ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
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 6 | Trustees' Report |
| Page 7 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| Page 8 | Balance Sheet |
| Pages 9 to 15 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
| Page 16 | 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 2023 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31st March 2024 TRUSTEES AT 31ST MARCH 2024 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 2024
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.
The groups under our financial control include: AVLAN (Alton & Villages Local Action for Nature) Alton Community Share Cycle Alton Alton Repair Café Action on Plastics Young ACAN Alton Sustainable Food Headley Climate Action Network
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 . Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving personal health by cutting down on meat and dairy consumption.
5 . Building community by encouraging sharing.
6 . 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.
7 . Working with local government to improve infrastructure for cycling and walking.
8 . 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.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
We received a significant grant in 2022 from the Wild Trout Trust (via the Environment Agency and in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust) for our River Wey Restoration Project, which was delayed pending the receipt of the necessary flood consent permit. This permit was received late in the financial year 2022/23 and the project was successfully completed in the summer of 2023.
Funding from Hampshire County Council for the project manager of the Eco-Streets pilot project for 12 hours per week concluded in June 2023, and was followed by a grant from Alton Town Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy for 8 hours per week Eco-Streets project consultancy on some of the new estates, which continues until September 2024.
We received 7 hours per week of administrative support from Alton Town Council for the 12 months from December 2022 – November 2023.
All other work was undertaken by volunteers.
Achievements and Performance
Our main achievements during FY 2023/24 were as follows:
1 . ACAN joined with our neighbouring Petersfield Climate Action Network to produce a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for East Hampshire. This has been disseminated widely and presented to many of the EHDC councillors. We have been working closely with the EHDC Green Team on the development of their climate strategy.
2 . ACAN held its 2nd Eco Fair in conjunction with Alton Town Council in July 23. We also took our stall and teams of volunteers to a record number of events and activities this year.
3 . Young ACAN has moved to a new engagement model by setting up a community of partner schools whose representatives meet regularly to work together on environmental projects. They also ran another 2 clothes swaps to address the environmental damage caused by fast fashion and distributed litter picker packs to several schools in the area.
4 . The Eco-Streets pilot community outreach project in Whitedown ward concluded in June 2023, and was followed by a new project on 2 new estates, then extended to a further 2 estates in the town using door to door surveys and a programme of nature-based events to engage newcomers to Alton in ACAN’s activities, while increasing awareness of what we can do as individuals to reduce our impact on the planet. Three further estates will be engaged in 2024/25.
5 . The Eco-Streets project produced “Listen to the Children”, which was exhibited in the parish church, the Allen Gallery an in Petersfield, and recorded “The Web of Life: A Song of Resilience” with a local primary school.
6 . AVLAN now has 4 HCC licences for verges, 2 EHDC licences for community spaces, and continues to manage two other community spaces – one with Eco-Church and the other with Abri housing. Volunteers also planted and maintained native hedging on Town Council land and planted another community garden in October 2023.
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7 . AVLAN’s River Wey restoration project in the town centre was completed in September 23.
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8 . AVLAN again teamed up with Peters�eld Climate Action Network to distribute fruit trees to many households in the area.
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9 . ACAN established an Eco Café with displays about all our work and running sessions on a variety of environmental topics.
10 . A new group was established to raise awareness of the benefits to the environment, as well as personal health of cutting down on meat and dairy consumption.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK TRUSTEES, REPORT IContlnu•dl FOR THE YEAR ENI)ED 31ST MARCH 2024 24r2 GLEI)tyJ",11 H l L
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
| 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 2023/24 2022/23 £ £ £ £ 4,079 22,526 26,605 12,530 - 2,710 2,710 4,720 4,079 25,236 29,314 17,250 2,928 31,276 34,203 31,261 840 - 840 675 3,768 31,276 35,043 31,936 311 (6,040) (5,729) (14,686) 1,417 16,581 17,998 32,684 (40) 40 - - 1,688 10,581 12,269 17,998 |
|---|---|
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 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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ALTON CUMATE ACTION AND NETWORK BALANCE SMEET AS AT 31ST klARCH 2024 Tatsl 31kn24 31r43 Flx•d A•f•ts Totsl FIA•dA#•ts ai Bank and In H•)¥ 10.581 10A81 13.1(YJ 13.101 18,673 1U73 675 ar NeT¢URftepff A¥5ETS 10M1 17, 10A81 12269 17.99• io t year 11269 17.998 Fwthrfth•Ch 1.417 16581 10.581 10.581 10.581 12269 17. ÉLSFtc{ H ILL
ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
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 note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) (Second Edition, effective 1st January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (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.
