REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER.. 3216892 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1058483 RE RT OF THE TRUSTEES AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 FOR UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM Page I
Page Report of the Trustees tolo Auditor's Report 11 to 13 Statement of Financial Activities 14 Balance Sheet 15 Notes to the Financial Statements 16to22 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 23
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006. present their report with the financial stalemcnts of the charity for the ycar ended 31 st March 2024. The fmancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with Ihe Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section IA smaller entities, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, ("FRS 102"), the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Aci 2011 . REFERENCE AND ADMif+41STRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 03216892 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 1058483 Reglstered offlee Icknield Court Back Street Wendover Buckinghamshire HP22 6EB Prlnelpal addres$ 102 Broadway Peterborough Cambridgeshire PEI 4DG Trustee5 Dr M W Pienkowski Lady (M C) Ground Dr N R Haywood Mrs S V Francis Mrs K M Wood Mr P Beckingham Rt. Hon. the Lord (John) Randall of Uxbridge PC Mrs Joan Walley Mr Andrcw Pearce Dr Keith Bensusan Mr Leigh MolS (Chainnan) Audltors Just Audit & Assurarice Ltd 37 Market Square Witn¢y Oxfordshire OX28 6RE Page I
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 26th June 1996 and registered as a charity on 4, October 1996. The company was esthblished under a Memorandum of Association and is governed under its Articles of Association, the8e do¢ument8 beingF amended on 23rd July 1996, 30th September 1998, 1 ith February 2003 and 9 ' July 2003. 9UI Ociober 2008 and I l December 2008. In ihe event of the company being wound up members are required io ontribute an amount not exceeding £ l. Recruitment and Appointment of Council Members The directors of the company are also charity truste¢s for the purposes of charity law and are known as members of Council. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and resolutions passed under these Articles thc mLinbcrs of Council ar¢ elccted to SLrve for a p¢riod ofthrLe J'cars after which Ih¢y arc eligible for re-elcction at ih¢ next Annual General Meeting. Council may fill vacancies by co-option until the next Annual General Meetin when the co-opted member may siand for election. In accordance with the Articles of Association and resolutions passed und¢r them, the following directors relired by rotation at the AGM in 2023 and were r¢-elecled: Sarita Francis, Nigel Haywood, John Randall and Joan Walley. Coun¢tl reviews the coverage of the skills needed across Council and attempts to maintain this broad mix. In the event of particular skills being lost due to relirem¢n15 or the need for additional skills being identified, individuals are appruached lo offer Ihem5elv¢s lor eleLlion lo C'ounLiI. Trustee Induction and Tralnlng Mosl new Council members are already famTliar with the work of the charily, as mosl of ihose with an interest in conservation in the UK Overseas TeitOrIeS are members of the Charity's member organisations, of its working groups, or of the wider informal network which supports the charity, s work or are fomier senior otricials with experience in these area5. The niember5 of the UK Overseas Territories Conservaiion Forum consist of some of the UK'S and UK Overseas Territories, leading conservalion and 5¢i¢ntific organisations. New Council members are individually briefed by the Chainnan of Council and other Council membevi to identify any aspects of the charity and ihe context within which it operates which need further briefing. Aspects covered includ¢'. The obligations of Council members The main dumentS which set out the operational framework for the charity Resourcing, both in tern1s of personnel and finances Ciirrenl and recent a¢iivities &nd future plans. Rlsk Management The tste¢S have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and io ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error The trustees have examined the major strategic and operational risks that face the charity and have identified all material rlsks and ensured adequate procedures are in place to manage such risks. This is kept under review. Organisalional Strueture The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum has a Council of up to 12 members who normally meet three times per year and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Council members are drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum relies heavily upon the commitment of its Council members, as well as others, who Lvive freely of their time and expertise in furtherance ot the charity's objectives. Day" to day responsibilit}, is delegated to the Chairnian, Executive Director, and Treasurer. The Executive Director acts upon decisions of Council and instructions of the Chairnian. Page 2
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES COIYSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 Related Parties In so far as it is complementary to the charity's objecls, the ehartty works closely with its member organisations and associate m¢mb¢r orgyanisations. The current tull mcmber organi5ations are- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Bennuda National Trust National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural Hisiory Society Manx Wildlife Trust The Cunt organisations which are associates are.. Alderney Wildlife Trust Anguilla National Trust Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society Ascension Conservation Centre Ascension Herilag¢ Society BirdLife Cyprus Berniuda Audubon Society Bern)uda Zoologic411 Socicty UK Aniarctic Herilage Trust National Trust for the Cayman Islands Chagos Conservation Trust Central Caribbean Marine Institute Akrotiri Environmental Education & Infomiation Centre, Cyprus SBA Falklands Conservation La Sociélé Guernesiaise The Naulilus Project, Gibrnliar National Trusl for Jersey Société Jersiaise Jost van Dykes Preservation Society Montserrat National Trust Pitcairn Natural Resources Division La Société Sercquiaise St Helena National Trust Turks & Caicos National Museum National Trust of the I'urks & Caicos Island5 Turks & Caicos Reef Fund Arniy Ornithological Society Royal Air Force Ornithological Society Royal Naval Birdwalching Society Objectlves and Aelivlties UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum is established to advance public education by increasing knowledse, understanding and practice of the conservation of plants, animals and other wildlife, their niiiural habitats and the need for such conservation particularly in the UK Overse85 Territories; and to advance education generally and other such purposes for the benefit of the community as shall be exclusively charitable. The Forum furthered it5 objects during the period by maintaining its programme of liaison with, and advic¢ to, its Associate and Member organisations, governments and others in the Oversea5 Territories, its Member organisations. individual subscribing "Friends" UK Government and others. There have been no material changes in policy since the last report. Public Benefit The trustees have had due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Page 3
