## **GREENING TETBURY**
## **MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023**
The management presents its Trustees’ report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2023.
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
Charity name: Greening Tetbury Charity registration number: 1189693 Registered Office and operational address: 9 Downs Mill, Frampton Mansell, Stroud, Gloucestershire. GL6 8JX
## **Trustees**
Fergus Dignan Chair/treasurer Rosemary Bailey Secretary Benjamin Jackson Anne Cox Jessica Willows
## **Bankers**
Triodos Bank, Deanery Rd, Bristol BS1 5AS Nationwide Building Society, Nationwide House, Pipers Way, Swindon SN38 1NW
## **Our Aims and Objectives**
## Purposes and Aims
Our charity’s purposes, as set out in the objects contained in the constitution, are:
- The advancement of environmental protection and improvement, for the public benefit, in the town of Tetbury and surrounding villages by such means as the trustees think fit, in particular:
Raising awareness through a website, workshops and other media;
Making grants for environmental projects that protect and improve the environment.
- To relieve the financial hardship of those living in the town of Tetbury and surrounding villages who are in fuel poverty, by the provision of grants for insulation, solar panels, and other forms of renewable energy.
This is to be achieved by focusing on six areas: communication, energy, food, plastic, transport and wildlife.
## What the outcomes of the charity’s work are:
In the town of Tetbury and surrounding villages, the main outcomes are: a reduction in the greenhouse gas footprint; a more sustainable use of resources; enhancement of the natural environment.
## Where these outcomes happen:
These outcomes happen in the town of Tetbury, Gloucestershire, and surrounding villages.
How the outcomes of the charity’s work are achieved:
## a) Communication
Providing information, raising awareness, and promoting such subjects as sustainable development, recycling and renewable energy sources. The information will be communicated, in particular but not exclusively, through the following outlets: the Greening Tetbury website, the Tetbury Advertiser (a monthly periodical), and social media. Also visits to local schools; liaising with local authorities, in particular Tetbury Town Council and Cotswold District Council, both of whom have declared a climate emergency; liaising with local businesses and other interested parties involved in the challenge of climate change.
- b) Energy
Encouraging the use of renewable energy and reducing energy consumption in general by: raising awareness, providing information, as stated under a); making grants for environmental projects that protect and improve the environment; the provision of grants for insulation, solar panels and other forms of renewable energy for those who are in fuel poverty.
- c) Food
Providing information on locally produced organic food as stated under a); educational workshops; liaising with local farmers, improving access to local, highquality food including setting up community-supported agriculture and developing the community orchard. As well as the orchard, other trees will be planted for wildlife and as carbon offsets.
- d) Plastic
Providing information as stated under a); liaising with local businesses and encouraging them to stop the sale and use of single-use plastic products. The goal is to achieve single-use, plastic-free status in the town of Tetbury.
- e) Transport
Providing information as stated under a); encouraging car sharing; making grants for ‘green’ modes of transportation such as the provision of electric public buses, new cycle ways, and public footpaths.
- f) Wildlife
Providing information as stated under a); encouraging people to make their gardens wildlife-friendly; a bigger and better network of wild places; liaising with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for their advice and input; liaising with Tetbury Town Council in planting wildflower areas on the verges of roads and pathways.
## Who benefits from these outcomes:
The general public of Tetbury and surrounding villages benefit from these outcomes, but also people in the wider world, as a result of a reduction in the carbon footprint.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The charity has taken the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance into account when making any decision that it is relevant to.
## Communication
In 2020 the charity’s website was set up. www.greeningtetbury.org
It provides a wide source of information to the public, including:
- membership details, how to join
- minutes of the charity’s meetings
- journeys: encouraging people to share their views via the charity’s website and social media sites, on walking and cycling around Tetbury. Links on the website to road safety measures and government initiatives
- energy: improving energy efficiency in the home, and other fuel-saving measures; household funding schemes; a list of ‘green’ electricity suppliers
- plastics: advice on how to influence reduction in plastic use locally
- food: a list of local suppliers of organic produce
- ‘Tip of the Month’: advice on how to reduce one’s carbon footprint
- Upcoming activities of the charity
- A monthly newsletter
One of the trustees, Jessica Willows, manages the website, and thanks go to her for revamping it earlier this year.
Greening Tetbury has its own Facebook page and also an Instagram account, managed by one of the members, Gracie Fickling. A code of conduct has been drawn up for both of these sites and they will be monitored for any breaches. The charity’s aim using these social media sites is to facilitate the communication between the charity and the public. A particular objective of the Instagram site is to encourage people to upload photographs of the local flora and fauna.
The charity also has a monthly slot in the Tetbury Advertiser, a local magazine full of news and information relevant to the town and surrounding area. We were kindly given permission to contribute by the magazine’s owners, Tetbury Lions Club.