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
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 year.
The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st March 2024 : None
31st March 2023 : 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 2024
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 2023/24 2022/23 £ £ £ £ 4,079 3,521 7,600 3,754 - 19,005 19,005 8,777 4,079 22,526 26,605 12,530 - 2,710 2,710 4,720 - 2,710 2,710 4,720 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
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 5 Eco Streets 5 Educational Support 5 Energy Café 5 Food Costs 5 Gifts & Donations Insurance Costs Repair Café 5 River Wey Restoration 5 Sundry Expenses 5 Website Costs Young ACAN 5 b) Governance Costs Independent Examiners Fees 9 |
Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds 2023/24 2022/23 £ £ £ £ - 12 12 134 144 - 144 144 1,153 1,295 2,448 1,867 - - - 2,988 - 306 306 102 - 156 156 424 - 2,367 2,367 - - 8,359 8,359 9,579 - 2,951 2,951 4,479 - 126 126 23 - 763 763 - 30 - 30 130 758 - 758 672 - 1,103 1,103 - - 11,858 11,858 4,366 237 2 239 89 605 - 605 750 - 1,980 1,980 5,518 2,928 31,276 34,203 31,261 840 - 840 675 840 - 840 675 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
5. RESTRICTED FUNDS
CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR
| ACAN Local Action on Plastic Fund AVLAN Fund Community Share Fund Cycle Alton Eco Streets Fund Eco-Fair Energy Café Food Fund Gumbi Educational Support Repair Café Fund River Wey Fund Schools Workshops Wildlife Walks Young ACAN Fund |
Balance Balance 01-Apr-23 Income Expenditure Transfers 31-Mar-24 £ £ £ £ £ 257 - - - 257 166 - 12 - 154 148 1,294 1,295 - 147 584 239 306 - 517 65 900 156 - 809 1,749 6,570 8,359 40 - - 2,367 2,367 - - 375 - 126 - 249 - 2,982 763 - 2,219 241 2,710 2,951 - - 813 1,221 1,103 - 931 11,858 - 11,858 - - - 1,800 - - 1,800 - 300 - - 300 325 4,853 1,980 - 3,198 16,581 25,236 31,275 40 10,581 |
|---|---|
PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR
| ACAN Local Action on Plastic Fund AVLAN Fund Community Share Fund Cycle Alton Energy Café Eco Streets 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 |
|---|---|
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 2024
6. INVESTMENTS
The CIO held no fixed assets investments during this or the previous financial year.
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-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ 2,528 10,581 13,109 18,673 2,528 10,581 13,109 18,673 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 31-Mar-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ - - - - - - - - |
|---|---|
9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Independent Examiners Fees | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 31-Mar-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ 840 - 840 675 840 - 840 675 |
|---|---|
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR
The CIO held no long term liabilities during this or the previous financial year.
11. NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fixed Asset Investments Net Current Assets Long Term Liabilities |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 31-Mar-24 31-Mar-23 £ £ £ £ - - - - 1,688 10,581 12,269 17,998 - - - - 1,688 10,581 12,269 17,998 |
|---|---|
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ALTON CLIMATE ACTION AND NETWORK
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
12. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
The CIO employed no members of staff during this or the previous financial year.
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
(Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
Report to the trustees/ members of Alton Climate Action and Network on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 set out on pages 7 to 15.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
K. Collaku MAAT Castle View Accounting Ltd New Barn Mudberry Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8TS
Date: 3rd June 2023
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