2022-12-31-accounts - Langdyke Countryside Trust

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LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST

Registered as a Charity and Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England & Wales No 1180626

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR

1 JANUARY to 31 DECEMBER 2022

1. Governance

Langdyke Countryside Trust CIO was registered as a Charitable Incorporate Organisation (CIO) (no 1180626) by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9th November 2018. The objectives of the CIO are to promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of the biodiversity, landscape, natural and cultural heritage of the rural areas of Peterborough, for the benefit of local people, visitors and the general public; and to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the rural areas of Peterborough, and its historic and cultural aspects.

These objectives are achieved by the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment and heritage in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire through restoring and managing the habitat and promoting biological diversity to enhance people's enjoyment and understanding of wildlife and their heritage.

Langdyke Countryside Trust CIO is governed by its Constitution approved and registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9 November 2018. The Trust holds an Annual General Meeting, at which, all full paid-up members and honorary members, are entitled to attend and vote. This meeting elects the Trustees of the Trust.

The CIO is managed by its trustees supported by a Management Board. The number of trustees is set by the constitution and may be between four and twelve. As at 31/12/2022 there were nine trustees and a list of trustees is given below. Trustees are appointed by the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Other members of the Management Board are appointed by the Board of Trustees. There is no set time period for service on the Management Board. The Management Board is responsible for the day-to-day management of the trust, such as setting budgets, approving all trust management policies and procedures, approving the trust accounts, etc. All

Trustees are full members of the Management Board. The Management Board is chaired by the Chair of Trustees. Trustees receive no remuneration, but are entitled to re-imbursement for any expenses, incurred on trust business. Currently no trustee receives any car or motoring expenses.

In addition to the Management Board, there are five strategy groups which are responsible for helping to achieve the Trust's five strategic objectives. these groups report to the Management Board and have executive functions delegated to them under the trust’s Scheme of Delegation.

Currently the Trust does not employ any paid staff, although it does use consultancy and professional services on a fee basis.

There were no serious incidents in the trust for the period of this return.

2. Board of Trustees. (all trustees served throughout the year unless stated otherwise)

Richard H Astle (Chair of Trustees) Claire J Noble (appointed 16/7/22) David J. Alvey Robert D. Cowcill Christopher J. Gardiner (retired 16/7/22) Peter J Hiller (appointed 16/7/22) Brian Lawrence (Honorary Treasurer) Antony Mould Adam E Saunby Justin S Tilley Christopher. D. Topper (retired 16/7/22).

On 1/3/2023 Brian Lawrence stood down from his role and was replace as Honorary Treasurer by Andrew Curwen. Mr Curwen was appointed as a Trustee 13/2/2023.

3. Bankers

Metro Bank plc. 29 Long Causeway, Peterborough. PE1 1YJ

4. Independent Examiner of Accounts

Ian Mace, ACA, Rutland House, Wothorpe Park, Wothorpe, Stamford, PE9 3LA.

5. Solicitors for the Trust

Roythornes Solicitors, Enterprise Way, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 3YR

6. Insurance Brokers

PIB Insurance Brokers, 1 Penman Way, Grove Park, Leicester. LE19 1SY

7. Annual Report of the Chair of the Trust.

2022 was another year of hard work and general success for the Trust.

Our reserves continue to prosper . Whether it’s the return of Nightingale to Bainton Pits, the increasing number of Man Orchids at Swaddywell and the continued success of Operation Turtle Dove at Etton Maxey Pits, Langdyke’s reserves are in great shape for nature. There was a new project at Swaddywell working with Butterfly Conservation to increase habitat for key butterfly species and two new scrapes were dug at Etton Maxey Pits, creating new habitats for wetland birds and insects.

Most notably we were also able to increase the number and extent of our reserves , meaning more land is being managed for nature locally. We entered into an agreement to manage an additional meadow immediately west of Vergette Wood Meadow and concluded a long-term management agreement with Nene Park Trust to look after M’Ladys’ Pond near Ailsworth. Our efforts to buy two more pits south of the Maxey Cut, Christ

College Pits, were also a big focus of our work. We launched a successful fundraising campaign for the purchase and initial management of the reserve. We hope to conclude the purchase in the next financial year.

