OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-03-31-accounts

Annual Report 2020 - 2021

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

www.wildlifebcn.org

Company Registration No 2534145 (England and Wales) Registered Charity No. 1000412

Chair’s Introduction

More than wildlife

The covid pandemic has been a tragedy for so many people, and my heart goes out to everyone affected. Keeping things going has been key for us, and lockdown restrictions meant that we have had to be innovative in the way we connect with communities in our three counties. But most importantly it showed us clearly that while protecting wild areas is vital for a range of species, there’s one in particular that they are vital for – humans. Visitor numbers to our nature reserves doubled during lockdown as people sought out places to help them deal with difficult times. The challenge now is how to encourage all those people who have found solace on our sites to play their part in making our region wilder – so that there is always space for wildlife and people whatever the future holds.

More than nature reserves

While the news headlines have been dominated by the pandemic for the past 18 months, potentially damaging plans for new developments, roads and railways have rumbled on in the background and we have responded robustly with the clear vision of nature protected and enhanced at a landscape scale. The Wildlife Trusts and others recently laid out the 30x30 campaign – a proposed regulatory framework for ensuring 30% of land is managed properly for wildlife by 2030.

We will always oppose inappropriate development that threatens wildlife, and we will always stand up for wildlife when large developments are planned. When it comes to the biggest of all, the OxCam Arc, we challenged the ‘million homes’ target, objected to the ‘expressway’ (now cancelled) and we continue to press for any new developments to be zero carbon, not increase water demands, and result in a significant net gain for wildlife habitats.

More than birds, badgers and butterflies

We all have our favourite species but protecting a network of reserves and promoting landscape scale conservation means thinking about the whole ecosystem. This report features projects looking at oxlips, dormice and orchids, but also habitats like chalk streams, ancient woodlands and fens.

Also running through this report are the connections we are making with others. Everyone can play a part – landscape scale conservation means managing our nature reserves alongside farmers, gardeners, local authorities, businesses and community groups all working together to paint a bigger picture of a connected, wilder landscape.

More for the future

Moving forward as an organisation, and a movement, means pushing the boundaries, trying new things and innovating. So it is wonderful to see examples of how we’re trialling new ways of utilising GIS mapping to help farmers create space for nature, enabling research into Sphagnum moss as a sustainable, nature-friendly crop at the Great Fen, and developing new connections with diverse communities in larger towns where our profile needs to be higher – for example Luton where we are involved in two exciting new community projects.

More than the present

As we look to the future we have agreed terms to purchase an extension to our Great Fen land which will join together the southern and northern halves, linking Holme Fen and Woodwalton Fen for the first time since the 1850s.

And we have just had an offer accepted to purchase a remarkable farm with some of the most important breeding bird populations in central and eastern England, right in the centre of our geography. Exciting times indeed lie ahead for the Trust.

More than the sum of our parts

We are in a good position financially, thanks to our members, fundraising team, corporate sponsors and, in particular, some very special people who left legacies to the Trust that will help us protect the wildlife they loved so dearly.

But above all, we have come through the recent difficult times with renewed purpose. New staff have joined the Trust since the first lockdown, new members have signed up and new financial support has been won from a range of funding bodies. All the while our stalwart teams, volunteers, trustees and partners have worked so hard to keep us moving forward. I would like to say a huge, and heartfelt thanks to all of them.

William Stephens, Chair of the Council

Cover image: Hare by Janice Elliott, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

2 Annual Review 2020 - 2021

STRATEGIC REPORT

Our Vision

People close to nature, in a land rich in wildlife

What do we do?

Nature conservation on

our nature reserves

We manage over 100 nature reserves including some of Britain’s rarest habitats such as ancient woodlands, wild fen, and wildflower meadows.

Inspire a love of nature

We support people to learn more about local nature through our events, training workshops and school programmes and we help them reap the benefits of simply connecting with nature.

Provide nature conservation advice and support to landowners

Monitor and research wildlife

Advocate for wildlife

We campaign for a Wilder Future by lobbying local and national government for better protection of wildlife, and we review and respond to local development plans, ensuring we can achieve the biggest impacts possible.

Provide vital green spaces to all sectors of society.

Improving people’s lives and wellbeing by giving them places close to their communities to meet, escape, and unwind.

We do all of this work with a Nature Recovery Network in mind, because we believe that a well-connected landscape is better for wildlife and for people.

Why is our work important?

Nature has an intrinsic value, but healthy green spaces also provide ecosystem services like:

l Climate regulation l Mental and physical health improvements l Pollination of food crops l Flood alleviation l Healthy soils

Pressures such as agricultural intensification, urbanisation and climate change are affecting our wildlife

41% of UK species have seen numbers decline since 1970*

15% are under the threat of extinction*

----- Start of picture text -----
Reed warbler by BCN Photography
Competition finalist Colin Waite
----- End of picture text -----

*State of Nature Report 2019

Annual Review 2019 - 2020

3

ADVOCATING FOR WILDLIFE

Influencing the OxCam arc proposals.

The development of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc ‘growth area’ is hugely significant for our region’s natural habitats, and holds both a threat and an opportunity. Government plans for new homes and transport links in this area was the biggest focus for our advocacy work in 2020 and saw us joining forces with our neighbours, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) as well as the RSPB, the Woodland Trust and others, to send a clear message to policy makers.

From the very beginning we challenged the Government’s ‘million new homes’ aim as unrealistic. We argued that any target must be planned within environmental limits, all new developments should be carbon neutral, and in the driest part of the UK we can’t afford any extra demands for water.

In our response we also called for a halt to ill-thought through proposals for an Oxford-Cambridge Expressway. We backed BBOWT’s High Court legal proceedings against the road plan and in March 2021 the proposal was cancelled by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

“It is vital that we keep a close scrutiny on proposed housing and infrastructure growth in our region – the OxCam Arc area is a key focus for the future and we will be keeping a very close eye on it as more details emerge. We will always oppose plans that significantly damage wildlife and put pressure on planners to increase their ambition when it comes to creating space for nature.”

Matt Jackson, Director of Conservation

We called for ambitious environmental targets including doubling the area managed for nature within the five counties that make up the arc – mirroring the Government’s stated aim of doubling the area’s economic output. This would mean an additional 70,000 hectares – an area a little larger than the South Downs National Park.

Redshank chick by Mark Tyrrell, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

Annual Review 2019 - 2020

4

East West rail response

Proposals unveiled in 2020 for a new East West Rail link from Bedford to Cambridge – while helping the UK transition to a decarbonised transport network – would impact wildlife sites along the route.

Our conservation team, along with many of our members, responded to the plans welcoming an alternative to new motorways but urging a rethink of the Government’s proposed southern approach into Cambridge. The route would run through the West Cambridgeshire Hundreds Living Landscape where we are working with land managers to connect ancient woodland habitats. In particular, Cambourne and Trumpington Meadows nature reserves would be under threat. An alternative northern approach supported by several local groups could minimise the impact to nature.

30 by 30 Campaign

As our Government takes on one of the biggest environmental challenges in a generation – replacing the statutory protection afforded to nature by the European Union with a new Environment Bill – the Wildlife Trusts have thrown their weight behind the 30x30 campaign.

Taking the aim of 30% of land managed with nature in mind from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and urging the Government to enshrine the target in legislation before the end of the decade sends a clear message. The campaign launched in 2020, and backed across the UK nature conservation sector, could have a huge impact in our three counties. Just 8% of land in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire is designated as a SSSI or Local Wildlife Site. Our work would also get a huge boost by the adoption of the Wildlife Trusts’ proposal for a new Wildbelt designation – an innovative approach to restoring nature which would see protection for land needed for the future recovery of species. We also need to see Nature Recovery Networks – plans for ensuring each piece of land fits together and allows wildlife to move in response to climate change.

----- Start of picture text -----
Tom Marshall
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Planning

Ours is one of the fastest growing regions in the UK with huge pressure for new homes and transport links. Behind the scenes our efforts to screen hundreds of planning applications, and influence planning decision makers, is vital.

l Proposals for a new river crossing at Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire which would have damaged the ancient local flood meadow landscape were scrapped after long opposition from Wildlife Trust BCN.

l We have had a busy year protecting wildlife sites and securing biodiversity net gain throughout major housing developments around Brackley, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Northampton, Rothwell and Wellingborough. In Northamptonshire we screened 400 planning applications of which we commented on 109 and objected to seven.

l With help from the local bat group and the Bedfordshire and Luton Biodiversity Recording and Monitoring Centre, we screened sites put forward for development to Bedford Borough Council for their revised local plan to identify known ecological constraints.

l Also with Bedford Borough Council we provided training for planning staff on the proposed approaches and metrics for securing biodiversity net gain from planned developments.

l We have helped shape plans for a Park and Ride scheme adjacent to the Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve on the edge of Cambridge. They have been improved after we were able to negotiate the removal of some of the worst aspects of the scheme and ensure biodiversity net gain plans.

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 5

A YEAR OF CHANGE

The Covid pandemic affected all areas of society and like many other organisations we had to change the way we worked overnight. While some of our activity had to be put on hold, other areas went online and we discovered new ways to reach people.

Finding new ways of taking wildlife to people

Attracting new people to join the Trust became a big challenge as our face-to-face engagement activity had to be paused during lockdown restrictions.

The Communities and Wildlife Team rose to the occasion to make sure our local audiences were still engaged with nature, producing a range of fantastic videos from bird song identification to creating wildlife homes and an intro to wildlife photography. The team’s content was shared across our social media channels, website and Wildlife e-news. The e-news went from a monthly to a weekly mail-out and was filled with activity ideas, online events and news round-ups to keep people of all ages engaged in nature.

We also maximised our use of social media with relevant, targeted Facebook campaigns to wildlife enthusiasts in our region. We were able to inspire several hundred people with an interest in nature to join us through our online activities.

Thank you to everyone who has joined over the past year for supporting our work to protect nature – welcome to the Trust!

Covid safe events

Our busy programme of events is vital for connecting communities with local wildlife, and lockdown restrictions created a real challenge.

After initially pausing all our events we began to build back, carefully ensuring everything we did was compliant with Covid rules and that attendees felt confident and safe. We started cautiously and welcomed 500 people to our events in August 2020. Paxton Pits hosted 260 people for Wild Welcome Back sessions with families arriving at staggered times and receiving individual equipment which was thoroughly cleaned after use. Social distancing was facilitated with separate activity stations for each family within the grounds.

In total 1,850 people attended our Covid safe events.

----- Start of picture text -----
Becca Neal
----- End of picture text -----

“I just wanted to say a big thank you for such a fantastic experience at the Little Wild Things session. My daughter and I felt super safe and well looked after from start to finish. Everyone was really respectful of keeping their distance and remaining in their allocated areas, it was brilliant.” Paxton Pits event visitor

6 Annual Review 2020 - 2021

Online training workshops

When lockdown restrictions were introduced, our programme of training workshops – many already fully booked – were cancelled. But we quickly learned how to use online platforms and began to plan for a new digital programme.

The first, an Introduction to Grasses with Brian Eversham on 23 July, attracted more than 100 participants. In total in 2020 we successfully ran five online workshops, attended by nearly 400 people. Holding the workshops online increased the number of people who could attend, and attracted a wider audience. The pollination workshop held in August saw people attending from Scotland, Ireland and the USA!

Due to this initial success we continued with the format in 2021 and between January and the end of March three online workshops were held with 250 participants attending.

Back on Track Appeal

When restrictions eased, we were faced with a huge task: rides needed mowing, scrub had to be managed, urgent repair work needed to be carried out and paths cleared and made safe for the many new visitors. With limited staff, and volunteers unable to help at the time due to social distancing, we had no choice but to employ contractors to tackle the most pressing tasks, as well as clean up litter and repair damaged infrastructure. It was a cost we hadn’t anticipated. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, however, our ‘Back on Track’ appeal raised £38,398, enabling us to get on top of necessary work over the summer.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Back on Track Appeal!

