ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1189431
Castle View Accounting Ltd New Barn Mudberry Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8TS
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
CONTENTS
| Page 3 | Legal and Administrative Information |
|---|---|
| Pages 4 to 5 | Trustees' Report |
| Page 6 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| Page 7 | Balance Sheet |
| Pages 8 to 14 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
| Page 15 | Independent Examiner's Report |
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY NUMBER
CHARITY NUMBER 1189431 WORKING NAMES Alton Climate Action and Network ACAN DATE OF REGISTRATION 11th May 2020 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1st April 2022 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31st March 2023 TRUSTEES AT 31ST MARCH 2023 Jennifer Griffiths Eleanor Hill Philippa Brealey Emma Jones
LEGAL STATUS Charitable Incorporated Organisation GOVERNING INSTRUMENT CIO - Foundation Registered 11th May 2020
OBJECTS
1) To promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public by the preservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and the prudent use of natural resources. 2) To advance the education of the public in subjects related to sustainable development, in particular, but not exclusively the effective reduction of greenhouse gases and low carbon living. Sustainable development means "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
PRIMARY BANKERS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
9 Divers Close Alton GU34 2LE National Westminster Bank Plc 250 Bishopgate London EC2M 4AA Castle View Accounting Ltd New Barn Mudberry Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8TS
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Governance
Membership of ACAN is open to anyone resident or working within a 15-mile radius of Alton Town Hall. Membership fees will not be levied. Donations of money and time will be welcomed.
ACAN is an umbrella organisation which has partnered with several existing organisations including ALFI (Alton Local Food Initiative) and Energy Alton. These groups are financially independent of ACAN.
It has launched several groups including:
AVLAN (Alton & Villages Local Action for Nature) Alton Community Share Cycle Alton Alton Repair Cafe Action on Plastic Young ACAN
These groups use our connections, as necessary, for grant applications and share our bank account. Together they form a community action network.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the CIO as set out in our Constitution and approved by the Charity Commission are:
1 . To promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public by the preservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and the prudent use of natural resources.
2 . To advance the education of the public in subjects related to sustainable development, in particular, but not exclusively the effective reduction of greenhouse gases and low carbon living.
Sustainable development means "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
In planning our activities for the year we have kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit at our committee meetings.
ACAN's focus has been on:
1 . Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- 2 . Reducing waste.
3 . Restoring our natural environment for the bene�t of wildlife as well as the wellbeing of local people.
4 . Building community by encouraging sharing.
5 . Building awareness of the climate and environmental crisis and encouraging people to change their own habits while also demanding our local and national government to improve their behaviours to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
6 . Working with local government to improve infrastructure for cycling and walking.
7 . Encouraging young people to work together to reduce their impact on the climate and by doing so to also address their mental wellbeing.
These activities will benefit local people by reducing their bills for domestic heating, transport and food as well as by building community and helping us all to prepare better, physically and emotionally, for an uncertain future.
We received a significant grant from the Wild Trout Trust (via the Environment Agency and in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust) for our River Wey Restoration Project which had been put on hold pending the receipt of a necessary flood consent permit. This permit was received late in this financial year and the project has been scheduled for completion in the summer of 2023.
We had a project manager for our Eco-Streets project for 12 hours a week in 2022/23 funded by a grant from Hampshire County Council, and 7 hours per week of administrative support from Alton Town Council since December 2022. All other work was undertaken by volunteers.
