Wessex Rivers Trust (A Company Limited By Guarantee)
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
Company number: 06822819 Charity number: 1130991
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Wessex Rivers Trust Report of the Trustees For the year ended 30 June 2025
The Trustees, who are also Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th June 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims and Public Benefit
Wessex Rivers Trust is dedicated to the guardianship, protection, enhancement and maintenance of healthy, functioning ecosystems within the river catchments and corridors of the Wessex region.
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Its vision is of healthy rivers within the Wessex region which are valued and nurtured by the community and which exhibit: - Diverse and abundant wildlife
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High water quality and sustainable natural flows
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Fully functioning ecosystems which link the rivers and their valleys
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Resilience to climate change and future stresses associated with development.
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In pursuit of these objectives the Trust undertakes:
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practical enhancements to restore natural river function and diversity to tackle historic modification,
resulting in a more natural and characteristic flow regime, flora and fauna - facilitation, coordination and delivery of environmental improvements at catchment scale, resulting in improved stewardship of water, water quality and partnership activity
- delivery of educational and engagement activities and resources to improve the understanding and appreciation of rivers
in the Wessex region, resulting in increased knowledge and involvement in their protection
- survey and monitoring to demonstrate the impact of these activities as well as highlighting issues.
The role of volunteers in the work of the Trust is relatively static and specialised, spanning voluntary trustees to those involved in practical conservation and education work. In 2024-25 the Trust recruited and trained volunteers who helped to run educational sessions for children in a safe and professional manner.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The three delivery programmes of work are Education & Engagement, Catchments, and Habitats, with monitoring and evidence underpinning these programmes. In addition, the Trust spends a limited amount of time on advocacy and responding to specific consultations. In 2024-25 many activities and projects integrated two or more primary activities, for example evidence gathering on habitat enhancement works and linking education to river restoration projects. Projects are delivered where they align with one or more of the Trust's objectives, and achievements are audited and reported through the management and governance structure to funders and relevant partner organisations. In 2025 objectives and outputs across all programmes and projects were achieved or exceeded.
Education & Engagement
The Education and Engagement Programme delivered a wide range of activities with schools, youth groups, and communities. The Our River, Our Water initiative, funded by Southern Water, provided numerous sessions to schools on the mainland and the Isle of Wight, engaging thousands of children through interactive outdoor learning as well as in the classroom. The Watercress & Winterbournes scheme, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, continued to deliver curriculum-linked education, including riverbank investigations and night walks, while the Blue Influencers Scheme supported urban youth-led projects linked to catchment health, for example riverfly monitoring activities.
Community engagement included several community events, alongside trial sessions at Mottisfont on the River Test exploring new formats for a range of participants including wild fishing, bat walks and Pilates sessions. The launch of Our Healthy Headwaters, a five-year programme funded by Wessex Water, marked a significant development, aiming to connect households, schools, and businesses with the Hampshire Avon headwaters and encourage water stewardship through simple lifestyle changes. Fundraising secured £125,000 for this initiative, supplemented by smaller grants from local organisations and charitable trusts for the programme as a whole. Additional funded projects delivered subsidised sessions to schools in areas of deprivation, supported by grants from Veolia and South West Water.
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Wessex Rivers Trust Report of the Trustees For the year ended 30 June 2025
Catchment Programme
The Trust continues to host the Hampshire Avon Catchment Partnership and, working with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, co-host the Test and Itchen Catchment Partnership. The aim of these partnerships, which have been established under DEFRA's Catchment Based Approach initiative, is to facilitate the engagement and participation of relevant stakeholders in prioritising and implementing actions to bring about ecological improvements to the rivers and other water bodies across the relevant catchment. This includes NGOs, farmers, user groups such as angling clubs and wildlife organisations, local government, the Environment Agency and Natural England, water companies and other private sector businesses.
