## **SHEFFIELD ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT**
**(SEM)**
**(REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER – 1166426)**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MARCH 2025**
## **Contents Page**
**Trustees Annual Report 2 – 12**
**Examiners Report 13**
**Statement of Financial Activities 14 Balance Sheet 15 Notes to the Accounts 16**
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## **SEM TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2024 – MARCH 2025**
## **SHEFFIELD ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT (SEM)**
## **Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **Charity’s Full Name**
Sheffield Environmental Movement
## **Trustees**
Mahmood Hussain – Chair
Marcella Daye – Vice Chair
Horum Dean
Johanne Gilroy
## **Principal Contact Address**
Unit Ca, Sheaf Bank Business Park, 20 Prospect Row, Sheffield, S2 3EN
## **Independent Examiner**
Claringbolds Accountancy Services
111 Haigh Moor Way, Swallownest, Sheffield, S26 4SG
## **Governing Document**
Sheffield Environmental Movement with registered charity number 1166426 was registered on 7[th] April 2016 and is governed by a CIO – Foundation dated 7[th] April 2016.
## **Organisation and Management**
The overall management of the charity is the responsibility of the trustees who are elected under the terms of the governing document. Day to day project activity of the charity is managed and carried out by volunteers.
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
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## **Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **(Continued)**
## **SEM Trustees Annual Report 2023/2024**
## **SEM’s charitable objects, mission, vision, values and core activities Objects**
The Charity's objects as set out in SEM's governing document are:
'To promote and advance the health, wellbeing and education of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic people & Refugees (BAMER) by facilitating access to and participation in environmental activities'.
## **Mission**
To help improve the quality of life, health, and wellbeing of primarily Black Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugees (BAMER) in the natural environment.
## **Vision**
1. A broker between BAMER communities and environmental organisations to increase access and participation in the natural environment.
2. An advocate of the environment as a key to health and wellbeing via strong links with external agencies.
3. The deliverer of a regular programme of activities in the natural environment that promote the mental and physical health of people.
4. A strong organisation with robust policies and procedures and a sound long-term funding strategy.
## **Values underpinning this vision.**
- The environment is a source of sustenance for the health and well-being of everyone.
- People from all walks of life have a right of access to a clean, healthy environment.
- Culturally sensitive approaches are required in engaging marginalised communities.
## **Vision delivered via the following core activities.**
1. Having sufficient organisational capacity to deliver the aims and objectives.
2. Organising and delivering a range of outdoor and indoor workshops enabling access to local green spaces and the wider countryside.
3. Delivering educational courses on environmental issues.
4. Supporting disadvantaged groups to navigate barriers accessing environmental opportunities.
5. Providing routes into volunteering, paid employment and involvement with environmental stewardship and active citizenship.
6. Providing advice and training to environmental organisations and other bodies on how to engage with BAMER groups.
## **Overview of SEM’s work in 2024/25**
## **Introduction:**
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The Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM) over this period continue to play a pivotal role in the environmental/heritage sectors by promoting ‘visibility’ and ‘voice’ of people of African, Asian and Minoritised Groups (AAMG) in these spaces. By forging partnerships with mainstream environmental/heritage organisations, SEM has continued to build on its past achievements in ensuring that AAMG are better engaged as stewards of the environment and, thus continuing to create a positive legacy especially in these times of climate crisis and nature recovery efforts. This sterling work has seen SEM invited to various local and national events and conferences to participate in policy discussions that aim to ensure that those living on the margins of society including AAMG and heavily impacted by the environmental crisis are well represented and informed of Government policy initiatives about the environment, such as the ‘State of Natural Capital Report for England 2024’ and ‘Natural England’s Recovering Growth, Health & Security’ strategy 2025; 2024 UK National Parks conference: 75 Years of Landscapes for Everyone and; launch of Nature North – Investing in Nature for the North’ 2025 strategy.
SEM, also continues to play a vital role among grassroots communities through its outreach work, listening to the lived experiences of people from AAMG about the impact of the climate crisis and air pollution on their health and wellbeing. SEM’s successful environmental/heritage work with AAMG, both the younger and older generations is rooted in the principle that by co-creating safe spaces enables participants to comfortably discuss their appreciation about the importance and relevance of the natural environment to their very existence i.e., emotionally, physically and mentally.
