Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 7 Sept 2023 Period start date To 7 Sept 2024 Period end date Charity name: Castle Lake Conservation Group
Charity registration number: 1177070
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1) To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity of the area in Bishop Middleham, County Durham known as Castle Lake. 2) To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment. |
| 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 |
The Group continued to monitor the site to maintain its quality as an excellent habitat for birds, particularly water birds. New planting of trees, hedges and reedbeds was carried out to pursue this aim, including the completion of some planting that weather conditions had prevented in 2023/4. . |
| 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 by tailoring activities and objectives for the benefit of the public. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference N/A
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
|---|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | As per the previous reporting period, Volunteers in conjunction with Durham Bird Club work on a regular basis to keep the lake and its surroundings in good order to encourage and enrich its bio- diversity. Volunteers do not claim allowances nor do they receive refunds for expenditure. |
| Other |
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 | The site continues to be an important one for wildlife, particularly birds. We believe that work undertaken or planned during this year have helped to improve this. We have also been considering other options to manage the land other than obtaining a lease. This could include it being used for Biodiversity Net Gain as Durham County Council prepares its Local Nature Recovery Strategy. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Progress has been made to maintain the importance of this site.
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Habitats have continued to be improved which may in turn assist in addressing the point made above. In particular, fencing was installed to enable reed planting to take place later in the year. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As at 7 September 2024, the Club held £5,719.11 in the Bank as outlined in the accompanying Financial Report |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | N/A |
| 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 | N/A |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
Existing funds have been retained |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
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 | Nothing has occurred this year in this respect |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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 trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: (a) a copy of the current version of this constitution; and (b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts. And c) draw their attention to relevant CC guidance |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | We have 7 trustees: (1) Functions and duties of charity trustees The charity trustees shall manage the affairs of the CIO and may for that purpose exercise all the powers of the CIO. It is the duty of each charity trustee: (a) to exercise their powers and to perform their functions in their capacity as a trustee of the CIO in the way they decide in good faith would be most likely to further the purposes of the CIO; and (b) to exercise, in the performance of those functions, such care and skill as is reasonable in the |
| circumstances having regard in particular to: (i) any special knowledge or experience that they have or hold themselves out as having; and, (ii) if they act as a charity trustee of the CIO in the course of a business or profession, to any special knowledge or experience that it is reasonable to expect of a person acting in the course of that kind of business or profession. |
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|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Although the Group is a distinct organisation from Durham Bird Club, it does seek to work in close collaboration with it. Three of the trustees are also members of the Club and one is also a Bird Club trustee. The Club has agreed to help finance with payments for the lease if (notwithstanding comments above) this should in fact materialise. |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Castle Lake Conservation Group |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1177070 |
| Charity’s principal address | Mr. Richard Cowen Rose Cottage, Old Quarrington, Co Durham DH6 5NN |
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 (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Cowen | ||||
| Michele MacCallam |
Treasurer | |||
| John Olley | ||||
| Kim Baines | ||||
| Nicola Dexter | ||||
| Frederick Milton | ||||
| HarveyNeve | ||||
– 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 N/A for 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
Signature(s) R Cowen Full name(s) Richard Saywood Cowen Position (eg Secretary, TRUSTEE nominated to Chair, etc) perform this duty Date 24 June 2025
CASTLE LAKE CONSERVATION GROUP
FINANCIAL REPORT
For the year ending 7 September 2024.
At the beginning of the Financial Year, the Group held £5719.11 in the Bank. It
subsequently received £1000.00 as a grant from the former County Durham Community Fund in order to carry out fencing works. Owing to the very wet weather during this year, it was not possible to carry out the works before 7 September 2024 and the money will be carried over to the next annual report
On 7 September 2024, the balance held by the Group in the Bank was 6,719.11
R Cowen
24 June 2025.