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2023-03-31-accounts

Trustees' report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Registered Charity Number: 1022675

Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Contents of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Chair's Foreword 4
Report of the Trustees 5 to 25
Independent Examiner's Report 26
Statement of Financial Activities 27
Balance Sheet 28
Notes to the Financial Statements 29 to 41
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 42 to 43

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Legal and Administrative information

Charity number 1022675

Charity Offices

Tramshed Tech Pendyris Street Cardiff CF22 6BH

Trustees

Roger Thomas Chair Jen Anderson Treasurer Beverley Penney Open Spaces Society (Hon. Secretary) Rachel Sharp Wildlife Trusts Wales Natalie Buttriss Woodland Trust Ffion Mitchell Marine Conservation Society

President Post vacant

Co-Directors Karen Whitfield

Susan Evans

Independent Examiner Henry Lloyd Davies Bevan Buckland LLP Langdon House Langdon Road Swansea Waterfront SA1 8QY

Bankers

Co-operative Bank P.O. Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Chair’s Foreword

A year ago I recorded that funding remained a challenge. Regrettably, and despite strenuous efforts by our staff and Trustees over the last 12 months, I must now flag funding as WEL’s most urgent priority.

Notwithstanding helpful NRW-funded collaboration with The Funding Centre in reviewing our financial strategy, and action to reduce running costs to a lean minimum, we have not achieved significant progress towards our strategic aim of making WEL viable in financial terms.

We were obliged at the end of September to reduce our staff complement to only 2.3 full-time equivalents, a level of resource which is insufficient to deliver the breadth and depth of services upon which our members and Welsh Government rely.

This also places us at a disadvantage amongst the UK Environment Links, where we trail our sister organisations pro rata in internal resources, rendering our ability to play a full part in UK-wide environmental work impossible.

Over the year we have begun considering how to increase our income from membership subscriptions, sought to increase our membership, continued to make the case to the Welsh Government for their support and pursued the very limited grant-funding opportunities available to primarily policy-based organisations.

Our small complement of staff has once-again delivered far more than could be expected of them. As detailed further in this report, and in tandem with our members, we collectively continue the fight to stem the post-Brexit tide – primarily from Westminster – that seeks to dilute environmental legislation. It is a battle that we must not lose; we should all be grateful that such committed and knowledgeable people are devoted to safeguarding and improving our natural environment and, thereby, our future.

Roger Thomas Chair

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Trustees’ Report

The Trustees present their report and Wales Environment Link's financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Organisational Information

Charity name

Wales Environment Link is also known as WEL. Its X/Twitter handles are @WalesLink and @WalesLinkMarine.

Trustees

The Trustees, who are members of the Management Committee, have served throughout the year, unless otherwise stated.

Constitution of the Charity, Trustee selection and governance

Wales Environment Link's constitution was adopted on 1st November 1990 and amended on 8th May 1991, 5th May 1993, 18th June 1997, 10th September 1997, 3rd July 2002, 7th July 2004, 21st November 2012, 10th July 2013, 16th May 2017 and 4th July 2018.

Appointment to the Management Committee is governed by the Trust Deed of the charity, and appointments made either at the Annual General Meeting or, in the case of a vacancy, by agreement of a majority of the member organisations at a Council Meeting.

Council meets twice a year, principally to consider policy matters of relevance to the members. Decisions are made on the basis of consensus; however where a formal vote is required decisions are taken by a majority vote of the Full members of the Council.

The Management Committee manages the affairs of the charity and makes such decisions as may be required to ensure the continuing operation of the charity and to address any substantial matters arising in furtherance of the charitable objectives of the charity.

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Management Committee delegates the day-to-day responsibility for the organisation and line management of staff to the Co-Directors of Wales Environment Link.

Related bodies

There are four Link networks in the UK:

Each Link is a coalition organisation, set up to complement and add value to the actions of individual members. The Links work together on UK or European-level policy, forming 'Environment Links UK' (ELUK) statements and documents. We also work with Greener UK, a coalition working to campaign for strong environmental protection post-Brexit.

Charitable objects

WEL is established, for the benefit of the public, to promote and enhance the conservation, protection, sustainable management, and quiet and responsible enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of Wales.

Vision

A thriving Welsh environment for future generations[1]

1 For the purposes of interpretation, “environment” means terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments. It includes urban and rural environments and areas of importance for natural heritage, landscape and public access.

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Mission Statement

Our mission is for the WEL network to be the primary NGO sector influencer of environmental policy, legislation and practice in Wales, respected for our members' expertise and advice and at the centre of government decision making.

Strategic Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Objective 1: A cohesive voice for the environment

Provide a cohesive voice for our members by enabling them to work effectively with governments and statutory sectors as a respected and influential independent advisory network.

KPIs:

  1. WEL is the first point of contact for Government and statutory bodies when looking for representation from the environmental NGO sector.

  2. WEL recommendations are taken up in Committee reports, and Government policy and legislation.

  3. WEL provides timely, well-informed positions and recommendations that influence policy and legislative change.

Objective 2: Building trust, expertise and capacity

Support and nurture the environmental NGO sector by facilitating the development of partnerships, knowledge and expertise, increasing the sustainability of the sector, building mutual trust and enhancing capacity within the membership.

KPIs:

  1. WEL members are provided with effective training on relevant topics to assist them with their collaborative work and influencing. Courses are sought after and members find them useful.

