**Charity Number: 1078757 Company Number: 3387973**
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023**
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## CONTENTS
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Information|1|
|Trustees' Report (including Directors' Report)|2 - 9|
|Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account)|10|
|Balance Sheet|11 - 12|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|13 - 21|
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **Directors and trustees**
C W Bourne-Arton S P Warwick R M Wells H Byron D Heptinstall R Mercer (appointed 28/02/2023)
## **Company Secretary**
S P Warwick
## **Company Registered Number**
3387973 (England and Wales)
## **Charity Registered Number**
1078757
## **Registered Office**
Sharow Grange Sharow Ripon North Yorkshire HG4 5BN
## **Independent Examiner**
Guy Baragwanath C & G B Associates Accountants 8-10 Millgate Thirsk North Yorkshire YO7 1AA
**Bankers Investment Managers** Barclays Bank Rathbone Investment Management 7 Market Place East 8 Finsbury Circus Ripon London North Yorkshire EC2M 7AZ HG4 1BP
Page 1 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust (the company) for the year ended 30 June 2023. The trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements of the company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
Since the company qualifies as small under section 383, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.
## _**OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**_
## **Objectives and aims**
The principal objective of the charity is to manage sites, with a preference for former mineral sites, as nature reserves to promote and improve the ecology of the sites and to promote the protection, conservation and enhance the flora and fauna at the sites for the education and enjoyment of the public.
## **Public benefit**
The Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve is open to the public throughout the year free of charge, with the buildings being open during daylight hours. Tours and visits for local schools and groups are held regularly.
The Reserve provides access to the site on foot at all times. Wheelchair access is available to the interpretation building, the bird hide and the Tanfield hide. There is 500m of permissive footpath available to wheelchair users and for people with mobility issues.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given careful consideration to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.
The charity's main reserve is at Nosterfield within the Hambleton District of North Yorkshire.
## _**STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**_
## **Governing document**
The organisation was incorporated on 17 June 1997 and is constituted as a company limited by guarantee, without a share capital and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Association of Articles of Association as amended by special resolutions dated 22 September 1998 and 4 January 2000. It became a registered charity on 29 December 1999.
Every member of the company has however guaranteed an amount not exceeding £10 each.
Page 2 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT - continued**_
## **Organisation, Structure and Running of the Reserve**
Decisions regarding the running of the charity are delegated to Simon Warwick, as director and the individual responsible for the day to day management. Major decisions concerning the long-term direction of the charity are taken by the trustees.
The Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve (NLNR) is run by the trustees, with the support of a regular volunteer team. The early part of the financial year resulted in LUCT employing a Field Officer, to assist primarily with volunteer support. This role has proved highly valuable and resulted in a significant increase in volunteer numbers.
NLNR has a Management Liaison Committee, with representatives from the LUCT, District and Parish Councils and other user groups.
## **Appointment, induction and training of new trustees**
As set out in the Articles of Association, new trustees are discussed by the board of trustees. Potential trustees can be nominated if they are recommended by a current trustee. New trustees are fully inducted in the structure of the trust and all requirements on them as trustees. Trustee training is delivered via general meetings and upon request if specific needs arise.
None of the trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All the trustees are directors of the company.
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 10 to the accounts.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that appropriate systems and controls are in place to mitigate exposure to these risks.
The major risks to which the trust is exposed, as identified by the trustees, are reviewed annually (or sooner if the need arises) as are the management procedures of these risks.
Page 3 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**_
LUCT is a small organisation; underpinned by volunteering. We have a very small staff team, supported by a small group of committed trustees and a growing team of enthusiastic volunteers. Our ‘core’ team of volunteers in 2022 – 23 involved 35 regular practical conservation volunteers, with another 50 or so people joining us for community work days and ‘one off’ volunteering tasks. An estimate 6,000 hours of volunteering were completed in the year.
In addition, we’re also supported by a wide network of people who collect and share data and information related to wildlife and habitats at Nosterfield Nature Reserve.