Greening Tetbury has strong links with Tetbury Town Council (TTC). One of our members is on the town council as well as being Chair of Cotswold District Council. Furthermore, the town council’s Climate Action Working Group has three of our members represented, two of whom are trustees of the charity.
In 2022 we held our annual ‘ _Paint the Town Green_ ’ month. Many thanks to Mary Dignan, one of our members, for again co-ordinating the planning. Last year it was held in July instead of June as we did not wish to clash with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. We had a stall in the town centre, next to Tetbury Market House, where we engaged with the public, discussing environmental issues. The stall was choc-a-bloc with information, including quizzes, displayed on the table and boards. Much of this work was done by one of the trustees, Anne Cox. The event was opened on the 2[nd] July by the Deputy Town Mayor, Ann Pearce and the town crier, Tony Evans. The charity was also present on two further Saturdays during the month. Avening Primary School devised a children’s quiz, which was used to good effect at the stall.
As in the previous year a competition was held to encourage local businesses to demonstrate their commitment to tackling climate change and sustainability, communicated through window displays. 15 businesses participated as well as the local churches, library and tourist office. The judging was done by St. Mary’s Primary School Eco group. The prizes were in the form of tankards and mugs, produced by one of our members, Chris White of Hook House Pottery.
The charity also held a poster competition during the month of July, entitled ‘ _Art for Planet’s Sake_ ’. This involved the playgroups and nurseries in the area. The Good’s Shed Arts Centre generously allowed the charity to use their facilities as the venue.
As part of the _Paint the Town Green_ celebrations, we collaborated with Highgrove Traditional Crafts at the Prince’s Foundation for two events, on the 2[nd] and 22[nd] July: a Meet Make Mend workshop where Atelier from Transition Stroud also attended, and a Clothes Swap.
Also in July 2022 we were invited by Westonbirt School to have a display stand there. It was a daytime event organised by a company called Target4green and the title of the event was ‘ _Beyond Cop21 Symposium’._ This event was attended by 250 pupils, age range 10-16 years. The pupils’ day was divided into four sections: attendance at three lectures and the exhibition area, which is what we were a part of. We engaged the pupils by asking them questions from four pre-prepared quizzes and we had lots of good discussions with them on environmental and ecological issues.
In October 2022 we were invited to attend Avening Social club to talk about the work of the charity. We put up a display stand, gave a short presentation and then discussed environmental issues with individuals. There was a total of thirty-five people in attendance. We were invited back on the 23[rd] May 2023 and another presentation was given.
Also in October, Greening Tetbury was invited to the Community Environment Day held at the Goods Shed Arts Centre. We displayed copious information on: how to reduce your energy bills; government grants; items on ecology; reducing one’s carbon footprint. We were also able to show the workings of a thermal imaging camera, kindly lent to us for the day by an environmental organisation, Sustainable Sherston. A very useful device for assessing the insulation efficiency of your property.
On the 26[th] March 2023, a ten-year vision workshop was held by some of the Greening Tetbury members. The idea was to find out what people’s environmental and ecological aspirations were for Tetbury. Many ideas were generated from the discussions and from this was generated a nine-oval schemata with subject headings in each, such as Nature and Biodiversity, Water, Housing, etc. This will undoubtedly help Greening Tetbury in its focus over the coming years. Many thanks to Anne Cox and also Judi Marshall for their work in organising this event.
## Energy
On the 27[th] October 2022, five Greening Tetbury members visited the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility. We were hosted by an education facilitator and listened to a presentation in the Education Centre before being shown around the site. We learnt that instead of burying non-recyclable household waste in landfill, it is instead taken to the facility from all over Gloucestershire and combusted. The energy generated is exported to the National Grid, providing enough electrical energy to power 25,000 homes.
Thermal imaging camera: the charity has developed links with another environmental organisation called Sustainable Sherston, whom, as previously mentioned, own a thermal
imaging camera. The camera is rented out to people who wish to assess their home insulation requirements. It is advertised on our website.
A disappointment has been the failure to get a local organisation interested in a biomethane project. In spite of sourcing a couple of anaerobic digester companies, and making contact with some local businesses, we have not been able to get anyone interested in purchasing a digester.
## Food
The community fridge is now well established in the town.
## Plastics
Greening Tetbury helped to publicise a new initiative, _The Cotswold Cup,_ developed by an organisation based in the north Cotswolds _._ The idea is to rent out non-disposable cups to cafes and other food outlets, in order to reduce the amount of plastic usage. The customer pays a £2 cup deposit to the café and gets the money back on return of the cup.
