Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 02/01/2025 Period start date To 01/01/2026 Period end date
Charity name: CLIMATE ACTION TAUNTON
Charity registration number: 1198336
Objectives and Activities
| SORP referenc e |
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| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 |
To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment. We will do this by engaging with local communities and encouraging behavioural change and positive actions. |
| 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 and 1.19 |
a. Create and run a climate and community hub in Taunton b. Create a local context that truly reflects the scale of the climate and ecological challenge and the urgency to act c. Empower individuals and communities in Taunton and the surrounding area d. Build partnerships and collaborate with like-minded organisations. e. Engage constructively with Somerset's local authorities |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
All of our activities during 2025 have been focused on our charitable purpose as set out in our constitution. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 |
We have made no grants during this period. At present we have no policies related to grant making |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 |
We have no policy on this and have not undertaken any relevant activities. |
We accept contributions made by volunteers, this Para includes both financial as well as their time and Contribution made by 1.38 expertise. volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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| Summary of the 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. |
Para 1.20 | Overview We engaged with the public in many different ways, including: ●Pop‑up stalls ●Workshops ●Follow‑up conversations ●Launching Ethical Food Collective Taunton Ltdas a cooperative ●Working with local groupsand design organisations to establish_The Curve_, ensuring the former Debenhams building is developed with the community at its heart ●Creating The Commons– a shared space for community organisations ●Hosting climate‑focused author talks ●Working with Taunton College students ●Preparing for the local screening of the National Emergency Briefingfor MPs, business leaders, and community groups Across these activities, we connected withover 500 people, contributingnearly 250 hoursof community engagement. Our conversations have focused onsharing and supporting practical actionsin response to the climate and ecological emergencies, and signposting peopleto relevant information and organisations. We have had many in‑depth discussions at: ● our stall at theTaunton Independent Market, |
● our Action Hub / The Commons on Paul Street, ● and at events we have hosted or supported. Outreach Activities January – April
● We delivered the Energy Matters programme in early 2025, supporting around 25 households and providing 30 small appliances (from dehumidifiers to electric blankets). We worked closely with Village Agents, the local food bank, and other community networks. ● Our exhibition with Bridgwater & Taunton College students ran at Taunton Library (Jan–Feb 2025). Students responded to our “Future Worlds” brief. ● A major focus throughout early 2025 was establishing Ethical Food Collective Taunton Ltd , a cooperative running the ‑ zero waste shop Lesser Litter . ○ On 5 April , Ethical Food Collective Taunton formally became a Community Benefit Society , receiving almost £45,000 in pledges ○ Climate Action Taunton supported by recruiting volunteers, covering initial costs, acting as fiscal host, and providing two trustees as directors. ● In March, the Taunton Independent Market returned. We used our stall to highlight climate issues, promote the Ethical Food Collective, ‑ and support community led plans for the former Debenhams site.
May – September
● We completed the Energy Matters 2025 programme and continued engaging the community on energy and environmental issues. ● On 27 May , the Collective officially took over Lesser Litter , having secured nearly £50,000 in shares and donations.
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In July, we secured the offices above Lesser Litter on a “meanwhile use” basis and created The Commons , a shared space for groups working on community wellbeing, climate, and environmental action. The Commons now ‑
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supports collaboration, capacity building, and new initiatives.
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● We also become members of Community Action Group - Somerset.
October – December
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As part of the Taunton Literary Festival , we hosted four authors focused on environmental themes:
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○ Mike Berners Lee – Climate of Truth ○ Rob Hopkins – How to Fall in Love with the Future
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○ Tim Gregory – How the Atom Will Save the World
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○ Susannah Fisher – Sink or Swim
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● We promoted the National Emergency Briefing delivered to MPs and leaders in November 2025, and we plan to support screenings and discussions with local groups throughout 2026.
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● Our first Community Gathering took place on 6 December 2025 , with nearly 10 community groups attending. These gatherings will now take place on the first Saturday of each month
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income 2025 income consisted of: Donation - £1613 Carry over from 2023 - £4,488 Providing a Total fund of: £6, 102 Expenditure 2024 expenditure was £4,858 and included: Rent on premises - £1, 539 (including stalls) Energy Saving Items - £2, 770 Details of both expenditure and income can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WZ6Dh uw-6iBwLGCcfAnETSKX3E6NAExLBRKSPKF zkXI/edit?usp=sharing |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We have no requirement to hold any reserves to mitigate against significant financial risks or liabilities at present. |
Amount of reserves held |
Para 1.22 | 0 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We do not foresee any significant expenditure arising from the 2025 for which we may need to hold reserves. In addition CAT takes on minimum financial risks thus no need for reserves. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | No such funds exist |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | We now have six trustees. We are in the process of recruiting a further trustee which we plan to confirm in 2026. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Grants and donations We received a grant of £4,500 from Somerset Community Foundation of which around £2,770 was carried forward to 2025. Donations from Trustees made up the remainder of the income. |
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| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Not applicable |
| A description of the principal | Para 1.46 | |||
| risks facing the charity | ||||
| Other | ||||
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | We are formed as a charitable organisation. Please see our constitution. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NRO41WCZsk1 7nPGfz4wWrBz7gh3xUGiQ/view?usp=share_li nk |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed by the Trust on the basis of their interest and commitment to the environmental and climate change goals as expressed in our constitution. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
We have adopted a safeguarding and operational policy which guides our work. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | We have six trustees who work collaboratively. At present the role of treasures is filled by Karuna Tharmananthar and no other roles have been established. In addition we have a small team of core volunteers with whom we work closely. We also work closely with other environmental and green groups, such as Taunton Transition Town and Somerset Wildlife Trust, GoCreate Taunton and Ethical Food Collective Taunton Limited. We are also part of the national network of ClimateEmergency Centres. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Climate Action Taunton |
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Other name the charity uses |
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Registered charity number |
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| Charity’s principal address | 1 Birch Grove Taunton TA1 1EE |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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| Fran Hicks | Trustee | 2022 |
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| Carolyn Dare | Trustee | 2022 | |
| Karuna Tharmananthar |
Trustee & Treasurer |
2022 | |
| Nick O’Donnel | Trustee | February2023 | |
| Vicki Jensen | Trustee | February2023 | |
| Jon Shepherd | Trustee | March 2025 |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Karuna Tharmananthar Full name(s) Karuna Tharmananthar Position (eg Trustee and Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc) Date