ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 December 2023
CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1111440 REGISTRATION NUMBER 5460677
Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF
BADGER TRUST
CONTENTS
Pages 2 - 10 Report of the Trustees
Page 11 Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees
Page 12 Statement of Financial Activities
Pages 13 Balance Sheet
Page 14 - 19 Notes to the Financial Statements
1
Trustees Report for the year ended 31 December 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Company registered number 05460677 Charity registered number 1111440
TRUSTEES
R Wood - Chair P Loveday - Vice Chair (appointed 15 April 2023) P Jackson - Chair (resigned 9 September 2023) G Cadwell - Treasurer
J Bates-Keegan ( resigned 9 May 2024) E Bullimore N Sainsbury (resigned 9 May 2024) E Hougasian R Oldham C van Wessem (appointed 15 April 2023) S Phillips (appointed 1 July 2023) S Denbigh (resigned 2 May 2023)
N Cole (appointed 15 April 2023) (resigned 22 January 2024)
KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
P Hambly Executive Director
THE TEAM
Operations & Finance Manager Dealing within day to operations office and financial management. Groups Coordinator Focused on supporting the group network to enhance communications and collaboration. Supporter & Groups Officer Dealing with incoming enquiries from public, supporters and groups; shop fulfilment and membership administration.
Wildlife Crime and Training Officer Dealing with crime reports; offering dedicated training to police forces and groups; representing the Trust at appropriate organisations/meetings.
Campaigns & Research Manager Focused on adding significant capacity to campaign and research activity.
Supporter Services Officer Focused on responding to supporter and public enquiries and providing support to the OFM on financial and data activities.
Individual Giving Manager
Focused on raising funds for operations and campaigns.
2
REGISTERED OFFICE
Citibase 95 Ditchling Road Brighton BN1 4ST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Independent Examiners Limited Unit 2, The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF
BANKERS
The Co-operative Bank Scottish Widows Bank Nationwide Team 605 PO Box 883 Nationwide House PO Box 250 Leeds Pipers Way Skelmersdale LS1 9TY Swindon WN8 6WT SN38 1NW
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND INTRODUCTION
The principal activity of the Trust in the year under review was that of the promotion and enhancement of the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts and habitats for the public benefit throughout England and Wales.
The Trust began as the National Federation of Badger Groups in 1986 and evolved into the Badger Trust in 2005. 2023 was a significant year in terms of the charity’s priority campaign, that of opposition to any culling of badgers as a means of controlling bovine Tuberculosis (bTB), as the numbers of badgers killed since 2012 went past the 230,000 mark - which could be 50% of the badger population. The difference between the English approach to bTB of culling badgers and the Welsh and Scottish approach of not culling badgers shows the starkness of the situation - Wales is bringing down bTB at least as effectively using a combination of tighter biosecurity and movement controls together with more frequent and reliable testing. Yet in England, they continue to cull without the evidence to prove badgers as a significant source of the disease, and the Government mandated the use of a much less reliable cattle testing regime than that used in Wales, which could be hiding significant numbers of infected English cattle.
In 2023 a major point of focus was preparing a compelling and convincing evidence based study into bovineTB. For the first time, drawing together all the available evidence, including all of that used by Defra with original research material drawn from surveys of farmer opinion, together with details on costs of compensation, comparisons of bTB eradication strategies employed by Wales and England, differing test types, and which pointed to a collaborative way forward for all involved.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Badger Trust is a company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity in England and Wales. The charity was incorporated in 2005 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which were updated in 2023.
3
As a registered charity the Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, who also serve as Directors of the limited company (limited by guarantee) and having no share capital. The Chair and Vice Chair work closely with the Executive Director at senior management level. The Board meets formally at least 4 times a year in addition to key internal operational projects and to deal with governance issues.
When recruiting new trustees, the Board aims to attract a diverse range of candidates who have the skills the charity needs. After initial recommendations by the current board of trustees, the candidates are then considered by the members who each vote on acceptance to the board at the AGM. In 2023 Badger Trust appointed four new trustees. All new trustees are advised on the roles and duties of the trustees, company and charity law, governance, financial and risk management. Appropriate training is provided as necessary.