Pressure on reserves

During lockdown there were periods where staff were on furlough and volunteer work parties cancelled. Reserves experienced much higher footfall, leading to higher incidences of anti-social behaviour: vandalism, increased litter, fly tipping, camping, cycling and fishing which brought varying forms of damage, ranging from broken gates and fences to bench and hide destruction.

In early lockdown with restrictions to local areas, the largest increases in footfall were at our more popular reserves. The Nene Wetlands would normally expect 45,000-55,000 visitors monthly during spring – in May 2020 this increased to nearly 100,000 visitors. This steep rise meant pathways needed extra maintenance and new trails needed to be created to protect vulnerable areas.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

“I am hugely proud of the way staff and volunteers responded to the challenge of lockdown. From embracing digital communications and creating Covid safe visitor experiences, to keeping our vital conservation work moving forward and protecting reserves from increased footfall. We showed that nature can bring comfort and reassurance in difficult times” Brian Eversham, Chief Executive

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 7

BEDFORDSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Monitoring and research

Since 2012 we have been monitoring the rare orchids on our Totternhoe Nature Reserve and feeding these results directly back into reserve management. One of the success stories of this close working between teams is the man orchids; from only 43 plants seen in 2012 we found 469 in 2020 smashing our previous record high of 389 – and then a whopping 576 in spring 2021. Some of this increase is down to discovering new populations hidden until the scrub was cleared and changes to the monitoring regime, while a large part was down to the hard work of the reserves team and volunteers.

Discovering new populations of man orchids at Totternhoe nature reserve

Annual Review 2019 - 2020

8

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Nature reserves management

With many thanks for a legacy from Mrs Ruth Kendrick (née Ford) and a generous donation from a longstanding member, we have been able to purchase an area of species-rich wet meadow and alder carr to extend Flitwick Moor nature reserve. Though the area is not accessible to the public, it will continue to be managed in a way that allows wildlife to flourish, and will be an important part of this reserve for its wild residents. Part of the new land is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its alder woodland, and is now named Ford’s Alders in tribute to Mrs Kendricks’ father Geoffrey Ford who inspired the legacy. There is also an area of field on predominantly peatbased soil which is named Roger’s Meadow.

Ongoing and vital practical habitat management work at Flitwick Moor – including the repair of the mill leat which helps prevent water damage to the SSSI – has been supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded to the Greensand Country Partnership. We are very grateful for their support in this area of Bedfordshire, which has also enabled work at Cooper’s Hill to combat heather beetle.

Wild experiences to inspire

In 2020 we joined forces with local group the Friends of Bradgers Hill, and received £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop and deliver the Bradgers Hill Wilder Future Project. The three year project with partners Luton Borough Council will create opportunities for people from across the Luton community to become more involved with their local wildlife. Bradgers Hill, an important chalk grassland reserve owned by the council, will be the focus of a lot of the work.

Two members of staff have now been recruited to run the project and they will be working with schools, volunteers and the wider local community to help design and run educational workshops focusing on wellbeing, community events and offer volunteer support and training.

Conservation advice

In October two nationally rare wildflower habitats in Luton received SSSI status following initial surveys by our conservation team.

Dallow Downs & Winsdon Hill, a chalk grassland, and Cowslip Meadow, a wildflower meadow, were granted the designation by Natural England based on evidence contributed by our staff.

----- Start of picture text -----
Gwen Hitchcock
----- End of picture text -----

The first site is rich in knapweed and scabious flowers which support a range of invertebrates including marbled white butterflies, and the second is a prime site for a range of bird species as well as offering views of red kites flying over the town.

The sites are also home to woodland, supporting warblers and plants such as dog’s mercury and yellow archangel, as well as wetlands which are a habitat for slow worms, water voles, and southern marsh orchids.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 9

CAMBRIDGESHIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Conservation advice

Chalk streams are one of the world’s rarest habitats, with only 200 worldwide confined to southern England and northern France. A significant number can be found in the upper Cam catchment in and around Cambridge where we undertook a vital assessment.

Alongside the Wild Trout Trust, we were commissioned by Cambridge City Council and Cambridge Water to produce a report on chalk stream restoration opportunities in the area. As well as providing a vital wildlife habitat for fish, invertebrates, bats and water voles, these streams are enjoyed by local communities.

The report provides an overview of the issues affecting each river and identifies potential projects such as restoring channels to a more natural shape, creating fish refuges and using gravel to add varied profiling. Its aim is to kick start conversations around funding and long-term planning, drawing on the help of local volunteers, businesses and groups.

Water vole by Guy Pilkington, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

10 Annual Review 2019 - 2020

Nature reserves management

Cambridgeshire is one of only three counties in the UK where oxlips – a spring woodland flower – flourish. Hayley Wood is the largest oxlip wood on chalky boulder clay in Britain and received a much-needed boost from work funded by the Amey Community Fund.

----- Start of picture text -----
Sophie Baker
----- End of picture text -----

Oxlips are found in damp woodlands with nutrientpoor and calcium-rich soil. The flowers all nod in the same direction which helps differentiate them from the deeper yellow cowslip and the false oxlip – a hybrid of cowslip and primrose.

The grant has contributed to our ongoing management of this ancient woodland site. We have cleared some areas to create new coppice plots, selectively felled some mature trees and mowed grassland rides. A varied woodland structure with trees of different stages of maturity, coppice plots and open grassland sustains a range of microhabitats that suit a great variety of species.

Wild experience to inspire

Over the past year we have begun nature journaling sessions from Paxton Pits Environmental Education Centre. The sessions for adults are all about observing and connecting with the natural world. There is no need for artistic skill, and while many visitors recorded observations through sketches or paintings, handwritten notes and measurements are also used to capture what is observed.

Youngsters were also in the spotlight as we recruited our very first Junior Wildlife Ambassador. Henry has his own YouTube channel (Naturetastic with Henry) and, with the support of his family, started to promote the work of the Trust with a passionate young person’s voice. He made videos about our activities, posted regularly on social media and created content for the high-profile online event Earth Optimism.

Monitoring and research

In 2019 we began a trial at Trumpington Meadows reserve on the edge of Cambridge to look at controlling creeping thistle using its own naturally occurring disease.

Creeping thistle causes conservation issues by outcompeting grasses and herbs, and reducing species diversity. Intensive farming practices have contributed towards its increase across Europe.

We inoculated the trial plots with the plant’s most effective pathogen, creeping thistle rust, which affects only this single species and stops it flowering. We have recorded the spread of the disease and we will now be monitoring the plots to record whether the species has retreated.

“Researching new ways to protect and enhance the natural environment is vital if we are to protect wildlife in our three counties. But it doesn’t stop there – the scientific methods we develop on our patch will be communicated through our networks and events to other Wildlife Trusts and the wider conservation community, so wildlife everywhere can benefit.”

Josh Hellon, Monitoring and Research Manager

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Matthew Day
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

“I learnt so much. It’s astonishing what you see if you just stay still and watch. (Session leader) Sharon has some great ideas about what to draw and concentrate on and her artwork was wonderful to see.” Nature Journaling attendee

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 11

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HIGHLIGHTS

Conservation advice

The Local Wildlife Sites project surveyed 31 sites over the year, visiting landowners throughout Northamptonshire. We offer free advice on the most wildlife-friendly options for a site’s management and information on the species to be found, as well as help and information on sources of funding for conservation-friendly management. Highlights included identifying a 36-hectare area of speciesrich acid grassland near Corby, a new calcareous grassland site adjacent to Old Sulehay Nature reserve, finding a previously unknown water vole population on the River Avon and identifying new species-rich wildflower verges.

Marbled white butterflies by Mark Tyrrell, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

12 Annual Review 2019 - 2020

Nature reserve management

Old Sulehay nature reserve, which features a remaining fragment of the ancient Rockingham Forest, has had a boost thanks to two generous grants.

The site, which is home to a variety of habitats and includes land reclaimed for nature from a former limestone and clay quarry, has now been recognised as a thriving site for invertebrates. After a recent visit the county recorder for butterflies stated that it is now one of the best sites in Northamptonshire.

Funding from the Mick George Community Fund and the Northwick Trust has allowed us to install new infrastructure for the cattle and rare breed sheep which graze the reserve including a new water supply. Elsewhere new gates and fencing to help protect parts of the site have been erected and scrub removal has helped to ensure a varied habitat for a range of species.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Wild experiences to inspire

In March 2020, when the Nene Wetlands visitor centre was forced to close due to Covid, we took the opportunity to review our operations and make changes to bring the centre more in line with our core charitable objectives.

This meant more focus on community engagement, member recruitment and sustainability. We were also able to install much needed welfare facilities.

Since then, the team has worked tirelessly, finding innovative ways to engage with families when we were unable to run indoor events, recruiting new volunteers and providing training for existing volunteers so that they feel confident talking to the public about wildlife.

We believe that we should be leading by example when it comes to sustainability and so we stopped using suppliers that were not doing enough to reduce plastic waste and their carbon footprint.

Monitoring and Research

Northamptonshire sits on the edge of the main dormouse range in the UK so is a key area for monitoring their populations. We are working with other landowners to ensure that known populations are monitored and also to look for new populations. Much of our ongoing work has focused in East Northamptonshire, in the Rockingham Forest, but in 2020 we expanded our surveys in West Northamptonshire and in collaboration with Buckinghamshire County Council’s Ecology Officer set up a new survey looking in the woodlands along the county border.

There is evidence Covid may be transmissible to mammals like dormice so our staff, all licensed dormouse handlers, minimised the risk by wearing face masks and gloves.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Katie King
----- End of picture text -----

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 13

LIVING LANDSCAPES HIGHLIGHTS

Nene Valley

The new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will replace schemes run under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and aims to deliver ‘public money for public goods’. We are playing our part to develop the policy’s future direction by trialling how environmental stewardship payments can prioritise, safeguard and link-up habitats.

We secured funding through the Government’s ELM Tests and Trials programme and developed a project in the Upper Nene Valley based around the concept of Habitat Opportunity Mapping. The cutting-edge conservation approach uses a GIS (Geographic Information System) to identify locations where new habitat can be created that will be able to deliver benefits including enhancing biodiversity, reducing soil erosion and surface water runoff and improving water and air quality.

We aim to improve awareness of the important habitats a landowner has, and highlight opportunities to extend them or connect with their neighbours as part of a Nature Recovery Network.

Barn owl by Dave Wesson, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

Annual Review 2020 - 2021

14

North Chilterns Chalk

We played our part in the development of an exciting new landscape project in the Chilterns encouraging communities to take action for nature.

----- Start of picture text -----
Pat Doody
----- End of picture text -----

The multi million-pound Chalkscapes project, backed by the Chilterns Conservation Board, received its first funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2020 and aims to undertake landscape scale conservation and inspire creative ways for people to discover nature on their doorstep.

Our staff led on the development of Wild Chalk, a strand of the project to develop practical conservation and land management work which communities can get involved in. We will also be delivering sessions with young people at the Tokko Youth Space charity in Luton to engage with diverse communities and give them a sense of ownership of the project.

John Clare Country:

The landscape near Peterborough that inspired the poet John Clare is the focus of a pilot project to restore and create habitats, to increase connectivity for wildlife and provide residents and visitors with a truly wild experience.

As a member of the John Clare Country (JCC) Partnership, we are working with parishes in the area to produce their own Nature Recovery Network Plans. These plans combine maps that record what’s there for wildlife at the moment with a vision of what local residents want to see in the future. The Parish Council at Barnack is the first to have adopted its ten-year action plan formulated from these maps, and work has already commenced improving local amenity areas as mini meadows that will create a network of these habitats. Many other parishes in the area are putting their plans together.

Wildlife habitats in Barnack

Great Fen

The development of a new sustainable farming system for fenland landscapes stepped up a gear in 2020.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

The Great Fen Living Landscape’s UK-first Water Works project saw the construction of ten wet farming beds in July – known technically as paludiculture. Throughout autumn these were planted with wetland crops including bulrushes, floating sweetgrass and reeds which have a range of uses from food and medicine to building materials. 50,000 plants were put into the beds by staff and volunteers from the local community over 23 days. The innovative work at the site attracted information gathering visits from conservation professionals, policy makers and farmers.