As part of _The Big Help Out,_ celebrating the king’s coronation, Greening Tetbury collaborated with the town council in organising a litter pick on the morning of the 8[th] May 2023. Afterwards the mayor, Peter Coleman, generously provided refreshments and snacks in the picnic area of the Goods Shed.
## Transport
Last year, Cotswold District Council initiated a public transport consultation for Tetbury, from which a report was produced. One of our trustees, Ben Jackson, was involved with this consultation. Amongst the proposals were: a safety improvement of one of the town’s bus stops; having a bus stop live information digital board; improving the bus service links between Tetbury and Cirencester, Kemble, Stroud and Yate; co-ordinating the bus timetables with Kemble’s railway timetable; provisioning of a Sunday bus service; completion of the Tetbury-Kemble off-road cycleway; the implementation of 20 mph speed limits in residential areas.
Greening Tetbury has been collaborating with an organisation called Co-Cars to see whether electric car-sharing is a feasible option in Tetbury. Unfortunately, after an assessment of the demands for this in the town, Co-Cars have decided not to proceed at the present time.
## Wildlife
Tetbury Library
The collaboration between Sophie Tallis, _Greening Champion_ for Tetbury library, and Greening Tetbury has continued apace. Wildflower areas have been created at the back of
the library and four raised beds, using wooden pallets, have also been constructed. Additionally, further hedge planting has been done on one of the library’s borders.
Over two Saturdays in November and December 2022, approximately 150 metres of hedging was planted at the top of Preston Park, a beautiful area just outside the town to the north-east. Oak trees were also planted. The event was organised by Will Cook, a member of the Feoffees, a local charity. Greening Tetbury helped to advertise the event. There was a very good turnout, including a few members of Greening Tetbury.
The town council and Greening Tetbury have collaborated in encouraging wildflower growth around the town. In the early spring 2023, wildflower seeds were sown in Jacob’s Close and Tallboys. Signs have been put up in these areas to illustrate some of the wildflower species expected, as well as to explain to local people why this is being done.
Once again Greening Tetbury had a presence at the _Count for Nature Day_ at St. Mary’s Church, Tetbury, held on the 11[th] June 2022. One of our members carried out an audit on bumblebees in the church grounds. One of our trustees, Rosemary Bailey, under the auspices of _Eco-Churches,_ organises this event each year.
Greening Tetbury organised a dawn chorus activity on the 7[th] May 2023, which was also _International Dawn Chorus Day._ Eight people assembled in the Goods Shed car park at 0445 hours, and the bird song identification was led by one of the members.
## **Future Plans**
Following the ten-year vision workshop held in March 2023, it has been decided to concentrate our focus on the subject headings of Nature and Biodiversity, and Water. Having said that, if other opportunities arise, we will assess them for their potential.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, as part of their _Wild Towns_ project, have sent us (and other interested parties) a report on the potential opportunities around Tetbury for improvement of the ecology. Many thanks to Will Masefield for all of his efforts in leading this initiative at the wildlife trust. As a result of this, we are organising a meeting at the town council later in June 2023 to discuss with relevant organisations on how to take the report forward. In connection with these opportunities, one of our members is devising a map of the town with a circumferential boundary (radius yet to be determined) so that we can focus on making sure that ecological improvements will connect up all of the land around the town’s perimeter.
The charity has developed links with the Bristol and Avon River Trust and Wessex Water and one of our objectives will be to try to facilitate the improvement of the water quality in the local rivers.
The main threat to the charity is the lack of active volunteers and income (see below). We have seen a drop in volunteers in the last year, for perfectly understandable reasons, such
as increased work commitments or moving away from the area. The trustees will have to address this at their next meeting.
The charity will be having its first summer party get together on the 15[th] July 2023. Many thanks to Chris and Lise White for organising this.
## **Financial Review**
The total income for the year was £366 (2022: £1,165). This was a considerable decrease from 2022 and was due to a drop in donations as well as the fact that a speaking event that had raised £268 in the previous financial year was cancelled due to poor demand. Allied to this was a significant increase in administrative expenses of £1,049 (2022: £503). This was mainly due to the following factors: a marked increase in stationery costs reflecting an increase in the communication activity in the charity; having ‘physical’ meetings instead of Zoom ones, necessitating recurring expenses in hiring a venue; paying for prizes given out at the Paint the Town Green event.
The charity therefore incurred its first annual loss of (£683) (2022: surplus £662). There are no immediate concerns as total reserves at the end of the financial year amounted to £1,529.
The loss will be addressed at the next trustee meeting.
## Investment Policy
There are insufficient funds available at present to consider long term investment.
## Reserves Policy
The charity has a Reserves Policy.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## Structure
The Management Committee consists of five Trustees. There are six Action Groups: Communication, Energy, Food, Plastics, Transport and Wildlife. People are not necessarily tied to one group.