Through the co-creation and co-production of this knowledge with AAMG has enabled SEM to capture this vital data which is then used to support them undertake practical steps to make healthier life choices and other interventions as deemed fit. SEM has thus created accessible platforms through the realm of the environmental space where individuals from AAMG feel comfortable enough to discuss challenges faced in accessing green spaces/heritage sites or national parks and then support them explore potential solutions. Our work over this period with both the environment/heritage sectors included an exploration of the historical factors that has and continue to shape disparities in access to green spaces, heritage sites and national parks. By exploring alternative measures in conjunction with AAMG, SEM is able to help address some of these disparities where feasible through use of environmental tools that have led to improvements in people’s psychological, physical and mental health needs.
SEM has further worked to raise awareness among policy and decision-makers to consider the socio-economic conditions faced by AAMG, and to seek to work towards addressing these inequalities. For example, SEM’s work highlight the need for organisational systems and services to effectively meet the needs of AAMG through design and delivery in ways that considers their effectiveness through a socio-cultural lens to avoid performative representation. A key recommendation being that, environmental and heritage organisations should be assisted to support and facilitate interested AAMG individuals take up roles as environmental stewards and to offer them opportunities into volunteering or work-placements initiatives. Environmental/heritage bodies to work with SEM to centre activities that are designed to create spaces where AAMG individuals can feel safe and be of their authentic selves to feel a sense of belonging when entering into the environmental/heritage sectors, but also to mainstream and embed diversity but not as an after thought. Work towards cultivating stewardship across all age ranges including supporting intergenerational knowledge transfer, application and understanding, and to encourage individual transformational development underpinned by green and social equity. SEM feels this is important as recruiting AAMG individuals into the environment/heritage sectors remains problematic.
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The modelling of such approaches as envisioned has led to the recognition of SEM becoming a key player in the environmental/heritage sectors locally and nationally. SEM’s recognition within these sectors is largely down to support from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, which over the years has continued to support the organisation, leading to it gaining stronger recognition. But above all, is SEM’s ability to work in tandem with environmental/heritage organisations to embed equality and diversity in their practices as the sector still remains the second least diverse only after the farming/agricultural sectors.
Over this period, SEM played a pivotal role helping to shape some aspects of the environmental/heritage landscape through its strategic involvement and contributions at various high-profile meetings, events, conferences. These tend to focus on the development of environmental/heritage led organisations as well as some funding bodies, in relation to policy statements ‘change strategies’ aimed at promoting equity and access to green spaces and green jobs. Below are some few examples of SEM’s strategic work in the environmental and funding sectors:
- Presentation to 300+ delegates at the UK National Parks’ conference, under the theme, ‘75 Years of Landscapes for Everyone’ held at Newcastle. The conference explored the question, ‘Why do National Parks matter to us?’ (delegates made up of staff from all 15 National Parks Authorities, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) DEFRA staff, funders, and environmental organizations from across the country.
- Keynote speaker at the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Sector Briefing: Inclusive Public Engagement (online) attended by 77 staff from HLF. The briefing formed part of the delivery of the HLF’s 2033 strategy including its three Investment Principles: Inclusion, Access and Participation, organizational sustainability and saving heritage, aimed at addressing inequalities in environment and heritage provision.
- SEM also made a contribution in the publication of the 2024 Heritage Lottery Fund’s ‘Racial Equity in Nature – A Guide to Recruiting and Nurturing Diverse Early Career Talent’ tool kit which is aimed at environmental organisations.
- SEM published an article in the Ramblers Association magazine (May 2024 edition) as part of its anti-racist strategy launched to promote and encourage diversity within the RA. This follows the RA’s consultation with SEM and other organisations in relation to its anti-racist strategy launched in 2024 aimed at making the RA a more inclusive walking body.
- SEM was the only minoritized environmental organisation on the panel of the ‘Nature North, Investing in Nature for the North – A Strategy for a Nature Positive Regional Economy’, conference in Sheffield, attended by 400 delegates made up of policymakers, investors, businesses, stakeholders but also a delegation of young people from King Edward IV School in Sheffield, co-ordinated by SEM to participate in the conference.
