Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership CIO Report 15[th] November 2021 to 31[st] March 2023
1. The Charity
Name of charity: Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership CIO
Charity number: 1196571
Registered address: 22 Bargate Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 4QY (The registered address of the Trust was changed in May 2023 on the appointment of a new chair)
Trustees: Susan Angeline Stokes Maurice Dennis Dixon Gruffydd Daniel Thomas Michael Jeremy Frederick Sparrow (resigned 30 April 2023) Barbara Gravenor (Chair appointed 10 May 2023)
2. Preamble
Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership was formed as a partnership between interested local individuals at the request of Richmondshire District Council who had adopted a Climate and Environment Emergency policy. The charity was registered as a CIO in November 2021. Richmondshire District Council was abolished on 31[st] March 2023 as part of local government reorganisation.
The Partnership Chair Mike Sparrow resigned on 30[th] April 2023. Barbara Gravenor was elected as the Partnership Chair and approved to be a trustee at a Partnership Board meeting held on 10[th] May 2023.
3. Structure
The CIO manages its administration through a Board of Trustees (4), and the activities of the Partnership are organised by members of the community participating in the Partnership. Approximately 80 volunteers have been involved in the work of the Trust during the period covered by this report.
New trustees are recruited from volunteers who express an interest and are invited by the Board to stand for election.
There are no paid staff. The Partnership paid a monthly fee to a marketing and communications company. This contract was terminated on 13/03/23.
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4. Purpose/objects
As stated in the Charity’s governing document, the purpose of the Charity is the promotion for the benefit of the public of the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Richmondshire, in particular by:
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a) Raising awareness of the causes and impact of climate change, and
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b) Encouraging individuals and communities to take practical steps to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to minimise their impact upon climate change, and
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c) Developing and implementing local projects that will contribute to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and/or promote nature recovery, habitat regeneration and protection of biodiversity, and
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d) Working with third party organisations to support the development and implementation of projects aimed at decarbonising homes, businesses, agriculture and transport, and
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e) Working with third party organisations to support the development and implementation of projects aimed at nature recovery, habitat generation and protection of biodiversity.
5. Activities in the period November 2021 to March 2023
Activities of particular note include:
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Set up a website and newsletter to inform members of the public and RiCAP supporters of the activities being undertaken by RiCAP and other local volunteer organisations.
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Established a community team of ‘Energy Ambassadors’ trained to provide householders with advice on energy and energy cost saving techniques/solutions. These ambassadors work in partnership with the local Citizens Advice Bureau.
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Contributed to transport consultation processes.
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Ran a festival of environment, carbon reduction and climate related issues both online and at venues around Richmondshire reaching 300+ people.
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Completed a scoping exercise to establish the extent of existing land management initiatives being delivered across Richmondshire
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Engaged with local schools to support school eco-teams and eco events and run a climate related poetry competition.
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Set up additional recycling services in several locations
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Engaged with local authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership
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Supported local tree planting project in Brompton-on-Swale
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Participated in UK government’s COP26 Regional Roadshow programme in partnership with Just the Job, Richmond
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Organised an energy advisor to carry out energy audits at Richmond schools.
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Helped to establish an Environment Group in partnership with the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust to increase environmental awareness and decrease carbon use at The Station Richmond.
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Held a public talk given by an energy advisor. This included a session organised through Richmond schools whereby children were invited to come and ask questions.
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Ran various public events and a photographic competition to engage people in environmental awareness.
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Worked to influence Northern Powergrid to upgrade its infrastructure to enable EV charging points in rural villages.
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Contributed to York and North Yorkshire Local Area Energy Plan
The trustees consider that through these activities the Trust has complied with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit.
6. Financial Statement
The first year’s accounts have been prepared from the date of registration of the Trust on 15[th] November 2021 to the 31[st] March 2023. A grant of £4,664 was received from Richmondshire District Council to establish the Trust. A further grant of £1,000 was received from the Two Ridings Community Fund and a donation of £1,000 was received from a private individual to help finance the event held at Tennants in Leyburn. £300 was paid by North Yorkshire County Council to help finance the events held at The Station.
The event held at Tennants promoted the aims of the Trust. After taking account of income from stall holders, grants and donations and after deducting grants made to local food banks in recognition of their work to minimise food waste, the event incurred a net cost of £122. Two events at The Station incurred a net cost of £35 (after the grant of £300 from North Yorkshire Council). £2,400 was paid to a marketing and communications company. Administration and other costs (less interest earned) amounted to £519.
The Trust carries forward a balance of £1,588 as at 31 March 2023 to finance its continuing work. Steps have been taken to reduce future administration expenditure by discontinuing the communications contract; cancelling our Zoom subscription; and applying to Google to convert a paid business account into a free charitable account. We
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will also register for gift aid and seek donations and grants. Expenditure on major events will only be incurred if income is obtained to finance these events and we will not make substantial donations to other organisations unless these can be financed from event or other income. We will aim to maintain a reserve of about £3,000 to secure the long term viability of the Trust.
Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities are shown below:
| 15 November 2021- | |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2023 | |
| Receipts and Payments | £ |
| Receipts | |
| Grants | 5,964 |
| Donations | 1,000 |
| Bank Interest | 4 |
| Event Income | 500 |
| Sub-Total | 7,468 |
| Payments | |
| Event Expenditure | 1,457 |
| Administration costs | 475 |
| Communications Support | 2,400 |
| Bank charges | 48 |
| Grants made | 1,500 |
| Sub-Total | 5,880 |
| Surplus for Period (unrestricted funds) | 1,588 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 March | 2023 |
| Cash in Bank represented by unrestricted funds | 1,588 |
Signed on behalf of the Trust by Barbara Gravenor (Chair)
Date: 21[st] January 2024
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