2023-12-31-accounts

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Registration number: 1117418 Annual Report and Financial Statements

31 December 2023

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details	1
Trustees' report	2
Trustees' responsibilities	4
Independent examiner's report	5
Statement of financial activities	6
Balance sheet	7
Notes to the financial statements	8

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name	Penrith District Red	Squirrel Group
Charity registration number	1117418
Principal office	Celleron House
	Tirril
	PENRITH
	CA10 2LS
Registered office	Celleron House
	Tirril
	PENRITH
	CA10 2LS
Trustees	R C Benson, Chair
	J Moss
	J Pettigrew
	C J Bensaid	(Resigned 31 January 2024)
Accountant	Dodd & Co Limited
	FIFTEEN Rosehill
	Montgomery Way
	Rosehill Estate
	CARLISLE
	CA1 2RW

Page 1

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Approved by the Trustees on 7 June 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and 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.

Trustees and officers for the period 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023 were:

Robert Benson (Chairman), Jill Pettigrew (Secretary), Jerry Moss and Christian Bensaid.

The Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees, and all retire at the next AGM but can offer themselves for reappointment. The governing document for the Group is the constitution adopted on 10th October 2006 and it is the Trustees who conduct the business of the Charitable Trust.

The Trustees continually seek to advance the objectives of the charity by promoting the preservation of the red squirrel in their natural habitat of Penrith District and their protection from extinction for the public benefit and to advance the education of the public and conduct research concerning the red squirrel population in the Penrith District and its endangered status.

In setting the objectives of the Charity, the Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

A series of Meetings were held throughout the year – Trustee Meetings on 30th Jan , 6th Feb, 3rd March , 27th March, 9th May, 15th May, 19th June, 11th July , 31st July, 22nd Aug , 18th Sept, 12th Oct , 14th Nov, 13th Dec. Those confined to Trustees are highlighted with the others being Trustee, Ranger and Supporter Meetings. The Annual Public Meeting for members was held on July 10th attended by about 90 people.

The main activities of the charity during the year can be summarised as follows:

• The normal promotion of red squirrel conservation throughout the Penrith District area continued with the organisation of a number of activities including public meetings, talks and attendance at shows.

• 1. These highlighted the increasing plight of the red squirrel, and the risk to their existence posed by the non-native grey squirrel and the virus most greys carry.

• Increased promotion and publicity using a much improved and updated website, and much increased

• 1. use of social media. This includes encouraging the public to become members and/or volunteer and report both red and grey squirrel sightings.

• Obtaining funding from all possible sources including membership, sponsorship, sales of merchandise, including the sale of feeders (made by the Rangers and volunteers in their own time) and donations plus the final receipt and investment of the legacy received during the year meant that the group continued to

• 1. provide landscape grey control across the group area by agreeing annual 12 month contracts with professional trained rangers ( 4 full time and 2 part time ) augmented by a further full time ranger employed by Center Parcs, but working closely with the group.

• Continued investment in cameras, thermal imagers and feeders is contributing greatly to the

• 1. effectiveness and efficiency of the ranger team and its grey control work.

• The coordination of standardised squirrel data in 2023 shows that whilst red sightings remain good in parts of the 608 square miles now covered by the group, the Trustees are increasingly concerned by the

• 1. heavy increase in grey squirrel numbers who are now breeding all year round and loss of reds in part due to squirrel pox virus.

Page 2

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Financial Review

The trustees are pleased that they have managed to maintain ranger contracts. The legacy promised in late 2022 has been received and part of it invested. They are however very realistic and see that increased income must be found if they are to continue with the current level of grey control over the next 4 to 5 years. However, the grey situation really requires increased ranger cover. The trustees will be looking to do this in 2024. This relies on an improvement in income to try and close the gap between income and expenditure which has been achieved in 2023 with a smaller deficit than anticipated at the start of the year. This must be repeated year on year helped by interest on the investment.