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSF.RVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Overview The UK Overseas Territories Conservation t¥orum exists to promote awareness of, and conservation of, the rich and unique bÉodiversity, natural environment and relaled heritage across the UK'S Overseas Territories and Crown Dep¢ndencies (UKOTS and CDS). It is the only body d¢voted solely to this. For well over 30 years, it has worked in partnership with a wide network of bodies in the UK and UKOTslCDs. many of which are Forum member and associate organisations, as well as individuals with relevant expertise. We work with some of the most vibrant communities with some of the most unique and precious biodiversity in the world. Our team, made up of some paid staff and many volunteers, fiilfils a wide variety of roles in support of the dedicated conservation bodies in the UKOTS and CDS. Several projects are continuing with partners in the UKOTS. focusing on community conservation and partnerships. They dominate the work we are doing, as there are striLt gran¢ requirements which must be fulfilled. These projects have been designed al the request of bodies in the UKOT5 seeking? additional administrative and technical support, providing a personnel resource Service to our partners. This enables us to be resource-enhancing and provides a buffer for limes when our partners have gaps in personnel or resources. This has been a strength of the Forum for many years and, whilst it is small in itself. it always tries to Meet requests from conservation praclitioners in the UKOTS and CDS whatever they might be. To support some of the influencing, awar¢ness-raising, inforniation services the Forum provides, we require resources ourselves. We were delighted lo have received a third grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation this year. It will allow us to deliver some of ihe core activities as well as enhance some ofthe project work. we are commilled to do. Several new persons joined our team this year and they have been providing assistance in a variety of ways to the Forum, but also lo conservation in general in the UKOTS and CDS. Organlsatlonal Development The Hidden Hi,sluries projeci came lo an end in March 2023. This project was full of outpuls, some expected and some unexpected. With the start of Some other work inspired by this. the Forum was provided with an opportunity to bring in a member of the Hidden Hislories team tempted by Ihe flexibility and focus on UKOTS & CDS Ihat working with the Forum provides. Jodey Peyton, an ecologist al the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, wa5 moving to Austria to work for ihe International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), but slill wanted to remain involved with UKOTS & CDS after working with colleagues on Cayman, Cyprus, British Indian Ocean Territory and St Helena. Already in a Jhort time Jodey has opened up new Rvenuey ftnd pftrtneryhips th81 will be explored in the nexi few years. Jodey has been working with Council member Keith 13ensusan and other partners on Gibraltar, on initialives to enhance researcher networks and make best use of the technical experts Ihat are being built up in the UKOTS and can benefit others as well as on many other things including support to the working groups (having already had an impact as the new Secretary of SOWG), project management and developing new projects. Building on the work of another Council member, Leigh Morri5, who has been a driving force in developing novel approaches to funding conservation work. we welcomed input from Robin Clough, a UK-born entrepreneur with a back8round in natural sciences. Robin has been providin8 Strategic advice and support as we open up a world of possibilily by working wilh ihe private s¢clor bodies wilh compalible desire5 lo see a nalural world ri¢li in biodiversity and healthy. vibrant ¢ommunitie5. A third grant was awarded to UKOTCF by the Garfield Weston Foundation this year. In the previous year, it had supported ongoing work including: the organisation of the remote meeting of the UKOT/CD Environment Ministers. UKOTCF'S seminars for conservation practitioners.. support capacity in the UKOTS, including support for NGOS, young people (e.g. through her education as mentioned with new work with JICAS (the J¢rs¢y International Centre for Advanced Studies). we aim to facilitate Msc students and PhD students) throughout the year. responding (and encouraging those in UKOTS to respond) to UK Parliamentary Inquiries; expanding on work of the Darwin Plus and other projects. We welcomed a new associate member. the Nautilus Project, to our network. Based in Gibraltsr, it aims to raise awareness of environmental issues in schools and in small groups. It was founded in 2015 by several passionate divers undertaking projects such as installing artificial reefs in waters around Gibraltar, beach clean-ups and delivering educational programmes. Page 4
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 Several volunteer researchers have worked with us throughout the year including Benjamin Parker and Cintia Biryani to enable us to collate inforniation on various large tasks such as a review of impacts of UKOTCF and background Tnat¢rial for a response io UK Parliamentary Inquiries. Projects W¢ are always looking at ways to expand ihe impact of project work and sometimes ihis means incorporating opportunities of technical specialists to support and build capacity. In May, Council Member and Chief Executive Officer of the Manx Wildlife Trust, Leigh Morris, volunteered to use annual leave to visit Montserrat. The purpose was to help build the horticultural skills of the Mnnlserrat National Trust. This was specifically io help develop the nlSery plant Propagation at the MNT botanical garden. to increase local plant production in order to support both the Adopl a Humefor Wildlife project, part-funded by a Darwin Plus grant (DPLUS155) and the Planning Toolkit project (DPLUS192). In addition, h¢ engaged more widely with the Montserrat Government Departments of Agriculture and Envirotunent, local farnier5. secondary school. and publi¢. A 1[ article is available on the website. L¢igh had followed up on the possibility of twinning secondary schools on Montserrat with the Isle of Man. A meeting with teachers and Manx Wildlife Trust and One World Island of Man was held in November. In June personnel visited Montserral to support the mid-terni review of the Adcjpi a Homefor Wildlife requested by NIRA%ILTS (the administntor ot'thc Darwin Plus grants). l.or best use of projcct resources. the opportunity was taken to include several other meelings and projeci activities. making the most of the trip. This required quite a lol of prepardtion and meant tim¢ away from project management. However, the project has made good progress. A firsi full year report was submitted on time by the end of April 2023 and a half-year report in October. Some new staff at the Montserrat National Trust should help to address some of the chall¢nges of the firsi year includin&> financial records and reporting, which continues lo be a burden io Darwin gyraniees. The visit included: meetings with Director of Montserrat National Trust to share project documents and progress; Kingy's Birthday Parad¢ atiendai)ce; a hike 10 L)ry Walerfd'11. Adupl u H()mc,/(Ir Wildli/v sile-v isils l(1. Belhain River Mouth, both sites off Hibiscus Drive. Cassava Ghaut, Pipers Lot, Lookout Primary School and Lawyers Mountain. a meeting with the Governor. appearances on the MNT Heritage Radio Show; a regular project team meeting. and a tour of Native Plant Nursery. In April ihe Darwin-Plus-funded project Delivering biodiversity und human well-being gainsfor Monlserral's 5usiainable developmenl (DPLUS19?), wilh working title t3iodiversiiy and Well-heing ¢o()Ikit or just Toolkii began. UKOTCF and Montserrat National Trust personnel met with Chief Planning Offic¢r Jerome Meade to discuss the project and invited him to the Ole1a1 on-island project launch on 20th June. This was attended by HE Governor Sarah I"ucker and Hon. Samu¢l Joseph. Deputy Premier and Minisler for Cornmunlcaiion, Works and Labour, and ai least 28 persons. it was live-streamed by ZJB radio. At the request of Monlserrat national radio ZJB, personnel gave a telephone interview on these projects for the Cylture Programme on 24th