- SEM attended an event on ‘Toxic Air and Social Justice: The Unequal Burden of Air Pollution’, which was organised by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP and Member of Parliament, Chair of the Black Maternal Health Parliamentary Group at the Houses of Parliament, this is due to SEM’s work using the OPAL Explore Nature Citizen Science to educate people on air pollution in minoritized communities.
- SEM attended Natural England’s 2024 Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to celebrate the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a historic and groundbreaking piece of legislation supporting the intrinsic links between people and the natural environment, an Act that helped establish National Parks and improve public access to the open countryside.
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- SEM attended the Future Countryside 2024 conference attended by over 200 delegates aimed at bringing ambition and energy to rural policy under an overall theme titled, ‘A Countryside for All’, hosted by the Duke of Northumberland with keynote speeches from Steve Reed MP and Rt. Hon Stephen Barclay.
- SEM was invited to speak at the New Philanthropy Capital’s annual conference – ‘NPC Ignite’ event in London on 15 October 2024, on how social and environmental charities can operate systemically and collaboratively to achieve impact for people and planet.
- SEM led on the (Sheffield hub) of a community research initiative co-ordinated by the University of Glasgow, University of Liverpool and Livingstreets, with the report published on May 28[th] , 2024, titled, ‘Just Walking: Creative methods towards pedestrian equity (this research is peer reviewed). Findings of this research highlighted the lack of access to quality green spaces for people living in areas classed as Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) with exposure to toxic air pollution due to the presence of high volumes of nitrogen dioxide emissions from vehicles resulting in cardiovascular diseases in deprived communities(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) (https://doi.org/10.77659781526172600.00012).
- SEM has also been involved in the Nature Recovery Leadership Programme (NRLP) North of England, aimed at helping participants gain insights and awareness about their leadership behaviours designed by Common Purpose’s thought leadership program of Leading Beyond Authority and Cultural Intelligence’.
## **Engagement with AAMG in environmental/heritage activities**
Besides engaging in policy and advocacy both locally and nationally, SEM have over this period promoted access to green spaces, national parks and heritage sites for hundreds of AAMG, see SEM website (www.semchariry.org.uk). Below are some of the activities that AAMG were involved in:
1). SEM, in collaboration with Wessex Archaeology organised an archaeological site visit for a group of women from the African & District Caribbean Community Association (SADACCA) to Sheffield’s Old Castle Market under excavation. The visit was a follow-up from a residential weekend at Losehill Hall, Peak District National Park organised by SEM where Wessex Archaeology was one of the heritage/environmental organisations that attended to do a presentation to the SADACCA women and other AAMG about ongoing work at the recently demolished Old Castle Market where the women had often shopped before it was demolished. The site visit provided the women with their first-hand experience of archaeological exposure and an opportunity to look back in time of thousands of years of Medieval history of the Castle buried underneath the space women often went shopping. And as the Site Manager of Wessex Archaeology later remarked, ‘We really need to engage more with the local people from Sheffield who used to shop here in the past, and its so fantastic to have the SADACCA as the first AAMG to visit’.
Below are some of the quotes from some of women following the visit:
“When we were on top of the market we never knew what was underneath, what it looked like until today so it’s a really great experience to see something like this”.
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“It’s a bit emotional when you think we are actually walking where the Castle used to be and all the interesting finds and history underneath us, it’s really fascinating I just hope and pray that we will still be around to see the new park that is to be created now in this space”.
“Look at what is down there while we were doing all our shopping, we didn’t know all these things were down there, interesting, very interesting”.
“I would like to come back again to see how far they have gone”.
“As teenagers we used to meet on the gallery (overlooking the market) and just spend all afternoon there”.
These quotes are indication of the passion and interest that AAMG have about the archaeological history of the English landscape especially in spaces that they had previously visited or walked without knowing what histories lay hidden or buried beneath these landscapes, thus providing them a chance to look back into the lives of past civilizations.
Picture: SADDACA Women at the excavation site of the Old Castle Market in Sheffield
2). As part of activities marking the Derbyshire Dales’ Festival of Walking 2024, SEM was approached to organise a guided walk to introduce South East Asian Women to the moors, this was done in collaboration with the Eastern Moors Partnership Team, National Trust and the RSPB. It provided the opportunity for the women to learn about the history of the landscape, flora and fauna of the Longshaw Estate which was originally owned by the Duke of Ruthland in 1855 and now owned by the National Trust. The walk was also to provide the women with the exposure to the Peak District National Park which is literally 15 minutes away by public transport from Sheffield so that they can visit later with families and friends.
