Footprint East Neuk
Trustees’ Annual Report Period From 1 June 2024 to Period End 31 May 2025
Charity contact information
Charity’s name: Footprint East Neuk Scottish Charity Number: SC050194
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Address:
Telephone number: 07939147150
Email address: Footprinteastneuk@gmail.com Website: https://www.footprinteastneuk.com/ Twitter/ Facebook / Social Media profile name: https://www.facebook.com/FootprintEastNeuk https://www.instagram.com/footprinteastneuk/
Charity Trustees
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Objectives and activities
The organisation’s purposes are:
Overall: To reduce the ecological footprint of the East Neuk of Fife, and connect people with nature.
Public benefit: Protecting and restoring the natural world, particularly through mitigation of the climate crisis and reducing waste, are fundamental to preserving a healthy global ecosystem upon which the survival of the human race depends. In addition, connecting communities with nature enriches the lives of many people.
Specific purposes:
To advance environmental protection and improvement in the East Neuk of Fife and surrounding areas, in particular, but not exclusively by
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a. promoting methods by which local people can reduce their carbon emissions.
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b. promoting energy-saving measures and the use of renewable energy.
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c. organizing and promoting tree planting. d. restoring natural vegetation (eg. wildflowers) that will be beneficial to species on
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the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
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e. creating wildlife corridors to connect patches of existing wild habitat. f. promoting sustainable development; including sustainable travel, recycling facilities, reusable packaging and reducing excessive consumerism. g. building partnerships between local environmental groups, community groups and public sector bodies that contribute to local decision making on environmental issues. h. building a community website focusing on local environmental initiatives.
To advance public understanding and enjoyment of science and the natural world, in particular, but not exclusively by
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a. organizing an annual Science and Nature Festival in the East Neuk of Fife. b. interactive workshops and public engagement events. c. making scientific evidence on the climate crisis and other environmental issues more accessible and readable for the communities of the East Neuk.
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d. organizing a regular Climate Café.
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e. conducting appropriate research projects.
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Structure, governance and management
Constitution
The Charity is a Scottish Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), It was registered in its current legal form on 1* June 2020.
The charity was a single tier structure until October 2022 when it became a two tier. Currently, we have 26 members.
Trustee recruitment and appointment
In the summer of 2025, Jenny Paterson resigned from the Board, and Heather Anderson and Alisdair Macleod were appointed at the AGM held on 11 October 2025.
Organisation
Footprint East Neuk is completely organised and run by the Trustees and an amazing team of volunteers.
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Achievements and performance
It has been another exciting year for our volunteer-run charity, and we would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers, members, trustees, friends, funders, and collaborators. Your support has truly made a world of difference to our work in North East Fife.
Looking back on the past year, we’ve had some fantastic moments: Our charity planted more trees and did some tree maintenance on those established in previous years. We organised a variety of activities to connect community members with nature and worked closely with our collaborators to deliver successful events
Biodiversity Initiatives and community events:
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@ We planted 700 trees at Alpaca Farm and welcomed more than 200 families to join in on the day!
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e@ It was great to connect with everyone at the Sustainability Summit at the University of St Andrews and share our mission with students who care about the environmentjust as much as we do.
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@ Our bat walk during the Fife Climate Festival was successful, combining nature with storytelling in a magical way!
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@ We partnered with Transition to plant over 1,000 trees at Cambo and Strathkinness High Road, benefiting from fantastic weather alongside our dedicated volunteers.
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@ We worked again with the pupils of Pittenweem Primary School and replaced the lost trees at Weem Wood behind their school
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@ One of the best moments this year was finally taking off the tree guards at Craigton Park. After four years, the trees are doing well, and it's amazing to see the area turning intoa little wildlife haven. We also continue our collaboration with the Dreelburn project — one of our important partners to work together on improving the Dreelside area. Their Ecologist, who is also one of our new trustees, ran some great activities in the woods in 2025, including moth identification, seed sowing, tree care, and meadow making.
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@ We took part in the Ceilidh for Nature and the Winter Fayre, where we sold our One More Tree cards and gave away free trees to encourage people to make their gardens more wildlife friendly.
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Networking & Collaboration:
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e Footprint will continue its involvement on the board of directors at FCCAN and will support the staff running the Fife Climate Hub, which is funded by the Scottish Government. Being part of the Fife Communities Climate Network and serving on the Board of Directors for the Fife Climate Hub has helped us become more visible and make a bigger difference in the community.