June, immediately before driving to the airport to return home. Overall, the project aims to ( l ) bring iogether voices that may not otherwise feed into public consultations. (2) creat¢ a biodiversity and human-well-being toolkit for the community, physical planners and developers. (3) monitor and evaluate outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being; (4) share outcomes Wlth other UKOTS via existing knowledge-sharing nelworks. It built on ideas geneyated with th¥ team on Montyerrat and other newer partner8 including UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Meise Botanic Gardens. One of the first outputs of the projects wa5 bringing together inforniation gathered by young cadets (youth volunteers with Montserrat National Trust) from the elders in the community on traditional medicinal use of plants. The first edition published as part of the Hidden Histories project in 2022 included fifteen plants. Th¢ second edition. expanded to include thirty plants with, for ¢ach, a full colour imag¢, a description, note on location found around Montserrat (where knoNTrn) and th¢iT traditional use. was designed and printed by the Field Studies Council in the UK. To save on printiiig and sliippiiig costs. this was delivei'ed to Montserral by project team members and will continue on forthcoming Irips. UKOTCF is ihe forn)al publisher and Montserrat National Trusl the author. 11 was launched at the Trnst's Flower Show and Tea party, an annual event during St Patrick's Week. Sales have generated some income for the Trust. Throughout the year. the teaTn has conducted several consultations with the local community to understand how the Toolkii could develop managemenl options which would b¢nefit the islands, biodiversity and its people. The first half- y¢ar report was submitted to NIIiASILTS in October. Page 5
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THF. YF,AR F,NDF,D 31ST MARCH 2024 UKOTCF continues to Work with the Montserrat National Trust on the ECOPl project. including the earlier sourcing ofpro bono architect and the ongoing fund-raising. Awareness raising and informatlon management Forum News 58 was published and Circulated in July and Forum News 59 was published in December. The newsletter provides both conservation news from across Ihe UKOTS and CDS bui also articles on items relevant to them and on the work UKOTCF does. Edition 15 of Saving Our Special Nature ofmontserrai was published online and circulated in August. It includes articles on individual Wildlife Homes and Adoplers who are participating in the Adopl a Hopnefor Wildlife project, and introductions lo some of ihe new leam Members including Fay Needham, Finance Officer, Virginie Chris Sealys MNT'S Conservation Officer and Samantha Paul tn the Propagation Unit. The annual ChT15tmas card was s¢nt out to UKOTCF'5 circulation list in December with a review of the year's headlines and looking ahead to 2024. The series of vide05 on Adopt a Home for Wildli]e sites ("Wildlife Homes") and the "Ad<)Plers" have been PT()duced by UKOTCF'S Honorary Environmental Education Officer and Secretary of ihe Wider Caribbean Working Group (Ann Pienkowski), using material filmed diiring project Vi51ts. These are firstly piiblished on YouTube 5.'ilwww. uutubL.coini iiiik()1¢14()7()JN'idL!)% and website {liltp_s.'liw ww.IikolLI'.oi' .Uk¢ ¢cts/ado tahomet.orwildlilL) with links from UKOTCF's w¢b51te. ro Work is well in hand on writing the book The Nature ofihe UK Overseas Terriloriej and Crown Dependenc1, updating the Fragmeni.s of Paradise, the publicalion which effectively founded the UKOTCF and coordinated conservation work in the UKOTS. Influeneing poliey Meetings of the Environment Ministers, Council of the UKOTS and CDS took place in May and November 2023 via UKOTCF's Zoom plaiforni. These were the sixth and seventh meetings of the Council of UKOT & CD Environnient Mini5ter5 (or equivalenls). Previous meetings took place in Gibraltar in 2015. Alderney in 2017, the Isle of Man in February 2018, and online in April 2021 and October 2022. The agreed statement is available on UKOTCF'S website. In the first part of the 6th meeting, the Ministers were joined by the UK Defra Minister, Lord Benyon and a supporting otTicial. At the end of 2022, NIRAS/L TS, the ¢onsultancy responsible for administering UK Government funding for biodiversity, via the now-called Biodiversity Challenge Funds (which encompasses Darwin Initiative, Darwin Plus and Illegal Wildlife Trade), had informed UKOTCF that they wished to undertake a mid-term review of the DPLUS155 project (see Proj¢cts). This enabled the team to provide feedback on the fund and implementing the project. These recommendations are likely to be in a report (which is running some month5 behind schedul¢) and then shared with Defra. UK Government continues to work on its Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy. It is expected to be published in 2024. UKOTCF and the UKOT5 dicms¢lves have repeatcdly stressed that. unlike the review of a decadc earlicr, it nceds to be writt¢n jointly by the UKOTS and UK Government, with conservation NGOS fully engaged. This appear5 to be the case given th¢ l¢vel of consultation. It will be important to make sure that any change in UK Government does not water-down or diminish the aspirations in the Strategy as it has been a lenhY and participatory ex¢rcise. Council member and former Chair of the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee, Joan Walley attended a meeting of the Environment Audit Committee to celebrate 25 years. UKOTCF supplied a note on what the next 25 years could focus on in tems of UKOTS and CDS. In December, UKOTCF wrote to the recently appointed Secretary of State for the Department for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs and Shadow Secretary of State outlining the importan¢e of the biodiversity in th¢ UKOTS and the work of our partners. Evidence to the UK Parliament's ForeigT] Affairs Select SuiFCommittee inquiry on Britj5h Indian Ocean TeitOry was submitted in January. In it, some of the key points of associate organisation, the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) were emphasised. The evidence has been published online. Page 6
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVA TION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 Relations with UK Government and Government Agencies A round-table meeting wa5 organis¢d by UK Government's Department for EnvironmeDI. Food'and Rural AffairJ in January, on Teams. Those attending included: senior Defra personnel, Darwin panellists, Darwifi project leaders. other UK Government officials and agencies, and UKOTCF personnel. among others. Several presentaiions were given, e.g. Cayman Magnificeni Mangroves as well as some open discussion on various aspects of the Biodiversity Challenge Funds, particularly what are centlY known as the Darwin Fellowships. An update on the Overseas Territories Biodiversity Straiegy was provided. After the meeting, Defra officials were in touch seeking feedback on the meeting as well as offering an opportwiity to discuss other matters including Ministerial r¢presentation at the next Ministers meeting. engagement with UKOTS and other areas of common interest. Thi8 took place in March. Personnel met with the new Directors at JNCC, resulting in several personnel pui forward to join UKOTCF'S working groups to either participate in person or receive minutes which could be helpful to their work given that issues are raised and ways to overcome these addressed. Working for partners And respondlng to requests Meeiings of the Wider Caribbean Working Group were held in May, Septcmber. December 2023, and Febrnary 2024. and Europe Territories Working Group in July, November ?0?3 and March ?0?4, Souihern Ocean Working Group met in September 2023 and January 2024. Personnel had helped MNT with two applications to the new Darwin Plus Local fund (only for UKOT bodies and up to £50k). The projects aim to.. develop a new trail and outdoor campinglpraclical educaiion area (linked to work on one Wildlife Home under DPLUS155) and continue the work of the Mountain Chicken recovery project. Both projects, were successfully awarded funding. This was a useful exercise as it gave an insight into the application process (Danvin Local is almost a 'mini' DarwÉn Main application with many of the same headings). Projects in the second and third round had also been support¢d. One of the questions the Forum is most frequently asked by partners in the UKOTS & CDS is'when is the next UKOTCF conferencel?? These have been held in 2000 (Gibraltar). 