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Below are some of the quotes from the women about their experience:
” I am 65 years old and I live alone with no family in the UK and have been in this country for 30yrs, I am very isolated suffer from mental health issues I don’t speak English and I needed a lot of support when I first came here to the UK. Through the years friends supported and referred me to ROSHNI. I had low self-esteem also suffered from depression, at ROSHNI I was informed about field trips organised by SEM in partnership with ROSHNI to the countryside and I was very interested and excited”.
“I have never been to the Peak District National Park for walks. Having this opportunity to go on the walk with my fellow women I enjoyed it, it reminded me of my childhood back in Bangladesh, climbing trees picking fruits the fresh air was good, less air pollution, it made me feel very relaxed and calm helping with mental wellbeing. I really enjoyed walking with the group making new friends chatting and having a picnic together, finding out not to touch different plants in the wild in Peak District National Park as some can harm you. I would like to go on more walks in the Peak District and do more local walks within Darnall, walking is really good for my physical and mental well-being”.
Picture: The women along the trail at the Moorland Discovery Centre
3). For over 4-years SEM has been collaborating with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) to introduce people from AAMG to local farms, rural countryside and rural farming. As part of the 165[th] Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show at Harrogate in July 2024, SEM took 37 people from two community groups – women from the African & District Caribbean Community (SADACCA) and South-East Asian Women from ROSHNI to attend. With support from YAS, the two groups were offered seats at the Grandstand to enjoy the displays. However, highlight of the Show for the two community groups was when one of SEM’s volunteers’ was nominated as a community judge among other judges at the Cattle Parade. As we later discovered, she might have been the first minoritized person in history of the
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Show to be nominated as a judge, which was a great achievement. Again, this is evidence of SEM’s work to promote the ‘visibility’ of individuals from AAMG within the environmental, heritage, and farming sectors. It follows on from the previous year in 2023 when SEM was the first minoritized environmental organisation to feature in the Farmers Guardian Newspaper since it was established.
Below is SEM volunteer’s reflections:
“I was honoured to be appointed as a judge for the 2024 Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show at Harrogate. Overall, this was an intriguing experience being the first person from an ethnic minority background to be a judge. And also, prior to volunteering for SEM, I have only seen the Great Yorkshire Agricultural Show only on Television. I think what YAS is doing by supporting SEM is very valuable, important and impactful. The judging experience itself did provide me with an excellent opportunity to observe the different cattle which are mostly native breeds. Although I was grateful to be chosen as judge, I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for as to which was the best breed, this is because growing up and going to school in Sheffield we didn’t have the opportunity to visit the rural countryside and learn about British farming, we didn’t undertake outdoor learning that included farm visits. I therefore found this quite an exciting experience and hope more young people from minoritised communities will be given the opportunity to experience British farming, and YAS should be praised for all their efforts and support to SEM”.
Picture: SEM Volunteer is seen here as one of the judges at the cattle parade
4). SEM has also been working to engage and introduce young people to both the natural and built environment as part of efforts to raise environmental awareness on the fact that as young
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people they are the future custodians of the environment. Against this back drop, in September 2024, SEM in collaboration with the Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque at Firth Park organised an outdoor learning field trip to Cambridge Central Mosque for 43 students and 8 teachers. Rationale for this trip was because the young people were keen to learn and see for themselves how buildings were designed ecologically friendly and the Mosque was a wellplaced example, after the young people had read about its ecological design. But above all, they also saw this as an opportunity to learn about why and how the architecture of buildings need to be eco-friendly designed to reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency and use of sustainable materials in the wake of the climate crisis.
Below are some quotes from the young people:
“It’s given us first-hand experience to see an eco-friendly designed building especially in these times of the climate crisis, there’s a need to design more of such types of buildings”.
“The architecture is breath-taking to say the least, but above all, the eco-friendly materials used in the construction of the building have provided it with its uniqueness and also the Sun light helps to save energy”.
“I have been motivated by this experience to pursue a career in architecture and I would like to design ecologically friendly buildings as I think they are the future, we are grateful to SEM for giving us this opportunity”.
