CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 1 ~~oe~~ ## **CPRE** ## **Berkshire Branch** # **Annual Report 2021** Berkshire Branch Charity No: 210734 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 2 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 3 ~~|o~~ ## _**Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of CPRE**_ ## _Photograph: Nigel Keene_ ## _**The Annual General Meeting**_ ## _**of**_ _**The Campaign to Protect Rural England, The Countryside Charity, Berkshire Branch, will be held at**_ _**The Long Gallery, Englefield House, Theale. RG7 5EN on Tuesday 19th July 2022 at 7pm**_ ## **CONTENTS** _**Minutes of 2019 AGM Vice Chairman’s Report Branch Secretary’s Report District Reports Treasurer’s Finance Report Accounts for 2020/2021 Charity Trustees Report**_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 4 ## **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022** The Annual General Meeting of The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Berkshire Branch will be held in the Long Gallery, Englefield House, Englefield, Theale, Reading RG7 5EN on **Tuesday 19th July 2022** at 7pm. Nominations for election per item 5 of the agenda below and notice of any motion must reach the Branch Secretary by 12th July 2022. The programme for the evening will be: ## **AGENDA** 1. Apologies for absence. 2. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 18th June 2019. The AGM meetings of 2020 & 2021were postponed at short notice due to the Covid restrictions in place for open meetings 3. Adoption of the Trustees’ Annual Report for 2021. 4. Adoption of the accounts for the years ended 31st December 2020 and 2021. 5. Election of President, Vice Presidents, Officers and Executive Committee. 6. Election of Independent Examiner of Accounts. 7. Any other business. The Vice President, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dr. Christina Hill Williams will preside. ## _**Address by Andrew Davis**_ _Farming correspondent for the Newbury Weekly News The crisis facing agriculture and what the future might hold. “Our countryside is a priceless national non-renewable resource”_ The programme for the evening is as follows: - 6.30 pm Doors open - 7.00 pm Meeting commences - 7.30 pm Guest speaker – Andrew Davis - 8.30 pm Refreshments - 9.30 pm Members and guests depart Guests and non-members are most welcome but non-members are not eligible to take part in the formal business. Admittance will be by ticket booked in advance. Requests for tickets should be sent to the Branch Office preferably by email, otherwise by telephone or post. Email: cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com Members’ guests should be included in bids for tickets. There will be a raffle and an opportunity for donations to defray the cost of the refreshments. CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 5 ## **MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BERKSHIRE CPRE HELD ON 18th June 2019 at The Long Gallery, Englefield House, Theale, Reading RG7 5EN** Those present were: Approximately 40 members and guests attended the meeting including Leader of the Council at West Berkshire Council, and Dr Christina Hill Williams, Deputy Lord Lieutenant – Mr James Puxley, the Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire was not able to attend the meeting. The Vice President, Dr Christina Hill Williams DL opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting and the speaker Mr Crispin Truman, Chie Executive of CPRE. ## **1.APOLOGIES for absence –** none notified. ## **2. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of 18th June 2019** The minutes of the meeting held had been circulated prior to the AGM and were approved as a true record. There were no matters arising from the minutes ## **3. ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2019** The following points were made by the Chairman, John Hudson: - a. The new CPRE strategy, branding and vision exercise that was undertaken by National Office had been completed and would be implemented for the benefit of the organisation. - b. If we are to continue and exist as an organisation, we must attract a wider membership and be capable of facing challenges such as inappropriate development in the Green Belt, climate change, air quality and transport infrastructure. - c. The Branch took leave to appeal for a Judicial Review to the High Court in London to challenge Royal Borough Windsor & Maidenhead decision to grant planning permission to Legoland for a large development of 450 holiday homes and associated infrastructure deemed to be inappropriate development in Windsor Forest and Windsor Great Park. Also opposed, was the proposed development by Syngenta of 4000 homes at Jealott’s Hill in Bracknell on the agricultural land and Green Belt site. - d. Branch recruitment had been undertaken for a Media, Communications Consultant which would raise the image and increase awareness of the Branch within the County. - e. The Chairman expressed gratitude to the Secretary, the Treasurer, and Branch volunteers, for all the hard work undertaken during the past and previous years. - f. The report was adopted – nem con. ## **4. ADOPTION OF THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2019.