## **North Yorkshire Moors Association Trustees Report 2020-2021** ## **The North Yorkshire Moors Association** ## **Trustees’ Report for the period September 2020 to August 2021** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Registered Charity Number 1169240 Address. c/o 4 Station Road Castleton, Whitby, North Yorkshire. YO21 2EG President of the Association: Ian Carstairs OBE ## **Trustees at September 2021** Tom Chadwick (Chairman) Albert Elliot Ann Glass Dave Moore (Vice Chairman) Carolyn Moore (Membership Secretary) Brian Pearce (Hon. Treasurer) Colin Speakman Elaine Wisdom George Winn-Darley Executive Secretary: Janet Cochrane Minutes Secretary: Helen Gundry ## **Other Council members:** Sharon Artley (to April 2020) Raymond Clarke Adrian Leaman ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Association’s governance is based on its 2016 Constitution, written when it became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The “Council” is the body which manages the Association. In addition to the Trustees, there are three Council members and a Secretary who are not Trustees. Council members are nominated and seconded by members and elected annually at the AGM along with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The Association has a Council representative on the Council of the Campaign for National Parks (CNP). ## **Introduction** In September 2020 the AGM was held as a remote online meeting because of Covid-19 restrictions so we welcome the opportunity to meet this year face to face – although one advantage of the online meeting was that it enabled an overseas member from Connecticut, USA, to join us. Reducing the risk from the Covid-19 virus has been a high priority for us during the past year, and quarterly Council meetings as well as other meetings have been held online or by telephone. Due to the pandemic some of our other activities have been curtailed over the last year, principally our walks and events programme and our continuing support for Moorsbus, which has been affected by a reduced timetable. ## **NYMA Constitution** A change to our Constitution agreed in 2020 has been confirmed by the Charities Commission and is now in place. The change refers to Clause 17 of our constitution “Taking of Decisions by Trustees” and represents a minor but important change. ## **Finances** At the year ending March 2021 our financial position was sound, with substantial reserves. A decision was made during the year to reduce the reserve and to direct more funds to our revised Conservation Awards Scheme, which offers awards on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than just once. In view of the continuing low interest rates some of our cash was transferred to a new account with a better yield than the existing CAF Bank account: £35,000 was moved to Shawbrook Bank. The year-end balance shows a total of £55,934,69. Members’ subscriptions amounted to £4,630, a slight decrease over the previous year, while book sales raised £1013.80. Production of ‘Voice of the Moors’ continues to be a major expense which together with postage amounted to £3,029 - this also reflects an increase in the cost of postage. A further major item of expenditure was a contribution to re-print of the ‘Wild Flowers of North East Yorkshire’ (£938.52). ## **Meetings** NYMA Council meetings were held online on October 6[th] 2020 and on January 19[th] , April 20[th] , and July 27[th] 2021. A CNP meeting was held virtually on 17[th] March. Other virtual meetings have included two Defra follow-up meetings connected to the National Landscapes Review, meetings concerning the forthcoming revised National Park Management Plan, and phone meetings with National Park CEO Tom Hind. A meeting concerning the Battle of Byland Project was held face-to-face once restrictions were relaxed. Council members Ray Clarke and Janet Cochrane have given talks and presentations (both virtual and face-to-face) to several organisations to extend awareness of the work of NYMA. This is a significant and much