CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period 31" December 2021 From 1st January 2021 Charity nama: Ambleside Aclion for a Future (AAFAF) Charity registration number. 1188921 Objectives and Activltles SORP retsraa Summary of th8 purposes of the charity as set out in its goveming document PaTB 1.17 To promote for the benefit of the public the conser¥ation. protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by taking action to mitigate climate change and its effects and by promoting biological diversity. To advance the education of the public in the subject of climate change and its mitigation and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of that subject and to publish the useful results. The groupsthat make up AAFAF cor¢tinued to have regular monthly meetings throughout the year on Zoom. In September we had our first hybrid in-person/zoom monthly meeting for all members. Summary ofthe main artFvities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services Klentified in tp accounts. Para 1.17 0Th1 1.19 Eady in 2021 we collaborated with Friends of the Lake Distrirt to plan and execute a Big Switch-off event ft)r Ambleside. Residents and businesses switched IEhts over one night to save energy and draw attention to the harmful effects of lighting on wildlife. This Is to be repeated next year and annually thereafter. It relates to our Ambleside to Zero Carbon objective and also to our aim of promotin8 greater biodiversity- Throughout the year we have had a representative attending meetings of both the Cumbria Sustsinability Network and the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership in order to stay in touch with other groups who share our objectives. We were awarded a grant of £2,(KJ) by the Cadent Foundation in February which we allocated equally to two projects: 11 The plantin of a pollinator friendly wildflower Pogelof9
meadow 21 A serles of tteative Saturday mornin8 workshops for children focused on environment and dimate change. These activities go towards our aims of increasing biodiversty and providing education on ecology and climate. We organised two talks during the year so that we could focus our efforts more effectively and 8lve accurate infomiation to the public- the first a speaker provided by Greenpeace on transport issues and the second by Neville Elstone. Dlrertor of Cumbrla Woodlands about the best response to tree regeneratlon after Storm Arwen. The A-Z and Energy group researched Solar PV instsllers to identify reliable flrms and with the help of our CAts consultsnt organised an Energy Action Day in September bringin8 together experts on altematlve technolo8les whith was very well received by the publlc. A number of people registered their interest In working wlth us to have solar PV fitted on thelr homes and businesses to save on fossll fuel burnlng and save money. CAfS allocated money from a lottery grant to employ an or8anlsatlon speclali5ing in Effectlve Communication to suNey local people identlfy stskeholders and put forward recommendatlons forextendin8 our a¢h and flnding more active volunteers to carry out our work. The Evldence Agency successfully tendered for the work and produced a useful report In October. Two rnembers have followed the applicatlon for a new coal mine In West Cumbria closely, visltiru the site, speaking at the inquiry, lialsln8 wlth local groups and providln8 Infomiatlon to enable members to lobby 38ainst what would be a slgnificant increase in carbon emlssions. We acquired the Infra-red camera for whlch we got funding last year and volunteers took part in trainlng on how to use It. Despite Covld restriction5 we surveyed more than 40 homes over the winter helping people to save energy. N.B. The outside temperatu must be cold in order to carry out the survey5. Thls work wlll continue in the comin8 winter months. A new group fornied specificalty to look at rtunities for tree lanting and increasing Page2of9
biodiversity. The group amalgamated with the Growing Group and became known asthe Growin8 and Biodiversity 8roup. Thi5 group or8anised an event called Midsummer Giving and gave away over 250 vegetable plants. herbs and pollinator friendly flowering plants- donated by members- to local residents - to encourage growin& food security and insert pollination. We planted 3LY) trees on a fell near Ambleside in the autumn and the maintenance of these and other intensively planted young trees on fell sides around Ambleside went on for a large part of the year improving their chan$ of surviva5 and thus increasing the sequestration of carbon and increasing wildlife habitat. We tontinued to search for other suitsble tree planting sites liaising with the National Trust and the Woodland Trust. The smèll orchard in the park