During 2024-25 the Trust's Catchment Programme Manager managed the day-to-day activities of the two partnerships in collaboration with the Trust's CEO who also took an active role in chairing the Partnership groups. In 2024-25 catchment partnerships played a central role in coordinating strategic initiatives. The Hampshire Avon Catchment Partnership advanced plans for the Resilient Avon Programme, a multi-million-pound scheme addressing flow resilience and water quality, and continued water quality monitoring with farmer clusters. A beaver advisory framework was introduced to provide guidance on managing recent activity in the catchment. The Test and Itchen Catchment Partnership strengthened its governance structure, introducing a Strategic Leadership Group and recruiting a full-time Host Officer to drive delivery. The Ecological Resilience Fund was established with £200,000 and run via the partnership and awarded grants to projects such as wetland restoration at Foxbury. Project White Hart, focused on Atlantic salmon recovery, progressed with funding from Southern Water.
The Test & Itchen Invasive Non-Native Species programme, hosted by the Trust and funded by the Environment Agency and water companies, delivered extensive control measures, including mink management and removal of Himalayan balsam, monkeyflower, and Japanese knotweed. Volunteer engagement was strong, with multiple events removing invasive plants and surveys covering significant lengths of waterways. The Azolla weevil initiative continued to demonstrate success in reducing infestations.
Habitats Programme
River restoration activity was extensive across multiple waterbodies. The Watercress & Winterbournes scheme delivered major works including channel realignment, floodplain reconnection, and habitat improvements on rivers such as the Bourne Rivulet, Upper Test, and Cheriton. The FReSH programme advanced restoration on the River Test at Mottisfont, the River Dun, and the River Dever, incorporating bed raising and installation of large woody material. Landscape Recovery Schemes on the Wylye and Allen valleys progressed through landowner engagement and surveys, supported by development of blended finance plans for future delivery. The MOD Flow Compensation Project entered its design phase for the River Ebble, covering approximately eight kilometres of river and floodplain.
Additional projects included adjustments at Avon Countess to improve fish passage, wetland restoration at Bowerchalke, gravel sourcing for Timsbury, and baseline work for the Anton Chalk Stream Resilience Programme. The Crystal Clear Ebble project concluded with habitat improvements and sediment fingerprinting, while new opportunities emerged for wetland design at Beaulieu Sewage Treatment Works and restoration planning in East Hampshire.
Monitoring and Evidence Gathering
Monitoring and evidence gathering supported all programmes. Water quality testing and sediment source fingerprinting informed restoration planning, while temperature logging and ecological surveys provided baseline data for projects such as Landscape Recovery schemes and the Anton Chalk Stream Resilience Programme. Research partnerships with universities explored real-time biodiversity monitoring tools and the ecological impacts of beaver-mediated interventions. River temperature datasets were analysed and shared with regulators to inform abstraction and water recycling strategies. Development of GIS-based heatmaps is underway to visualise activity and impact across the Trust’s delivery programmes.
Advocacy
The Trust engaged actively in policy and strategic discussions at regional and national levels. It contributed to government reviews of water regulation, participated in workshops on catchment management and urban river restoration, and provided input to local nature recovery plans. High-profile visits by senior officials from Defra and Natural England showcased the Trust’s projects and reinforced the case for catchment-level recovery. Strategic collaboration with water companies advanced through procurement frameworks and multi-year funding agreements, including initiatives to simplify grant processes for conservation charities.
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Wessex Rivers Trust Report of the Trustees For the year ended 30 June 2025
Communications activity supported advocacy objectives through development of a new strategy, increased social media engagement, and media coverage such as a BBC South Today interview on salmon conservation. A video highlighting FReSH projects is in production, and project case studies are being prepared for publication on the Trust’s website.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Trust was incorporated in February 2009. The Trust has adopted a 30 June year end.
Total income in the Trust's year to 30 June 2025 covering both restricted use and unrestricted use funds was £1, 791,401 (2024: £1,334,086) and expenditure was £1,199,688 (2024: £1,135,533). Income therefore exceeded expenditure (after transfers between funds) by £591,713 (2024: £198,533); split between £108,306 unrestricted use funds and £483,407 restricted use funds.
Net assets of the Trust as at 30 June 2025 amounted to £1,220,918 (2024: £629,205).
The Trust is a not-for-profit organisation. Whilst as at 30 June 2025 it is reporting a surplus of income over expenditure, it should be noted that this includes funds received but earmarked for specific projects the costs for which will be incurred in the year 2025/26.
