**Trustees’ Annual Report - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **CPRE Norfolk**
**CPRE Norfolk 15 Pigg Lane Norwich NR3 1RS 01603 761660 info@cprenorfolk.org.uk www.cprenorfolk.org.uk**
**Registered charity no. 210706**
## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Index to Accounts**
|**INDEX**|**Page Number**|
|---|---|
|Report of the Executive Committee|3|
|Reference and Administrative Information|3|
|Structure, Governance and Management|4|
|Objectives and Activities|5|
|Achievements and Performance|6|
|Financial Review|8|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|9|
|Statement of Financial Activities|10|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|11|
|Notes to the Accounts|12|
|Analysis of Opening and Carrying Amounts|14|
|Outline Summary of Fund Movements|15|
|Acknowledgement of Donors, Patrons and Sponsors|16
|
2
## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Report of the Executive Committee - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
**Charity Name:** CPRE Norfolk
**Charity Registration Number:** 210706
## **Address of Charity:**
15 Pigg Lane Norwich Norfolk NR3 1RS
## **Further Contact Details of Charity:**
Tel: (01603) 761660 Email: info@cprenorfolk.org.uk Web: www.cprenorfolk.org.uk
## **Trustees of the Executive Committee during 2025:**
Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt. OBE DL (President, from 10th May) Elliot Griffiths (Chair from 10th May, resigned 17th September) Kevin Jones (Vice Chair) George Ridgway (Treasurer) Thomas Snowdon (co-opted as Secretary 22nd January, elected as trustee 10th May, resigned 14th July) Nicholas Hancox (co-opted 25th April, elected Secretary 10th May, resigned 2nd July) Christopher Dady (acting Chair to 10th May) David Hook Pallavi Devulapalli Lisa-Marie Ashbury Joe Johnson (co-opted 25th April, elected 10th May) Lizette de Senna Fernandes (elected 10th May, resigned 18th August)
**Vice Presidents** Matthew Martin Lady Laurel Walpole Professor Tim O’Riordan Dr Ian Shepherd (deceased July 2025)
## **Bankers:**
CAF Bank Ltd Shawbrook Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill Lutea House, Warley Hill Business Park West Malling The Drive, Great Warley Kent Brentwood, Essex ME19 4JQ CM13 3BE
## **Reporting Accountants:**
Make It Count Accountancy Services 3 Malleson Place East Carleton Norwich NR14 8JA
3
## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Report of the Executive Committee - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
CPRE Norfolk is governed by its Constitution and Rules which were adopted in 1933 and registered with the Charity Commission (registration number 210706) on 5 August 1964. The Constitution was last updated in 2019 and is reviewed annually.
A county tier of the national environmental organisation Campaign to Protect Rural England, CPRE Norfolk is part of and works alongside CPRE nationally and regionally but is a separate registered charity. It is a membership organisation with around 450 members and supporters who subscribe or give regular donations. They include individuals, families, parish and town councils and other local amenity bodies.
The charity has an Executive Committee of Trustees with a wide range of expertise, including planning, conservation, farming and landscape, as well as management and charity governance. Vacancies are advertised in our biannual newsletter, on our website and via our social media channels.
CPRE Norfolk has an office in Norwich and a staff of three part-time employees.
The branch has a Volunteers Policy and actively encourages the contribution and involvement of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Report of the Executive Committee - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Objectives and Activities**
CPRE Norfolk (also known as The Norfolk branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England) exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural Norfolk by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. As an independent voice for the landscape, we monitor ‘the big picture’ of how the land, coast, skies and communities of Norfolk are being affected by development and we engage with decisionmakers on a regular basis. In particular we encourage Norfolk MPs, councillors, planning departments and other decision makers to support the countryside, safeguard precious and protected areas, promote urban renewal, restrict development on greenfield sites, protect country lanes and footpaths, and preserve rural tranquillity and dark skies. We focus on promoting positive solutions to support the long-term future of Norfolk and its precious countryside.
We provide independent responses to large-scale planning issues, ensuring that development and growth proposals take into account the social, aesthetic, environmental and economic benefits of the countryside. Backed by in-depth research and many years of collective experience, we give evidence at Public Inquiries into complex and long-running Norfolk planning debates and we provide planning support to parish councils, conservation groups and individuals across the county, running seminars and conferences on planning and other issues affecting the countryside. Through the CPRE Awards we reward excellence in best practice of countryside conservation and architectural design which limits the carbon footprint and we work to highlight and improve public understanding of exemplary environmental projects.