The Board performed a full review of salaries in 2023 and set pay grades for the key management personnel – the Executive Director of the Badger Trust. Salaries are reviewed on an annual basis by the Board.
BADGER GROUP NETWORK
Badger Trust exists to promote and enhance the welfare, conservation and protection of badgers, their setts, and their habitats and is the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales. However, a huge part of its success is down to the network of voluntary badger groups who work in their local area to educate, campaign, monitor badger setts and habitats, and provide rescue and response services to the general public, as well as liaising with relevant agencies such as Natural England, the police and the RSPCA for incidents and matters on the ground.
This network consisted of 30 full and 21 associate members in 2022, and Badger Trust remains ever grateful for the work they do on the ground for the benefit of badgers here and now. In 2023, new badger groups were established in Cumbria and Lincolnshire.
Following changes to our memorandum and articles of association at the 2023 AGM we now have the option to hold them online - which we plan to do in those years we hold a Symposium in person, e.g. 2024. Training and group meetings continue to be delivered remotely to maximise attendance.
On Group communications, we successfully continued the ‘Group Quarterly Meetings’ or ‘GQMs’. This was enhanced by more informal regional meetings that drew larger attendances as the year progressed. The Groups Coordinator role has continued to evolve, increasing interaction and communication between Badger Trust and Badger groups.
GROUP GRANTS
One way that the Trust supports the group network is through the provision of financial grants, which can be applied for during the year. Strict qualifying criteria apply, and there is a need for post-spend reporting to ensure the grant had the impact intended for the group and to ensure the Trust is investing in the best areas for the benefit of badgers. Grants issued are detailed in note 6 to the accounts.
4
PARTNERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP WORKING
Badger Trust is a small, single-species organisation, and can maximise its impact and amplify its voice when working with other like-minded organisations. It does this through ongoing Wildlife and Countryside Link membership and as a member of NWCU’s UK Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group.
The Trust also works ad hoc with other animal welfare organisations when opportunities arise and has worked on joint campaigns or initiatives with Born Free, Four Paws, Naturewatch, IFAW, Northern Ireland Badgers, Scottish Badgers and the League Against Cruel Sports. This includes work against snaring and hunting, both of which affect badgers.
In 2023 Badger Trust widened its engagement with professionals, experts and Badger group members by developing further working groups in key areas: including a Scientific Working Group, a Planning and Development working group and a Rescue and Rehabilitation group. These groups have been aiding Badger Trust in these areas of work.
We met regularly with officials from Defra’s bTB policy team and with the Welsh Chief Vet and bTB team in Wales.
We appointed our first Youth Ambassador - national award-winning photographer Rachel Bigsby who worked tirelessly for badgers throughout the year.
OUR FUNDRAISING PRACTICES
Our charity raises funds in multiple ways to support our cause. We rely on donations from individuals, member groups, businesses, and partnerships with other organisations. Our social media presence has also enabled us to engage with supporters and donors online, allowing for easy and secure online donations. We are committed to transparency and accountability, ensuring that every donation received goes directly towards fulfilling our mission.
Badger Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which means we are committed to the Fundraising Code of Practice. We did not work with any third-party fundraisers during the year or receive any fundraising complaints.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Badger Trust is the voice for badgers in England and Wales.
We run various campaigns in order to educate, inform and, where necessary, challenge key issues affecting badgers.
In 2023 the following campaign and support activity was undertaken:
End the Cull campaign
Our focus on ending the badger cull continued through 2023. Our Campaign and Research Manager led the production of a ground-breaking study on bTB, focusing on the evidence and looking for collaborative ways forward. Professor David MacDonald from the University of Oxford was also
5
engaged in writing a preamble, which also outlined the flaws in the Government’s report by Dr Colin Birch.
We sent out hundreds of campaign packs to the public, which led to thousands of postcards being sent to MPs asking for an end to the cull; we engaged with Parliamentarians, policymakers and the public in England and Wales on issues around the cull, and continued to be cited in the media as the leading badger experts and defenders. We hosted a number of campaign days with badger groups, including a protest and lobby of Parliament.. Sadly the number of badgers killed went above 210,000 since 2012, and over 230,000 badgers were killed in total by the end of 2023.
