Downlands Trust (A cornpany limited by guarantee and not having a share capitsl) Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 Charity No. 1126535 Registered No. 6661092
Downlands Trust Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 Contents Page Trustees, report Independent Examlnerfs Report Balan sheet Ststement of financlal activltles 10 Notes to the accounts 11-15 Company Informatlon Trustees R Findlay rfreasurer) G Haseler P Mascall S Milan E Pringle N Slba P Wakeham (Chaiman) Reglstered offi 46 Wllmot Way Banstead Surrey SM7 2PY Independent examiner Mlthael Tuckey FCA FCMA Chartered Accountant The Dutch House 24 The Downsway Sutton Surrey SM2 5RN
Downlands Trust TNstees' report for the year ended 31st July 2024 The Trust present their Annual Report together with the accounts of the charty for the year ended 31st July 2024, which also meet the requirements for a directors, report and accounts for Companies Att puS. Objectives and Activitles The Downlands Trust was created as a charitable trust in November 2008. It supports countrystde conservation and management across northeast Surrey and the adjoining urban fringe, including Addington, Caterham, Chelsham, Woldingham, Warlingham, Salt Box Hill, Kenley, Riddlesdown, wdrnanSterne, Chipstead Downs, Banstead Woods and Merstham. This is not an exhaustive list but gives an indication of the range of sites covered. Many of the sites are of high conservation and scientific slgnificance and encompass a wide variety of environments, including rare and valuable chalk grassland and ancient woodland. The majority are direttly managed by the Downlands Partnership on behalf of their local authority owners, but the Trust also provides financial support for local countryside conservation groups. The Trusys objettives as defined in its Memorandum of Association are to: l. promote for the benefit of the publk the conservation of the physical and natural envlronment through management of the countryside 2. advance the education of the public in the conservatlon and management of the physical and natural environment The Trust achieves Its objectives by raising funds through memberships, donations, and corporate sponsorship. It then provides grants for investment In the future of the local countryside and engages In the promotion of conseniation and the encouragement of access for all. The trust ho quarterly revlew meetlngs. Afflllatlon The Downlands Trust is not affiliated to any other charity. Structure and Governance The Downland5 Trust Is a charitable company Ilmlted by guarant. It is run entlrely by vOluntr trustees who ensure that the Trust acts in accordance with its published constitution, the rules governing Its charitable trust 5tstus, and in the best interests of its rnembership. The administration is governed by the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association, both dated 15 January 2008. The foundlng documents require that onthird of trustees retire by rotation at each AGM, with the option to offer to be reappointed. Trustees may at any time appoint new trust, who then need to be reappointed at the next AGM. Overview 2023124 The Trust enjoyed another active and productive year. Our focus remalned finnly on supportlng conseNation activities that benefit chalk grasslandi primarily in association with the DownSands Partnership. A totsl of 54 grant applications were approved during the year and we took full advantsge of opportunities to publicise the work of the Trust. The* included sharing a stand with Downlands Partnership stsff at
Downlands Trust outdcor events, offering tslks to a varkety of organisations atx)ut our worK and maintaining an active social media Pren. We beneftted significantly from a further extension of funding by Fidelity Intemational, our corFK)rate sponsors. Funding of the Trust We very much appreciate the regular core funding that is received from membership subscriptions and for donations received from members, individuals, and local organisations. Particular thanks are due to Eezesport for the generous donation received from them following the Teddy Bear Picnic event that they sponsored in Nonsuch Park in June. The sponsorship of the Trust by Fidelity International commenced in January 2019 and was again renewed in January this year for a further 2 years. This support makes an enonnous differen to the number and value of the grants that we have been able to award. In addition to providing us with a generous annual budget, Fidelity continues to undertake a variety of corp)rate fundraising initiatives from which the Trust has benefitted significantly. Fidelity funded almost all the grants awarded from our unrestrlcted funds in 202314 and the Trust and the Downlands Partnership are extremely grateful for this generous sUPFOrt. In March, we leamed from the Clty of London that the bid submitted jointly with the Downlands Partnershlp for funding from August 2024 over 2 years to enhance the habitats for Skylarks and Yellowhammers on Riddlesdown and Farthing Down