ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 A3 sheet, double sided and folded (i.e. 4 pages)

Page One Same header as CAN News but remove “News” and “Autumn Issue – October 2016” and insert: “Annual Report 2015-16”

CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD ANNUALI am delighted REPORT to present 2015the Annual- 16report of Community Action (CAN) A3 sheet, doublefor the sidedyear 2015 and-16 folded. (i.e. 4 pages)

The year has been marked by changes in key officers. Dr David Francis retired as Director on Page One 31st March 2016 after holding this position for thirty years. David has made a substantial Same header as CAN News but removecontribution “News” to CAN and and “Autumn has been instrumental Issue – October in shaping 2016” its services and and creating its insert: “Annual Report 2015-16” reputation. We owe a debt of gratitude to David. Annual

In June 2015 Andy Dean joined CAN in the part-time position of Chief Executive Officer. CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD Andy is well known in Northumberland and his experience and backgroundReport has enabled him to quickly settle in to renew and develop a voice I am delighted to present the Annual report of Community Action Northumberland (CAN) 2015/2016 relationships with key customers, beneficiaries, for rural for the year 2015-16. Charity (no. 1144604) Company limited by guarantee (no 7805401) partners, stakeholders and funders. communities

The year has been marked by changesIn May in 2016 key Stofficersephen Rickitt. Dr David joined theFrancis staff to retired CHAIRMAN’S as Director onFOREWORD 31st March 2016 after holding this manageposition the for alliance thirty with years. the Northumberland David has made a substantial Association of Local CouncilsI am(NALC). delighted Stephen to present is the Annual Report of Good progress has been made in pursuing our new contribution to CAN and has been instrumental in shapingCommunity its services Action Northumberland and creating (CAN) itsfor the mission that was established in 2014/15. This has an experienced Solicitor andyear has 2015-16. acted as Clerk to involved promoting rural issues, acting as a ‘rural voice’

reputation. We owe a debt of gratitude to David. and in supporting many organisations and individuals a number of Parish CouncilsThe. year has been marked by changes in key officers. Dr by running and managing projects that are of benefit to David Francis retired as Director on 31st March 2016 people, particularly the disadvantaged. Good progress has been madeafter inholding pursuin this positiong our newfor thirty mission years. Davidthat haswas established in 2014/15. In June 2015 Andy Dean joined CAN in the part-time position of Chief Executive Officer. I would like to make a special mention of our staff. This has involved promotingmade rural a substantial issues, actingcontribution as ato ‘rural CAN and voice’ has been and in supporting many Andy is well known in Northumberland and his experienceinstrumental and backgroundin shaping its services has and enabled creating its himThey have worked extremely hard to implement the organisations and individualsreputation. by running We owe anda debt managing of gratitude to projects David. that neware ofdirection benefit and to create benefits for customers to quickly settle in to renew and developpeople, particularly the disadvantaged. and beneficiaries. Some exciting new projects have been launched and new alliances have been created relationships with key customers, beneficiaries, accompanied by new sources of funding. I would like to make a special mention of our staff. They have worked extremely hard to partners, stakeholders and funders. There has also been change on our Board. In October implement the new direction and create benefits for customers and beneficiaries2015 Sally Black .MBE Some and Dr Hilary Talbot retired both exciting new projects have been launched and new alliances have beenafter created many years of service for which we are extremely In May 2016 Stephen Rickitt joinedaccompanied the staff to by new sources of funding. grateful. The following people have joined the Board and have brought vital experience and knowledge of life and manage the alliance with the Northumberland issues in rural Northumberland; Elizabeth Elliott, Mark Association of Local Councils (NALC).There Stephen has also isbeen change on our Board. In October 2015 Sally BlackGriffin, MBE Milesand Middleton,Dr Hilary Councillor Anthony Murray, Jane Pannell and Valerie Vaughan. an experienced Solicitor and has actedTalbot as retired Clerk both to after many years of service for which we are extremely grateful. The following people have joined the Board Finally I would a number of Parish Councils. and have brought vital experience and knowledge of life and like to thank the many volunteers issues in rural Northumberland; Elizabeth Elliott, Mark Griffin, and supporters Good progress has been made in puMilesrsuin Middleton,g our new Councillor missionIn Anthony June that 2015 Murray,wasAndy Dean established Janejoined PannellCAN in thein and part-time2014/15 . throughout the Valarie Vaughan. position of Chief Executive Officer. Andy is well known in County whose This has involved promoting rural issues, acting as a ‘ruralNorthumberland voice’ and and his in experience supporting and background many has interest, support and enabled him to quickly settle in to renew and develop commitment are so organisations and individuals by runningFinally I andwould managing like to thank projectsrelationships the many with that volunteers key customers,are of and beneficiaries,benefit supporters topartners, invaluable. people, particularly the disadvantagedthroughout. the County whosestakeholders interest, and supportfunders. and commitment are so invaluable. In April 2016 Stephen Rickitt joined the staff to manage Adrian Hinchcliffe the alliance with the Northumberland Association of Local Chair of I would like to make a special mention of our staff. They Councilshave (NALC). worked Stephen extremely is an experienced hardSolicitor andto Community Action Adrian Hinchcliffe has acted as Clerk to a number of Parish Councils. Northumberland implement the new direction and creChairate of benefitsCommunity for Action customers Northumberland and beneficiaries . Some exciting new projects have been launched and new alliances have been created accompanied by new sources of funding.