The trustees’ reserves policy is to maintain reserves at a level that would permit the Trust to cover its salary costs and overheads for a period of at least three months in the case of unforeseen events. In addition, some grant agreements require the Trust to finance activities and receive payment in arrears. Unrestricted reserves at 30 June 2025 were £498,117. The trustees consider this sum is adequate to meet these two purposes.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
The Trust's main activities involve delivery of multi-year projects and programmes, spanning up to 5 years, underpinned by objectives which are agreed by, or in liaison with, funders and partners. The Trust has continued development of an organisational strategy which, together with programme strategies which will follow, will consolidate the Trust's vision and values and guide future priorities and facilitate effective delivery.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Wessex Rivers Trust is a registered charity and is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and without share capital. The governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. In 2024 this governing document was amended to include coverage of the Isle of Wight.
Organisation
The Trust is supported by approximately 300 ordinary, life, founder and other supporters. Ordinary supporters pay an annual amount towards the work ofthe Trust, plus in some cases extra donations are received.
Overall responsibility for the running of the Trust rests with the Board of Trustees which is limited to twenty trustees. Trustees are elected and appointed by the Board. There were both resignations and new nominations to the Board in the year to 30th June 2025. The trustees appoint their own chair from within their ranks or externally.
The Trust has a Chief Executive Officer (Dr. David Rumble). In addition, as at 30 June 2025 the Trust also employed a Director of Operations (Michael Blackmore), a Catchment Programme Manager, a Head of Education & Engagement, a Finance Manager, two Senior Project staff, three Project Officers / Coordinators, two Project Assistants, a Senior Education Officer, an Education Officer, an Assistant Education Officer, a part-time Communications Officer, two part-time Administrators, a part-time Finance Officer, and six educators on variable hours contracts. The Trust has a volunteer Research Officer.
Sub-committees and working groups have been established consisting of individual trustees, the CEO, and the Treasurer covering specific issues such as finance, health and safety and appointments. Decision-making is regulated by a procedure for delegating authorisation to different levels in the Trust's structure depending on financial scale and / or risk.
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Wessex Rivers Trust Report of the Trustees For the year ended 30 June 2025
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees review these risks at least annually, aided by a comprehensive Risk Register. New Trustees are given the option of receiving training from the Chair or via the Charity Commission.
Remuneration
Changes to pay at all staff levels, including adjustments for inflation, are based on benchmarks provided by the Rivers Trust nationally and are approved by the board of Trustees.
Relationships with Related Parties and other Charities
When considering areas of policy, the Trust remains fully autonomous and chooses whether to adopt policies and practices from the wider network or Rivers Trusts based on local parameters and the charity's own priorities. The Trust seeks to cooperate and gain efficiencies by working with other Rivers Trusts in the pursuit of shared objectives. Declarations of trustee's interest are monitored through the Statements of Related Parties and set out at governance meetings.
Major Risks
The Trust confirms that, as well as maintaining a Risk Register, major risks have been reviewed on a case-by-case basis with reporting to the full Board and statutory bodies as required by law.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number 06822819 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number 1130991
Registered office The Granary Phillips Lane Stratford Sub Castle Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 3YR
Trustees Mr GE S Seligman (Chair) Mr AN J Baring (Vice Chair) Mr R D Borras Ms F Bowles MsJ Brown MrJR Dunn Mr JH Durrant Ms J Hall (resigned 28.11.24)
Mr PS Leonard Dr GJ Mantle MBE Mr H Mills Dr R O'Neill (resigned 18.7.25) Mr R G B Parker Mr MA Potter (resigned 3.9.25) Ms V Reed (resigned 20.8.24) Mr TJ Sykes
Company Secretary
Mrs C Pett
Auditors
Fawcetts LLP Windover House St Ann Street Salisbury SP1 2DR
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Wessex Rivers Trust Report of the Trustees For the year ended 30 June 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of Wessex Rivers Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law 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 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 those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to 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.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duties in Section 4 of the 2006 Charities Act.
AUDITORS
The auditors, Fawcetts LLP, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 23/1 ~~02/22/2~~ 00 2 6 and signed. on .its behalf by:
George Seligman
Mr GES Seligman (Chair of Trustees)
Alexander Baring
Mr AN J Baring (Trustee)
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Report of the Independent Auditors To the Members of Wessex Rivers Trust
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Wessex Rivers Turst (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 30 June 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 (The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland); and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilties and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.
Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
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In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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Report of the Independent Auditors To the Members of
Wessex Rivers Trust
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the trustees were not entitled to take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Report of the Trustees.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law and trustees of the charity for the purposes of charity law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Council determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Council either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
Irregularities, including fraud, are non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures, in line with our responsibilities, as set out in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations we consider the following:
e the nature of the charity sector, control environment and financial performance;
¢ results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities; ¢ any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the charity's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
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identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
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detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
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the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations e the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
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Report of the Independent Auditors To the Members of Wessex Rivers Trust
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following area: revenue and resource recognition. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We have also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Charities Act and related legislation.
Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified revenue and resource recognition as a key audit matter related to the potential risk of fraud. Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
¢ reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
¢ understanding the charitable company's revenue recognition policies and how they are applied, including the relevant controls and performing a walkthrough to validate our understanding.
¢ enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
¢ performing analytical procedures to compare revenue recognised against expectations and based on past experiences and management forecasts and investigated material divergencies by obtaining corroborative evidence.
¢ reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
e in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; applying parameters designed to identify entries that were not within our expectations. This included analysing and selecting journals for testing which appeared unusual in nature, either due to size, preparer or date of posting. To test their validity, we verified the journals to originating documentation.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of nondetection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Auditors.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in a Report of the Auditors and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Simon J L Ellingham Simon Ellingham BA FCA DChA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Fawcetts LLP Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Windover House, St Ann Street Salisbury SP1 2DR
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Wessex Rivers Trust
Statement of Financial Activities (including an income and expenditure account)
For the year ended 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOMEAND EXPENDITURE | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 55,631 | - | 55,631 | 45,282 | |
| Charitable activities: | 6 | |||||
| Education, research, advocacy, : . conservation and habital enhancement |
10,072 | 1,647,478 | 1,657,550 | 1,211,669 | ||
| General | 54,300 | - | 54,300 | 50,562 | ||
| Other trading activities | 4 | 2,709 | - | 2,709 | 13,903 | |
| Investment income | 5 | 21,211 | 21,211 | 12,670 | ||
| Total income | 143,923 | 1,647,478 | 1,791,401 | 1,334,086 | ||
| EXPENDITURE ON: | ||||||
| Education, research, advocacy, conservation . and habital enhancement |
7 | 22,603 | 1,177,085 | 1,199,688 | 1,135,533 | |
| Total expenditure | 22,603 | 1,177,085 | 1,199,688 | 1,135,533 | ||
| NET INCOME | 121,320 | 470,393 | 591,713 | 198,553 | ||
| Transfers betweenfunds | 18 | ~~(13,014)~~ | ~~13,014~~ | ~~-~~ | ~~-~~ | |
| Netmovement in funds | 108,306 | 483,407 | 591,713 | 198,553 | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 389,811 | 239,394 | 629,205 | 430,652 | ||
| TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD | 498,117 | 722,801 | 1,220,918 | 629,205 |
The above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above.
Comparative figures for the unrestricted and restricted funds are shown in note 13.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Wessex Rivers Trust
Balance Sheet
(Company number: 06822819)
30 June 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 14 | 3,923 | - | 3,923 | 3,002 |
| Investment | 15 | ~~1~~ | ~~-~~ | ~~1~~ | ~~1~~ |
| 3,924 | - | 3,924 | 3,003 | ||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 16 | 16,977 | 63,378 | 80,355 | 98,795 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 505,476 | 744,115 | 1,249,591 | 748,206 | |
| 522,453 | 807,493 | 1,329,946 | 847,001 | ||
| Creditors | |||||
| Amounts due within one year | 17 | (28,260) | (84,692) | (112,952) | (220,799) |
| Net current assets | 494,193 | 722,801 | 1,216,994 | 626,202 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 498,117 | 722,801 | 1,220,918 | 629,205 | |
| NETASSETS | 498,117 | 722,801 | 1,220,918 | 629,205 | |
| Funds | 18 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds: | 498,117 | 389,811 | |||