Volunteers undertake a wide range of activities to suit their interests and abilities, including running the specialist plant nursery, looking after Nosterfield reserve, practical habitat conservation and restoration tasks and implementing LUCT’s surveying, monitoring and reporting programme.
In 2018 a commercial scale, volunteer run polytunnel was constructed, which has been key to making significant progress. Funding secured between March 2021 and March 2022 from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund (GRCF) through the Swale and Ure Washlands Project instigated a step change in the capacity of the organsiation, employing a full time project officer supported by two internships and expert ecological advice. Building on this progress, in 2022-2023 over 20,000 local-provenance wetland plants were propagated in our plant nursery.
## **Project funding**
During this period the following sources of project funding have underpinned progress:
## **Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement Fund.** June 2022 – June 2024
This grant is supporting us ‘ _To extend our practical work on wetland habitat restoration and creation in the lower Ure valley and widely share our experience and learning beyond our boundaries’_
We also submitted the final evaluation for our DEFRA Green Recovery Challenge Fund project, which ran to March 2022 and supported the recruitment of our project officer as well as making significant progress in volunteer recruitment support and training.
In March 2023 we submitted a bid for a new National Lottery Heritage Fund project and heard at the end of June 2023 that we had been successful. We were awarded £250,000 for a new project - ‘Ure Connected - Engaging People with Nature in the Lower Ure Valley’.
The project will focus primarily on the Trust’s nature reserve at Nosterfield where rare remnant areas of fen and magnesian limestone are in urgent need of attention. But as the project name suggests, work will also take place at other sites in the River Ure catchment area crying out for habitat restoration.
Page 4 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **Project funding - continued**
The aim is to benefit wildlife and also the communities that live near areas where the work will take place, encouraging people to volunteer to help bring these habitats to life and give them a stake in a better more diverse natural world. The project will last for two and a half years.
We have also been progressing discussions with Yorkshire Water to secure longer term funding for their next strategic plan period of 2025-2030.
## _**ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**_
## _**Plant propagation and habitat creation**_
Over 20,000 local-provenance wetland plants are now being propagated at our wetland plant nursery each year. More than 80 plant species are in cultivation at the nursery with propagation of large numbers of key wetland species such as Great Fen Sedge, Tufted Sedge, Glaucous Sedge, Long-stalked Yellow Sedge, Cyperus Sedge, Purple Small-reed, Lesser Reedmace, Blunt-flowered Rush, Grey Club-rush, Common Club-rush, Purple Moor-grass, Yellow Flag, Yellow Loosestrife, Purple Loosestrife, Hemp Agrimony, Water Mint and Greater Spearwort.
The above-named species and more have been grown in quantities of hundreds or thousands. Once established, Flasks Fen an area under LUCT management at the Nosterfield site, will support the largest stand of Great Fen Sedge in Yorkshire.
The nursery is equipped with wet beds and standing areas, producing plants to meet the needs at LUCT’s own site as well as supporting habitat restoration/re-creation projects in the wider Lower Ure Valley landscape, such as at Pennycroft (fen creation) and Thornborough Middle Henge (calcareous grassland restoration).
A number of rare plants from material of North Yorkshire origin are being cultivated in significant numbers, establishing ex-situ populations which could potentially be used for re-introductions or to reinforce threatened wild populations. These include Tufted Loosestrife, Tubular Water-dropwort, Marsh Pea, Fibrous Tussock-sedge and Marsh Fern.
## _**Practical conservation work**_
Our Project Officer and volunteers have continued to make significant progress on delivery of practical conservation tasks. These are grouped under four headings:
**Running the Plant nursery -** nursery management; plant propagation – pricking out, potting on, splitting, watering, planting, making sandbag planters **,** seed collection **,** weeding and maintaining the nursery infrastructure
**Looking after Nosterfield Nature reserve:** bird hide cleaning & maintenance **,** osprey nest maintenance **,** sand martin bank maintenance **,** path clearance **,** reserve infrastructure maintenance, litter picking
Page 5 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - continued**_
**Habitat conservation / restoration:** Grassland maintenance / hay cuts **,** scrub control **,** deadhedging **,** invasive species control **,** coppicing **,** woodland thinning & glade creation **,** hedge-laying **,** nettle-digging – Thornborough Henges **,** maintaining ringing rides **,** tree planting and tree guard removal **,** reedbed cutting/management.
