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2022-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021-2022

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Statutory Information Registered Charity Number 1076362 Working Name YACWAG Governing Document Constitution adopted 18 February 1999 with amendments agreed on 28 June 1999 and 23 May 2020. Executive Committee Chairperson A Moulin Vice Chairperson R Croucher Secretary C Moore Treasurer L Millar Committee R Ashley J Howard S Lovesey J Chambers J Clayden F Moulin R Wood (Yatton Parish Council) Landholding Trustees: Nortons A Moulin, T Riddle Harry’s Plot – off Claverham Close A Moulin, R Croucher Cobthorn Reserve A Moulin, R Croucher Custodian Trustee The Official Custodian for Charities Bankers Lloyds TSB plc, Weston-super-Mare branch Charity Bank, Tonbridge. Triodos Bank, Bristol. Independent Examiner Michael Earle, 2 Westaway, High Street, Yatton, BS49 4JA Solicitors Wards Solicitors, 1-3 Alexandra Road, Clevedon, BS21 7QF Website www.yacwag.org.uk

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity was registered on 2 July 1999. The group was previously known as Friends of Biddle Street SSSI, which was an informal association with management responsibilities for an area of land in the parishes of Yatton and Congresbury in North Somerset. Membership of the Charity is open to individuals and organisations who are interested in furthering the work of the Charity and who have paid any subscription laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee.

The Charity appointed a qualified accountant from its membership as Honorary Treasurer. It also created a Finance and Membership Officer position to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks. This has increased expertise and capacity to develop budgetary, financial risk and investment policies and systems. The trustees also made the decision to change the year end accounting date to assist with these processes.

The Executive Committee has formed an Education and Outreach sub-committee to supplement the work of its existing Land Management sub-committee. It is exploring and developing opportunities to bring individuals and the community closer to nature especially with outcomes for health and well-being.

Objectives and Activities

The Charity’s objects are to establish and maintain nature reserves in the parishes of Yatton and Congresbury for the benefit of the public and to advance education in natural history and nature conservation.

YACWAG has an active membership with a wide array of relevant skills and expertise in voluntary organisation and nature conservation.

During the current financial year, we have adjusted to the impact of COVID, encouraging COVID secure voluntary activity where appropriate and where regulations allowed. Where face to face meeting were not practical Zoom has been used instead both for public meetings and to facilitate the AGM and Executive Committee meetings.

Membership of the Charity has been maintained at approximately 300 and the YACWAG Facebook Group reached 570 members.

Achievements and Performance 2021/2022

Despite the COVID pandemic last year was a busy and successful year for YACWAG. We increased our impact on both the local community and environment on a broad range of fronts. For the first time we took on the ownership and management of the Cobthorn Reserve in Congresbury, under a Section 106 planning agreement between North Somerset Council and Strongvox, the developer. This is a fantastic opportunity for us and we hope to develop similar reserves in the future, although changes to the planning compensation process may make arrangements of these types more challenging. We have a management plan to develop this area to provide a feeding area for juvenile Greater Horseshoe bats, while at the same time seeking to increase biodiversity within the reserve. Acquisition of the reserve has enabled the charity to reach out to nearby residents and involve them in conservation work parties. A total

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

of eight work parties were held at the reserve during the winter. To celebrate the handover of the Cobthorn Reserve an event was held in March with the chairperson of North Somerset Council, representatives of Natural England and Strongvox in attendance.

Across our other reserves we continue to make progress in increasing biodiversity and offering suitable habitat for rare and endangered species. We have also been heavily involved in increasing the collective understanding of both bat and bird activity, through a series of population counts, encouraging our members to get involved in such activity.

Although, with COVID restrictions in place organising educational activities has been difficult, public awareness was raised through the Wildlife Window Wanderland, an illuminated evening trail to showcase creative displays on the theme of Love Your Local Wildlife, with over 60 entries from the two parishes over Valentine’s weekend 2022. This was funded by Yatton and Congresbury Parish Councils. Working with Yatton and Congresbury libraries for their Summer Reading Challenge, YACWAG created a Wild World Heroes nature treasure hunt along the Strawberry Line during the summer holidays 2021 with entrants uploading their photos to the YACWAG Facebook group. YACWAG provided prizes for the winning entries.