DEFRA gave £245,000 in funding to extend the project and two Water Works internships were created to look at the uses of Sphagnum moss, an ideal crop on the site. One, with the University of East London, will look at the air purifying properties of Sphagnum and the second, with Greenwich University, will explore its biomedical uses.

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 15

FARMING FOR THE FUTURE

The Farming for the Future project has continued to build relationships with farmers and land managers in the Nene Valley. It aims to restore and create new meadow and wetland habitat as well as make improvements to water quality on farmland through grant funding and advice.

We are working closely with farmers to deliver a bigger, better and more joined-up landscape to help support the variety of species in the Nene Valley. The Farming for the Future project is one of eighteen projects in the Nenescape Landscape Partnership Scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Highlights from this year:

Over the year we have provided advice to more than 30 land managers on improving habitats and provided a further nine with grant funding towards creating or restoring meadow and wetland habitat .

With the support of more than 30 volunteers , we carried out bird, botanical and invertebrate surveys. We ran four bird training events to help train up volunteers in species identification . Our volunteer monitors have already collectively contributed hundreds of hours to this project.

We worked with four land managers in 2020 and a further four in 2021 to enter land into Countryside Stewardship schemes which will enable them to receive public money and create safe havens for wildlife on their farms. environment for years to come

The project appeared on BBC Countryfile in February 2020, where the programme looked at the shallow scrapes and ditches we created as part of a catchment wide project to create more wet grassland habitat for overwintering waders and wildfowl .

Watch the programme here

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

We are seeing notable improvements to sites, with nationally rare beetles and unusual plants being recorded on project sites, such as the common spotted orchid, southern marsh orchid and raggedrobin popping up on two separate wetland areas.

16 Annual Review 2020 - 2021

CROSS-COUNTY CASE STUDIES

Woodland condition monitoring surveys

To ensure our conservation work is making the most difference for wildlife the Monitoring and Research Team regularly visits all our reserves to get an overview of habitats across the Trust. Regular monitoring means we can compare sites and gives us specific data so we can scientifically assess the effects of our management.

In early 2021 we turned the focus onto woodland for the first time and began trialling a new monitoring programme focusing on structure. This means both physical structure and age structure. Physical structure includes recording how many layers there are in the vegetation – from ground layers and understorey to canopies – how dense they are and the species found in them. Recording age structure means looking at whether a wood includes seedlings and saplings through to young, mature and veteran trees as well as both standing and fallen dead wood. Together, these tell us a lot about how healthy a woodland is, and what range of habitats it is providing.

Sustainability in the Wildlife Trust BCN

As a conservation charity, we are committed to environmental sustainability and to reducing our environmental impact wherever possible.

In 2020 we updated our internal sustainability policy, alongside reinforcing the role of our staff-led sustainability group to ensure the successful implementation and communication of the policy across the organisation. We undertook a carbon audit of the work we do in order to set meaningful targets and implement a process to reduce our carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.

This work was made possible by an award of £20,000 from People’s Postcode Trust, a grant giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We continue to work to empower and encourage staff and others by helping them to take direct actions at work and at home, and will carry out an annual audit to develop an accurate baseline and measure progress.

----- Start of picture text -----
BCN
----- End of picture text -----

Our monitoring methods involve setting up a number of sample points spaced out across a woodland. At each sample point, we mark out circular plots using flags. Within the plot, we then look at the characteristics of all of the different physical layers, and the number of trees in each age category. When we combine the data from all the sample points, we get a good picture of the overall condition of the wood.

----- Start of picture text -----
Becca Neal
----- End of picture text -----

Annual Review 2020 - 2021 17

FINANCE

Total income: £5,399,557

£568,052

Donations, legacies and corporate sponsorship

We remember with gratitude our generous supporters from whom we received a gift in their Will during this year, in particular Heather Dean.

Total expenditure: £5,027,774

£2,553,416

Nature reserve management

With over 100 nature reserves in our care, we continue to spend the majority of our income on maintaining and improving these precious habitats for wildlife.

£1,199,108

£1,357,199 Membership (and Gift Aid) Our members and corporate members not only provide substantial unrestricted funds that can be used where the need is greatest, they also give strength to our voice when advocating and campaigning for wildlife.

Conservation outside our reserves

Key to building strong Living Landscapes and to creating a Nature Recovery Network, this work encompasses our advocacy and advice for land managers, work on our waterways and partnership projects.

£736,850

£1,353,289 Grants

We are delighted to have seen a slight increase in the grants we were awarded to support our work this year. However, the number of grants available remain low and competition for these is high.

£518,827

Fundraising & Income Generation Costs invested in generating financial support, including shop costs.

£538,400

Education and community engagement Inspiring a love of nature is central to our mission. People will not protect what they do not love.

Rural Payments Agency (RPA)

Payments made by DEFRA for the environmental stewardship and management of land.

£752,639

Land advice, advocacy and management contracts Income resulting from partnerships with land owners such as councils and property developers where an improvement for wildlife can be obtained.

£849,551

Business activities

Income from products and services we sell – including from our Nene Wetlands visitor centre and online shop – land rents, and event fees charged and other activities helping to create a sustainable income.

Otter by Ashley Peade, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

18 Annual Review 2020 - 2021

SUPPORTERS

“The support we receive from businesses around our region is so vital for our work. We’re very careful to forge relationships with the right corporate partners, and we have built up valuable connections with some really forward thinking businesses who have environmental sustainability at the top of their agenda.” Sue Barnard, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager

Corporate Members

Corporate Partners

Arm Ltd, The Biodiversity Consultancy, Ewing Associates, Prologis UK Ltd

We are proud to have financial and in-kind support from such a wide range of individuals and organisations in our community. These include our 34,000+ individual, family and Wildlife Watch members, and many local businesses and grant-making organisations who are supporting us in our work to protect wildlife and connect communities to nature. Thanks to all those that have supported us, including:

Blinds in Harmony, Cambridge Fencing, Cambridge Rambling Club, Cambridge Water Pebble Fund, Canoe2, Carter Jonas, The Cooperative/Computershare, Dora Mouse, East of England Co-op Community Giving Scheme, EMBL Staff Association, Elsworth Community Shop, Emmanuel College, Force36, Mace Group,

Mick George, New View Residential, Opticron, Scott Bader Commonwealth Local Fund, Silver Spirals, Team Consulting Ltd, Cambridge Science Park, Trinity College, Vine House Farm, Waresley Garden Centre,

Corporate Investors

Anglian Water Services, Arqiva Ltd, Colpac Ltd, Gardenworks Tree Surgery, Henderson & Taylor, Hewitsons, Levin Sources, Scott Bader, Scudamore’s Punting Co Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services, UK Power Networks, Unilever research Colworth, Vauxhall Motors Ltd, ZEISS UK

Funders

We are grateful to be supported by a large number of funders, trusts and grant making organisations who have given money for a wide range of projects in the past year.

Corporate Supporters

Alpro Soya, Athene Communications, Cambridge Econometrics Ltd, Cambridge Steiner School, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Water Company, Campkins Cameras, Center Parcs Woburn Forest, Ciconi Ltd, Cranfield University, Dojima Sake Brewery, Downing College Cambridge, Enchanted Cinema, Granta Park, Greens of Soham Ltd, Holidaycottages.co.uk, Hunts Wildlife Landscapes, Jesus College Cambridge, The Jordans & Ryvita Company Ltd, Lockhart Garratt Ltd, The Marshall Group of Companies, PalmerSport, Perkins Engines Co Ltd, Richard Buxton Environmental & Public Law, RWE Generation UK, South Cambs District Council, Spendlove Contracting, Tarmac, University of Northampton, Wellcome Genome Campus, Whittlebury Park.

Amey Community Fund, Barbara Price Charitable Trust, Benham Charitable Settlement, Cambridge Chrysalis Trust, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, Cambridge Water, Charles ChadwyckHealey Charitable Settlement, Constance Travis Charitable Trust, David Webster Charitable Trust, Defra, Douglas Compton James Charitable Trust, Dovehouse Trust, Eric Stanton Northampton Trust, FCC Communities Foundation

Gamlingay Community Turbine Tithe Fund, Huntingdonshire District Council, Jack Patston Charitable Trust, Mick George Community Fund, Miss Edith Mary Sage Charitable Trust, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nene River Church, Northwick Trust, P and G Charitable Trust, People’s Postcode Lottery, Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited, Simon Gibson Charitable Trust, Steel Charitable Trust, Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund, Wakefield Trust, Wild Flower Society, Wixamtree Trust.

Corporate partnerships are a valuable way for businesses to make a difference to our region’s wildlife.

Lilbourne Meadows, in Northamptonshire, was created for wildlife as mitigation for development at Daventry’s International Rail Freight Terminal. It has proved to be an excellent partnership between our staff and Prologis.

Covid restricted some work over the past year but the site was well enjoyed by local villagers taking their daily walk to come and see wildlife and the lambs on site. Little ringed plovers, spotted flycatchers, little egrets and curlew were recorded as well as good numbers of great crested newts in newly created ponds. We are now working to re-align a brook and put in place interpretation ready for the upcoming official opening to the local community.

Annual Review 2019 - 2020 19

FINANCE REVIEW

CONTENTS

Finance Review .............................................................. 21

Structure, Governance and Management ............ 24 Charity Information ...................................................... 27 Statutory Information .................................................. 28 Our Thanks ...................................................................... 30 Independent Auditors Report .................................. 31 Consolidated Statement of Financial Activity ... 35 Consolidated Balance Sheets ................................... 36 Charity Balance Sheets ............................................... 38 Consolidated Cash flow .............................................. 40 Summary of Fixed Assets .......................................... 41 Notes to the Financial Statements ......................... 42

Swan and reeds by Mick Watson 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Finance Review

The Trust's finances are divided into restricted funds where monies raised must be spent on specific purposes, and unrestricted funds, which can be applied to general charitable activities. Of the total income in 2021, 55% (£2,944,164) was unrestricted, with £2,455,393 being restricted.

This year, the Trust’s activities resulted in an unrestricted surplus of £241,799 (2020 surplus of £1,650,344) with a restricted surplus of £483,415 (2020 deficit of £66,802) resulting in total net assets of £24,226,152 (£18,328,006 attributable to restricted activities).

The unrestricted surplus is mainly the result of £314,884 unrealised gains on investments and significant underspends as a result of Covid-19, notably staff costs and costs of face-to-face recruitment. At the start of the year we anticipated a significant fall in income and therefore Trustees decided not to award a payrise for the year. Staff were supported through topping up the ‘furlough’ scheme to 100% of income, a working from home allowance and a flat rate bonus at the year-end. Further savings arose in staff costs due to delays in recruitment. There was very little face-to-face recruitment during the year, and therefore a saving on costs. Whilst many areas of income did fall, notably membership income, the government furlough scheme and other grants increased, so that total income was in line with budget.

In February we agreed Heads of Terms to put an option in place to purchase approx. 134.5 hectares of farmland in the Great Fen for £4.7m. This would allow significant improvements to the habitat and expansion of our paludiculture trials as part of our Peatland Progress project.

Public sector sources of income, such as service agreements for land management and ecological advice to local authorities, continued to decline. Competition for grants from sources such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Landfill Communities Fund continued to increase, whilst the sums available through both these sources further reduced. We are actively working on new sources of funding, such as Carbon Capture, improving our digital marketing and keeping strong control of costs.

The landholdings in the Great Fen and certain other reserves are included within the restricted funds, together with substantial cash balances held by us against future liabilities for managing specific nature reserves over long periods.

Financial reserves

The Trustees have set a target for Free Reserves to be at a level sufficient to cover 6 months of unrestricted expenses, where Free Reserves are defined as Net Current Assets excluding the provisions relating to Government Grants and Designated Funds. It is recognised that the organisation has significant other assets, but these form an integral part of the charity’s core purposes and the Trustees have decided to exclude those assets from our Free Reserves calculation. The target has been set in order to provide a sound degree of resilience should circumstances change and also to enable the organisation to provide the initial cash for major projects where funding is in arrears. As at the end of the year, the cover is 8 months. The Trustees have approved a budget for the current year to deliver a small deficit and are asking management to set future budgets to break-even and thus keep the organisation at its target cover. The budget assumes no further lockdowns or restrictions on activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic beyond July 2021.

