2023-04-30-accounts

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust Charity No: 107882

Trustees Report and Financial Statements for the Year ended 30 April 2023

Reference and Administrative Details for the year ended 30 April 2023

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Name: Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust Charity Number: 1078882 Registered office: Mill House, Tower Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8JB

Trustees:

William Garnett (reappointed 13/9/19) Andrew Green (reappointed 12/1/23) Robin Green (reappointed 12/1/23) Patrick Green (reappointed 12/1/23) Mark Lawson (reappointed 13/9/19) Sir James Paice (appointed 7/9/21) Stephen Tomkins (reappointed 12/1/23) Richard Vigne (Chairman, appointed 12/1/23)

Independent Examiner:

Nicholas Russell ICAEW Moorgate Place London EC2R 6EA

History, structure, and governance

Since 1995 over 250 acres of farm land has been transformed into a variety of wetland and meadow habitats typical of the ancient Cambridgeshire Fens. This recreation of natural plant communities, and our developing knowledge of their processes and management has been pioneering. Over the last 26 years our experimental and scientific approach to wildlife conservation has produced some exceptional wildlife habitats with very exciting outcomes.

Initially conceived and owned by Andrew Green, the Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve employs a small wardening staff to manage, record and monitor wildlife throughout the year. Staff are employed by the owners to manage the Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve. Our operation - through advisors, staff and volunteers has enabled us to better understand influences on wildlife at all levels and so improve wetland conservation management in the Fens and beyond.

On 25 November 1999, The Kingfisher Bridge Wetland Creation Trust was established as a registered charity and is constituted under a trust deed dated 25th November 1999. The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve management operations via grants. Trustees are approved by existing trustees, each of whom serve for 5 years, after which time they may put themselves forward for reappointment. The trustees meet at least twice a year and meet less formally on a monthly basis. All trustees give of their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid in the year.

The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve via grants. Excluding these grants, the Trust has very limited outgoings so there is no need for a policy on the holding of Reserves. Free reserves at the year end, 2023, were £20,224 ( for 2022, £36,255).

Page | 1

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Report for the Trustees for the period ended 30 April 2023

The Trustees present this annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The Trust’s primary objective is to conserve and create a variety of wetland and wildlife habitats in the fens in order to conserve fenland wildlife for its own benefit – and for the public educational benefit that they bring to people.

In furtherance of that objective, the Trust seeks to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity ((including existing and rare species of plants, insects, birds and mammals), and to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.

The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve via grants. These grants are made on the basis that the Reserve is being managed to conserve and create a wide variety of wetland and wildlife habitats in the Fens (including existing and rare species of plants, insects, birds and mammals) for the public educational benefit.

In support of the above, the management team will pursue the following:

• attract, retain and care for the greatest possible variety of flora and fauna;

• be a “wildlife first project” in which the majority of our resources are focused on providing a “wildscape”, meaning optimal environments and habitats for thriving wildlife and excellence in the created landscape and habitat;

• be innovative in approaches to conservation and habitat creation;

• monitor, record and evaluate outcomes;

• share and interact with related parties and organisations including communicating our strategies, outcomes (both successes and failures) as well as lessons learnt;

• encourage educational and scientific use of the reserve;

• provide controlled access to the public, including the disabled.

The Trustees are satisfied that the reserve has been managed in line with the objectives as detailed above.

The Trustees have complied with the duty to have due regard for public benefit as published by the Charities Commission. We highlight the outstanding outcomes in terms of the natural capital enhancements particularly biodiversity as well as the direct benefits to the public - whether it be the general public who visit in ever increasing numbers - or our ongoing liaisons with like-minded organisations.

Summary of achievements for the year ended April 2023 and plans for the future

Page | 2

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Future proofing

Last year we explained how we balanced the growth in visitor numbers whilst minimising the impact on the wildlife – particularly in sensitive areas. This year we faced a very different challenge in the form of a drought and the consequent drop in water levels. Our management team, led by James Moss, responded by liaising with government agencies and developing mitigation measures that allowed us to successfully manage and preserve the wetland habitats whilst also putting in place protocols that will allow us to continue to flourish regardless of climate challenges in future years. The Trustees would like to thank James Moss for his leadership as well as the team of volunteers and supporters of the Reserve without whom our vital work would be unable to continue.

A self-financing future

The new visitor centre, which incorporates Wren’s Café and a shop selling our merchandise and local produce, has provided a large area to interact and engage more fully with visitors about the work we are doing to safeguard wildlife. We are delighted to report that membership of our Supporters Club and associated donations continues to grow. The new building has proved to be an excellent venue for holding our events and from which to launch our tour activities. We have been collaborating with neighbouring businesses to promote local produce and explain how it’s production benefits both the community and environment. As ever, we held the annual Open Days in late July and continue to welcome community and education groups.

Training and education

The management team collaborate with other like-minded conservation and habitat creation organisations - by working together one can achieve more. In collaboration with Natural England, we have started to provide conservation management training for rare fenland flora reintroduction projects. As many will know, this Reserve hosts 98% of the British population of the water germander ( Teucrium scordium ). For this reason this has become a conservation training imperative for us, as conservationists are actively seeking more fenland sites to promote the expansion of this species range. Working with FWAG East (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group), we are hosting advisory visits by farmers to explain our wildlife management policies. The management team have also attended external events to provide wildlife and conservation experiences for children and families supporting the Big Biology Day at Hills Road Six Form College in Cambridge amongst others.

Countryside Stewardship

Much management time has been spent on the submission of an application for a new Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Submitted in April 2023, it will run for 5 years from 2024 through to 2028. This will provide a significant uplift in funding compared to the existing Environmental Stewardship Schemes and allow the creation of new wildlife habitats as well as core visitor infrastructure, such as hides, and as well as water management systems to mitigate the risk of further climate changes.

Approved by the trustees on 31 January 2024 and signed on their behalf by

________ANDREW GREEN (TRUSTEE)

________WILLIAM GARNETT (TRUSTEE)

Page | 3

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023

INCOME: Donations: Donations without gift aid Donations with gift aid Visitor donations Tax: Claimed in year from gift aid payments EXPENSES: Grants Trustees' insurance Subscriptions Bank charges & interest Miscellaneous expense NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) for the year	2023 58,127 2,185 0 60,312 3,472 63,784 78,471 981 35 328 0 79,815 (16,031)	2022 31,480 4,311 0 35,791 3,692 39,483 78,612 961 35 693 40 80,341 (40,858)	2022 31,480 4,311 0 35,791 3,692 39,483 78,612 961 35 693 40 80,341 (40,858)
			(40,858)

I confirm that this Statement of Income and Expenditure truly represents all transactions of the charity for the year.

W Garnett, Trustee

A Green, Trustee

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 APRIL 2023

Bank balance and cash in hand Surplus retained Surplus/(deficit) for the year	2023 20,224 20,224 36,255 (16,031) 20,224	2022 36,255
		36,255
		77,113 (40,858)
		36,255

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of King Fishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust On accounts for the year ended 30 April 2023 Charfty no (If any) 1078882 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended 30 cx 20£3 Responsibllitles and As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basls of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement amtrof pp le. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect,: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fonn and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinatlon. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Slgned: Lg: LIH)L Date: g4 OL Zo2S Name: Nicholas Russell Relevant professlonal quallflcatlon(s) or body (If any): ICAEW IER October 2018