2003 (Bemiuda). 2006 (Jersey), 2009 (Grand Caynian), 2015 (Gibraltdl.) and 2021 (unliiie). Proceedings dnd oilier outputs are availdble our-cui)l¢'1'L'IiLLsI The answer is that UKOTCF is hoping to organise another confer¢nce in 2025. Ai present, we do not know wheiher this will be in person, online or both. It depends essentially on resources aV¢iilable. WhiLh¢v¥r forii)ilt we eventually use, iin important first stsge Wils to Lon5ult partners un th¢ tvpics th¢it they would like sessions lo address or in which they would like to present. There are always more ideas for topics than we an address in a conference if we are to make progress on each. Also, our experience is that a great deal of preparatory work is needed io make the mosl of the conference sessions themselves. Accordingly, we invited suggested topics for inclusion in the conference and collated these over the summer so that we can f¢ed into to conversations we have with poleiilial hosts. On request, high quality pdf copi¢s of large infonnation display boards, designed for Turks and Caicos National Museum botanic gardens in an earlier project, were supplied 50 that these could be replaced. The RSPB and Birdscaribbean had requested some support with their project to train bird-guiders in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They had requested physical copies of the books for participants and these were supplied at a discounted rate. Our networks The Inter-lsland Environment Meeting, a collective of conservation bodies in the Isle of Man, Channel Islands and partners, took place over two days in September 2023 on Sark, hosted by La Société Sercquaise. UKOTCF personnel had attended with around 60 other attendees. A presentation on the work on Montserrat was given to the group, focusing on the Cuent projects being undertaken there as an example of an integrated approach. A full article on the meeting can be found in Fornm News 59. UKOTCF Continues lo play it5 part in the IUCN-UK National Commitlee Exco. a great way to maintain knowledge and contacts with the UK conservation community. Personnel are continuing to work with the IUCN-NCUK'S Protected Areas Working Group to investigale opportunities for UKOTS & CDS to participate. Page 7
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAR H 2024 A meeting of a newly established UKOTS & CDS Plastic Pollution Steering Group was held in April. This is part of a Da1n Project being undertaken on Ascension and St Helena, supported by ZSL. Meeling notes, speaker slTdes, and access to the Zoom meeting r¢cordtng are available here: h s-//drive. le.comldrivelfoldersll Y Fix3dsOetbk6XaYOoJtz PKOeGn. The second meeiing was held in September. Personnel attended thi5 and found it quite useful, especially as HMG were working at high-level on forniulation of a UN Plastics Treaty. Some inforniation was passed on to the UKOT/CD Environment Ministers Council, discussed with th¢ Chair and worked into the agenda, given its relevance and leaders of the project were invited by Minisiers to present at their 7th meeting. Co-ordinating with Others As previously reported. links with Jersey Internattonal Centre for Advanced Studies (JICAS) continue. An Msc student visitcd the Turks and Caicos 151ands in summer looking al the Cai-bon footprint of the tourism industry on Providenciales and working with Dr Eric Salamanca (Energy Analyst at Energy and Utilities Department. Turks and Caicos Islands Government. previously in TCI'S Dept of Environment and Coastal Resources) and colleagues. They had now gradualed after receiving a favourabl¢ mark in their dissertation. Together with Dr Awantha Dissanyake from the University of Gibraltar, links with J ICAS are being made and d¢veloping an early-career research group (or ECRN) is being explored. A concept note was being developed for the group and a firsl meeting took place in November with PhD students from Gibraltar. Jersey, Ca>Than attending. An invitation to a reception at the UK Parliament Speaker's House were received. This was to celebrate the work of the St Helena Cloud Forest project. UKOTCF personnel attended, along with many partners and supporters of the project. The Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP and the then FCDO Minister Lord Goldsmith as well as Chief Minister of St Helena, Julie Thomas, and CEO of the RSPB, Becky Speight, provided presenthtions. Other Ineetings attended included a reception in UK Parliament for the Great British Oceans in June. and the UK Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) online workshop in January as a follow-up to the 2021 MCCIP UKOT climate Lhange (SeSsMent. Flnanclal Revlew Fundin& both for conservation work in the UKOTS and for running the charity itself, remains very poor. Financing core activity remains a considerdble challenge. At present, a major proportion of Forum fiJnding is dependent on the overheads of projects and other work by certain Council members and others, mostly in a voluntary capacity. Through treTnendous efforts by these, operations remain possible. Forthe time being, UKOTCF will need to continue to rely heavily on donated lime of Senior personnel, as well a3 8UPPOrt from a rAnge of 8mall income items from various sources. Whilyt 8UPPOrt has been gaiped from charitable trusts and other funding bodies. there is a need to expand on this. '1 o that end, the Executive Director. Chairnian and other Council members and officers will continue lo explore other sources of financial support in ihe current and future financial period5. Council has a5k¢d its rnembers with relevant experience to consider other polential funding sources. as well a5 authorising major work on its websites to increase potenlial via thi5 medium. Incoming r¢sources were £721.347 (2023.. £362,378) and totsl resources expended were £398,678 (2023: £338,490). Net incomingl(outgoing) resources on the unrestrict¢d general fund were £272,650 (2023.. £40,086). The overall financial position remains challen8in8 because of the very limited regular income for necessary core activities. The income figure iiicludes an estimate of ihe value of a bequest, but lh¢ fuiids were nol r¢¢¢ived in the reported year. Tlie Ii'uslees are considering investing the bequest so that the inter¢st can supplement the limited core income. UK Government.grants were formerly a major source of ffincome, but non¢ were awarded to UKOTCF for 5 years. until a welcome small grant late in the 2013-14 financial year, before a return to nil. A project grant in 2016-2018 was followed a small grant from Defrd in 2020-21 of £9,000. It is to be hoped that the major grant5 awarded in 2021 and 2024 are signs of a change. The mod¢rate success so far in Securing alternative funds needs to be developed much further, with true core funding badly needed to maintain the services requested of UKOTCF by lerritory partner5 and UK Government. Net incomingl(outgo&ng) resources on the restricted funds were £50,019 (2023.. £(16,198)). Expenditure on restricted fund projects balances over the lite of the project and not necessarily within each financial year. The balan¢¢ sheet shows that at 3151 March 2024 the total funds of the Forum were £436,086 {2023'. £113,417). Restricted fvnds stood at £50,945 (2023: £926) and the unrestricted general fund stood at £385,141 (2023.. £112,491). The Forum's assets are held in pursuit of its charitable objectives. The Forum is currently under-resourced and excesstve amounts of input of voluntary time have been requir¢d to achieve tts goals. It is anticipated that ihis will continue to be the Case for the foreseeable future. Page 8