21

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

The total net current assets held by the charity at the end of March 2021 was £6,611,942, of which £2,550,912 were related to specific projects, £1,786,643 has been designated by the Trustees for specific purposes, with the balance of £2,274,387 being unrestricted and available for any purpose. Trustees have decided to maintain this level of unrestricted undesignated funding to allow flexibility to address the on-going financial challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and to allow opportunities to be realised.

Post Balance Sheet Events

In July 2021 it was announced that we had been awarded a Heritage Horizons Lottery grant of £8.2m for our Peatland Progress project to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss by bringing together the north and south ‘halves’ of the Great Fen; extend sustainable wet farming to protect peat soils; provide new jobs and training; and inspire young people to join in the environmental action they see on their doorstep.

In August 2021 we had an offer accepted to buy a farm, which had been in an Environmental Stewardship Scheme, for £3.3m. This is an exciting opportunity to further improve the habitat and encourage outreach activities.

Investment Powers, Policy and Financial Instruments

The Trust is empowered to make investments, and appointed Sarasin & Partners LLP as our Investment Manager in February 2019. We invested funds through them during the financial year. Medium and long term investments are invested in their Climate Active Fund and short term investments are invested in Money Market Funds. The Climate Active Fund allows us to play an indirect role in combatting climate change while seeking good investment returns and performing our fiduciary duties in a responsible manner. Cash balances which are required for short term liquidity are held in interest-bearing bank deposit accounts with terms reflecting expected cash requirements. Cash balances for which there is not a short term requirement are held in interestbearing bank deposit accounts with terms reflecting expected cash requirements over the lives of the projects to which they relate. The Trust employs no financial instruments so does not require a policy to determine their application.

The Trust invested £1,569,636 in the Climate Active Fund and £1,199,030 in the Money Market Funds through Sarasin & Partners LLP in 2019. In December 2020 the Trust invested a further £500,000 in the Climate Active Fund and transferred £500,000 from the Money Market Fund to the Climate Active Fund. Both funds saw increases in value. The Climate Active Fund closed with a total value of £2,779,020 The Money Market Fund closed with an increased value of £703,820. We earned £59,636 from the Climate Active Fund and £1 on the Money Market Fund.

Pension Commitments

We have legacy commitments from the closed defined benefits pension scheme, The Wildlife Trusts Pension Scheme, which at the last actuarial valuation as at 31 March 2021, reported a scheme deficit shared between all Trusts who are members of the scheme. The actuary has calculated that the Trust’s share of this deficit is £62,316 (2020: £96,863), which is the figure shown in the accounts. Further details are given in note 10 on page 52 of the Accounts.

Risk Management

Risk Management is considered by the Executive on a continuous basis in the context of performance information, any relevant incidents and external events and influences. A Risk Register is kept and reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that all risks are identified and managed to acceptable levels where possible. Proposals taken to Council and Committees include an appraisal of the related risk issues, and risk management is also prominent in discussions and decision making concerning Trust finances. This includes an appraisal of the implications for cash flow before committing to any major new project.

Covid-19 is clearly the overriding immediate risk. Our core work on our nature reserves and with our partners was severely restricted and in many cases curtailed. Many conservation staff were

22

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

put on the Government’s ‘furlough’ scheme and most volunteers were asked to cease work. By June 2020 we were starting to bring staff and some volunteers back to work and assessing the priorities going forward, but this was followed by a further national lockdown. Office based work, such as mapping, revising management plans, grant reporting and applications as well as fundraising, communications and general administration was able to continue with staff working from home. Relevant working groups meet regularly to assess the risks and recommend mitigations.

The key recurrent risk areas identified are set out below:

The main strategic risk the Trust faces is Climate Change and atmospheric pollution. We cannot control this risk, so we have to adapt the ways we work to adapt to changes, principally through our Living Landscapes work.

There are two key risks for which the Trust is working to put in place policies and procedures and working with other bodies to reduce the risks to more acceptable levels:

We are in very challenging times for income generation and this represents our principal operational risk. Other risks are set out below, for information, and for each of these, the Executive and Trustees are confident that the Trust has the appropriate policies and procedures in place.

Whilst the Executive and Trustees are confident that appropriate mitigations are in place, in these very difficult economic times there is a high degree of focus on the finances of the Trust and the risks related to that area. Policies and procedures are periodically monitored and reviewed as part of the Trust's risk assessment and internal control practice.

23

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Structure, Governance and Management

The Council have pleasure in presenting their report together with the audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021. The Council have adopted the provisions of 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 (effective 1 January 2015) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

The Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee governed by the Articles of Association as adopted by Special Resolution on 8 October 2011.

Election of Trustees

Trustees are elected for a three-year term, and may be re-elected, but cannot serve as Council members for more than six years consecutively, except that Officers of Council may serve for up to six years from their appointment as an Officer. There can be no fewer than twelve Trustees and no more than eighteen. There were 15 Trustees in post as at 10 October 2020. The Board may from time to time co-opt additional members of the Board from amongst the members of the Trust up to the prescribed maximum of eighteen members. Any member appointed under this article shall retire from office at the next Annual General Meeting, but shall be eligible for election.

Trustee induction and training

Potential Trustees are provided with a comprehensive pack before they apply for a role. New Trustees are given an opportunity to learn about the Trust and their responsibilities as Trustees through Charity Commission documents and with an introductory seminar with Honorary Officers and senior staff. Trustees are given an information folder about the Trust and are encouraged to attend meetings of both standing committees in the first year and to visit the Trust’s offices and education centres as part of their induction. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts holds open days to which Trustees are invited, where they meet staff and Trustees of RSWT and other Wildlife Trusts.

Governance and management

The Council meets quarterly and is supported by two standing committees:

• a Conservation, Education and Community Committee

• a Resources Committee both of which meet at least every four months and are composed of Trustees and members of the Trust with particular expertise or experience, with staff in attendance.

Each Committee receives reports on relevant areas of the Trust’s work. The Conservation, Education and Community Committee cover the achievement of the Trust’s objectives. The Resources Committee covers the provision of the resource to do that. Council receives recommendations from the two Committees, determines policies and concentrates on the good governance and strategic direction of the charity. The cycles of meetings begin with the Conservation, Education and Community Committee followed by the Resources Committee and finally by Council. The Committees make recommendations to Council, and critically review all recommendations regarding land acquisition and changes in staffing. Maintenance of good communication between Trustees and staff is a major part of the governance of the Trust, and executive board and other appropriate managers attend Committee and Council meetings.

The Council provides strategic oversight, and approved a Five Year plan for 2020 to 2025 in 2020, which is being implemented by the executive board.

Executive Board

The Trust’s executive board from October 2020, comprised Chief Executive, Director of Finance

24

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

and Administration, Conservation Director and Director of Marketing. The Conservation Director leads the management of our nature reserves and our wider countryside conservation work both through the planning system and through advice to land-owners. The Director of Marketing leads our outreach work, both face-to-face through our communities and wildlife team, and via publications and the media through our communications team.

Staffing

The staff employed by the Trust report through the Chief Executive to the Council. The average headcount during the year was 117 staff (115 for 2020) with the average number of full-time equivalents being 92 (93 for 2020). The delegation of authority to staff stipulates the levels of expenditure and contracts that can be undertaken without reference to Trustees and the lines of reporting. This was last updated and approved by Council on 15 December 2020.

Remuneration of key personnel

In accordance with the agreed job evaluation framework and available benchmarking information, the Chief Executive has delegated authority to agree salaries. He/she will normally do so in conjunction with the Head of Legal Compliance and Personnel or, for Director level posts, with the input and, normally, support of the Chair. The Chief Executive’s own salary is set by the Chair and Honorary Officers.

Subsidiary company

The Trust has one wholly owned subsidiary, WTBCN Trading Limited, the principal activities of which are retail at the Trust Visitor Centre in Northamptonshire and on-line. As the sole shareholder, the Trust is represented at shareholder meetings by the Chair and (hon) Secretary. WTBCN Trading Limited has covenanted to gift its distributable profits each year to the Trust.

Related organisations

The Trust, together with a number of Wildlife Trusts, jointly participate as employers within The Wildlife Trusts Pension Scheme, which is described in Note 10. The lead employer is the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

The Trust is a corporate member of Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, (“RSWT” – a registered charity number 207238) which acts as an umbrella body carrying out lobbying and public affairs on behalf of all Wildlife Trusts and facilitates joint working. Member Trusts have the use of RSWT’s logo and share the resources, best practice and special experience of other member Trusts. Membership of RSWT gives the Trust a national voice and profile, as well as a place in a network of similar organisations with shared aims and reputation in the eyes of those unfamiliar with its particular work. However, each member of the network remains entirely independent in terms of governance and charitable status. The independent Trusts and the RSWT work together under the banner of The Wildlife Trusts through a Memorandum of Co-operation.

The Trust continues to support the work of the RSWT in a variety of ways. Senior staff serve on several national working groups and represent the Wildlife Trusts movement at national meetings and events.

The Trust’s main external agency for recruiting new members is a company called “CF Fundraising Limited” (CFF) who also work with Surrey and Sussex Wildlife Trusts. This contract commenced on the 1[st] June 2019. Contracts were renewed and signed by the Trust to commence again from the 1[st] September 2020 however, Covid-19 prevented them from acting for us in a Face to Face recruitment capacity for most of this financial year due to government restrictions and all CFF recruiters were furloughed from the 23[rd] March 2020.

Fundraising Regulation statement

The Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator (FR) and complies with the Charities Act 2016. We follow the Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and abide by the principles

25

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

embodied in the Code and in our fundraising promise. The fundraising organisation, “CF Fundraising Limited” (CFF) is registered and complies with the requirements of the Fundraising Regulator. Their Service shall be conducted in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charitable Institutions (Fundraising) Regulations 1994 and the Fundraising Regulator Code of Fundraising Practice, as amended. The fundraising organisation shall adhere to and ensure that its employees and sub-contractors are aware of, understand and adhere to the Fundraising Regulator, Chartered Institute of Fundraising, Information Commissioner’s Office, Direct Marketing Association codes of practice and any other appropriate regulatory or statutory body. There has been no failure to comply with the schemes and standards as mentioned above. The Charity uses, a face to face fundraising organisation, CF Fundraising Limited. In order to monitor the activities carried out on behalf of the Charity for the purposes of fundraising, the Charity has quarterly meetings with managers and undertakes Mystery Shopper activity on their new recruitment staff and informal checks on longer serving staff.

The Charity has a system which logs negative comments from the public. There were 15 recorded in the last financial year, of which five were formal complaints. All of these five were concerned with access and all were dealt with satisfactorily.

Fundraising Objectives

The Trust’s fundraising objectives were to raise income through its individual membership scheme and appeals, through grants, corporate membership, donations and sponsorship and benefitting from legacies and in memoriam gifts. We have raised funds through all of these to the value of £5,173,695 as described on pages 47 & 48. This is a return of £7.37 for each £1 spent.

Public benefit statement

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, Charities and Public Benefit . The Trust’s charitable purpose is enshrined in its mission to conserve local wildlife, by caring for land ourselves and with others; to inspire others to take action for wildlife; and to inform people, by offering advice and sharing knowledge. The Trust has delivered this public benefit through more than 100 of its nature reserves with free public access, its education programmes aimed at schools, colleges, adult groups and the wider public, and through advice to landowners and local authorities. The education programmes have been largely on-line during this financial year, with some supported self-led activities, due to Covid restrictions.

