CLAVER HILL,:;;" Community Transformation Claver Hill Pro'ect li Legal and Administrative Information Claver Hill Project Objectives Chair8 Report Financial Review Statement of Financial Activities Independent Examiner's Report 11 ri The Tru8t8e8 pre88nt their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2025. Claver Hill Project 55 Park Road, Lancaster LA13EJ EtoJoGLakn Ridge Lane, Lancaster, LA1 &IY Caroline Jad(son (Chair) Steven Jenkins Tracy Stocks Kathy Jeanne Barton David Owen Brookes Anne Chapman Moyna Hargest (Resigned 313125) Michael Carr {Treasur8r) Anna Clayton (Co£hair. Seed Library and Poly 3) Kathy Barton {Co•Chair and Nature Trails) Rachel Marshall (Secretsry) Michael Carr (Treasurer) Vaso Makri (Global Link) Andi Chapple (Grower's Co-operative) Sarah Dodson (Hamiony Health) Enda O'Règan (Naturdl Dyes) Moyna Hargest (Preserves) Olivia Grundy (Resilience) Kathy Pitt (Spud Club & Poly 1) Steven Jenkins (Poly 2) Caroline Jackson Claver Hill Project has existed as an unregistered small charity since 2014 and became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 21° August 2024. The Objectlves of the charlty are: To advance the education of the public in subjects relating to sustainable development and the protection, enhancement and rehabilitats'on of the natural environment in particular but not exclusively by". Providing free use of Claver Hill field to communty groups engaging in horticultural, agricultural or environmentsl work. Providing practical support to such groups arKI projects through skills training, mentoring and the provision of tools and equipment. Raising awareness of sustainable land use and environmental protection by providing community events and courses which promote sustainable food growing, healthy eating and environmental work. 'Sustsinable developmenf in the cont8Xt of this charity is defined as development of land, growing or animal keeping methods and other food operations that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs., Clavor Hlll Projoct consists of a number of intemal and independent projects which share the site or utilise members. The Intsrnal projects are: Flower Farm, Lancaster Seed Library, Nature Trail, Potato Day, Preserves and Tree Nursery. There are other activities throughout the year such as markets, events, open days and celebration3. Indepondent projects which have their own organisation, constitution, named bank accounts etc. are.. Global Link, Grower's COWOP, Harmony Health, Natural Dyes, Re8ilience, Spud Club and Transpiration Wellbeing. The Tru•t•o• are in the proce88 of agre8ing the tems of reference for the management committee which will continue to oversee the day to day running of Claver Hill. The management committee consists of a representative from each of the projects using Claver Hill and includes number of trustees. Trustees will also review and adopt the policies that have been developed by the management committee over the last ten years. From a wet and cold growing season full of slugs in 2024 we enter a dry and hot year symbolised by the 28 degr88 heat at the AGM. Each brings its own set of challenges and solutions. Two new projects have joined the Claver hill site this year. Transpiration Wellbeing and Harmony Health, which means the site now has 13 different projects and groups all of which are (in theory) represented on the Claver Hill Committee. This past year has seen vandalism and theft on tho site increase, numbers actively using the site have decreased but still things continue. The previous compost toilet has been replaced, another buitt in its place and a chestnut tree planted. An accessible nature trail has been created and the Where the Wildings Are project has hosted after school clubs with the Ridge community centre to 8Xtend our r8ach and connection with the local community. Claver has also finally become a charity and the committee are now going through a transition as they explore their role in relation to the Charity Trustees. Anna Clayton Cfrchair As Claver Hill Project was registered as a charity on 21st August 2024, this has been a short period. Significant projects were completion of an acces8ible toilet and the purchase and installation of a secure container. Claver Hill Project achieved a net increase in funds of over £1,200 thanks to sales of preserves and veg bags. The main source of funding has been grants, and the sale of preserves. Grant funders in this period were.. Lancaster University Communty Wind Turbine Fund Coronation Living Heritage Fund - Communty Orchard Grant Lancashire Environmental Fund Amold Clark Due to the small balance of funds available to th8 Claver Hill Project, it has been agreed by committee and Trustees that investment of funds is limited to an instant access deposit account managed by the Treasurer. This has a 2.5% interest rate. Reserves are Claver Hill Project's designated and contingency funds that are freely available to spend on any of the charity's purposes. This excludes tangible fixed assets such as land and buildings, restricted funds set aside to meet essential future spending and commitments that have not been provided for as a liabilty in the accounts. Th8 objective of the reserves policy are to". give confidence to funders by demonstrating good stewardship and active financial management demonstrate the charity's resilience and capacty to manage unforeseen financial difficulties to beneficiaries, funders and the public give funders, such a8 grant-makers, an understanding of why funding is needed to undertake a particular project or activty manage the risk to a charity's reputstion from holding substantial unspent fvnds at the year-end wrthout explanation Reserves Claver Hill Project might need to hold back some funds as reserves for the following reasons". To be prepared for the risk of an unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds Planned commitments that cannot be met by future income alone, eg plans for a major asset purchase or to a signfficant project that requires the charity to provide 'matched funding, Amount of Designatod funds Claver Hill Project will maintain a contingency fund of £2,000 for emergencies and unexpected costs. Claver Hill Project will maintsin a general fvnd in the region of £5,000 to fund spécific items of equipment or projects where grant funding 18 not appropriate or unsuccessful. Flnanclal Rovlow Claver Hill Project will review reserves and designated funds at18ast once a year in the annual report and con8ider the following: Where significant amounts are held as designated funds the nature of the fund will be considered, as such funds may reduce the need for reser4es in particular areas of the charty's work. The level of resep4es will be reported wrth reasons and will be compared with the target amount. Any shortfall or excess in reserves against the target set will bo recorded, induding any action being tsken or planned to bring reserves into lino with the target. As the general fund has over £8,000. Trustees have noted that there is further expenditure planned in the budget that will reduce the fund closer to the tsrget level during the summer. The charity plans to continue activities of individual projects subject to satisfactory funding arrangements, The organisation was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales, on 21st August 2024. The charty operates under a Constitution. en in Under the requirements of the Constitution, the Trustees are appointed to serve for a period of three years after which they can be re-appointed. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk policy has been 8Stablished and is updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Intemal control risks are minimised by the implementstion of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. For example, th8 charity uses online banking that requires payments set up by the treasurer to be authori8ed by a second signatory. Procedures are in place to ensur8 compliance with health and safety of members and visitors to the site. These proc8dures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to m88t the naeds of the charity. The Trustees are respon8ible for ensuring that the charity uses its resources for its charitable objectives, that key policies are in place and for the strategic direction of the Claver Hill Project. The Truste88 delegate the day to day running of the project to a Committee of up to 15 members who meet at least quarterty. For P•rfod 21•t Augu•t 2024 to 5th Aprll 2025 Unrestricted De￿.gnatad RestrK#ed Total Incom• Incom• from Donatlon8 Lanca8hire Environmental Fund C