| Restricted funds | 722,801 | 239,394 | |||
| TOTALFUNDS | 1,220,918 | 629,205 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for iSSUC ON were signed on its behalf by:
13/02/2026 vivcssssssssssrsssssssessssersreeeese aNd
Creorge Sele“gnan
Mr GE S Seligam - Chair of Trustees
Alexander Baring
Mr AN J Baring - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Wessex Rivers Trust
Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | |||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||
| Cash generated from operations | 1 | 483,124 | (139,981) | ||
| Net cash used in operating activities | 483,124 | (139,981) | |||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||
| Purchase oftangible fixed assets | (2,950) | (599) | |||
| Interest received | 21,211 | 12,670 | |||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 18,261 | 12,071 | |||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period | 501,385 | (127,910) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents atthe beginning ofthe reporting period | 748,206 | 876,116 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents atthe end ofthe reporting period | 1,249,591 | 748,206 | |||
| Reconciliation ofnet income/(expenditure) to net cash | flow | from operating activities | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Net income/(expenditure) forthe year as per the | |||||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 591,713 | 198,553 | |||
| Adjustments for: | |||||
| Depreciation charges | 2,029 | 1,925 | |||
| Interest received | (21,211) | (12,670) | |||
| Decrease/(increase) | 18,440 | (34,429) | |||
| Decrease in creditors | (107,847) | (293,360) | |||
| Net cash used in operations | 483,124 | (139,981) | |||
| Analysis ofchanges in netfunds | At 1.7.24 | Cash flow | At 30.6.25 | ||
| Net cash | |||||
| Cash at bank | 748,206 | 501,385 | 1,249,591 | ||
| Total | 748,206 | 501,385 | 1,249,591 |
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Wessex Rivers Trust Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
- Statutory Information
Wessex Rivers Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales without share capital, the guarantors being the members to the extent of £1 each. The company's registered number registered office address can be found in the Trustees’ Report.
2. Accounting Policies
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value.
The financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is also the functional currency of the company.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees believe that the budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the Charity to be able to continue as a going concern. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for a period of 12 months from authorising these financial statements.
Preparation of consolidated financial statements
The financial statements contain information about Wessex Rivers Trust as an individual company and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. The charity is exempt under Section 399(2A) of the Companies Act 2006 from the requirements to prepare consolidated financial statements.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Donations are included when received.
The charity receives government grants in respect of habitat improvement and river restoration projects. Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
Supporters income, including life membership, is included on a receipts basis. All other income is included on an accruals basis.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure. 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 accounted for on an accruals basis, inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered, and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure on charitable activities comprises those costs associated with education, research, advocacy, conservation and habitat enhancement. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees. Governance costs are no longer shown as a separate expense category but are allocated between expense categories accordingly.
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.
The trustees carry out fundraising on behalf of the charity free of charge.
12
Wessex Rivers Trust Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 20% straight line Motor vehicles - 33% on reducing balance Computer equipment - Straight line over 3 years
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.
Taxation
The company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in note 18 to the financial statements.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
Contributions payable by the charitable company are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Cash at bank
Cash at bank comprises cash held at bank which is immediately available.
Leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are included in the SOFA ona straight line basis over the term of the lease.
Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiary undertakings are recognised at cost.
3. Donations and Legacies
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Donations | 52,436 | 20,129 | |
| Legacies | - | 21,963 | |
| Membership | income | 3,195 | 3,190 |
| 55,631 | 45,282 |
13
Wessex Rivers Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
4. Other Trading Activities
| 4. | Other TradingTrading Activities | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Fundraising events | 819 | 1,643 | |
| Sponsorships | ~~1,890~~ 2,709 |
~~12,260~~ 13,903 |
|
| 5. | Investment Income | 2025 | 2024 |
| Depositaccountinterest | £ 21,211 |
£ 12,670 |
6. Income From Charitable Activities
£97,838 (2024: £339,282) of government grants were received from the Enviromental Agency and National Highways which were used to prepare, design and deliver a number of habitat improvement and river restoration projects in the catchments of the Avon and Test. The grants covered the direct and indirect costs of staff time, consultant and contractor fees as well as the purchase of materials, consumables and small equipment.