26

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Charity Information

Patron

Baroness Barbara Young (appointed 10 Oct 2020)

President

Michael Allen

Vice Presidents

Sir Charles Chadwyck-Healey, Bt. Sir Hugh Duberly Dr Derek Langslow

The Council of Trustees Chairman of Council

Sir Graham Fry (resigned 10 Oct 2020) Prof William Stephens (appointed 10 Oct 2020) Vice Chairman Dr Jenna Bishop Honorary Treasurer James Fanshawe Honorary Secretary Paul Solon Chairman of Conservation, Education & Community Committee Dr Matt Walpole

Trustees

Hannah Bartram Dr Samuel Brockington Janet Davis (appointed 31 Mar 2020) Dr Sharon Erzinçlioğlu Alison Greenwood (appointed 7 Apr 2020) Matthew Hayes (appointed 16 Mar 2021) Rebecca Jarrett Chris Lewis Dr Ananya Mukherjee Jennifer Neild (resigned 28 Jul 2020) Rebecca Stock Dr Ed Turner

Registered and principal office The Manor House Broad Street Great Cambourne Cambridge CB23 6DH

Chief Executive and Executive Board to whom day to day management is delegated

Chief Executive Prof Brian Eversham

Finance and Administration Director Charlotte Cane

Director of Marketing

Kevin Hennessy

Director of Conservation

John Comont (retired May 2021) Matt Jackson (appointed May 2021)

Auditors

Saffery Champness LLP Suite 12 Westpoint Peterborough Business Park Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FZ

Principal bankers Barclays Bank plc 9 -11 St Andrews Street Cambridge, CB2 3AA

Investment managers

Sarasin & Partners LLP Juxon House, 100 St Paul's Churchyard London, EC4M 8BU

Company number

2534145

Registered charity number 1000412

Solicitors

Hewitsons Shakespeare House, 42 Newmarket Road Cambridge, CB5 8EP

VAT and Tax advisor

William Lewis 10 Langley Way, Hemingford Grey Cambridgeshire, PE28 9DB

27

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Statutory Information

Statement of the Board's responsibilities

The Trustees, as listed under Charity Information on the previous page, are the Directors of the Trust in terms of the Companies Act. The Directors are Charity Trustees as defined by section 177 of the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees collectively form the Council of the charity which is also the Board of Directors of the company who are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and the group 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 United Kingdom governing the reparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Going concern

The activities of the company, its objectives, factors likely to affect its future development and the policies for managing its capital and financial risk are detailed in the Annual Report. The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future as the Trust has a regime of annual budgeting supported by quarterly reforecasting, enabling considered management and informed decision making. This, allied with a pragmatic level of reserves, an appropriate identification and quantification of risk, supports the Trustee conclusion. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors

The Council of Trustees who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. Each of the Members of the Council have confirmed that they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as Members of the Council in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor.

28

The WiLdlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report forthe year ended 31 March 2021 In approving the Trustees, Annual Report, the Trustees are also approving the Strategic Report {pages 2-201 in their capacity as company directors. By order ofthe Board Prof William Slephens Chaimian of Council 29

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2021

Our Thanks

Enduring and improving relationships have been, and will continue to be, important factors in the Trust’s success. Without the support and co-operation of a huge number of people, we would have achieved little during the year. The support of members, corporate members, sponsors, charitable trusts, government organisations at all levels and our professional advisers has been vital, as has the remarkably dedicated work of our volunteers, staff and Trustees.

Our Great Fen partners

Environment Agency Huntingdonshire District Council Natural England

Financial support has come from many quarters, but we are particularly grateful for the monies received from legacies bequeathed. The Trust also recognises the enormous value to its work of volunteers who number in excess of 1,000.

30

Independent auditors’ report To the members of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

Independent Auditors’ Report

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiary (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Charity Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group or the parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of

31

Independent auditors’ report To the members of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information; we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report and Strategic Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities set out on page 28, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group and the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease

32

Independent auditors’ report To the members of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under that Act.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the group and parent financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below.

Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:

We assessed the susceptibility of the group and parent charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the trustees, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company by discussions with trustees and updating our understanding of the sector in which the group and parent charitable company operate.

Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the group and parent charitable company include The Companies Act 2006 and guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Audit response to risks identified:

We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the parent charitable company’s records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the parent charitable company’s policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.

During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement

33

Independent auditors. report To the members of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northarnptonshire partner's review included ensuring that the leam had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and Ihus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud. There are inherent limitations in Ihe audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the evenls and Iransaclions reflected in Ihe financial statements. the less likely we would become aware of It_ Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resLJlting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentsonal misrepresentations, or through collusion. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at.. www.frc or uklauditorsres onsibililies. This description forms part of our auditor's report. Use of our report This report is made solely lo the charitable company s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to Ihe charitable company s members those malters we are required to state to Ihem in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility lo anyone other Ihan the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Jane Hill (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Saffery Champness LLP Chartered Accountants Slalutory Auditors Suite 12 Westpoint Peterborough Bu5ine5s Park Lynch Wood Peterborough PE2 8FZ Date.. Saffery Champness LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Consolidated statement of financial activities incorporating the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Income and endowments from:
Voluntary Income
3
Charitable activities
4
Interest & Investments
6
Government Grant
5
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Charitable activities
Total
7
Profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed
assets
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
19
Net Incoming resources before
other recognised gains or
losses
Other recognised
gains/(losses):
Unrealised gain/(loss) on
investments
Exceptional item: actuarial gain
on defined benefit pension
scheme
Actuarial gains on defined benefit
pension scheme
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
22		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,779,304
967,781
62,687
134,392
2,944,164
702,187
2,804,231
3,506,418
4,000
(558,254)
450,622
(107,632)
314,884
-
34,547
241,799
5,656,347
5,898,146		 Restricted
Funds
£
204,909
2,221,701
921
27,862
2,455,393
-
1,521,356
1,521,356

934,037
(450,622)
483,415
-
-
-
483,415
17,844,591
18,328,006		 Total
2021
£
1,984,213
3,189,482
63,608
162,254
5,399,557
702,187
4,325,587
5,027,774
4,000
375,783
-
375,783
314,884
-
34,547
725,214
23,500,938
24,226,152		 Total
2020
£
3,603,434
3,144,189
16,486
1,881
6,765,990
985,107
4,247,227
5,232,334
(5,183)
1,528,473
-
1,528,473
(96,982)
125,144
26,907
1,583,542
21,917,396
23,500,938

The Consolidated statement of financial activities contains all gains and losses for the year and all activities relate to continuing operations. The profit for the purposes for the Companies Act 2006 is the net incoming resources before other unrealised losses/gains. The notes on pages 42-69 form part of these financial statements

35

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Consolidated balance sheets for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets(Page 41)
Heritage assets
11
Intangible assets
12
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Stocks
13
Debtors
14
Investments
15
Cash at bank and in
hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors:
Amounts falling due
within one year
16
Net current assets
Creditors:
Amounts falling due after
one year
17
Provisions for liabilities
and charges
18
Net assets or liabilities
before pension provision
Pension provision
18
Total net assets
The funds of the
charity
General funds
21
Designated funds
20
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted income funds
19
Total funds
22		 2021
£
£
4,157,603
14,043,269
76,074
18,276,946
57,792
2,539,414
3,482,841
1,324,744
7,404,791
(792,849)
6,611,942
(468,719)
(131,701)
24,288,468
(62,316)

24,226,152
4,113,503
1,786,643
5,898,146
18,328,006
24,226,152		 2020
£
£
4,230,178
13,956,559
73,189
18,259,926
64,169
2,481,464
2,670,105
1,079,603
6,295,341
(400,167)
5,895,174
(509,195)
(48,104)
23,597,801
(96,863)
23,500,938
3,824,647
1,831,702
5,656,349
17,844,589
23,500,938		 2020
£
£
4,230,178
13,956,559
73,189
18,259,926
64,169
2,481,464
2,670,105
1,079,603
6,295,341
(400,167)
5,895,174
(509,195)
(48,104)
23,597,801
(96,863)
23,500,938
3,824,647
1,831,702
5,656,349
17,844,589
23,500,938
18,259,926
5,895,174
(509,195)
(48,104)
23,597,801
(96,863)
23,500,938
3,824,647
1,831,702
5,656,349
17,844,589
23,500,938

36

The WiLdlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Consolidated balance 8heet8 for the year ended 31 March 2021 The notes on pages 42-69 form part of these financial statements. The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Truste on their behaw by son14 mber 2021 and signed James Fansh Honorary Treasurer Company Registration No. 02534145 Charity No: 1000412 37

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Charity balance sheets for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets (Page 41)
Heritage assets
11
Intangible assets
12
Investments unquoted
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Stocks
13
Debtors
14
Intercompany Debtor
Loan to subsidiary
Investments
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within
one year
16
Intercompany Creditor
Net current assets
Creditors:
Amounts falling due after
one year
17
Provisions for liabilities
and charges
18
Net assets or liabilities
before pension provision
Pension provision
18
Total net assets
The funds of the charity
General Funds
21
Designated Funds
20
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted income funds
19
Total funds
22		 £
38,754
2,539,164
157,458
30,000
3,482,841
1,274,095		 2021
£
4,157,603
14,043,269
76,074
1
18,276,947
6,664,359
(468,719)
(131,701)
24,340,886
(62,316)
24,278,570
4,163,921
1,786,643
5,950,564
18,328,006
24,278,570		 2021
£
4,157,603
14,043,269
76,074
1
18,276,947
6,664,359
(468,719)
(131,701)
24,340,886
(62,316)
24,278,570
4,163,921
1,786,643
5,950,564
18,328,006
24,278,570		 2020
£
£
4,230,178
13,956,559
73,189
1
18,259,927
40,878
2,479,075
150,750
30,000
2,670,105
1,049,023
6,419,831
(393,451)
(74,647)
(468,098)
5,951,733
(509,195)
(48,104)
23,654,361
(96,863)
23,557,498
3,881,207
1,831,702
5,712,909
17,844,589
23,557,498		 2020
£
£
4,230,178
13,956,559
73,189
1
18,259,927
40,878
2,479,075
150,750
30,000
2,670,105
1,049,023
6,419,831
(393,451)
(74,647)
(468,098)
5,951,733
(509,195)
(48,104)
23,654,361
(96,863)
23,557,498
3,881,207
1,831,702
5,712,909
17,844,589
23,557,498
18,259,927
5,951,733
(509,195)
(48,104)
7,522,312
(778,257)
(79,696)
(857,953)
24,340,886
(62,316)
24,278,570
4,163,921
1,786,643
5,950,564
18,328,006
24,278,570		 23,654,361
(96,863)
23,557,498
3,881,207
1,831,702
5,712,909
17,844,589
23,557,498

38

The WiLdlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Charitybalanee sheets for theyear ended 31 March 2021 As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the parent Charity's Statement of Financial Activities has not been included in these financial slatemenls. The parent Charity's total incoming resources for the year were £5,360,75212020.£6,665,880) which includes donations of £nil12020. £nill from its wholly owned subsidiary undertaking, VVTBCN Trading Limited. The net surplus for the year for the Charity was £721.072 {2020'. £1,589,855 5urplusl Details conceming the subsidiary company along wilh results and financial position are set out in note 31. The notes on pages 42-69 form part of these financial statements. The financial statemanls were authoris8d for issue by the Trustees on 14 Sept on their behalf by b8r 2021 and signed James Fanshawe- Honorary Treasurer Company Registration No. 02534145 Charity No: 1000412 39

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net cash provided by/(used
in) operating activities
28
876,503
2,005,675
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Dividends, interest and rents
from investments
63,608
3,717
Investments purchased
(497,852)
(2,670,105)		 Notes
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net cash provided by/(used
in) operating activities
28
876,503
2,005,675
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Dividends, interest and rents
from investments
63,608
3,717
Investments purchased
(497,852)
(2,670,105)		 Notes
2021
2020
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating
activities:
Net cash provided by/(used
in) operating activities
28
876,503
2,005,675
Cash flows from investing
activities:
Dividends, interest and rents
from investments
63,608
3,717
Investments purchased
(497,852)
(2,670,105)
£
2,005,675
(2,670,105)
Investments balance- non cash
transaction		 (96,982)
(1,089)
(144,502)
35,000
(16,800)
5,500
Interest element of hire
purchase contracts
(1,014)
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
(164,294)
Loan to Associated Organisation
Purchase of intangible assets –
BPS entitlements
(24,450)
Sale of Fixed Assets
4,000
Net cash provided by/(used
in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing
activities
Capital element of hire purchase
contracts
(11,360)		 (620,002)
(12,229)		 (2,885,261)
Net cash used in financing
activities
Change in cash and cash
equivalents in the reporting
period
Cash and cash equivalents at
the beginning of the reporting
period		 (11,360)
245,141
1,079,603		 (12,229)
(891,815)
1,971,418
Cash and cash equivalents at
the end of the reporting
period
29		 1,324,744 1,079,603

