The Swannery Trust
Contents
For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity information | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 - 5 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 10 - 14 |
The Swannery Trust
Charity Information
----- Start of picture text -----
Trustees The Hon Mrs Townshend DL
J R Townshend
M K Scrace
Registered Charity Number 1040740
Working name The Fleet and Swannery Trust
Principal address The Estate Office
Melbury Sampford
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 0LF
Solicitors Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
5 Fleet Place
London
EC4M 7RD
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
2 Hendford
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 1TN
Independent Examiner Saffery LLP
Midland House
2 Poole Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH2 5QY
----- End of picture text -----
1
Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Swannery Trust
The Trustees submit this report, together with the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The Swannery Trust is constituted by Deed of Trust dated 5 August 1994 and is a registered charity, number 1040740. The principal address is at The Estate Office, Melbury Sampford, Dorchester. The Charity’s Trustees are listed on page 1.
Objectives and activities
The main objects of the Trust are the promotion, preservation and protection of swans and other such species of birds that are rare or threatened, together with the conservation of Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. This is achieved through the work of the Ilchester Estates’ staff at Abbotsbury Swannery and the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve.
The main ongoing and specific achievements of the Trust in this report period are summarised in the table below. Contributions by Swannery staff, warden team and volunteers are described as S, W and V respectively.
----- Start of picture text -----
SUBJECT ACTIVITY BY
Birds Collection of breeding data in resident flock S
Collection of data on Fleet’s flock of moulting swans S
Swan Study Group and other training S V
Swan rescue S V W
Chesil Bank Little Tern Project - partner W V
Collection of data on breeding colony of Common Terns at Abbotsbury S V W
Habitat maintenance Willow beds S W V
Reed beds S W V
Other bird species Passerine and duck ringing S V
Surveys and data collection: wetland bird surveys, breeding bird surveys S W V
The Chesil and Fleet Edge Study W
Fleet’s Monitoring of Fleet Shoreline, Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Bank activities W V
environment Manage Reserve’s Access Permit system W
Weather station and temperature logger maintenance and data collection W
Litter collection S W V
Management of eyesores and washed up boats W V
Visitor management S W V
Management of boats/dinghies W
Management of permit system W
Hut owner guidelines and safety information W
Public Operate and maintain reserve website and ongoing blog W
awareness Design and install interpretation and signage along Reserve W
Reserve and Swannery newsletters W V S
Events: various S W
Walks: various S W V
Chesil Beach Centre operation - partner W V
Chesil multi-media project – live cameras, weather recording etc. W V
----- End of picture text -----
The Trust is mainly funded by grants and donations.
2
The Swannery Trust
Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained within the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s objectives. We seek to ensure the range of activities of the Trust ensures that we meet our obligations in respect of the public benefit.
Achievements and performance
The year from April 2023 to March 2024 saw the Trust continuing its aims and objectives. The Warden’s Annual Report and the Reserve’s website blog during the year and other published material contain details. A summary of the year’s activities is as follows: -
The three main colonies of breeding birds on the Reserve had mixed breeding success this year. The colony of Mute Swans at Abbotsbury had a successful breeding season. The first egg arrived on 23rd March, and in total there were 102 nests across the site. The first cygnets hatched on 6th May and hatching continued until 18th June. In total, 212 cygnets successfully fledged, and in October they were ringed and weighed before being released on the Fleet.
The Common Terns unfortunately, contracted avian influenza (although this was not confirmed) and many breeding adults and all the chicks from the initial nesting attempts died. Remarkably, once the virus had passed through the colony, a number of pairs re-laid, and a handful of chicks eventually �ledged.
The Chesil and Fkeet Nature Reserve continue to support the Little Tern Project led by the RSPB, providing practical and advisory support where possible. The colony at Ferrybridge had a productive year, with a total of 60 nesting attempts, hatching 52-77 chicks and a con�irmed 35-40 �ledged chicks.
The Fleet Study Group held three meetings this year and presentations were given by representatives from a range of organisations, groups and individuals. The FSG also discussed the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Group in April 2025. Various projects are planned, including a photographic study of the area and a study based on environmental data collected throughout the year.
Research projects of the 2023/2024 period included, continued data collection of temperature, conductivity and pressure within the Fleet Lagoon, weather data, moth trapping, bird ringing, water sampling, small fish surveys, an ostracod survey, a polychaetes survey, a scaly cricket survey, a research project looking at eutrophication within the Fleet Lagoon and more.
Management of the Reserve continues, including signage and interpretation design and installation, visitor and landowner engagement, litter picks and beach cleans, boat management and the continuation of the Reserve’s research/activity permit system.