The Trustees hope to maintain a reserve of £100,000 (raised from £50,000 in 2021) and this will be reviewed every 6 months. If overall funds are predicted to drop below £150,000 then Trustees will consider reducing contracts to 6 months.

Total income for the year amounted to £146,894 with expenditure of £182,594 leaving an overall deficit for the year of £35,700.

.........................................

R C Benson Trustee

Page 3

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Trustees' Responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity 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 in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

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

Page 4

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 15.

Your attention is to drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn.

We understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

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

It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act; and

• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

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

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

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

......................................... Joanne Thomlinson FCA Dodd & Co Limited Chartered Accountants

FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way Rosehill Estate CARLISLE CA1 2RW

• 7 June 2024

Page 5

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Other trading activities 3 Investments 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net (outgoing)/incoming resources before transfers Transfers Gross transfers between funds Net movements in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted Funds £ 91,234 43,126 12,534	Total Funds 2023 £ 91,234 43,126 12,534	Total Funds 2022 £ 307,986 36,516 -
	146,894	146,894	344,502
	18,915 163,679	18,915 163,679	20,391 206,000
	182,594	182,594	226,391
	(35,700) -	(35,700) -	118,111 -
	(35,700) 492,498	(35,700) 492,498	118,111 374,387
	456,798	456,798	492,498

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 6

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2023

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 Current assets Stocks and work in progress Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity: Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted income funds Total charity funds	2023 £ £ 23,766 1,847 22,998 412,315 437,160 (4,128) 433,032 456,798 - 456,798 456,798	2022 £ £ 25,573 1,995 29,891 444,706 476,592 (9,667) 466,925 492,498 - 492,498 492,498	2022 £ £ 25,573 1,995 29,891 444,706 476,592 (9,667) 466,925 492,498 - 492,498 492,498
			492,498
			- 492,498
			492,498

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Approved by the Board on 7 June 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

.........................................

R C Benson Trustee

The notes on pages 8 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 7

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Basis of preparation

The charity 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.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Fund accounting policy

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

Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 14.

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies including donations, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised where there is entitlement, propability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Income from Government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the statement of financial activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Shop income and income derived from events is recognised as earned (that is, as the related goods or services are provided).

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Page 8

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Costs of raising funds are the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

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

Fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation

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

Plant and machinery 15% reducing balance Office equipment 33% straight line basis

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Net realisable value is based on selling price less anticipated costs to completion and selling costs. Items donated for resale or distribution are not included in the financial statements until they are sold or distributed.

Page 9

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

2 Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies Legacies and bequests Appeals and donations Gift Aid tax reclaimed Membership Grants Grants - other agencies	Unrestricted Funds £ 10,000 39,293 6,573 35,368	Total Funds 2023 £ 10,000 39,293 6,573 35,368	Total Funds 2022 £ 200,000 45,935 7,773 31,078
	91,234 -	91,234 -	284,786 23,200
	91,234	91,234	307,986

Of the donations and legacies income in 2022 £284,786 related to unrestricted funds and £23,200 related to restricted funds.

3 Other trading activities

Other trading activities Merchandise Events Raffle income (Profit)/loss on sale of tangible fixed assets held for charity's own use	Unrestricted Funds £ 42,357 - 769 -	Total Funds 2023 £ 42,357 - 769 -	Total Funds 2022 £ 30,168 2,261 3,239 848
	43,126	43,126	36,516

All of the other trading income in 2022 related to unrestricted funds.