continued to thrive. A site was found for the wildflower meadow and children from Ambleside primary School helped plant bulbs in the autumn- again fulfilling our objective5 of restoring lond/biodNersity and education. In November AAFAF submitted a proposal to the National Lottery Together for Our Planev initiative for a grant to put together an actlon plan fora programme of community led tree planting. tree maintenance and habitat creation. lThis has been awarded February 2022 and is due to be completed 20231 This would involve mapping existing trees in and around Ambleside and engaging the wider community on how habitat re5toratÉon, tree planting and tree maintenance can addre55 the causes and impacts of climate and biodiversity breakdown. Members have written emails to minister5 on issues relevant to our climate and ecological concems and responded to consultations on related issues. In September we organised a Picnic in the Park with storytellers, drummers and speakers Wlth an invitation to children to draw what they wanted to protect. The drawings were sent to Alok Sharma, President of COP26 and their parents were encouraged to email him also. Nineteen members went by coach to Glasgow for the National Da of Action on November Page3of9
6th to add to the message to World Leaders to stop fossil fuel extraction. There was also a small demonstration by members in the centre of Ambleside. Our Picnic in the Park event inspired a local business owner to pay for several seats on the Coach to Glasgow. Membership rose durlng the year and numbers joiningJusin8 our social media grouplpa8e increased. statement nfiMing whelher the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Pw8 1.18 The trustees have followed the guidance on public benefit provided by the Charity Commisslon In its dotument CC3- The Es5entlal Tee. Addltlonal Infornmtion (opllonal) You ma choose to includ8 further statement8 where revant about: Policy on grant making P•r• 1.38 Not applicable Policy on social inv88trn8nt including program related investment 1.38 Not appllcable Contrfbution made by volunteers Pw• 1.38 The entlre work of AAFAF is carrled out by volunteers Other Achlevements and Perfomianco SORP r•fw¢rK• Summary ofthe main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumslances of it8 beneficiaries and any wider benefrts to sociely as a whole. Por¥ 1.20 Our public events- Energy Attion Day. Plcnlc In the Parl Midsummer Givlng- have all ralsed awareness of the climate and ecolo8ical crisis. The Big Switch-off was also effeciive in maklng people think about energy use and the hamiful effects of artificlal li8htir6. AAFAF has also enabled people to reduce their arbon footprint by giving them acoss to experts In the fields of alternative energy and in some cases accompanying them on their journey to more sustainable energy use. In this respect we have built on the work we undertook last yearto provide a carbon calculator via our website. Trainin8 our team of infra-red camera users and helping people to identify heat loss and take basic ste s to keep their homeswarmer Page4of9
lor, in some cases undertake more ambitious insulation workl has- and will continue- to mean le55 energy consumption and help mitigate some of the worsening effects of dimate thange. We do not yet know what effect intensive lobbying by AAFAF members opposin8 the West Cumbria Coal Mine has had, but it has rtainly contributed to the governmenvs awaneSS of opposition to the scheme in Cumbria and countrywide. Accordlng to residents who have attended our growing events. plantin8 for the benefit of insects andlor food has become much more forefront in their lives. Feedback from this group a150 demonstrates a heightened awarene55 of the need for pollinator-friendly plants, growing without pesticides, using peat- free compost and other good practices. This is evident too amongst members, many of whom have stsrted growing in their gardens or containers. giving space to wildflowers etc. This helps to stem the decline in insect life vital for our suNival and improve5 biodiversity as well as adapting to the unfolding crisis by improvirE food security. Tree plantin81 maintenance has drawn In new members including students from Cumbria University thus raising awareness of the climate and ecological emergency and getting more hands-on deck to do the practical work. This is mitigating tlimate breakdown by sequesterlng carbon, helping to reduce sheep numbers and improving habitat for wildlife and biodtverslry- The lottery grani applied for will enable us to magnify these effects several fold. We have spread the message about dimate and the ecological emergenry in schools and engaged children in meaningful artions to improve the natural environment. Additional infomiation (optional) You m8 choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against Para 1.41 No specific objectives were set. objectives set Performance of fvndraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 A target of £2160 for income from donations and fundraising events was set. The total income achieved was £2024.77. Page5of9