40

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Summary of fixed assets for the year ended 31 March 2021

Tangible assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals
Transfers – Other
Heritage assets
Revaluation
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
On disposals
Transfers
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2021
Net book value
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020		 Freehold
property
Investment
properties
Land in
tenure
Improvements
to land &
buildings
Conservation
equipment
Office
equipment
Motor
vehicles
Computer
equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,547,289
- 2,169,148
1,006,770
1,053,498
24,784
403,625
87,686
6,292,800
-
-
-
42,084
-
35,500
-
77,584
-
-
-
(29,416)
(29,416)
1,547,289
- 2,169,148
1,006,770
1,095,582
24,784
409,709
87,686
6,340,968

476,240
-
-
406,225
778,870
6,610
357,718
36,959
2,062,622
-
-
-
(29,416)
(29,416)
12,827
-
-
46,238
62,044
2,479
16,656
9,915
150,159
489,067
-
-
452,463
840,914
9,089
344,958
46,874
2,183,365

1,058,222
2,169,148
554,307
254,668
15,695
64,751
40,812
4,157,603
1,071,049
- 2,169,148
600,545
274,628
18,174
45,907
50,727
4,230,178

The net book value of motor vehicles includes £16,303 (2020: £35,235) in respect of assets held under hire purchase contracts. The depreciation charge in respect of such assets amounted to £6,311 (2020: £8,998).

41

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes to the financial statements

Charity Information

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire is a charity and a private company limited by guarantee domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Manor House, Broad Street, Great Cambourne, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 6DH.

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of accounting

These financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 are prepared in accordance with FRS102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (‘FRS102’) and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of investments and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by provisions of 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 (effective 1 January 2015).

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The Trustees confirm that the Charity is a public benefit entity.

1.2 Basis of consolidation

The consolidated accounts of the group incorporate the financial statements of the charity and its trading subsidiary company, both of which were made up to 31 March 2021.The statement of financial activities and the balance sheet consolidate the financial statements on a line by line basis where appropriate. No separate statement of financial activities has been presented for the Charity alone as permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. Details concerning the subsidiary company, along with the results and financial position are set out in note 31.

1.3 Going Concern

The Financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of free reserves held for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

1.4 Critical Judgements made in applying accounting policies

In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the

42

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The Charity accounts for depreciation in accordance with FRS 102. The depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life. Judgements are made on the estimated useful life of the assets which are regularly reviewed.

1.5 Fund accounting

1.5.1 Unrestricted Funds

1.5.2 Designated Funds

1.5.3 Restricted Income Funds

1.6 Incoming resources

Donations and legacies consist of donations or gifts, legacies, subscriptions and covenants and fundraising activities. The income is all credited to the statement of financial activities on a receipts basis, except legacies. Legacy income is included in the accounts when the amount due can be quantified with reasonable probability and the timing of the receipt is known. Where the legacy includes shares the value is shown as a debtor in the accounts until the funds are passed to our Investment Managers at which point they are shown as investments at market value. Tax refunds on covenant income are however accrued. Gifts in kind of a capital nature are taken into account on a current valuation. Rents are not recognised on a receivable basis.

Few life subscriptions are received and are not material in the context of total subscription income. They are therefore credited to income upon receipt and are not deferred.

Revenue grants including, service level agreements and landfill tax credits are either credited to the statement of financial activities on a receipts basis or accrued depending upon their nature. A number of grants are retrospective and where these are outstanding at the year-end for work completed, they are accrued. Grants received for the acquisition of a fixed asset are credited to the statement of financial activities when received and depreciation charged against the fund to which it is credited over the life of the asset.

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions have been met. Were the grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

1.7 Resources expended

Capital purchases are included in the accounts at cost. A de minimis level of £10,000 is applied to all capital items, capital purchases of less than £10,000 being expensed.

43

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

All expenditure, other than that which has been capitalised, is included in the SOFA, recognised on an accruals basis, as a liability is incurred. Any irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the cost it relates to.

Cost of Raising Funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of fundraising and maintaining memberships.

Charitable activities consist of those costs incurred in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. These include the provision of the premises, personnel, information technology and audit fees.

Support costs are allocated to each category of expenditure based on the proportion of staff costs.

Commission paid to staff in respect of subscription sales made is recognised on a receipts basis.

1.7.1 Irrecoverable VAT

The charity and its subsidiaries are partially exempt. Irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the appropriate cost categories.

1.8 Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets other than freehold land are stated at cost or valuation less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold property 100 years
Improvements 14-50 years
Computer equipment 4 years
CRM Database 8 years
Conservation equipment hides, fencing etc. 8 years
Office equipment 10 years
Motor vehicles 6 years

1.9

Heritage assets

The focus of the Trust is the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitats and biodiversity throughout Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. As such the Trust owns and maintains a number of nature reserves that fall into the definition of heritage assets in accordance with FRS 102.

The Trustees consider that, owing to the incomparable nature of the nature reserves, conventional valuation approaches lack sufficient reliability and that, even if valuations could be obtained, the costs would be onerous compared with the additional benefits derived by the Trust and users of the accounts. As a result, these assets have been capitalised at cost, and being land in nature reserves have not been depreciated.

Nature reserves acquired by gift are not capitalised unless a reliable enough reference value at the deemed cost of the asset is available without undue expense to the Trust.

44

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

The costs of maintaining the heritage assets are expensed through the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred, as part of the Trust’s charitable activities.

1.10 Intangible assets

Purchases of entitlement to Single Farm Payments/Basic Scheme Payments are valued at cost less accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated to write off the cost in decreasing annual instalments over the estimated useful life, using the reducing balance method. The useful life of the Basic Scheme Payments entitlements is deemed to be until the end of 2027, with payments reducing each year. We have therefore written down the value to £76,074 (2020: £73,189).

1.11 Stocks

1.12 Pension Costs

The Trust, together with a number of other employers, operates The Wildlife Trusts Pension Scheme (‘WTPS’). WTPS is a multi-employer defined benefit Scheme. The scheme is in deficit and the Trust is paying a contribution designed to clear the deficit by 2026.

The Trust also operates two defined contribution schemes for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are written off against incoming resources in the year they are payable. The assets of the scheme are held separately from the Trust in independently administered funds.

Full details of the Trust's pension arrangements are given in Note 10.

1.13 Deferred Income

In accordance with SORP 2015 (Accounting by Charities), restricted funds received for projects which are substantially incomplete or not commenced at the year-end are recognised in the year in which they have been received and carried forward in the balance of restricted funds. The restricted funds are reduced each year by an amount equal to any expenditure on such projects which have been incurred in the year.

1.14 Financial Instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial assets are recognised in the Charity’s statement of financial position when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets are classified into specified categories. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of recognition.

45

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition of interest would be immaterial. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating the interest income over the relevant period.

The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the debt instrument to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. The impairment loss is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.15 Classification of financial liabilities

46

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

1.16 Finance and operating leases

1.17 Provisions

A provision is recognised when the Trust has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation.

1.18 Taxation policy

The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income tax or corporation tax on charitable activities.

1.19 Investment Policy

Investments are stated at market value as quoted on the relevant Stock Exchange at the close of business on the last working day before the year end date. Unquoted unit trust investments are stated at the market value as established by the administrators of the unit trust. Market value is determined from the buying and selling price of the underlying securities in the relevant market.

2. Net income for the financial year

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the parent Charity’s Statement of Financial Activities has not been included in these financial statements. The parent charity’s total incoming resources for the year were £5,360,752 (2020: £6,665,880). The net surplus/(deficit) for the year for the Charity was £721,072 (2020: £1,589,855).

47

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

3. Voluntary income

3.
Voluntary income
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 2020
Total Total
£ £ £ £
Donations and sponsorships 199,020 135,049 334,069 183,217
Legacies 164,123 (679) 163,444 1,881,646
Subscriptions and Gift Aid 1,357,199 - 1,357,199 1,422,768
Grants received of a general
nature		 58,962 - 58,962 54,000
Appeals 70,539 70,539 61,803
─────── ─────── ─────── ───────
1,779,304 204,909 1,984,213 3,603,434
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
4.
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted 2021 2020
Total Total
£ £ £ £
RPA Grants received for a specific
purpose		 518,827
-
518,827
573,954
Grants received for a specific purpose -
1,105,142
1,105,142
1,020,077
Service level agreements 43,386
709,253
752,639
908,092
Landfill tax credits -
26,931
26,931
39,763
Other income 405,568
380,375
785,943
602,303

───────
───────
───────
───────

967,781
2,221,701
3,189,482
3,144,189

═══════
═══════
═══════
═══════

Of the £1,105,142 restricted grants received for a specific purpose:

2021: £648,092 (2020: £242,048) are derived from government sources

Of the £648,092 shown above, 2021: £329,014 (2020: £157,250) are derived from Heritage Lottery Fund.

5. Government Grant

During the year we received £162,254 (2020: £1,881) in relation to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

48

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements continued for the year ended 31 March 2021

6.
Interest and Investments		 6.
Interest and Investments
Unrestricted
Restricted		 2021 2020
Total Total
£ £ £ £
Bank Interest received 3,972 - 3,972 3,717
Income from Investments 58,715 921 59,636 12,769

───────		 ─────── ─────── ───────
62, 687 921 63,608 16,486
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════
7.
Total expenditure
Staff Other Support Governance 2021 2020
costs direct
costs
£ £ £ £ £
Fundraising 362,493 118,971 210,590
10,133		 702,187 985,107
Nature reserve
management 908,847 1,091,166 527,997
25,406		 2,553,416 2,213,155
Wider countryside 327,960 80,252 190,529
9,168		 607,909 623,427
Partnership
projects 322,513 72,307 187,363
9,016		 591,199 759,338
Education &
Community 264,999 112,041 153,952
7,408		 538,400 544,884
Rushden Lakes
Visitor Centre - 16,911 4,958
12,794		 34,663 106,423
2,186,812 1,491,648 1,275,389
73,925		 5,027,774 5,232,334
2021 2020
Total resources expended are
stated after charging :
Auditors Remuneration - audit 21,487 17,892
Depreciation of fixed assets 150,159 158,665
Amortisation of intangible assets 21,565 18,204
Profit/(loss) on sale of fixed assets 4,000 (5,183)
Amounts payable under operating
leases 19,488 19,488

49

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

8. Analysis of support costs

Communications
Management
Finance &
Administration
Premises
HR
IT
Governance		 Fundraising
£
34,711
52,622
71,633
19,110
17,270
20,202
215,548
22,927
238,475		 Nature
reserve
management
£
87,030
131,937
167,168
47,912
43,300
50,651
527,998
25,406		 Wider
countryside
£
31,405
47,609
60,323
17,289
15,625
18,278
190,529
9,168		 Partnership
projects
£
30,883
46,818
59,321
17,002
15,365
17,974
187,363
9,016		 Education
&
Community
£
25,376
38,469
48,743
13,970
12,625
14,769
153,952
7,408
161,360		 Support
Costs
Depn
Total
£
£
£
209,405
-
209,405
317,454
-
317,454
407,188
-
407,188
102,456
12,828
115,284
104,185
-
104,185
121,874
-
121,874
1,262,562
12,828
1,275,390
73,925
-
73,925
553,404 199,697 196,379 1,336,487
12,828
1,349,315

All support costs have been allocated on the basis of the proportion of staff costs

50

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

9. Staff costs

The movement in the year is after charging:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Employees and volunteers
Headcount average number of employees:		 2021
£
2,624,736
221,412
131,913
2,978,061
117		 2020
£
2,572,065
222,166
160,754
2,954,985
115
The F.T.E. average number of employees,
analysed by function was:
Nature reserve management 27 28
Wider countryside 12 12
Partnership projects 4 5
Education and Outreach 16 17
Central support services 9 10
Fundraising and donor development 8 7
Marketing and membership services 4 2
Monitoring and Research 12 12
92 93

We rely on volunteers to help in all aspects of our work particularly our Trustees and volunteers for practical conservation work, administration and fundraising. Our nature reserve voluntary wardens assist with practical habitat management, monitoring of wildlife and interpretation of the reserves for visitors. Many gather around themselves a team of volunteers to help with this work. Our staff manage teams of volunteers who turn out during the week to carry out practical habitat management and the monitoring and research team are substantially assisted by volunteers who gather, process and present data on the habitats and species that our work conserves.