** The Chairman thanked the Honorary Treasurer, Mrs Sheila Atack, for presentation of the accounts and the Independent Examiner, Andrew Taylor, for his valuable support in examining the accounts. The accounts were duly adopted. CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 6 ## **5. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENTS, OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE** The following were proposed, seconded and duly elected. a) President elected by acclamation Mr James Puxley Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire b) Vice Presidents Dr Christina Hill Williams DL c) Honorary Officers: Chairman John Hudson Vice Chairman Peter Wilford Hon. Treasurer Sheila Atack d) Executive Committee nominated by Districts: Rebecca Murphy Bracknell Edward Golton Bradfield To be appointed Cookham & Bisham Gloria Keene MBE Acting Chair for Newbury & Hungerford To be appointed Windsor & Maidenhead Peter Wilford Wokingham e) Executive Committee, nominated by Member Organisations is: Tim O’Flynn BALC and representing Datchet f). Executive Committee, duly elected Patrick Griffin, David Over, Indra Townsend and Leo Walters ## **6. ELECTION OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER OF THE ACCOUNTS** Mr Andrew J Taylor ACMA was thanked for his work and was re elected. ## **7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS** - none arising A vote of thanks was recorded to the Lord Lieutenant for his support to the Branch. CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 7 ## **VICE-CHAIRMAN’S REPORT** The pandemic has certainly hit the Committee’s ability to operate normally though we have managed to hold our monthly meetings via Zoom or by telephone conferencing. Although many developments are ‘on hold’, the threats to our countryside continue to arise. Bracknell District is threatened with another 4000 houses to be put on the Syngenta complex at Jeallot’s Hill, a site that is in the middle of the Metropolitan Green Belt. Wokingham and West Berkshire Districts have been spared having 10,000 – 15,000 houses on land at Grazeley because of the proximity of AWE (Burghfield) but the powers that be will no doubt be seeking other areas of green fields on which to put the same number of houses. When we look at the vast number of houses that Berkshire has taken over recent decades, I feel that the time has come to put the brake on. There are areas of England that have experienced serious depopulation in recent decades and where there are large numbers of brownfield sites: IF HOUSING IS TO GO ANYWHERE THESE AREAS SHOULD BE AT THE FRONT OF THE QUEUE. I feel certain that Berkshire has more than done its bit towards the provision of housing. Let us hope that this year we will be able to hold our Annual General Meeting under relatively normal conditions and that life can resume. I am pleased to report that the Branch Committee has now got back to normal meetings each month – much more satisfying than remote meetings during the pandemic lockdown. Perhaps the most important matter to report is that the Trustees have found a new acting Chairman for Berkshire CPRE. Mr Greg Wilkinson has taken the post, pending his nomination and election at the Annual General Meeting this year. Apart from the important task of finding a new acting Chairman for the Committee, there have been the usual threats to Berkshire’s countryside by developers wanting to cover Berkshire with houses. Bracknell CPRE will be attending an Examination in Public (EIP) of their Local Plan in 2022 and Wokingham CPRE has submitted its comments on the proposed Wokingham District Local Plan – the latter includes 3 large developments on farmland which CPRE will oppose at any future EIP on the matter. One matter that we can all be thankful for is that we are able to hold our Annual General Meeting in the usual way at Englefield House. I hope that many of you will be able to attend. _Peter Wilford_ _Acting Chairman during 2021_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 8 ## **SECRETARY’S REPORT** With the easing of Covid restriction in 2021 a feeling of normality has returned to the Branch as a range of activities were put on hold, including the holding of the AGM due to the restrictions placed on open meetings. _Secretariat_ - Despite the Covid restrictions, the Branch Office has continued to support the Trustees and the Vice Chairman by holding Zoom meetings instead of face to face and has continued to support the Trustees in the vitally important work in protecting the countryside from inappropriate development by responding to queries from members, with information and help. The 500 Club is also run from the office, which raises much needed funds to support Branch activities. _Planning_ queries dominate much of the work in the Branch Office responding to inappropriate development and the encroachment of the countryside, green gaps, green spaces and Green Belt. The eastern side of the County is experiencing extreme pressure for development and loss of woodland areas. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill has had its second reading in parliament, before it is passed to the House of Lords, and the new long awaited NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) should appear before the end of 2022 which will settle much of the uncertainty around planning and improved environmental outcomes. _Dorothy Morley Conservation Award_ was a casualty of the pandemic in 2020 and the award was postponed until 2021, but sadly the Berkshire schools were not ready to take on additional challenges so soon after the pandemic. However, we are pleased to say that the Award will now take place as normal in 2022 as it is important to engage with children and links to the countryside so they learn about the natural environment and understand the need to allow nature to thrive. _Historical Luncheon talk_ - our last event was held in 2019 at the Goring and Streatley Golf Club, and has again been built into the calendar for 2022. The venue is a favourite for members and the club provides an excellent lunch to follow the talk. A flyer has been included with this copy of the Annual Report and we hope to meet many of you again this year at the venue on 1st November 2022. Save the date! _Branch Website, Facebook and Twitter_ has been updated by our consultant, Imogen Haig, who has provided members and non-members with news items to keep them in touch with CPRE and provided excellent press releases for local newspapers. More recently a newsletter was sent to members with email addresses – so please if you have an email address for us to use, please contact the office so we can include you. _Gloria Keene MBE CPRE Berkshire Branch Secretary_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 9 ## **DISTRICT REPORTS** ## **BRACKNELL DISTRICT** Activities in Bracknell Forest were again dominated by planning. While the Council has adequate land identified for development and an excellent recent record of housing delivery, it continues to pass applications in the countryside and Green Belt and we continue to challenge via advice to members and formally. Whether the Council’s behaviour changes if/when the Local Plan is adopted remains to be seen. On that note, we held an open meeting in January 2020 for communities concerned about the threat of 4,000 homes at Jealott’s Hill. While the Council representative decided belatedly to stay away, a packed hall was treated to a masterclass from veteran campaigner Richard Knox-Johnston (chairman of the London Green Belt Council) on how to campaign effectively, covering issues close to his heart: Green Belt threats and poor air quality – both important in parts of Bracknell Forest. A Save Jealott’s Hill action group seized the initiative and has led that campaign. I took the opportunity when sending out the report on this meeting to ask whether any more members would like email communications. I’m happy to say over 70% of Bracknell Forest members are now signed up to this. No one is deluged with emails but it is a sure and easy way to reach me. Covid-19 restrictions meant local green spaces and countryside became vital for daily exercise. As part of the launching the new CPRE Berkshire website, I contributed a ‘favourite walk’ around my parish of Warfield. I don’t delude myself this underlay the walk’s increasing popularity, but it has been lovely to meet so many enjoying it through the seasons. _Rebecca Murphy CPRE Berkshire District Chairman_ ## **BRADFIELD DISTRICT** WBC is updating its Local Plan which will run to 2037 and started a consultation at the end of the year. See https://info.westberks.gov.uk/localplanreview2037. It proposes 8,840 to 9,775 net additional homes; some 520-575 pa. We think these figures are too high and the ‘housing need’ calculations need to be reviewed in the light of changing government guidance and the recent withdrawal of its ‘algorithm’. There are the usual range of sites put forward in our towns and villages and WBC now has over 7-year land supply satisfying the >5 year need. One we have previously objected to is at the end of Theale where land comes up against the M4 and lies under a major pylon line – the worst area for quality of life for residents. Beyond this, the main feature is allocating a large strategic development area NE of CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 10 Thatcham. A part of the area at Siege Cross has been considered before but now some 700 acres in two parts is proposed, for some 1250 dwellings to 2037. We are concerned that the area stretches too far up the hillside northwards and is unacceptable in landscape terms with the surrounding AONB. The simmering proposal of Wokingham, Reading and West Berks councils for one of the government’s 5 Garden Towns at Grazeley, south of the M4 and lapping over these 3 districts has come to a halt as the government refused to grant money for infrastructure studies. See www.info.westberks.gov.uk/helaa. As reported before, the WBC long delayed Minerals and Waste consultation rounded on 3 main sites for sand and gravel, at Chieveley, Sulhampstead and Wasing. We objected strongly to a proposed site at Brimpton hill because of its landscape impact and loss of water for surrounding woodland, and the major impact of lorries on the narrow lane and bridges to the A4. A new consultation was started at the end of the year and fortunately this site has been left out, leaving Chieveley for soft sand and the Thames Valley for gravel as the preferred areas. At Lower Basildon the long stretch