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ALTON CUMATE ACTION AND NETWORK TRUSTEES. REPORT Icontknuedl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCM 2023 1. YouThJ ACAN ran 2 vwy 8CeB (lhe8 to •Je88 th• Cal ty fa•t lashit. They a hosted a sthc4J15 Eco Cre1% by str 12 SCI5. WLYksh(y6 were offw•Y C a nurnber oltOcs students to wn skils h•tyry tlwn lo •Jth Ih cne arwety Iwets ty publthod and Iwmh A t(uiry WthD cpportuwto rne•t Ihthrlocal MP 10h tw crr¢en¥NJ to ty1¥1 him gov•rnTrxrt cy. 2. ACAN uet up an £cfrStts w(4ed to a wnal we• cl tre to the c4 (b>y404%xY campaigning and •no0oiTrJ r•c(4• Ihoir The wr4•ct wabknd ACAPI to irial mryo 8TrJ ortsstic methc#Js cl ery•no residerK5. Ths 2023 M5•nI r•prt prL¥JuGod higNightrg lh• kYc• wd Gfm Lltlwe awoaG and 11. 4. AVLAN hu had to ¥¥e up om vwg• to ryolxt tP ufy c4 4 •nd rw hm 4 HCC and the with hJ81n9. 4lK> conknJé6 lo lir Way in cd thb ftr W•y R88th t4thrk lo thatrfbute tr•ea to 1Crt) hl¢bLde kn the vB•. S. Our Lcity¥d & mpln9 QrnJp Ird h n•bbxty Pet1d CY•i• A¢ith NtrMrk 4 •clfv• FIMnGl•l R•¥l•w ACAN'S bank baLl• hai r•fflain•d hyhor exFrftsd (knry to tho ttotsy kn rec•¥479 th• frrn th £nent Agoncy lo the Rfver W8y to w¢yeM. h•$ now recdved •nd Iho8• ljnth ll be ar•rt in first h•ff offmWl year 2023TrO. Charltics Act 2011 r8Wre8 Ihe trust to w•pw8 •ath gfv• • and fa cl the sl8 of affakry rf the CK) and crf lh• rl Ihe Vwt wep•ty fwKW s1•wi¥ th• Irusle84 are requlred to.. . S8kn15uitabkn accowfjry prAldes and aPFtythem conslurtty cwUnu¢ kn EX. fin¥nd41 pJ5rf1on ofthe CIO. They rewth hy 808et• dtho CK) aThJ hence f(ff i&WrvJ vea6( Ste fythe and detec offrd yo¥ed tytht TNth¢• ....................... ... .... .................... .. .. . . .. pthted Namè.. I LL
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming Resources from Generated Funds Donations, Grants & Legacies 3a Activities for Generating Funds 3b TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of Generating Funds Cost of Charitable Activities 4a Governance Costs 4b TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES Funds Brought Forward Transfer Between Funds TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2022/23 2021/22 £ £ £ £ 4,646 7,884 12,530 41,207 - 4,720 4,720 4,211 4,646 12,604 17,250 45,418 2,279 28,982 31,261 25,413 675 - 675 575 2,954 28,982 31,936 25,988 1,692 (16,378) (14,686) 19,430 2,146 30,538 32,684 13,254 (2,421) 2,421 - - 1,417 16,581 17,998 32,684 |
|---|---|
Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NEfwoRK AS AT 318T MARCH 2023 Totsl Tot•1 Jl-Mr42 Flx•d A#Mt• Totsl H¥•d A•MI• Dtbtorn & Ca8h 81 3ThJ in Hd IC•2 1&S81 1i673 1&17J 33.25• Cr•dttov AM¢ OJO 675 675 575 NET CUARENfA88ET• IA17 17.898 TOTALA8SETS l••b cwrwt It¥bMI8• IA17 17.9 1•4 Cr•dlor& crtI f•llTra in 110 th NET A8Jm 17 16,M1 17,• Ch•rlty G•n•ral Fund5 ft•51rid•d FurKIi 1A17 16,501 2,146 16,SB1 Tot•1 Fund• 1A17 17,9 32,614 Ic13 &on8d th•rbthalby TFu•..... Prknt•d N H ILL
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation & Assessment of Going Concern
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP - FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Assessment of Going Concern
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Incoming Resources
Recognition of Incoming Resources
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:
▪ the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
▪ the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and
▪ the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability
Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure
Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
Grants and Donations
Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants
This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.
