UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Charity number 1182566 Also registered in Scotland with Charity Number SC049846
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report and Accounts | 7 |
| Statement of balances | 8-9 |
| Additional analysis | 10-11 |
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UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity number
In England and Wales 1182566 In Scotland SC049846
Address
c/o Brecon Beacons National Park, Plas y Ffynnon Cambrian Way, Aberhonddu, Wales LD3 7HP
Trustees
David Cameron (Treasurer, Secretary) Tegryn Jones (Chair) Peter Dixon Emyr Williams Gavin Williamson
Bank
Triodos Bank, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS This arrangement since January 2020
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UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees are pleased to present their second Trustees report together with the financial statements, for the period to 31 March 2023.
Structure, Governance and management
The Charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 20 March 2019, and subsequently registered with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator on 9 January 2020.
The UK National Park Foundation Members are: Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Broads Authority Cairngorms National Park Authority Eryri National Park Authority Lake District National Park Authority Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority National Parks Partnerships New Forest National Park Authority Peak District National Park Authority Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority South Downs National Park Authority
Membership
Membership of the CIO is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes, subject to approval by Trustees.
Trustees
The charity must have a minimum of three trustees, with no maximum.
Trustees are appointed following nomination by two National Parks members. For this purpose both National Parks Partnerships and the Broads Authority are deemed to be National Parks members.
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Objectives and Activities
Charitable Purpose
The charity is established for the benefit of the public within the areas designated as National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland to support the following objectives and activities while recognising at all times the requirement to respect the special qualities of those designated areas:
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The preservation, conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage;
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The promotion of sustainable development by:
(a) the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources;
(b) the promotion of sustainable means of communities achieving rural economic growth and regeneration;
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The education of the public in the physical and natural environment of the National Parks and their special qualities;
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The promotion of the National Parks as facilities for appropriate recreation and enjoyment for members of the public at large in the interests of social welfare;
Sustainable development within these objectives means “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Activities
The Charity refers to itself more commonly as The UK National Parks Foundation (UKNPF).
In the past year the following activity has taken place:
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Year 2 grant of 5-year £500,000 commitment relating to private finance for nature restoration activities under ‘Revere’ secured from the Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland
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Major new partnership secured with the American Express Foundation supporting green skills initiatives and tree planting
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New cause-product partnerships with Pawprint, Otter House (jigsaws)
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Income from sponsored events undertaken by Little Trekkers and Hublsoft
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Ongoing partnerships (managed by National Parks Partnerships) with Carousel Calendars, Outdoor ScratchMaps and Adventure Pins www.adventurepins.co.uk whereby 10% from every National Park calendar and £1 from every National Park pin and Map sold goes to the UK National Parks Foundation.
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AGM held on 8 December 2022.
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Achievements and performance
The main focus of trustees in this reporting period has been working with NPP on the establishment of the second major supporter for the UKNPF – American Express Foundation (AMEX) and formalising processes for the disbursement of funds in support of UKNPF charitable objectives (see appendix 1).
AMEX Foundation
Having supported South Downs National Park (SDNPA) in 21/2022, the AMEX Foundation approached NPP to investigate a national level partnership directed through the UK National Parks Foundation.
This led to NPP applying for and winning a grant of $115,000 (£89,950 when received) on behalf of the UKNPF to support tree planting and green skills sessions. The winning of the grant was predicated on the requirement that 50% would go to SDNPA and 50% to other National Parks. The UKNPF Trustees were agreeable to this on the basis that funds to support the Charity’s objectives would be distributed to the National Park family whilst not negatively impacting SDNPA’s established relationship with AMEX. NPP manages the day-to-day relationship with AMEX on behalf of the UKNPF.
As part of this the UKNPF has distributed the following grants (in yr 23/24):
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1 grant of £44,750 (Travel grants, tree and hedgerow planting) – SDNPA
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5 grants of £4,750 (Green skills) – Broads, Cairngorms, New Forest, Peak District and Pembrokeshire Coast
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2 grants of £10,000 (tree planting) – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Yorkshire Dales
£1,450 was retained by NPP in respect of their costs of managing and distributing the grants.
An exceptional amount of activity has taken place thanks to these grants and NPP/SDNPA/Peak District have delivered a variety of staff talks and volunteering sessions for AMEX staff. A full grant activity report will be prepared for AMEX in January 2024 and the UKNPF has been invited to reapply for a second year, with the application needing to be submitted in early 2024.
The Trustees of the UKNPF are grateful to SDNPA for bringing this opportunity to the Foundation and pleased to welcome SDNPA as a new member park of the Foundation.