of new white metal fencing which caused outrage locally, calling it an eyesore having an unacceptable impact on the AONB, was replaced with green fencing after much lobbying by ourselves, the LA and NWD. ## _Edward Golton_ _CPRE Berkshire District Chairman_ ## **NEWBURY & HUNGERFORD** _The current West Berkshire Local Plan_ sets out planning policies up to 2026 and the publication of the new Local Plan has been delayed as Government published a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2021, which requires additional work to extend the Plan until 2037. There is also new legislation introduced requiring all Councils to ensure that new developments on protected sites achieve ‘nutrient neutrality’ which requires the Local Authority to set out mitigation measures in the new Local Plan. _Recent developments_ in West Berkshire have proved to be controversial and place planning at the forefront of other development proposals. The new housing minister, Stuart Andrew, has upheld the inspector’s decision to allow 1000 homes on a greenfield site in Newbury (which features in the novel, Watership Down). The Council refused to grant consent in October 2020 listing, impact on habitat, woodland and road network among 14 reasons for refusal. This decision also, does not take account of proposed development in North Hampshire which will exacerbate the traffic and air quality issues in that area. The decisions on Sandleford Park have been ongoing now for 10 years and the impact on the countryside and climate change is significant. CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 11 _The second area of contention_ is the 30-year solar farm site proposed for Grazely near 3 other sites which could set a precedent in the area – this site is for 57000 panels on a 75 acre field. Although CPRE are supportive of renewables, solar panels should be restricted to commercial buildings, rooftops etc without taking away the agricultural pastures much needed to grow and feed the nation. We need to take account of what is happening around us as inappropriate development should be avoided and not allowed to set a precedent. ## _Gloria Keene MBE_ _Acting Chair for Newbury & Hungerford._ ## **ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD** The RBWM Local Plan 2013-2033 Examination conducted by Louise Phillips has now been completed. We await her findings mid 2021. In the submission the Royal Borough more than met its objectively assessed need at 100%, this in spite of the NPPF recognised constraints – Green Belt, Crown Land, Flooding, National Trust Land. A major housing development in the Green Belt in Holyport for 150 dwellings with a new access off Holyport Road was dismissed on Appeal on the 16 December 2019. Unusually, the Appellant then made 2 Appeals to the High Court, both of which were dismissed. Subsequent to the Borough Election in May 2019 the 2 separate Planning Panels for Maidenhead and Windsor were abolished. A new Royal Borough Management Development Panel was created comprising 11 Councillors from across the Borough. All these meetings were conducted by Zoom. In March 2021 the Inspector’s post-hearing advice letter was published and a final seven week public consultation took place between July and September 2021. There were many objections particularly in regards to the fact that too many Green Belt sites were being released including the Maidenhead Golf Club. On the 26[th] January 2022 the Inspector’s Final Report was published and approved by RBWM’s Full Council on the 8[th] February 2022. This Local Plan has been prepared under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 – a Plan led system. This in turn makes it less likely, to say the least, for those Green Belt sites left out of the Plan to be developed. I consider that in the future there will be objections (material considerations) under the headings of Air Quality and Infrastructure capacity. For example Kent University recently presented an Air Quality Monitoring Report for Bray Parish Council that concluded that of 8 sites tested the Parish exceeded World Health organisation (WHO) guidelines. _Leo Walters Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 12 ## **WOKINGHAM DISTRICT** The most important development in the last year has been the removal of the Grazeley Garden Town Development from the future Wokingham Borough Local Plan. We had objected to this development on the basis that it was a gross misuse of good agricultural land, particularly in view of future climate change developments. The reason for dropping the Grazeley development was its proximity to AWE (Burghfield) where there has been a change to emergency planning arrangements. Wokingham District CPRE is very happy with these changes but the worry is that Wokingham Borough Council will now be seeking another area of land to place a comparable development. We now need to preserve our farming land: we must grow more of our own food in the future. It cannot be stressed too strongly that the Wokingham District has taken vast amounts of development in the past – the SDL’s, Lower Earley, Woodley Airfield, Woosehill, etc. – and the time has arrived when only limited further development can be allowed. Regrettably, we have been unable to arrange an AGM for the