Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01-06-22 To 31-5-23
Charity name: Benson Community Green Space Trust
Charity registration number: 1186960 Objectives and Activities
| Charity registratio Objectives and |
n number:118 Activities |
6960 |
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| SORP reference |
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| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The constitution establishing BCGST sets out the objective of the CIO as being to further or beneft the inhabitants of the parishes of Benson and Berrick Salome and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the local authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common efort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure-time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public beneft, in particular, the activities, projects or services identifed in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Trust owns Warwick Spinney, a community nature reserve on the edge of Benson village, which it manages to provide nature-rich access to the outdoors for the beneft of the people in the area. There is strong scientifc evidence that access to nature-rich green spaces is benefcial to people’s physical and mental well-being. And there is a mutually reinforcing relationship with volunteering - additional benefts for individuals and communities accrue when opportunities are ofered to help look after these places; physical exercise, a sense of community and connection, and the wildlife benefts too. There are multiple wins. |
| Statement confrming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneft |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have noted the published guidance, and are confdent that the Trust’s planning and activities are undertaken so as to ensure that benefts are provided to the residents of the area defned in the charity’s constitution. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-beneft- rules-for-charities |
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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| Policy on grant making |
Para 1.38 | The trust may make grants, subject to there being sufcient surplus - its constitution gives trustees the power to do anything which is calculated to further its objects or is conducive or incidental to doing so. But at present the Trustees do not believe there is sufcient surplus to do so. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The trust does not have a social investment programme, although its constitution gives trustees the power to do anything which is calculated to further its objects or is conducive or incidental to doing so |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The Trust draws on the support of volunteers to manage Warwick Spinney, with tasks including the maintenance of footpaths, planting and laying of hedges, and mowing of the meadow to maintain the biodiversity interest. Volunteers are drawn from Wallingford Green Gym, although the volunteer coordinator draws on the support of Benson Nature Group (BNG) to organise and run events. Supporting volunteering better, making it easy for them to undertake the work that the Trust relies on, for example by ensuring equipment is available on site, has been an important feature of the Trustees work in the reporting period. The estimate of volunteers is: 1 Coordinator 6 BNG volunteers 12-18 Wallingford Green Gym Additional adhoc volunteers from the village (variable number) For more detail, see below. |
Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the diference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its benefciaries and any wider benefts to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | This reporting period is the third for the CIO. Having established itself with a set of working arrangements, bank account etc, and made strong progress with addressing defciencies at Warwick Spinney, the Trust has continued to build on that work 1.We work closely with Benson area Nature Group and an array of volunteers to manage the site, including a local coordinator, a growing group of village volunteers, and 12-18 Wallingford Green Gym volunteers. In this reporting period we made use of funding secured in the previous period to buy a mower to enable the volunteers to manage the paths around the site that facilitate public access and enjoyment of the site. 2. Supporting public access to our feld, Warwick Spinney, is a key driver for the Trust. We continue to monitor progress with the creation of a new green space (on the back of development) nearby that will unlock opportunities to provide safer and simpler pedestrian access to the site. 3. With partners, Benson area Nature Group, the Trustees continued to host volunteers working on the boundary hedge, a measure designed to increase the wildlife value of the site and provide a pollution and noise screen along the adjacent road. We also hosted volunteers following mowing of the main meadow to rake up and remove arisings as part of a measure to maintain and enhance the biodiversity interest on the site. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
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| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s fnancial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Through the successful and considered use of grant applications the fnancial accounts are in a satisfactory position. The charity has sufcient reserves to cover regular outgoing payments |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Charity holds a reserve of funds, which is needed to cover ongoing liabilities such as annual site/ public liability insurance at Warwick Spinney. Investment in infrastructure and activities in only possible therefore through grants, donations and other fund-raising. A future task for the Trustees will be the development of a funding strategy. |
| Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | At the end of the reporting the charity held reserves of £5173.03 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in defcit |
Para 1.24 | The fund is not materially in defcit |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None |
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 | The Trust can seek to raise funds through applying for grants and inviting donations (by publicising what it does) and legacies. |
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| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 N/A A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Risks include: Injury or death of a user or volunteer. Theft of tools stored on the site. The Trust is insured in respect of both of these risks. Another risk is that the Trust may be hampered in achieving its objectives if it is unable to attract community volunteer support to manage the site. The Trust is managing this risk by investing with local partners in developing a shared Volunteering Strategy. Other The charity has a number of assets in addition to Warwick Spinney, the small nature reserve it owns. These include: A storage shed for tools A selection of tools which are shared with Benson area Nature Group A metal gate A security bollard at entrance |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| 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 | The approach to selection of trustees is set out in the constitution - ‘every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees,_and _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 constitution also sets out that a new Trustee must expressly acknowledge that they accept the office of trustee. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted Para 1.51 for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
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| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Benson Community Green Space Trust |
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| Other name the charity uses | Benson Green Space Trust |
| Registered charity number | 1186960 |
| Charity’s principal address | C/o Benson Parish Council, Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Oxfordshire. OX10 6LZ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edel McGurk | Chair | Any trustee | ||
| Jon Fowler | Treasurer | Any trustee | ||
| Helen Stevenson |
Trustee | Any trustee | ||
| Emma Simpson |
Trustee | Any trustee |
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 N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser None
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) The CIO has no staff
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Nothing to declare
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Edel McGurk
Full name(s) EDEL MCGURK
Secretary, Chair, etc) Position (eg[CHAIR]
Date 30-03-24
Benson Community Green Spaces Trust 2022/23
C/Fwd 1-Aug-22 Stihl 10-Oct-22 Came & Co 10-Oct-22 Co-Operative Bank 6-Jan-23 SODC Grant 6-Mar-23 Benson Parish Council 20-Mar-23 Azalea Landscapes
Balance at 1/6/2022 £5,822.91 £5,822.91 Lawn Mower Deb-O -£669.88 £5,153.03 Insurance Deb-O -£157.00 £4,996.03 Credit Cre-D £25.00 £5,021.03 Work at Cuckoo Pen Cre-D £1,250.00 £6,271.03 Skip Hire Deb-O -£468.00 £5,803.03 Cuckoo Pen Membrane Removal Deb-O -£630.00 £5,173.03 Total = £5,173.03 £5,173.03
| Totals by Type | |
|---|---|
| Credit by Donation (Cre-D) = | £1,275 |
| Other Credit (Cre-O) = | £0 |
| Total Income = | £1,275.00 |
| Debit Donations (Deb-D) = | £0.00 |
| Cheque Debit (Deb - O) = | -£1,924.88 |
| Sundries (Deb-S) = | £0 |
| Total Expenditure = | -£1,924.88 |
| Total net decrease/increase = | -£649.88 |