Richmondshire Climate Acton Partnership CIO Report 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024
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 Gruffydd Daniel Thomas Barbara Gravenor (Chair appointed 10 May 2023) Frank Broughton (appointed 14[th] March 2024)
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 100 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. The website and newsletter communications continued to be run by volunteer members. .
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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. Actvites in the period April 2023 to March 2024
Activities of particular note include:
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Continued to run a website and newsletter to inform members of the public and RiCAP supporters of the activities being undertaken by RiCAP and other local environmental volunteer organisations.
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Continued to provide 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 Spring Wildlife Wander in Richmond.
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Engaged with local schools to support school eco-teams and eco events.
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Organised a visit to Allerton Park Waste Recovery Centre.
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Engaged with North Yorkshire Council councillors and officers in developing transport and climate change plans.
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Continued to work with Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust to increase environmental awareness and decrease carbon use at The Station Richmond.
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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 market towns and rural villages.
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 Trust carries forward a balance of £1,588 as of 31 March 2023 to finance its continuing work. Steps had been taken to reduce future administration expenditure by discontinuing the communications contract; cancelling our Zoom subscription; and we have successfully converted a paid business account with Google into a free charitable account. We will 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 build up and 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:
| 1stApril 2023- | 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | ||
| Receipts and Payments | £ | |
| Receipts | ||
| Grants | 0 | |
| Donations | 0 | |
| Bank Interest | 3 | |
| Event Income | 0 | |
| Sub-Total | 3 | |
| Payments | ||
| Event Expenditure | 121 | |
| Administration costs | 316 | |
| Communications Support | 0 | |
| Bank charges | 60 | |
| Grants made | 0 | |
| Sub-Total | 497 | |
| Surplus for Period (unrestricted funds) | -494 | |
| Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 March 2024 | ||
| Cash in Bank represented by unrestricted funds | 1,094 | |
| Signed on behalf of the Trust by Barbara Gravenor (Chair) |
Date: 21[st] January 2025
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