4 Investments

Interest on cash deposits

Unrestricted	Total Funds	Total Funds
Funds	2023	2022
£	£	£
12,534	12,534	-

Page 10

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

5 Expenditure

Direct costs Fundraising costs Opening stock Merchandise Selling fees Closing stock Postage and carriage Project costs Staff training Insurance Equipment repairs and renewals Computer software and maintenance costs Printing, postage and stationery Sundry expenses Travel and subsistence Advertising Depreciation of plant and machinery Depreciation of office equipment Support costs Accountancy fees Independent examiner's fee Bank charges	Other trading activities £ - 1,995 16,333 258 (1,847) 2,176 - - - - - - - - - - - 18,915 - - - - 18,915	Charitable activity £ - - - - - - 149,910 - 1,731 1,339 355 92 675 403 1,799 3,979 137	Total 2023 £ - 1,995 16,333 258 (1,847) 2,176 149,910 - 1,731 1,339 355 92 675 403 1,799 3,979 137	Total 2022 £ 303 5,190 15,350 108 (1,995) 1,435 187,037 90 1,962 2,203 706 88 469 205 4,248 4,254 771
		160,420	179,335	222,424
		2,480 600 179	2,480 600 179	3,209 600 158
		3,259	3,259	3,967
		163,679	182,594	226,391

Of the expenditure in 2022 £174,935 related to unrestricted funds and £51,456 related to restricted funds.

6 Governance costs

Accountancy fees Independent examiner's fee	2023 £ 2,480 600 3,080	2022 £ 3,209 600
		3,809

Page 11

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, C J Bensaid received payment for ranger contractor work for the charity of £27,216 (2022: £28,420). This payment was made in accordance with the provisions in the governing document of the charity. C J Bensaid receives no remuneration in his role as a trustee.

No trustees received any remuneration (2022: nil). One trustee was reimbursed £68 in expenses during the year (2022: £nil).

Total donations from trustees in the year totalled £104 (2022: £9,296).

8 Net (outgoing)/incoming resources

Net (outgoing)/incoming resources is stated after charging/(crediting):

Profit on disposal of tangible fixed assets Depreciation of owned assets	2023 £ - 4,116	2022 £ (848) 5,025

Page 12

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

9 Taxation

The registered charity is exempt from taxation on income and gains.

10 Tangible fixed assets

Cost As at 1 January 2023 Additions As at 31 December 2023 Depreciation As at 1 January 2023 Charge for the year As at 31 December 2023 Net book value As at 31 December 2023 As at 31 December 2022	Plant and machinery £ 36,614 2,309 38,923 11,428 3,979 15,407 23,516 25,186	Office equipment £ 2,660 - 2,660 2,273 137 2,410 250 387	Total £ 39,274 2,309
			41,583
			13,701 4,116
			17,817
			23,766
			25,573

11 Debtors

Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income	2023 £ 5,433 6,000 11,565 22,998	2022 £ 2,891 7,000 20,000
		29,891

12 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income	2023 £ 1,840 2,288 4,128	2022 £ 7,747 1,920
		9,667

Page 13

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

13 Related parties

Controlling entity

The charity is controlled by the trustees.

14 Analysis of funds

General Funds Unrestricted income fund	At 1 January 2023 £ 492,498	Incoming resources £ 146,894	Resources expended £ (182,594)	At 31 December 2023 £ 456,798

Page 14

Penrith District Red Squirrel Group

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

......... continued

Prior period

General Funds Unrestricted income fund Restricted Funds Oglesby Trust Green Recovery Challenge Fund	At 1 January 2022 £ 343,988 15,189 15,210 30,399 374,387	Incoming resources £ 321,302 - 23,200 23,200 344,502	Resources expended £ (174,935) (15,552) (35,904) (51,456) (226,391)	Transfers £ 2,143	At 31 December 2022 £ 492,498
				363 (2,506)	- -
				(2,143)	-
				-	492,498

15 Net assets by fund

Tangible assets Current assets Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets Prior period Tangible assets Current assets Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets		Unrestricted Funds £ 23,766 437,160 (4,128) 456,798 Unrestricted Funds £ 25,573 476,592 (9,667) 492,498		Total Funds 2023 £ 23,766 437,160 (4,128) 456,798 Total Funds 2022 £ 25,573 476,592 (9,667) 492,498		Total Funds 2022 £ 25,573 476,592 (9,667) 492,498 Total Funds 2021 £ 26,400 349,907 (1,920)
						374,387

Page 15