BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke Contents: From The Group Leader Complaints Against The RSPB Rejected Notices What’s Happening? February’s Outdoor Meeting March’s Outdoor Meeting January’s Outdoor Meeting Going Off For Rails Local Wildlife News Quiz Page And Finally! Charity registered in England and Wales no. 207076 From The Group Leader Welcome to, hopefully, the end of the winter! A brighter day today, at least weather-wise, and so we can indeed now perhaps start to see hints of spring – Early Purple Orchid already above ground, Common Dog Violet in flower and, of course, myriads of Snowdrop that carpet areas of almost woodland flooring. Less obvious, at least visually, are the songsters that have now taken on the manmade chaos of noise that we are all so unfortunately accustomed to – Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Collared Dove and, if you’re still lucky enough to have them, House Sparrow all now to be heard on a daily basis. I’m sure there are others that you are hearing, and I’m sure appreciating, personally and this upsurge of testosterone-fuelled has thoughts of spring and the hoped-for return of many migrants to the forefront of pleasing birding soon to be had. It’ll only be days from now that the first local Sand Martin and Wheatear are seen and by the time that we all gather for the March Indoor Meeting both Blackcap and Chiffchaff will have been heard in song by many of you – soon, again hopefully, to be followed by the likes of ‘real’ spring birds such as Cuckoo, Swallow and Nightingale. When you eventually encounter these harbingers of spring do let us know, and not just for the Newsletter but for all to see how things are progressing as the warmer, longer days creep up on us. With regard to migrants the B.T.O. is surveying House Martins this year, so any news of these would be more than appreciated. This declining species was at last surveyed in the Parish of Overton last year, every building, property, shack, shed and outhouse being looked over and, as unfortunately anticipated, there was a dramatic decline in the numbers of birds being found to be nesting – just two small colonies and a single nest or two! A rather demoralising decrease in these little pied torpedoes that so many of us have grown up with nesting on the exterior of our dwellings. The lack of cooling air in to bedrooms during the summer months, the windows of course not being allowed to be opened as they so often nested on the hinges, and the annual removal of their little souvenirs far outweighed by their presence, the joy of watching them build their nest cups and the eventual release from this of the young out on to the local telegraph wires before they all moved off to far pleasanter climes for the winter months – leaving us behind to make do with the oh so unpredictable British weather! If you’d be interested in helping with the B.T.O. surveying do please get in touch with me as I’m sure that I / we can find somewhere that needs your surveying skills. So, we’re nearing the winters’ end with the weather, both local and migrant birds and the Group’s activities all also warming up; do make the most of and enjoy them all. Peter E. Hutchins Complaints Against The RSPB Rejected David Tipling You may have seen that we have come under concerted attack from some quarters in the national press in recent months. You may also have read that the Countryside Alliance and 'You Forgot the Birds' – an organisation linked to shooting interests and fronted by Sir Ian Botham – made two formal complaints through the Charity Commission about our charitable work. We felt it important you should know that neither complaint was upheld by the Charity Commission. We welcome the fact that these attacks have been systematically rejected. We will continue to play a proper role in campaigning for nature in the wider countryside and speaking out against wildlife crime. The RSPB was not subject to a formal investigation, but the Charity Commission have invested time in examining our processes and activities in the light of the complaints. The Commission are clear that the RSPB has not breached charitable regulations or guidelines, or our own charitable objectives, on any of the issues raised. We felt it important you should know that neither complaint was upheld by the Charity Commission. The RSPB always seeks best practice, and we have welcomed the opportunity to learn all that we can from the guidance offered by our regulator. We were complimented by the Charity Commission for the speed and thoroughness of our uptake of their advice. Transparency and accountability are important to us. So we wanted you to see for yourself the allegations, our response and the Charity Commission’s ruling. We trust that this provides both confirmation and reassurance that the RSPB operates according to the highest standards. Here are the formal complaints made by 'You Forgot the Birds' and the Countryside Alliance, our responses and the Charity Commission responses in full. 'You Forgot the Birds' complaints response from Charity Commission (Nov 14). Countryside Alliance complaints response from Charity Commission (Jan 15). These documents show clearly the challenges we face, the calibre of our responses and that the RSPB has nothing to hide. Solid track record We welcome scrutiny of our position and practices. We have a solid track record of results based on sound science and good governance. We will always robustly challenge unfounded allegations from unaccountable interests both via our regulators and through answering enquiries from the media. Thanks to the support of people like you – our members, partners and supporters – the RSPB is an effective organisation. It is understandable that, when we challenge the actions of others, they will seek to undermine us. As we forge ahead with our conservation work and grow support through our Giving Nature a Home Campaign, we are likely to face renewed challenges from particular interests. When we do, you can rest assured that the RSPB’s activity will conform with the legislation and guidelines upheld by the Charity Commission (and its counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and with our charitable objects, which you can read here. We have been both grateful for, and touched by, the support we have received from so many of you during this period. Globally, nationally and locally wildlife is in trouble. Someone has to be prepared to speak out for nature and, with your help, that is exactly what we are going to carry on doing. Rob George Head of Corporate Services (Legal, Performance and Knowledge) [letter sent by e-mail only] PO Box 1227 Liverpool, L69 3UG Blwch SP 1227 Lerpwl, L69 3UG tel/ffôn: 0300 065 1803 Your Ref/Eich Cyf : Our Ref/Ein Cyf: C-402202 Date/Dyddiad: 11 November 2014 2 4. It hides the fact that to protect birds on its 206 reserves, the charity shoots hundreds of foxes and deer every year. 5. The charity lobbies for measures to tackle global warming, and supports wind turbines – which kill thousands of birds every year. 6. RSPB has undue influence. It intimidates politicians and farmers with its 1 million membership. Defra is scared of the RSPB. 7. RSPB is a dictatorship. Only 3 people stood for the 3 Council seats at the AGM. Analysis I have analysed these concerns in relation to our Risk Framework as follows: 1. The charity is required to fund pensions for employees. They have explained in the accounts the impact of a higher actuarial valuation of their liabilities as long term interest rate projections continue to worsen. The RSPB have a long term financial plan agreed with the Pension Trustees for dealing with this additional provision which will cost 3% of total income. There is no evidence of financial mismanagement that would give grounds for regulatory concern. 2. Commission contacted charity about need to clarify their web statement. This was changed within 2 days to make it clear that 90% of net income is used for conservation. This has now been further improved to give very clear information about income and expenditure. It is for the charity to decide how much to spend on fundraisers and TV adverts. The charity funds wide range of activities to promote conservation, not just confined to bird reserves. Given the positive response by the charity, there are no further grounds for regulatory concern identified here. 3. Wildlife management methods and questions about the best way to conserve birds are not for the Commission. 4. Communication about the wildlife management methods employed by the RSPB is not a matter for the Commission. The charity gives details about this aspect of their work at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/archive/2014/04/16/managingp redation.aspx 5. There was no specific allegation in the article that the RSPB had acted contrary to our guidance on campaigning as set out in CC9 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speaking-out-guidance-on-campaigning-and- politicalactivity- by-charities-cc9/speaking-out-guidance-on-campaigning-and-political-activity-by-charities. Whilst there are no issues raised in the article that give rise to concern, I will be writing to the trustees about the issue of campaigning separately. 6. No evidence provided. 7. RSPB advertises trustee vacancies. They have explained that only three people stood for the Council posts, but this was their member’s choice.