With regards to recreational activities, access and disturbance issues, the usual levels of individuals and groups accessing the shorelines and mudflats and shorelines of the Fleet continues. The repetitive and constant nature of this access has a detrimental effect on the protected features of the Reserve. This access has been recorded across a number of activities, some of which include walkers (some with dogs), photographers, cyclists, horse riders, metal detectorists and vehicles. The resulting effects of these activities are twofold; firstly, wildlife disturbance caused by the physical presence of the activity, and secondly, the damage to the substrate through compaction and/or digging.
3
The Swannery Trust
Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2024
CFNR continue to successfully work with partners, landowners and other associated organisations to manage and protect the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve. In addition to this, CFNR is a partner of the Chesil and Fleet Mitigation Partnership, which is a strategy created to combat the environmental pressures caused by recreational activities. This project, funded by mandatory financial contributions from local housing developments, has funded a range of projects and initiatives to mitigate these issues.
The updating of health and safety procedures, annual reviews and carrying out checks and risk assessments continues on an annual basis.
During the year the charity received grants and donations of £50,961 (2023: £27,196) and incurred costs relating to charitable activities of £40,285 (2023: £50,563). Overall, the Charity made a surplus of £11,186 (2023: deficit of £22,819) relating to charitable activities.
Structure, governance and management
The Trust is managed by the Trustees, who meet regularly to discuss the Trust’s activity and ongoing strategy.
The Trustees have power to appoint new Trustees, who are selected on the basis of their relevant skills.
Investment policy
The Trustees have power to make investments as they see fit. The strategy for investments is one of low risk and as such the majority of assets are held in liquid funds.
Reserves policy
The Trustees consider the level of the Trust’s reserves to be sufficient to meet its charitable objectives. In doing so, they recognise the importance of donations received. The Trustees have absolute discretion when making grants and as such the reserves can be maintained at a level to safeguard the future of the Trust.
The Trust holds total funds of £25,888 (2023: £14,702) at the year end, of which £21,031 (2023: £18,014) are restricted. Unrestricted reserves therefore amounted to a surplus of £4,857 (2023: deficit of £3,312).
Risk Management
The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks to which the Trust is exposed and taken action to mitigate such risks.
Trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees 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).
4
The Swannery Trust
Trustees’ Report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
° select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; e observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS102);
-
° make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
e state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
° prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
We approve these accounts and confirm that we have prepared them from the books and records of the Trust.
The Hon Mrs Townshend DL
For and on behalf of the Trustees of The Swannery Trust
5
The Swannery Trust
Independent Examiner's Report For the year ended 31 March 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Swannery Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity's 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the Trust’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Hannah Mazrae Midland House For and on behalf of Saffery LLP 2 Poole Road 08.11.2024 Bournemouth Dorset BH14 9EA
6
The Swannery Trust
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 March 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2024 2024 2023
Restricted Unrestricted
Notes funds funds Total Total
£ £ £ £
Income
Donations and legacies:
Donations 2 5,000 45,961 50,961 27,196
Other trading activities:
Interest receivable - - - 8
Miscellaneous income 510 510 540
Total income 5,000 46,471 51,471 27,744
Expenditure
Cost of raising funds:
- - -
Fleet Observer expenses (1,000)
Expenditure on Charitable activities:
- -
General expenses (376) (376)
Employment costs 3 - (28,059) (28,059) (25,839)
Conservation projects 4 (1,553) - (1,553) (11,854)
Support costs 5 (54) (10,243) (10,297) (11,870)
Total expenditure (1,983) (38,302) (40,285) (50,563)
Net income/(expenditure) 3,017 8,169 11,186 (22,819)
Fund balances at 1 April 2023 18,014 (3,312) 14,702 37,521
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 21,031 4,857 25,888 14,702
----- End of picture text -----
7
The Swannery Trust
Balance Sheet
For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | 6 | 7,108 | 7,955 | ||
| Currentassets | |||||
| Debtors | 7 | 1,098 | 1,477 | ||
| Cash atbank | 21,442 | 18,163 | |||
| 22,540 | 19,640 | ||||
| Current liabilities | |||||
| Creditors | 8 | (3,760) | (12,893) | ||
| Netcurrentassets | 18,780 | 6,747 | |||
| Netassets | 9 | 25,888 | 14,702 | ||
| Represented by: | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 4,857 | (3,312) | |||
| Restricted funds | 21,031 | 18,014 | |||
| 10 | 25,888 | 14,702 |
The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part ofthese accounts.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on its behalf by
Cr SLO Sgr Qul[ws]
The Hon Mrs Townshend DL
8
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Swannery Trust
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective from 1 January 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
The Swannery Trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the charity is a going concern.
