Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] October 2022 To 30[th] September 2023
Charity name: The Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment (SoBRA)
Charity registration number: 1180875
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. To support technical excellence in the assessment, estimation & evaluation of risks and associated uncertainties from land affected by contaminants; 2. To encourage best practice in the practical applications of risk assessment to support decisions regarding the appropriate management of land contamination; 3. To facilitate and widen access to the dissemination of knowledge regarding risk assessment which will benefit members and the wider public; 4. To form relationships and work in a constructive manner with other organisations and professional bodies involved in land contamination and remediation, as well as the environmental sciences in general; 5. To assist in the development of future guidance, either through coordinated responses to consultation documents or by providing direct input to guidance; 6. To identify areas of future research that would benefit the assessment of land contamination; and 7. To co-ordinate and encourage such research and where appropriate identify funding/funding partnerships to support it. |
| 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 |
• Early Careers webinar series • Winter conference (December) joint with Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) (hybrid event – in person and online to improve accessibility to members) • Collaboration on National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) Steering Group • Collaboration on National Brownfield Forum (NBF) • Part of the Soil and Groundwater Technology Association (SAGTA) Category 4 Screening Level (C4SL) Phase 2 Steering Group • Two SoBRA Accreditation Scheme windows and ratification of newly accredited members • Continued work within the SoBRA NAPL, ground gases, controlled waters & climate |
| change, CSM and statistics subgroups, and associated publications throughout the year |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Yes. 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: |
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: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The eligibility criteria, application process and prioritisation criteria for bursaries, scholarships and research grants are laid out on the SoBRA.org.uk website. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | There is no mechanism currently available for social investment, other than through trustee discussions and formal amendment to the society financial procedures. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The society is run entirely by volunteers whose activities include executive committee meetings and conference calls, conference organisation and subgroup work/support. The subgroups are also comprised of society member volunteers. Without volunteers, SoBRA would cease to exist. |
| Other | NA. |
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 | One of SoBRA’s objectives is to form relationships and work in a collaborative manner with other organisations and professional bodies. The trustees confirmed SoBRA would support groups where SoBRA was part of the Steering Group (NQMS, Phase 2 C4SLs, NBF) and the trustees have attended meetings and contributed to them. The trustees are actively looking for and are open to supporting other forums where appropriate. Being part of these groups has a positive impact and a benefit to public and society as a whole. The trustees and SoBRA members have been building and maintaining these relationships for several years, creating trust and collaborative working. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | The trustees set a number of specific objectives this year, including the annual summer and winter conferences, early careers webinar series, and support of the various working groups. These have all been achieved. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Funds are generated through membership fees and conference fees. SoBRA has a carefully considered bursary, scholarship, and research grant system with which to utilise surplus funds and are working towards building a sufficient sum for this to be meaningful. This year we awarded to bursaries for two individuals to attend CEN’s Technical Committee 351, Working Group 5, Technical Group 51 and to attend and present a poster at the AquaConSoil Conference. The society did not run at a loss during the period and was therefore a successful year |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not relevant. |
| Other | NA |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity is in a positive financial position. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | One of SoBRA’s purposes is to lead/arrange conferences/workshops, support learning and development in brownfield risk assessment and the trustees have an objective to ensure the society has money to do so. Funds are required to pay for upfront costs associated with the conferences/workshops/events/support the accreditation scheme and cover the costs of events that don’t break even. SoBRA also has a bursary, scholarship and research grant system to ensure that funds are spent on areas which would advance and promote the society purpose/objectives. Holding funds so that they can be utilised in this way is in accordance with the SoBRA financial procedures governing document. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £53k |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | NA |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | NA |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | NA |