There has also been change on our Board. In October 2015 Sally Black MBE and Dr Hilary Talbot retired both after many years of service for which we are extremely grateful. The following people have joined the Board and have brought vital experience and knowledge of life and issues in rural Northumberland; Elizabeth Elliott, Mark Griffin, Miles Middleton, Councillor Anthony Murray, Jane Pannell and Valarie Vaughan.

Finally I would like to thank the many volunteers and supporters throughout the County whose interest, support and commitment are so invaluable.

Adrian Hinchcliffe Chair of Community Action Northumberland 2015/16 SNAPSHOT

“Challenging times these may be, but there are • We delivered a successful Warm Hubs pilot project, opportunities to be grasped and the need for CAN’s supported by Northern Gas Networks: Warm Hubs are services has never been so great” places within local communities where vulnerable people (Andy Dean, CAN News, September 2015) can be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly CAN has been very busy throughout 2015-16 both on environment in which to enjoy a healthy good value meal, traditional core areas of work and on a range of new and the company of other people. The project received activities. Highlights include: the coveted Community Action Award in January – a national award recognising excellence and innovation • We have been supporting village halls and in tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency community buildings since we were formed in 1951. among vulnerable households. This remains at the heart of what we do. Around 250 community buildings exist across Northumberland • In partnership with the North East Enterprise Agency offering vital facilities for community activities. Ltd (NEEAL), we secured funds from the Prince’s Throughout the year we have supported management Countryside Fund, North East LEP and Rural Growth committees in one-to-one case work, good practice Network to support the Rural Connect network of rural resources and training, funding bids, asset transfers enterprise hubs in helping to make sure rural businesses and Village SOS projects. We continued to work closely are not missing out on available support. with Northumberland’s two village hall consortia in the • We ran a successful Unemployment project in North and West of the county and assisted committees helping local unemployed people no matter in achieving the Hallmark standard. what their background through group and one-to-one • Our direct partnership with the Northumberland sessions on completing application forms, writing CVs, Association of Local Councils (NALC) is hugely valued travel planning, preparing for interviews, interview skills, and fundamental to the way we work. We have provided self employment and life skill development. advice, training and a wide range of support throughout • We managed the Wingates Windfarm Community the year including assisting Councils in accessing Fund and began community engagement work in relation resources from the government’s Transparency Fund. to a new Community Benefit Fund in relation to the Ray • We have developed a range of activities in relation to windfarm. fuel poverty and energy efficiency including: re-launching • We began development work on a range of new our OilCAN joint heating fuel procurement scheme activities and worked hard to make sure Northumberland’s growing membership to over 500; launching EnergyCAN, rural voice is heard. a mechanism for helping organisations and individuals to This is just a brief snapshot of what we have been up to. secure cheaper electricity and gas contracts; promoting For more information please view our website or contact the Central Heating Fund and Warm Up North’s free boiler scheme. [email protected] CAN’S FINANCES Following a major review and restructure, 2015-16 was Our annual deficit for the year was slightly reduced from a second year of transition for CAN. Key targets were to 2014-15 and, more importantly, we had already secured maintain our financial relationship with both Defra and a range of income for the ensuing year meaning that NALC. Both these objectives were achieved. We were we start 2016-17 with greater confidence than for a also successful in achieving further diversification of our number of years. other income from a combination of grant, contract, consultancy and directly earned income. Significant thanks must go to our staff, trustees, members and supporters all of whom are listed below.

Income and Expenditure Account (year ended 31 March 2016)

INCOME £ EXPENDITURE £

Voluntary Income Cost of Generating Income Community donations 7,745 Salaries, NI, pension 11,415 Administration recharges 1,655 Bank interest received 356 Charitable Activities Income Charitable Activities Training 578 Salaries, NI, pension 127,525 DEFRA 57,932 Project direct costs 19,060 NALC 30,000 Support costs 33,736 Big Lottery Fund 6,645 Redundancy costs 15,174 OilCAN 6,368 Sundry income 13,340 Governance Costs Consultations & engagements 6,401 Salaries, NI, pension 9,582 Northern Gas Networks 23,572 Administration 2,397 European Social Fund 10,965 Legal fees 36 Vattenfall 9,430 Community Action Partnership 4,940 Community Foundation 17,660 Infinis 2,510 TOTAL INCOME 200,097 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 218,925 SURPLUS FOR YEAR (18,828)

