Farm Urban CIO Annual Report January - December 2022 Charity Number: 1183584
Farm Urban CIO
Annual Report of the Trustees, January - December 202
The trustees are pleased to present this report on behalf of Farm Urban CIO. This report has been prepared to record the current position of the organisation and seeks to provide information in accordance with the Charities Act 1993, the Companies Act 1985, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting of Charities (Charities SORP FRS 102) as far as is practical at this stage of the organisation’s existence.
Chair’s report
Farm Urban CIO was established in May 2019. It was the intention of the directors of the limited by guarantee company, Farm Urban Ltd, to effectively convert this entity to CIO status, under the steering of the board of trustees.
Farm Urban Ltd was established in 2013, with the aim of pioneering hi-tech methods of food growing in urban environments and educating the public about these methods, in order to find more sustainable ways to produce food and engage and encourage people to eat food that is better for their health and the health of the planet.
An application to form Farm Urban CIO was made in September 2018. The application was approved in May 2019, with amended objectives:
To advance the education of the public in the development and implementation of efficient technology of farming in particular but not exclusively by the provision of educational workshops in the science of urban food production and supporting research in related subjects and to publish the results.
In the period between the application being made and approved Farm Urban Limited continued to operate its food growing, research and educational activities. In December 2018 this entity received social investment to build and operate a community hydroponic farm that would supply food to locals; educating them on the benefits of healthy and sustainable eating and providing the opportunity for educational workshops, tours and courses.
With the incorporation of Farm Urban CIO for the purpose of educating the public about efficient urban food production technologies, it was not clear how the CIO could or would take on the operation of the community hydroponic farm.
No activity was undertaken by Farm Urban CIO whilst the directors of the limited company and the trustees of the CIO sought to gain clarity on this.
Farm Urban CIO conducted Education and Research activity during 2020, allowing Farm Urban Ltd to focus on Food growing however we have found this split governance structure complex. Since Farm Urban CIO’s last report the CIO has not undertaken any activity as Farm Urban Ltd. has been able to carry out all relevant activities. We have kept Farm Urban CIO active during 2021 while we confirmed operating Farm Urban Ltd only is the correct cause of action.
Alex Probyn
Chair
Contents of the report
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Objectives and activities
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Achievements and performance
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Financial review
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Structure, governance and management
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Reference and administrative details
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Exemptions from disclosure
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Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
1. Our objectives and activities
Objectives
The objectives of Farm Urban CIO are:
To advance the education of the public in the development and implementation of efficient technology of farming in particular but not exclusively by the provision of educational workshops in the science of urban food production and supporting research in related subjects and to publish the results.
We believe education and engagement around urban farming is essential for current and future generations to fully benefit from both the technology and the fresh healthy food farms based in urban areas will produce. Having high-tech farms embedded into the fabric of society directly connects the public with this fresh healthy food.
Activities
None
2. Achievements and performance
None
3. Financial review
| Income | £0 |
|---|---|
| Other Income | £0 |
| Donation | £0 |
| Donation | £0 |
| Bank Interest | £0 |
| Expenditure | £0 |
| Farm Urban Ltd | £0 |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | £0 |
| Bank Fees | £0 |
| NET | £0 |
4. Structure, governance and management
Governing Document
Farm Urban is a charitable incorporated organisation governed by a CIO Foundation Constitution.
Appointment of Trustees
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
The members of the CIO shall be its charity trustees for the time being. The only persons eligible to be members of the CIO are its charity trustees. Membership of the CIO cannot be transferred to anyone else. Any member and charity trustee who ceases to be a charity trustee automatically ceases to be a member of the CIO.
Trustee induction and training
The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment:
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(a) a copy of the current version of this constitution; and
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(b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts.
New trustees will undergo an orientation day to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They will also meet with key employees and other trustees and are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events that will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organisation
The board of trustees, which can have up to 6 members, administers the charity. The board meets quarterly. It is intended a quarterly meeting will be established for sub-committees once these have been established.
Related parties
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connections between a trustee and any contracted parties must be disclosed to the full board of trustees. Jens Thomas is a Director of Farm Urban Ltd and undertook a role as trustee to facilitate setting up the Farm Urban CIO. Due to the need to clearly separate out the activities of the two organisations and the onset of the pandemic early in the year he has remained in this role until the administrative duties have been completed and longer-term board members are established.
5. Reference and administrative details
Charity number 1183584 Principal office 16 Wordsworth Street Liverpool L8 0RR Trustees Chair Alex Probyn Trustee Nicholas Lloyd Trustee Matthew Murphy Trustee Jens Thomas
6. Exemptions from disclosure
There are no exemptions from disclosure.
7. Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
There are no funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.