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 B¢cause of their status as UK territorfftes, the UKOTS ar¢ not eligible for most international grant sources, but nor are they eligible for most UK nding. The chariiy is pleased to have worked with governmental colleagiies to initiate and operale the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Environment Fund tor Ovcrseas T¢rritories (EFOT). and to advise and help on 115 successor, the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP), jointly run by FCO and the D¢partment for International Development (DFID). This was the only fund totally committed to assisting environmental conservalion in the UKOTS. OTEP, supported by voluntary effort by UKOTCF and ils member organisalions. was a great success for small projects, whether these were complete in themselves or pilotsl slart-ups for potential large projecls. UKOTCF greatly regrets the suspension of this small-projects fund by UK Government, without consultation and in breach of commitments. As reported in previous years, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee supported UKOTCF'S view that UK Government's provision of funding in this area 15 Seriously inadequate. In 2009, partly in respoiise to thi5, the D¢partment of Environmeiit, Food 8nd Rural Affairs (DEFRA) accepted some regportsibility for conservalion in UKOTslCDs and earniarked part of its Darwin Initiative budget for work in UKOTS. UKOTCF greatly welcomed this. UK Government has now restored the previous level of funding by combining the resources which fornjerly provided OTEP wlth part of the Darwin Initiative funding. However, UKOTCF remains concerned that this approach is not well suited to the conservation needs of UKOTS. Furthernior¢, whilst UK Gov¢rnment's own agencies did not apply to the earlier funds, they now do so, resulting in the strange situation of Defra agpencies applying to a Defra- run fund in compelition with outside bodies. This questionable practice has resulted in the diversion of funds away from NGOS and UKOT bodies back into UK Government, with reduced capacity in the UKOTS and reduced ability lo deploy voluntary effort in their support. It is bizarre thal the areas ot" UK territory which have niost global endemics. and oih¢r features of world importance at risk. lack an adequate funding source available to other (dom¢stic) parts of UK. This is a fundamental reason why UK failed to meet its internationally agreed 201 O targets and now those tor 2020 also. Neither does present funding allow for realistic capacity building, which can take several years. Those successes ihal the Forum has achieved have required a combination of huge volunteer effort and several funded proj¢cts strung together. UKOTCF will continue to encourage the eslabli5hment of turther tunding sources. Possibly partly as a result of UKOTCF expressed concern, in early 2019 UK Government issued a Call for Evidence OD Its funding of UKOT conservation, and UKOTCF provided evidence and encouraged its network to do so also. The diversion of UK Government officials on to Brexit rnalte and Ihen Ihe General Eleclion delayed Ihe analysis and publicdlion of the suminary of Ihis evidvnce unlil the end of the reported year before last. Consequeiit actions are awaited bui have been delayed further by th¢ Covid-19 crisis. but some small improvements are now being made, with many more needed. Printipal Fundlng Sour¢es Member OTganisations, in both UK aiid the UKOTS. part.fund the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum on a subscription basis. with other funds being raised from donations and proj1 work, and much resourcing depending on voluntary work. Acknowledgements UKOTCF Council would like to thank the individuals and representatives of member and associate organisations who have given numerous hours of voluntary time to the Forum. boih in the UK and the Territories including.. Benjamin Parker, Cintia Biryani. Robin Clough and others. Although all Council members donate time lo UKOTCF, Council would like to acknowledge the very large quantities donated by Mike and Ann Pienkowski. on which UKOTCF d¢pends and to Lady Dace Ground for continuing 5uppon to the Forum. The Forum would also like to thank its members organisations and individual supporters who support us via our Friend.% o]'Ihe LIK Over5ea.i Territories memb¢rship. Those who have an intere51 in the UKOTslCDs ar¢ encouTaged to join us. The Forum i¥ vcry yatel'ul for financial assistance from the UK Government's Darwin Initialive and the Garfield Weston Foundation and anonymous donors. Investment Policy The Trustees have wide investment powers. During the year, no long-tenn Investments were held. All cash reserves were held on tnterest<arning accounts. Reserves pollcy The purpose of the reserves held 15 to nd the activities in UK Overseas Territories and to fund the support of these activiti¢s in the UK. It is envisaged that all the reserves held will be required to meet these commitments. Page 9
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 The Trustees of UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (the Forum) will revi¢w its budget and agree from time to time what proportion of its incoming rer4)urces, if any. will be reserved for specific or expected future commitments. Those reserve5 will be regarded, in the Forum's accounts, as designated funds, but may be undesignaied at the discretion of the Trustees should Ihe purpose for designation not materialise. All policy decisions relating to reservation of incoming resources will be fully documented in th¢ annual report and accounls ot.the Forum. including amounts of reservation and subsequent expenditure or r¢moval from d¢signation, reasons for those actions and decisions being fully explained. In all respects the Trustees will have regard for any guidanc¢ issued from time to time by the Charity Commission making recommendations to trustees regarding their reservation of incoming resources. Plans for Future Periods The charity plans continuing ihe activittes outlined above in the forthcoming years, subject to satisfactory funding arrangements. Approaches to improving these arrangemenis are integrated in the above sections, as are plans for developing current actfftvities. Truslee's responslbilltles statement The trustees (who are also directors of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum for the purposes of company law) are rc%pDn%ible for prcpaying the Tru8tee8' Annual Report and the financial 5tatement8 in accordancc with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom lienerally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare fanCIal statements for each financial year. which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for thai period. In preparing th¢se financial siatements, (he trustees are requir¢d io.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgTements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl. state wheiher applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subjecl to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in opernlion. The trustees P4re respongible for keeping adequate accountin¥ record8 that disclose with reasonable accuracy At any time the financial position of the charitable company and ¢nable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of th¢ charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the tSle¢S are aware: there is no rel¢vanl audit inforniation of whi¢h charitable company's auditor is unaware. and the tn)gtees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and io eslablish thal ihe auditor is aware of Ihat information. Audilors Just Audit & Assurnnce Ltd were the charitsbl¢ company's auditors and have expressed a willingness to Continue in that capacity. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: DR M PIENKOWSKI- TRUSTEE Date.. 19 June 2024 Page 10