Investrnént performan against objectives Pwa 1.41 No investment objectives were set. Other Flnancial Review Review of the charity's financial position at th8 8fKI of the period P#r# 1.21 Thlswasthe firstfull yearofthe charivs operation. At the end of the perlod, sufficient surplus had been generated to achieve the target level of reserves plu5 a surplus of £946.84. This has enabled a budget to be set for 2022 which includes additional funding for projects aiming to achleve the chariWs objectives. The Charity is therefo in a sound financial osltlon. Reserves are held for the following reasons: . to meet the costs of essential routine items le.g. Insurance, ICT), In the event of a failure to ralse sufflclent funds to cover them; . contingency frjnd for unexperted e55entlal Costs: _ urgent small projects not anticipated in the annual budget:. cushlon for cash flow, In case of a need to incur planned expenditure before recelvlng the Income to cover it. The ts et totsl of reserve5 Is £18CM). £181XI Not appllcable ststement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating Y they are hek Parn 1.22 Amount of resenfft held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any UnrtaInlieS about the charity continuing as a going concem P¥r• t.22 P•r• 1.22 Pm 1.24 Not appllcable P•ra 1.23 Not applicable Addltlonal Infomiatlon lopdonal You ma choose to includ8 further statements where relevant aut.. The charity's principal Parn 1.47 sources offvnds (induding Grants from charltable trusts, and donations by individuals. any fundrai8ing) Inv8slment policy and objectives induding any social investment policy adopted P•r# 1.46 No such pollcies have been adopted. A description of the prindpal risks facing the charity Para 1.40 The trustees have adopted a risk management policy which identifies potential financial, putatlonal. legal. operational and environmental risks. With the controls that have been put in place, none of these risk5 is currently regarded as si nificanL Page6of9
Other Structure, Governance and Management Description of tharity's trusts- Type of goveming document Para 1.25 Foundation model constitution How is the charity constttLrted? i e g unincorDoraTe 2%sociation CIO.. Trustee selection methods including details of any onstitutional provisions e.g. election to posl or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 cio Par• 1.25 Apart from the first trustees, every trustee is appointed for a temi of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as trustees. the trustees have regard to the skills. knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the cio. Additional Inforniation (optional) You ma choose to indude further statements where revant aboLrt: Policies and procedures Para 1.51 Trustees are provided with the Charity adoptsd for the induction Commission trustee welcome pack. and training of trustees The charity's organisational structure and any wider nerk with which the Charity works Para 1.51 AAFAF has 7formal members who are the charity trustees, and a wider membership of about iio. These members meet in 7 different working group5 Qrganised around specific topics or projects, each of which is led by a volunteer coordinator who reports to the trustee5. AAFAF works wrth Cumbria Action for Sustsinabili . charity number 1123155. Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 other Reference and Admlnistrative details Charit name other name the charity uses Registered chanty number Charity's principal address Ambleside Action for a Future AAFAF 1188921 Dillygarth. LoUghrE Amble5ide. LA22 9HF Page7of9
Name8 of the charlty trustses who manag8 tho Charlty Name of person lor body) •ntid¢d to appolnt truste• Ilf an Tru•tse namo Offl¢e111 any) Ihtss acted if not for *thole year Gillian Kelly Caroline Caple Marywyburn Sharon Holt Chair Secretsry Treasurer Steve Lenartowicz Steve Wyburn Ursula Brendlin8 TIM Clarke Until 0910812021 From 1211012021 From 1211012021 Corporate trustses- names of the directors at the date the report was approved Dlr•ctor nam• None Name of tru8tees holding tiue to property belonging to the charity None Fundg held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets None held in thi8 capacty Name arKI objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity'8 oblect¥ Not applicable Detai18 of arrangements for safe cUst¢Y and seggatiOn of such a88ets from the charrty's own a88ets Not applicabl8 Page8of9
