COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
INDEX
| Page | |
|---|---|
| 3 | P�e�iden��� Statement |
| 4 | Financial Report |
| 5 | Bar charts of income and expenditure |
| 6 | Activity and Membership Report |
| 7 | Independent Examine��� Re���� |
| 8 | Table 1: Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) |
| 8 | Table 2: Fund Movement Summary |
| 9 | Table 3: Balance Sheet |
| 10 | Notes to the Accounts and allocation of assets and liabilities to funds |
| 13 | Table 4: Analysis of receipts and payments |
| 15 | Table 5a: Monthly income and expenditure totals |
| 16 | Table 5b: Comparison of previous year totals |
CHARITY REGISTRATION No. 250739
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
REPORT OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL
The Commonwealth Forestry Association presents its report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The name of the charity is the Commonwealth Forestry Association, Charities Registration Number 250739. The governing document is the Royal Charter of 1st November 1921, as amended by Supplemental Charters of 28th November 1962 and 2019. The Association has no share capital.
Objects
The objective of the Commonwealth Forestry Association is to promote the conservation and sustainable management of the world's forests and the contributions the� make �� �e��le�� li�elih��d� �h���gh im����ed c�mm�nica�i�n am�ng�� f��e���� ���fe��i�nal� and all �h��e �i�h an in�e�e�� in �he ���ld�� f��e���.
Management structure
| Patron | HRH Prince Charles ThePrince ofWales |
|
|---|---|---|
| Executive | President : Executive Director : Finance Manager : |
John Innes Alan Pottinger MarcusRobbins |
| Advisory group | Graduate Student, UBC, Canada | Samuel Adeyanju |
| Director, Margules Groome Consulting Pty Ltd | Rob de Fegley | |
| CEO and Conservator of Forests at the Forestry Department, Jamaica |
Marylin Headley | |
| Oxford Long-term Ecology lab, University of Oxford | Gill Petrokofsky | |
| Head Forester, Duchy of Cornwall, UK | Geraint Richards | |
| Professor of Tropical Forest Conservation, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of BritishColumbia |
Jeff Sayer | |
| Regional coordinators | Europe : Africa : South Asia : South East Asia and Pacific : Americas and Caribbean: |
Adrian Whiteman Ben Chikamai R.V. Singh Michael Bleby Shashi Kant |
| Trustees | Mary Hobley John Hudson Peter Latham |
|
The trustees have been selected from a wide range of forestry professionals who have shown interest in the Association, are willing and able to take on the responsibility, and who through their careers have shown an understanding of the issues involved and are well regarded by the profession. Trustees are elected at the AGM.
Correspondence address
The Crib, Dinchope, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9JJ
Independent examiner
Chapman, Robinson & Moore were re-appointed at the Annual General Meeting. Alan P. Sowden FCCA is the Independent Examiner.
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR
PRESIDENT�S STATEMENT
The past year has been one of recovery following the major upsets caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected all countries around the world. The recovery has at times been slow, and many economic and social disruptions persist. While on-line communication has improved, travel remains at relatively low levels, and shortages of both aircraft and pilots mean that international travel is both difficult and increasingly expensive. Other disruptions include those in global supply chains, which are having many unpredictable consequences. Writing in mid-2023, it is evident that many of these disruptions will persist for some time.
The changing nature of the Commonwealth Forestry Association means that we have been partly protected from some of these global trends, although our finances have suffered. There is evidence of both direct and indirect effects. For example, many scientists were unable to conduct fieldwork in 2020 and 2021, and this has led to a reduction in the number of papers being produced, at least in areas where lockdowns were enforced. Combined with rapid proliferation of commercial academic journals, and the lower standards that many of these journals are prepared to accept, the careful reviews of papers submitted to our journal, the International Forestry Review , are all the more valuable. With the diligent editing by Alan Pottinger, and the leadership provided by the Editorial Board, chaired by Jeff Sayer, the journal will continue to make a valuable contribution.
I was particularly pleased to see the International Forestry Review carrying a special issue on Indigenous and Traditional Peoples and Forests . The role of Indigenous peoples in many Commonwealth countries is changing, sometimes quite rapidly. Countries and other jurisdictions are beginning to recognize and implement the principles embedded in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. For example, the province of British Columbia in Canada has stated that it intends to make every law in its statute book consistent with the Declaration, and significant changes have already been implemented. Consequently, the special issue is extremely timely.
It i� g�a�if�ing �� n��e �ha� �he Q�een�� C�mm�n�eal�h Can��� ���jec� �a� c�m�le�ed in in 2022, in �ime f�� �he Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This was a major achievement, given the very disparate membership of the Commonwealth and it is noteworthy that it was a project related to forests that was able to bring the entire Commonwealth together. However, it remains to be seen what sort of a legacy this major project will have, if any.
After many years of excellent service as Treasurer, Marcus Robbins began the complex process of handing over the reins to our new incoming Treasurer, Peter McCarter. Marcus has done a wonderful job of keeping the accounts of the Association in order over the years and I am delighted that he will be continuing in an advisory capacity in the coming years. A warm welcome to Peter, who I suspect will face some significant challenges over the coming years.