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM Inde endent Auditors, Re ort to the members of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum Oplnion We have audit¢d ihe financial slatements of UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum for the year ended 31 March 2024. which comprise ihe Statement of Financial Activities. Balance Sheet and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounling policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), This r¢port is made solely to the Charitsble Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapier 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charitabl¢ Company's members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and tor no other puOSe. To the lIest extent perniitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charitable Company, the Charitable Company's members as a body. and the Chariiable Company's.trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have fornled. In our opinion the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's afTairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming rcsourccs and application ot rcsourccs, including its incomc atbd cxpcnditurc, toi. thc year thcn cndcd: have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Acc¢pted Accounting Practice. have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in Ihe Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial siatements stIOn of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirement5 thal are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK. inLluding the FRC'S Ethical Standard a5 applied lo public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have oblained is sufficient and appropriaie to provid¢ a basis for OUT opinion. Conclusions relating to golng concern In audiling the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in ihe preparation of the financial statements is appropriat¢. Based on the work w¢ have perfonned. we have not idenlified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions Ihat, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to conlinue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the fiDan¢ial statements are authorised for issue. Our respon8ibilitie8 and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant seciions of thi5 report. Other Information The trustees are responsible for the other infomation. The other inforniation comprises the infonnation included in the trustees. report, other than the financial stalements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on ihe financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do noi express any forni of assurance conclusion thereon. In conneclion with our audit of ihe financial statements. our Tesponsibility IS to read the other inforniation and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise app¢ars to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to detennine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If. based on the work Page I
UK OVER EAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM we have perfornied, we conclude ihat there is a material misstatement of this other inforniation, we are required lo report that facl. We have nothing io rep(m in this regard. Oplnion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: the inforniation given in the trustees, report. which includes th¢ directors. report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with ihe rinancial statements; and the directors, report included within the trustees. report has been Prepared in accordance with applicable egal requirements. Matlers on which we are requlred to report by exceptlon We have nothing to report in respect of ihe following matters in relation to which th¢ Companies Act 2006 require us to report lo you it". in our opiiiion.. adequate and proper accounling records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or the financial stalements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made: or we have nol received all the infornialion and explanations we require for our audit.. or the charity has not kept sufficieni accounting records; or the trustees were not entitled to prepar¢ the financial statemenis in accordance with the small eompanies regime and thke advantage of thc small companies. exemptions in prepw'iiig the trustees, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. Responsibllilles of Irustees As explained more fully in the trusle¢s' responsibilities statement (set out on page I l ). the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the fii)aiicial 51iilLiiieiiis ]d for b¢iiig salisfied d)til Iliey giv¢ a Irue aiid fair view. aiid for suLli iiilei'i)al coiilrol as the Irustees detem)ine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial slatements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company OT to cease operations. or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditor's responsibillties for the audit of the fjnaneial stglements Our objectives are to obiain Teasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatemenl. whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance. but is not a guarantee thai an audit conducted iT] accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users tsken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, includin¥ fraud, arc tnstsnces ofnon-compliancL with laws and regulations. We design proccdures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities. including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.. Page 12
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM Our assessment focused on key laws and regulations the charilable company has to comply with and areas of the financial statements we assessed as being rnore susceptible to misstatement. These key laws and regulations included but were not limited to compliance with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 201 I, Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and relevant tax legislation. We are not responsible for preventing irregularlties. Our approach to detect irregularities included, but was not limit¢d io, the following.. obtaining an understanding of the charitable company's policies and procedures and how the charitable company has complied with these, through discussions and sampl¢ iesting of controls. obtaining an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company and how the charitable company is complying with that framework. an understanding of thc charitable company's risk asscssmcnt PTOCCSS. including ihe risk ot'fraud: designing our audit procedures to respond to our risk assessment. and perfonning audit work over the risk of management override of controls including iestinbi of journal entries and other adjusiments for appropriateness. evaluating the business rationale of signiticant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing estimates for bias. Whilst considering how our audit work addres8ed the detection of irregiilarit1¢5, we also consider the likelihood of dei¢ction based on our approach. Irregulariti¢s arising from fraud are inherenily more difficuli to dect than those arising from error. Because of the inherent limitalions of an audit, there is a risk thal we will not detect all irregulaTltie5, including those leading to a material misstat¢menl in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation, This risk incre&ses the more that compliance with a law or regulalion is removed from th¢ events and transactions reflected in the financial stalem¢nis, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also nreater regarding irregularitie8 occurring due to fraud rather than eOr, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery. collusion, omission, or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council'5 website at,. www.frc.or udiiorsres s. This description fonns part of our auditor's report. aihan Russell (Senior Ststutory Auditor) or and on behalf of Just Audit & A55uranc¢ Ltd, Statutory Auditor 37 Market Square Witney Oxford5hire OX28 6RE Dat Page 13