had been successful. As in previous years, the Beavers section of the 1st Tadworth Sea Scouts completed a sponsored swim and donated the proceeds to the Trust. This will used to purchase a ram for the Partnership's grazing team. We again thank Copley Clark (Solicltors) who fund the prlntlng of our newsletter. Grants Awarded by the Trust Grant applications are considered by the trustees accordlng to several criterla, the most important belng compliantr with the Trusvs Objects as set out in our Memorandum of Association. We pericdlca1 revlew our financial stsnding and tske thls Into consideration when making decisions on grnnt applications. As a general policyi we do not provlde grants that would result in long temi commitments or any that would create a dependency for the beneficiary. 54 grant appllcatlons with a totsl value of approximately £54,000 were approved In 2023124. The majorSty were awarded to the Downlands Partnership which Is responsible for the rna1ntenan of many of the green Spiices In the TrusL'5 area and continue5 to be our key partner. Grants awarded to the Partnership included funding for: a substsntial contribution towards the cost of a new Toyots Hilux off-road vehicle and associated equipment for the Grazing Team. Acquisition of this vehicle had become a matter of urgen because of the InCa$1ng unreliability of the team's ageing LAnd Rover and its non-complian with ULEZ standards additional GPS collars for shp and cattle. The devices are now becoming standard equipment for management of conrvation grazing specialised equipment to sUp)rt the Grazing Team's operations excavation of a wildlife pond at Old Lodge Farm power and hand tools for the Grazing and Task Teams training for Partnership stsff and volunteers bird and bat tM)xes for Little Woodcote Wood in Woodmansteme site notices alerting the public to the presen of grazing animals and nesting skylarks
Downlands Trust The Trust continued to engage with, and supporL l(Kal groups. Grants were awarded to: LB Croydon for the c5earance of scrub in Happy Valley SSSI, Coulsdon Woodchips (Banstead Woods) for hand tools Banstead Commons Conserrfators ft)r fencing materials to enable the construction of additional grazing paddocks Blanchman's Fami Nature Reserrfe (Warlingham) for hand tools Reserves As demonstrated by the financial ststements included in this report, the Trust enjoys comfortable resepies that will ensure its longer-tenn financial sustainability. The Charty CommSssion expetts every charity to have a reserves policyi reserves comprising our unrestricted funds that are freely available to spend on furthering the Trusvs objectives. Our reserves policy is based up3n an assessment of likely future Income and expenditure over the next few years, taken together with the need to maintsin the financial res11sen of the Trust. The poly specif5 that reserves should be maintained wlthln the range of £4040,000 and, whilst our re*rves now comfortably exceed the upper limit, this is largely attributsble to the sponsorship of F5delty Intematlonal whlch will contlnue until Dember 2025. Xnvestment Pollcy The Trust's Memorandum and Articles of Association provide the power to make Investments. Accordlngly, the Trust may invest surplus funds, defined as cash not required for the short-term funding of grant applications. In 2020121 we invested £60,000 in two 12-month fixed rate savlngs accounts with Shawbrook Bank through the Charitles Ald Foundatlon. We benefltted from a substsntially better Interest rate than that offered by our HSBC savings account and the investment was fully protected by the Financial SerVIs Compensation Scheme. The interest rate offered by Shawbrook Bank became signlficantly uncomFEtitive during 2022123 and the Investrnents have been transferred to 12-rnonth l)onds with the United Trust Bank where they contlnue to be protected under the Financlal SeIs Compensation Scheme. Engagement wlth the Publlc The Trust continued to engage with the public and thls enabled us to enjoy a steadily rlsing profile. Our actlvitie5 have included: sharlng a stall with the Downlands Partnership at fetes and fairs, 5ncludlng Old Coulsdon Vlllage Fair and the Carshalton EcoFair. Downlands Trust branded merchandise is sold at these events tcgether with native chalk loving plants grown by the Partnership's grazing team at Old Lodge Fanm. gNing presentations about the work of the Trust to local organisations, at which the opportunity is taken to distribute information thflets and printed copies of our newsletter maintsining an active presen on Fab(m)k and Instagram, leading to a steady increase in the number of views and followers maintaining and enhancing our website. We re1ve gcrfjd numbers of vEsitors and queries about the work of the Downlands Trust, the Downlands Partnership and chalk grassland are answered on a regular basis providing complimentary copies of our newsSetter to an Increasing number of conservation organisations in the area. We continue to receive positive feedback from recipients.