  2. WEL is a valued partner to the other UK Links (collectively known as Environment Links UK / ELUK) and a key participant in other environmental and relevant third sector coalitions, such as Greener UK, Stop Climate Chaos Cymru, the SD Alliance and the Third Sector Partnership Council.

  3. WEL has the capacity and tools to support at least one joint campaign per year on our members' collective key priorities, in a way that adds value to our members' individual campaigning and strengthens the ability to be heard.

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Objective 3: Supporting our members

Develop WEL's role as a key support mechanism for its members, clearly demonstrating the achievements and importance of the network to members, funders and partners

KPIs:

  1. WEL is recognised as a champion for its members

  2. WEL continues to attract new members, and funding from both the Welsh Government, and trusts and foundations.

  3. WEL members value the network's role in keeping them informed about policy and legislative developments, opportunities for partnership working, support mechanisms and funding opportunities.

Objective 4: A strong public profile

Develop WEL's public profile in order to better promote its members' agreed collective priorities, messages and recommendations.

KPIs:

  1. WEL's social media platforms continue to increase their followers and are valued by our members for promoting their work and raising awareness of environmental issues.

  2. WEL's website is a useful resource for those looking for information about WEL, its members, and network positions on policy issues.

  3. Politicians, government officials and staff from statutory bodies know the WEL network, who its members are, what it represents and what it can offer.

Objective 5: A viable network

Maintain a sustainable, efficient and effective network which is financially stable and overseen by sound governance procedures.

KPIs:

  1. WEL members value the network as an important source of timely information, and are able to engage in joint work with the network in a variety of ways (e.g. through email, Basecamp, social media, video/tele-conferencing and face to face meetings and events).

  2. WEL continues to operate with a healthy funding reserve, diverse income streams and has confidence in its financial practices, organisational policies and

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risk management.

  1. WEL has a high staff retention rate with staff members feeling valued and happy with their working conditions.

  2. WEL attracts and retains skilled Trustees, who feel valued by the network.

Statement of Public Benefit

The Trustees of Wales Environment Link continue to pay due regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in relation to our activities, thus complying with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011.

All of the objectives of the charity were devised to contribute to the overall purpose of safeguarding and improving the environment, countryside, heritage, habitats, wildlife and biodiversity of Wales. The act of safeguarding and improving these precious resources is intrinsically for the good of the people of Wales, visitors to Wales and also to global citizens. The Welsh environment and the natural and cultural resources it provides play a significant part in supporting peoples' health and well-being in a multitude of ways, from contributing to good mental and physical health, to reducing the impacts of climate change and helping people to adapt to its effects. WEL advocates for a prosperous, low carbon society which supports the sorts of jobs Wales needs for a just transition.

WEL provides a coordinating service for the environmental and heritage voluntary sector in Wales, increasing the sector’s efficiency so that scarce resources are used to greatest effect. The WEL website provides information about WEL's members and its work, including links to all member organisations' websites with their wide range of information available for the public relating to wildlife and countryside issues, including: recreation, health, sustainable development, education and biodiversity. WEL also promotes the work of its members using Twitter/X. WEL staff provide support to all member organisations and thus their members, helping to ensure their own objectives are also met, with wide-reaching public benefit.

Review of developments, activities and achievements over the past year

WEL staff supported 7 working groups this year. The groups were, Advocacy, Biodiversity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Green Recovery, Land Use, Marine and Species Champions. Group key activities for the year are reported under the KPIs below. During the year it was agreed to complete the work of the Green Recovery Group, which had begun as a Task & Finish Group, as the group had completed the work it was originally set up to do. Whilst there was potential for

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some areas of proactive work on green economy issues, staff reductions within WEL which reduced our staff team from 3.3FTE to a very lean 2.3FTE from October meant that there was no capacity to continue to support this area of work into the long term.

All WEL and Environment Links UK consultation responses, position statements and briefings are available on the WEL website: www.waleslink.org.

Objective 1: A cohesive voice for the environment

WEL remains the first point of contact for environmental NGOs when Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), or other public or private bodies seek representation from a wide range of environmental NGOs in policy discussions and decision-making processes. In 2022 - 2023, WEL members represented the network on 25 stakeholder groups that were convened by the Welsh Government, NRW, third sector or private sector bodies. A full list of all stakeholder groups is included in Annex 1.

WEL regularly provides written and oral evidence to Senedd Committees on a range of environmental subjects. This year, WEL has provided written and oral evidence to inquiries on the Single Use Plastics Bill, the Welsh Government Draft Budget, the Retained EU Law Bill, biodiversity and the Agriculture (Wales) Bill.

We continue to provide secretariat for the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Biodiversity, giving a united front for the eNGO sector and making vital links with Senedd work on biodiversity. Capacity allowing, we will continue with at least two meetings a year, for which the WEL members help decide themes, based on Senedd topical issues, upcoming legislation and Welsh Government developments. We also increasingly involve non-WEL members for events (such as the Royal Welsh Show or Senedd drop-in events) to increase our reach and collaboration.

