Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024
Charity name: North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust
Charity registration number: 1168708
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To inspire and engage support and involvement in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Various grants made from the Sustainable Development Fund which supports local projects |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | Facilitate the provision of grant funding for small scale community and landscape enhancement projects |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Day to day running of the Trust by the Trustees and bookkeeping services |
| Other | N/A |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | £12,615.00 awarded to seven projects within the North Wessex Downs Quiz held which raised just under £1,500 North Wessex Downs leaflet printed and distributed to leisure and tourism outlets. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Please see attached income and expenditure summary As of 31stMarch 2024 Current assets – bank £18,622 Restricted funds - £13,050 Unrestricted funds - £5,572 Accounts payable-£0 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | With minimal overheads, the Trust aims to maintain a reserve of £1,000 to cover essentials |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £5,572.20 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | With SDF grant payments dwindling, the Trust is actively seeking other funding to deliver its charitable objects in the future. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’model constitution) |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | New Trustees are invited where gaps in the skillset and experience of the existing board of Trustees are identified. Potential new Trustees are invited to attend a board meeting at the end of which a decision is made as to whether an appointment will be made and for what term. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1168708 |
| Charity’s principal address | Arnolds Hill Farm Cottage Arnolds Hill Wingfield Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 9LD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD SHERLOCK | CHAIR | |||
| SUSAN BREW | ||||
| RICHARD BROADHEAD | ||||
| EDWIN HISCOCKS | ||||
| PETER LEMON | ||||
| CHARLES MATHEW | ||||
| JAMIE CAYZER-COLVIN | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| wird GA |
— | ~~Foo~~ dAREGeeoA |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature(s) | Signature(s) wird GA |
— | ~~Foo~~ dAREGeeoA |
| Full name(s) | Full name(s)JAMIE CAYZER-COLVIN | RICHARD BROADHEAD | |
| Position (eg Secretary, **Chair, etc) ** |
Position (eg Secretary, Chair |
Trustee | |
| Date17 | 17thJanuary 2024 | January 2024 |
North Wessex Downs Landscape Trust
Charity Number: 1168708
Year Ended 31[st] March, 2024
| Income £ Expenditure Grants 00.00 Sustainable Development Fund Grants awarded Donations & Subscriptions 2,558.34 Secretarial Services Fundraising 1,406.66 Meeting costs (including travel) Stationery and postal Promotional leaflets Insurance IT and Website Miscellaneous 3,965.00 EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME Bank Account £ Balance at 01.04.23 31,953.52 Net expenditure in year 13,331.34 Balance at 31.03.24 18,622.18 |
£ 12,615.00 3,256.00 237.81 85.70 495.00 137.83 399.00 70.00 17,296.34 13,331.34 |
|---|---|
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND
SUMMARY OF GRANTS AWARDED APRIL 2023 TO MARCH 2024 CURRENT APPLICATIONS
GRANTS AWARDED
Liddington Parish Council: Trig. Point & Millennium Bronze Compass Platform at Liddington Castle
Removal of existing, not fit for purpose, structure at trig. point and om 5 installation of a strong and safe new platform around the trig. point and Millennium Compass. Liddington Village Parish Council will instruct a contractor to remove the current platform and build the new one.
The amount granted: £3,000.00 62% of total project value
Saving St. Andrew’s for Our Community and The Future: St. Andrew’s Parochial Church Council, Boxford
St. Andrew’s Church, Boxford is an historic building of particular significance in the story of the Boxford area which will be preserved, made more useful to the community and more welcoming for visitors. St. Andrew’s has a proven record of working cooperatively across the local community, and with specialist partners, to preserve, record, and present the historical development of the region, both as it is
recorded in the building itself and as it has been discovered in local excavations.
During Covid restrictions, water ingress problems worsened when the tower’s lead roof totally failed. Water penetration has damaged the main supporting oak beams which puts the structure at risk, including the historic bells (some dating from 1601).
The laying of a drainage scheme across the church grounds will be completed and consolidation, protection, development, and the natural environment, of which we are stewards, will be concentrated on. This ground drainage scheme will channel all rainwater from our various roofs into the adjacent River Lambourn, at the point where the Peace Garden is being developed, facing directly onto the Boxford Water Meadows (SSSI), and already an attraction for locals and visitors alike.
The safe, dry, and welcoming building will become a more effective centre for community use and for visitors to the region, and will serve as a ‘Green Room’ for events in church and the Heritage Centre.
The amount granted: £3,000.00 1.7% of total project value
2
Pewsey Vale Bike Repair Stand: Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership
The Pewsey Vale is a very popular cycling area and has several national and local cycling routes available, both off road and on road. Many cycling towns and villages in the UK have installed bike repair stands and they have proved to be well used. The stands provide some confidence to experienced and new cyclists in that they can access basic repair equipment whilst out cycling. The stands also holds the bike steady, whilst it is fixed.