**Surveying, monitoring and reporting** WeBS counts **,** breeding bird surveys **,** butterfly transects **,** dragonfly surveys, moth trapping **,** bird ringing **,** monthly bird report **,** annual bird report **,** livestock checks **,** nest box checks
## _**LUCT – a learning ‘hub’**_
The influence of LUCT’s work is increasingly far reaching – both in the wider landscape of the Lower Ure and Mid Swale catchments as well as other sites that have expressed an interest in our work.
It also plays an important role in sharing knowledge, associated with enriching and informing former mineral site restoration as well as other habitat creation and restoration projects. Our work on fen re-creation for example has been groundbreaking and is providing important know how for other practitioners.
Through the commitment and expanding skill set of it’s volunteers the organisation’s capacity to develop, test and pass-on practical techniques for wetland creation has grown significantly. These techniques include: using dead hedging to reduce wave wash; using sacks for safe and efficient planting in shallow water; ‘headstarting’ tussock-forming sedges; growing deep-water emergents such as Common Club-rush in immersion tanks; and specialist propagation techniques for plants such as Great Fen Sedge.
LUCT’s reputation as a leading light in mineral site restoration and wetland habitat creation projects has also grown in recent years. By taking an outward looking and open approach to sharing learning the organisation aims to influence and support wetland habitat restoration across Yorkshire and further afield. Visits from other organisations are regularly hosted (more than 20 in the last couple of years) to see the work and learn from LUCT’s experience. Groups ranged from National Trust, AONB and Wildlife Trust staff to academics and members of other volunteer-led conservation projects.
A small demonstration plot has been created near the nursery so that visitors can see key wetland plants at close hand along with some of the lost flora of the Washlands. This was created by volunteers using railway sleepers and pond liner. Plants include Great Fen Sedge, Bottle Sedge, Slender Sedge Carex lasiocarpa, Tufted Loosestrife, Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre and Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris.
## _**The Nosterfield Community**_
The ‘core’ work of LUCT is supported by a much broader community of people with an interest in nature conservation and wildlife, who spend thousands of hours a year observing wildlife at Nosterfield and sharing their findings.
Page 6 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - continued**_
An informal WhatsApp group was established by one of these volunteers in 2020 and now has 110 members with daily updates and points of interested shared via the group. In its first full year of operation (2021) 1,095 ‘observation’ hours were noted, recording 171 bird species. In 2022 there were 1052 recorded observation hours with 180 species
A monthly review of bird watching highlights is also prepared by one of the volunteers on this group and published on the LUCT website.
## **Community work days and school visits.**
In recent years, with the support of project funding LUCT has hosted a number of weekend community work days to provide opportunities for local families to learn more about the reserve and get involved in practical tasks.
LUCT has also been working to develop its local identity with close links to local schools and colleges. Students from three local Primary schools have visited to learn more about the reserve and help make sandbag planters. Work experience students from Ripon Grammar School have also been hosted along with two day release students from Askham Bryan college. Practical conservation ‘field days’ for students from York University and Bishop Burton college have also been provided.
## _**FUTURE PLANS**_
Looking ahead, the new‘Ure Connected’ National Lottery Heritage fund project and Yorkshire Water biodiversity fund grant will underpin our work in the next year: this will focus on growing our reach and involving more people in our work, continuing to share our learning and expertise of plant propagation and habitat restoration and ensuring we continue to deliver high quality practial conservation work with our volunteer team
We’ll also be working to secure longer term core funding with a series of grant bids and holding discussions with Tarmac and English Heritage to look at our longer term partnership working and an overarching plan for nature restoration at a landscape scale.