ELC
ELC’s 5-year partnership supports innovation in Nature-based Solutions through Revere. NPAs were invited to put forward bids for project support. The first grant of £90,000 was awarded to the Lake District National Park for a water quality project in Lake Windermere in 2022. The grant supported:
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baseline assessments to identify key sources of pollution across the catchment
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solution opportunities to determine the best locations for the most effective nature-based solutions
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testing economic solutions - assessing options for financing the recommended solutions
The outcomes delivered through the ELC grant have proven the concept of the project, giving confidence to Revere to move to phase 2 (supported by Santander UK, funded via NPP partnership not UKNPF). This in turn will enable LDNPA/Revere to go to market to get investment to deliver the
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nature-based solutions identified which will not only significantly improve water quality in Lake Windermere but also support local farmers and landowners.
Following a call out for projects in 2023, ELC’s year 2 grant was directed to South Downs National Park to develop a park-wide financing platform to support landowners across the South Downs to create biodiverse, native broadleaf woodland. Work is currently underway.
A call out for 2024 projects has been made by NPP on behalf of the UKNPF, and UKNPF will be reviewing submissions with a view to announcing the grant beneficiary in January 2024.
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Financial review
Income received by the UKNPF in 2022/3 was £184,172 as a mix of grant funding and ongoing product related partnerships. £89,000 was distributed as grants to NPAs during FY 2022/23 (AMEX funding received in Jan 2022 was distributed in fy 23/24). No direct costs were incurred by UKNPF during this period .
Trustees and colleagues at National Park Partnerships have been careful to avoid damaging any potential charitable income generation activities being pursued by charities based within individual National Parks. We believe our actions since formation have caused no adverse impacts for any National Parks’ charitable activities or affiliations. It remains the intention of the UKNPF to generate additional funds for UK level activity that might not otherwise be secured via local charitable means.
Plans for the future
We anticipate that 2023/4 will be similar to 2022/3 including grant distribution from partners including ELC and AMEX (tbc). In addition our cause-product partnerships will continue. Trustees together with NPP will continue to explore opportunities to leverage funding from companies that wish to provide philanthropic support at a UK level.
Membership of the Charity
Trustees also recognise that since establishment of the Foundation on 20 March 2019, we have secured membership of ten of the UK’s 15 National Parks. Now that we have significant funds available for distribution and have demonstrated the non-clash principles by which we operate (avoiding negative effects on local fundraising) we would welcome applications from the remaining NPAs to become members of the Charity. However, membership of the Charity is not a requirement for receiving funds.
The Foundation will also continue to have regard for the benefit of all National Parks in planning and delivering its work.
We will continue to have dialogue with any parties interested in securing our charitable objectives in order to ensure the Foundation sits well within the overall framework of organisations working for the benefit of National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland.
David Cameron MA CPFA
Trustee and Treasurer, for UK National Parks Charity Foundation
Independent Certification
Having reviewed the bank statements I certify receipts and payment accounts statement of year ended 31 March 2023 are accurately recorded.
Jane Fretwell FCCA Section 151 Officer for Lake District National Park Authority
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UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVITIES | Funds | Funds | 2023 | Funds | Funds | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | Notes | ||||||
| Grants | £ - | £ 179,305 | £ 179,305 | £ - | £ - | £ - | |
| Donations | 1 | £ 4,658 | £ - | £ 4,658 | £ 5,692 | £ - | £ 5,692 |
| Investment Income | £ 210 | £ - | £ 210 | £ 1 | £ - | £ 1 | |
| Total Receipts | £ 4,868 | £ 179,305 | £ 184,172 | £ 5,693 | £ - | £ 5,693 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||
| Charitable Payments | £ - | £ 90,000 | £ 90,000 | £ - | £ - | £ - | |
| Bank Charges | £ 4 | £ - | £ 4 | £ 1 | £ - | £ 1 | |
| Total Expenditure | £ 4 | £ 90,000 | £ 90,004 | £ 1 | £ - | £ 1 | |
| Net Income | £ 4,863 | £ 89,305 | £ 94,168 | £ 5,692 | £ - | £ 5,692 | |
| Reserves Brought Forward | £ 9,579 | £ - | £ 9,579 | £ 3,887 | £ - | £ 3,887 | |
| Reserves Carried forward | £ 14,443 | £ 89,305 | £ 103,748 | £ 9,579 | £ - | £ 9,579 |
The notes on pages form part of these financial statements
UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| BALANCE SHEET | 2023 2022 |
|
|---|---|---|
| £ £ |
||
| CURRENT ASSETS | Notes | |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | £ 103,748£ 9,579 | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | £ 103,748 £ 9,579 | |
| FUNDS | ||
| Unrestricted Funds | 2 | £ 14,443£ 9,579 |
