2,902 |
Campaign to Protect Rural England Hampshire Branch CIO
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended December 31st 2021
7
| Investments Charibonds Market Value as at January 1st 2021 Purchases during the year Value of bonds redeeemed Gains/(Losses at year end Market value at December 31st 2021 8 Accrued Income Prepayments Members' subscriptions Office rent January prepaid North Hampshire autumn supper Sale of Christmas Cards Creditors Creditors 9Accruals 10 Income received in Advance Income received for the Hedgerow project to be completed in |
2021 2020 £ £ 37,203 46,716 10,000 0 10,000 (1,607) 487 |
|---|---|
| 45,596 37,203 |
|
| 2021 2020 9,127 7,850 350 1,350 727 0 |
|
| 11,554 7,850 |
|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 0 0 887 489 |
|
| 887 489 |
|
| 2,593 0 2022 |
11 Restricted Funds
These relate to our Green Belt Campaign
12 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities under section 505 (1) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988
13 Dissolution
If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND, HAMPSHIRE BRANCH I report to the trustees on my •xamln•tlon of the account• of the charlty lor th• yfrar ended D•cembor 31Jt 2021. The charity's trustees are responsible for the pparatIOn of the acoounls in accordance with the ulrnents of the Charities Act 2011. The charity's trustees consider that an audit 1$ not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Charib'es Acri and that an indopendent examination 1$ needed. 11 is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the charity Commission {under section 145lSllbl of the Charitie5 Act, and lo stale whether particular matters have come lo my attention. B•sl8 of Independont Examln•r• r•port My examination was carried out in ac¢ordan¢e wilh g8n8r81 Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the ¢harity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations trom the Iruslees concerning any such matter$. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts psefit a 'Irue and fair view and the report 1$ Ilmlted to those matters set out in Ihe stalement below. Ind•p•nd•nt Ex•mln•rn Sl•tem•nt In connection with my examination, no matter has come lo my attention.. 1. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements.. lo keep accounting record$ in ac¢ordan¢a with secJon 130 of the 2011 Act., and lo prepare Accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Accounting and Reporting by Charilig5.' Statement of Recommended Pracli¢e applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial Reporting Standard applicable in tha UK IFRS1021. have not been mel. 2. to which, in my opinion, attentn should te drawn in order lo enable a proper nderslandin9 of the Accounts to be 8¢hed. Mrs Caroline Scull FCCA 820 Limited March 2022 CPRE Hampshire Annual report 2021