Wokingham District since 2018. Currently, it does not look very promising for this year but we must hope for a marked change in circumstances later in the year. Due to the pandemic, Wokingham District Committee has met infrequently during the last year. However, we have studied the Wokingham Borough Council Local Plan update and were concerned that the Council wants to develop on three areas of farmland – Loddon Valley green village, Ashridge and Twyford/Ruscombe. With the future effects of climate change hanging over us, these areas of farmland are far too important to be wasted on housing. We have suggested that any extra housing be catered for by developing existing SDL’s at much higher densities. We will put these views forward to any future Examination in Public on the Local Plan update. ## _Peter Wilford_ _CPRE Berkshire District Chairman_ ## _****************************************************************************_ ## **HOW YOU CAN HELP US TO PROTECT BERKSHIRE** Our members are people who love Berkshire and want to see the countryside protected for generations to come and that’s what we are here for. If you would like to play your part as well as being a member there are three ways in which you can help us: **Please keep in touch:** – let us know if there are issues affecting the countryside near you by contacting us by email at **: www.cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com Email addresses:** please let us have your email address so that we can keep you informed of events. **Newsletter** : – we would love to hear from you and your experiences in the countryside. ********************************************************************** CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 13 ## **FINANCE REPORT 2021 / 2020** The 2020 figures are shown in brackets below for comparison. The financial position of the Branch is set out in the Statement of Financial Activities and the attached notes. The accounts show that the Branch had a surplus of £35050 in 2021 (deficit of £21719 in 2020) Designated funds are as follows: Professional Fees – £37954 (£54930) Marketing and Publicity – £50,000 Dorothy Morley Conservation Award – a second account holds £50,000 ensuring future continuation of the Award. Other notable figures were: Membership and donations increased by £64926, (£664) – this was mainly due to a very generous legacy for £66502 received from Ms Jane Moore. There were no functions held in 2021 or 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. _Legal fees_ to Richard Buxton Solicitors were for the judicial review of the Legoland planning application in Windsor Great Park £16975 (£10652). _Other admin costs_ included in 2020 £1659 for a new computer & printer together with set up costs. _Dorothy Morley Conservation Award –_ costs were nil in awards and £327 (£176) expenses incurred for mailings to 300 schools in Berkshire. _Sheila Atack Hon Treasurer 2021_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 14 ## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2021** Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds 2021 2020 **INCOME** £ £ £ £ £ **Membership & Donations** Branch subscriptions & donations 10271 10271 10739 Income tax recovered 2089 2089 2111 Surplus on “500 Club” 0 0 1086 Miscellaneous income 0 0 0 Legacies received 66502 66502 0 AGM donations 0 0 0 78862 0.00 0.00 78862 13936 **Activities for Generation of Income** Receipts from functions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 **Investment Income** Interest received 41 41 870 Dorothy Morley interest 327 327 903 78903 0 327 79230 15709 **Expenditure** Direct costs of generating income 0 0 Campaigning 270 270 254 Staff costs 12105 12105 11910 Consultancy 5474 5474 3452 Travelling & subsistence trustees 0 43 Travelling & subsistence staff 22 22 Office rent & rates 3788 3788 3788 Other admin expenditure 4306 4306 5416 Annual report - printing costs 0 0 980 Annual General Meeting costs 0 0 300 District committee costs 0 0 100 Dorothy Morley Fund (Account No 1) 327 327 176 Subscriptions to other bodies 388 388 332 Planning workshop 0 0 London Green Belt Council 525 525 25 Legal fees 16976 16976 10652 43853 0 327 44180 37428 SURPLUS / DEFICIT 35050 0 0 35050 -21719 Fund balances b/fwd 58051 156054 14832 228937 250657 Transfer between funds 16976 -16976 0 0 Fund BALANCES c/fwd 110077 139078 14832 263988 228937 **Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2021** December 2021 December 2020 Bank balances and cash deposits 270294 228867 Sundry debtors and prepayments 152 1473 Fixed assets 3 3 270450 230343 Deduct - creditors -6462 -1406 263988 228937 **Represented by:** Unrestricted funds 110077 58051 Designated funds 139078 156054 Restricted funds 14832 14832 263988 228937 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 15 ## **Notes to the Accounts** ## **1. Restricted and Designated Funds** Restricted Funds are those where the donors make legally binding conditions as to the use of the money donated whilst the Designated Funds are earmarked for a specific purpose, sometimes at the request of the donor, but the arrangement has no legal force. The Professional Fees Fund is to build up a balance to pay for representation at major Public Inquiries, the cost of which could not