Members of the Board did not receive any remuneration or benefits in kind during the period. Costs incurred by the Board travelling on Trust business and reimbursed to them amounted to £nil (2020: £nil).

One employee received emoluments of between £70,000 and £80,000 during the year (2020: one between £70,000 and £80,000).

Total remuneration of key management personnel in the period was £225,310 (2020: £239,272)

51

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

10. Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments

2021 2020
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 122,316 122,754

The Trust currently operates two defined contribution pension schemes, having closed the Capita scheme in March 2019. The assets of the schemes are held separately from those of the Trust in independently administered funds. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Trust to the fund and amounted to £120,958 (2020: £122,127) for Scottish Widows scheme and £1,358 (2020: £627) for the Government’s NEST scheme. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end.

Defined benefit scheme

Prior to the defined contribution schemes, the Trust operated a defined benefit scheme. This is now closed, but a small number of former staff remain in the scheme. This defined benefit scheme is provided through the Wildlife Trusts Pension Scheme (the Scheme).

The following employers are the sponsoring employers of defined benefit pension liabilities held in the Scheme in the UK, which provides retirement benefits based on members’ salaries when they left employment. Further Employers may have defined contribution benefits held within the Scheme, but these Employers are not shown here.

The assets of the Scheme are held in a separately administered fund and the Scheme is administered by the Trustees (independent of the Employers) who are responsible for ensuring that the Scheme is sufficiently funded to meet current and future obligations. However, the assets and liabilities are not segregated between the Employers.

52

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

10. Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

The disclosures set out below are based on calculations carried out as at 31 March 2021 by an independent qualified actuary.

The results of the calculations and the assumptions adopted are shown below. All figures in the disclosures are quoted to the nearest £1 unless otherwise stated. The sum of the components in each of the tables may not necessarily match the total shown due to the effects of rounding.

Key assumptions
Discount rate
Expected rate of increase of pensions in payment*
Fixed 5% pa
RPI max 5% pa
Future increases to deferred pensions
Inflation - RPI
Inflation - CPI
Mortality assumptions
Assumed life expectations on retirement at age 65:
Retiring today
- Males
- Females
Retiring in 20 years
- Males
- Females		 2021
2020
%
%
1.95
2.25
5.00
5.00
3.20
2.65
2.65
1.70
3.45
2.70
2.65
1.70
2021
2020
Years
Years
22.7
22.5
25.0
24.8
24.0
23.9
26.4
26.2

53

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

10 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

2021 2020
Mortality (before and after retirement) based on Males: 96% of Males: 96% of S3PA;
2018 CMI mortality tables S3PA; Females: Females: 95% of S3PA
95% of S3PA CMI_2018 with a long
CMI_2019 with a term rate of
long term rate of improvements of 1.25%
improvements of pa; Initial addition to
1.25% pa; Initial mortality improvements
addition to of 0.5%
mortality
improvements of
0.5%
Cash commutation Members assumed Members assumed to
to take 25% of take 25% of their
their pension as pension as tax-free
tax-free cash, cash, subject to HMRC
subject to HMRC restrictions, using cash
restrictions, using commutation factors
cash commutation currently in force.
factors currently in
force.
Amounts recognised in the statement of financial activities
Interest on net defined benefit liability
Administration expenses
Total recognised in the statement of financial activities
Amounts taken to other recognised gains/losses
Actual return on scheme assets – gains and (losses)
Less: amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit
Return on scheme assets excluding interest income
Actuarial return on scheme assets – gains and (losses)
Remeasurement gain/(loss) recognised		 2021
£
1,899
12,274
14,173
2021
£
107,296

(14,820)

92,476

(80,980)
11,496

54

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

10 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

Fair value of Scheme assets
Present value of defined benefit obligations
Defined benefit asset/(liability) recognised in balance sheet		 2021
£
770,728
(833,045)
(62,316)		 2020
£
653,907
(750,770)
(96,863)
Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations
Present value of defined benefit obligation at beginning of period
Benefits paid including expenses
Actuarial gains and losses
Administration costs
Interest cost
Present value of defined benefit obligation at end of period
Movements in the fair value of plan assets
Fair value of assets at beginning of period
Interest income
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest)
Benefits paid including expenses
Contributions by the employer
Fair value of assets at end of period		 2021
£
750,770
(27,698)
80,980
12,274
16,719
833,045
2021
£
653,907
14,820
92,476
(27,698)
37,224
770,728

55

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

10 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments (continued)

2021 2020
% %
UK Equities 4.3 4.0
Overseas Equities 29.9 22.3
Diversified Growth Funds 23.5 22.4
UK Government Fixed Interest Bonds 14.3 18.8
UK Government Index Linked Bonds 14.7 16.9
UK Corporate Bonds 9.7 10.3
Property 2.1 2.5
Cash 1.5 2.8
100.0 100.0
2021
Projected total expense recognised in the statement of financial activities £
Interest on net defined benefit liability 967
Administration expenses 12,274
Total recognised in the statement of financial activities 13,241

56

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

11. Heritage assets

Five year summary of heritage asset transactions

Cost
brought
forward
Purchases
in year
Gifts in
year
Transfer
from land
in tenure
and
freehold
property
Disposals
Cost
carried
forward		 2021
2020
£
13,956,559
13,906,559

86,710
50,000
-
-
-
-

-

14,043,269
13,956,559		 2019
£

13,433,519
473,039
-
-

-
13,906,559		 2018
£
13,411,394


22,125
-
-

-
13,433,519		 2017
£
13,411,394
-
-

-
13,411,394

It is not practical to separately identify the amount spent on maintaining these assets as it is so integral to the general work of the Trust. There are two classes of heritage asset, included in the above, one which consists of land purchased and held as a nature reserve and one which consists of a building of heritage importance.

Purchases in the five years above are valued at purchase price in accordance with the Trust’s accounting policy (see accounting policy 1.4). This includes any legal costs in relation to the land purchase.

Any heritage assets donated in the period have been reflected in the balance sheet in reference to the market value date of the donation.

12. Intangible assets

Intangible assets as at 1 April b/fwd
Entitlements to Basic Payments Scheme purchased (at
Fair Value)
Amortisation of Basic Payments Scheme Entitlements
Total intangible assets as at 31 March 2021		 2021
£
73,189
24,450
(21,565)
76,074		 2020
£
74,593
16,800
(18,204)
73,189

57

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Intangible assets (continued)

The useful life of the Basic Scheme Payments entitlements is deemed to be until the end of 2027, with payments reducing each year. Amortisation is calculated to write off the cost in decreasing annual instalments over the estimated useful life.

13. Stock

Consolidated
Stock as at 1 April b/fwd
Movements in year Increase/(decrease)
Total as at 31 March 2021
Charity
Stock as at 1 April b/fwd
Movements in year Increase/(decrease)
Total as at 31 March 2021
14.
Debtors
Group
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other Debtors

Charity
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other Debtors		 2021
£
64,169
(6,377)






2020
£
92,529
(28,360)
57,792 64,169
40,878
(2,124)		 48,793
(7,915)
38,754 40,878
2021
£
204,004
2,330,492
4,918
2,539,414
203,970
2,330,492
4,702
2,539,164		 2020
£
238,342
2,236,675
6,447
2,481,464
237,143
2,236,675
5,257
2,479,075

58

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

15. Investments

Group
2021 2020
Quoted Investments £ £
Market Value at 1 April 2020 1,465,256 0
Additions 1,000,000 1,569,634
Disposals 0 0
Unrealised gain/(loss) on investments 313,764 (104,378)
Market value at 31 March 2021 2,779,020 1,465,256
All investments are held primarily to provide an investment return for the charity.
Geographical Analysis 2021 2020
£ £
United Kingdom 1,089,376 565,589
North America 944,867 471,812
Europe 327,924 178,761
Global 188,973 126,012
Emerging Markets 100,045 52,749
Pacific 72,255 26,375
Japan 55,580 43,958
2,779,020 1,465,256
Charity
Equities Subsidiary Total
undertaking
£ £ £
Balance at 1 April 2020 1,465,248 1 1,465,249
Additions 1,000,000 0 1,000,000
Gain/(losses) during year 313,764 0 313,764
Cash on deposit 8 0 8
Market value at 31 March 2021 2,779,020 1 2,779,021

The investment in the subsidiary undertaking represents 100% of the ordinary share capital of WTBCN Trading Limited, being a trading company incorporated in England and Wales.

59

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

16.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2021
£
Group
Trade creditors
448,864
Taxation and social security
94,037
Other creditors
38,980
Obligations under hire purchase agreements
4,733
Accruals and deferred income
206,235
792,849
Charity
Trade creditors
446,472
Taxation and social security
94,037
Other creditors
38,980
Obligations under hire purchase agreements
4,733
Accruals and deferred income
194,035
778,257
17.
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
2021
£
Group
Deferred income (Luton Guided Busway)
392,645
Deferred income (BPS Entitlements)
76,074
Obligations under hire purchase agreements
0
468,719
Charity
Deferred income (Luton Guided Busway)
392,645
Deferred income (BPS Entitlements)
76,074
Obligations under hire purchase agreements
0
468,719
Group Deferred income analysis
In more than one year but not more than two years
51,463
In more than two years but not more than five years
120,163
In more than five years
297,093		 2020
£
167,109
66,193
14,745
11,360
140,760
400,167
164,765
65,737
14,745
11,360
136,844
393,451
2020
£
436,274
68,188
4,733
509,195
436,274
68,188
4,733
509,195
61,621
141,217
306,357

60

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

18. Provisions for liabilities and charges

rovisions for liabilities and charges
Provisions for liabilities and charges as at 1 April 2020
Provision for clawbacks of BPS and HLS income accrued
in year ended 31 March 2021
RSWT Pension scheme liability provision
Provision for liabilities and charges as at 31 March
2021		 2021
£
144,967
83,597
(34,547)
194,017		 2020
£
297,018
-
(152,051)
144,967

19. Restricted income funds

These funds have been set aside for specific projects. These projects may arise out of the Trust’s ongoing activities, or the Trust may be asked to carry out a specific task. Either way, at some stage in the project, grants and donations will have been received specific to that project. Therefore once a project is commenced any funds committed to it are restricted to that fund. It is anticipated that these funds will be used over the coming months and years as the expenditure for which these funds were raised is incurred. There are therefore many small funds and for the purposes of statutory reporting these have been grouped together under 5 main headings.

Balance at
31 March
2020
In-
comings
Out-
goings
Transfers
(to)/from
Unres-
tricted
Gains/
losses &
Transfers
Balance at
31 March
2021		 Balance at
31 March
2020
In-
comings
Out-
goings
Transfers
(to)/from
Unres-
tricted
Gains/
losses &
Transfers
Balance at
31 March
2021		 Balance at
31 March
2020
In-
comings
Out-
goings
Transfers
(to)/from
Unres-
tricted
Gains/
losses &
Transfers
Balance at
31 March
2021		 Balance at
31 March
2020
In-
comings
Out-
goings
Transfers
(to)/from
Unres-
tricted
Gains/
losses &
Transfers
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
£
£
£
£
£
15,098,852
-
-
-
-
15,098,852
285,473
394,077
(191,436)
(94,056)
-
394,058		 £ £
£
£
Land purchase
fund
Great Fen (191,436) (94,056)
-
394,058
Luton Guided
Busway		 484,748
-
(26,506)
(21,969)
-
436,273
714,938
-
-
(334,597)
-
380,341
Other
Restricted
projects
Other
Restricted
Funds 1,260,578 - -
-
757,904
2,018,480
17,844,589 394,077 (217,944) (450,622)
757,904
18,328,004

Transfers out of restricted funds have been made to cover costs initially accounted for as unrestricted, for example staff time, and where the project has been completed and no funding is required to be returned to the funders. Transfers into the funds are made when the project has been completed and the shortfall on funding is made up from the charity’s unrestricted funds.