We continued our work to help nature recover across the wider countryside , working with partners at Nene Park Trust, Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts and PECT as part of the John Clare Countryside project to help deliver nature projects across 25 parishes. The project has planted 1.6 km of new hedgerow, more than 400 native trees and established 280 m[2] of wildflower meadow. The partnership team, led by one of Langdyke’s members, also engaged over 800 people at more than 70 walks, work parties and talks.

Our efforts to engage our members focused on a regular series of events, including guided walks, online talks and two training sessions on how to identify local bird species. We continued to hold our regular work parties on Monday and Thursdays every week, and also held a number of corporate work parties both on our reserves and in the wider countryside. The work of our artists in residence was of particular significance attracting a wider audience beyond our traditional membership base. We also appointed our first poet in residence, who attended several events, reading from his own work, inspired by local nature. Our membership continues to increase, albeit at a slower rate than in previous years.

The Langdyke Board took the opportunity in 2022 to review its Health and Safety Policy and general performance in this area. A health and safety professional visited Swaddywell during a weekly work party and reviewed both our activities and documentation. The outcome of the review supported our own view that we were undertaking the appropriate requirements to keep ourselves, our volunteers, members and visitors safe. Whilst there were a number of recommendations these primarily related to our record keeping and documentation. A Trust wide Risk Register has been compiled and a new layout to our Risk Assessments implemented as well as a notification system to ensure we report all incidents. This will enable us to continue to improve our systems and prevent more serious accidents occurring.

Given the high temperatures last year, equipment was purchased specifically to reduce the risk of fires causing significant damage. Fire extinguishers were sourced and installed at Torpel and Swaddywell cabins and fire beaters purchased for the reserves. First Aid training and further brush cutter and strimmer training was undertaken by several volunteers to ensure we continue to have appropriate trained personnel at work parties and events.

8. Achievements against objectives set

Following a review of its strategy and objectives in 2021, the Trust set out five key objectives, as follows:

To double membership
To enhance its existing reserves for nature
To expand its reserves
To promote the John Clare Countryside
To engage and inspire its members.

As set out above, the Trust continued to work towards the achievement of its objectives. In particular, we were able to extend the amount of land under our management, and to continue to improve the habitats on our reserves for nature. We are also very pleased with the progress of the John Clare Countryside project, which continues to gain momentum and deliver practical on the ground outcomes, as outlined above. There is recognition that although our membership is growing, it will be difficult to double it, and we are considering revising that objective going forward, to a more achievable target. The Trust reviews its objectives annually.

9. Contributions made by volunteers.

Langdyke has no paid members of staff. All our activities are devised, organised and delivered by volunteers.

Each week there are at least two work parties on our reserves, with additional work parties organised from September onwards at other locations through the John Clare Countryside project. Behind the scenes we also have volunteer-led committees that plan our conservation work (The Reserves Committee), our membership recruitment and engagement (People and Communities Committee) and manage our operations (Finance and

Governance Committee). In total we have well over 70 active volunteers, playing a key role in the delivery of our objectives. The trust only received income from sources within the United Kingdom during the year.

10. Financial Review

After two difficult years impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic there was a partial return to ‘norm’ relating to planned works. Following a 40% increase in subscription income in 2021 (an unanticipated but potentially beneficial side effect of the pandemic) it was encouraging to see continued growth in membership revenue albeit at a much slower rate of nearly 11%.

Total income for the year amounted to £103,674 – a significant increase from 2021 (£35,773) mainly as a result of fundraising activity and amounts received for restricted activities - see below.

The major increases in income, all of which falls into the “restricted” category, during the year (zero income in 2021) arose from:

Donations for Capital projects (£30,000) and fundraising for the opportunity to purchase a strategic reserve from Christ’s College Cambridge (£14,642).
Grants received from National Grid plc in connection with Bainton Heath (£29,250).

Government Agricultural Subsidies, such as Basic Farm Payments, Entry and Higher-level stewardship totalled £21,185 (versus £20,582 in 2021) are very important to the trust and represent a significant portion of the trust’s unrestricted revenue. The changing regime going forward, where this level of income is likely to reduce significantly over time, is being monitored carefully by the trust.

The trust received only received income from sources within the United Kingdom during the year.

Expenditure amounted to £44,757 (versus £27,313 in 2021). The major changes from 2021 included:

Professional fees (£13,640 v £0 in 2021) in connection with fundraising for the Christ’s College Pit opportunity, Bainton Heath and expenditure on other new reserves.