A series of five virtual talks were well received reaching an audience of 175 people. Topics included bats and planning law, Greater Horseshoe bat conservation, Barn Owl ecology, water catchment management for the Land Yeo and a presentation of YACWAG reserves from the air using drone technology. Last year’s AGM included a presentation from the vice chair of a virtual biodiversity trail of YACWAG reserves. In December YACWAG celebrated Tree Dressing Day with displays in Congresbury and Yatton, and attended the Congresbury Christmas Fair with a display about the new Cobthorn Reserve. A talk was also given to Congresbury Wi about the Reserve.

YACWAG received grants of £2000 from AXA and £500 from Waitrose as donations to help assist the charity with enhancing the natural environment. YACWAG contributed to tree planting for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Yatton Library garden. Holy Trinity Church, Cleeve, received support from YACWAG to obtain their Bronze Eco-church award from A Rocha. YACWAG members also helped with planting a native hedge in the Cleeve churchyard.

During the past year YACWAG carried out safeguarding training for all its trustees and key volunteers.

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an Independent Examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the 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 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

In the course of my examination no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. a) to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met, or:

  3. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Michael Earle 2 Westaway Yatton BS49 4JA

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The total receipts of the charity in the financial year were £92,306 (2020/21 £10,814). The expenditure amounted to £20,137 (2020/21 £9,467).

Total funds carried forward at the end of the year were £114,640. The Committee is satisfied that sufficient reserves are held at the present time.

The Executive Committee is required to comply with its obligations under the Charities Act and Charities SORP 2005 with regard to the preparation of financial statements and is satisfied that it has so complied. The Committee acknowledges that it is responsible for the keeping of proper accounting records and for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The Charity Trustees agreed that the dates of reporting years would be changed in the current year so these accounts cover a period from 1 March 2021 to 31 March 2022. Future periods will run from 1 April to 31 March. This change was reported to Charity Commission using the laid down procedure. The table below shows the restated historical position.

COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL POSITION

Total Receipts
Total expenditure
Net Revenue		 2021/22
2020/21
2020/21
restated*
92,306
10,814
11,830
20,137
9,467
9,493
72,169
1,347
2,337

Note. (*) The 2020/21 position has been restated to show a 13 months comparison (1 March 2020 to 31 March 2021) to enable direct comparison with the equivalent 2021/22 period

The above report was approved by the Executive Committee on 27 April 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

………………………………………………….

A Moulin Chairperson

The notes on page 9 form an integral part of these accounts.

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

RECEIPTS
Restricted
Funds
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds
(£)
Totals
2021/22
(£)
(13 months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(12months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(Restated -
13months)		 RECEIPTS
Restricted
Funds
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds
(£)
Totals
2021/22
(£)
(13 months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(12months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(Restated -
13months)
Subscriptions
Donations - Paid with Subscriptions
Other Donations & Events
Give As You Live & EveryClick Donations
Gift Aid
Publications
Clothing
Rural Payments Agency
Grants
S106 Income
Bank Interest
Writing Competition
Orchard Sponsors
TOTAL RECEIPTS		 0
1,477
1,477
1,341
1,971
568
568
393
618
67
1,857
1,924
1,880
1,990
123
123
50
67
635
635
597
597
235
235
0
0
31
31
0
0
5,388
5,388
4,958
4,958
800
2,000
2,800
587
587
79,000
79,000
0
0
125
125
183
217
0
0
-15
-15
0
0
840
840
867
91,439
92,306
10,814
11,830

Subscriptions

During the current year the Executive Committee agreed that we would no longer accept new life members of YACWAG. The accounts reflect the three new life memberships that were taken out before this decision was approved. The Executive Committee also agreed to maintain the present level of annual subscriptions (£4 for an individual membership and £7 for a family membership).