Land Use Working Group

WEL worked intensively on the Agriculture (Wales) Bill and ongoing development of Wales’ Sustainable Farming Scheme. From September 2022 to the end of March 2023 WEL worked to influence amendments to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill, focusing on the need to strengthen the Bill’s impact on restoring biodiversity, improving public access, introducing a strong regulatory baseline (National Minimum Standards) and ensuring a sunset clause for the Basic Payment Scheme, to ensure uptake of the Sustainable Farming Scheme. WEL produced a briefing on National Minimum Standards and also gave evidence at Stage 1, with a number of our

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recommendations being picked up in the Rural Affairs Committee and the Legislation Committee’s reports. Our work on the Bill was supported by a media campaign including an e-action, WEL member interviews by the BBC and Welsh media, and an Institute of Welsh Affairs article by WEL’s Co-Director, Karen Whitfield.

We made some progress at Stage 2 in getting opposition political parties to support some of WEL’s suggested amendments, particularly in relation to delivering the Bill’s Sustainable Land Management Objectives together, with no hierarchy, and on the inclusion of National Minimum Standards, which were not included within the Bill. Whilst these amendments did not pass, they ensured that we got some important clarifications on the record from the Minister which can be used in future interpretation on these matters. Work followed to influence Stage 3 of the Bill, which fell outside the scope of this Annual Report.

The Outline Sustainable Farming Scheme for Wales was published in July 2022. WEL held a well-attended event at the Royal Welsh Show in partnership with the Nature Friendly Farming Network and Chaired by the CEO of the Food and Farming Commission. This event was attended by farming stakeholders, Members of the Senedd and environmental NGOs. The event showcased good practice from Nature Friendly Farmers and included a panel discussion with the Minister for Rural Affairs, enabling questions from the audience about the Outline Sustainable Farming Scheme. WEL also wrote to the Minister with our headline analysis of the Outline Sustainable Farming Scheme, and we promoted our recommendations on social media. We felt the Scheme was broadly moving in the right direction in terms of actions expected to protect nature, create habitat and prevent pollution. However, it needs strengthening in relation to the actions expected from farmers in the Universal layer of the Scheme.

WEL wrote to the Minister for Rural Affairs with follow up evidence regarding recommendations 1 and 8 of the ETRA Committee’s report on Review of The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, which we gave evidence on in 2021. We did not feel we had had the opportunity to address the points that these recommendations covered in our evidence to the Committee. We also responded to a Welsh Government consultation on the introduction of a licensing scheme under the new Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. This could allow a higher level of nitrogen fertilizer spreading in certain cases under license where no adverse environmental impacts can be demonstrated. We believe that this is a potential opportunity to license polluting farming activities more widely, bringing the farming industry into line with other polluting industries such as

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water companies and providing revenue for Natural Resources Wales to monitor and enforce against agricultural pollution incidents.

In September 2022, WEL published Blueprint Wales for PR24: Environmental Outcomes for the Price Review, which set out the group’s recommendations for Welsh Government, Ofwat and water companies when publishing water company business plans for 2024 – 2029. This document shared many of the same recommendations as those of the Blueprint Group in England but made specific recommendations for Wales where policy direction is diverging on some issues. This document was sent to officials, NRW staff who were working on the National Environment Plan (NEP) for water companies, Ofwat and water companies in Wales. The document was also presented to Welsh Water’s Independent Environmental Advisory Panel. The Land Use Working Group has worked on building its understanding of the Price Review process and its relationships with water companies and Ofwat. The group has also responded to Ofwat’s consultation on its PR24 methodology for improving water company performance.

Biodiversity Working Group

WEL members commissioned economist Matt Rayment to cost out the minimum investment that we need to see for nature in Wales in 10 key areas. The report, ’ Pathways to 2030: 10 key areas for investment in nature s recovery across Wales, was launched at the Cross-Party Group for Biodiversity in the Senedd on 28th March and is already generating debate amongst Welsh Government officials and politicians. The launch included Senedd Members from Labour, Plaid and Conservatives, and we gave examples of best practice on both land and sea. We highlighted the Celtic Rainforest (EU LIFE funded) as one of the best terrestrial nature restoration projects in recent years, and the Skomer Island MCZ and Sky Ocean Rescue Seagrass projects, with WWF, as marine ecosystem recovery in action.

WEL members have also presented the report to the Welsh Government’s Nature Recovery Action Plan Implementation Group, shared with Natural Resources Wales, and helped guide WEL member input on budget discussions with officials. We hope that it will be taken into consideration as the Welsh Government updates its Nature Recovery Action plan and considers where to place investment over the next few years. The Pathways report helps feed into the Welsh Government’s Deep Dive work on implementing their own biodiversity recommendations and COP 15

commitments. WEL has two representatives on Expert Groups, that will run from June – December 2023, on monitoring and OECMs / Nature Recovery Exemplar Areas.

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The Biodiversity Working Group continues to build the case for environmental governance legislation that will also introduce a duty to set statutory targets for nature’s recovery. We worked with Climate Cymru on raising the profile of the issue, as they established an e-action for members of the public to tell the First Minister to ‘act for nature’ and introduce the Nature Positive Bill. The group also responded to the consultation on the National Milestones, focusing on the biodiversity milestone.

Marine Working Group

WEL’s Marine Working Group has continued to provide valued input to the Welsh Government’s Wales Marine Action and Advisory Group, Wales Marine Fisheries Advisory Group and the Marine Planning Stakeholder Reference Group.

This past year, WEL-wide work on marine matters has reduced, as we await developments on a form of Marine Spatial Plan and statutory consultations on mapping new Marine Conservation Zones. However, we have established annual catch ups with the Minister for Climate Change via beach walks near her constituency. WEL members have found it helpful to have the direct relationship with the Minister evolve so that we can have honest discussions about delays.