Downlands Trust Membership The number of member5 as at 31st July 2024 was 175, an increase of 19 over the membership of 156 at the same time last year. We have gained 40 new members over the financial year and lost 21 due to members moving away or failing to new. A couple of our long-temi supporters have &idly died. Many new members have been recruited as a result of the attivitles descrited in the above section. Others have joined following corporate workdays organised by the Downlands Partnership at which volunteers gained conservation experien through helping with practical tssks. A recent special offer combining membership and merchandise has resulted in a surge of new members. Financial Review of the Year During the year, the charity receNed income of £53,816 (2023: £50,727) and incurred expenditure of £55,730 (2023 - £33,835) on charltable actlvities. Reserrfes at yearnd were £125,309 (2023 - £127,223). Rlsk Review Rlsks to which the Trust may be exposed are maintained under periodic review and procedures estsblished to mitigate those identified, so minimising any potential Impact. These measures include ensuring strong financial control of our funds, maintaining adequate rerves to meet future funding requests, ensuring that we are covered by public liability Insuran when we interact with the public, and safeguarding our members, personal information through a data protection policy that complies wtth the GDPR. Outlook The Trust continues to operate within the context of financial pSsUre$ on local authorSties and their need to prioritise essential sendi, often uIng In dlminished funding for environmental management and conseniatlon. The Trust has a role to play in helping to mitigate the impact of such budget reduttions. We will maintsin our strong supFM)rt for the Downlands Partnership which wlll continue to be the Trust's main beneficlary. We wlll also endeavour to extend our engagement wth other potential grant recipients active in the conservation of local green spa. Opportunities with organisations representing younger age groups will continue to be explored. The Trust and the Downlands Partnership will maintsin a jolnt presence at summer fetes and fairs and our stsnd wlll contlnue to raise awareness of our role in conserving chalk grassland. Our financial resepdes remain strong and will ensure that we are abk to continue to operats effectively. Dlrectors and Trustees: The Trustees who seried during the year were as follows: Roger Findlay Geof Haseler Pamela Mascall Sarah Milan Elspeth Pringle Noreen Siba Peter Wakeham (Treasurer) (Chairman)
Downlands Trust ststement of Trustees. Responsibilities The Trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purp of company law, are responslble for preparing the Trust, Annual Report and the accounts in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards (United Kingdom Generally Actrpted Accounting Practi). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financlal year which give a true and falr view of the situation of the charitable company and of tts incoming resour and application of resoUrs, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to: select Sultsb accountlng w)Ilcies and then apply them conslstently obsenie the methods and principles in the Charities Statement of Rea)mmended Practi make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent stste whthr applicable UK accounting standards have bn followed, subject tt) any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts, and prepare the accounts on the going conwn basis unless it is inapproprlate to presume that the charlty will continue in buslne5S The Trustees are resFK)nsible for kpIng proper accounting records that disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply wlth the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguardlng the assets of the charitable company and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irregularfties. The ab)ve repM)rt has bn prepared in accordan with the special provisions reLitlng to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the Trustees on 21st August 2024 and slgned on thelr behalf by Peter Wakeham Q. LJ-L4 Chaimian