Further information on the charity’s history, objectives and current activities is available from our website www.cprenorfolk.org.uk
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Report of the Executive Committee - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Achievements and Performance**
CPRE Norfolk continues to work to promote, enhance and protect the county’s countryside for everyone’s benefit. Throughout the year, the charity has delivered a range of projects and activities that have engaged local communities, raised awareness of key issues, and championed the landscapes and places that make Norfolk special.
2025 has been a significant and active year for CPRE Norfolk, with a strong focus on campaigning, public engagement and raising awareness of the pressures facing our countryside.
A central focus of the year has been our work on energy infrastructure and land use, particularly in relation to large-scale solar development. We have continued to advocate for a more strategic approach that prioritises rooftop solar and protects valuable agricultural land. This has included developing our solar mapping work, which attracted media attention, alongside wider engagement with both local and national policy discussions.
This work culminated in our Getting Solar Off the Land exhibition in Dereham, which proved to be a major highlight of the year. The exhibition brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, local authority representatives and members of the public, and generated significant media interest. It provided an important platform for informed discussion around the future of energy infrastructure in Norfolk and demonstrated the strength of public interest in these issues.
Our campaigning work has also extended to broader planning matters. During the year, we engaged with consultations such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and continued to raise concerns around large-scale development proposals affecting Norfolk’s countryside. We supported public engagement through petitions, calls to action and collaboration with partner organisations and local alliances.
Alongside this, we have continued to strengthen our role in community engagement. Events such as A Creative Day at Martha’s Meadow provided opportunities for people to experience and connect with the countryside in a positive and accessible way, while our AGM and other fundraising events helped to maintain and strengthen our supporter base.
We have also contributed to wider partnership activity, including supporting the launch of the Dark Skies Festival and engaging in research relating to farming, conservation and land use. These partnerships are an important part of extending our reach and impact.
Our communications and media profile have remained strong throughout the year. In addition to local and regional coverage, our work featured on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, helping to bring the issues facing Norfolk’s countryside to a national audience. Publications such as our Norfolk Voice newsletter, alongside our digital communications, continue to play a key role in informing and engaging our members and supporters.
We also marked important moments within the organisation. We were pleased to appoint Sir Nicholas Bacon as President of CPRE Norfolk, and we paid tribute to the life and contribution of Dr Ian Shepherd, including the planting of a memorial tree in his honour.
## **Challenges**
As with many charities, CPRE Norfolk continues to operate with limited resources. While the dedication and commitment of our trustees, volunteers and staff remain a considerable strength, capacity is an ongoing challenge.
This requires us to prioritise our work carefully, focusing on areas where we can have the greatest impact while maintaining a sustainable and effective organisation.
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Financially, the charity continues to manage its resources responsibly. However, there remains an ongoing need to grow income and membership in order to reduce reliance on reserves and support the long-term sustainability of our work.
## **People and Thanks**
The trustees would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who contributes to the work of CPRE Norfolk. In particular, we recognise the contribution of Kevin Jones, whose leadership and commitment as Vice Chair have been invaluable.
We also extend our thanks to our trustees, volunteers and staff, whose dedication, professionalism and shared passion for the countryside enable CPRE Norfolk to continue its work.
We are also grateful to our members and supporters for their continued encouragement and involvement.
## **Looking ahead**
Looking ahead, CPRE Norfolk will continue to build on its strengths in campaigning, community engagement and partnership working.
The charity will maintain its focus on protecting and enhancing Norfolk’s countryside, while continuing to raise awareness of the challenges it faces and ensuring that more people are able to connect with and support our work.
The trustees remain committed to ensuring that CPRE Norfolk continues to play a strong and constructive role in shaping the future of the county’s countryside.
## **Lisa-Marie Ashbury**
**On behalf of the Executive Committee of CPRE Norfolk, March 2026**
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Report of the Executive Committee - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## **Financial Review**
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2025 indicate a deficit of £23,053 _[2024 deficit - £29,406]_
## **Income and Expenditure**
CPRE Norfolk works to protect and enhance the county’s countryside. It does this by a number of campaigns and projects, some of which are ongoing and some which are specific to current circumstances. The Trustees apply themselves to the pressures on the environment and very nature of Norfolk. There are campaigns that are solely initiated by CPRE Norfolk, some in conjunction with the National Charity and others where we work in harness with other groups and charities.
While we have unrestricted financial reserves, created from the past generosity of our supporters, the Trustees and volunteers pursue our medium- and longer-term objectives. But our income is insufficient to continue to support this level of activity unless we can raise more funds or increase the membership.