Community projects which totalled £7,600 in 2022 versus £11,746 in 2021: This change hides two unconnected significant movements - In 2021 expenditure included £10,000 of grants paid to assist local Parish Councils to prepare their nature recovery plans. No payments were made of a similar nature in 2022. However, £4,660 was paid from restricted funds in 2022 (£0 in 2021) in connection with the River Welland Woodland access project.
Expenditure on reserves rose from £8,906 in 2021 by nearly 90% to £16,834 in 2022. This reflects two major components; first, an increase of £4,500 in restricted expenditure on Bainton Heath and second, a general increase of 37% on the wider reserves portfolio as activity increased significantly following the relaxation of Covid related restrictions.

The increased activity following the emergence from Covid restrictions saw an anticipated reduction in unrestricted cash reserves from £47,875 at 31 December 2021 to £43,574 at 31 December 2022. Restricted cash reserves increased from £5,959 to £69,178 following the significant donations and fundraising activity mentioned above.

The trust has a policy that recommends that cash reserves should not fall below an average of 4 months expenditure. The current unrestricted cash reserves indicate that the trust continues to operate within this threshold.

For the first time in 2022 the trust used the services of a Professional fund raiser to assist in the successful fundraising for the purchase of Christ’s College Pit.

The trust does not work, neither did it have expenses, outside England and Wales.

The trust receives no income from Central or Local Government Contracts during the year, neither has the Trust entered into any such contracts. During 2022 the Trust received income from Government Subsidy for Higher Level Stewardship and Basic Farm Payments of £21,185 (£20,582 in 2021).

Richard Astle Chair of Trustees 17 June 2023

Andrew Curwen Honorary Treasurer 17 June 2023.

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENtS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT Independent examiner'5 report to the Trustees of Langdyke Countryside Trust Charltable Intorporaled Organisation ("the CIO") I report to the charity Trustees on my exaininalion of ihp account% c>1 thv C'.1() for the year ended 31 December 2022. which are. set out on pagcs I to 7. Re5pon5ibilities and basis of report As. the ch*irity trustees oFthp CIO you are. rosponslble for the preparation ol ihe dc¢ount5 in occordancF. with thp Ch47ritie5 Act 201 I I'the Act l. I report In r@..¢1 af my Pxeimination of thp r.In's arraijnts c8rrbed oijt vndEr seition 145 01 the Act and in carrying out my e.xamination I have lollExved all the applicable Directions £iven by ihe Charily Commission unde.[ sp.ctron 14515llbl of the Act. Independenl examiner's statement I have completed my examinaiion. I CDnlirm that no material m¥iltpr% havo come to my attention in conrtection wilh thv exomination givln6 mv. (ause to believe thi1t In rlny matfrriril respoct, l. Jccoumting rtrcords wp.ro not kept a5 required by section 130 01 Lhe Ad,. or 2. the accounls do noi acioid with thosp rrr.OTds. I h£ive 10 coniernts and have. r.amp acros5 no oiher matter& in conneciion witli Ilie examination to which atte.iilion should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undersLandin¥ ol Lhe dccounts to bE'. rp(Ir.hpd. D6led.. lan Mace ACA Rullaiid HuusL' Wnthnrpp Parl Wtsihcx pe 5trimford Llncs