Page 7 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - continued FINANCIAL REVIEW**_
## **Financial review**
Incoming resources for the year totalled £53,252 (2022: £247,743). After resources expended of £104,882 (2022: £182,474) and gains on investments of £2,597 (2022: Loss £5,654), the net outgoing resources were £49,033 (2022: incoming resources of £59,585). There was an overall deficit for the year of £49,033 (2022: surplus £59,585), resulting in total funds carried forward of £362,913 (2022: £411,946). Unrestricted funds carried forward were £332,650 (2022: £382,827). Restricted funds carried forward were £30,263 (2022: £29,119).
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Reserves policy**
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use are to be maintained at a level not less than £35,000, to be reviewed on an annual basis.
The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that the charity will be able to properly maintain the Nosterfield Reserve, irrespective of current income levels.
The trustees decided that the expenditure on acquiring the Nosterfield Reserve and any subsequent additions, should not be taken into account in determining the charity's free reserves, given that Nosterfield Reserve is essential to the charity's operations. The free reserves as at 30 June 2023 are £124,363 (2022: £178,721). The free reserves are calculated as the unrestricted funds, not including those funds held as tangible fixed assets.
Page 8 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## _**TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT**_
The trustees (who are also directors of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In preparing this report, the trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
The report was approved by the trustees on 29 April 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
S P Warwick **Secretary**
Page 9 .
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating the income and expenditure account) _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
Note
**£**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
2
**1,353**
Investments
3
**1,581**
Charitable activities
4
**24,801**
Raising Funds
5
**1,017**
**Total income and endowments**
**28,752**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising Funds
6
**442**
Charitable activities
7
**68,875**
**Total expenditure**
**69,317**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**2,597**
Transfer between funds
**(12,209)**
**Net movement in funds**
**(50,177)**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds at 1 July 2022
18
**382,827**
**Total funds at 30 June 2023**
18
**332,650**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**-**
**-**
**24,500**
**-**
**24,500**
**-**
**35,565**
**35,565**
**-**
**12,209**
**1,144**
**29,119**
**30,263**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**1,353**
**1,581**
**49,301**
**1,017**
**53,252**
**442**
**104,440**
**104,882**
**2,597**
**-**
**(49,033)**
**411,946**
**362,913**|Total
funds
2022
£
1,332
1,002
245,379
-
247,713
358
182,116
182,474
(5,654)
-
59,585
352,361
411,946|
|---|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised during the year.
Page 10 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST** REGISTERED NUMBER: 5265464 BALANCE SHEET
_as at 30 June 2023_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2023 2022
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 14 208,287 204,106
Investments 15 65,498 62,138
273,785 266,244
Current assets
Debtors 16 3,398 37,994
Cash at bank and in hand 96,408 118,734
99,806 156,728
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 17 (10,678) (11,026)
Net current assets 89,128 145,702
Net assets 362,913 411,946
Charity funds
Restricted funds 18 30,263 29,119
Unrestricted funds - general 18 218,637 268,814
- designated 18 114,013 332,650 114,013 382,827
Total charity funds 362,913 411,946
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 11 .
BALANCE SHEET (continued) _as at 30 June 2023_
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
The Trustees consider that they charity is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act") and members have not required the charity to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at 30 June 2023 and of its net resources expended for the year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 of the Act and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 29 April 2024 and signed on their behalf, by:
Simon Warwick
## **Trustee**
The notes on pages 9 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
Page 12 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## _**(a) General information and basis of preparation of financial statements**_
The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity's operations and principal activities are on page 2 of these financial statements.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
The financial statements do not include a statement of cash flows because the charitable company, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under SORP (FRS 102).
## _**(b) Funds**_
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Page 13 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## _**(c) Income recognition**_
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained, then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend income is recognised as the charity's right to receive payment is established.
Other income includes income such as field rental and restoration work.
## _**(d) Expenditure recognition**_
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.
## _**(e) Support costs allocation**_
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative and payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.
The analysis of these costs is included in note 8.