PAYMENTS
Restricted
Funds
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds
(£)
Totals
2021/22
(£)
(13 months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(12months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(Restated -
13months)		 PAYMENTS
Restricted
Funds
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds
(£)
Totals
2021/22
(£)
(13 months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(12months)
Totals
2020/21
(£)
(Restated -
13months)
Direct Charitable Payments
YACWAG Reserves Management
Strawberry Line Work		 11,959
11,959
3,892
3,860
4,835
4,835
268
268

Bird Projects		 128
128
690
690
Bat Projects
Insect Projects
Tree Projects
Education & Training
Annual Drainage Rate		 90
0
90
0
0
228
228
0
0
84
84
2,774
2,774
200
148
348
0
0
111
111
109
109

Tools and Equipment		 64
64
24
24
Insurance
Events
Other Payments		 267
267
266
266
100
111
211
61
111

Stationery & Supplies		 99
99
273
273
Meetings
Publications
Transaction Fees		 143
143
144
144
105
105
0
5
22
22
26
29
Professional Fees 300
1,143
1,443
930
930
Memberships & Subscriptions
TOTAL PAYMENTS		 0
0
10
10
690
19,447
20,137
9,467
9,493

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

MONETARY ASSETS
Restricted
Funds at
31/03/2022
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds at
31/03/2022
(£)
Totals at
31/03/2022
(£)
Totals at
28/02/2021
(£)		 MONETARY ASSETS
Restricted
Funds at
31/03/2022
(£)
Designated/
Unrestricted
Funds at
31/03/2022
(£)
Totals at
31/03/2022
(£)
Totals at
28/02/2021
(£)
Balance at Bank
Lloyds Current Account
Lloyds Savings Account
Charity Bank
Paypal
Petty Cash
Triodos Social Venture
Triodos Deposit Account
TOTAL		 500
16,067
16,567
1,623
70,201
70,201
5,000
513
19,107
19,620
27,502
221
221
258
20
20
83
2,899
2,899
399
5,112
5,112
7,606
1,013
113,627
114,640
42,471

Note: The restated bank balance position at 31 March 2021 was £43,461

New Bank Accounts

No new bank accounts have been opened during the year but one new bank account will need to be opened in the coming months in accordance with YACWAG’s Investment Strategy.

Fixed Assets held by the Charity

The freehold title to the above properties, with the exception of Nortons and Cobthorn, is held on trust for the Charity by the Official Custodian for Charities.

Contingent Liability

The land off Moor Lane known as Nortons is subject to a legal charge in perpetuity of 58.3% of the sale price in the event of any sale.

YACWAG also holds conservation tools and equipment with an estimated value of £4,792.

………………………………………….. …………………………….. A Moulin Chairperson

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ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 Receipts and Payments Basis

Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 allows a charity to prepare a ‘receipts and payments account’ for the year and a ‘statement of assets and liabilities’ at the year-end instead of preparing full accounts for a particular financial year on condition that in the financial year the charity’s gross recorded income was £250,000 or less and it is not a company.

As this charity’s income for the financial year was less than £250,000 the Committee has decided to prepare accounts on this basis.

2 Restricted and Committed Funds

2 Restricted and Committed Funds 2 Restricted and Committed Funds
Balance £
28.2.2021
Funds £
Received
Funds £
Expended
Balance £
31.03.2022
Junction Reserve Project
(Bristol Airport & Yatton
WI*)		 500
67
300
267
Bat Projects
(Middlecombe Nursery)		 336
0
90
246

Wildlife Window
Wanderland (Yatton PC
& Congresbury PC		 0
300
300
0
Cobthorn Reserve
(Vistry Limited)		 0
500
0
500
TOTAL 836
867
690
1,013

*In-year funding received from Yatton WI

3 Designated Funds

YACWAG has designated funds of £43,509 at the 31 March 2022 largely to cover future estimated costs for the Cobthorn Reserve (£43,261). As agreed by the Trustees the designated funds for the Cobthorn Reserve will be reassessed triennially to ensure adequate reserves are sustained.

4 Independent Examiner’s Fee

The Independent Examiner has agreed to carry out this service for no charge.

5 Employees

The Charity has no employees and has therefore not incurred staff costs during the period.

6 Transactions with Trustees

No member of the Committee received any remuneration during the period. The only payments to members of the Committee were in respect of reimbursement of expenditure incurred on behalf of the charity.

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