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2023-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1078209

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 2 Trustees' Report 3 to 6 Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 7 Independent Examiner's Report 8 Statement of Financial Activities 9 Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 18

1

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees A White M Edwards A Boag-Munroe Principal Office School Lane Ollerton Knutsford Cheshire WA16 8SJ Charity Registration Number 1078209 Independent Examiner Dawn McNulty Bookkeeping & Payroll 8 Birkenhead Street Northwich Cheshire CW9 7DF

2

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Trustees’ Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023

Objectives and activities

Public beliefs

  1. To advance the education of the public, by the provision of a facility aimed at pre-school, primary, secondary and further education levels, to teach and provide information on wildlife and conservation issues and all matters relating to the environmental education.

  2. To provide a facility for the reception of injured, sick and orphaned animals, wild birds and birds of any species, and to relieve the suffering of and to provide treatment for those animals and birds until their eventual release back into the wild or otherwise.

  3. To conserve and protect the natural environment to ensure the survival of rare and endangered species of both plants and animals of the area known as ‘Lower Moss Wood Nature Reserve’.

  4. Offering an educational day out for children of primary school age, teaching them how to respect the environment and understand their surroundings.

  5. Offering a hospital, where members of the public can bring birds and wildlife for treatment. 6. Offering advice.

  6. Offering educational placements for those interested in environmental issues; those wishing to become vets, in a safe and supportive environment.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

3

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Trustees’ Report

Wildlife Hospital

The wildlife hospital continues to provide treatment, food and care to the sick, injured, and abandoned wild mammals and birds that are admitted throughout the year. The general trend in late broods continues from the previous year with the hedgehog and hoglet intake doubling in the 3rd quarter, putting an increased pressure on the hospital to return these animals to their normal habitat before the winter. There has been a decrease in the number of bats and foxes admitted and a slight increase in hares and rabbits. The number of wild mammals that has been admitted has increased by a third from 2022 although Avian Bird Flu continues to impact on the charity as the number of birds admitted has fallen.

The total number of admissions over the years consistently exceeds 2000 per year.

Casualties 1 January – 31 December 2023

Categories Species 1 Jan –
31 Mar
Q1
1 April –
30 June
Q2
1 Jul –
30 Sept
Q3
1 Oct-
31 Dec
Q4
Total
Mammals Hedgehogs 17 94 200 147 458
Bats 2 11 18 4 35
Foxes 0 2 0 0 2
Badger 0 2 0 0 2
Hare 0 2 0 1 3
Rabbits 3 24 8 4 39
Deer 0 0 0 0 0
Other (Mustelids, mice,
voles, etc)
12 34 33 16 95
SUBTOTAL 34 169 260 172 635
Birds Passerines (Blackbirds,
robins, starlings, tits,
etc)
10 218 105 12 345
Pigeons and doves 96 164 315 82 657
Corvids 7 117 31 13 168
Waterfowl 2 134 16 0 152
Birds of Prey 3 5 18 5 31
Gamebirds 5 3 4 7 19
Owls 5 12 12 8 33
Waders 4 7 3 0 14
Sea birds (Gulls) 0 6 4 1 11
Hirundinidae
(Swallows and Swifts)
0 11 26 0 37
Woodpeckers 1 5 0 0 6
Kingfishers 0 0 1 0 1
Other 3 1 0 0 4
SUBTOTAL 136 683 535 128 1482
Reptiles/Amphibians 1 0 2 1 4
SUBTOTAL 1 0 2 1 4
TOTAL ADMISSIONS 171 852 797 301 2121
TOTAL ADMISSIONS 1 January- 31 December 2023 = 2121

4

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Trustees’ Report

Staff and Volunteers

The staffing structure changed as the Financial Co-ordinator (Rachel Jackson) resigned from the charity on the 2nd March 2023 which reduced down the staffing structure to 3 employees. The current employees are: - Ray Jackson the Warden (full time), Vicky Boag-Munroe, Office Assistant (full-time) and Janet Kotze Hospital manager (full-time).

With the high numbers of casualties, the volunteers are invaluable, and a vital part of the smooth running of the organisation, for which we are extremely grateful.

Nature Reserve

With the increase financial pressure on schools the numbers of school visits have dropped to 17 school visits. Youth Activity Days were run for 3 weeks in the summer holidays which were a great experience for the children and young people and very rewarding for the staff. Numerous volunteer groups attended and performed maintenance around the site.

Fund generation and Fundraising

The main source of funds for the charity continues to come from the ‘Friends of the Wood’ subscriptions, public donations, and Gift Aid. The ‘Go Wild for Wildlife’ initiative replaced the ‘I give a quid’ program and continues to steadily gain a following.