## _**(f) Support costs allocation**_
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 14 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **1 Accounting policies (continued)**
## _**(g) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**_
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended. Assets costing less than £150 are not capitalised.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less their estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful lives as follows:
Hides, fences & other site fixtures - 5 to 10 years Motor vehicles - 4 years
## _**(h) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year**_
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
## _**(i) Tax**_
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations|**2023**
**£**
**1,353**
**1,353**|2022
£
1,332
1,332|
|---|---|---|
Income from donations and legacies was £1,353 (2022: £1,332) of which all was attributable to unrestricted funds.
Page 15 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
|**3**
**Income from investments**
Deposit account interest
Dividend income|**2023**
2022
**£**
£
**455**
16
**1,126**
986|
|---|---|
||**1,581**
1,002|
|**4**
**Income from charitable activities**
**2023**
2022
**£**
£
Rural Payments Agency
**24,801**
72,315
National Heritage
**-**
66,864
Yorkshire Water
**24,500**
35,000
Esmee Fairburn
**-**
15,000
Tarmac
**-**
53,200
Wildscapes
**-**
3,000
Income from investments was £1,581 (2022: £1,002) of which all was attributable to
unrestricted funds.||
||**49,301**
245,379|
Income from charitable activities was £49,301 (2022: £245,379) of which £24,500 (2022: £163,013) was attributable to restricted and £24,801 (2022: £82,366) was attributable to unrestricted funds.
## 5 **Income from Raising Funds**
|Plant Sales
Sundry Sales|**2023**
**£**
1,000
17
**1,017**|2022
£
**-**
**-**
-|
|---|---|---|
All income from raising funds was attributable to unrestricted funds.
**6 Analysis expenditure on raising funds**
|Investment management fees|**2023**
**£**
**442**
**442**|2022
£
358
358|
|---|---|---|
Expenditure on raising funds was £442 (2022: £358) of whilch £nil (2022: £nil) was attributable to restricted funds and £442 (2022: £358) was attributable to unrestricted funds.
Page 16 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **7 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
|Maintenance of Reserve
National Heritage Fund Well Wetlands
Natural England/DEFRA - Reedbed Project
National Heritage Green Recovery Fund
Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**£**
**19,726**
**-**
**-**
**17,916**
**17,650**
**55,292**|**Support**
**costs**
**£**
**49,148**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**49,148**|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**68,874**
**-**
**-**
**17,916**
**17,650**
**104,440**|
|---|---|---|---|
£35,565 (2022: £92,665) of the above costs were attributable to restricted funds. £68,874 (2022: £89,451) of the above costs were attributable to unrestricted funds.
## **8 Allocation of support costs**
|**Maintenance**
**of Reserve**
**£**
Salaries
**12,797**
Governance
**2,050**
Office expenses and subscriptions
**1,472**
Hide rates
**128**
Rent
**1**
Insurance
**5,136**
Computer costs
**1,000**
Telephone & Internet
**1,052**
Postage, printing and stationery
**220**
Professional fees & Consultancy fees
**3,753**
Advertising & Marketing
**-**
Volunteer welfare
**1,440**
Depreciation
**20,099**
**49,148**
**9**
**Governance costs**
**2023**
**£**
Independent examiners remuneration
11
**1,380**
Bookkeeping & payroll costs
**670**
**2,050**|**Total**
**£**
**12,797**
**2,050**
**1,472**
**128**
**1**
**5,136**
**1,000**
**1,052**
**220**
**3,753**
**-**
**1,440**
**20,099**
**49,148**
2022
£
1,516
2,303
3,819|
|---|---|
Page 17 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **10 Net income / (expenditure) for the year**
Net income / (expenditure) is stated after charging /(crediting):
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:|
|- owned by the charity|20,099|11,619|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **11 Independent examiners remuneration**
The independent examiners remuneration amounts to an independent examination fee of £1,380 (2022: £1,516).
## **12 Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
The Trustees neither received nor waived any remuneration during the year (2022: £nil).
The Trustees had expenses reimbursed during the year totalling £Nil (2022: £Nil).