Downlands Trust Independent examinerfs report to the trustees of Downlands Trust I report to the tharlty trustees on my exaMI10n of the aoUnts of DownlaTrJs Trust (tkt fharity? for the year ended 31st July 2024. Responslbllltieg and bas1$ of rep¢)rt As the tru*es of the Charfty (and also ts dtrectors ftr the purpose of the company law) you are responslb for the prep3Rtb)n of the accounts In accorthrKe wlth the r4ulrements of the Ccthpanres Act Cthe 2006 ALf). Having satlsfkd myself that the accounts of the Charfty are not requlred to be alItl under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and a eligible for Independent expminatk)n, I report In r&spt of my exBminaUon of your Charity's accounts as carrled out under secbon 145 of the Charities Act 2011 Cthe 2011 ACY). In r2rrylng out my examination I have followed the Dlrecthns gbRn by the a)arty Commbsslon under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act. Independent examlnerfs statement I have completed my examinatlon. I confimi that r matters have come to my attention In cunn1( wlth the examinailon givTrn9 me cause to belteve:. accountlng records were kept In w of the Charfty as requlral by secflon 386 of the 2006 Ad; or the accounts do not accord wlth tTr records; or the accounts do not comply wlth the xtountFng requirements of sthn 396 ¢Jf the 2006 Art other than any requirement that the accounts glve a Irue and fair vtew, whtch Is not a consldered as part of an Independent examlnation. or the accounts have not been prePad in accordan wlth the methods and pr[rpIeS of the Ststement of Recommended Practltr ft)r accountlng and reportlng by dr[lIeS apr41cable to charltles preparlng thelr accounts In accordan wlth the Flnandal Rewrtlng Standard aFWlcable In the UK and Republt of Ireland (FRS 102). I have no concems and have come across no ot1 matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatton to whlth attertlon sh(xJld drnwn In thls rem In order to enable a proper UerstandIng of the accounts to be reactEd. Mlchael Tuckey FCA FCMA Charterel Accountsnt The Dutch Hou 24 The Downsway Sutton Sur SM2 5RN Date:
Downlands Trust Balan sheet as at 31st July 2024 2024 2023 CURRENT ASSErs Cash in hand and at bank Inventory Debtors 133,541 465 136,066 344 171 Current assets 134,873 136,581 CURREKf UABILrrIES Amounts falling due within one year (9,564). (9,358) (9,564) r"19,358) 125,309 127,223 Current liabillties NET CURREKf ASSErs NEf ASSErs 125,309 127,223 FUNDS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds 1,703 123,606 1,240 125,983 TOTAL CHARrrY FUNDS 125,309 127,223 The company was entitled to exemption from audlt under section 477 of the Companles Act 2006 relatlng to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtsln an audit in accordan wlth section 476 of the Companles Att 2006. The Trustees acknowledge thelr responslblllttes for complylng with the requirements of the Companles Act wlth respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have bn prepared In accordan with the provislons appllcable to small companles subject to the small companles regime and in accordan with FRS102 SORP. Approved by the Trustees on 21& August 2024 and signed on their behalf by Pr Wakeham ChaiMn of TruStS ,J-
Downlands Trust Statement of financial actlvltles (Including irKome and expenditure account) for the year ended 31" July 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 funds funds Note ££ £•£ Incorne Donations and Legacies Membership subscriptions Donations including Gift Aid 1,795 H,334 1,795 46,334 1,470 Income from other tradlng actlvltles Sale of plants Sale of merchandise 2,202 643 2,202 643 1,679 1,387 Investment Income 2,842 2,842 737 Total Income 51016 2,000 53,816 50,725 Expendlture Grants Other expendlture on charitable activitles 50,476 2,320 2,934 53,410 31,005 2,830 Total expenditure on charftable actlvltles 51796 2,934 55,730 33,835 Net income and net movement In funds for the year (980) (934) (1,914) 16,890 Reconciliatlon of funds Total funds brought forward 125,983 1,240 127,223 110,333 Reallocatlon of funds brought forward (1,397) 1,397 Totsl funds carrled fOard 123,606 1,703 125,309 1127,223 All of the company's operatSons are ClaSd as continuing. The ststsment of flnancial activities includes all galns and losw recognised in the year. All Income and expenditu derive from continuing activlties. The movement on reSeThs Is shown above. The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of these finandal statements. io