Gifts in Kind
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable.
Donated Services and Facilities
These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received.
Volunteer Help
The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts.
Investment Income
This is included in the accounts when receivable.
Investment Gains and Losses
This included any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Expenditure and Liabilities
Liability Recognition
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Governance Costs
Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Grants with Performance Conditions
Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.
Grants Payable without Performance Conditions
These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity.
Investments
Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value.
Unrestricted funds
These funds can be used for the general objectives of the charity as set out in the trustees report. The movements of the unrestricted funds are given in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Restricted funds
These funds are where the donor has specified a purpose for the donation made. These restrictions often arise as a result of appeals for special offerings for specific purposes.
Designated funds
These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for particular purposes or projects.
Fixed Assets
Fixed Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation is calculated at a rate to write off the cost of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The rates applied are as follows:
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment
25% - Straight Line Basis
2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
The CIO held no fixed assets during this or the previous financial period.
The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st March 2023 : None
31st March 2022 : None
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
3. INCOMING RESOURCES
| Note a) Donations, Grants & Legacies Gifts & Donations 5 Grants 5 b) Activities for Generating Funds Fundraising Income 5 |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2022/23 2021/22 £ £ £ £ 379 3,375 3,754 2,907 4,268 4,509 8,777 38,300 4,646 7,884 12,530 41,207 - 4,720 4,720 4,211 - 4,720 4,720 4,211 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
4. RESOURCES EXPENDED
| Note a) Cost of Charitable Activities Action on Plastic 5 Administrative Expenses Advertising & Publicity 5 Community Cupboard 5 Community Share 5 Cycle Alton 5 Eco Fair Eco Hub Eco Streets 5 Educational Support 5 Energy Café 5 Energy Alton Film Screening Gifts & Donations Insurance Costs River Wey Restoration 5 Sundry Expenses 5 Young ACAN 5 Website Costs b) Governance Costs Independent Examiners Fees 9 |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2022/23 2021/22 £ £ £ £ - 134 134 26 144 - 144 297 497 1,369 1,867 3,549 - 2,988 2,988 6,699 - 102 102 636 - 424 424 599 - - - 788 - - - 2,500 - 9,579 9,579 - - 4,479 4,479 5,801 - 23 23 - - - - 580 - - - 500 130 - 130 - 672 - 672 491 - 4,366 4,366 1,800 87 2 89 204 - 5,518 5,518 943 750 - 750 - 2,279 28,982 31,261 25,413 675 - 675 575 675 - 675 575 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
5. RESTRICTED FUNDS
CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR
| ACAN Local Action on Plastic Fund Advertising Fund AVLAN Fund Community Cupboard Community Share Fund Cycle Alton Eco Hub Energy Café Eco Streets Fund Energy Alton Fund Filming Fund Gumbi Educational Support Repair Café Fund River Wey Fund Young ACAN Fund |
Balance Balance 01-Apr-22 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ £ 257 - - - 257 - 300 134 - 166 - - - - - - 2,899 2,988 237 148 - - - - - - 75 102 611 584 46 443 424 - 65 - - - - - - 398 23 - 375 8,633 1,610 9,579 1,085 1,749 - - - - - - - - - - - 4,720 4,479 - 241 773 921 1,369 488 813 16,224 - 4,366 - 11,858 4,605 1,238 5,518 - 325 30,538 12,604 28,982 2,421 16,581 |
|---|---|
PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR
| ACAN Local Action on Plastic Fund Advertising Fund AVLAN Fund Community Cupboard Community Share Fund Cycle Alton Eco Hub Eco Streets Fund Energy Alton Fund Filming Fund Gumbi Educational Support Repair Café Fund River Wey Fund Young ACAN Fund |
Balance Balance 01-Apr-21 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Mar-22 £ £ £ £ £ 257 - - - 257 - - - - - (620) 70 393 943 - (583) 1,338 1,317 562 - 1,973 1,406 4,705 1,326 - 485 - 636 151 - 89 556 599 - 46 31 - 2,500 2,469 - - 9,434 801 - 8,633 80 - 580 500 - 18 - 500 482 - 1,590 4,211 5,801 - - 1,840 - 1,067 - 773 - 18,024 1,800 - 16,224 - 5,548 943 - 4,605 5,160 40,587 21,642 6,433 30,538 |
|---|---|
The Restricted funds are wholly represented by the charity's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
6. INVESTMENTS
The CIO held no fixed assets investments during this or the previous financial period.
7. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND
| Cash at Bank & in Hand 8. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS Sundry Debtors |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £ £ £ £ 2,092 16,581 18,673 33,259 2,092 16,581 18,673 33,259 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £ £ £ £ - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Independent Examiners Fees | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £ £ £ £ 675 - 675 575 675 - 675 575 |
|---|---|
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR
The CIO held no long term liabilities during this or the previous financial period.
11. NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fixed Asset Investments Net Current Assets Long Term Liabilities |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-22 £ £ £ £ - - - - 1,417 16,581 17,998 32,684 - - - - 1,417 16,581 17,998 32,684 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
12. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
The CIO employed no members of staff during this or the previous financial period.
13. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.
14. RISK ASSESSMENT
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
15. RESERVES POLICY
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the CIO's needs. This is based on the CIO's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the CIO will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
16. PUBLIC BENEFIT
The CIO acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the CIO has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the CIO should undertake
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK {CharitalJ9 Irwrporated Ck9anisationl INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS Report to the Irusteesl mernt$ of Climate ActJn and N•t%bth M the aCcnIS for the year end9d 31st March 2023 t out on page8 6 to 14. R•sp•ctl¥• rbIlItI oftrust•os •nd •M•rnln•r The charws trustees ar6 responsibbe for preparation of the accounts. Th& ¢harity's truste8s conslder thal an audlt is not required for thls year urKler section 144 of the Charities 2011 (the Charrties Act) and that an indepgndtrnt e¥8rnination is ne&Jed. 11 Is my rgsponsibility to= examine the accounts untJ8r gection 145 of th& Charilies Act. ftsltow the procedures laJ down in tlw 9eneral Directions givgn by Ihe Charlty CommL8slon (under sectlon 14515llbl of the charit Act. and $tstg whother partKular mattor¥ hwe coTh to my ètttnbon Basll of IndondnI •xarnln•r'8 s¢•t•m•nt My examin8tlon was camed out in a¢cofdance general thre¢tions gNen by thg Charity Commission. An examination Includ8s a rgvlgw of lh8 8ccountlng records kepi by the thanty and a compari50n of th8 accounts syèsènied wlth those records. 11 a150 includos nSIdratIon of any unusual ttems or disdosures in thg a¢¢ounts. 8nd seeking explanations from the trusl#e$ concerning any such matters. The proceilures undertaken do t provi¢Jg all the 8videnee that would b8 requirgd in an audit, and consn11Y no 0.lOn is 9lV¥rt as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, vbw and thè report is Ilmlted to Ihose matters 8el out in the staigment beknw. Ind•p•nd•nt •xamln•rf• •t•t•m•nt In nneCtIOn with my examinalion. rK* matter has ts)m8 to my attentk)n'. which giv¢$ me rea60nablo caus6 to b¢liove that in any mat8ri81 r•Épo¢t. the requirements.. to keep accounting records in ¥cordance wth section 130 of th& Charities Act; and lo prepare acc4Junts vthich aLxor¢l the accrnting and c¢)mply with the accounting rwu1Mefi1$ of the Charities Act have not t¢en met; or lo which. in my oplnlon. attention Shoukj be drawn In order to enabla a proper undgrstsndlng of the accoun18 to be reached. K. Collaku MAAT Castle Vlew Accounting Lt New Bain Mu(Iberry Lane Bosham Chichestèr West Sussex P018 8TS Oate.. 21s1 July 2023