CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From: 1ST April 2023 To: 318t March 2024 Charity namo: LOWDHAM FLOOD ACTION GROUP Charlty reg18tration number: 1197083 Objectlves and Activlties Summary of the purposes of the charrty as set out In its governing documerrt Psra 1.17 The rellef and asslstance of pèople Ilvlng wlthln the vicinity of the parish of Lowdham and surroundlng arnas who arn the victims of flooding through guch 8UPPOrt as the trustees deem fiL The protection of the onvlronment for the public benefiL by seeklng to improve flood defence8 by working and communicating with tho community, other slmllar organlsations and relevant authorlties to reduce tha risk of floodlng In the Lowdham and surroundlng ar•a, by helping managè thé flow of watsr Into, through and out of the vlllago, and giving support to the approprlate authorftles In keeping the drainage infrastructurn clear, well malntsined and monftored, wlth a vlew to mlnimislng tho Impact on human Ilfe and property. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 arxl 1.19 Lowdhom FLAG has had a bu8y year In 2023124. Wo have continu8d to monitor thé efflclency of the culvort and dralnage systems to ensure water flows freely underground durlng an event Lowdham village suffered at least two major floods In the peri¢Jd - Stonn Babet in October 2023, and Stomi Henk In January 2024. Approximately 140 homes woro flooded during the October floods, and many of them flooded again in January wlth many familigs displaced from their homes. We have maintained our relatlonshlps wlth those who consider themselves vulnerable to flooding and who have requested ongoing support; th8se are mainly elderty people, often living alone. Our water course walkers have continued to check drains and water courses for obstructions and Himalayan Balsam, and to report findings to the working group. The excellent relationship with VIA East Midlands has seen them respond in a tlmely manner to all observations we have mado and we continue to
provide the crftlcal link between VIA East and the village. We believe there are two Culverts that are poorly sited on Tannery Dyke. therefore wa contlnue to press the Internal Drainage Board to carry out appropriate improvements. Severn Tnt Watsr are also exploring drainage issues and failures around Nevrton C105e and Lime Tree Gardens. They are also working with Greene Klng brewery at The Magna Charta pub lo explore reasons for serious flooding oceurrlng on and around the slte. We are also continuing to maintain very good relationships at various levels within the EnvlronmentAgency. We areon a working group and act as a 'critical friend, to the Envlronment Agency as they contlnue to progress the 'main schème, betWn Lowdham and Lambley. They are building a flood alleviation roseryolr. which 18 due to be operational in early 2027, havlng suffered further delays lorlglnal dellv•ry date was sprlng 20251. We are working with several agencles, Ineludlng Parlsh and District Councils to improve regulations around plannlng for Lowdham to ensure future devolopments are cognigant of floodlssues. Statement Confi1ng whether the trustees have had regard lo the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Par4 1.18 In carrying out thelr actlvltle3, the trustees havo had regard to the guidanca Issued by the Charlty Commls$ion on publ1¢ b•n•fiL Additional Inforn)ation (optional You ma choose to indude further statements where retevant about: SORP ferenc* Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Pw• 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by voluntears
Other Achievements and Perfonnance Lowdham FLAG has had a succossful year in 2023124. It ha$ built on the su¢ces8es of the previous year In continuing to èngago with both Lowdham resldents and the various authorities responsiblo for flood defences and for drainage ser¥lc8s. Summary ofthe main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Pgfa 1.20 We have malntalnod our relatlonshlps wlth those who consider themselves vulnerable to floodlng and who havo requested ongoing supporL Tho80 are mainly elderly people, often Ilvlng alone. The floods of October 2023 and January 2024 resulted In many of these re$ldents havlng to vacats thelr flooded proportlos. Several of them wlll not bo roturnlng •* rosulL The floods saw FLAG'S presenGo onllne (Facebook and on the ground become extremely Important. FLAG was able to coordinate voluntaer• to assist wlth ftood defences belng deployed, wlth road Closures during floods, with deploymont of pumps Idonatod by a local bu$in888lresidentl, and with thè Setting up of an HQ Set up to coordinato volunteer actlvity. As a resul( FLAG now runs a large WhatsApp group of nearly 60 volunteers that we can, and have, drawn on in flood events. We have set up and trained a group of voluntsers willing to man an HQ, and we have now over 20 resldents tralned (vla NCC trainlng cours•8} a8 flood wardens and able to deploy road slgnage durlng a flood. Volunteers have come forward to assist FLAG member8 wlth repairs to tho spill wgir, and with thè r•moval of b14xkages In Cocker Beck. The excellent relationship with VIA East Midland8 has seen them respond In a Ilmely manner to all observations wo havo made. We recelved over £3,000 In funds from the Co4)p Local Community Fund. Wlth this we wer8 able to purchase replacement resourcos for our Flood Store followlng the flood events in both October and January. We have also successfully bld to the Parfsh Council for £5,000 to purchase additlonal resources and 160 reusable flood blocks.