Downlands Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 AccouING POUCIES Basis of accounting The accounts have been prepared in accordan with Accounting and ReFK)rting by Charities: Statement of Recommended practi applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wlth the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1st January 2015), with FRS102 and wlth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006. Downlands Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRSIO2. Currency and rounding The accounts are presented in sterling and rounded to the nearest £1. Income recognitlon All donations and legacie5 are recognised On the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be r1Ved and the amount of income re1vable can be measured reliably. Membershlp Income Is recognised when received. Resources expended Expenditu is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully Covered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its artivities and servlces for Its beneficiaries. It includes tx)th costs that can be allocated dlrectly to such activities and those costs of an IndiCt nature necessary to support them. Going concern The trust conslder that there are no material unrtaIntieS about Downlands Trust's abilty to continue as a going COnrn. Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resour5 receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Inventories Inventorie5 comprise Downlands Trust branded merchandise and are ststed at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Downlands Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 (continued) DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2024 2023 Donations for Unrestiicted Funds Fidelity International Donations from membe Copley Clark (sponsorship of newsletter) Tadworth Beavers Epsom 41 Club Ezeesport Surrey Hills Society Donats'ons from tslks Donations In memory of Graham Cole Other donations Glft Ald 35,431 1,482 29,407 6,014 840 375 1,716 2,000 596 100 369 923 940 1,414 507 2,412 Total Unrestrkted 44,334 44,136 Donatlons for Restrlcted Funds Park & Bailey Other donations 500 1,500 1,200 116 Totsl Restrlcted 1000 1,316 Total donatlons and legades 46,334 45,452 EXPENDITURE ON CHARrrABLE ACrnlmES Un- restricted costs 2024 Restrlcted Totsl costs 2024 Un- restrlcted Restrlcted Total I Costs 2023 2024 2023 2023 Grants to: Downlands Partnershlp Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Other local groups Totsl grants payable £a£ 43,244 43,244 2,934 7,232 53,410 20,031 20,031 4,238 6,736 4,238 31,005 2,934 4,238 7,232 50,476 6,736 26,767 2,934 Support costs Administration Governan Purchase of merchandise Independent Examiner Total Support Costs 1,450 145 245 480 320 1,450 145 245 480 1320 1,546 128 676 1,546 128 676 480 1830 Total Expendlture on charitable activities 51796 , 934 , 55,730 29,597 4,238 33,835 12
Downlands Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 (continued) STAFF AND TRUSTEES The charity had no employees during the year or the pVIouS perlod. The charSty trustees were not paid and did not receive any benefits from the charFty during the period. No expenses were reimbursed to trustees and no charity trustee received payment for professional or other seniices supplied to the charity. DEBTORS 2024 2023 Accrued bank interest Prepaid expenses 690 177 171 171 CURRENT UABILITIES 2024 2023 Due to Downlands Partnership for rep1arnent vehicle Other amounts falling due within one year Examinerfs fee Grant applicatlons completed but not yet invoiced Purchase of merchandlse Bank charges 2,843 480 5,760 260 15 8,803 273 9,564 . 9,358 13
Downlands Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 (continued) 7. ANALYSIS OF MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS Movement In funds In current year Balan ', l August 2023 Income Expenditure Trans- fers Balan 31 July 2024 Unrestrfcted Funds General fund 125,983 51,816 (52,796) (1,397 123,606 Total Unrestricted Funds 125,983 51,816 (52,796) (1,397) 123,606 Restrlcted Funds Sanderstead to Whyteleafe 1,240 2,000 (2,934) 1,397 1,703 Total Restricted Funds 1,240 1000 (2,934) 1,397 1,703 127,223 53,816 (55,730) 125,309 Movement In funds In prior year Balan l August 2022 Income Expenditure Trans- fers , Balance 31 July 2023 Unrestsirted Funds General fund 106,171 49,409 (29,597) 125,983 Totsl Unrestrlcted Funds 106,171 49,409 (29,597) 125,983 Restricted Funds Sanderstead to Whyteleafe 4,162 1,316 (4,238) 1,240 Total Restricted Funds .0 4,162 110,333 1,316 (4,238) 1,240 Total Funds 50,725 (33,835) 127,223 14
Downlands Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31" July 2024 (continued) The restricted fund shown as"Sanderstead to Whyteleafe" represents donations received specifically for use in the Sanderstead to Whyteleafe Recreatton Area. The warden of that area must obtain the Trustees, approval before spendlng from this fund. FimJRE COMMITMENTS At 31st July 2024 the Trust had outstanding commitments of £1,969 (2023: £4,773) relating to grant applScatlons where the work had not yet been undertsken. COMPANY STATUS The charity is a company limited by guarant. In the event of the charity being wound Upi the liabillty in respect of the guarantee Is limited to £1 per member of the charity. 15