The group also fed into the Biodiversity Deep Dive and fed into the Pathways to 2030 report marine sections. We continue to use the marine Species Champions to highlight marine matters, with several debates taking place in the Senedd from our prompting on blue carbon, spatial planning for renewables and the need urgently for a Seabird Strategy and overdue Marine Protected Areas / Marine Conservation Zones to be designated. We aspire to bring on board more policy capacity for this group in the future, to assist the group with their objectives and advocate for these much-awaited policies to be published and implemented.

Species Champions Project

Between April 2022 and March 2023, we have recruited several new Species Champions. The Great Crested Newt Champion brought Amphibian and Reptile Conservation back into the project, with Heledd Fychan MS. We’ve also recruited a Dormouse Champion, a Yellow Mayfly Champion and the Rural Affairs Minister as the Lesser Horseshoe Bat Champion, also bringing Bat Conservation Trust back into the project. The Seagrass Champion, Joel James, specifically requested seagrass, due to greater awareness being built from WWF and Sky Ocean Rescue investment.

The project does however remain under capacity resulting in WEL members now struggling to support new Senedd Members to be Champions. The Natur am Byth

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project is now going ahead, so we will be exploring joint site visits, with multiple Champions, at those development areas, which will help with capacity.

In addition to the work of our policy groups, a cross-section of WEL members also fed into WEL’s response to Welsh Government consultations on the Just Transition to Net Zero Wales.

Objective 2: Building trust, expertise and capacity

During 2022-23 WEL’s main campaign focused on influencing the Agriculture (Wales) Bill. We commissioned additional comms support during this period, thanks to a grant from WWF Cymru. Having this additional capacity allowed us to increase our social media and wider media messaging and provide members of the network with additional media opportunities that WEL would not normally have capacity to create. Throughout the period our social media following has increased, key tweets across the campaign period garnered over 65,000 impressions. We have also had good media coverage for our collective issues, placing us on a more even footing with coverage from the farming unions than we usually get, and we increased our blog output. WEL’s ambition, funding-dependent, is to sustain additional capacity, to allow us to build this presence.

WEL’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, which started meeting in 2022, met 5 times between April 2022 and March 2023. This group has started working in tandem with Wildlife and Countryside’s EDI Working Group, with members attending WCL meetings for information on subjects that are cross-cutting across all organisations. WEL EDI meetings are becoming a space for organisations to share information about Welsh projects and work practices.

WEL continues to be a valued Environment Links UK (ELUK) partner with regular contact between the ELUK Directors, sharing information and expertise on Link governance and ideas for joint working and funding. WEL continues to work with ELUK on joint reports on wildlife crime and access to justice in the UK, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion.

WEL remains in contact with Stop Climate Chaos and is also part of the Climate Cymru coalition. WEL maintains links with Greener UK by participating in the work of the Devolution Group.

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Objective 3: Supporting our members

WEL’s Director has continued to participate in the Enabling the Environment Sector stakeholder group, which also includes several WEL members and NRW staff (Chair and secretariat), Welsh Government officials and funders. This group continues to work on ideas to make the environmental NGO sector more resilient.

WEL members regularly tell us how much they appreciate the weekly Newsdirect monitoring service, which provides a wealth of information on Government and Senedd developments, and upcoming Government consultations and Senedd inquiries. WEL's egroups continue to be very active and members are also increasingly using Basecamp to share information directly with other members; we have had feedback from members regarding how useful this is. We have also continued to provide advice on member events and advocacy with Welsh Government and the Senedd, particularly assisting members that do not have much Wales-specific capacity.

This year, we were joined by Canoe Wales, who were particularly attracted to the network by our work on water quality and access.

2022-23 was the first year of a four-year grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and a new two-year grant form The Waterloo Foundation, both hugely welcome. We also received a 12-month grant from the Postcode Lottery and were grateful to receive funding from WWF Cymru for core work, and specifically for campaigning on the Agriculture Bill and developing the Pathways to 2030 Report. We also continued to receive funding from WCVA for our participation in the Third Sector Partnership Council, representing the environmental third sector.

Funding remains difficult to find across the sector and WEL is ineligible for many of the funding pots that are available in Wales. It is essential that WEL grows and diversifies its funding, as well as significantly increasing its income from membership subscriptions, if we are to be able to continue to support our members effectively.

Objective 4: A strong public profile

WEL continues to use its website to promote blog articles from within and outside the WEL network, highlighting key areas of topical interest to our members and promoting their priorities. We also continue to act as the link with Natur Cymru magazine, sourcing members to provide regular short policy articles covering the terrestrial and marine environments, and which give a further platform for issues of

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concern to members. We're very pleased to contribute to this publication.

WEL’s Twitter / X presence continues to grow, with over 2,500 followers, and we are diversifying our social media by using LinkedIn more as a posting platform and developing profiles on Mastodon and ‘Twt Cymru’, a sub-server of Mastodon.

We are using our YouTube Channel less, now we organise more events in person again than online, but we’ll continue to maintain its presence so that we have an option to stream events where appropriate, to reach a wider audience. In May 2022, we live-streamed the CPG for Biodiversity on Sustainable Farming in Wales, where we outlined what we wanted to see from the new scheme and where the Rural Affairs Minister spoke and took questions. It has 165 views and had fantastic live engagement on the day.

WEL has continued to use its coordination services to help Welsh Government officials and NRW improve their access to our members, and to engage with them on specific policy and process issues throughout the year. NRW works with WEL to organise biennial joint forum meetings with WEL members, and interested WCVA members, to discuss biodiversity and ecosystem resilience issues, and to provide information about upcoming funding opportunities.

WEL's Species Champions continue to mention their role regularly in Plenary and committee sessions, raising the profile of the project and the plight of their species at the same time.

WEL is also a regular port of call for Committees wishing to gather evidence on a range of environmental issues and the network’s value is recognised by Committee members, with members providing evidence on the Single-Use Plastics Bill, Agriculture Bill and on nature policies in 2022-23. WEL met with the Minister for Climate Change in August 2022 to discuss marine planning, the importance of spatial policies, blue carbon, the most nature-sensitive sites and the importance of the Celtic Deep area to biodiversity. The Minister said she found us extremely helpful and a follow-up meeting online was organised to discuss Marine Conservation Zones. She continues to engage with us productively and speaks highly of us in the Senedd. WEL is keen to sustain this level of input, but it is very difficult given the currently reduced level of staffing.

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Objective 5: A viable network

Council meetings were held online due to the on-going Covid pandemic in May and, for the first time, as a hybrid meeting in November 2022. In May we had a new member presentation from the Centre for Alternative Technology as well as a presentation on Blue Carbon accounting from Wildlife Trusts. In November we had a new member presentation from Canoe Wales and we held a workshop session to review progress halfway through WEL’s 2020 -2025 Strategic Plan.

Most members are now very used to online or hybrid meetings. Working group attendance from across Wales has improved because of travel-free ways to engage with WEL’s work. Our Basecamp service is now used extensively, as a way of sharing information and initiating informal discussions directly between members. Our egroup service has taken on a more formal usage as a result, with discussion increasingly taking place on Basecamp.

WEL reserves appear to be reasonably healthy at present, in part owing to our having secured some new funding commitments during the year. However, our financial situation is under continued pressure to the extent that we find ourselves unable to make real progress under this strategic objective. We were unable to extend one of the staff contracts, therefore losing a Policy Officer halfway through the financial year. Our staff team is now just 3 members of staff (2.33 FTE).

We are working to achieve more diverse income and appreciated that Natural Resources Wales paid for The Funding Centre to undertake work looking at our subscription fee system and other potential sources of income. This work identified the potential for WEL to apply for National Lottery Heritage Fund Resilience Funding, but acknowledged that there are very few long-term eligible grant pots for WEL. Other potential sources of income, such as charging for new services that could be available to non-members, were considered by Trustees to be a distraction from the services that our members want us to focus on. With WEL’s sustainability under threat, an in-depth review of our income and sustainability will remain high priority in the next financial year.

Trustees look at projected finances at every meeting to identify and manage any risks to the organisation. WEL also maintains a Risk Register which is considered and updated regularly at Management Committee meetings.

Our three remaining members of staff have been in post for several years, demonstrating the network's appeal in providing interesting work and good working

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

conditions despite financial pressures. Our flexible working policies, rewarding length of service with additional annual leave days, and encouraging input and ideas from all our staff, continue to make WEL a desirable place to work. Whilst the isolation of home working because of the Covid pandemic has not always been easy, staff have continued to stay in regular contact through phone and

videoconferencing and staff also have the option to use our membership of a coworking space in Cardiff, which provides a pleasant shared modern space for meetings and working alongside colleagues at key times. We understand the importance of keeping this use of office space and homeworking under review to balance the advantages of flexible working with the need to provide support and contact to staff.

Management Committee meetings were held on 6[th] April, 30[th] September, 8[th] November 2022 and on 17[th] January and 21[st] March 2023.

Trustees and staff are very keen that WEL further improves diversity on our Management Committee. We currently have one Trustee vacancy available, as well as co-optee places, and we aim to develop the diversity of our Management Committee through these routes.

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The members of WEL in the network at the end of March 2023 are as follows:

Full Members (28)

Afonydd Cymru Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Trust Bat Conservation Trust British Mountaineering Council Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust Bumblebee Conservation Trust Butterfly Conservation Wales Campaign for National Parks Canoe Wales Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Coed Cadw / Woodland Trust Freshwater Habitats Trust John Muir Trust Keep Wales Tidy Llais y Goedwig Marine Conservation Society National Trust / Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol Open Spaces Society Plantlife Pori Natur a Threftadaeth (PONT) Ramblers Cymru RSPB Cymru Soil Association Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) WildFish (Formerly the Salmon & Trout Association) Wildlife Trusts Wales WWF Cymru

Associate Members* (3)

Elan Valley Trust Snowdonia Society / Cymdeithas Eryri YHA

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Staffing

Karen Whitfield and Susan Evans are both part-time Co-Directors of WEL. In her remaining hours, Karen also undertakes the Senior Policy Officer role for WEL.

Liz Smith continued as our full-time Advocacy & Policy Officer.

Llinos Price, Policy Officer, was with us until the end of September 2022.

WEL involvement in the Third Sector Partnership Scheme

24 years ago, the Government of Wales Act placed a statutory duty on the newly devolved government to publish a Scheme setting out how it will promote the interests of the third sector.