Additional infomiatlon {optlonal) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) Name Address Type of adviser None Name of chlef executive or names of senlor staff members (Optlonal infomiation) Not applicable Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke rsonnel details Not applicable Other o tional infomiation None Declarations The trustee8 doclare that they have approved the trustees, rnport above. Signed on behalf of the ¢haiYty's trustees Signature(s} Full nam8(81 Gillian Margaret Kelly Caroline Anne Caple Position leg Secretaryy Chair, etcl Chair Date 14th October 2022 Page9of9
Charity Name No (if any) Ambleside Action For A Future 1188921 Receipts and payments accounts Period start date Period end date For the period from 01/01/21 To 31/12/21
CC16a
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | Total funds | Last year | |||||||||||
| to the nearest | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||||||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||||||||
| Unrestricted donations | 1,695 | - | - | 1,695 | 1,114 | ||||||||||
| Donation to Warmer Homes fund | - | - | - | - | 250 | ||||||||||
| Gift Aid | 323 | - | - | 323 | 271 | ||||||||||
| Funds raised at events | 330 | - | - | 330 | - | ||||||||||
| Grant from Lake District Foundation | - | 250 | - | 250 | - | ||||||||||
| Grant from South Lakeland District Council | - | 1,507 | - | 1,507 | 2,000 | ||||||||||
| Grant from Cadent Foundation | - | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | - | ||||||||||
| Grant from Community Lottery Fund via CAfS | - | 125 | - | 125 | - | ||||||||||
| Grant from MCS Charitable Foundation | - | 7,000 | - | 7,000 | - | ||||||||||
| Transferred from Ambleside Climate Change Forum | - | - | - | - | 231 | ||||||||||
| Compensation from NatWest Bank | - | - | - | - | 150 | ||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 2,347 | 10,882 | - | 13,229 | 4,015 | ||||||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). | |||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Total receipts | 2,347 | 10,882 | - | 13,229 | 4,015 | ||||||||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||||||||
| Subscriptions | 196 | - | - | 196 | 232 | ||||||||||
| Public liability insurance | 157 | - | - | 157 | 89 | ||||||||||
| Website | 44 | - | - | 44 | 36 | ||||||||||
| Event & project costs | 762 | - | - | 762 | - | ||||||||||
| Printing & promotional materials | 54 | - | - | 54 | - | ||||||||||
| Room hire for meetings | 45 | - | - | 45 | - | ||||||||||
| Warmer Homes project | - | 3,495 | - | 3,495 | - | ||||||||||
| Wild Flower Meadow | - | 64 | - | 64 | - | ||||||||||
| Pollinating plants | - | 27 | - | 27 | - | ||||||||||
| Creative workshops for children | - | 222 | - | 222 | - | ||||||||||
| Picnic in the Park | - | 109 | - | 109 | - | ||||||||||
| Climate Action Day & community engagement | - | 6,135 | - | 6,135 | - | ||||||||||
| Sub total | 1,258 | 10,051 | - | 11,310 | 357 | ||||||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) | |||||||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Total payments | 1,258 | 10,051 | - | 11,310 | 357 | ||||||||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 1,089 | 831 | - | 1,920 | 3,658 | ||||||||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | 250 | -250 | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | 1,408 | 2,250 | - | 3,658 | - | ||||||||||
| Cash funds this year end | 2,747 | 2,831 | - | 5,577 | 3,658 | ||||||||||
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | |||||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||||
| B1 Cash funds | Cash reserve | 1,800 | - | - | |||||||
| Other unrestricted funds | 947 | - | - | ||||||||
| Warmer Homes fund | - | 12 | - | ||||||||
| Wild Flower Meadow fund | - | 186 | - | ||||||||
| Cadent Foundation fund | - | 1,751 | - | ||||||||
| Picnic in the Park fund | - | 16 | - | ||||||||
| Climate Action fund | - | 865 | - | ||||||||
| Total cash funds | 2,747 | 2,831 | - | ||||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and | OK | OK | OK | ||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | |||||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||||||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which | Cost (optional) | Current value | ||||||||
| B3 Investment assets | - | - | |||||||||
| Details | Fund to which | Cost (optional) | Current value | ||||||||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use | - | - | |||||||||
| Details | Fund to which | Amount due | When due | ||||||||
| B5 Liabilities | - | ||||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees | Signature | Name | Date of approval | ||||||||
| Steve Lenartowicz | 10 October 2022 | ||||||||||
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
14/10/2022
1