## **13 Staff costs and employee benefits**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||
|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|
|Salaries|30,000|49,190|
|Pension|713|893|
|30,713|50,083|
|The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:|
|National Heritage Green Recovery Fund (100%)|0.5|2.0|
|Woodland Work (Designated)|-|1.0|
|Charity - no specific project|0.5|
**----- End of picture text -----**
No employees received total employee benefits (exluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000.
Page 18 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
|**14**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Land**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 July 2022
**190,225**
Additions
**-**
Disposals
**-**
**190,225**
**Depreciation**
At 1 July 2022
**66,257**
Charge for year
**-**
Eliminated on disposal
**-**
**66,257**
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2023
**123,968**
At 30 June 2022
123,968
**15**
**Investments**
**Cost**
At 1 July 2022
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2023
At 30 June 2022
All fixed asset investments are held in the UK.|**Hides,**
**fences etc**
**Vehicles**
**£**
**£**
**304,251**
**-**
**-**
**24,280**
**-**
**-**
**304,251**
**24,280**
**224,113**
**-**
**15,243**
**4,856**
**-**
**-**
**239,356**
**4,856**
**64,895**
**19,424**
80,138
-
**Listed**
**Investments**
**£**
**62,138**
**1,126**
**-**
**2,234**
**65,498**
**65,498**
62,138|**Total**
**£**
**494,476**
**24,280**
**-**
**518,756**
**290,370**
**20,099**
**-**
**310,469**
**208,287**
204,106
**Total**
**£**
**62,138**
**1,126**
**-**
**2,234**
**65,498**
**65,498**
62,138|
|---|---|---|
The value of the investments allotted under ranges under the Trustee Investment Act is as follows: Broad range: £65,498 (2022: £62,138).
Page 19 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
**----- Start of picture text -----**
16 Debtors
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 3,398 37,994
3,398 37,994
17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023 2022
£ £
Accruals and deferred income 10,678 11,026
10,678 11,026
18 Fund reconciliation
Net Transfers
Balance at movement between Balance at
1 Jul 2022 in funds funds 30 Jun 2023
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 268,814 - (12,209) 256,605
-
Designated - YWT Eel Passage 29,026 29,026
-
Designated - Woodland Work (Tarmac) 4,987 4,987
-
Designated - Land Purchase 80,000 80,000
-
382,827 (12,209) 370,618
Restricted funds
-
National Heritage Green Recovery Fund 5,707 (17,916) 12,209
-
Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement 8,412 6,850 15,262
Esmee Fairburn 15,000 - - 15,000
29,119 (11,066) 12,209 30,262
Total funds 411,946 (11,066) - 400,880
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Movement
Income Expenditure in funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund -
- - -
Designated - YWT Eel Passage
- - -
Designated - Woodland Work (Tarmac)
- - -
Restricted funds
-
National Heritage Green Recovery Fund (17,916) (17,916)
Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement 24,500 (17,650) 6,850
Esmee Fairburn - - -
24,500 (35,566) (11,066)
Total funds 24,500 (35,566) (11,066)
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 20 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **18 Fund reconciliation - continued**
National Heritage Green Recovery Fund is a fund to restore the Swale and Ure washlands.
Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement is a fund to expand priority wetlands in the lower Ure valley.
Esmee Fairburn is a grant to carry out a feasibilty study into the expansion of the reserve.
Designated Funds for Land Purchase are rignfenced by the Trustees to purchase additional land for the charity in a future period.
## **19 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
Fixed assets/investments
**273,785**
Cash and current investments
**66,146**
Other current assets /liabilities
**(7,280)**
**Total**
**332,651**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**-**
**30,262**
**-**
**30,262**|**Total**
**£**
**273,785**
**96,408**
**(7,280)**
**362,913**|
|---|---|---|
## **20 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions during the period (2022: £nil).
Page 21 .
**LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT _for the year ended 30 June 2023_
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Company (and also directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- 4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).