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCOPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 2024 Totsl Funds 2023 Tt>tsl unds Unrest'd Restr'd unds UnTest'd Funds Restr'd Funds Note INCOME Income And endowments from: Donations. legacies and sUbriptIOnS InvLslm¢nl income Income from ¢harltAblt. ncilv111¢5 Project Income Guv¢mm¥nl granis 376.638 2,634 73.493 450.131 2,634 202,893 508 64,854 267.747 508 3.385 3,3¥5 265.197 3,555 3.555 90.568 265,197 90,568 Total Incom¢ 382,657 3311.690 721,347 206.956 155,422 362.378 EXPENDITIIRE ON: ChIlabl¢ Activilils Olivernl(l ¢us1s 101,495 8,512 288,671 390,166 8.J12 158,844 8.026 171,244 376 330,088 11.402 Tot*1 Exp¢ndlture 110.007 288.671 398,678 166870 171.620 338 490 NET INCOMEI{EXPENDITURE) 272,650 50.019 322.669 40.086 (16,198) 23.888 TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS ET MOVEMEf4T IIY FUIYDS 97? t+50 JO,019 3?2,669 40.086 16.198 23.888 RECONCILIATION OF FUIYDS Total funds browght forwArd 112.491 926 113,417 72.405 17.124 89.529 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 385,141 50,945 436,086 112,491 926 113.417 Page 14
UK OVERSEAS TERRItORIES CONSERVATION FORUM COMPANY NUMBER: 3216892- EN LAND AND WALES BALAN ST HEET AT 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 1,618 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank and in hand io 329.397 156.360 18.639 109.557 Total Current Asset$ 485.757 128,196 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 51.289 14.779 NET ASSETS 436,086 13,417 FUNDS Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 12 385,141 50,945 112,491 926 TOTAL FUNDS 436,086 113,417 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 st March 2024, however Thc members havc rcquircd thc charitablc company to obtain an audit of its financial statemcnts for the year cndcd 315t March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject lo the small Company's regime. The financial ements erea Dr M PieDkowski- Chairman Mrs K M Wood - Treasurer Page 15
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ACCOUNTINC. POLICIES Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Ststement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charittes preparing their accounts in accordan¢¢ with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and {FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The principal accounting policies adopied in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows.. Coing Coneern The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about ihe charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Ineoming resources All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activilies when the charity is legally entitled 10 the income the llmount CY4n be quantified with reasonable t4uraCy. The following specific poli¢ies are applied to particular ialegories of income- . Income is deferred only when it relates to speeific expenditure incurred after the current accounting period. Grants reeeivable Grant income is recognised on a receivable basis. Any unsp¢ni b7rants at the end of the year are shown as restricted funds. Resource$ expended Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings thai aggregale all cost related lo the calegory. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated io activities on a basis consisteiit with the use of resources. Donaled Tlme Trustees and other skilled volunleers donate their time on our projects due lo insufficient external funding. This is translaled inio figures for di5c105ure in Ihc a¢coiints at a rate which would nornially be charged for paid consiiliancy. ChArltable activities Charitable activities comprise those costs incurred by the cliarity in the delivery of ils activities and service for its beneficiaries. They include boih costs that can be allocated directly to such activilies and those costs of an indirect Tratre necessary to support them. Tangible fixed asset5 Depre¢igtion is provided at the followin8 annual rat¢s in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Plant and machinery Office Equipment 33% on cost 33% on cost Fixed assets are stated al cost less accumulated depreciation. The costs of minor additions or those costing below £1,000 are not capitalised. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Page 16
UK OVER EAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM TES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED ST OR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Fund accounting UnTestricted funds can be used in accordance with the Charitable objectives at th¢ discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can be used only for particular restricted purposes wRthin the objecls of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricled purposes. The income and expenditure relating to individual restricted funds balance over the life of the project to which they relate. and not necessarily within any one financial year. The end-of-year lotal for any such fund will depend on the precise timing of receipts and payments relative to the end of year. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the report of th¢ tNstees. Forelgn eurrencle5 Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translaied into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling7 at the balance sheet date, Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling al the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result. DONATIONS, LECIACIES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 2024 Total Fund$ 2023 Total Funds Unrestrleted Funds Restrleted Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Subscriptions Le&yacies Donations & lax refund Grants receivable Donated time & expenses 3,475 231,604 3,475 231.604 3.650 3,650 39,722 39.722 39,913 20.948 2.150 42,063 20.948 101,837 73,493 175,330 138,382 62,704 201.086 376,638 73,493 450 131 202,893 64,854 267,747 Oulstandlng legacy Thc charily is th¢ ben¢fiLiary of a lurth¢r le¥ticy ¢nliilin¥ it lo nel proceeds from 5alc ol'a parcel vl'land in Ansiutlla. As sale of this land is uncertain al present, no provision has been made for income receivable from this bequest. INVESTMENT INCOME 2024 2023 Interest receiv¢d 2.634 508 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Grants from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) totalling £265,197 (2023: £90,568) were received supporting 3 year Darwin Montserrat projerts, DPLUS155 commencing October 2021 and DPI.US192 cornmencing June ?093 Page 17
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 RESOURCES EXPENDED 2024 Total Funds 2n23 Total Funds Charitable Activity Governance Costs Charitable Activity Governance Cosls Donated time and expenses Granls Payable Travel and subsistence Consultancy Project implementation Meetings and conferences Subscriptions, publications and refer¢nce materials Storage and general expenses Bank charges A¢¢ountan¢v 'I'he audit oi (he charity's a¢counts Bad debis Legal fees Postage, stationery, telecoms & IT ¢osls Small equipment. repairs and materials t)epreciation Exchange1055e$ 170,156 170.156 197.222 1.995 2,148 11,583 94,789 2.602 9,972 197,222 1,995 2.148 11,583 94,789 2,978 9,972 468 53.071 155,671 468 53,071 155.671 511 3,653 376 3,653 881 881 207 207 149 149 4,864 3,578 471 471 4.988 2,966 4.864 3.578 4.988 2,966 1.135 1,135 72 7.245 70 70 4,767 72 4.767 7,245 29 29 809 30 809 30 690 690 390,166 8.512 398.678 330,088 8,402 338,490 Support costs have been allocated across charitable expenditure, as in previous years, in Ilne with tim¢ sp¢nt on specific activities withiTI this category. NET INCOMINGI(OUTGOING) RESOURCES Net resources are stat¢d after chargin{CreditIng>= 2024 2023 External scrutiny 3,578 2,966 Page 18