During 2025, we invested £47,488 directly into our charitable activities while minimising costs and still achieving important gains. However, income from members and fund-raising, although marginally more than the previous year was only £26,314. After other costs of fund raising and moderate governance costs, our unrestricted reserves fell by £23,053.
We recognise that there are calls on our supporters from many other causes but the Trustees of CPRE Norfolk have resolved to continue their key programmes while they are able to fund them. A key example of this process was the important Mega Solar Farms Exhibition that drew great publicity and support through hard work and moderate investment. A campaign that is still achieving high profile and support.
2026 marks the centenary of CPRE and the campaign to protect the countryside against the pressures of progress while encouraging sustainable forward-thinking policies. For this we need your help even more if we are recruit more members and volunteers to lend a hand by supporting our programme and particularly in influencing the way in which housing and business planning, sustainable infrastructure, lower carbon power is generated and the devastating impact of climate change can be addressed in Norfolk in a thoughtful and nature friendly manner.
## **Reserves**
Our total charitable funds stand at £117,963 _[2024 - £141,016]_
## **Plans for future periods**
It remains the Trustees’ intention to maintain the current high-profile policies to safeguard and protect the countryside of Norfolk and our reserves policy, as indicated in the funds statement, is set to provide for continuing and longer-term support for those objectives.
## **Independent Examination of Accounts**
The trustees are grateful to Shirley Webb, MAAT, of “Make It Count” who is the Independent Examiner. Shirley has also assisted with preparation of these Financial Statements and provided accountancy advice. The Trustees will seek to reappoint Shirley Webb as the Independent Examiner for 2026 and a resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
**George Ridgway FCA ACiM Honorary Treasurer, March 2026**
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report to the members - Year ended 31 December 2025**
## Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b)) of the Charities Act; and
- To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed ___________________________________________________ Date ________________________ 30th March 2026
**Shirley Webb MAAT Director Make It Count (Accountancy Services) Ltd 3 Malleson Place East Carleton NR14 8JA**
9
## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for year ended 31st December 2025**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and Legacies
1
Fundraising Income
2
Investment income
3
Other
**Total Income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable Activities:
4
Raising Funds
Fund-raising and publicity costs
5
Other
Governance costs
6
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Other Recognised Gains/Losses**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of Funds:**
Total Funds brought forward
**Total Funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**£**
4,988
4,988
0|**Unrestricted**
**£**
19,461
1,015
850
21,326
47,451
639
1,392|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
19,461
1,015
850
26,314
47,451
639
1,392
49,482
(23,168)|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
23,999
4,205
1,057|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||29,261|
|||||51,881
5,443
1,343|
||0|49,482||58,667|
||4,988|(28,156)||(29,406)|
||4,988|(28,156)|(23,168)|(29,406)|
|||141,016|141,016|170,422|
||4,988|112,860|117,848|141,016|
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities - Year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed Assets**
Intangible Assets
Tangible Assets
7
Heritage Assets
Investments
**Total Fixed Assets**
**Current Assets**
8
Stocks
Debtors & Prepayments
Investments:
Cash at Bank and in hand
**Total Current Assets**
**Current Liabilities**
9
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year
Accrued Accounting fees
Other Accruals
**Total Current Liabilities**
Creditors: Amounts falling due after
more than one year
**Total Net Assets or Liabilities**
**The Funds of The Charity**
Endowment Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
**Total Charity Funds**|**Restricted**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
4,988
0
4,988|**Unrestricted**
**£**
39,080
39,080
281
79,238
79,519
751
0
751
117,848
112,860
112,860|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
39,080
0
0
39,080
281
79,238
79,519
751
0
751
0
117,848
0
4,988
112,860
117,848|**Prior**
**year**
**2024**
**£**
41,536
0
0|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||41,536|
|||||154
99,889|
|||||152,828|
|||||563
54|
|||||563|
