Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 4[th] April 2023 Period start date To 5[th] April 2024 Period end date
Climate Resilience Centre Worthing (CREW) reg 1198526
Address c/o Mayland Findon bypass Findon Worthing BN140TP
1 Purpose
To promote, for the public benefit, the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing the public with information and guidance at events, workshops, talks and other activities, about biodiversity loss, climate change, ways that individuals and businesses can mitigate the effects of climate change and ways of reducing their carbon footprint.
2 Organisation
2.1 Structure
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) formed on 5 April 2022 and is governed by a constitution.
We had a total of seven trustees during this period who managed the charity. We hope to grow the number of trustees next year to broaden our knowledge and expand our activities. Monthly meetings are held which include management members, however, decisions are made by the trustees. New trustees can apply and be accepted by a majority vote of the current trustees. New trustees are required to read and understand the constitution and the relevant procedures governing the charity.
2.2 Trustees
Trustees during this period were:
Amber-Louise Everitt Chair elected for 3 yrs. from incorporation
Sean Hellett Finance officer elected for 3yrs from incorporation
Emma Cameron elected for 2 yrs. from incorporation (Elected for further term)
Stephanie Cracknell elected for 2 yrs. from incorporation (resigned 5/4/24)
Isabelle Tarbut elected for 2 yrs
Kathy Kohl elected for 2 yrs from 18[th] March 2023
Tanwen Morgan Elected for 2 yrs from 27 October 2023
2.3 Bankers Cooperative Bank P.O. box 250 Skelmersdale WN86WT
3 Summary of main activities
Our main activities are to engage all members of the public in understanding the climate and ecological crisis. This is done by having an accessible space to find information or seek information. This includes addressing their anxiety or concerns, holding events and workshops on related topics and seeking mitigation and adaptation to the already changing environment. In addition, during this year we started a youth project.
4 Public Benefit
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of Climate change knowledge and the protection of the physical and natural environment.
5 Main Achievements
During this year CREW has been operating from premises in South Street Worthing, obtained under a meanwhile use. This has enabled us to create a physical presence in the town. We have run a over 150 events (talks, workshops, presentation)and over 3500 visitors to our hub. During the year we ran a climate conference in conjunction with the Town council and community works. We have had over 24 articles printed in local publications and now have over 500 people on our mailing list to receive newsletters and event news. We have been open to the public 4 days/week 101600hrs
6 Financial review
Our net receipts for the year amounted to £23332 which included £18273 of restricted funds. Our outgoings for the year amounted to £12875. The funding received includes project work that continues in 24/25. We continue to apply for grants and donations to carry on our work in supporting the community of Worthing
During the financial year the following trustees have received payment for project work A L Everitt £7740.
6.1 Reserves policy
The trustees discussed the following factors in arriving at their reserves policy:
Money should only be kept in reserve for specific reasons. Our restricted funds come mostly from grants and donations, and we believe that our members and supporters would likely want us to spend these funds on specific activities to promote our objectives (mitigating the climate and ecological crises) rather than remain in our bank account.
However, it is prudent to ensure that we have enough funds to meet our essential needs that underpin our current and projected projects, campaigns, and other activities.
We have deemed these essential needs to be of the order of £1,000, comprised of:
Basic website and IT infrastructure (£250 pa).
Liability insurance, which (in part) allows us to run public events, and activities involving volunteers and trustee indemnity (£300 pa).Money to cover talks events and basic running costs £450
It is therefore the policy of CREW to ideally hold in reserves £1,000 to cover our essential annual needs. In addition we have money held to complete projects beyond the accounting period for which we have received funding.
This policy will be reviewed in twelve months’ time.
6.2 Principal source of funds
It is our policy not to charge membership to ensure we include as many residents from Worthing and surrounding areas as possible. We therefore rely on grants and donations for income. Most of our events are free to attend (or cover costs only) so again we rely on donations from attendees. We intend to charge other organisations for using the facilities if their income is above £35,000/Anum.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees on 22nd September 2024.
Signed: (Sean Hellett trustee/finance officer)
6.3 Independent examiner's report to the trustees of CREW
No independent examination of these accounts has taken place. An independent examination is not required because the charity’s income over this reporting period has not exceeded £25,000.
Receipts and Payments for the year ended 5[th] April 2024
| notes | unrestricted funds | restricted funds | total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||||
| Grants | 1 | 2670 | 18273.89 | 20943.89 |
| Donations | 1021.09 | 1021.09 | ||
| room hire/events income | 1055.16 | 1055.16 | ||
| crowdfunder | 312.49 | 312.49 | ||
| other | ||||
| total receipts | 5058.74 | 18273.89 | 23332.63 | |
| Payments/Outgoings | ||||
| Training | 0 | 0 | ||
| Insurance | 162.38 | 162.38 | ||
| website/IT | 240.97 | 240.97 | ||
| capital purchases | 2 | 289.99 | 289.99 | |
| premises costs/refurb | 594.99 | 594.99 | ||
| stationary/printing | 129.06 | 129.06 | ||
| presenters expenses | 269.02 | |||
| utility costs | 3032.27 | |||
| subscriptions | 57 | |||
| paid project work | 4 | 8100 | ||
| total outgoings | 4485.69 | 8389.99 | 12875.68 | |
| Net receipts/(outgoings) | 573.05 | 9883.9 | 10456.95 | |
| funds bought forward | 3952.63 | 0 | 3952.63 | |
| Funds carried forward | 4525.68 | 9883.9 | 14409.58 | |
| Statement of assetts and Liabilities | ||||
| unrestricted | restricted | total | ||
| Cash funds at bank | 4525.68 | 9883.9 | 14409.58 | |
| grant drawdown available | 1 | 6600 | 6600 | |
| total funds | 4525.68 | 16483.9 | 21009.58 | |
| capital assets | 2 | 0 | ||
| liabilities | ||||
| utility bills yet to be received | 3 | 300 | ||
| notes | ||||
| 1 | restricted funds from Sussex community foundation and WBC CIL fund | |||
| 2 | For capital IT purchases under £1500 our policy is to write-off in the year of purchase | |||
| 3 | water bills from landlord have been delayed. This is an estimate to current year end. | |||
| 4 | Includes payment to trustee A L Everitt for project work | |||