appreciated new initiative, led by Ray. ## **Membership** Cal Moore has continued her excellent and thorough work as Membership Secretary. The membership report for the period ending 30[th] June 2021 shows a total of 386 members. There has been an increase in Gift Membership and also in people taking out a 10-year subscription. A new digital option is proving popular for subscriptions. While it is not clear if the pandemic has had any effect on membership the overall picture is encouraging. ## **Voice of the Moors** Our quarterly magazine continues to be a vitally important connection with our members and the high quality of both content and design has been maintained thanks to the combined expertise of Dr. Janet Cochrane, who took over as editor from Sharon Artley from the Autumn 2020 edition, and Pascal Thivillon at Basement Press. We continue to retain several regular contributors supplemented by one-off contributors, who between them provide informative and interesting articles covering the natural world and the heritage of the National Park. Distribution of the magazine is organised by Cal and Dave Moore. Comments from members show how much the magazine is valued, especially by elderly people and some who live in other parts of the country or the world and are unable to visit the North York Moors. ## **Guided Walks** The normal programme of guided walks and events was severely curtailed because of Covid restrictions. Although walks re-started briefly in October 2020 with a walk round Commondale, more stringent restrictions returned as Covid numbers increased, and it was May 2021 before the walks resumed, beginning with a bluebell walk round Whorlton led by Heather and Colin Mather. Other walks followed monthly, making up a full programme which earlier in the year did not seem possible. - June 26[th ] Hograh Moor, led by Albert Elliot - July 30[th] Goathland, led by Jane Ellis - August 18[th] Appleton-le-Moors, including a guided tour by local resident Jim Hall and lunch at the Moors Inn, which is now a Business Member of NYMA - September 22[nd] Cawthorn Roman Camps, led by Janet Cochrane and Robin Chapman - Thanks are due to all the walk leaders and to Heather Mather for organising the programme. ## **Conservation Award** This year the former annual award scheme (alternating between the President’s Award and Conservation Award) has been changed to a rolling Conservation Award scheme, with a higher cap on awards of £2000 (formerly £1000). We continue to receive a contribution to the awards from the National Park. In 2020-21 we awarded funding support to: - The Esk Valley Camphill Community, for tree planting and conservation work - The ‘Silver Seals’ volunteers, for access work on footpaths, restoring and mending stiles - The Ryedale Bridleway Group, for repair and maintenance of gates on bridleways used by horse-riders, mountain-bikers and walkers - Moor Sustainable, for community work with apple-pressing and cider-making. ## **Corbett’s Copse** Advice from an experienced forester at our biodiversity plot suggests that additional tree-planting can be carried out to increase the density of the existing planting. It has become necessary to repair fencing which has deteriorated, allowing sheep to wander in the enclosure and damage the 2020 winter planting of Alder Buckthorn which appears to have suffered about a 50% loss. It is intended to repair the fencing over the coming months when the bracken has died back, allowing improved access to the enclosure. ## **Moorsbus** The Moorsbus service, which was suspended due to the pandemic restrictions, was restarted on a reduced timetable in summer 2021 with a Saturday and Sunday service during July, August and September. NYMA continues to support Moorsbus with funding. A discussion paper has been put out by Moorsbus Community Interest Company which flags up a proposal to “improve access to the National Park in celebration of its 70[th] anniversary in 2022”. NYMA has agreed to support this proposal by joining a partnership to raise a