Signed on behalf of the Commonwealth Forestry Association
Date: 31 August 2023
John Innes, President
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR, continued.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial situation of the CFA is summarised in the following three tables:
1. Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) (page 8)
2. Fund movement (page 8)
3. Balance Sheet (page 9)
There was a deficit at the end of 2022 of £19,479 (2021 surplus £91,753). Our net assets have decreased by £50,601 to £195,539 (2021 £246,140). See the overall trend in the capital account since 1997 on page 5. This significant downturn is due mainly to a reduction in Open Access income and the adverse global financial situation.
The trustees believe that reserves are enough for about three years operation and satisfactory to wind up operations if needed.
Bank accounts: Our account continues to be with the Co-operative Bank.
Investment: The investment account, managed by Rathbones, continues to provide a balance of income and capital growth with a low/medium degree of risk. The interest paid this year was £2,480 (2021 £1,316). The current value on holdings in our portfolio decreased over the year by £31,122 to £187,181 (initial deposits £180,000). This dramatic decrease is due to the financial situation during the year resulting from the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. It is hoped that this will improve as markets stabilise.
Payment methods : Income deposits continue mainly with Charity Checkout (Enthuse). All general payments are done by online banking.
Income sources: Our income £57,629 (2021 £172,242) was mainly dependent on the International Forestry Review organisational subscriptions, membership dues, donations, and online fees (BioOne aggregator, JSTOR digital library, and Open Access). However, this year there was a significant decrease in Open Access due to the reduced number of Special Issues which attract these fees.
Expenditure: The total was £77,108 (2021 £80,489). As before, staff payments and review production make up the bulk of expenditure. Recurrent costs have continued to increase in line with the cost of living.
A table comparing income and expenditure totals between 2021 and 2022 is given on page 16.
The year-end financial position was considered satisfactory to meet current commitments and objectives, and accordingly the accounts were prepared on a going-concern basis.
Marcus Robbins
Treasurer
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR, continued.
Bar charts of income and expenditure, 2022 (£)
Trend in Capital Account (£)
| TREND in CFA | TREND in CFA | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | CAPITAL ACCOUNT 1997 - 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | **2006 ** | 2007 | **2008 ** | 2009 | 201 | 0 2011 |
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | ||||
| General Fund | 1,843 | 6,837 | 7,877 | -1,371 | **-10,132 ** | **-27,905 ** | -34,236 | **-27,122 ** | **-20,050 ** | -11,062 | -9,178 | 7,160 | **8,462 ** | 30,27 | 1 32,72 |
8 37,835 |
47,64 | 5 59,639 |
54,470 | 62,075 | 83,657 | 79,493 | 78,692 | **81,594 ** | 171,361 | 119,495 | ||||
| Other Funds | 47,098 | 49,140 | 50,056 | 47,967 | 36,927 | 38,226 | 38,163 | 41,872 | 41,011 | **41,010 ** | 46,559 | **48,215 ** | **48,319 ** | 42,01 | 8 40,32 |
1 39,920 |
41,68 | 1 44,392 |
51,666 | 51,432 | 55,292 | 51,112 | 49,903 | 60,395 | 70,740 | 72,044 | ||||
| CAPITAL ACCOUNT | 48,941 | 55,977 | 58,380 | 46,597 | 26,894 | 10,324 | 3,927 | 14,750 | 20,961 | **29,948 ** | 37,381 | **55,375 ** | **56,781 ** | 72,28 | 9 73,04 |
9 77,757 |
89,32 | **6 104,031 ** | **106,136 ** | **113,507 ** | **138,950 ** | **130,606 ** | **128,595 ** | **141,989 ** | 242,101 | 191,539 | ||||
| (= Assets less liabilities) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 300,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 250,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~~CAPITA~~ ~~ACCOU~~ |
~~T~~ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 150,000 | GENERAL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FUND |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~~50,000~~ ~~100,000~~ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~~0~~ | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 20 | 10 20 |
11 20 |
12 20 |
13 2014 |
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 ~~OTHER~~ |
2020 ~~FUNDS~~ |
2021 | 2022 | ||||
| -50000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| , | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR, continued.
ACTIVITY and MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The following have been the main activities:
Publications
-
Publication of four issues of the International Forestry Review including one Special Issue: Indigenous and Traditional Peoples and Forests . This publication took three years to develop and included 12 papers covering subjects as diverse as Adj���men�� in Indigen��� �e��le�� f��e�� ��e and managemen� in �he context of climate change, The costs and benefits of certification for community forests managed by traditional peoples, and Motivation and factors affec�ing Indigen��� Pe��le�� �illingne�� �� �a��ici�a�e in future REDD+ project activities . As with all Special Issues of the International Forestry Review, all papers are freely available through our Open Access facility.
-
Publication of four issues of the CFA Newsletter .
Q�een�s Common�ealth Canop�
- The Q�een�s Common�ealth Canop� (QCC) concluded its main objective of incorporating all 54 Commonwealth countries prior to the 2022 meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, in June. Two new countries, Togo and Gabon, were incorporated into the Commonwealth during the meeting and discussions are progressing to include them in the QCC.