The wildlife hospital continues to provide a range of options to donate when a casualty is brought in, including the ‘tap to donate’ card machine which continues to boost donations. Collection boxes are located in a number of shops and veterinary practices in the local area. Funds are also generated through the Weather Lottery, JustGiving, Give as you Live, Enthuse, Charitable Giving, CAF and the charity’s PayPal account. A LMW auction group which was started in 2022 on Facebook generates a modest income.

Lower Moss Wood attended the Cheshire Show two-day event and Arley Garden Festival this year which featured a retail stall and owl display. Fundraising events took place within the reserve such as Visit Father Christmas and Easter themed events.

The website is still proving to be a great asset to the charity and is improved continually, together with Social Media interaction. Both these platforms enable supporters to donate and set up recurring donations directly. Schools and small groups can also book in directly via the site.

Governance

AGM was held on the 28th October 2023 at Lower Moss Wood Education Centre. The year has proved to be challenging again this year. The long-term effects of Covid have reduced the reserves of the charity and this has now been compounded by the disproportionate increases in costs of heating, lighting and other general expenditure. The charity relies solely on donations from the public through fundraising activities and footfall through the hospital in wildlife admissions: over the year there has been a drop in admissions as the Avian Flu restrictions continued. There are 3 trustees, Annie White (Chair) Malcolm Edwards (Finance) and Alex Boag-Munroe. The board continues to look to recruit further trustees to expand the skills base.

The staff continue to work tirelessly under pressure as the position of Financial Co-ordinator position remains vacant due to financial restrictions.

The trustees would like to extend their thanks for the hard work to the staff and volunteers for their dedication to the charity.

5

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Trustees’ Report

Structure, governance and management

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The charity’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks including cash flow risk and liquidity risk.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on ……….. and signed on its behalf by

……………… A White

6

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally accepted Accounting Policies) and the applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare the financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015, and the provision of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on… ………… and signed on its behalf by:

……………………. A White

7

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Independent Examiner’s Report to the trustees of The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 9 to 18.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

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 next statement.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with 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. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and

  3. • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

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

………..…………… Dawn McNulty 8 Birkenhead Street Northwich Cheshire CW9 7DF

8

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Unrestricted Total
Funds 2023
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 2 52,755 52,755
Charitable activities 3 25,432 25,432
Total Income 78,187 78,187
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 4 (107,573) (107,573)
Charitable activities 5 (36,904) (36,904)
Total expenditure (144,477) (144,477)
Net movement in funds 66,290 66,290
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 9 116,919 116,919
Total funds carried forward 9 50,629 50,629
Unrestricted Total
Funds 2022
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies 2 75,596 75,596
Charitable activities 3 25,434 25,434
Total Income 101,030 101,030
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 4 (102,573) (102,573)
Charitable activities (46,931) (46,931)
Total expenditure (149,504) (149,504)
Net movement in funds 48,474 48,474
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 9 165,393 165,393
Total funds carried forward 9 116,919 116,919

All of the charity’s activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 9.

9

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

(Registration number: 1078209) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023

Note
Fixed assets
7
Tangible assets

Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand

Debtors
Prepayments

Creditors: Amounts falling due in one year
8

Net current assets

Net assets
10

Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds

Unrestricted income
2023
£
5,034
52,411

385
3,055
(10,256)
45,595
50,629
50,629
2022
£
29,067
93,560
-
-
(5,708)
87,852
116,919
116,919



Total funds

The financial statements on pages 8 to 18 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on

……………………

………………… A White Trustee

10

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts on accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these Financial Statements.

Going concern

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

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income will be received and the amount will be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions attached to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff cost.

11

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories based on a basis consistent with the use of the resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor area, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees’ meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in paragraph 1 schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by chapter 3 part11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual values, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Land and buildings -10% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Borrowings

Interest bearing borrowings will initially be recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest bearing borrowing are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date.

12

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Financial instruments

Classification

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

Recognition and measurement

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

13

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Debt instruments – not applicable at present

Debt instruments which meet the following conditions are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method:

(a) The contractual return to the holder is (i) a fixed amount; (ii) a positive fixed rate or a positive variable rate; or (iii) a combination of a positive or a negative fixed rate and a positive variable rate.

(b) The contract may provide for repayments of the principal or the return to the holder (but not both) to be linked to a single relevant observable index of general price inflation of the currency in which the debt instrument is denominated, provided such links are not leveraged.