I have no concerns and have come across no matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Dated: 29-Apr-23
Guy R Baragwanath FCA
## **C & G B Associates**
8-10 Millgate Thirsk North Yorkshire YO7 1AA
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
## NOTES FOR TRUSTEES
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Donations - Donation Box
**Investments**
Deposit account interest
Dividend income
**Incoming resources from charitable activities**
RPA - Single Payment Scheme
RPA - Environmental Stewardship
Reedbed Project
National Heritage - Well Wetlands
National Heritage - GRCF
Yorkshire Water
Emsee Fairburn
Tarmac
Wildscapes
**Raising funds**
Sale of plants
Sundry income
**Total incoming resources**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Costs of raising funds**
Investment Management Fees
**Costs of charitable activities**
Maintenance of Reserve
Hire of equipment
Repairs & Renewals
Reserve maintenance
Protective clothing
Staff Training
Event costs
**Resources expended carried forward**|**2023**
**£**
**1,262**
**91**
**1,353**
**455**
**1,126**
**1,581**
**24,801**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**24,500**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**49,301**
**1,000**
**17**
**1,017**
**53,252**
**442**
**301**
**9,335**
**8,522**
**446**
**819**
**304**
**19,726**
**20,168**|2022
£
1,046
286
1,332
16
986
1,002
12,868
13,298
46,149
464
66,400
35,000
15,000
53,200
3,000
245,379
-
-
-
**247,713**
357
229
7,856
21,628
91
122
-
29,926
30,283|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES FOR TRUSTEES (continued)
_for the year ended 30 June 2023_
|**RESOURCES EXPENDED - continued**
**Resources expenses brought forward**
**Charitable activities - continued**
Heritage Lottery Fund - Well Wetlands:
Consultancy
Fencing
Repairs & Maintenance
Reserve Maintenance
Advertising & Marketing
Natural England/DEFRA - Reedbed Project
Yorkshire Water Biodiversity Enhancement:
Consultancy
Repairs & Maintenance
Reserve Maintenance
National Heritage Green Recovery Fund:
Advertising & Marketing
Consultancy
Repairs & Maintenance
Hire of Equipment
Salaries & Pension
Printing & Stationery
Protective Clothing & First Aid
Reserve Maintenance
Software & Computer Costs
Staff Training
Telephone
Volunteer welfare
Sand Martin Bank (Designated):
Hire of Equipment
Repairs & Maintenance
YWT Eel Passage (Designated):
Consultancy Fees
Hydrological Study (Designated):
Consultancy Fees
Woodland Work Tarmac (Designated):
Repairs & Renewals
Reserve Maintenance
Printing, Postage & stationery
Salaries & Pension
Staff Training|**2023**
**£**
**20,168**
**15,688**
**1,951**
**11**
**17,916**
**55,734**|2022
£
30,283
-
4,250
-
-
2,500
-
-
-
9,516
1,618
5,909
4,709
10,865
2,170
204
41,529
336
2,229
1,067
130
5,119
315
197
230
7,496
6,224
7,500
1,442
80
60
8,554
578
155,110|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
**2023**
2022
**£**
£
## **LOWER URE CONSERVATION TRUST**
NOTES FOR TRUSTEES (continued)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
for the year ended 30 June 2023
RESOURCES EXPENDED - continued
Governance costs
Independent Examination 1,380 1,516
Bookkeeping & payroll 670 2,303
2,050 3,819
Support costs
Hide rates 128 128
Rent 1 1
Insurance 5,136 3,544
Internet 1,052 774
Printing, Postage & stationery 220 461
Website costs (including web domain) 273 114
Subscriptions 1,427 923
Legal & Professional costs 318 714
Consultancy Fees 3,435 2,560
Software & Computer Costs 727 1,252
Credit card charges 32 32
Advertising & Marketing - 294
Salaries & Pension 12,797 -
Sundry expenses: Volunteer welfare 1,440 1,115
Companies House fees 13 13
Depreciation 20,099 11,619
49,148 27,363
Total resources expended 104,882 182,473
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (51,630) 65,240
Investment gains (losses) 2,597 (5,654)
**----- End of picture text -----**
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements