## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** ## **From** Period start date Period end date **To** Day 1 Month April Year 2020 Day 31 Month March Year 2021 Section A Reference and administration details ## **Charity name** The Letcombe Brook Project ## **Other names charity is known by** **Registered charity number (if any)** 1172111 **Charity's principal address** Letcombe Brook Project c/o Vale and Downland Museum Church Street Wantage Oxfordshire **Postcode OX12 8BL** ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** **Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)** 1 Anthony Harker Chair 2 Alison Futter 3 Dave Parry 4 Mike Stead 5 Julia Reynolds ## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** ## **Name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Type of adviser Name Address** ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Description of the charity’s trusts** Type of governing document Constitution - (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is Charitable Incorporated Organisation constituted - (eg. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by)[Appointed by Trustees] ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties; - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage Local concerns for the health of the Letcombe Brook led to the formation of the Letcombe Brook Project in 2003. Initially the Project was funded by the Environment Agency, the Vale of White Horse DC and the Grove and Wantage Councils and these bodies provided representatives of a Steering Group to manage the Project. Subsequently the Environment Agency stopped funding the LBP but remained on the Steering Group. Later Both Letcombe and Hanney Councils joined the Project as funders with seats on the Steering Group. The LBP was very successfully implemented through contracted part time Project Officers who both ran the Project and brought in significant funds for remedial and improvement works. The LBP was remodelled as a CIO in 2017 whilst retaining the Steering Group to advise and maintain local Community links. All Trustees are provided with LBP Policies on appointment and them. subsequently all take part in the development and approval of modified or additional Policies, Procedures and Project Officer Work Programmes. Williams F1 is a Member of LBP and takes part in Steering Group Meetings in a non-voting capacity. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** 1. To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation protection and Improvement of the physical and natural environment of the **Summary of the objects** Letcombe Brook catchment, in particular but not exclusively by **of the charity set out in** promoting biological diversity. **its governing document** 2. To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Letcombe Brook catchment Section D Achievements and performance Section D Achievements and performance **Organisational Issues** ## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** During the year the Steering Group met online on two occasions to raise local environmental concerns about the Brook Corridor, to comment on Progress Reports from the Project Officer and to suggest future projects. All these discussions were formally minuted and circulated through the Steering Group Members to the Environment Agency and each of the local Authorities adjacent the Brook. ## **Headline Outputs for 2020/2021** **260 Volunteering hours** despite Covid restrictions halting work parties and riverfly monitoring for much of this period (only 4 LBP work parties completed). Supported 4 Duke of Edinburgh Award students in completing River Wardening activities. Also supported a further 4 work parties run by other organisations (BBOWT and Hanney Flood Group) **Volunteer outputs** – riverfly surveying, habitat improvement on several sites, river wardening, litter picking, research into historic river modifications, species monitoring and reporting. **Education** – schools sessions had to be cancelled due to Covid Restrictions but Duke of Edinburgh students completed River Wardening activities. 2 Scouts and Guides sessions via Zoom and one guided walk. **Engagement** - direct engagement via events etc cancelled due to Covid so built up engagement via Facebook Group with regular posts and contributions from members. Contributions via zoom to Wild Oxfordshire, BBOWT and Sustainable Wantage webinars **Website** improved with interative map and galleries added plus seasonal blogs continued. **Social media** – 445 followers on Twitter, with almost weekly tweets. Facebook Group started in Jan 2020 and already grown to almost 600 members with weekly posts. ## **Habitat Enhancement Work - Almost 3 km of brook** **habitat improved or maintained** due to direct action from volunteer team and PO or due to influencing owner to carry out work. This included: - Love the Letcombe Project (EA funded) to reduce shade and improve riparian habitat on multiple sites along the brook. - Lower Mill Bypass Project (EA Funded) to improve fish passage along the brook by creating a new fish bypass channel over 260 metres. This also improved habitat for water voles and kingfishers plus fencing of over 200m of riverbank to protect from livestock and seeding 260m Section D Achievements and performance with specialist wetland seedmix. **Section F** Other optional information BBOWT (100m), Millennium Green (80m) , Limborough Rd (300m), Willow Walk (500m) Mably Way (250m), Grove Bridge (50m), Kingfishers (50m), Sharland (50m), Mary Green (400m), Peter Holmes Garden (50m),Village Green (50m) , Williams F1 (330m), Poughley Farm/Lower Mill (460m), Philberds Manor (100m), Dyers Meadow 200m **Total length 2.95km** **Training up an Assistant –** the PO has been training up an assistant to help with project delivery work, surveying and leading groups of volunteers. **Invasive species control** – balsam pulling along 7km of brook targeting all known stands and mink control via 6 monitored mink rafts **Riverfly Surveying** - 8 sites monitored on monthly basis as part of Riverfly Partnership invertebrate monitoring scheme **170 Wildlife Records** inputted via iRecord App including for protected species otter and water vole. **Partnership working** with following organisations: Freshwater Habitats Trust, EA, Sustainable Wantage, Hanney Flood Group, Wild Oxfordshire, Ock Catchment Partnership, Cain Bioengineering **Advice** provided to 26 riparian owners 5 interventions to reduce flood risk (e.g. obstruction removal) 2 pollution issues identified and reported 36 bags of litter collected from the banks and riverbed ## **Section E Financial review** **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** Funds for three months of Project Officers and Assistant Project Officers time is carried over annually together with a nominal sum for fixed costs of insurance, communications and consumables. **Details of any funds materially in deficit** None ## **Section F Other optional information** **Section F** Other optional information ## **Section G Declaration** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature( s) Full name(s)** Anthony Paul Harker **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair **Chair, etc) Date** 13/10/21 ## **Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1172111 Letcombe Brook Project** **Accounts: Year ending 31st March 2021** ## **Accountants' Certifcate** I have examined the books and records of the Management Committee together with the attached Income and Expenditure Account and I certify that it is in accordance therewith. **Sally Luther. ACMA, ACT. Stanford in the Vale** ## **Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1172111** ## **Letcombe Brook Project Year ended 31st March 2021 Accounts** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Year ending 31st March 2021 Year ending 31st March 2020
UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL
**----- End of picture text -----**
||**UNRESTRICTED**|**RESTRICTED**|**TOTAL**|**UNRESTRICTED**|**RESTRICTED**|**TOTAL**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**CURRENT ASSETS**
NatWest Bank as at 01.04.21
Money in
Money out
Increase/(decrease)
Total Funds at 31.3.2021
Balance at NatWest Bank
Balance per bank statements
Less: Uncleared cheques|£
8,365.35
45,837.56
32,169.84
13,667.72
22,033.07|£
1,565.88
65,082.00
59,393.47
5,688.53
7,254.41|£
9,931.23
110,919.56
91,563.31
19,356.25
29,287.48
29,287.48
29,287.48
0.00
29,287.48|£
15,036.68
27,408.00
34,079.33
-6,671.33
8,365.35|£
1,082.88
1,295.00
812.00
483.00
1,565.88|£
16,119.56
28,703.00
34,891.33| |||||||-6,188.33| |||||||9,931.23| |||||||| |||||||9,931.23| |||||||9,931.23
0.00| |||||||9,931.23| ## **Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1172111 LETCOMBE BROOK PROJECT YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH 2021** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Year ending 31.3.2021 Year ending 31.3.2020
**----- End of picture text -----**
||**Year ending 31.3.2021**|**Year ending 31.3.2021**|**Year ending 31.3.2021**|**Year ending 31.3.2020**|**Year ending 31.3.2020**|**Year ending 31.3.2020**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**INCOME**
Grove Parish Council
Wantage Town Council
Vale of White Horse D.C.
Lectcombe Regis Parish Council
East Hanney Parish Council
Talks
Sale of Equipment
Barrett Homes Management Plan
Williams F1
Enviornment Agency
Ecology
OCC
Donations
Bank refund
**EXPENDITURE**
Project Ofcers Fees
Project Ofcers Expenses
Assistant Ofcers Fees
Assistant Ofcers Expenses
Karen Davies fees
Sally Wallington Consultants Fees
Leafet Design and Printing
Training
Subscription
Tools
Website
Insurance
Cain
RJR
Pepler fencing
Falcon signs
Accountancy
SURPLUS/ (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
TOTAL FUNDS AS AT 31st MARCH 2020
TOTAL FUNDS AS AT 31st MARCH 2021
Represented by:
Balance at Nat West Bank 31st March 2021|**UNRESTRICTED**
**£**
7,000.00
9,450.00
14,298.00
700.00
1,000.00
500.00
12,889.56
45,837.56
25,504.80
396.82
4,173.00
158.71
432.00
642.99
595.00
226.52
40.00
32,169.84
13,667.72
8,365.35
22,033.07|**RESTRICTED**
**£**
2,744.00
58,939.90
2,000.00
1,398.10
65,082.00
270.46
48,926.00
4,104.00
4,584.06
1,508.95
59,393.47
5,688.53
1,565.88
7,254.41|**TOTAL**
**£**
7,000.00
9,450.00
17,042.00
700.00
1,000.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
58,939.90
500.00
2,000.00
14,287.66
110,919.56
25,504.80
667.28
4,173.00
158.71
0.00
0.00
0.00
432.00
642.99
0.00
595.00
226.52
48,926.00
4,104.00
4,584.06
1,508.95
40.00
91,563.31
19,356.25
9,931.23
29,287.48
29,287.48|**UNRESTRICTED**
**£**
7,000.00
9,000.00
507.00
700.00
800.00
50.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6,000.00
500.00
2,851.00
27,408.00
23,928.00
751.23
2,884.00
6.12
-
656.52
-
684.55
432.00
2,670.91
2,026.00
40.00
34,079.33
-6,671.33
15,036.68
8,365.35|**RESTRICTED**
**£**
795.00
500.00
1295.00
312.00
500.00
812.00
483.00
1,082.88
1,565.88|**TOTAL**
**£**
7,000.00
9,000.00
1,302.00
700.00
800.00
50.00
-
-
-
6,000.00
500.00
500.00
2,851.00| |||||||28703.00
24,240.00
751.23
2,884.00
6.12
-
656.52
-
684.55
432.00
3,170.91
2,026.00
-
-
-
-
-
40.00| |||||||34891.33| |||||||-6188.33
16,119.56| |||||||9,931.23| |||||||9,931.23| ## **Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1172111** ## **Letcombe Brook Project Year ending 31st March 2021** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance EXPENDITU
PROJECT DONOR INCOME PAYEE Balance c/f Purpose
B/F RE
Love the MB –
OCC 2,000 270 1,730
LBP Equipment
EA 3,012 RJR * 1,128 1,884
EA 5,988 Cain Bio 4,020
RJR 384
RJR 1,584 0
TOTAL 11,000 7,386 3,613
Section 106 VWHDC 2,744 Falcon Signs 1,003
Falcon Signs 506 1,235
Total 2,744 1,509 1,235
EH Fish
EA 5,744 Cain Bio 5,744 0
Bypass
EA 10,016 Cain Bio 10,016 0
EA 29,147 Cain Bio 29,147 0
Pepler
EA 5,034 4,584 450
Fencing
Total 49,940 49,490 450
Lennox
Equipment
Hanay
for LBP 1,000 1,000
Charitable
Events
Trust
Helen Ferris Bird Nests 398 398
Councillor
RJR 1,008 -1,008
Priority Fund
B/F 1,566 1,566
Total 1,566 65,082 59,393 7,254
**----- End of picture text -----**
Inde endenl Examinerfs re Charitable Inco rated O rt to the Trustees of the Letcombe Brook Pro anisab-on 1172111 ect. 1Stered I report lo the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2021. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Chartlies Act 2011 I'the 2011 Acr}. I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 20111.the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Direcb'on5 given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){bl of the 2011 Act. Independent exarninerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the eXaMina￿n giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by the 2011 ACC or the accounts do not accord with those records. I have noconcemsand havecomeacross noothermatters in connection withthe examination to which attenb.on should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to bereached. Sally Luther. ACMA, ACT 23 Whitfield. Stanford in the Vale Oxon SN7 8FL 31.5.2021