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024 TRUSTEES, AND COMPANY SECRETARY'S REMUNEIi4TION AND BENEFITS The trustees received no remunerdtion in the year ended 3 1st March 2024 (2023: £ nil) in resP¢Ct of core work. Two trustees and two related parties were paid remuneration in the year ended 31$1 March 2024 (2023: £5,410) for externally funded projects... As provided for in the DPLUSI 53 aTJd DPLUS192 an15. Dr Mike Pienkowski received consultancy fees of £17,800 for services to Danwin Montserrat projects. From this fee, Dr Pienkowski returned a sum of £14.240 by way of an unconditional donation against whi¢h Gift Aid of £3,560 will also b¢ recovered by UKOTCF Similarly, Mrs Ann Pienkowski, wife of Dr Pi¢nkowski. rec¢ived consultancy fee of £9,000 for services to the DPLUS155 project. From this fee. Mrs Pienkowski returned a sum of £7.200 by way of an unconditional donation against which Gift Aid of £1.800 will also be recovered by UKOTCF Monserrat National Trust received £5.280 from the DPLUS192 grant for time and services donated by Sarita Francis, Execulive Director of MNT and also a trustee of UKOTCF. to production of a herbal medicine booklet. Manx Wildlife Trust. a rharity registered in Isle of Man and a full member of UKOTCF, received a fee of £4.800 for services provided to the DPLUS192 project by its Chief Executive Officer, MT Leigh Morris, also a trnstee of UKOTCF. Truslees, remuneration is approved by The Charity Commission and allowed under fhe compangs Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees, Expenses Travel. accommodation and subsisten¢e amounting to £3,194 (2023: £3.000} was reimbursed to I (2023: 1) trustee during the year. All production costs of the book "When the kite builds. published by the charity during 2022123, w¢re met by Dr & Mrs l>ienkowski. UKO'fcF pays for thes¢ to offyet som¢ of the production costs only once ihey are sold. A share of proceeds supports charitable activities of the trust. During the year costs incurred associated with the publication are'.- Book sales (net of postage ) £3,092 Less costs.. Publication and printing Reimbursed to Dr Pienkowski Totsl costs £nil £3,064 £3,064 N¢t Surplus £28 From this reimbursement, Dr Pienkowski returned a sum of £1,100 by way of an unconditional donation against which Gift Aid of £275 will also be recov¢red by UKOTCF No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any other contract or tran5actioTh ¢ntered inlo by the charity during the year (2023: none). Page 19
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31IiT MARCH 2024 TAXATION The coiiipatiy is a registered ¢harity and is. th¢refore, exempt froin dir¢¢l taxation. VAT iiiLurr¢d is in¥lud¢d us part of the relevanl cost. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Offlee Equipment Tolal COST OR VALUATION Al i sl April 2023 Additions Disposals 2.070 2.427 2.070 2.427 At 3191 March 2024 4,497 4.497 DEPRECIATION At I, April 2023 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal 2,070 809 2,070 809 At 3151 March 2024 2,879 2,879 NET BOOK VALUE At 3151 March 2024 1,618 1,018 At 31 $1 March 2023 10. DEBTORS 2024 2023 Debtors and accrued incom¢ Prepayments 300,255 29,142 15,639 3.000 329 397 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Other creditors ALcrued ekpenses Incom¢ in advance 14.635 36,654 14,779 51,289 14,779 Page 20
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 2024 Total Funds 2023 Totsl Funds Unrestricted Funds Restrlcled Funds Unrestrleted Funds Reslricted Funds Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities 1,618 85.365 36.038 1,618 485,757 51,289 400.392 15.251 121,077 8,586 7,119 6,193 128.196 14.779 385,141 50,945 436,086 112,491 926 13,417 13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS B¥l*nee I st Aprll 2023 Transfers between Funds B8lanee 31st March 2024 In¢omlng Resourees Resour¢e$ Used Reslricted funds Data Base and Dissemination Turks and Caicos Dev¢lopment Monlserrat Durwin Moniserrat DP1922 MontSeal Ecoplay Conference 2,197 450 97 (1.413) 2,197 450 97 26,928 21.678 155 (560) 358 (358) 152.706 173,196 (124.365) (151,518) 155 (560) 12,430 (12,430) Total Restricted Funds 926 338,690 (288.671) 50,945 UNRESTIUCTED General Fund 112,491 382,657 (110,007) 385,141 TOTAL FUNDS 113,417 721,347 398,678 436,086 Balanee 1st April 2022 Transfers between Funds Balanc¢ 31st Mar¢b 2023 Incoming Resources Resourees Used Restrlcled funds Data Base and Dissemination Turks and Caicos Development Montserrat Darwin Montserrat Monlserrat Ecoplay Conference 2,197 450 97 13,805 2.197 450 97 (1,413) 155 (560) 523 (523) 146,990 2,150 5,759 (162,208) (1,995) (6,894) 575 Total Kestri¢t¢d Funds 17,124 155,422 {171.620) 926 UNRESTRtCTED General Fund 72,405 206,956 (166,870) 112,491 TOTAL FUNDS 89,529 362.378 338,490) 113,417 Page21
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED CH All restricted funds have arisen from specific grants or from donations to specific funds by virtue of trustees or others providing their services on project work for which they do not receive remuneration. The pUose of each fund is to fulfil the Work remit of those specific monies. No restrictions are imposed on the utilisation of the funds. Transfers between restricted and general funds are only allowed where these can be specifically allocated. 14. CONNECTED CHARITIES AND RELATED PARTIES During the year. included in donated time and expenses was an amount of £149,621 (2023.. £158,149) from Trusteeslrelated parties. As well as donating their time and expertise. the Trustees made unconditional donations of £26.722 (2023: £25.784) to the charity. The following registered charities are members of UK Overseas TeItorIeS Conservation Forum and support it by the payment of membership subscriptions and other funding.." Aniphibian & Rcptilc Conservation Charity No.. 1130188 744 Chi'i8tchurch Road, BO0]nb¢. Bourncinouth. BH7 6BZ 15. DONATED TIME AND EXPENSES Incoming and outgoing resources includes donated time of £170.156 (2023., £197.222) and donated expenses of £5,174 (2023.. £3,864) 16. MEMBERS LIABILITY The charily 15 a private comp¢in}' limited by guarantee and consequently does not have Share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £ I towards the assets ofthe charity in the event of liquidation. 17. CONTROL The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the charity. Page 22
UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2024 2023 INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income Legacy income Subscriptions and donations of money and time 231,604 212,786 241,139 444,390 241,139 Investment incnme Inl¢re5t received 2,634 Incoming resources from charitable actlvitles Core Database and Dissemination Conference (inc. exchange rat¢ gains) Darwin Monlserrat DPLUS192 20,948 108,996 156,201 90,568 Moiitsei'i'at Montserrat Ecoplay Turks and Caicos Developmeni 265,197 111516 Other incoming resources Sales Tax refund 3,385 5,741 3,555 5,660 9,215 Total ineomlng resources 721.347 361,877 RESOURCES EXPENDED Consultancy Grants Pay<ihle Project implementation Travel and subsisl¢n¢e Meetings and confer¢nces Post. station¢ry, telecoms and computer costs Subscripiions, publications and reference materials Storage and general expenses Bank charges Accountancy and audil Small equipment. equipment repairs and materials Depreciation Bad debt5 Legal fees Exchange Tate losses 223,227 208,805 ,995 94,789 2,148 2,978 7,245 9,972 207 471 7,954 29 690 1,135 72 155.671 468 511 4,767 3,653 881 149 8,44? 809 70 30 398,678 338.490 Net inCOTning l (outgoing) rc50urces 322,669 23,387 This page does not forn] part of the statutory financial statement Page 23