2024-12-31-accounts - Commonwealth Forestry Association

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COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

REPORT OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL

The Commonwealth Forestry Association presents its report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024.

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

The name of the charity is the Commonwealth Forestry Association, Charity Registration Number 250739. The governing document is the Royal Charter of 1st November 1921, as amended by Supplemental Charters of 10th January 1963, 10th March 1982, and 3rd February 2020. 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 they make to peoples’ livelihoods through improved communication amongst forestry professionals and all those with an interest in the world’s forests.

Management structure

	*Patron*	HM King Charles
*Executive*	President : Executive Director : Finance Manager : Emeritus Finance Manager :	John Innes Alan Pottinger Peter McCarter MarcusRobbins

*Advisory group*	Graduate Student, UBC, Canada	Samuel Adeyanju
	Director, Margules Groome Consulting Pty Ltd	Rob deFegley
	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	GeraintRichards
	Professor of Tropical Forest Conservation, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia	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.

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR

PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT

The activities of the Commonwealth Forestry Association in 2024 continued be focused on the publication of the International Forestry Review and the CFA newsletter. The main purpose of the Association is to promote the conservation and sustainable management of the world’s forests and the contributions that they make to peoples’ livelihoods, and our two publications play the major part in doing this.

We continue to be pleased with the very high quality of papers that the International Forestry Review attracts from around the world. Although its publication metrics remain disappointingly low, it has established a niche as one of the important journals focusing on the interactions between people and forests. This is a crowded space in the publication world, with many new journals being established that are competing for a restricted number of papers dealing with area. Many of these journals are adopting non-traditional ways to solicit papers, and a good few have been designated “predatory journals” as a result. However, in terms of global significance, the interactions between people and forests remain at the top of many political agendas, and our journal serves to provide important information that can support evidence-based forest and rural policy.

To support my argument last year, I gave the example of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as an important piece of forest policy that was mired in complexity. Writing this towards the end of 2025, I note that the EU Commission has proposed delaying the start of enforcement of the Regulation until December 2026, having already pushed it back at the end of 2024. The ongoing saga illustrates clearly why it is so important to have sound evidence on which to base new policies, and the International Forestry Review provides a sound, reliably peer-reviewed, source for such information. Many members rely on the CFA newsletter to provide them with information about what is going on the rest of the world. In a time of information overload, the newsletter continues to provide a helpful digest of forest-related news stories from the Commonwealth and beyond. It is written in a style that is more accessible than the formal scientific papers in the International Forestry Review .

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Executive Director (Alan Pottinger), Treasurer (Peter McCarter), Special Advisor (Marcus Robbins), the members of the Advisory Council, the Trustees and the many other individuals who have helped maintain the CFA over the course of the past year. It is through the dedication of these individuals that the CFA continues to be a success.

John Innes

Signed on behalf of the Commonwealth Forestry Association

John Innes, President

Date: 1 October 2025

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

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 7)

2. Fund movement (page 7)

3. Balance Sheet (page 8)

There was a deficit at the end of 2024 of £12,502 (2023 deficit £12,043). The net assets have decreased by £8,913 to £182,067 (2023 £190,980).

The trustees believe that reserves are enough for about three years operation in the unlikely event that current income sources dry up. This would be sufficient 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 £4,136 (2023 £3,463). The current value on holdings in our portfolio increased over the year by £3,589 to £198,254 – representing a 1.84% return on the year. Including the interest, a rate of return of 3.97% was achieved.

Payment methods : All general payments are done by online banking.

Income sources: The income of £61,317 (2023 £64,884) was mainly dependent on the International Forestry Review organisational subscriptions, membership dues, donations, and online fees [BioOne aggregator, JSTOR digital library, PLS (licence fees and royalties) and Open Access].

Expenditure: The total was £73,820 (2023 £76,928). As previously, staff payments and review production make up the bulk of expenditure.

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.

Peter McCarter

Treasurer

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE YEAR, continued.

ACTIVITY and MEMBERSHIP REPORT for 2024 accounts

The following have been the main activities:

Publications

Publication of four issues of the International Forestry Review .
Publication of four issues of the CFA Newsletter .