be met from one year’s income. The Newbury Arena and M4 Junction Fund was set up at the request of the donors to oppose specific planning applications, and the Newbury District Fund was raised by the District Committee and is to be used on projects in that District. The Restricted Funds are self-explanatory apart from the Dorothy Morley Fund which is being used on a project in her memory, and the Start-up Grants for Districts which are for Bracknell & Ascot and Windsor & Maidenhead Districts. **CPRE Restricted & Designated funds for Statement of financial affairs for year ended 31st December 2021** 1st Jan 2021 Income Expenditure Transfers 31st Dec 2021 **Designated funds** Professional fees 54931 16976 37955 Dorothy/Charles Morley (A/C 2) 50000 50000 Marketing & Publicity 50000 50000 Newbury area / M4 Jnc 13 724 724 Newbury & Hungerford District 400 400 156055 0 16976 0 139079 **Restricted funds** Dorothy Morley (Account No 1) 14013 327 327 14013 Membership development 352 352 Start up grants for districts 468 468 14833 327 327 0 14833 **Cash and bank balances** CAF bank 0 0 Lloyds bank current account 2001 13467 Lloyds bank deposit account 35811 14813 Nationwide account 68804 68989 Virgin A/c 37221 87311 Hampshire Trust 85000 85685 Petty cash 30 30 228867 270294 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 16 ## **3. Trustees remuneration and expenses** None of the trustees received any remuneration during the year – reimbursement of travel costs was £42.50. ## **4. Policy on the use of unrestricted surplus funds** The policy of the trustees is to apply unrestricted funds where they can contribute effectively to the achievement of our charitable objectives but subject always to the need to be prudent. Prudence includes keeping the total of continuing expenditure broadly in line with continuing income and keeping in mind that the costs of intervening in a single planning issue may well be a multiple of a single year’s normal income. In these circumstances the ratio of surplus funds to annual income is of little relevance. The policy is to utilise surpluses when and where they enable the Branch to undertake the right projects but not to run them down. **5.** These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with accounting standards and in so far as relevant with the Charities Act 1993. ## **6. Accounting Policies:** (i) Income is included when the Branch becomes entitled to the resource. Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising) the incoming resources and related expenditure are reported gross. (ii) Tax reclaimed is included in the same period as the gift to which they relate. (iii) The value of volunteer help is not included in the accounts. (iv) Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal obligation committing the Branch. (v) All fixed assets are retained on the Balance Sheet at £1. (vi) Stock is valued at the lower of cost or market value. _Mrs Sheila Atack Treasurer._ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 17 _***********************************************************************_ ## _**Tribute to SIR PHILIP WROUGTON KCVO Vice President of CPRE Berkshire, deceased**_ Sir Philip Wroughton KCVO, former Lord Lieutenant of The Royal County of Berkshire, was one of the most interesting, courteous and dutiful man I have ever met. As Mayor of The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead 2002/3, and 2007/8, he and I attended many occasions, both formal and informal at the same time and he always was extremely good company in all respects. His retirement party at his home Woolley Park was truly memorable. His death has been a great loss to us all. As Vice President of CPRE Berkshire we are indebted to his support over many years – indeed a great loss to the Branch and the countryside. _Cllr.Leo Walter_ _***********************************************************************_ ## **Legal and Administrative Information** 1. The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Berkshire Branch is a Registered Charity, number 210734. 2. The Branch office address is: Englefield Estate Office Annexe, Englefield Road, Theale, Berkshire, RG7 5DZ; Tel: 0118 930 6756; Email: cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com Website www.cpreberkshire.org.uk 3. The Branch is governed by a constitution and rules adopted by a General Meeting held on 16[th] May 1994 and subsequently approved by the Charity Commission. This constitution provides for the affairs of the Branch to be managed by an executive committee, members of which are also the Charity Trustees of the Branch. The name was changed from The Council for the Protection of Rural England, Berkshire Branch at the Annual General Meeting held on 26[th] June 2003 4. The Branch is connected with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, (Charity number 233179) a body honoured by having HM The Queen as its patron. This charity has fortythree county branches, the majority of which (like Berkshire) are constituted as separate charities. Full members of the Branch are automatically members of the national charity and there is a single shared subscription. The Branch is represented as of right on the National Council. ## **Aims and Organisation** 5. The Object of the Branch is “To promote and encourage for the benefit of the public, the improvement, protection and preservation of the countryside of the Royal County of Berkshire and its towns & villages and the better development of the rural environment.” 