The Surrey Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (known as CPRE Surrey)

Transcription

1 Surrey The Surrey Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (known as CPRE Surrey) (A Company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 Company no: Charity no:

2 Directors, officers and advisers President Vice-Presidents Dame Sarah Goad JP, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Commander T K Evans RN (Ret'd) Tim Harrold Gordon Lee-Steere DL Directors and Trustees (who are also members of the Planning and Campaigns Committee) Tim Murphy - Chair - and Epsom and Ewell District Gillian Hein - Vice Chair - and Reigate and Banstead District Geoffrey Scotton - Treasurer Keith Tothill - and Elmbridge District Claudette Curtis-Jenkins - Spelthorne District (resigned 27th April 2012) Anthony Isaacs MBE - Waverley District Richard Bass - Mole Valley District Sarah Clayton - and Epsom and Ewell District (appointed 27th April 2012) Catherine Sayer - and Tandridge District (co-opted 16th March 2012) Directors and Trustees (who are not members of the Planning and Campaigns Committee) Baroness Thomas of Walliswood OBE DL (resigned 31st May 2012) Malcolm Williamson Company Secretary Branch Director Peter Edwards Andy Smith District members of the Planning and Campaigns Committee Company registration no Tim Harrold - Guildford District Andrew Telford - Runnymede District Richard Roads - Surrey Heath District Amanda Papadopoulos - Tandridge District Colin Hall - Waverley District Barbara Beck - Woking District Registered charity no Headquarters & Registered Office Room 1, The Institute, 67 High Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8AH Bankers Website CAF Bank Ltd, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ Page 1

3 Trustees' annual report for the year ended 31 December 2012 (incorporating the Directors' Report) The Trustees are pleased to present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December Governing Document The Surrey Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Memorandum and Articles dated 2 October It is also registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Structure, Governance & Management The structure of CPRE Surrey calls for 11 District Committees whose areas of responsibility correspond with the Local Authorities within the County. Each District committee is represented on the CPRE Surrey Planning and Campaign Committee (P&CC) which meets up to six times per annum. At the Annual General Meeting each year officers and trustees are elected to form the Board of CPRE Surrey which meets three times per annum. For years up to 2009 recruitment of new Trustees was normally made from the P&CC, but in subsequent years directors have also been co-opted who were not members of the P&CC. Details of trustees and officers are shown on page 1. Induction and training of new trustees is provided by CPRE National Office and by attendance at appropriate conferences. Public Benefit The charity's trustees have complied with their duty in Section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission. Objectives CPRE Surrey exists to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. It is actively involved in the land use planning process and in consultation on national, county, and district policy formulation and implementation in this context. CPRE Surrey is represented on the Board of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), we appear at a number of public enquiries each year and comment on planning applications in all districts. We campaign strongly for the protection and enhancement of the countryside throughout the county, and for the improvement of environmental quality. We publish a newsletter several times per year giving details of our activities and campaigns. Our newsletters are distributed to our members and supporters, and also to members of Local Authorities (County, District/ Borough, and Parish Councillors) throughout Surrey. Activities & Performance in 2012 CPRE Surrey's work in 2012 was undertaken in the context of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that came into force in the Spring. The NPPF required each planning authority to have an up-to-date Local Plan, previously termed the Local Development Framework; if no Local Plan has been agreed there is an expectation that planning applications will be approved. This provision of the NPPF has caused considerable concern to CPRE Surrey as a number of Surrey Districts have yet to approve their Local Plans and throughout 2012 a stream of planning applications was submitted by developers proposing housing and other developments on Green Belt and other countryside. We have provided input to the consultations on the draft Local Plans of a number of District Councils and have opposed planning applications which we believe are inappropriate for the Surrey countryside. Page 2