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@ We really value our collaborations with The Dreel Brun project, Transition, and Rewilding Kinkell. We are especially excited about the possibility of a new partnership with Rewilding Kinkell to launch a new woodland project.
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@ Wealso completed the multi-use path in Dreelside Woods, making it easier for everyone to come out and enjoy this special area. The official opening, with Willie Rennie, Fife Council, and all the enthusiastic volunteers, was a wonderful morning, and a special thanks to Dreel Tavern for providing delicious food and drinks.
Acknowledgements:
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, members, trustees, funders, and collaborators. Your continuous support is invaluable to our mission and the success we have achieved in North East Fife. Thank you for being part of Footprint's journey.
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Map of the areas where we have planted trees
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Dreelside Woods and Path Upgrade
The first part of the year saw extensive work to obtain funding for the upgrading of the path through the new community asset of Dreelside Woods. This work included ramping the path to remove all steps, so that the Woods is accessible to people with more limited mobility and cyclists. Once the funding package was assembled Footprint secured the services of TP&E (the social enterprise arm of Cycling Scotland) to design the path works; provide draft plans for an extensive public consultation.; and prepare tender and other documentation. The contractor was selected from open tenders (P1Construction) and work started in January 2025. The path was completed on time with an opening on Easter Saturday 2025, attended by local politicians, reps of funding agencies and the local community. The path is now used by more local people and provides a pleasant walk through the area and new benches for sitting to enjoy the wildlife.
The management of the Woods for wildlife continued through the year, with tree planting and maintenance; meadow making — scytheing and seed planting; control of invasive species — Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed; snowdrop planting; and installation of
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bat boxes. Monitoring of plant species, moths, butterflies and bats continued with the help of relevant experts. Some educational activities also took place.
Thanks to the individuals and organisations that supported this work.
Local support
Presentations are made to the Community Council and the Murray Library Trust both of which are supportive. Anstruther Improvement Trust/Dreel Burn Project join us for projects and undertake burn water sampling. We attend their annual Burn Open day.
Financial review
See the financial report and independent advisor’s report.
Future plans
Future Plans:
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e Planting more larger trees in parks in North East Fife e@ Potentially start anew woodland project with Rewilding Kinkell.
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e@ Maintenance of the planted woodlands across North East Fife
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e@ Nature activities in Dreelside Woods
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@ Organise another Science & Nature Festival
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@ Continue our collaboration with, Anstruther Improvements Association, Dreel Burn Project, Cambo Gardens, Transition, University of St Andrews, St Andrews Forest, Fife Climate Hub and Fife Communities Climate Action Network.
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Declaration
Signed on behalf of the charity trustees:
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Designation
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Date
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Co-Founder and Chair
26/02/2026
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Footprint East Neuk
Scottish Charity Number – SC050194
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For The Year Ended 31[st] May 2025
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Trustees Annual Report
For The Year Ended 31[st] May 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] May 2025.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name
Footprint East Neuk SCIO
Charity Number
SC050194
Address
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Current Trustees
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Chair Secretary Treasurer Appointed 11[th] October 2025
Appointed 11[th] October 2025
Resigned November 2024
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Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution
The Charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
It was registered in its current legal form on 1st June 2020.
The charity is a two tier structure with 28 members.
Trustee Meetings
Meetings were held in March 2025, August 2025 and October 2025.
Objective, Purpose and Activity
Objective
Overall, to reduce the ecological footprint of the East Neuk of Fife and to connect people with nature.
For the public benefit, to protect and restore the natural world, particularly through mitigation of the climate crisis and reducing waste, which are fundamental to preserving a healthy global ecosystem upon which the survival of the human race depends. In addition, connecting communities with nature enriches the lives of many people.
Purpose
To advance environmental protection and improvement in the East Neuk of Fife and surrounding areas, in particular but not exclusively by:
-
Promoting methods by which local people can reduce their carbon emissions
-
Promoting energy saving measures and the use of renewable energy
-
Organizing and promoting tree planting
-
Restoring natural vegetation (e.g. wildflowers) that will be beneficial to species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
-
Creating wildlife corridors to connect patches of existing wild habitat
-
Promoting sustainable development; including sustainable travel, recycling facilities, reusable packaging and reducing excessive consumerism
-
Building partnerships between local environmental groups, community groups and public sector bodies that contribute to local decision making on environmental issues
-
Building a community website focusing on local environmental initiatives
To advance public understanding and enjoyment of science and the natural world, in particular but not exclusively by:
- Interactive workshops and public engagement events
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Making scientific evidence on the climate crisis and other environmental issues more accessible and readable for the communities of the East Neuk
-
Organizing a regular Climate Café
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Conducting appropriate research projects
Activity
The Board of Directors of Footprint East Neuk manages the organisation's activities and events in the East Neuk and beyond.
