Civic Pride Rossendale – Trustees Annual Report
The Trustees of Civic Pride Rossendale (CPR) present their annual report and audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021. The Trustees confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Aims and objectives
Civic Pride Rossendale is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
CPR aims to
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Promote the protection and improvement of the natural, physical and built environment of Rossendale through volunteers picking litter and regenerating and maintaining public gardens and spaces.
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Advance the education of the public in the importance of the physical and natural environment.
Review of Activities and Achievements in 2021
CPR maintains around 30 public spaces and gardens. Our gardening volunteers have either adopted a garden/space and devote their time and energies to that one garden, or they join a team of gardeners who move between a number of town centre gardens. The gardens and public spaces are located across the Rossendale Valley in Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, Crawshawbooth and Edenfield.
Volunteers go out picking litter throughout the valley, usually as lone rangers, and sometimes in organised groups. All litter picking ceased when lockdown commenced and, as with the gardening, the government guidelines were adhered to.
CPR’s planned priorities in 2021 were
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to continue with the Rewilding Rossendale project
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connect with other local community groups to support each other to benefit the residents of Rossendale.
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utilise the CPR greenhouse. (CPR has a greenhouse in Rawtenstall town centre. During 2020 the greenhouse was not utilised because of the COVID pandemic.)
Finances in 2020
CPR receives a regular monthly income from local businesses and individuals. Despite the financial pressures occasioned by the pandemic years these donations have continued without exception, and in 2021 amounted to £10742.
In September 2021 CPR received a significant sum of money as a legacy in the will of a local person. The legacy amounted to £66483.28.
Gift Aid was claimed on the 2020/21 tax year and amounted to £1475.93.
One fundraising campaign was done through JustGiving and raised £548.94.
Other donations amounted to £2993.28.
Grants received amounted to £3000. This is less than in previous years. As CPRs activities are now in the main concentrated around maintaining and improving the spaces we have already renovated, rather than new projects, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to secure funds from grants. Funders in the main support new projects rather than the maintenance of existing initiatives.
Total income was £81284.51. This is 240% more than in the previous year £23913. Without the legacy income in 2021 was less than in 2020.
Expenditure was slightly reduced when compared to 2020. Utilisation of the greenhouse involved some initial capital outlay on equipment (staging, shelving, pots, and tools) and compost. However, growing plants from seed and bringing on young plug plants, mainly perennials, resulted on less expenditure on plants.
Total expenditure was £16541.69. This is 17% less than in the previous year (£23913).
The balance at the end of the year was £93544.74.
Civic Pride Rossendale operates with a free reserve of £5000. Money remaining received in grants for specific projects amounted to £3081. This left £83962 available for all other activities.
The view of the Trustees is that it is important to spend the legacy on specific activities that will be of long term benefit to Rossendale. Until those activities have been decided upon action will be taken to invest some or all of the money. Advice will be sought from a Financial Advisor and an investment/expenditure strategy agreed.
The Finance Officer reported regularly to the Trustees and to the Executive Committee.
The accounts have been independently audited.
Governance and Management
The Annual General Meeting took place on 25 February 2021. The meeting was conducted remotely over Zoom and was attended by 37 members. A new Chair and a new Vice Chair were elected. All the other officers – Finance, Litter, Gardens, Administration and Volunteer Engagement – were re-elected.
No changes were made to the Constitution.
The following policies are in place and regularly reviewed.
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Health and Safety
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Safeguarding
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Privacy
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Data Protection
9 meetings of the Trustees were held. One Trustee resigned because of ill health and a new Trustee was appointed. The new Trustee is a local business man.
8 meetings of the Executive Committee were held.
Communication with Volunteers
Information was issued by email to the volunteers every week. This weekly update was also sent to businesses and members of the public who have asked to receive it. Every week it is issued to 350 people. The update advises where the CPR activities are taking place in the following week and any news relevant to the Charity.
A monthly newsletter is issued to all volunteers and members of the public who have asked to receive it. The newsletter reports on volunteer activities, including photographs. Many of the articles are written by the volunteers.
Civic Pride Rossendale also has a comprehensive website which provides information on what we do, the gardens we maintain, the Trustees and a link to our JustGiving page.
Future Plans
In 2022 the main priorities for Civic Pride Rossendale are
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to continue with the Rewilding strategy and plant perennials in the communal gardens
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continue to network with other community groups
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attract and appoint new trustees
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regularly examine the financial situation and endeavour to provide more income from grants
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if agreed at the 2022 AGM, enter Rawtenstall town centre into the RHS Britain in Bloom competition
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continue to work with Rossendale Borough Council over the plans for the landscaping of Rawtenstall town centre, providing advice and support
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fully utilise the greenhouse space
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attract new volunteers and to support the needs and ideas of all volunteers.
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CIVIC PRIDE (ROSSENDALE) Accounts 31 December 2021
1r40EPENDE1 EXAMINERS REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEESIMEMBERS OF QVIC PRIDE ROSSEf4DALE ST ON THE AccouKfs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20ZI CHARITY NUMBER: 1182630 I report io the trustees on my examinaiion of the accounts of the alVe charity 1.the Irusf) for the year ended 3111212021. Responsibilities and basis ol As the charity trustees ol the TrusL you are responsible lol the preparation of the actounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charilies Act 20111.the Acfl. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 ou( my examination, I have followed the applicable Dirertions 8i¥en ty the Charity Commissiori under sertion 145151{bl of the Act. Indepehdent examlnérfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention In connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: Accountin8 fe¢ords were not kept in accordance with sertion 130 of the Act or The accounts do noi accord with ihe accountin8 records I have no concerns and have come across no oiher matter5 in connectlon wilh the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. SIGr4ED: OATE: 1110512022 NAME: Michael Howarth RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL QUAUFICATIONISI OR BODY: HOWAATH & CO 225b Bacup Road. Ramenstall 884 7PA
CIVIC PRIDE (ROSSENDALE) Statement of Rec•ipts and Paents for the year endèd 31 December 2021 2021 Grdnls Donatsons Sales and Other 80.591 Total Income 85.689 Payments Community Assets l ants etc) Equipment & Maleriats Marketia Contractors Overhoads & Admln EXnS6$ 14.352 3.057 331 TO14 paymanis 22,448 Not {Paym•nts)IRwipI8 63,241
CIVIC PRIDE (ROSSENDALE) Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 Decemb6r 2021 2021 Curr¢nT assets Banklbuilding soliety balanc88 92.043 Net curront ass¢ts 92,043 14ot assats 92,043 Cash Funds Baft at st¥t of per Nel movement m fuThls far thè WXKI 28,802 63.241 SW Oy one or Iwo of truslees on behalf of all Irustees Signalu.. Print Namo.. Date.. Signalure. Pn'nt Nam&'. Dal&'.