4 Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2012 (incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued) Activities & Performance in 2012 cont. In addition to the NPPF, the provisions of the Localism Act have come into force, enabling Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Forums to develop their own Neighbourhood Plans, as long as these conform to the provisions of the Local Plan. CPRE Surrey ran a seminar in March to inform those considering preparing Neighbourhood Plans of the opportunities, and some of the pitfalls, of preparing such plans. CPRE Surrey's concerns were not confined to housing proposals. A proposal to turn the Cherkley Court estate near Leatherhead into a golf course, hotel and ancillary uses led to us taking the lead in demanding a Judicial Review (JR) of Mole Valley DC's decision to approve the application, which we considered was deeply flawed. In October, our Trustees agreed to instruct lawyers to begin the JR process. Subsequently, the Cherkley Campaign, a large group of individuals and organisations opposed to the Mole Valley decision, took the lead in pursuing the JR, with our full support. Another proposal that CPRE Surrey vigorously opposed was the plan to build an extremely expensive and inappropriate Magna Carta Interpretation Centre on the Pleasure Grounds at Runnymede. Other activities included support for a review of the existing boundaries of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to include most, if not all, of the county-designated Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). We continued to monitor airport developments in and around Surrey, including proposals for the expansion of Redhill Airport and a second runway at Gatwick. We also monitored various initiatives to bring oil and gas exploration to the county and fully supported the opposition to the exploratory drilling at Coldharbour on Leith Hill. Early in 2012, we gained some hundreds of additional members as a result of a national initiative to encourage as many "supporters" of CPRE as possible to become full members. Consequently, we now have over 2,250 members. Two membership meetings were held early in the year, in Shalford and Reigate, to welcome our new members and meet up with our existing membership. We manned stalls at the Cranleigh and Banstead Shows and at the Surrey Rural Partnership Conference. Our Mole Valley Group held a well-attended meeting on Water in the South East in October and our April AGM included presentations on the NPPF, airport expansion, and traveller sites. Future Plans CPRE Surrey will continue to engage fully with the Local Plan process in all eleven of Surrey's Districts. We will examine and, where appropriate, object to developments that conflict with our objectives, whilst supporting proposals that enhance the county's countryside. We will continue to recruit new members and supporters, particularly through social media and our revamped website. A new campaign to "Save Surrey's Countryside" will be launched in 2013 and will include a Conference in May on the "Surrey s Future." A "Countryside Awards" scheme will also be inaugurated this year to recognise the best initiatives that retain the character of Surrey's countryside and we will be examining ways in which we can promote the appropriate use of our countryside for food production, recreation and other purposes. Financial review CPRE Surrey made a loss in 2012 of 7,905 on its unrestricted activities. This was 4,284 higher than the loss sustained in Total income increased by 3% compared with ,000 was received from a grant making trust, but there was no increase in the share of subscription and appeal income received from CPRE National Office. Total costs increased by 18% compared with Expenditure on campaigns and members newsletters increased by 16%, but steps have been taken to reduce these costs by the preparation of branch literature in-house. No restricted donations were received in 2012 and therefore there was no movement in restricted funds in the year. Page 3

5 Trustees' report for the year ended 31 December 2012 (incorporating the Directors' Report) (continued) Investment and Reserves policy The reserves of the Charity are shown on the Balance Sheet on page 7. Our reserves policy (which is kept under review by the trustees) is as far as possible to maintain an unrestricted fund equivalent to at least six months expenditure, and this was exceeded at the end of In the continuing difficult financial climate the trustees have authorised a further small budgeted loss in 2013, and recognise that it will be necessary to draw on reserves to meet the shortfall. The trustees have the power to invest any funds not required for immediate use on deposit or invest as they see fit. In 2011 they placed 40,000 on deposit with Monmouthshire Building Society in a Charities and Clubs Direct 30 Account. In addition there is a small investment in COIF Charities Investment Income Units. There is no investment adviser. Risk management The Trustees are responsible for identifying the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed and ensuring that steps are taken to manage these risks. Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statements The Trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue operations. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005) and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Tim Murphy - Chairman 22 March 2013 Page 4

6 Independent Examiner's Report to the members on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2012 I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2012, which are set out on pages 6 to 9. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner s statement My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner s statement In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (i) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or (ii) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. (signed 30 April 2013) Daniel M Valentine ACA Begbies Chartered Accountants Epworth House 25 City Road London EC1Y 1AR Page 5

7 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2012 (including Income and Expenditure Account) Restricted Unrestricted Total Total Notes Funds Funds Funds Funds Incoming Resources from Generated Funds Voluntary Income Share of subscription income 4-29,125 29,125 29,142 Legacy income Donations - 5,873 5,873 6,488 Activities for Generating Funds Fund raising events - 2,459 2,459 1,320 Investment income 5-1,173 1, Total incoming resources 0 38,630 38,630 37,619 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Direct costs of fundraising - 1,955 1,955 1,067 Shows and publicity Indirect costs 6-3,721 3,721 3,067 Charitable expenditure in furtherance of the charity's objects Campaign costs 6 31,632 31,632 26,070 Members newsletters - 4,829 4,829 5,613 Governance 7-3,792 3,792 3,102 Independent examiner's fee Total resources expended 0 47,706 47,706 40,472 Net resources (expended)/incoming 0 (9,076) (9,076) (2,853) Gains and (losses) on investment assets - 1,171 1,171 (768) Net movement in funds 0 (7,905) (7,905) (3,621) Fund balances at 31 December ,065 66,420 70,485 74,106 Fund balances at 31 December ,065 58,515 62,580 70,485 The notes on pages 8 & 9 form part of these financial statements. The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. Page 6

