DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
Registered number: 04629589 Charity number: 1111181
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' Report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 - 15 |
DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Trustees | J Monteyne** |
|---|---|
| J Platts** | |
| D Leek** | |
| P Benham* | |
| R Pearson* | |
| P Ibbotson* | |
| * Trustee only Director and Trustee Company registered number 04629589 Charity registered number 1111181 Registered office Wood Lane Countryside Centre Wood Lane Sheffield South Yorkshire S6 5HE Company secretary J Monteyne Accountants** Shorts Chartered Accountants 2 Ashgate Road Chesterfield Derbyshire S40 4AA |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the year 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The Charity's objectives are to promote an interest in the conservation of Sheffield's countryside to the people of Sheffield and the surrounding area.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'. In pursuance of its main objectives the charity runs courses and provides meeting facilities at the Wood Lane Countryside Centre.
Achievements and performance
a. Review of activities
The Trust has had another difficult year, following the pandemic and various lock downs being in place. It remained difficult for volunteers to be involved in projects which restricted the levels of activity that could be undertaken. The Trust completed some projects with Woodland Maintenance, Public Rights of Way groups and was acting as contractors for the local authority which enabled the Trust to continue to generate cash to settle liabilities.
2023-24 promises of a much better year as the Trust hopes to be successful in various funding bids. A small number of volunteers have been able to return Monday to Thursday which is allowing more activity to take place. The pandemic has completely changed the face of volunteering. We are trying various ways to recruit more volunteers.
Thanks must be given again this year to our excellent staff who continue to remain highly motivated and continue to help the Trust strive to achieve its goals.
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company 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.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
b. Reserves policy
The Trustees have established a policy whereby the funds not committed or invested in tangible assets (the 'free reserves') held by the charity should be enough to cover the expenses incurred if it were unable to secure adequate short term funding and also to enable it to make any investment necessary to secure its future. The current level of free reserves does not meet this requirement. However the Trustees are actively pursuing further sources of funding in order that this can be achieved.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £10. The Company is constituted under a Memorandum of Association and is a registered charity number 1111181.
b. Trustees
The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
The Trustees determine the general policy of the charity. They are assisted in the running of the charity by a number of volunteer workers. The day to day management of the charity is delegated to a small number of paid employees.
All of the Trustees who served during the year and who are also the present Trustees, were as follows:
J Monteyne J Platts D Leek P Benham R Pearson P Ibbotson
SCCT will have at least 5 Trustees on its board, there is no upper limit on the number of Trustees but would not expect it to exceed 10. The Trustees may be either a) elected at an AGM, or b) be co-opted where it is considered they have a skill that would be of particular use to the Charity.
When a need has been identified to recruit Trustees the process will be managed by the Executive Committee in line with the charity's Trustee recruitment policy which was updated in January 2018.
New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making process, the business plan and recent financial performance of the Charity. In addition they are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Structure, governance and management (continued)
c. Risk management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Company is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Company, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
d. Trustees' indemnities
The Trustees, as directors of the Company, have been granted a qualifying third party indemnity provision under section 234 of the Companies Act 2006. This does not provide cover in the event of a director being proved to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly.
Independent Examiner
A resolution to reappoint H K Freeman as the independent examiner will be proposed at the annual general meeting.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company 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 . 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 Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the 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 Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 10 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
J Monteyne Trustee
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust ('the Company')
I report to the Company Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the Trustees of the Company (and its 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 the Company's accounts 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 10 February 2024 H K Freeman FCA Chartered Accountant
Dated: 10 February 2024
Shorts Chartered Accountants, 2 Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 4AA
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Note Income from: Charitable activities 3 Other income 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) before other recognised gains and losses Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Restricted funds 2023 £ 48,585 - 48,585 48,585 48,585 - - - - - |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 114,056 - 114,056 69,562 69,562 44,494 44,494 5,737 44,494 50,231 |
Total funds 2023 £ 162,641 - 162,641 118,147 118,147 44,494 44,494 5,737 44,494 50,231 |
Total funds 2022 £ 92,073 4,217 96,290 114,799 114,799 (18,509) (18,509) 24,246 (18,509) 5,737 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 04629589
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
15,547 28,011 43,558 (7,743) |
2023 £ 14,416 35,815 50,231 - 50,231 50,231 |
8,867 2,114 10,981 (6,080) |
2022 £ 836 4,901 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,737 | ||||
| - 5,737 |
||||
| 5,737 |
The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the Company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 10 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
J Monteyne Trustee
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1. General information
Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee (registered company number: 04629589, registered charity number: 1111181). The members of the Company are the Trustees, as listed on page 1 of these financial statements. In the event of the Company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the Company.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust 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.
2.2 Income and expenditure
Income and expenditure are accounted for on an accruals basis.
2.3 Grants
Revenue grants are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities as received, unless they relate to a specific activity or period, in which case they are placed in a restricted fund until used.
2.4 Taxation
As a registered charity, the Trust is exempt from corporation tax, but generally not from value added tax (VAT). Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
2.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, as follows.
The depreciation rates used are:
Plant and machinery - 15% reducing balance Motor vehicles - 25% reducing balance Computer equipment - 15% straight line
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.6 Financial instruments
The Company 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 amortised cost using the effective interest method. Those which are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade payables or receivables, are measured at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. However, if the arrangements of a short-term instrument constitute a financing transaction, the financial asset or liability is measured, initially, at the present value of the future cash flow discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument and subsequently at amortised cost.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the Balance Sheet when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
2.7 Pensions
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for it's employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Church pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations.
The contributions are recognised as an expense in the Statement of Financial Activities when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance Sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.
2.8 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company 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 Company 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.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
3. Income from charitable activities
| Sheffield City Council Other income Total 2023 Total 2022 |
Restricted funds 2023 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ £ 48,585 67,995 - 46,061 48,585 114,056 - 92,073 |
Total funds 2023 £ 116,580 46,061 162,641 92,073 |
Total funds 2022 £ 71,129 20,944 92,073 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4. Other incoming resources Government support receivable - furlough Total 2022 5. Analysis of expenditure by activities Direct costs Total 2022 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - 4,217 Activities undertaken directly 2023 £ 118,147 114,799 |
Total funds 2023 £ - 4,217 Total funds 2023 £ 118,147 114,799 |
Total funds 2022 £ 4,217 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2022 £ 114,799 |
|||
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
5. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
Analysis of direct costs
| Activities 2023 £ Staff costs 54,269 Depreciation 1,790 Rent, light and heat 6,000 Insurance 9,640 Project costs 43,627 Office costs 483 Bank charges 122 Professional fees 951 Governance costs 1,265 Total 2023 118,147 Total 2022 114,799 6. Independent examiner's remuneration Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent examination of the Company's annual accounts Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner in respect of: All other services not included above |
Total funds 2023 £ 54,269 1,790 6,000 9,640 43,627 483 122 951 1,265 118,147 114,799 2023 £ 1,750 - |
Total funds 2022 £ 52,611 209 3,000 7,898 47,564 1,457 30 - 2,030 114,799 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 £ 1,000 1,030 |
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
7. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes |
2023 £ 52,813 30 1,426 54,269 |
2022 £ 50,698 557 1,356 |
|---|---|---|
| 52,611 |
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Employees | 2 | 2 |
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
8. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year ended 31 March 2023, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2022: £nil).
During the year ended 31 March 2023, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2022: £nil).
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
9. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net book value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 Debtors Due within one year Trade debtors |
Plant and machinery £ 1,200 2,870 4,070 758 389 1,147 2,923 442 |
Motor vehicles £ 3,295 12,500 15,795 2,901 1,401 4,302 11,493 394 |
Computer equipment £ 1,472 - 1,472 1,472 - 1,472 - - 2023 £ 15,547 |
Total £ 5,967 15,370 21,337 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,131 1,790 6,921 |
||||
| 14,416 | ||||
| 836 | ||||
| 2022 £ 8,867 |
10. Debtors
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DocuSign Envelope ID: D28FDE73-F19F-481A-AF1B-CDD980A978F9
SHEFFIELD COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Other taxation and social security Pension fund loan payable Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2023 £ 1,596 2,173 2,224 1,750 7,743 |
2022 £ 2,546 1,534 - 2,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,080 |
12. Pension commitments
The Company operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the pension scheme are held seperately from those of the Company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Company to the fund and amount to £1,426 (2022: £1,356). Contributions totalling £2,173 (2022: £1,534) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date.
13. Related party transactions
No trustees or other person related to the Company had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the Company during the year (2022: £nil).
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