Membership report 2024

Membership report 2024
Category			Year
	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Individual – developed country	41	42	40	41	42
Individual - developing Country	18	17	12	13	14
Life	40	38	38	35	30
Student	0	2	0	0	1
Subscriber	44	40	36	37	38
National forestry association	3	2	3	2	2
Complimentary	55	54	52	50	48
Basic*	140	160	181	220	225
TOTAL	341	355	362	398	400

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 access the International Forestry Review and the CFA Newsletter through ‘aggregators’ rather than via the CFA directly thereby not appearing in our membership report. This means that membership numbers are not the most effective means of assessing our reach.

Alan Pottinger

Executive Director

Com10NwÉALTM FOREsfRY A&8OCI.4TIO REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YLIR EN'DKD31° DECENIBER 21J24 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL report to the charity's trustees on my examination of the a¢counts of th¢ Association for the year ended 31 December 2024. Respollsibilities and basRs of report As the charity's trustee5, you are responsible for the preparation of the a¢¢ounts in accordan¢e 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 eAgminer'5 Statement have completed my exatnination. l Confirni that no matters have come to my attention in connection with th¢ examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect= l. The accounting records were not kept in respect of the Asso¢iation as r¢quired by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting r¢¢ords' or 3. the accounts do not comply with the appli¢abl¢ r¢quirements concerning the fomi and ¢ont¢nt of the a¢counts set out in the Charities {A¢¢ounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts giv¢ a 'true and fair Yi¢w' whi¢h is not a matter consid¢red as part of an independent examination. l Confim that there are no other matters in connection with the examination to whi¢h your attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be r¢a¢hed. fy- ILlbV- Alan P. Sowden FCCA Chapman Robinson & Moore Limited C¢rtified Accountants 30 Bankside Court Siationfields Kidlington Oxford OX5 IJE l October 2025

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

TABLE 1: STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (SOFA) Period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 (£)

TABLE 2: FUND MOVEMENT SUMMARY

Period: 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 (£)

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

TABLE 3: BALANCE SHEET

As of: 31 December 2024 (£)

Signed on behalf of the Commonwealth Forestry Association

John Innes, President

Date 1 October 2025

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

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 as modified by the revaluation of investments 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.

(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 the related expenditure.

(f) Investments are stated at market value.

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2024 (cont.)

3. Staff costs and consultancy (£)

. Staff costs and consultancy (£)
Gross salaries and wages Social security costs Pension contributions Less: allocated to Review and other costs Consultancy – personnel (accountancy) 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	2024 2023 £ £ 43,815 42,600 3,635 4,074 1,161 1,091
	48,611 47,765 23,110 29,163
	25,501 18,602 480 1,392
	25,981 19,994
	1 1 720 543 720 543
	1,440 1,086

4. Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on any income derived from its charitable activities.

5. Investments

Quoted investments at market value	2024 2023 £ £ 198,254 194,665

6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Deferred income Taxation Accruals	2024 2023 £ £ 5,086 3,238 3,351 2,329 9,903 8,016
	18,340 13,583

7. Association status

The liability of the members of the Association is limited to their annual subscription, as determined by the Governing Council.

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] DECEMBER 2024 (cont.)

8. Allocation of balance sheet assets and liabilities to funds (£)

09 Cooperative Bank Current Account Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Fund Designated Standing Committee for Commonwealth Forests Designated General Fund Unrestricted Queen's Award Fund Restricted The Young Forester Award Fund Restricted Agency collection Restricted 08 Rathbones Investment Account General Fund Unrestricted Revaluation reserves Designated The Buccleuch 1992 Fund Restricted Queen's Award Fund Restricted Sponsorship Fund Designated The Young Forester Award Fund Restricted Creditors: Amounts Falling Due in One Year Z04: Accounts payable General Fund Unrestricted Grand total	Balance Previous balance £ £ - 4,865.97 - 94.00 3,861.27 10,341.33 (12,000.00) (12,000.00) 10,291.45 10,291.45 - (3,694.65)
	2,152.72 9,898.10 115,389.00 115,389.00 41,222.00 37,633.00 5,343.00 5,343.00 24,000.00 24,000.00 6,300.00 6,300.00 6,000.00 6,000.00
	198,254.00 194,665.00 18,339.59 13,582.78
	18,339.59 13,582.78
	182,067.13 190,980.32

COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY ASSOCIATION REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024

TABLE 4: ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS (2024) Period 01 January 2024 to December 2024 (£)

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