President Mr Adrian Hinchcliffe (Chairman); Mr Miles Middleton; His Grace the Duke of Northumberland Councillor Anthony Murray MBE; Mrs Jane Pannell; Ven Peter Robinson; Mrs Valerie Vaughan; Vice Presidents Mr Michael Wood Lord Alan Beith; Mrs S E Black MBE; Rev Canon B Burston; Ven R Langley; Lady Sutherland; Staff Mr J A Trotter OBE; Mrs S Walker Andy Dean – Chief Executive Officer Stephen Rickitt – NALC Chief Officer Board of Directors Louise Currie – Community Initiatives Officer Mr George Courtice (Vice Chairman); Christine Nicholls – Community Development Officer Mrs Elizabeth Elliott; Julia Plinston – Community Development Officer Mrs Linda Frater (Honorary Treasurer); Carol Davison – Finance & Admin Officer Mr Andrew Gooding; Mr Mark Griffin; Margaret Tweddell – Finance & Admin Assistant MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS 2015-16

Acomb Parish Council; ACRE; ACRE Village SOS; Ovingham Reading Room; Ovington Parish Council; Age UK Northumberland; Jane Pannell; Pegswood Parish Council; Allendale Village Hall & Recreation Ground; People’s Health Trust; Memorial Hall; Alnmouth Parish Council; Town Council; Ponteland Town Council; R Poppleton; Ancroft Memorial Hall; Aon UK Ltd; Mrs S Richardson; Ven P Robinson; Bamburgh Parish Council; Barbour Foundation; Rochester Parish Council; Jubilee Institute; Bavington Parish Council; Belford Parish Council; Rothbury Parish Council; The Rothley Trust; Berwick Upon Tweed Town Council; The Christopher Rowbotham Charitable Trust; Big Lottery Fund Grant; Birtley Parish Council; K Rushworth; Shoreswood Parish Council; Mrs S E Black MBE; Blagdon Park Cricket Club; Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council; British Gas; Broomhaugh & Riding Parish Council; Simonburn Parish Council; Slaley Parish Council; & Parish Council; Stannington Village Hall; Lady Margaret Sutherland; Rev Canon R B S Burston; Bywell Parish Council; Dr H Talbot; Thropton Parish Council; Capheaton Parish Council; Charities Aid Foundation; Togston Parish Council; Chollerton Parish Council; Christ’s Hospital in Sherburn; Tritlington & West Chevington Parish Council; CLA North; Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation; Ulgham Parish Council; Ulgham WI; Community Foundation; Cornhill Parish Council; United Reformed Church; A G Courtice; Crookham Village Hall; Upper Coquetdale Community Transport; Dept for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd; Mrs V Vaughan; VONNE; Diocese of Newcastle; East Parish Council; Mrs S Walker; Wallington Demesne Parish Council; Eglingham Parish Council; Ellingham Parish Council; Warden Parish Council; Mrs E Elliott; Embleton Parish Council; Wark Town Hall & Mechanics Institute; European Social Fund Community Grant Programme; Warkworth Choir; Warkworth Parish Council; Felton Parish Council; FONDT; Forestry Commission; Warm Up North; West Northumberland Community Mrs L Frater; M Gibbs; Mrs R Gibbs; Buildings Consortium; Gilsland Village Hall; A Gooding; M Griffin; Whittingham, Callaly & Alnham Parish Council; Hadrian Trust; Healey Parish Council; Whittington Parish Council; Widdrington WI; Heddon on the Wall Parish Council; Wingates Wind Farm Community Fund; M Wood; Hedley Parish Council; Hepple Parish Council; Parish Council; Woolsington Parish Council; Hepscott Village Hall; A Hinchcliffe; Workers’ Educational Association; Horncliffe Parish Council; Horsley Parish Council; Wylam Institute Community Association; Independent Cinema Office; W D Johnson; Wylam Parish Council. The Joicey Trust; Knarsdale & Kirkhaugh Community Association; Knarsdale & Kirkhaugh Parish Council; Sir James Knott Trust; Ven R Langley; Langley Village Hall; Lesbury Parish Council; J F Lewis; Longframlington Parish Council; Longhorsley Village Hall; Mrs A Lowrie; Matfen Parish Council; C G Matthews-Maxwell; M Middleton; Middleton & Todridge Village Hall; G E Miller; Mind Active; Mitsubishi; D H Morgan; a voice Morpeth Town Council; N Mundy; A Murray MBE; NALC; National Energy Action; Netherwitton Parish Council; for rural Newbrough Parish Council; communities Newton on the Moor & Swarland Parish Council; Norham Parish Council; North Northumberland Village Hall Consortium; Uniun Enterprise Building, Front Street, Pegswood, Northern Gas Networks; Duke of Northumberland; Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6RG Northumberland County Council; Northumberland CVA; Tel: 01670 517178 Northumberland Federation of Womens Institutes; Email: [email protected] Association of Northumberland Local History Societies; Website: http://ca-north.org.uk/ OilCAN Members; Ovingham Parish Council;