We worked with Born Free on a further submission to the Bern Convention. The case against the government remains on file, and the Convention asked for further information on badger population monitoring from the government.
We submitted several Freedom Of Information requests throughout the year. Among the many facts we discovered was that the people responsible for assessing badger populations were the cull companies employed to kill them.
- Stop Badger Crime campaign
We continued to train police forces and badger groups in dealing with badger crime, and our reputation in this area continues to grow. In 2023 we have now completed training of every police force in England and Wales. Badger crime continues to be a national wildlife crime priority and remains a serious issue, with crimes occurring every week. Badger Trust is a significant contributor to the Wildlife Link annual report on crime and works with other organisations on wildlife crime-related issues, e.g. hunting and sett blocking.
We were leading campaigners along with Action for Primates on including animal cruelty in the Online Safety Bill. We secured a major victory when an amendment was passed to include it - so now social media operators do have an obligation to remove images of animal cruelty. We continued to play a leading role in the anti-wildlife crime community and were very well received at the wildlife crime enforcers conference in autumn 2023.
We worked successfully with Wildlife Link to get sentencing for crimes against wild animals increased in line with those for domestic animals, thus making them recordable as well. This is now before the Home Office Sentencing Committee for consideration.
- Space for Badgers
Our long-term goal is to ensure positive interaction between humans and badgers, supporting the conservation and protection of our natural world. To do this, we have developed resources and campaigns that help badger supporters deal with the many threats to badgers. We receive many calls and emails from members of the public every day and we now have cover five days a week to respond rapidly to incidents.
A crucial part of our Space for Badgers campaign is the State of the Badger project. This groundbreaking study aims to measure badger populations across England and Wales. We are
6
moving forward with the test phase, funded by the John Lewis Foundation and Lush. We hope to complete surveys in Somerset, Lancashire and Hampshire in 2024 - this will hopefully lead to a wider study up to the national level and greatly increase our knowledge of badgers.
We also issued a new care guide for injured badgers, which was very well received, particularly by the vet community.
Our Give Badgers a Break Campaign received wide publicity. Our campaign to make it easier to get small mammal wildlife crossings put in place by local councils was finally successful. The Transport Minister announced in December 2023 that he had removed blocks to councils erecting new signage. We are now working with local badger groups to get signs and calming measures in place. We continue to log Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) and, wherever possible, try to identify where cubs may be affected, to get immediate help to them. We are also working with Cardiff University’s RoadLab to further research and knowledge in this area.
Planning and development continue to be a significant area of work nationally and locally. The protection of badgers, their setts and habitats is covered in the Protection of Badger Act yet is often ignored in developments. We produced a new guide that the planning and ecology community and badger groups warmly welcomed. We also continued to promote a love for and understanding of badgers by producing a range of badger facts, figures, and insights through our online channels. This means we continue to be a significant source of information about badgers and allows us to communicate with thousands of people on a daily basis. A particular highlight was Brocktober, where we highlighted the wonder of badgers throughout the month. Being the significant source of information isn’t an issue of market placement - with so much misinformation about badgers appearing online (some of it apparently with the intention of demonising the species), it is important that the Badger Trust is able to provide accurate information and that the Badger Trust’s website is increasingly people’s first choice when searching for accurate and reliable information about the species.
Governance
We carried out a governance review and brought some proposed changes to the 2023 AGM - these were all passed. The updated Memorandum and Articles of Association are available on the Charity Commission website.
The Board continues to meet and operate within its rules and within the rules and guidance of the Charity Commission. Trustees have access to training courses in aspects of governance, and the majority of Trustees attended a half day taught course on the responsibilities of Trustees. It is an expectation that all Trustees take up regular training and keep their training up to date, this continues to be facilitated by the Badger Trust.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The End the Cull campaign enters a crucial year in 2024. The present Government has issued a consultation that would lead to badgers being culled for years to come. We will resist this, working with stakeholders and the public to try to end the badger cull once and for all. We will provide policymakers from all political parties with the information they need to make an informed decision on bTB and end the badger cull.
7
Following the State of the Badger Pilot, Badger Trust will work to increase the understanding and awareness of badgers. We plan to build on the pilot with a complete survey of badgers across England and Wales, which will engage many more people in badger protection and appreciation. Conducted widely enough, it will also establish the effect the cull and environmental challenges have had on the badger. This will drive interest and love for badgers and help Badger Trust and affiliated badger groups recruit the volunteers and support it needs to protect badgers effectively and for the long term. This work will highlight the interaction between human development and badger habitats and be part of our Space for Badgers initiative. Our aim is to build more harmony in the interactions between badgers and humans - whether on the roads or in building developments; so that the needs of badgers are understood and taken into account. Our ambition for a future of harmony with badgers will be a key part of our work with badger groups and interaction with other stakeholders, such as ecologists.
We plan to issue a series of guides on the important area of badger rescue and rehabilitation that will aid badger groups, vets and others in the care of badgers.
On crime against badgers, Badger Trust will continue to work to make such crimes notifiable (recordable) and increase the sentencing for crimes in line with the Animal Welfare Act, i.e. five years. This would act as a deterrent and allow more police resources to be committed to this area. We plan to expand our services in crime training and supporting people dealing with badger crimes, such as badger groups and police forces. We also plan to increase our knowledge of cybercrime featuring badgers and raise awareness of this issue so that proper action is taken.
We plan to maintain the services we currently provide as the national hub for information and support on badgers and expand where possible in line with our plans.
To help finance our expansion, we plan to target wider funding sources such as trusts and foundations to get more long-term funding to deliver better campaigns and services in support of badgers. We also now have an individual fundraising manager in place to help support these efforts with focused campaigns that maximise our financial support.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overall, Badger Trust had a total income in 2022 of £381,550 (2022: £332,997) and total expenditure was £341,819 (2022: £315,731). The year ended with a surplus of £39,731 (2022: £17,266).
Badger Trust is fortunate to have supporters remember the organisation in their Will, so that their love of badgers and desire to protect them can continue on through their last gift to the charity after their death. In 2023 the following people made legacy gifts to help badgers as part of their final wishes:
John Griffiths Joy Fulcher Susan Davey John Allwood William Howells John Scully Thomas Sissons Mary Taylor Philip Rowe
8
Badger Trust is thankful for the continued support of the badger community and for the incredibly generous legacies received during the year which have left us in a strong position as we enter a new financial year.
RESERVES POLICY
The Board has agreed a policy of normally holding twelve months of budgeted expenditure as unrestricted reserves, to provide flexibility and resilience to cover any committed costs. At 31 December 2023, the unrestricted reserves of £306,966 (2022: £339,440) represented approximately 11 months’ worth of the budgeted expenditure for 2023. At the year-end £50,000 (2022: £50,000) was designated to the State of the Badger and £nil (2022: £25,000) to the Badger rescue hotline as detailed in note 4. At the end of the 2023 financial year, £31,285 (2022: £9,080) was held as restricted funds. These are due to be spent in 2024. Total reserves at 31 December 2023 were £388,251 (2022: £348,520)
The Trustees will keep the level of reserves under review as per this approach and policy, as a means of increasing impact for badgers across all Badger Trust’s campaigns and activities.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Trustees have a risk management strategy which includes:
-
●An established Finance Sub Commi�ee which oversees the organisa�onal approach to risk and the Risk Register
-
●Designated responsibility for managing and monitoring key risks on the Register and reporting to the Board
-
●An approach based on mi�ga�ng both the likelihood of risks occurring and the impact should they occur.
The Trustees continue to review the risks facing the charity, in particular the difficult funding climate and the challenge of securing sufficient income to cover core costs and new projects. This risk is being managed partly by recruiting the new Individual Giving Manager.
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Trustees (who are also directors of Badger 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 accoun�ng policies and then apply them consistently;
-
●observe the methods and principles of the Chari�es SORP;
9
-
●make judgments and accoun�ng es�mates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
●state whether applicable UK Accoun�ng Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
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.
The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit whilst setting the objects and activities of the charity.
Signed on behalf of the Board:
Rosie Wood ................................................
R Wood, Chair
Date: 4th June 2024
10
BADGER TRUST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Badger Trust for the year ended 31 December 2023.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the charity’s Trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company 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 for this year 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
Since Badger Trusts' gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of Badger Trust as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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
-
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.
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.