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMEMTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022 Unrestricted Fund5 Restricted Funds Total furtds Previou5 Yoar Noie RECEIPTS Subscriptiuns Donations 7,11251.C?n 63G.66 0.00 21,1115.3 1 41,38 .00 90.08 O.OC> 44.642.59 29.250.00 O.DD Q.OD 0.00 0.00 7,82R.60 45,279.2J 29,25U UO 21,185.37 J.38 0.00 9008 7.05J.49 57s_n6 7.266.18 21).SXI.Y4 138.72 i?o.00 35.11 Guvernmeni Rural Subsidies Incamtr frrjm Evpnts Toip&l Ctjbin Income lntcre.st Total eIPtS 29.782.09 73,89L59 103,674.68 35,77Z.55 PAYMENTS Govprnanc.e Cost.5 Adrnir)istrdtive dnd IT Costs Training Costs Publici'_y and Communications Prolesslonal Advi¢è Purr_hag. of Subsidy Quota Ma113pernenL ol Animal Flock PiJrc.ha5e of louipment Mdinttll44nce ol A5set5 Insurances Properly Expenses Cost ol Evenls for Meinbers Ctsmmuiiity ProFPfts IKwllditure on Resenres Total Payment5 30.00 390.41 25.50 638.10 13,639.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 O.OD 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 o.() o.oo o.oD 6.129.41 4.544.35 G9.98 735.38 10.2Q 390 41 638. 10 13,639,80 Y35 00 897.44 814.20 286.5g 2,030.31 345.uy 290.89 7.fj99,41 IG,834,48 0.00 0.00 1,138.76 819.02 470.92 1,784.14 8y7.141 814.20 2.030.31 345.Q9 290.89 1.470.00 12.290.13 11,74G.37 8.905.Y3 34,083.46 10,673.76 44.757.2Z 27,313.04 Surplus l(Defi¢itlon Year 14,301.371 63,218.83 58.917.46 8,459.51

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUSTCto RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEM8ER 2022 Uniestricled Funds Restrlcted Funds Toial funds Prevlous Yèar CASH ACCOUNT Cash funds brought Ifwd. at I january 47,875.06 5.958.68 53,833.74 45,374.23 SurplusllDefi¢it)for yoar Cash funijs carried lfvid. at 31 DeceTnber 14,301.37 63,218.83 58,917.46 8,459.51 43.573.69 69,177.51 112,751.20 53,833.74 io&ii

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT5 ACCOUVt FQR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS l- Attountln& Policies The Accouril5 t)f ihe Ldn¥dyke Countryside Trust ChII cliaiities, Ihal are not ioinpaiiie5, ale dlluwed tLI preparE ieceipti and PiFym?.nt5 accnunt5 provided that thc charitsls gr05s income does not exceed £2JO,000. The truslees have Ihereloie opied io lake advèniaff ol ihi5 provisiuii dnd .'0 prepJre rLCVlPt% and Piiymp.nt% IlCCDunt4_ S thp. Ir ccDuntS fire. prp.paTpd on ir rpce.ipL5 and paymcMt5 basis, all purtha5C5 of land and other assets are shown as parl ol the revenue acLount and Ihdr¥ed in tothl in the ve.ar ol DurchéJSP.. 31st Dett. 2022 31st l)gc. 2021 X- 5ub%¢riotion5 £6,689.(X) LI.IAY_ £7,828_60 r.5,9?0.00 £ 1.135.49 11.05.5.49 Gilt )1 id TIJX Rvfunds 3- Donations Chri5l Coll PIL% appeal Capittil VrojF.¢ts App&Jr Other DDnalions Z022 114,642.59 £30,000.00 £63G.66 £45,2'79.25 2021 £0.00 £0.00 £%/%.O(? £575.06 4 - Grants ReIVed 2022 l?.Y.250_00 £o_oo r.o.00 £29,250.00 2021 10.00 £2,50tI.() £4,7GG 18 £7.26&.111 Ndliorial Grid plc - Bainlon HeaLh Earl lit2Willi¢im's Charlty WellL4nd River Trusl 5 - Government Rural Subsidies Bdsic FJrm Payment lor yv.ar Higher Level 51ewardship P)ymeni- Torpel Hi&.,her Level Stewdrdship Payment- Etton/M3xey Higher Ltr.vol 51ew¢lrdship Payment- Swaddywell TotJl RvEnUe lor ye.ar 2022 £9,117.37 £93ti.00 17.701_00 £3,429.00 £21,18).37 2021 £9,725.89 f 938.00 £8,203.60 11.714.50 £20.-5111.99

LANGDYKE COUNTRY510E TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEM&ER 2022 6- Govemanco Costs GovernJiice CDSts includp rn%ts sijch ¢75 the Annual Roport, AGM and 103nagement Commitlee Meelinp,s. 7- Prof¢sslonal Fee 2022 CS,4$5.IX) £3,603.60 E3,481.20 £60n.(JO 2021 £0.00 LO.tJn £0.00 F.0.00 Fund Raisinp l.egfil fcos- nainton Partnorship Letsdl Fe%- Neiv Rvserves Advice on Subsidies £13,639.XO £0.00 Communlty ProjÈcts Barnack Are Casior/nIlsiollh Area Parish Naluie Recovery ProjecLs %Vntsdlit)d Acc?.s5 - River Wclland Vlowlng Pli)IforiD At Iiton Bury.hley E5[at landg Walcot EstTII'p. Unrestrlcted Restricted £0.00 £0.00 2022 2021 F166.37 £70.00 £gRo.()o ro,00 0.00 £4,GJ9.41 £O.OD £490.00 £o.uo £1,050.00 10.00 £4,659.41 £490.00 1500.00 £l.J80.00 £10,000.00 £a.no En.00 £500.(10 £0.00 f 0.00 C90Q.00 0.00 £900.OQ £1,470.00 E6.129.41 £7,599.41 £11,746.31