6. The Policies adopted to achieve this object are: - a. To promote concerted action to secure the protection and preservation of rural scenery CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 18 and the amenities of the Berkshire countryside and the towns and villages within its boundaries. - b.To promote co-operation between local amenity societies and other interested persons. - c. To stimulate and educate public opinion on the foregoing topics - d.To act as a centre for advice and the collection and dissemination of information upon any matters affecting the planning, improvement and protection of the countryside and landscape. - e. To make representation at public inquiries and hearings or in such other ways as shall from time to time appear necessary. - f. To take such other lawful action as shall be calculated to promote our object. 7. The work of the Branch is done by its members, who join by paying a subscription. These members can be individual or corporate. ## **President & Vice Presidents** President: Mr James Puxley, Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire Vice Presidents: Dr Christina Hill Williams DL ## **Executive Committee and Charity Trustees (T)** The Executive Committee comprises the Honorary Officers, a member of each District Committee, up to seven persons each nominated by a corporate member and up to six elected members. Members at 31[st] December 2021 were: |Dr. S P Wilford (T)|Vice Chairman| |---|---| |Mrs R Murphy|Bracknell| |Mr E Golton (T)|Bradfield District| |Mrs G Keene MBE|Acting Chair Newbury & Hungerford District| |To be appointed|Windsor & Maidenhead District| |Dr. S P Wilford (T)|Wokingham District| |Mr P Griffin (T)|Directly Elected member| |Mr L Walters (T)|Directly Elected member| |Mrs I Townsend|Directly Elected member| |Mr D H Over (T)|Directly Elected member| |**Office Volunteers**|| |Mrs S Atack|Treasurer| |Mrs P Desmond|Admin| |**Employee**|| |Mrs G Keene MBE|Berkshire Branch Secretary| ## **Independent Examiner of the Accounts** Mr. A. J. Taylor MSc ACMA, Quarrenden, Upper Red Cross Road, Goring RG8 9BD CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 19 ## **Bankers** Nationwide Building Society, PO Box3, 5-11 Georges St. Douglas, Isle of Man. IM86 1BR Lloyds Bank, Market Place, Reading RG1 2EQ Charities Aid Foundation, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA Virgin, 160 Friar St. Reading. RG1 1HE Hampshire Trust, PO Box 73115, London,, EC4P 4GP ## **CPRE National Office** 15-21 Provost Street, London N1 7NH www.cpre.org.uk ## **Independent Examiner’s Report to Members of the CPRE Berkshire Branch** I report on the accounts of CPRE Berkshire Branch for the year ended 31st December 2020 and 2021b as follows: ## **Respective responsibilities of the Executive Committee and Examiner** The members of the Executive Committee of the Branch are the Charity Trustees. As such, they are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; they consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of the Independent Examiner’s Report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Branch and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes a consideration of any unusual item or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Charity Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required by an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **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 41 of the Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirement of the 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) _A. J. Taylor MSc ACMA, Quarrenden, Upper Red Cross Road, Goring, Reading RG8 9BD_ _April 2022_ CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 20 ## _**CPRE BERKSHIRE BRANCH**_ ## _**Branch Office:**_ Englefield Estate Office Annexe, Englefield, Theale, Berkshire. RG7 5DZ **Email:** cpreberkshire@btopenworld.com **Website:** www.cpreberkshire.org.uk Tel: 0118 930 6756 ## _**Chairman**_ : To be appointed. ## _**Branch Secretary, Membership and Campaign Secretary:**_ Gloria Keene MBE, see Branch Office address above. Tel: 0118 930 6756 ## _**DISTRICT CHAIRMEN 2021**_ ## _**Bracknell District:**_ Rebecca Murphy, 5 Haley Green, Warfield, Bracknell, Berks. RG42 3BT Tel: 01344 890840 ## _**Bradfield District:**_ Edward Golton, Greenways, Aldworth Rd. Upper Basildon, Berks. RG8 8NH Tel: 01491 671321 ## _**Cookham & Bisham District:**_ To be appointed ## _**Acting/Newbury & Hungerford District:**_ Gloria Keene MBE, 2 Robins Hill, Inkpen, Hungerford, Berks. RG17 9QD Tel: 0118 930 6756 ## _**Windsor & Maidenhead District:**_ To be appointed. ## _**Wokingham District:**_ Peter Wilford, 17 Copse Drive, Wokingham, Berks. RG41 1NA Tel: 0118 978 4729 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 21 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 22 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 23 CPRE Annual Report 2021.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2022 ~~14:12 P~~ age 24 ~~oe~~ ## Berkshire Branch Charity No: 210734