Date : 1.7.24
Signed :
K Gomes FCIE MAAT Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF
11
BADGER TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Income and Endowments from: Donations and Legacies 2a Charitable Activities 2b Investments 2c TOTAL Expenditure on: Raising Funds 3a Charitable Activities 3b TOTAL NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS/(LOSSES) Transfer of Funds NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total Funds Brought Forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 313,247 - 46,133 359,380 310,815 18,912 - - 18,912 21,797 3,258 - - 3,258 385 |
|---|---|
| 335,417 - 46,133 381,550 £ 332,997 |
|
| 4,738 - - 4,738 25,090 313,153 - 23,928 337,081 290,641 |
|
| 317,891 - 23,928 341,819 315,731 |
|
| 17,526 - 22,205 39,731 17,266 |
|
| 25,000 (25,000) |
|
| 42,526 (25,000) 22,205 39,731 17,266 |
|
| 42,526 (25,000) 22,205 39,731 17,266 |
|
| 264,440 75,000 9,080 348,520 331,254 |
|
| 306,966 50,000 31,285 388,251 348,520 |
All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing.
The notes on pages 14 to 19 form part of these financial statements.
12
BADGER TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
REGISTRATION NUMBER 5460677
AS AT 31 December 2023
| Note Fixed Assets Tangible assets 7 Current Assets Stocks 8 Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand 10 Total Current Assets Creditors:amounts falling due within one year 11 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETSless current liabilities NET ASSETS Funds General Funds Designated Funds 4 Restricted Funds 4 Total Funds |
General Designated Restricted 31-Dec-23 31-Dec-22 Funds Funds Funds Total Total £ £ £ £ £ 2,690 - - 2,690 2,334 8,153 - - 8,153 6,210 53,285 - 5,000 58,285 9,513 260,340 50,000 26,285 336,625 341,834 Unrestricted Funds |
|---|---|
| 321,778 50,000 31,285 403,063 357,557 |
|
| 17,502 - - 17,502 11,371 304,276 50,000 31,285 385,561 346,186 |
|
| 306,966 50,000 31,285 388,251 348,520 |
|
| 306,966 50,000 31,285 388,251 348,520 |
|
| 306,966 - - 306,966 264,440 - 50,000 - 50,000 75,000 - - 31,285 31,285 9,080 |
|
| 306,966 50,000 31,285 388,251 348,520 |
The company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The Trustees consider that the company 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 company 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 the preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on signed on their behalf, by:
Print Name : Georgina Cadwell (Trustee and Treasurer)
Date : 04/06/2024
Signed on their behalf by ………………………………………………………………………………………………
13
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1.Accounting Policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
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 in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
Badger 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 notes.
The financial statements are presented in £ Sterling and are rounded to the nearest £1
Company Status
The company is a company limited by guarantee.
Going Concern
The trustees have taken into account the charity's ability to continue as a going concern and have assessed that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. In making this assessment the charity's trustees have taken into account all available information about the future operation of the charity for at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date these accounts were approved.
Income
Recognition of Income
All income is recognised once the company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the company is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the company has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the company, or the company is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use.
Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the company and include project management carried out at Headquarters.
Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
14
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments. Impairment losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities incorporating income and expenditure account.
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Computer equipment 33.33% straight line
Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowances for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.
Debtor and Creditors
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.
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Liabilities and Provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
Pensions
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the company to the fund in respect of the year.
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.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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.
Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
There were no judgment or material estimation uncertainties affecting the reported financial performance in the current or prior year.
15
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2. ANALYSIS OF INCOME a) Donations and Legacies Donations Legacies Subscriptions Gift Aid Total 2022 b) Charitable Activities Charity Trading Income Sale of Goods Total 2022 c) Investment Income Interest Received Total 2022 |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 83,247 - 42,906 126,153 80,987 147,219 - - 147,219 147,891 58,874 - - 58,874 57,695 23,907 - 3,227 27,133 24,241 |
|---|---|
| 313,247 - 46,133 359,380 310,815 |
|
| 234,476 75,839 500 310,815 18,912 - - 18,912 21,797 |
|
| 18,912 - - 18,912 21,797 |
|
| 21,797 - - 21,797 3,258 - - 3,258 385 |
|
| 3,258 - - 3,258 385 |
|
| 385 - - 385 |
3. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| a) Raising Funds Cost of stock consumed Wages and Salaries Total 2022 |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 4,738 - - 4,738 4,656 - - - - 20,434 |
|---|---|
| 4,738 - - 4,738 25,090 |
|
| 25,090 - 25,090 |
16
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| b) Charitable Activities Note Accountancy and bookkeeping AGM and Board Expenses CEO Expenses Bank Charges Campaigning Expenses Depreciation Recruitment services Credit Card Expenses Grants Independent examiner's fee Insurance Loss on disposal Marketing costs National insurance 5 Office costs Pension cost 5 Post & stationery Professional fees Room hire(includingoffice) Symposium Expenditure Subcontractor costs Subscriptions Telephone & Website Training expenses Travel & subsistence Wages and salaries 5 Total 2022 Lancashire Badger Group Cumbria Badger Group Oxfordshire Badger Group Northamptonshire Badger Group West Kent Badger Group Other grants paid less than £1,000 Gloucestershire Badger Vaccination Group Analysis of Grants Expenditure |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 1,091 - - 1,091 2,292 2,967 - - 2,967 2,162 1,186 - - 1,186 688 91 - - 91 139 9,609 - - 9,609 6,516 1,631 - - 1,631 892 299 - - 299 8,192 2,978 - - 2,978 3,493 9,515 - - 9,515 2,544 1,200 - - 1,200 1,074 2,456 - - 2,456 713 94 - - - 94 - - 11,913 - - 11,913 10,572 10,396 - 950 11,346 11,382 6,960 - - 6,960 5,270 3,350 - 306 3,656 4,327 3,921 - - 3,921 4,075 3,300 - - 3,300 220 11,645 - - 11,645 9,178 - - - - 7,603 43,590 - 6,823 50,412 37,838 5,367 - - 5,367 5,064 837 - - 837 1,437 2,274 - - 2,274 1,583 3,437 - - 3,437 3,564 173,236 - 15,849 189,085 159,822 |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted TOTAL TOTAL Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 1,091 - - 1,091 2,292 2,967 - - 2,967 2,162 1,186 - - 1,186 688 91 - - 91 139 9,609 - - 9,609 6,516 1,631 - - 1,631 892 299 - - 299 8,192 2,978 - - 2,978 3,493 9,515 - - 9,515 2,544 1,200 - - 1,200 1,074 2,456 - - 2,456 713 94 - - - 94 - - 11,913 - - 11,913 10,572 10,396 - 950 11,346 11,382 6,960 - - 6,960 5,270 3,350 - 306 3,656 4,327 3,921 - - 3,921 4,075 3,300 - - 3,300 220 11,645 - - 11,645 9,178 - - - - 7,603 43,590 - 6,823 50,412 37,838 5,367 - - 5,367 5,064 837 - - 837 1,437 2,274 - - 2,274 1,583 3,437 - - 3,437 3,564 173,236 - 15,849 189,085 159,822 |
|---|---|---|
| 313,153 - 23,928 337,081 290,641 |
||
| 290,141 - 500 290,641 Grants to Grants to TOTAL TOTAL Institutions Individuals 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 1,500 - 1,500 - 2,000 - 2,000 - 3,462 - 3,462 - - - - 1,500 - - - 1,133 2,553 - 2,553 750 - - - (839) 9,515 - 9,515 2,544 |
||
| 9,515 - 9,515 2,544 |
There were no grants to individuals during the year (2022 : nil )
17
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4. Statement of Funds
| Current Year Designated Funds The State of the Badger Report fund The Badger hotline fund Vaccination Fund General Funds General Funds Total Unrestricted Restricted Funds The State of the Badger Report Fund The Badger crime fund Emergency Badger Rescue and Rehab Fund Total Funds 2023 |
Balance General Balance 1.1.23 Income Expenditure Transfer 31.12.23 £ £ £ £ £ 50,000 - - - 50,000 25,000 - - (25,000) - - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 75,000 - - (25,000) 50,000 |
|
| 264,440 335,417 (317,891) 25,000 306,966 |
|
| 264,440 335,417 (317,891) 25,000 306,966 |
|
| 339,440 335,417 (317,891) 25,000 356,966 |
|
| - 25,000 (22,190) - 2,810 - 16,133 (491) - 15,642 9,080 5,000 (1,247) - 12,833 |
|
| 9,080 46,133 (23,928) - 31,285 |
|
| 348,520 381,550 (341,819) 25,000 388,251 |
In 2020 there was a specific online fundraising campaign for Badger Vaccination funds. This income was spent as part of the Vaccination Grants that were awarded in 2022.