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER Z022 9- Expenditure on ReservES linc. re5trictod Fund51 Uttrestrlcted Restricted 2022 2021 tlcilnion Ileail) Ittonlfvlaxey Plt - Etion Hiy.h MeadDW £¥.65 £6.985.84 11,633.33 £1,150.15 £1.913.56 E538.60 £o.co 14.5.14.35 La.l)O £0.00 £4,5J3.00 r6,gllJ.54 £1,633.33 11,1.50.15 El.973.56 £538.60 cD.oo r45.ol £243.70 É24b.31 Ll.65U.41 r7.005.80 £126.116 £o.110 £0.00 Eo.00 I.'o.oo Sw.Iddywp.11 Torpcl Field Gcnoral Expenses Total £12,290_13 £4.544.35 r.16,834.48 £II.YD.5.93 10- Restritted Fund Bal3rKe5 At 11112022 Incomo Expendlture At 31112/z022 Wv.Ilind Rivi'.r Trust Cdpiliil Prr)jp.ct5 Appeal Christ Collcgo Pits Appeal NatloF)èl Grld - Bainton Hèaih £4.766.111 10.00 £0.00 £30,000.00 £0.00 C14,642,59 10.00 £29,250,00 E980.00 £o,00 EO.00 £o,00 E?dl.00 £o,00 EO,00 F4,659.41 EO.( EO.00 £4,544.35 £980.00 £490.00 £0.00 Éo.oo £106.77 £Jo,ooo_oo £14,642.59 E24,705.h.5 10.no 114YO.ODI 1241.OD IL211..501 E69,177.51 VlewinL Plaiform dl Etion Nonp5cè Footpèih Leanei Book Reprint Fund Toial Reslricied Funds E5.958.68 £73,892.59 £10,673.76

L4NGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 70 31 DECEMBER 2022 11- Cash Balances at perlod end Ordinary AccounL- Melru Bdnk rjeposit Account- Metro Bank As at 310ecember 2022 A5 at 31 December 2021 £3.842.27 £6,328.89 EID8,8J8.93 E4¥,268_85 £117.,7ni.?.o £541.59 1.74 Less Unpre5enied cheque £0.00 £814.00 £112,7(Jl.20 £53.783.14 rAish in l.land IPetty Cash Imprestl £50.00 £117.,751.20 £5.4,83.4.14 12- Tangible Assets rrtainEd for theTrust's own use lat tost) A5 all a55et purchawpP..> arp. £hargod to the revenue accouni aL ihe Lime ol pur£h%75e no d?prpciaiion is shown in ihis table At 3111212022 E115,OUtJ £35,214 E35,000 £11,300 E29,0)8 At 1/112022 Purchase5 185.COJ £34,214 posals rorpel Fipld Torpel Cabin SwaddwNell Pit Swdddywvll CLibin Rp4prve inlrastruciure mC)bil equipmvnt Coniainèr £0 LO £0 Eo £0 £0 f O 111,300 £29,058 r.3,203 £L,5()0 £0 10 £0 £0 £1 SOC¢ £200,275 £u EO £200,275

LANGDYKE COUNTRYSIDE TRUST CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT5 ACCOUMt FOR THE YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER 2022 13- Llabllltles The Trustc.rs of Langdyko Countryside Trust CIO are not aware ol any significant Dr contingent liabilities as at il)e dale ol Lhe approvin¥ these JccDunts. signed as approved by the Lrustees on 24 April 2023. R. A>tt& 3 Lwwi"&*we trichaTd H. Astle Brian Lawrence Chair rind Tru.%tcc 'Tru.ste.e 24 April 2023 24 April 2023