The Pewsey Area Board (Wiltshire Council) is very much behind installation of the repair stands as it contributes to 3 of the local priorities: Reducing carbon footprint and protecting the environment; improving public transport and encouraging walking and cycling; improving the health and wellbeing of local communities.
The amount granted: £577.00 32% of total project value
Hungerford Heritage Trail/Visit Hungerford Website: Hungerford Town Council
The project promotes visiting Hungerford and is aimed at attracting tourists and visitors to the town/North Wessex Downs National Landscape, via a new tourism website and Heritage Trail that can be accessed on-line and promoted locally. The website will be widely advertised on-line, through social media and Great West Way literature.
The amount granted: £3,190.00 28% of total project value
Ramsbury Community Charity Shop: Hills Stores Charity Shop
After 14 years at Hills Stores in Ramsbury High Street, the new Ramsbury Community Charity Shop has moved into the partly redundant public loo building in the Memorial Hall car park, which has been recently reconfigured. The Charity Shop acts as a fund-raising facilitator for the village organisations which help to man it. In the 14 years that the Charity Shop has been operating, £125,000 has been shared by these organisations, currently: Scouts, Bowls Club, Holy Cross Church, Ramsbury Lunch Club, Ramsbury Recreation Centre, Ravensbury Players and the WI.
Donald Sherlock presenting Sheila Glass and Mary Holdsworth with a North Wessex Downs National Landscape SDF plaque. .
The shop is run entirely by volunteers and SDF plaque. . after expenses for rent, waste disposal, insurance, and services, all the profit is distributed each quarter.
The amount granted: £900.00 40% of total project value
3
Replacement of Benches: Wilcot, Oare & Huish Parish Council
The Parish Council agreed to replace two benches in the parish, both of which had become unsafe and are beyond repair. Both benches had historical links to former residents and councillors. The plaques will be retained for fixing to the new benches, alongside any new plaques to be agreed. Both benches are sited within the NWDNL, with the Huish bench near the noticeboard, just where the road follows the ancient Holloway into the centre of this hamlet nestling in the valley, where residents and walkers can appreciate the surrounding landscape of farms and hills. Huish Down is also the natural meeting place for the few residents to congregate and chat, or to wait for the new sustainable on-demand bus service. The Oare bench is near the noticeboard and history board, ideally located for walkers heading to or from Giant’s Grave and the Old Ox Path.
The amount granted: £478.00 42% of total project value
A Rain Garden Design for Oare Primary School: Oare Primary School Parent Teacher Association
Oare Primary School are looking to create a ‘Rain Garden’ in a currently under used and uninspiring space within the school grounds. A ‘Rain Garden’ will use plants that are able to withstand waterlogging for up to 48 hours and provide an opportunity to manage rainwater run-off from hard surfaces, whilst creating a low maintenance, but biodiverse environment for pupils to enjoy and learn through.
The plan is to incorporate a polytunnel into the space so that the children can grow their own fruits and vegetables and learn about the importance of food choices, and sustainable growing practices.
The amount granted: £1,470.00 50% of total project value
4
CURRENT APPLICATIONS
Recreation Hall & Ground Improvement Plan: Chiseldon Parish Council
Applying for £3,000, awaiting planning permission.
Phase one is to remove the old end of life portacabin hall and replace with a modern community hub for meetings, sports and leisure and office space, to support the existing tennis and football clubs with club house and changing facilities. The hall will have solar power to provide electricity (with battery pack storage for night time use) and the aim is to use rain water collection for “grey water” usage. The grant would go towards the costs of the purchase and installation of these. Phase two of the project will increase the land area and provide a pump track, community forest, cricket batting cages and play area.
Solar Panel Implementation for Hungerford Hub and Library: Hungerford Library and Community Trust
Applying for £3,000
Hungerford Hub is a vital community building, at the heart of Hungerford life for so many people, hosting over 20 regular groups catering for all ages and need.
A reduced carbon footprint saves money. Achieving funding for the installation of solar panels is a key next step in ensuring the future of a building used by so many volunteer groups and charities, which in turn, provide important support and a sense of community to the population of Hungerford and the wider area of the AONB.
The Hub already has LED lighting, smart heating, and an air source heat pump to boost its green credentials. These initiatives reduced its carbon emissions by 67%. Its footprint can be further reduced by installing 30 solar panels, giving 25.961 kWh per day and storage of 16.4 kWh.
As an important public building and focal point in the town, The Hub aims to inspire others in the community towards sustainable practices. Solar panels will help realise that ambition by reducing CO2 emissions and lowering our energy bills. The costs of the installation should be recouped within 8 years of energy savings.