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 | Funds are generated through membership contributions, the accreditation scheme and conference/workshop profit. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | There is no investment. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | If the membership drops below a critical level, then the society will be unable to meet its objective and will naturally fold. Likewise, if there are insufficient volunteers to deliver the required objectives, the society will fold. This is actively monitored by the executive committee at committee meetings. Financial risks are considered and actions to mitigate risks are decided during the quarterly meetings, or during meetings/calls convened for that purpose. |
| Other | NA |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution (association model) |
| 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 | New trustees are invited to nominate themselves on an annual basis – the number of new trustees depends on the number of gaps on the board of trustees (in accordance with the constitution). Applicants must be seconded by another member and must provide a short biography explaining who they are and why they would be an excellent trustee. Where there are more applicants than spaces, the whole society membership is invited to vote (a simple majority vote). New trustees are elected prior to, and confirmed at, the December AGM. |
| 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 | As detailed in the constitution. Relevant matters are discussed in the first executive committee (trustee) meeting following the AGM. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Whilst SoBRA networks with other organisations to meet our objectives, SoBRA is an independent organisation to others. |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | SoBRA works alongside other charitable organisations on occasions in the spirit of collaborative working. Should it be necessary, SoBRA will form a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to clearly define roles and responsibilities for the delivery of the objective (e.g. conference, workshop). |
| Other | NA |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Society of Brownfield Risk Assessment |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | SoBRA |
| Registered charity number | 1180875 |
| Charity’s principal address | C/O Soilfix, 10 St Martin's Industrial Park, Avonmouth BS11 0RS |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Oct 22-Sept 23
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo Wilding | Chair | |||
| Simon Cole | OutgoingChair | |||
| Kate Baker | Vice Chair | |||
| Rachel Dewhurst | Treasurer | |||
| Melinda Evans | Secretary | |||
| Tim Rolfe | Data Protection Officer | |||
| Fiona Townley | Website officer | |||
| Lawrence Bowden | ||||
| GregGibson | Started January2023 | |||
| Alyissa Glen | Stepped down April 2023 (maternityleave) |
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– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name None.
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|
| None. | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
None |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
None |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
None |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| None | ||
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
NA
Other optional information
NA
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 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Joanna Wilding | Rachel Dewhurst | |
Chair |
Treasurer | |
| 1 December 2023 | ||
| 1 December 2023 |
Financial Statement
from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023
| Opening / End of 2022/23 Year Balance | £42,623.55 | £30,295.38 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paypal | £16,161.60 | £5,604.94 | |
| Income | 2022/2023 | 2020/2021 | |
| Membership Fees (Not for Profit) | £650.00 | £680.00 | |
| Membership Fees (Standard) | £11,010.00 | £11,500.00 | |
| Membership Fees (Accreditated) | £3,770.00 | £3,335.00 | |
| Membership Fees (Accreditated - NFP) | £175.00 | ||
| Accreditation Fees | £3,740.00 | £2,380.00 | |
| Summer Workshop 2022 | £6,050.00 | ||
| Joint December RSC Event (50% of profit) | £2,124.63 | £1,030.63 | |
| Insurance | £1,000.00 | ||
| Total Income | £22,469.63 | £24,975.63 | |
| Expenditure | 2022/2023 | 2020/2021 | |
| Refunds | £75.00 | £252.50 | |
| Paypal Fees | £747.83 | £896.65 | |
| Eventbrite Fees | £506.84 | ||
| Website | £4,823.00 | £4,398.00 | |
| Summer Workshop 2023 | £143.40 | £4,101.00 | |
| Christmas Conference | £95.09 | ||
| Insurance | £206.64 | £0.00 | |
| Scholarship | £17,572.00 | ||
| Scrutineering Expenses | £3,630.00 | £2,670.00 | |
| Committee Expenses (marketing, travel to meetings) Support to Specialist Groups |
£164.74 | £0.00 | |
| Total Expenditure | £27,457.70 | £12,824.99 | |
| Current Balance | £53,797.08 | £58,785.15 | |
| Cash in bank at end 30/9/23 | £47,586.77 | £42,623.55 | |
| Balance on paypal at end 30/9/23 | £6,210.31 | £16,161.60 | |
| £53,797.08 | £58,785.15 | ||
| £0.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| University of Greenwich | £3,682.00 | ||
| Marlene Fees | £1,000.00 | ||
| Pending payments on paypal, see Q4 | £75 | ||
| Available Sums | £5379708 |
£53,797.08