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when overseeing the activities of the charity during the year.
Membership report 2022
| Category | Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
| Individual � developed country | 93 | 64 | 65 | 63 | 41 | 42 | 40 |
| Individual - developingCountry | 80 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Life | 69 | 51 | 45 | 44 | 40 | 38 | 38 |
| Student | 6 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Subscriber | 61 | 45 | 49 | 52 | 44 | 40 | 36 |
| National forestryassociation | 6 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| PERI subscriber* | 99 | 99 | 99 | n/a | n/a | ||
| Complimentary | 53 | 54 | 53 | 55 | 55 | 54 | 52 |
| Basic** | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 140 | 160 | 181 |
| TOTAL | 467 | 335 | 340 | 247 | 341 | 355 | 362 |
-
PERI scheme concluded in 2019
-
** Basic membership started in 2020
As in previous years, it is important to mention two points: that many people access our publications via their institutions but are not recorded as members, and that an increasing number of subscribing agencies are paying to acce�� �he In�e�na�i�nal F��e���� Re�ie� and �he CFA Ne��le��e� �h���gh �agg�ega����� �a�he� �han �ia �he CFA directly thereby not appearing in our membership report. This means that our recorded membership numbers are not an effective means of assessing our reach.
Alan Pottinger
Alan Pottinger, Executive Director
Jenny Steel, Membership Manager
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER�S REPORT TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL
I report to the charity�� trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Association for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
The accounting records were not kept in respect of the Association as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a �true and fair view� which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
I confirm that there are no other matters in connection with the examination to which your attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Alan P. Sowden FCCA Chapman Robinson & Moore Limited Certified Accountants 30 Bankside Court Stationfields Kidlington Oxford OX5 1JE
Date: .............................................
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 1: STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (SOFA) Period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (£)
TABLE 2: FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY
Period: 01 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 (£)
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 3: BALANCE SHEET
As of: 31 December 2022 (£)
Signed on behalf of the Commonwealth Forestry Association
Date 31 August 2023
John Innes, President
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
1. Responsibilities
The Financial Manager, in consultation with the Trustees and Executive Director, is responsible for preparing the accounts for each financial year in a way in which they give a true and fair view of the incoming resources and application of the resources of the Association during the year and of its state affairs at the end of the year. In preparing accounts giving a true and fair view, the Financial Manager is required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Association will continue in business.
The Financial Manager is responsible for ensuring that proper accounting records are maintained, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Association and which comply with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)' and the Charities Act 2011.
2. Principal Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards. The Association has adopted the SORP 'Accounting by Charities' as described above.
(a) Membership dues and Review subscriptions
Fees are accounted for on a received basis adjusted for fees received in advance. In addition to the Life Members Appeal, fees received for life membership have been written back on an equal annual basis until the year ending 31 December 2008.
(b) Donations and grants receivable
Donations and grants towards specific items of expenditure are matched against that expenditure when incurred. Grants for specific periods are accounted for in the period when they are due.
(c) Fund accounting
Restricted funds represent grants and donations received where the donor has specified for what they may be used. Unrestricted funds represent income which is expendable in the furtherance of the objectives of the Association.
(d) Allocation of costs
All costs are allocated as direct charitable expenditure other than management and administration.
(e) Incoming resources are stated in the SOFA gross of expenditure.
- (f) Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
10
COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2022(cont.)
3. Staff costs and consultancy (£)
| Gross salaries and wages Social security costs Less: allocated to Review and other costs Consultancy � personnel (accountancy, database) The average number of employees during the year was: Office and management Governance costs: Independent examiner's fee Other examiner's fees included above: Accountancy |
2022 2021 27,924 26,765 17,133 16,288 |
|---|---|
| 45,057 43,053 29,737 28,699 |
|
| 15,319 14,354 5,195 6,024 |
|
| 20,514 £20,378 |
|
| 2 2 480 480 480 480 |
|
| £960 £960 |
4. Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on any income derived from its charitable activities.
5. Debtors
| Prepayments and other debtors . Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Deferred income Taxation Accruals |
2022 2021 |
|---|---|
| - 8,438 |
|
| 2022 2021 5,859 5,730 1,358 - 960 4,388 |
|
| 8,177 10,118 |
6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
7. Association status
The liability of the members of the Association is limited to their annual subscription, as determined by the Governing Council.
7b. BioOne income.
Note that Bi�One inc�me (FBION) i� �e��e�en�ed b� ��e�i��� �ea��� inc�me and i� �nadj���ed. Thi� i� beca��e all fees come in after accounts have been prepared and submitted to the examiner.
11
COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2022 (cont.)
8. Allocation of balance sheet assets and liabilities to funds (£)
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 4: ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS (2022) Period 01 January 2022 to December 2022 (£)
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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 4: ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS (2022) continued
14
COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 5: Monthly Income and Expenditure totals (£)
15
COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
TABLE 6: Comparison pre�io�s �ear�s totals Income and Expenditure (£)
16