funding package of £70,000 from external sponsors in order to provide a daily North York Moors network provided by 5 buses during August 2022. ## **National Park Societies Conference** In 2019 NYMA volunteered to host the next annual conference of the National Park Societies. This was scheduled for October 2020 but had to be postponed because of the pandemic, and it will now take place in October 2021. The conference organiser is our Executive Secretary, Janet Cochrane, who has done considerable work to identify a theme and topics for the event along with inviting appropriate speakers, and to make other arrangements such as working with the venue (the Cober Hill Hotel) and relevant parties such as the other Societies and CNP, and organising the field trips along with leaders for these. ## **Battle of Byland Project** NYMA is supporting this project with funding from a £2,500 bequest from the estate of the late Professor Allan Patmore, a NYMA Vice-President. The project is to recognise the historical importance of the Battle of Byland in October 1322, and is led by Harry Pearson, a Volunteer Ranger with the National Park. A site has been identified close to the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre and planning permission has been given for the erection of a stone pillar to mark the location of the battle. The pillar, with an appropriate plaque and information board, will be set up in time for the 700[th] anniversary in October 2022. George Winn-Darley has kindly agreed to provide a stone from the area of Spaunton Moor known as Spindle Thorn, which contains a scattering of Ganister slabs deposited during the last Ice Age. A stone has been selected and will be transported to Sutton Bank. ## **Planning Matters** Development at the Anglo-American Woodsmith Mine, the largest modern mining development in Europe, is continuing, with shaft-sinking started on the main service shaft and preparation made for the other two shafts. The reduced diameter ventilation shaft at Lockwood Beck appears to be completed. Preparation of the site at Lady Cross Plantation is under way to provide an additional ventilation shaft. The tunnel boring for the conveyor system from Whitby to Teesside is also continuing with the tunnel now advancing towards the Lockwood Beck site. Another planning application was made in late 2020 for an airfield at South Moor Farm, near Langdale End, the 5[th] application for this site. The application was again refused by the National Park and subsequently the applicant appealed against this decision again for the 5[th] time. Earlier this year at the beginning of April the planning inspector appointed to this case made a site visit and as a result of his assessment the appeal was dismissed on the 26[th] of April 2021. Tom Chadwick, NYMA Chair, on behalf of the Trustees, September 2021 The North Yorkshire Moors Association CIO No: 1169240 Financial Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021 Paul Tranter & Company Chartered Accountants Stokesley Norlh Yorkshire TS9 SAD ARITY MMISSION Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts .Seition A Independent Examiner's Report Rewrt to Ihe irusiees/members ol On ac(ounls lor Ihe year ended (hawity no (il anvl Sei oui on pages Respe(db* resporskbi1il￿S of tllJ5tee5 ￿ The (haw¥ly's Iiuslee5 afe responsible lot the pieparaiion ol Ihe ac(ounis. The chaiily's exarninew iiusiees con51dei that an audit is not required lor this year undei seclion 4312) ol the Charitres Acl 1993 (Ihe 1993 Act) and ihal an indepeftdeni examinaiioft is TreEded. It is my iesponssbility to-. examine Ihe accomts under se(tion 43 01 Ihe 1993 Ail, to follow Ihe pr(Kedures laid down in the genei31 Diieilion5 given by Ihe Chaiily Commission (undei seciion 43(7llbl ol Ihe 1993 ACI. and lo siale whether Paiiiiuhf mallEIS havE (Gme lo tny atlenlion. Ba515 of lThJependenl examlnerfs s￿emeth My examination wa5 iaiiied out In ￿[Ordance wilh geneial Directions 9iven by Ihe (hoiily Commission. exatllinalion Incl￿deS a ieview ol Ihe aicouniing