61

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

20. Designated funds

20.
Designated funds		 20.
Designated funds
These funds have been designated by the Trustees as follows:
Balance at Incomings Outgoings Gain/losses Balance at
31 March and transfers 31 March
2020 2021
£ £ £
£		 £
Group
Land purchase and 934,207
-		 26,144 - 908,063
improvement
Education 450,000
-		 18,913 - 431,087
New Projects 447,495
-		 - - 447,495
1,831,702
-		 45,057 - 1,786,645
Charity
Land purchase and 934,207
-		 26,144 - 908,063
improvement
Education 450,000 18,913 431,085
New Projects 447,495
-		 - - 447,495
1,831,702 45,057 1,786,645

The Land purchase and improvement fund is to purchase land and bring new or existing land up to nature reserve standard and deliver infrastructure for visitors.

The Education fund is to support education projects, such as Forest Schools, and provide expenses to interns and secondments.

The New Projects fund is to provide seed corn funding for new activities. It can also be used to provide loans to the Subsidiary Company for income generating projects.

62

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

21. Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
Balance at Incomings Outgoings Transfers Gains/ Balance at
31 March (to)/from (losses) 31 March
2020 restricted and 2021
transfers
£ £ £ £ £ £
Group
General 3,824,647 - - 450,622 (163,766) 4,111,503
funds
3,824,647 - - 450,622 (163,766) 4,111,503
Balance at Incomings Outgoings Transfers Gains/ Balance at
31 March (to)/ from losses and 31 March
2020 restricted transfers 2021
£ £ £ £ £ £
Charity
General 3,881,207 - - 450,622 (167,908) 4,163,741
funds
3,881,207 - - 450,622 (167,908) 4,163,741

These funds have been set aside for projects that are not fully funded by restricted income. Any unspent funds will be spent over the coming years as the expenditure for which these funds have been set aside is incurred.

63

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

22. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Funds
General
Designated
Group
£
£
Freehold Property
1,058,222
-
Land in Tenure
-
-
Other fixed assets
219,454
-
Heritage assets
685,269
-
Intangible fixed assets
76,074
-
Loan to associated organisation
-
-
Stock and work in progress
57,792
-
Debtors
1,796,331
-
Investments
1,696,198
1,786,643
Cash at bank and in hand
including short-term investments
(786,218)
-
Current liabilities
(489,716)
-
Creditors due after more than
one year
(7,886)
-
Provision for liabilities and
charges
(194,017)
-
Total net assets
4,111,503
1,786,643
Unrestricted Funds
General
Designated
Charity
£
£
Freehold Property
1,058,222
-
Land in Tenure
-
-
Other fixed assets
219,454
-
Heritage assets
685,269
-
Intangible fixed assets
76,074
-
Loan to associated organisations
30,000
-
Stock and work in progress
38,754
-
Debtors
1,954,132
-
Investments
1,696,199
1,786,643
Cash at bank and in hand
including short-term investments
(840,739)
-
Current liabilities
(551,538)
-
Creditors due after more than
one year
(7,886)
-
Provision for liabilities and
charges
(194,017)
-
Total net assets
4,163,921
1,786,643		 Restricted
Funds
-
2,169,146
710,781
13,358,000
-
-
-
743,083
-
2,110,962
(303,133)
(460,833)
-
18,328,006
Restricted
Funds
£
-
2,169,146
710,781
13,358,000
-
-
-
742,490
-
2,114,836
(306,415)
(460,833)
-
18,328,006		 Total Funds
1,058,222
2,169,146
930,235
14,043,269
76,074
-
57,792
2,539,414
3,482,841
1,324,744
(792,849)
(468,719)
(194,017)
24,226,152
Total Funds
£
1,058,222
2,169,146
930,235
14,043,269
76,074
30,000
38,754
2,696,622
3,482,842
1,274,095
(857,953)
(468,719)
(194,017)
24,278,570

64

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

23. Contingent liabilities

Included within restricted funds are grants received towards specific projects. The terms and conditions attaching to some of these grants provide for funds to be clawed back by the grant making body in the event of specific project underspends or a default by the company in respect of other terms and conditions which may apply.

No circumstances giving rise to a claw-back of restricted funds held at 31 March 2021 have been identified, but the company remains contingently liable in this respect. It is not possible to quantify the extent of any potential liability which existed at that date.

24. Financial commitments – operating leases

At 31 March 2021 the company was committed to making the following payments under noncancellable operating leases in the year to 31 March 2022:

Land and buildings Land and buildings Other
2021 2020 2021 2020
£ £ £ £
Operating leases which
expire:
Within one year 16,980 16,980 1,943 2,508
Between two and five years 42,000 42,000 - -
In over five years 787,500 798,000 - -
─────── ─────── ─────── ────────
846,480 856,980 1,943 2,508
═══════ ═══════ ═══════ ═══════

The Trust has a 100 year lease, commenced in March 2001, for Lings House and Woods. Currently it receives an annual amount, equivalent to the annual rental, from Northampton Borough Council of £10,500 via a service level agreement; this agreement was extended to 2025.

25. Financial commitments – finance leases

At 31 March 2021 the company was committed to making the following payments under Finance leases in the year to 31 March 2022

Finance leases which expire:
Within one year
Between two and five years		 Motor vehicles
2021
2020
£
£
6,187
12,374
-
6,187
6,187
18,561		 Motor vehicles
2021
2020
£
£
6,187
12,374
-
6,187
6,187
18,561
18,561

65

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

26. Related party transactions

At the year-end the Charity was owed £157,458 (2020: £150,750) from WTBCN Trading Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

No Trustee nor any person connected with them received any remuneration during the year (2020 - £nil).

During the year no Trustees were reimbursed travel expenses (2020 - £nil).

27. Landfill tax credits

Receipts from landfill operators are shown as trust income net of the 2% ENTRUST administration charge. Where the Trust receives funds from an environmental body, the 2% is not payable but the Trust remains accountable to ENTRUST for the proper use of the funds.

28. Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities

29.

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting
period (as per the statement of financial
activities)

Depreciation of tangible assets
Depreciation of intangible assets
Write down of Fixed Assets
Luton Guided Busway
Basic Payments Scheme
Interest Element of finance leases
(Profit)/loss on disposal of tangible assets
reclassification to investing activities
(Increase)/Decrease in stock
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors within 1 year
(Decrease)/increase in Provision for liabilities
and charges
Net cash inflow from operating activity
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash in hand
Deposits on less than 3 month notice		 2021
£
346,722
150,159
21,565
-
(43,629)
7,886
1,014
(4,000)
6,377
(57,950)
399,309
49,050
876,503
2021
142,462
1,182,282		 2020
£
1,676,807
158,665
18,204
10,683
(48,474)
(6,405)
1,089
(5,500)
28,360
470,782
(146,485)
(152,051)
2,005,675
2020
£
88,082
991,521

66

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

1,324,744 1,079,603

30. Transfer between funds

Every year a transfer is made between restricted and unrestricted funds to cover restricted costs that have been paid for out of unrestricted funds.

31. Subsidiary company

WTBCN Trading Ltd, Manor House, Broad Street, Great Cambourne, Cambs CB23 6DH company number: 11098048.

The turnover of WT BCN Trading Limited amounted to £38,805, (2020: £100,110) and the net profit arising is £4,142 (2020: (£6,314 net loss)). The expenditure incurred is £34,663 (2020: £106,424). The aggregate amount of its assets, liabilities and funds at 31 March 2021 was (£52,418) (2020: ((£56,560)).

32. Analysis of Debt/Funds

Analysis of net (debt/funds)

Net cash:
Cash at bank and in hand
Add: Liquid resources
Current asset investments
Less: Debt
Debts falling due within
one year
Debts falling due after one
year
Net funds		 1 April
2020
1,079,603
1,465,256
2,544,859
(12,374)
(6,187)
(18,561)
2,526,298		 Cash flow

245,141
1,000,000
1,245,141

12,374

-

12,374
1,257,515		 Other non-cash
changes

-

313,764

313,764

(6,187)

6,187

-
313,764		 31 March
2021

1,324,744

2,779,020

4,103,764

(6,187)

-

(6,187)
4,097,577

67

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

33. Comparative Information – Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020

Incoming and
endowments from:
Voluntary income
Charitable activities
Interest & Investments
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total
Profit/(loss) on disposal of
fixed
assets
Net
income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net incoming resources
before
other recognised gains
or losses
Other recognised
gains/(losses):
Gains/(losses) on
Investments and Pensions
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought
forward
Total funds carried
forward		 Unrestricted
income
£
3,551,827
1,156,262
16,486
4,724,575
985,107
2,745,352
3,730,459
224
994,340
600,935
1,595,275
55,069
1,650,344
4,006,003
5,656,347		 Restricted
income
£
51,607
1,989,808
2,041,415
-
1,501,875
1,501,875
(5,407)
534,133
(600,935)
(66,802)
-
(66,802)
17,911,393
17,844,591		 Total 2020
£
3,603,434
3,146,070
16,486
6,765,990
985,107
4,247,227
5,232,334
(5,183)
1,528,473
-
1,528,473
55,069
1,583,542
21,917,396
23,500,938		 Total 2019
£
4,104,136
2,643,258
3,634
6,751,028
832,628
4,111,647
4,944,275
5,833
1,812,586
-
1,812,586
-
1,812,586
20,104,810
21,917,396

68

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Notes to the financial statements (cont.) for the year ended 31 March 2021

34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020		 34.
Comparative Information - Total expenditure FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020
Staff Other Support Governance 2020 2019
costs direct
costs
£ £ £ £ £
Fundraising 354,956 438,168 180,815 11,168 985,107 832,628
Nature reserve
management 848,265 906,093 432,108 26,689 2,213,155 2,168,239
Wider countryside 383,309 102,139 172,335 10,644 623,427 604,071
Partnership
projects 356,353 210,246 181,527 11,212 759,338 724,121
Education &
Community 288,687 100,056 147,058 9,083 544,884 482,513
Rushden Lakes
Visitor Centre 100,093 2,424 3,906 106,423 132,703
2,186,570 1,856,795 1,116,267 72,702 5,232,334 4,944,275
2020 2019
Total resources expended are
stated after charging :
Auditors Remuneration - audit 17,892 15,622
Depreciation of fixed assets 158,665 158,630
Amortisation of intangible assets 18,204 16,162
Profit/(loss) on sale of fixed assets (5,183) 5,833
Amounts payable under operating
leases 19,488 25,462

69

HIGHLIGHTS IN NUMBERS

1,777 new members recruited – welcome!

1,000,000+

records of wildlife in Northamptonshire now logged by the NBRC

13,417 birds

spotted in 2020 by 19 volunteers across 6 Nene Valley sites using our new scrape habitats created by the Farming for the Future project

50,000

plug plants planted for the Great Fen Water Works project between September and November in 2020

200+

glowing female glowworms were found over the summer, including at 8 new sites in south Cambs where previously unrecorded, by Community Conservation Officer Iain Webb

580 entries

to our Photography Competition sponsored by Fujifilm UK – a record-breaking 240 people submitting their work for consideration

5,700 people in BCN took part in 30 Days Wild in June – an 88% increase compared to 2019

Thank you

Cygnet by Janice Elliott, 2020 Wildlife Trust BCN Photo Competition finalist

www.wildlifebcn.org

Company Registration No 2534145 (England and Wales) Registered Charity No. 1000412