Picture: Left – Interior of the Mosque and the young people at the entrance
## **Impact**
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) have been instrumental in supporting SEM’s ambitions to shape cultures within the environmental/heritage sectors on how to effectively engage and promote environmental/heritage services to AAMG. The EFF and other funders
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recognition of the critical importance of resilient funding for environmental organisations such as SEM to continue forging strong partnerships and collaborations with mainstream environmental/heritage organisations is paramount. It ensures that all community groups will have an understanding about the importance of the natural environment and its relevance and to act as stewards but also benefit in terms of health and wellbeing.
As evidenced from the few examples cited, it’s clear that during this period, SEM’s environmental offer has reached a range of adults and young people promoting the understanding of environmental stewardship but also pathways into careers and employability opportunities in green jobs. But above all, by using the environmental realm to address health inequities faced as faced by people from AAMG has been a demonstration of SEM’s impact in grassroots communities. Through providing environmental activities and attending both local and national events, SEM has reached over 6,000 people demonstrating the impact the charity is making in the environmental sector in the UK.
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
**Trustees Annual Report for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025 (Continued)**
## **Trustees Responsibility for Financial Statements**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements for the financial year which should give a clear view of the state of affairs of the charity.
In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them accordingly.
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity.
The Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention of fraud and irregularities.
The Trustees have declared that they have approved the trustees report above.
## **Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees**
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**Signed**
**Date: 23[nd] January 2026**
**Name: MAHMOOD HUSSAIN Position: Chair**
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Examiner**
Is the responsibility of the Trustees to maintain proper books and records and prepare the Accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (Under Section 114 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examiner is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- Examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
- To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (Under Section 145(5)(B) of the 2011 Act)
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of the Independent Examiner’s Report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes the review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanation from the Trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in any audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given in the accounts.
## **Independent Examiner’s Statement**
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention
1. Which gives me reasonable cause to believe thank in any material respect the requirements:
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- To keep appropriate accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act, and
- To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act not been met or
2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**Signed: Date: 23.01.2026**
**Signed: Roy Claringbold Claringbolds Accountancy Services**
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
**Statement of Financial Activities**
**For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2025 Incoming Resources 2025 2024** Donation and Grants 89635 95485 Bank Interest 0 0 **Total Incoming Resources 89635 95485 Resources Expenses** Office Costs 3400 3110 Administrative Expenses 6690 4162 Travel Expenses 4275 4961 Event Costs 2109 12077 Sessional Work 0 0 Printing and Stationery 484 637 Computer Expenses 702 597 Consultancy Fees and Evaluation 11934 10108 Depreciation 77 103 Wages 57205 58191
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Professional Fees 4250 8420 **Total Resources Expended 91126 102366 Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources (1491) (6881) Total Funds Brought Forward 86745 93626 Total Funds Carried Forward 85254 86745**
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities**
|**As at 31st March 2025**
**Fixed Assets**
Equipment
**Current Assets**
Debtor
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within One Year**
**Current Assets over Current Liabilities**
**Total Net Assets**
**Represented by:**
Fixed Assets
Unrestricted Income
Restricted Income|**2025 2024**
232 309
0 0
85434 88809
85666 89118
180
2064
85486
87054
**85486 87054**
232 309
85254 86745
0 0|
|---|---|
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85486 87054
The Trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above.
## **Signed on behalf of the Trustees:**
## **Signed**
**Date: 23[nd] January 2026**
**Name: MAHMOOD HUSSAIN Position: Chair**
## **Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)**
**Notes to the Accounts**
**For The Year Ended 31[st] March 2025**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## (a) General
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” Statement of Recommended Practice SORP 2005) and applicable accounting standards.
(b) All material incoming resources have been included on a receivable basis i.e. they are included if the date falls within the period covered by these accounts.
## **2. Donations, Legacies and other similar Incoming Resources**
**Donations and Grants are from: 2025 2024** Esmee Fairburn 88186 88186 Kids Plant Trees 500 0 Living Streets 349 0 YHA 0 4776 Yorkshire AG Society 0 2000
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National Trust 600 523 **Total 89635 95485**
## **3 Unrestricted Funds**
These are grants and donations received or receivable for the object of the charity without restriction as to the purpose of their application as are available as general fund.
## **4 Trustee Remuneration, Benefits and Expenses**
Trustees received no remuneration, benefits or expenses in this period.
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