|||||0|
|||||141,016|
|||||0
0
141,016|
|||||170,422|
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Notes to the Accounts - Year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Restricted**
**£**
**1 Donations and Legacies**
Membership:
CPRE subscription
Legacies
Friends
Donations
Appeal / Awards
Grants
4,988
Miscellaneous
4,988
**2 Fundraising Income**
Sales of Goods
Events
0
**3 Investment Income**
Bank interest
0
**4 Charitable Activities**
Salaries
Rent/Rates & Utilities
Insurance
Repairs and renewals
Stationery / Computer costs
Postage
Telephone / Broadband
Bank Charges
Employee expenses
Volunteer expenses
Recruitment advertising
Other designated projects
Project Consultants Fees
Planning Consultant Fees
Planning Consultant Expenses
V4N Expenses
Light Pollution|**Unrestricted**
**£**
16121
0
3,340
19,461
465
550
1,015
850
850
38,189
2,093
626
0
191
2
411
62
325
43
0
100
0
1,236
31
241
19|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
16,121
0
0
3,340
0
4,988
0
24,449
465
550
1,015
850
850
38,189
2,093
626
0
191
2
411
62
325
43
0
100
0
1,236
31
241
19|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
15438
0
0
2,791
0
5,770
0|
|---|---|---|---|
||||23,999|
||||553
80|
||||4,205|
||||1,057|
||||1,057|
||||31,194
2,167
668
65
14
74
380
66
99
93
0
0
4,000
8,193
387
124
13|
12
|Mega Solar Farms / Pylons
Depreciation/Amortisation
0
**5 Raising Funds**
Meetings
Gifts & Prizes
Printing (Incl. communications)
Planning
Awards
Events
0
**6 Governance costs**
Committee expenses inc Misc
AGM
Accountancy
Legal & Professional
0|Mega Solar Farms / Pylons
Depreciation/Amortisation
0
**5 Raising Funds**
Meetings
Gifts & Prizes
Printing (Incl. communications)
Planning
Awards
Events
0
**6 Governance costs**
Committee expenses inc Misc
AGM
Accountancy
Legal & Professional
0|1,426
2,456
47,451
365
22
182
0
0
70
639
300
462
630
0
1,392|1,426
2,456
47,451
365
22
182
0
0
70
639
300
462
630
0
1,392|626
2,492|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||51,881|
|||||630
406
679
0
0
4,813|
|||||5,443|
|||||296
417
630
0|
||0|||1,343|
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Analysis of Opening and Carrying Amounts - Year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Notes**
**7 Tangible Fixed Assets**
**Cost or Valuation**
At beginning of the Year
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
Transfers
**At End of the Year**
**Depreciation and Impairment**
At beginning of the Year
Disposals
Depreciation
Impairment
Transfers
**At End of the Year**
Net book value at beginning of the year
Net book value at end of the year
**8 Current Assets**
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash and Bank Deposits
Prepayments
**9 Current Liabilities**
Current Liabilities
Accruals|**Freehold**
**Land and**
**Buildings**
**Leasehold**
**Land and**
**Buildings**
**Plant and**
**Machinery**
**Fixtures,**
**Fittings &**
**Equipment**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
58,712
0
0
4,427|
**Total**
**£**
63,139
0
0
0
0|
|---|---|---|
||58,712
0
0
4,427|63,139|
||17,607
0
3,996
2,348
108|21,603
0
2,456
0
0|
||19,955
0
0
4,104|24,059|
||41,105
0
0
431
**38,757**
**0**
**0**
**323**
Willows Insurance 15th September 2025
Accounts & Independent Examiners Fee
PAYE 2025|41,536
**39,080**
0|
|||0|
|||79,238|
|||79,238|
|||157|
|||154|
|||630
121|
|||751|
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Outline Summary of Fund Movements - Year ended 31 December 2025**
|**Fund name**|**Fund balances**
**brought forward**|**Income**|**(Expenditure)**|**Transfers**|**Gains and**
**(Losses)**|**Fund Balances**
**Carried Forward**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Designated for the**
**operational offices**
**and headquarters**|41,105||(2,348)|||**38,757**|
|**V4N and project to**
**2027**|12,631||(1,533)|(5,104)||**5,994**|
|**Exceptional Fund**|0|||||**0**|
|**Restricted Fund for**
**Centenary Project**|0|4,988|0|||**4,988**|
|**All Other**
**Unrestricted Funds**|87,280|21,211|(45,486)|5,104||**68,109**|
|**Total Funds**|**141,016**|**26,199**|**(49,367)**|**0**|**0**|**117,848**|
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## **CPRE Norfolk**
## **Acknowledgement of Donors, Patrons and Sponsors - Year ended 31 December 2025**
CPRE Norfolk would like to thank all our members, friends, supporters and volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the charity’s success in 2025.
## **Patrons 2025**
Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt. Charles Barratt Ivor Braka The Marquess of Cholmondeley Thomas Cook The Reverend Paul Gismondi The Earl of Leicester Sir Rupert Mann Professor Timothy O’Riordan, OBE Lady Walpole
Other Patrons have asked to remain anonymous.
## **Ambassadors 2025**
Patrick Barkham John Bullard Kit Martin CBE Gerard Stamp Adrian Pope
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