(c) The contract may provide for a determinable variation of the return to the holder during the life of the instrument, provided that (i) the new rate satisfies condition (a) and the variation is not contingent on future events other than (1) a change of a contractual variable rate; (2) to protect the holder against credit deterioration of the issuer; (3) changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law; or (ii) the new rate is a market rate of interest and satisfies condition (a).

(d) There is no contractual provision that could, by its terms, result in the holder losing the principal amount or any interest attributable to the current period or prior periods.

(e) Contractual provisions that permit the issuer to prepay a debt instrument or permit the holder to put it back to the issuer before maturity are not contingent on future events, other than to protect the holder against the credit deterioration of the issuer or a change in control of the issuer, or to protect the holder or issuer against changes in levies applied by a central bank or arising from changes in relevant taxation or law.

(f) Contractual provisions may permit the extension of the term of the debt instrument, provided that the return to the holder and any other contractual provisions applicable during the extended term satisfy the conditions of paragraphs (a) to (c).

Debt instruments that are classified as payable or receivable within one year on initial recognition and which meet the above conditions are measured at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received, net of impairment. With the exception of some hedging instruments, other debt instruments not meeting these conditions are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Commitments to make and receive loans which meet the conditions mentioned above are measured at cost (which may be nil) less impairment.

Investments- not applicable at present

Investments in non-convertible preference shares and non-puttable ordinary or preference shares (where shares are publicly traded or their fair value is reliably measurable) are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Where fair value cannot be measured reliably, investments are measured at cost less impairment. Investments in subsidiaries and associates are measured at cost less impairment. For investments in subsidiaries acquired for consideration including the issue of shares qualifying for merger relief, cost is measured by reference to the nominal value of the shares issued plus fair value of other consideration. Any premium is ignored.

14

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Derivative financial instruments – not applicable at present

The charity uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risk and interest rate movements. The charity does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each reporting date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in statement of financial activities immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in statement of financial activities depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

Fair value measurement- not applicable at present

The best evidence of fair value is a quoted price for an identical asset in an active market. When quoted prices are unavailable, the price of a recent transaction for an identical asset provides evidence of fair value as long as there has not been a significant change in economic circumstances or a significant lapse of time since the transaction took place. If the market is not active and recent transactions of an identical asset on their own are not a good estimate of fair value, the fair value is estimated by using a valuation technique.

2 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted Total
Funds
2023
General
£
Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals
44,529
44,529
Legacies
-
-
Gift aid reclaimed
8,226 8,226
52,755
52,755
3 Charitable activities
Unrestricted Total
Funds
2023
General
£
Fees and events
22,932
22,932
Grants
2,500 2,500
25,432
25,432
Total
2022
£
53,227
17,054
5,315
75,596
Total
2022
£
23,257
2,177
25,434

15

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

4 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of trading activities

Unrestricted
Funds
General
Costs of goods sold
10,660
Wage costs
70,767
81,427
b) Investment management costs
Unrestricted
Funds
General
Allocated support costs
35,907
35,907
5 Analysis of governance and support costs
Unrestricted
Funds
General
Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs
26,146
Other governance costs997
27,143
Total
2023
£
10,660
70,767
81,427
Total
2023
£
35,907
35,907
Total
2023
£
26,146
997
27,143
Total
2022
£
10,011
66,944

76,955

Total
2022
£
45,726
45,726

Total
2022
£
25,618
1,205
26,823

16

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

6 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

7 Tangible fixed assets

Land and
buildings
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023
319,704
Additions
-
At 31 December 2023
319,704
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
290,997
Charge for the year
25,576
At 31 December 2023
316,573
Net book value
At 31 December 20233,131
At 31 December 2022
28,707
8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year


Creditors
Other taxation and social security

9 Funds
Balance at 1 Incoming
January 2023 resources
£ £

Unrestricted funds
General
(116,919) (78,187)
Balance at 1 Incoming
January 2022 resources
£ £

Unrestricted funds
General
(165,393) (101,030)
Furniture and Total
equipment
£ £
28,169 347,873
2,112 2,112
30,281 349,985
27,809 318,806
570 26,146
28,379 344,952
1,903 5,034
360 29,067
2023 2022
£
£
7,038
238
3,217 5,470
10,256
5,708
Resources Balance at 31
expended December 2023
£ £
144,474 (50,629)
Resources Balance at 31
expended December 2022
£ £
149,504 (116,919)

17

The Lower Moss Wood Educational Reserve and Wildlife Hospital Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

10 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Funds
General total funds
£ £

Tangible fixed assets 5,034 5,034 Current assets 55,851 55.851 Current liabilities (10,256) (10,256) Total net assets 50,629 50,629

11 Analysis of net funds
At 1 January At 31 December
2023 cash flow
2023
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 93,421 41,010 52,411

18