The Badger Crime fund includes online donations from 2020 and one donation from 2021.These funds were spent as part of the crime training events that took place in 2021.
The State of the Badger Report fund includes £50,000 of the unrestricted funds that have been designated by the Trustees following the successful bid for the State of Badger Pilot, Badger Trust will work on the pilot with a full survey of badgers across the country.
The Badger hotline funds will pay for additional staff hours to attend calls form the police.
The 'Emergency Badger Rescue and Rehab Fund' will help local badger groups who are called out to injured badgers on the ground. The grant is for local groups to apply for when they face especially large or unexpected vet bills that they may not be able to pay from their own funds. The funds will be spent over the next 3 years.
| Prior Year Designated Funds The State of the Badger Report fund The Badger hotline fund Vaccination Fund General Funds General Funds Total Unrestricted Restricted Funds Badger crime fund Emergency Badger Rescue Fund Total Funds 2022 |
Balance General Balance 1.1.22 Income Expenditure Transfer 31.12.22 £ £ £ £ £ - 50,000 - - 50,000 - 25,000 - - 25,000 - 839 - (839) - |
|---|---|
| - 75,839 - (839) 75,000 |
|
| 322,174 256,658 (315,231) 839 264,440 |
|
| 322,174 256,658 (315,231) 839 264,440 |
|
| 322,174 332,497 (315,231) - 339,440 |
|
| - 500 (500) - - 9,080 - - - 9,080 |
|
| 9,080 500 (500) - 9,080 |
|
| 331,254 332,997 (315,731) - 348,520 |
18
BADGER TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 5. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS Gross Wages and Salaries Employer's National Insurance Costs Pension Contributions The average number of persons employed during the year was as follows: |
2023 2022 £ £ 189,085 180,258 11,346 11,382 3,656 4,326 |
|---|---|
| 204,087 195,966 |
|
| 7 9 |
The average number of persons employed during the year was as follows:
The key management personnel of the charity comprise of the trustees and general manager. The employee benefits including remuneration and social security costs paid to key management personnel totalled £57,000 (2022:£46,000).No employee received remuneration of more that £60,000 during the year.
6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
During the year expenses of £552 (2022: £641) were reimbursed to 6 trustees; for travel and subsistence costs in respect of attendance at trustees' meetings.
No other payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period (2022 - Nil). No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them (2022-Nil).
| 7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Cost 01-Jan-23 Additions Disposals Cost at 31-Dec-23 Depreciation 01-Jan-23 Charge Depreciation on disposal Depreciation at 31-Dec-23 Net Book Value 31-Dec-23 Net Book Value 31-Dec-22 8. STOCKS Closing 31.12.23 9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS Accrued Income Gift Aid Prepayments Debtors 10. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND Cash at bank and on hand Total Accruals Other Taxation and Social Security Other Creditors 11. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
Computer 2023 2022 Equipment Total Total £ £ £ 19,047 19,047 17,665 1,733 1,733 1,382 (15,143) (15,143) - 5,637 5,637 19,047 16,713 16,713 15,821 1,631 1,631 892 (15,397) (15,397) - 2,947 2,947 16,713 2,690 2,690 2,334 2,334 2,334 1,844 2023 2022 £ £ 8,153 6,210 8,153 6,210 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 46,700 - 46,700 - 4,269 - 4,269 3,443 2,316 - 2,316 4,678 - 5,000 5,000 1,392 |
|---|---|
| 53,285 5,000 58,285 9,513 |
|
| 2023 2022 £ £ 336,625 341,834 336,625 341,834 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Fund Fund 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 9,905 - 9,905 4,001 4,000 - 4,000 5,009 3,597 - 3,597 2,361 |
|
| 17,502 - 17,502 11,371 |
19