2023-05-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Period start date: 5[th] May 2022 Period end date: 4[th] May 2023 Charity name: Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust Charity registration number: 1198830

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Great Ouse Valley and environs in Bedfordshire through a programme of river monitoring and community engagement and by the advancement of the public in the understanding of the importance of river quality on biodiversity,economic and social activity.
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	Our primary objectives are: A: To monitor and support regeneration of the Great Ouse 1 Establish citizen science projects in partnership with academia, funding trusts and local organisations to assess water quality and its impact on river ecology. 2 Create data and evidence on river pollution and pollutions sources through citizen science. 3 Understand the impact of climate extremes such as flooding, heat waves and droughts on water quality and river ecology through citizen science. 4 Work with Upper and Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership to: (a) Reduce pollution improve water quality. (b) Increase biodiversity of river and valley. (c) Increase resilience of river and valley to adverse impacts of heat, drought, and flood climate extremes. B: Educate and engage with local communities 1 Recruit and train volunteers to support citizen science projects and gather data on water quality, river ecology, wildlife, and the impact of climate extremes on the river and valley area as well as supporting the wider objectives of Bedsgovet.

		2 Publicise the results of citizen science projects by organising public talks and seminars as well as using social media. 3 Work with local landowners, farmers, and businesses to organise public outdoor ‘river-based’ events to promote the importance of the river Great Ouse, to include Ouse Valley Way walks and river canoe trails. 4 Create on-line promotional and educational material for use by schools and communities. C: Advance social and economic benefits of the river 1 Work towards achieving bathing water status for many stretches of the river Great Ouse. 2 Engage with local businesses and politicians in promoting the importance of a clean ecologically thriving river in achieving social, environmental and economic benefits.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	When taking any strategic decisions, trustees are required to follow Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making.	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment.	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers.	Para 1.38	Participation in citizen science project currently supports Key Objectives, A1 & A2 and is of direct public benefit.
Other		N/A

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
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	In the first year of operation we have:  Drafted key policies and good governance policies; financial and fiduciary.  Drafted fidelity, insurance and risk procedures  Communication channels have been established with the public through our www. Bedsgovet.org website and Facebook page  Grant funding proposal to Woodleigh Impact charity for citizen science project have been prepared and submitted.  Presentations made to other organisations including CPRE, BNHS and SLCC  Membership and active participation in Upper and Bedford Ouse Catchment partnership groups o volunteer work group o river restoration work group o Data and evidence work group  Training of 2 trustees as citizen river habitat surveyors and surveys conducted.  Attendance and display stands at public events: Panacea Museum, Mayoral hustings;  Liaison with relevant decision-making bodies; memberships, partnerships, academicpartners

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set.	Para 1.41	Objectives A1, A4 and B1 were first year priorities and have been met. The remaining objectives are longer term.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set.	Para 1.41	In the first year, trustee donations enabled progress on governance and priority objectives A1, A4 and B1.
Investment performance against objectives.	Para 1.41	N/A
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of theperiod.	Para 1.21	Financial Report agreed at May AGM 2023 Bank account £291.31 in credit at End of financial Year
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held.	Para 1.22	Start-up donations have been made by trustees and supporters. These are held in the Beds GOVET bank account to meet legitimate expenditure. No other funds are currentlyheld.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	0
Reasons for holding zero reserves.	Para 1.22	No reserves have yet been generated. The start- up donations have only enabled us to run at a minimal level of operation
Details of fund materially in deficit.	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.	Para 1.23	Water quality and environment are very topical issues both locally and nationally. BedsGOVET is confident that it can continue as a going concern.

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:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising).	Para 1.47	Grant funding fundraising and supporter donations will be a priority in our second year.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted.	Para 1.46	N/A
A description of the principal risks facing the charity.	Para 1.46	We face the same financial risks as other small start-up charities in attracting charitable funds and donations. Risks related to river citizen science projects are mitigated by our strong risk assessment policies and any public liability is covered via our insurance cover.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document. (trust deed,royalcharter)	Para 1.25	Trust deed accepted 5th May 2022
How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
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	New Trustees may be invited to apply by existing trustees or may apply directly to the charity in response to advertising. All trustee applicants are interviewed by trustees and following agreement of existing trustees they are provided with a formal offer together with an induction pack and formal acceptance letter.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.	Para 1.51	 Legal duties of trustees  Constitution of Beds GOVET  Registration certificate  essential duties of trustees  Trustee declaration form  Disqualification reasons table  Gift aid declaration
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works.	Para 1.51	Currently the charities activities are organised and directly managed by the trustees. Beds Govet is formally recognised as a participating member of UBOCP (Upper Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership). Technical input and support provided by Cranfield University
Relationship with any related parties.	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name.	Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust
Other name the charity uses.	Beds GOVET
Registered charity number.	1198830
Charity’s principal address.	34 Silver Street Stevington Bedford MK43 7QP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	Patricia Margaret Olney	Chair
	Gerald Charles Sansom	Trustee
	John Edward Strutt	StrategyTrustee
	Lionel Richard Lusby	Trustee	Resigned 8thNov 2022
	DorothyPatricia Lennie	SecretaryTrustee
	William Helmore	Trustee	Started 1stSept 2022
	Simon StaleyBrown	Trustee	Resigned 26thMay2022

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity.	N/A
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects.
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets.

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information