2024-04-05-accounts - Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 6[th] April 2023 Period start date To 5[th] April 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust

Charity registration number: 1178614

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	In summary, the objects of the charity are: For the public benefit 1) To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue amenity and related areas 2) To advance the education of the public in the natural history of the flora and fauna of the Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue amenity 3) To assist with the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation in order to improve conditions of life for those living, visiting or working in the area of benefit.
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	During the year the main activities carried out, having regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, on public benefit, are as follows: 1. Professional trimming of 137 mature yew trees during September and October 2023 to restore the shape and texture of the trees 2. Early season grass cutting of the rides and end of season (August) cutting, baling and removal from site of hay to encourage wild flower meadow creation of the main ride. 3. Cutting of hedges and removal of arisings 4. Strimming and clearing of ditches and water courses and removal of arisings.

Statement confirming Para 1.18 whether 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
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Our team of volunteers has carried out a range of duties including periodic visitor surveys and litter picking. Arrangements have continued with Rutland County Council to provide a litter bin and a regular collection.
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	When we completed our negotiations with Forestry England in June 2018 and our agreement to care for the site was first established, the yew trees had not been cut for 4 years. The professional clipping in September 2019 achieved a remarkable degree of restoration. This work has continued with an annual professional clip of all trees each year (September 2020, October 2021, October 2022 and October 2023), further improving their health and appearance every year. Similarly, annual maintenance of the grassland in accordance with professional ecology and biodiversity advice, has improved the nature of the site as a visitor attraction.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Each year we agree with Forestry England a Management Plan for the Yew Tree Avenue for the year ahead, and at the end of the year, we report on the achievement of that Plan.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Since 2019 our fund-raising efforts can be considered entirely successful, based upon our success in gaining specific grant funding for defined projects and supported by very generous donations from a few local individuals. However, we have to report that the climate for fund- raising has significantly deteriorated since the Covid pandemic began in March 2020 and we can no longer be confident that we will be able to continue to raise the £15k to £20k per annum which is necessary to maintain this site in a welcoming condition. We also note that the Covid pandemic is also partly responsible for our site receiving a significant additional number of visitors compared with earlier years and a good number of these are coming from greater distances than before.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Not applicable
Other		Not applicable

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Our Charitiy’s cash reserves at the 5th April 2024 was £6,419 Funds raised after that date will allow us to clip approximately half of the Avenue again in September 2024. Whether the situation will permit a further full clip in 2025 is less certainat the present time.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Our financial policy is to ring-fence sufficient funds as soon as they are available for the main clipping project which is estimated to cost £13k to £15k each September. Maintaining the grassland, ditches and hedges is also an essential requirement and is estimated to cost a further £2,000 at present day prices. Any other desired improvements for the public experience need to be successfully funded by new grant applications before any commitments are made.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	Not applicable
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23
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
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	See paragraph 1.41 above.
Other		Not applicable

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	CYTAT is established as a Foundation CIO
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Foundation 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	The three founding trustees remain in post. It is not our present intention to admit additional Trustees. If and when additional Trustees are invited the three founding trustees will reach agreement on candidates and appointments.

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	Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust
Other name the charity uses	Not applicable
Registered charity number	1178614
Charity’s principal address For Contact	Mr Clifford Bacon The Old Schoolhouse, CLIPSHAM Oakham RutlandLE157SE

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)
	Dr Patrick Candler	Chairman
	Mrs Sue Thomas	Publicity and Website
	Mr Cliff Bacon	Secretary and Treasurer

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name Not Applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
Not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements 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

Not applicable

Other optional information

Not applicable.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	C J Bacon	Sue Thomas
	Clifford James Bacon	Susan Mary Thomas
	Secretary and Treasurer	Trustee
	31stJuly 2024
	31stJuly 2024

Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust 1178614 Receipts and payments accounts For the period 6th April 2023 5th April 2024 To from

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 2,401 514 - - - - - 2,915 - - - 2,915 - 561 119 398 69 - - 1,147 - - - 1,147 1,768 - 9,683 11,450	Restricted funds to the nearest £ 3,590 3,400 - - - - - 6,990 - - - 6,990 12,708 1,661 - - - - - 14,369 - - - 14,369 - 7,379 - 2,348 - 5,031	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £ 5,991 3,400 514 - - - - - 9,905 - - - 9,905 12,708 - 1,661 561 119 398 69 - - 15,516 - - - 15,516 - 5,611	Last year to the nearest £
Donations	2,401		- - - - - - - - -	5,991	3,485
Charitable Donations				3,400	1,969
Other Income	514			514	457
	-			-	-
	-			-	-
	-			-	-
	-			-	-
	-			-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	2,915			9,905	5,911

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-		- - -	-
	-			-	-
*Sub total*	-			-	-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
			-	9,905	5,911

Yew Tree Clipping			- - - - - - - - - -	12,708	12,540
Site works				-	380
Grass & hedge maintenance	-			1,661	1,651
Insurance	561			561	551
Website maintemance	119			119	58
Printingand stationery	398			398	394
Sundry	69			69	70
	-			-	-
	-			-	-
**Sub total **	1,147			15,516	15,644

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)
	-		- - -	-
	-			-
**Sub total **	-			-	-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
			-	15,516	15,644

	1,768	- 7,379	-	- 5,611	- 9,733
	-	-	- -	-	-
	9,683	2,348		12,031	21,764
	11,450	- 5,031	-	6,419	12,031

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

19/10/2024

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Sue Thomas Signature C J Bacon Not applicable Details Details Not applicable BANK ACCOUNT Details Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Not applicable Details Not applicable	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 11,450 - 5,031 - - - - 11,450 - 5,031 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Clifford James Bacon Susan Mary Thomas	Endowment funds to nearest £
		-
		-
		-
		zero
		#VALUE!
		Endowment funds to nearest £
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		Current value (optional)
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		-
		When due (optional)






		Date of approval
C J Bacon	Clifford James Bacon	31/07/2024
Sue Thomas	Susan Mary Thomas	31/07/2024

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

19/10/2024