The Third Sector Scheme is a statement of the Welsh Government’s intent in their relationship with the Third Sector. It identifies three areas of interest – stronger communities, better policy and better public services – as well as formal arrangements for engagement. It was adopted and published in September 2000. The National Assembly has a statutory duty to set out the scheme in order to demonstrate how it would promote the interests of the voluntary sector.

The Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) is chaired by Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice, and is made up of representatives of third sector networks working across 25 areas of third sector activity along with the CEO of WCVA. Each of the 25 categories is represented by a third sector network, which is nominated or elected to their role by the organisations within the specific area of interest. Wales Environment Link is nominated to represent the environment sector.

The main purpose of the Third Sector Partnership Council is to make sure that the principles set out in the Third Sector Scheme are put into practice. It also provides an opportunity for the sector to raise issues of interest or concern. It generally does not discuss issues that relate to only one area of interest (these can be taken up through biannual ministerial meetings) and as a national body it is concerned with issues affecting all of Wales.

As well as being represented on the TSPC, WEL has representatives on the Ministerial meeting groups organised by the WCVA, which run under the auspices of the Scheme. WEL acts as the voice of the environment at all these meetings.

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Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Support in kind for Wales Environment Link

All members of WEL make a significant and direct contribution of time, skills and resources to the activities of the network: that collaboration is critical to the development of a collective voice. Members’ time is critical to the functioning of the network. Staff from different organisations working together and sharing information greatly benefits the environment sector as a whole. The Trustees wish to acknowledge this contribution and thank the members for their continued support. Staff and volunteers of member organisations gave 4,916 hours of their time to aid the activities of the network during 2022 – 2023, as disclosed in note 8 to the accounts. The time and benefits in kind provided by members during 2022 – 2023 in furtherance of WEL’s work has been valued at £246,238.

Financial review of the year

The statement of financial activities shows that the total funds carried forward from 2022/23 to 2023/24 are £260,799. The Trustees consider this to be a reasonable figure to carry forward and an important one in the circumstances of continuing uncertainty around future grant funding and the pressing need to strengthen WEL’s currently restricted staffing capacity.

This puts WEL in a reasonably stable position for the immediate future, going into financial year 2023-24. However, over the next 12 months we need to continue our urgent work on raising income from new sources, as well as increasing the percentage of income which comes from membership subscriptions in order to safeguard the future of the organisation. WEL urgently needs to increase staff capacity from the 3 staff (2.33 FTE) on which the network has heavily relied since September 2022 so that the staff team can continue to provide all the services our members and partners rely on.

Funders of Wales Environment Link

The Trustees of WEL would like to thank the following for their support:

We received the first payment of a welcome new four-year funding agreement with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. In addition to this grant, the foundation provided WEL with a ‘Cost of Living uplift payment’ which was immensely appreciated.

The Waterloo Foundation kindly agreed a new two-year grant towards WEL's work on post-Brexit environmental governance, agriculture, marine and biodiversity work.

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

We were very pleased to receive a grant this year from the Peoples’ Postcode Lottery to support WEL’s biodiversity work.

WCVA continued to provide funding through the Partnership Capacity Building Fund to assist WEL's participation in the Third Sector Partnership Council.

Carrying on a long-standing arrangement, the Trustees are grateful to WWF Cymru for grant funding received again this financial year. We were also grateful to receive a further grant from WWF Cymru to allow us to produce our Pathways to 2030 report on costed actions for nature’s recovery, and to commission the services of a freelance communicator to support our Agriculture Bill campaign.

As always, a vital part of WEL's core funding came from the WEL members themselves, in the form of their subscription fees.

Reserves and risk policy (developed Autumn 2021)

The figure which Trustees consider to be appropriate and reasonable for the organisation to hold in reserve is between 12 to 18 months’ worth of running costs which equates to approximately £200,000 - £300,000 based on our current, very minimal level of staffing. We do aim to recruit further staff if new funds can be secured, which will mean our necessary reserves level would increase in line with increased costs.

The Trustees’ position on necessary reserves takes account of the continuing absence of Welsh Government funding for the sector, the paucity of multi-year trust funding specifically targeting Welsh organisations and uncertainty over the level of future subscription fees, with our subscription system due for review and with the UK being amid a cost of living crisis. It draws too on WEL’s previous experience of losing multi-year support at short notice and consequently having to reduce costs (including staff) by more than 50% with the associated major reduction in operations which support the network of members and their work. It was only through reliance on a good reserve then that closure of WEL was avoided, a risk which Trustees have agreed should not be taken, given WEL’s significant contribution in Wales.

Staffing capacity having reduced in October to 2.3 FTE, Trustees recognise that we will need to invest some of our reserves towards our goal of sustaining a critical though modest team of 4 Full Time Equivalent staff (5 staff members) plus running costs associated with that slender model. We continue to maintain a 5-year forecast

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

budget and to monitor the 6-month reserve figure (see below) to manage challenges and track WEL’s actual funding need.

With the above factors in mind, Trustees aim to retain reserves at a level which ensures a modest degree of sustainability in a challenging and changing financial context.

Guidelines for monitoring critical levels of reserves describe how much capital is required to enable the charity to continue operating under extraordinary circumstances for 6 months, 3 months and 1 month. As employee commitments (including redundancy rights) change, the operating reserves statements are amended.