| Restricted Funds | 3 | £ 89,305£ - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | £ 103,748 £ 9,579 |
David Cameron MA CPFA Trustee, Treasurer UK National Parks Charity Foundation January 2024
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The notes on pages form part of these financial statements
UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS
1 DONATIONS
| Unrestricte | Restricted | Total Funds | Unrestricte | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| d Reserves | Reserves | 2023 | d Reserves | Reserves | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |||||
| Donations | 4,658 | £ - | £ 4,658 | 5,692 | £ - | £ 5,692 |
2 UNRESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as at | Incoming | Outgoing | Movement in | Balance as at |
|
| Unrestricted Income Funds | 31/03/2022 | Resources | Resources | the Year | 31/03/2023 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Columbia Friends and Family | £ 3,063 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 3,063 |
| Amazon Smile Contributions | £ 37 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 37 |
| Adventure Pins | £ 1,300 | £ 1,916 | £ - | £ 1,916 | £ 3,216 |
| Pedal for Parks | £ 5,000 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 5,000 |
| Trundl | £ 131 | £ 1,188 | £ - | £ 1,188 | £ 1,319 |
| Outdoor ScratchMaps | £ 48 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 48 |
| Bank interest and charges | £ - | £ 210 | £ 4 | £ 206 | £ 206 |
| Calendar/jigsaws | £ - | £ 936 | £ - | £ 936 | £ 936 |
| Little Trekkers | £ - | £ 293 | £ - | £ 293 | £ 293 |
| General Donations | £ - | £ 25 | £ - | £ 25 | £ 25 |
| Hublsoft | £ - | £ 300 | £ - | £ 300 | £ 300 |
| Pawprint | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ - |
| WeAre8 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ - |
| Total | £ 9,579 | £ 4,868 | £ 4 | £ 4,863 | £ 14,443 |
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3 RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Total | Balance as | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as at | Incoming | Outgoing | Movement | at | |
| Restricted Income Funds | 31/03/2022 | Resources | Resources | in the Year | 31/03/2023 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| AMEX | £ - | £ 89,555 | £ - | £ 89,555 | £ 89,555 |
| ELC | £ - | £ 89,750 | £ 90,000 | (£ 250) | (£ 250) |
| Total | £ - | £ 179,305 | £ 90,000 | £ 89,305 | £ 89,305 |
No comparatives provided as there were no Restricted Income Funds in the financial year to 31st March 2022
AMEX Grants support green skills/tree planting projects (outgoing in 23/24 financial year).
ELC funding to Revere Innovation, this year directed to Lake Windemere project.
4 STAFF COSTS
The charity considers its key management personnel comprises of the Trustees only. No Trustees received remuneration during the period from the Charity
The charity has no directly employed staff.
5 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions in the year.
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Appendix 1
Grant Process
New Grant/funding opportunity
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NPP presents opportunity to NPUKF for approval to move forward
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NPP prepares grant application/proposal working with National Parks teams where necessary to gather project information
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NPP send grant application/proposal to NPUKF trustees for approval prior to sending
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If application/grant is successful NPP will manage the partnership and ensure all grant requirements are delivered including reporting
Grants given to Parks through incoming non-restricted funds
Each year the Foundation will aim to deliver a grant or grants from the unrestricted funding that is brought in through the Foundations partners such as Adventure Pins and trundl. The amount of these grants will vary year on year dependant on income received.
The process for National Parks to benefit for this funding is as follows:
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April : NPUKF will reach out to National Parks to apply for the grant(s) detailing the amount(s) available and the areas to which the funds should be directed
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April - June : Application window
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July – Sept : Trustee decision making
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September : Grants issued
Parks will be required to give a minimum of 2 short updates on their funded project to allow us to give updates to Foundation donors/supporters.
ELC grant process
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June : NPP will reach out to Parks on behalf of NPUKF to apply for the ELC Innovation Fund grant
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June – Sept : Application window
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Oct/Nov : NPP NBS team review applications and present suitable projects to NPUKF trustees
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Dec/Jan : Trustees approve projects to be put forward to ELC for their review
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Jan/Feb : NPP present options to ELC
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Feb : Project confirmed
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April : Grant delivered and project commences
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