They run the activities and events with the help of volunteers.
Achievements and Performance
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Organisation of community tree planting events in the East Neuk and Fife
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Successful bid for the asset transfer of Dreel Woods
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Obtained funds for a shared path in Dreel Woods, which was completed in April 2025
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Maintenance of the land through litter picks, invasive species control, meadow establishment, biodiversity surveys and tree planting
Financial Review
Our main source of funding is grant income.
Within the accounting period, we have received funding from Fife Council, Paths for All, Fife Environmental Trust, and several others to cover the cost of our community events and the construction of the shared path in Dreel Woods.
Plans For Future Period
We are planning to undertake maintenance activities for trees planted in previous years.
We will also further investigate the possibility of a transfer of ownership of an additional piece of woodland in Kilrenny, undertake more community engagement activities and do further rewilding works to Dreelside Woods.
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Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Year Ended 31[st] May 2025
| £ | £ | £ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted |
Total | |
| Funds | Funds | ||
| Receipts | |||
| Grants | 0.00 |
227,163.35 | 227,163.35 |
| Donations |
1,358.89 | 0.00 | 1,358.89 |
| Annual Subscriptions | 93.92 | 0.00 | 93.92 |
| Total |
1,452.81 |
227,163.35 | 228,616.16 |
| Payments | |||
| Purchase of trees, compost & other | 0.00 |
2,437.73 | 2,437.73 |
| Cost of charitable activities | 287.26 | 0.00 | 287.26 |
| Purchase of equipment & other | 0.00 | 665.34 | 665.34 |
| Legal & Professional | 350.00 | 161,842.26 | 162,192.26 |
| Total | 637.26 |
164,945.33 | 165,582.59 |
| Surplus for the year | 815.55 | 62,218.02 | 63,033.57 |
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Statement of Balances — As At 31st May 2025
£ £ £ Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Opening cash at bank 2,542.70 13,698.17 16,240.87 Surplus for the year 815.55 62,218.02 63,033.57 Closing cash at bank 3,358.25 75,916.19 79,274.44
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on
and signed on their behalf by
7ae _ ae . : 25/02/2026
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Notes to the Accounts – For the Year Ended 31[st] May 2025
1.0 Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2.0 Nature and Purpose of Funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
The Trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the charity.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
3.0 Related Party Transactions
The Charity's insurance policy relates to public and product liability insurance.
No remuneration was paid to any Trustees or any connected persons during the year.
4.0 Grants
| 4.0 Grants | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| Community Fund | 0.00 | 17,618.40 | 17,618.40 |
| DTA Scotland | 0.00 | 813.20 | 813.20 |
| Fife Council | 0.00 | 49,250.00 | 49,250.00 |
| Fife Environmental Trust | 0.00 | 49,999.00 | 49,999.00 |
| FCCAN | 0.00 | 1,783.00 | 1,783.00 |
| Helen Main Trust | 0.00 | 2,500.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Paths for All | 0.00 | 100,000.00 | 100,000.00 |
| Pilkington Trust | 0.00 | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 |
| VM Volunteering | 0.00 | 199.75 | 199.75 |
| Total | 0.00 |
227,163.35 | 227,163.35 |
5.0 Donations & General Sales
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| Private individuals | 1,358.89 | 0.00 |
1,358.89 |
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6.0 Annual Subscriptions
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| Private individuals | 93.92 | 0.00 | 93.92 |
| 7.0 Cost of Charitable | Activities | ||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| Insurance | 287.26 | 0.00 |
287.26 |
| Governance | 350.00 | 0.00 |
350.00 |
| Total | 637.26 | 0.00 |
637.26 |
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Independent examiner’s report onthe accounts Charity name
=~
Footprint East Neuk
| SC050194 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period start | date | Period end date | ||||||
| Day | Month | Year | Day | Month | ||||
| 01 | 06 | 2024 | to | 31 | 05 | 2025 |
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. 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 seeks 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, | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in " my opinion,e accountsattentionto shouldbe reached.be drawn in order to enable a proper
Date: 4* February 2026
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FCA (ICAEW)
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