We recelved a donation of £300 from a local newspaper. With this we purchased storage boxes for the reusable flood blocks. We continue to lialse with the Environment Agancy, meeting with them and calling them to account when delays and setbacks hlt the Flood Alleviation Rosorvoir Scheme. We continue to press the Internal Drainage Board to improve two culverts which aro poorly sited on Tannery Dyke. We are worklng with several agencles, Including Parlsh and Dlstrlct Councils to Improve regulations around planning for Lowdham to ensure future d•velopments are cognlsant of flood 188ue8. Additional infomiatlon loptionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant aboui.. We have prOvId the crttlcal Ilnk between tho Environment Agency and the villago durlng the planning of tho Flood Alleviation Schome on Lambley Road. Achievements agalnst obiectives set Para 1.41 Perfomianc8 of fundraising activities against objectives Set P•r• 1.41 Investment perfonnan against objective8 Para 1.41 other Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 The charlty was first registered on 13 December 2021 and we achieved our initial aim of securing funds and opening a bank accounL These initial aims were met following a generous donation from Lowdham Parish Council and our Nottinghamshire County Councillor. Incorne during 2023124 totalled £11,176 which Comprised a number of most generous grants. includin £3,211 from the Coo rative Local
Communlty Fund. £6,839 from the Lowdham Parlsh Council, and a number of other smaller amounts. Expendire during the year focussed malnly on developing. replacing and maintaining resources for use In a flood evenc and for servlclng our 4 Idonated) petrol fuelled pumps We are developing plans so that rather than use sandbags. which have to be replaced once used, we will usè environmentslly friendly flood blocks to prèventthewater leaving the road, and which can then be diverted into the drainage system. We havo therefore allocatod £6.620 to our restrictsd reserves for tho development and implementatlon of thls proJ•eL Statement explaining the policy for holding reseNes stating why they are held P1.22 The reserves are hold to fund future shortfalls in income that may arise, and towards the future development of the Gharlty. Amount of reserves held Par• 1.22 £3,104 excludlng £6,620 held In • restrlcted reserve Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund malerially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern P•r* 1.22 NIA Para 1.24 NIA P•r• 1.23 NIA Additlonal inforniatlon loptlonal) You ma choose to include further statements Whe relevant about: Durlng the reportlng porlod, the prfnclpal source of funding was from grants. The Charity's principal sources of funds (induding any fundraising) P•rn 1.47 Our Investment pollcy was adoptsd In February 2023. Inv8Stmenl policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 There have not been any slgnlflcant events that have affected the financial performance and financial posltlon of the charity. A description of the principal risks facing the charity In accordance with the Charity Commls$ion requirements. the required policies have been prepared and adopted. Other
Structure. Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of governing document Trusl deed, ro al charter How is the charity constituted? le.g.. unincorporated association, CIO Trustee selection methods in¢luding details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body enlitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 125 Constitution registered 13 December 2021 Parn 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organlsation- Foundation Para 1.25 Trustees are appointed or reappolnted at the Annual General PAeeting held in July Addltlonal Inforniatlon (optional You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and prOdreS adopted for the induction and training of trustees P8r8 1.51 The trustees are responsible for the oversight of the charity in accordance with the constitution, for preparing the trustses, report and financial statemen The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which Ihe charity works Para 151 The tntstees are Involved in the day-to-day operation of the charity which is supported by a team Ithe FLAG Management Group) who administer and monitor the various activities carried out by the charity. NIA Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other
Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the cha uses istered charit nurnber Charity's principal address Lowdham Flood Adion Grou Lowdham FLAG 1197083 2B Lambley Road Lowdham NG14 7AY Tru•ts• Mm• Offlce Ilf •ryl Datos actsd Ir not for whole year N•m• of pèY80n lor body) •ntsed to oint tru•t•a Peter Terris Cross OBE Katherine Julia Roe Hugh Maurice Hedderly Andrea Yates Chair Hon Secretary Hon Treasurer Lisa Sullivan Nigel Hunt Robert Boddington Cor orate trustees- names of the directors at the date the re Dlr•¢t¢x nam• rtwasa roved Name of trustees holding t18 to property belonging to the chanty Tru•t•• nam• Dat•• a¢t•d 11 notforwhol• Mr Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description ()f the assets held in this capactty NIA Nam8 and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charty's objacts NIA Details of arrangements for safe ¢ustod and
segregation of such assets from the chanty's own assets Addltlonal inforniation (optlonal) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional inft>miallonl Typo of Name advlsor Name of chlef 8X6CUtlve or nomes of senlor staff mgmb•rs Ioptional Inforniatlon) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-di8closure of ke rsonnel details Other o tional Information Declaratlons The trustees dèclarn that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on half of the Ghartty's trustees Slgnature(s) Full name(sl Peter Cross Hugh Hedderly Positlon {e.g. Secretary, Chalr) Date Chair Hon-Treasurer 2024
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