ie(ords kepl by the ckniity and a comparison DI the a((ounls presented with those ietoid5. It 3lso includes consideration ol aTry unusual iteffls or disilosuies In ihe a(counis, and seeking explanalions Iiorn the ltsuslees con(eiiiing any suth maiieig. The procedures under￿ken do nol pwo¥i¢Je all thp evitJen(e Ihal would be requiied In èn audil, ènd consequently no opinion Is given as lo whether the acc￿￿￿ present 3 '1rue and laiw. view and Ihe repyl is limited lo those fflalle15 SEI out the 5tatetnEnt belDw. dependent eyaMir￿S slaternent In ionnetlion wilh tny examinatiM. no maitei come to my aileniion lothef than that di5(k>5ed below->.. 11} which gives me ieasonablÈ iause lo believe Ihal In. any tnaleiial iespe(l. the iequiiefflelll5: io keep ott(xmtin9 iecoids in aiaxdanie wrih wlion 41 ol 1993 Ait,. and to prepare account5 which aiioid with Ihe 3iiounting ie(ofds èftd comply with Ihe accouniing requiiemenls of the 1993 Acl have Dot been mel.. 01 <21 lo which. in ffly opinion. alleRlion Should be diawn In oidei to enable a pioper undersianding ol ihe atcounis 10 be ieaihed. ° Please delete ihe words in the bi4(kets li Ihey do nol apply. Sigfted Dale Narne Rel￿allt prolessional qualiliia or W lif afty) Adlkess PAUL TRAtrm &C• IER ApiS12009 l.Se£lion B Disclosuie Only complele Il Ihe exafflbnei needs to highlKJhi maieihil piobletns Give hele briel delai15 01 any itetn5 Ihal Ihe exaffliner wishes lo disclose IER Apwil 2009 The North Yorkshire Moors Association CIO No: 1169240 Recelpts & Payments Account for the Financial year ended 31st March 2021 yle 31.03.21 yle 31.03.20 Recelpts Subscripts'ons Members Book sales History Tree Wil(J Flowers Pr￿denYS Fund Main FuThJ 4,630.60 108.65 895.15 4,842.00 332.90 Donations note 3 3.800.20 858.33 1.216.90 783.27 Gift lknd History Tree Project (Lottery FuThJed) Interest Total RKeipts 21.72 10.312.65 72.60 7.247.67 PayThnts InsLFrance 247 47 14.36 15600 277.00 938.52 93.47 684.56 85.(N) 189.70 2.345.80 80.00 117.59 676.80 1.(%M).00 247.47 30.00 156.00 338.00 AGM Auditor CNP.AnnLHI Subscription Wild Flowers project Pholocopwng & Slatior Postage Sundry Secre* Fees & Expenses v￿Ce, Production Park Wood Bank ChargeslPaypal fee5 Website Presidenvs Fund Award Conservation Award Leaflets . NYMA Council Meeting Cosls Moors Bus National Parks Conference Cosls National Parks Conference Attenden￿ Fees120181 Grants to Olhers Total Payments Surplus for the year translerred to General Funds (ply defeclti 198.55 942 24.00 248.04 1.999.20 note 2 B9.70 628.80 5CM).00 125.00 15.54 2.397.95 1.640.02 250.00 400.00 10.332.15 6.921.81 3.390.84 3.OB4.48 The North Yorkshire Moors Association CIO No: 1169240 Balance Sheet a$ at 31st March 2021 31st March 2021 31st March 2020 Current Assets Yorkshire Bank {28670301 CAF Cash actA)unt IOOLX)7&281 4.046. CAF Savings ac&)unt Main FvrKI10(KQ84225) 47.225.17 Pr8sdents Fvnd 14. 3.493.97 3.497.97 47.703.45 314.30 51,5e6 43 854.29 55,934.69 48,¥22.73 123.15 52,543 85 PayPal Represented By: General Fund Balance bll Surplus ￿ the Year Ipfy de￿) Balance clf note 3 52.543.85 3 3￿.84 55.934.69 55.628.33 52 543 85 Nots8'. 1 Moor Bus Project Funds have been allocated lo the mC￿S Bu5 Project from the Laught￿ Legary & olher desi9n8led have been fulty exhausted during the financial year ended 31st March 2020. 2 Volcg prod￿tIOn Cost The toial £2.345.80, indudes £1,(KJ) pajd to P Thfvillon kn past works. 3 Donatlon81 Maln Fund & Ongoong Projèets Ihe lurMJ iThSutss.' 8. Restricted Funds of£3.(KX) rxmnprisiry £2.orK) rtom Ihe Brurs Wake charilab￿ Tnjst a further £1.OCK) designated by Ny￿ I¢x ptovisi¢y) ol a disa1￿ed bus stop at NYMA Centre Danby. b. £1,000 has beén desNJnat8d tovrdrds the cost of a r•pb(xnent public fcdbridge at HelM￿eY. Bolh projeds are ong01￿j and CA￿ting￿nI urth) olhw sourc£s of finar￿.. The bequesl of £2,500 in 2018119 frorn the PatrrK)re Estate was to be alkuted to a speafic prq8cL An apwoprKate proFIX h85 n(rt yet Lwi x1enb"fi8d. Tr ￿tr￿￿ed fuThJ is carried forward. ApFwoved by￿ Commrtieeon................................