Going into financial year April 2023 – 2024, the reserve requirements are as follows. To operate for:

These figures are used by the Trustees to assess any potential risk arising to the charity over time. If funds were to fall below the 6 months operations figure, the Trustees would assess whether there would be a need to take additional steps to curtail expenditure and obtain income, or whether it could be reasonably assumed that anticipated income would address any potential short-term cash flow issues. Trustees will review this policy in two years’ time unless there are any significant changes in circumstances or expenditure which lead to a review in advance of Autumn 2023.

The total funds carried forward at 31 March 2023 are £260,799. The Trustees consider this to be a reasonable figure to carry forward in the current circumstances, particularly considering the uncertainty hanging over future grant funding levels and the fact that WEL needs to get itself into a position to be able to reinstate some of it’s lost staffing capacity.

Future developments and risk assessment

A WEL Risk Register is maintained, monitored and updated regularly during the year.

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Funding availability and capacity remains a very serious concern throughout the sector, with sources of core funding becoming even more increasingly rare. Unrestricted funding for the sector is vital, both to allow us to retain members, and for us to rebuild and maintain long-term capacity and key policy staff at a level appropriate to increasing demand. WEL will continue with plans to increase its membership base, identify any new sources of funding, and raise a greater percentage of its income from membership subscriptions.

Trustees are aware of the difficulties some of our members are experiencing whilst continuing to work within the network. In addition to funding concerns, capacity within the sector is being stretched to the maximum.

Despite the continuing difficulties in current times WEL has achieved much success even though our staffing level has been reduced to just 2.3 FTE. We celebrate the strength and mutual support of our established network and are extremely pleased to have retained all of our existing members and to have recruited another new member in Canoe Wales. The value placed on our network by members and partners remains clearly evident.

Approved by order of the board of Trustees on 7[th] November 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Roger Thomas (Chair)

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

Annex 1

WEL members were represented on the following stakeholder groups as at 31st March 2023:

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Independent Examiner’s Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2023

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Wales Environment Link / Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru (the Trust) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Henry Lloyd Davies Bevan Buckland LLP

Ground Floor Cardigan House Castle Court

Swansea Enterprise Park

Swansea SA7 9LA Date: 7[th] November 2023

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds
funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
FROM
Donations and legacies 2 200 - 200 1,645
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 4 204,353 15,000 219,353 170,728
Investment income 3 1,498 - 1,498 362
Total 206,051 15,000 221,051 172,735
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 2,525 - 2,525 3,729
Charitable activities 5
Charitable activities 154,266 10,647 164,913 243,168
Total 156,791 10,647 167,438 246,897
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 49,260 4,353 53,613 (74,162)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 207,186 - 207,186 281,348
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 256,446 4,353 260,799 207,186

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 March 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds
 funds funds
funds
Notes £ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 10 3,714 - 3,714 334
Cash at bank 259,442 4,353 268,148 211,798
263,156 4,353 271,862 212,123
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one 11 (6,710) - (6,710) (4,937)
year
NET CURRENT ASSETS 256,446 4,353 260,799 207,186
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT 256,446 4,353 260,799 207,186
LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS 256,446 4,353 260,799 207,186
FUNDS 12
Unrestricted funds 256,446 207,186
Restricted funds 4,353 -
TOTAL FUNDS 260,799 207,186

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 7[th] November 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

J M Anderson (Treasurer) - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results in the future may differ from these estimates.

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 and in any future periods affected.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Estimation Uncertainty

The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. Management considers there to be no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Income

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Subscription income is recognised when paid. When a payment is made for an extended period, it is credited evenly over the period to the SOFA.

Donations and similar incoming resources represent monies received by the charity from charitable donations and gifts. These are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities upon receipt.

Grant income is accounted for on an accruals basis and is shown in the financial statements when the Charity earns the unconditional right to the funds. Grants received for a specific purpose are treated as restricted funds. Revenue grants are credited directly to the Statement of Financial Activities and Capital grants are released over the life of the asset in line with the depreciation policy.

Interest Receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

The cost of generating funds comprises those costs associated with attracting grant income. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities, both costs directly attributable and indirect support costs. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity.

All costs allocated between expenditure categories are on a basis designed to reflect their resource usage. For some costs this means direct allocation to activities, other costs are apportioned, e.g., by staff time spent on the activity, or another equitable usage measure.

Joint delivery costs are recognised in the period which they are awarded to the extent that they have been expended in accordance with the funding terms and conditions.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charities programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost

Computer equipment - 25% on cost

Tangible fixed assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment. Indication of impairment is reviewed annually, and an impairment review is undertaken where there is an indication of impairment.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined benefit pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. There is no past service deficit liability at the year end.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments held within a deposit or similar account.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts due.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
2023 2022
£
 £
Donations 200 1,000
Grants - 645
200 1,645

Included in Donations above are amounts received towards salary costs for an intern employed through Cardiff University’s Internship Scheme; 2023: nil (2022: £1,000), and amounts received from Ramblers Cymru towards an additional Newsdirect Service; 2023: £200 (2022: £nil).

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:2023 2022
£ £
Other grants - 645

During the year there was no Job Retention Scheme government support (2022: £645). There are no unfulfilled conditions attached to these grants received.

