2024-03-31-accounts

THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT (Working name: The Two Shires Greenway)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity number: 1188324

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THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT Working name: The Two Shires Greenway

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Trustees

Jeremy Harvey Chair Liam Maude Vice Chair Colin Tether Trustee Daryl Bailey Treasurer

Principal Office

44 Dunnington ALCESTER B49 5NX

Registered CIO Number 1188324

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS – 31 MARCH 2024

Pages

1. Report of the Trustees

2. Report of the Chair of the Trustees

3. Financial Report for the period

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THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT Working name: The Two Shires Greenway

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The trustees present their annual report and the unaudited accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”) for the period ended 31 March 2024.

The organisation became a registered CIO on 4 March 2020.

Charitable Objects

The objects of the CIO are to promote and encourage in the Avon and Arrow river valleys in Warwickshire and Worcestershire for the public benefit the development and provision of safe routes, paths and facilities for cyclists, walkers and persons with disabilities and to undertake such projects and activities of a charitable nature which will assist in promoting health, wellbeing and the protection of the environment.

Activities

Activities include the promotion of cycling and walking environments and infrastructure within the valleys of the rivers Avon and Arrow in Worcestershire and Warwickshire to support the creation of traffic free leisure paths linking rural communities to the principal towns in the area. The paths will support health and wellbeing, local tourism and responsible cycling for all ages and abilities.

Trustees

The trustees of the CIO who served during the period were:

D Bailey (appointed 4[th] March 2020) J Harvey (appointed 4[th] March 2020) L Maude (appointed 4[th] March 2020) C Tether (appointed 4[th] March 2020)

Acknowledgements

The trustees acknowledge the ongoing support received from its stakeholders and Sustrans during the period.

Signed by order of the board of trustees

J Harvey Chair

Approved by the board 22[nd] January 2025

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THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT Working name: The Two Shires Greenway

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE TRUSTEES

The Avon and Arrow Greenway Project (working name, The Two Shires Greenway (“TSG”)) was started in 2018 from an initiative by Salford Priors Parish Council. The Town and Parish Councils between Evesham and Alcester collectively agreed that a route between the two towns should be looked at and they all contributed funds towards a feasibility study. Later it was agreed to add the route from Broom to Stratford upon Avon and another feasibility study was commissioned. Both studies showed that it was practicable to build the routes together with branches to nearby villages.

The TSG is a charity, managed by a volunteer Executive Committee of six people including two parish councillors. The Executive Committee have worked tirelessly over the past 5 years and developed the route opportunities in some detail.

What we have achieved so far

• Clarity of the route over most of both spines with comprehensive Feasibility Studies supplied by Sustrans.

• Strong political support from all parish councils, both district councils and in principal support of varying degrees from county councils.

• Development of the Salford Priors to Alcester section underway with £500,000 raised.

• Development of the Evesham to the Valley section, a deliverable work in progress with some funding earmarked and £150.000 achieved in grants for the Harvington to Norton section.

• Massive political support for the Broom to Bidford Health Centre section of the spine to Stratford upon Avon.

Potential benefits of the project

• A massively exciting cross county/district network of footpaths and cycleways.

• Local adults cycling to work and children cycling to schools as part of active travel.

• Zero emissions and environmental targets achieved.

• Opportunities to significantly increase footfall for tourism in our towns and villages thus supporting the local economy.

• Public health benefits for mental and emotional wellbeing. Prevention in the onset of Alzheimer’s and Type 2 diabetes (which currently takes 10% of the entire NHS budget to treat), also coronary heart disease etc.

Recent developments

1. Salford Priors to Wixford section

Salford Priors Parish council are starting on the first part of the delivery of Salford to Wixford Greenway. The intention is to cut back the vegetation on certain parts of the route by the end of February 2025 to avoid the bird nesting season which starts on 1st March 2025. Quotes have been obtained for fencing and clearance where necessary and will be actioned shortly - after this work we can begin of the construction of the greenway itself.

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THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT Working name: The Two Shires Greenway

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE TRUSTEES

2. Evesham to Harvington section

We continue to pursue all avenues to ensure that the grant we obtained for the Harvington section is spent and the progress on building the route out of Evesham is achieved. We are working with Wychavon District Council on this section of the route.

3. Wixford to Alcester section

Once the route from Salford Priors to Wixford is under construction we can re-engage with Alcester Town Council and all other partners to continue developing the route via Oversley into Alcester with the necessary permissions and signage. This route can currently be walked or cycled but needs significant additional work to make it more easily accessible. While this, as you know, is not our preferred route, it does allow the complete Salford Priors to Alcester section to open for use.

4. Broom to Stratford section

While Community Infrastructure Levy grants are temporarily on hold this year by Stratford District Council we are continuing to work closely with Stratford District Council and Bidford Parish Council to win funding to begin work on the Broom to Bidford Health Centre route.

5. Funding

An expression of interest has been made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for approximately £400K working with Stratford District Council, Alcester Town Council, and Warwickshire County Council. We will hear if we have made the short list for a full application by the end of February 2025. This grant is to fund a full time officer based at Stratford District Council for 3 years to project manage work on all local greenways and rights of way. It will also fund a consultancy from a key national organisation with expertise in the field.

Future challenges and opportunities

As many of you will be aware the present government is pursuing the development of Unitary Authorities which will dispense with District Councils. There are a number of very good reasons to be concerned about how quickly this process may affect our very strong relationship with Stratford District Council and the support we have had from them. However, there is a still a window of opportunity for us to work in partnership with them (and colleagues at Warwickshire County Council) to deliver the hugely valuable amenities our project offers to the citizens within and outside the district.

In conclusion can I thank my colleagues on the executive for the extraordinary resilience they have shown in continuing their determination to get this Greenway built despite bureaucracy, minimal levels of funding and a lack of strategic planning for walking and cycling in rural counties by successive governments. Can I also thank all of you who have supported us over the last five years and given us help and encouragement.

Joe Harvey - Chair Two Shires Greenway Project

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THE AVON AND ARROW GREENWAY PROJECT Working name: The Two Shires Greenway

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31 MARCH 2024

Income: Donations and grants Expenses: Hire of Village Hall Website costs Professional Indemity Insurance HM Land registry fees Contribution to Sustrans Report Ordnance Survey licence costs Meeting costs Total income less expenditure Balance sheet: Cash at bank Accrual - meeting costs Accrual - Sustrans Report Reserves b/fwd Income less expenditure in year Reserves c/fwd

Accounts prepared by D Bailey, Treasurer

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