The Trustees meet up whenever there are particular issues to resolve. There is usually a General Meeting every two months, most of the attendees being members. There is a business plan.
There is a Google Working Document which enables any member to access and update current projects/events that they are involved with.
## Governing Document
Greening Tetbury is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered by the Charity Commission on the 28[th] May 2020. The governing document is a Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members.
## Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee
There are currently five trustees. They all give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.
The constitution allows for a minimum of three and a maximum of eight Trustees.
## Risk Management
The trustees are aware of their responsibility in regards to risk management of the charity. At present, we do not have a Risk Management Register, bearing in mind the relatively small size of the charity. Nevertheless, where the charity is responsible for organising an event, we do conduct risk assessments eg dawn chorus event, and document them.
On behalf of the trustees, I wish to thank all those who have taken time out in the last year to volunteer for the charity.
**Fergus Dignan (Chairperson)** 11.07.2023
**Greening Tetbury**
**Greening Tetbury (registered charity number: 1189693)**
## **GREENING TETBURY (Charitable incorporated organisaton)**
# **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**31 MAY 2023**
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1189693**
**1**
## **Greening Tetbury (registered charity number: 1189693)**
The trustees present the financial statements for Greening Tetbury (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31 May 2023.
The Report and Accounts are compliant with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The principal activity of the charity in the year under review was the advancement of environmental protection and improvement for the town of Tetbury and surrounding villages.
There was a deficit for the year of (£683). (2022: surplus of £662)
The Trustees are satisfied that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, it is appropriate to continue to use the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
The Trustees who served during the year were:
Fergus Dignan Benjamin Jackson Rosemary Bailey Anne Cox Jessica Willows
By order of the Board:
Treasurer signed……Electronically………………………………… Fergus Dignan
Date 24/07/2023
Secretary signed………Electronically………………………………. Rosemary Bailey
Date 24/07/2023
**2**
**Greening Tetbury**
## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## **For the year ended 31 May 2023**
Note 2023 £ 2022£ Income 3 366 1,165 Maintenance costs 4 __(0)__ __(0)__ Gross Surplus 366 1,165 Administrative Expenses 5 (1,049) (503) ______ _____ (Deficit)/Surplus for the Financial Year (683) 662 ______ _______
All amounts are in respect of continuing operations.
The charity has no recognised gains or losses in the year, other than the deficit stated above, therefore no statement of total recognised gains and losses has been prepared.
**3**
## Greening Tetbury **BALANCE SHEET**
**At 31 May 2023** Note 2023£ 2022 £ Current Assets Debtors 6 0 0 Cash at Bank and in Hand 1,529 2,212 1,529 2,212 Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 7 _(0)_ _(0)_ Net Current Assets 1,529 2,212 Net Assets 1,529 2,212
For the year ending 31 May 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities.
The financial statements on pages 3 to 7 were approved by the Board on 20[th] July 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
Fergus Dignan Trustee Greening Tetbury Signed electronically…………………………………………… Dated 24/07/2023 **4**
**Greening Tetbury**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## 1.1 Basis of Presentaton
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable United Kingdom accounting standards.
## 1.2 Taxaton
As a registered charity Greening Tetbury is exempt from corporation tax.
## **2. Trustees Remuneration**
The remuneration of the Trustees for services to the charity during the year was £nil.
## **3. Income**
_____________________________________________________________
2023 £ 2022 £ Donations 215 375 Event - 268 Gift Aid 79 477 Petty cash donations 62 20 T-shirt sales - 54 Bank interest 10 1 ___ ___ 366 1,165
## **4. Maintenance Costs**
There were no maintenance costs in the year. The charity neither owns nor rents a property.
**5**
## Greening Tetbury
## **5. Administrative Expenses**
|________________________________________
Website annual charge
Statonery
Prizes for events
Hiring venues
Insurance
Wildfower seeds
Refreshments for Tetbury library ‘greening’ event
Flowers for deputy mayor (Paint Town Green event)
**6. Debtors**
________________________________________
**7. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year**
________________________________________
|________________
2023£
140
292
96
170
274
25
22
30
_____
1,049
________________
2023 £
0
________________
2023 £
0|_____
2022 £
86
105
-
57
255
-
-
_____
503
_____
2022 £
0
___
2022 £
0|
|---|---|---|
|||
__
__
|
**6**
**Greening Tetbury**
## **8. Reserves**
Balance as at 31 May 2022 2,112 Triodos Bank as at 31 May 2023 1,419 Nationwide Building Society as at 31 May 2023 80 Cash in hand 30 _____ Balance as at 31 May 2022 1,529
**7**