3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2023 2022
£ £
Bank Interest Receivable 1,498 362
4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
2023 2022
Activity £ £
Partnership Capacity
Building Fund (PCBF)
 Charitable activities 3,501 3,501
Subscriptions - Full
and Associate
 Charitable activities 53,852 51,608
Grants
 Charitable activities 162,000 115,619
219,353 170,728

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:

s received, included in the above, are as follows:
2023 2022
£ £
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation 77,000 30,000
Woodland Trust - 10,000
Waterloo Foundation 40,000 30,000
WWF Cymru 20,000 11,500
Welsh Government grant, administered by National - 34,119
Lottery Heritage Fund
Postcode Lottery 25,000 -
162,000 115,619

5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Direct Support
Costs costs
Totals
£ £ £
Charitable activities 146,129 18,784 164,913

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees’ expenses (2023: £210, 2022: £nil) consists of travel and subsistence costs.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds
£ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 1,645 - 1,645
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 136,609 34,119 170,728
Investment income 362 - 362
Total 138,616 34,119 172,735
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds 3,729 - 3,729
Charitable activities
Charitable activities 174,040 69,128 243,168
Total 177,769 69,128 246,897
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (39,153) (35,009) (74,162)
Transfers between funds 930 (930) -
Net movement in funds (38,223) (35,939) (74,162)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 245,409 35,939 281,348
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 207,186 - 207,186

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

8 . BENEFITS IN KIND

The value of services donated by members in the pursuit of co-operative activities during the year and not included in the Statement of Financial Activities is as follows:

Time and Travel contributed to working groups and
meetings
Time and Travel contributed to the management of
the charity		 2023
£
232,038
14,200
246,238		 2022
£
197,775
12,775
210,550

The value of members’ staff and volunteer time contributed to the network in 20222023 has been calculated using National Lottery Heritage Fund volunteer rate guideline figures.

9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

9.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
and
 Computer
fittings equipment Totals
£ £ £
COST
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 10,305 2,839 13,144
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 10,305 2,839 13,144
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2023 - - -
At 31 March 2022 - - -

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 3,714 334
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 6,710 4,937
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.4.22 in funds At 31.3.23
£
£ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 207,186 49,260 256,446
Restricted funds
WWF Cymru Pathways to 2030 - 3,753 3,753
WWF Cymru Agriculture Bill Campaign - 600 600
- 4,353 4,353
TOTAL FUNDS 207,186 53,613 260,799

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 206,051 (156,791) 49,260
Restricted funds
WWF Cymru Pathways to 2030 5,000 (1,247) 3,753
WWF Cymru Agriculture Bill Campaign 10,000 (9,400) 600
15,000 (10,647) 4,353
TOTAL FUNDS 221,051 (167,438) 53,613
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net
 Transfers
movement between
At 1.4.21
in funds
funds		 At 31.3.22
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 244,471 (39,153) 1,868 207,186
Subscription income relating to 938 - (938) -
next year
245,409 (39,153) 930 207,186
Restricted funds
National Lottery Heritage Fund 35,939 (35,009) (930) -
TOTAL FUNDS 281,348 (74,162) - 207,186

continued...

39

Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended In funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 138,616 (177,769) (39,153)
Restricted funds
National Lottery Heritage Fund 34,119 (69,128) (35,009)
TOTAL FUNDS 172,735 (246,897) (74,162)
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
Net
 Transfers
movement between
At 1.4.21 in funds
funds		 At 31.3.23
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 244,471 10,107 1,868 256,446
Subscription income relating to
938		 - (938) -
next year
245,409 10,107 930
256,446
Restricted funds
National Lottery Heritage Fund
35,939		 (35,009) (930) -
WWF Cymru Pathways to 2030
-		 3,753 - 3,753
WWF Cymru Agriculture Bill - 600 - 600
Campaign
35,939 (30,656) (930) 4,353
TOTAL FUNDS 281,348 (20,549) - 260,799

continued...

40

Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2023

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Movement
resources expended in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 344,667 (334,560) 10,107
Restricted funds
National Lottery Heritage Fund 34,119 (69,128) (35,009)
WWF Cymru Pathways to 2030 5,000 (1,247) 3,753
WWF Cymru Agriculture Bill Campaign 10,000 (9,400) 600
49,119 (79,775) (30,656)
TOTAL FUNDS 393,786 (414,335) (20,549)

13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2023 other than those disclosed in note 5, 6 and 8 of the financial statements.

continued...

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

2023 2022
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS £ £
Donations and legacies
Donations 200 1,000
Grants - 645
200 1,645
Investment income
Bank Interest Receivable 1,498 362
Charitable activities
Partnership Capacity Building Fund (PCBF) 3,501 3,501
Subscriptions - Full and Associate 53,852 51,608
Grants 162,000 115,619
219,353 170,728
Total incoming resources 221,051 172,735
EXPENDITURE
Raising donations and legacies
Wages 2,231 3,294
Social security 294 435
2,525 3,729
Charitable activities
Wages 102,161 128,346
Social security 15,019 13,414
Pensions 9,302 11,452
Working Groups 15,680 10,014
Management Committee Expenses 210 -
Staff travel and subsistence 41 -

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Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru / Wales Environment Link

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023

IT Costs 3,684 3,529
External Liaison 32 32
NLHF Project - 58,061
146,129 224,848
Support costs
Management
Wages 10,941 10,941
Office Costs 63 658
Rent 3,137 2,907
Staff training and recruitment 458 110
14,599 14,616
Governance costs
Insurance 459 291
Accountancy 3,726 3,413
4,185 3,704
Total resources expended 167,438 246,897
Net income/(expenditure) 53,613 (74,162)

43