8 Balance Sheet at 31 December 2012 Total Total Notes Funds Funds Fixed assets Tangible assets 8 1,276 - Investments 9 13,768 15,044 12,597 12,597 Current assets Debtors and prepayments ,144 Cash at bank 56,922 53,628 57,232 60,772 Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 11 (9,696) (2,884) Net current assets 47,536 57,888 Net assets 62,580 70,485 Total funds Unrestricted funds Income reserve fund 56,662 65,738 Revaluation reserve 1, ,515 66,420 Restricted funds 4,065 4,065 62,580 70,485 For the year ended 31 December 2012 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The Directors/Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for a) ensuring the company keeps accounting records with comply with Section 386 and b) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year, and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year, in accordance with the requirements of Section 393, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). The financial statements were approved by the Directors/Trustees on 22 March 2013, and signed on their behalf. Tim Murphy - Chairman The notes on pages 8 & 9 form part of these financial statements. Page 7

9 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December Accounting policies (i) Basis of accounting The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 2005: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005), issued by the Charity Commission in March 2005, and the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008). (ii) Income recognition The Surrey share of subscription income received from the National Office of CPRE is treated as income when received by the branch. Income from events is treated as income when the events actually occur. Dividends are credited to the revenue account as they are received. (iii) Accounting for costs Costs have been apportioned between the various activities of the charity where they are separately identifiable or based on an estimated percentage of total costs in the case of campaign support costs. Governance costs are purely those necessary for the charity to meet the administrative requirements of the Charity Commission. (iv) Fixed assets Fixed assets are stated at cost less aggregate depreciation. Depreciation of office equipment is 25% straight line to write off its cost over its anticipated useful life. 2. The company The Surrey Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Surrey) is formed under the Companies Act and has no share capital, being a company limited by guarantee. The maximum liability of each of its members is Directors/Trustees and employee information Directors/Trustees received no remuneration for their services (2011: nil). Expenses (mileage, parking, other travel, subsistence and entertaining) were reimbursed to 5 directors/trustees, and totalled 1,638 (in directors/trustees received 930) of which 85% was attributed to campaign costs, 10% was attributed to generating funds, and 5% to governance (see Note 6 below). There were no employees who received remuneration. 4. Share of subscription income Members of CPRE who are resident in Surrey and those wishing to support Surrey are automatically members of CPRE Surrey. CPRE Surrey is funded by 50% of subscriptions and linked donations which National Office pass on quarterly. 5. Investment income Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds Funds Funds Campaign costs Bank deposit interest Dividends from COIF Charities Investment Fund - Income Units , Travel & subsistence - 3,352 2,671 Office costs - 7,802 7,718 Telephone, broadband & website - 1,342 1,001 Copying Printing, stationery & postage - 4,568 1,481 Room & hall hire Leaflet printing Donations & subscriptions - 1, Press, public relations and administration consultancy - 16,713 16,450 Office equipment depreciation Sundry expenses ,214 30,671 Less: allocated to cost of - generating funds (10%) - (3,721) (3,067) governance (5%) - (1,861) (1,534) - 31,632 26,070 Page 8

10 Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012 (continued) 7. Governance Restricted Unrestricted Total Funds Funds Funds AGMs & annual report Insurance & data protection Independent examiner Indirect costs (note 6 above) - 1,861 1,534-3,792 3, Tangible assets Office equipment Cost: At 1 January Additions 1,409 At 31 December ,409 Depreciation: At 1 January Charge for the year 133 At 31 December Investments 2012 As at 1 January ,597 Revaluation for the year 1,171 As at 31 December ,768 The company holds 1, Income Units in COIF Charities Investment Fund (held in the UK). The investment was acquired at the market value of 11,915 on 31 December 2004, when it was transferred to the company from the unincorporated charity, CPRE Surrey. The accounting policy is to include the investment at its year end market value, in accordance with the requirements of the SORP Debtors Prepayments (office rent, business rates, telephone and postage) 310 3,265 Gift aid - 3,834 Other debtors , Creditors - amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors 7,628 1,017 Independent examiner fee 1,200 1, Club ,696 2, Restricted funds There were no movements on restricted funds during the year. Dunsfold Aerodrome campaign Waverley district 3,974 3,974 Restricted funds are represented entirely by cash at bank. 4,065 4, Lease commitments Office accommodation is held on a five year lease (with tenant only annual breaks) which expires on 24 June Annual rent is 6,800. Page 9