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Preparation of a cash flow statement
The charity has taken the exemption provided in Update Bulletin 1 updating Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) allowing small charities not to prepare a cash flow statement.
Incoming resources
Income is recognised in the statement of financial activities in the period when the Trust becomes fully entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Income is deferred only when the Trust has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Gifts in kind are not recognised as incoming resources. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
9
The Swannery Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
The cost of raising funds include the cost incurred in generating voluntary income and fundraising trading costs. These costs are regarded as necessary to generate funds that are needed to finance charitable activities.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services to enable the charity to meet its charitable aims and objectives. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature to support them.
Support costs represent expenditure incurred in the general running of the charity; these costs are fully attributable to charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Funds that may be held by the Trust are either:-
Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used by the Charity in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for a particular restricted purpose within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds have been raised for particular restricted purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, to write off their cost over estimated useful lives at the following rates:
Plant and equipment:- between 10% and 33% per annum on a reducing balance basis Motor vehicles:- 25% per annum on a reducing balance basis
All assets are examined annually for potential impairment and any material deductions in value are written down at the year end.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
10
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Swannery Trust
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Creditors
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 trade discounts due.
Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Individual donors Swan adoption donations Total donations and legacies |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 5,000 - 5,000 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 44,030 1,931 45,961 |
Total funds 2024 £ 49,030 1,931 50,961 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - - - |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 25,115 2,081 27,196 |
Total funds 2023 £ 25,115 2,081 27,196 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Employment costs
| Salaries Pension costs Other costs |
2024 £ 25,695 1,337 1,027 28,059 |
2023 £ 24,062 1,226 551 25,839 |
|---|---|---|
No Trustee or closely connected person received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenditure from the Trust during either year.
The Trust has two employees (2023: 2).
No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 during either year.
11
The Swannery Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
4 Conservation projects
Expenditure incurred in respect of conservation projects is in relation to the Ringing Hut Project. In the prior year, conservation project expenditure was incurred in respect of the Nursing Pens project.
5 Support costs
| Nature reserve costs Office costs Total support costs |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - 54 54 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 6,445 3,798 10,243 |
Total funds 2024 £ 6,445 3,852 10,297 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - 66 66 |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 6,955 4,849 11,804 |
Total funds 2023 £ 6,955 4,915 11,870 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No fees were paid to the Independent Examiner during either year.
6 Fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal At 31 March 2024 Net book values At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 |
Land £ 4,117 - - 4,117 - - - - 4,117 4,117 |
Plant and equipment £ 9,200 - - 9,200 (7,831) (296) - (8,127) 1,073 1,369 |
Motor vehicles £ 11,975 - - 11,975 (9,506) (551) - (10,057) 1,918 2,469 |
Total £ 25,292 - - 25,292 (17,337) (847) - (18,184) 7,108 7,955 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
In November 1998 the Trust received by way of gift, an area of land known as Mixen Plantation, situated on the bank of the Fleet at the mouth of Rodden Hive. The value of the gift was estimated to be £3,500. The legal costs incurred were £617. The Mixen Plantation value is not included in the above figures.
12
The Swannery Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
| 7 Debtors Prepayments and accrued income 8 Creditors Trade creditors Accrued expenses Other creditors 9 Statement of funds 1 April 2023 £ Unrestricted funds (3,312) Restricted funds 18,014 14,702 |
2024 £ 1,098 2024 £ 528 989 2,243 3,760 Incoming resources £ 46,471 5,000 51,471 |
2023 £ 1,477 2023 £ 6,554 2,796 3,543 12,893 Resources expended £ (38,302) (1,983) (40,285) |
31 March 2024 4,857 21,031 25,888 |
|---|---|---|---|
The restricted fund is to be used for the protection of the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery.
10 Analysis of net assets between funds
The net assets are held for the various funds as follows:
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Fixed assets £ 6,866 242 7,108 |
Net current assets £ (2,009) 20,789 18,780 |
Total £ 4,857 21,031 25,888 |
|---|---|---|---|
11 Pension commitments
The charity participates in a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £1,337 (2023: £1,226). No contributions were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date in either year.
13
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Swannery Trust
12 Related party transactions
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with connected parties.
Ilchester Estates - a company in which one of the directors was also Trustee of the charity.
Donations received from Ilchester Estates amounted to £42,000 (2023: £23,500).
At the year end the balance owed by the charity to Ilchester Estates amounted to £2,004 (2023: £15).
13 Control
The charity is controlled by its Trustees acting in accordance with the terms of the governing trust deed.
14