5
Furniture and Equipment for An Indoor Classroom to Support A New Approach to Hosting Farm Visits at Tyler Farming Partnership/Kingsplay Farming Company Limited: Tyler Farming Partnership/Kingsplay Farming Company Limited.
Applying for £1,876.22
A scheme has been initiated with some local primary schools whereby all the children in the schools visit the farm on an annual basis. Annual farm visits enable the farm to engage with the children more effectively, and through them with their families. The themes covered in the farm visits hosted, link in with what the children are learning in the national curriculum, relating it to what is happening on the farm, maximising the benefit of the visits, and enhancing the children’s learning experience, as well as enabling their schools to justify multiple visits.
Two schools are already keen to be involved in the scheme. Visits for one have already commenced, with two visits taking place in November 2023 and another 5 planned for spring/summer 2024. It is planned to be able to offer the scheme to two or three more schools, including one which specialises in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities, but ability to do so is dependent on having the capacity for an additional 14/21 visits per year. The current layout limits hosting farm visits at times of the year when the weather conditions are good as there is no indoor area where visitors can shelter safely from poor weather.
To increase capacity, an application has been made for a FiPL grant for construction of an indoor classroom within an existing grain store to allow for farm visits all-year-round. The indoor classroom will also be used for other farm visits, including farm visits for primary and secondary schools not involved in the scheme, and other local diverse groups, careers days, Open Farm Sunday and farmer meetings/training courses.
Additionally, Tyler Farming Partnership/Kingsplay Farming Co. Ltd., is one of two farming businesses currently participating in LEAF’s 3-year Resilient and Ready programme and should become a LEAF demonstration farm at the end of the three years, resulting in a large number of visits for a variety of diverse groups in association with LEAF, for which the indoor classroom will be invaluable.
Once the indoor classroom is constructed, furniture and equipment will need to be purchased to ensure maximum use. There will be no charge for the farm visits offered or for use of the indoor classroom, ensuring accessibility for all.
6
SDF PROJECTS 2023/24: GRANTS SUMMARY
| Project Name | Applicant | Submitted | Grant (£) | Match - Cash (£) |
Match-in kind (£) |
Voln (days) |
Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trig. Point & Millenium Bronze Compass Platform at Liddington Castle |
Liddington Village PC | 14/03/23 | 3,000.00 | 1,835.00 | - | - | SN4 0EY | |
| Saving St. Andrew’s For Our Community& The Future |
St. Andrew’s PCC, Boxford | 24/07/23 | 3,000.00 | 178,376.00 | - | - | RG20 8DP | |
| Pewsey Vale Bike Repair Stand | Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership |
27/07/23 | 577.00 | 907.00 | 330.00 | 6.5 | SN9 5QE | |
| Hungerford Heritage Trail/Visit Hungerford Website |
Hungerford Town Council | 14/09/23 | 3,190.00 | 8,310.00 | - | - | RG17 0JG | |
| Ramsbury Community Charity Shop | Hills Stores Charity Shop | 31/10/23 | 900.00 | 1,024.00 | 300.00 | 6 | SN8 2PB | |
| Replacement of Benches | Wilcot, Huish & Oare PC | 17/11/23 | 478.00 | 597.26 | 60.00 | 1 | SU1579763080 & SU1454863509 |
|
| A Rain Garden Design for Oare PrimarySchool |
Oare Primary School PTA | 22/02/24 | 1,470.00 | 510.00 | 960.00 | 19 | SN8 4JL | |
| TOTALS | 12,615.00 | 191,559.26 | 1,650.00 | 32.5 | ||||
| Total match value (cash and in-kind) | 193,209.26 | |||||||
| Total project value (grant and match) | 205,824.26 |
SDF SUMMARY 2023-24
| SDF SUMMARY 2023-24 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (Approved) | £12,615.00 | As % of Total Allocation | 58.6% | |||
| Match Funding | £191,559.26 | |||||
| In Kind Contributions | £1,650.00 | |||||
| Volunteer Time (days) | 32.5 | |||||
| Total Project Costs – cash & match | £205,824.26 | |||||
| Admin. Costs | £705.00 | |||||
| Admin. Fund | £1,850.00 | £1,850.00 carried forward from 22/23 |
||||
| Total Grant Fund | £21,509.24 | £21,509.24 carried forward from 22/23) |
||||
| Remaining Admin. Fund | £1,145.00 | |||||
| Remaining Funds (Approved) | £8,894.24 | |||||
| Projects under £1,000 | £1,955.00 | As % of total | 15.5% | |||
| Projects over £1,000 | £10,660.00 | As % of total | 84.5% | |||
| Average Grant | £1,802.00 |