| 7. | Charitable Activities Costs | Direct Costs | Support Costs | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (note 8) | (note 9) | £ | ||
| Education, research, advocacy, conservationand habitat enhancement |
1,186,676 | 13,012 | 1,199,688 | |
| 1,186,676 | 13,012 | 1,199,688 | ||
| 8. | Direct Costs of Charitable Activities | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |||
| Staffcosts | 527,938 | 451,607 | ||
| Contractors | 461,268 | 500,004 | ||
| Meeting rooms and sundries | 158 | 276 | ||
| Travel | 29,655 | 29,986 | ||
| Consultancy fees | 6,596 | 9,227 | ||
| Materials | 51,612 | 44,943 | ||
| Equipment | 497 | 1,706 | ||
| Insurance | 7,661 | 10,021 | ||
| Telephone and broadband | 3,837 | 4,245 | ||
| Printing, postage and stationery | 2,203 | 1,439 | ||
| Sundries | 4,393 | 5,010 | ||
| Administrator's fee and book-keeping | 30,795 | 17,235 | ||
| Office facilities | 31,468 | 24,707 | ||
| Office repairs and renewals | 8,068 | 6,363 | ||
| Advertising | 1,298 | 2,067 | ||
| Programme development officer's equipment | 1,952 | 2,154 | ||
| Computerconsumables and software | 5,685 | 4,740 | ||
| Training | 11,464 | 4,048 | ||
| Legal fees | 128 | 86 | ||
| 1,186,676 | 1,119,864 |
14
Wessex Rivers Trust Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
- Support Costs
General
Governance Costs £ 13,012
Included in governance costs is £10,920 (2024: £13,620) of fees to the reporting auditor/accountant.
10. Net Income/(Expenditure)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
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||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Depreciation|- owned|assets|2,029|1,925|
|Auditors|remuneration|10,920|13,620|
|Operating|lease|rentals|27,398|20,880|
|40,347|36,425|
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- Trustees' Remuneration and Benefits
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 June 2025 nor for the year ended 30 June 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no expenses reimbursed to trustees during the year ended 30 June 2025 or 30 June 2024
12. Staff Costs
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|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Wages|and|salaries|459,275|403,197|
|Social|security|costs|34,251|19,476|
|Other|pension|costs|34,412|28,934|
|527,938|451,607|
|The|average|monthly|number|of employees employees|during|the|year was was|as|follows:|
|2025|2024|
|Executive|officer|1|1|
|Catchment|officers|&|manager|3|3|
|Project|&|Senior|project|officers,|Director|11|11|
|Education|officers|&|manager|3|2|
|Support|officers|2|2|
|20|19|
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The average monthly number of employees employees during the year was was as follows:
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the senior management team. The total employee benefits comprising salary, pension contributions and the related Employers National Insurance Contributions of the key personnel of the charity were £54,021 (2024: £60,117). The number of key personnel during the year was 1(2024: 1).
15
Wessex Rivers Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
13. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOMEAND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Education, research, advocacy, conservation and habital enhancement General Othertrading activities Investment income |
INCOMEAND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Education, research, advocacy, conservation and habital enhancement General Othertrading activities Investment income |
Unrestricted Restricted Total fund funds funds £ £ £ 45,282 - 45,282 - 1,211,669 1,211,669 50,562 - 50,562 13,903 - 13,903 12,670 - 12,670 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 122,417 1,211,669 1,334,086 |
|
| EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Education, research, advocacy, conservation and habital enhancement |
33,741 1,101,792 1,135,533 |
|
| Total | 33,741 1,101,792 1,135,533 |
|
| NET INCOME Transfers between funds |
88,676 109,877 198,553 (3,909) 3,909 - |
|
| Net movements in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward |
84,767 113,786 198,553 305,044 125,608 430,652 |
|
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 389,811 239,394 629,205 |
|
| 14. TANGIBLE FIXEDASSETS COST At 1 July 2024 Additions |
Fixtures and Fittings £ 1,800 - |
Motor Computer Vehicles Equipment Total £ £ £ 7,194 7,559 16,553 - 2,950 2,950 |
| At 30 June 2025 | 1,800 | 7,194 10,509 19,503 |
| DEPRECIATION At 1 July 2024 Charge foryear |
810 360 |
6,168 6,573 13,551 342 1,327 2,029 |
| At 30 June 2025 | 1,170 | 6,510 7,900 15,580 |
| NET BOOK VALUE At 30 June 2025 |
630 | 684 2,609 3,923 |
| At30June2024 | 990 | 1,026 986 3,002 |
16
Wessex Rivers Trust Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
15. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
MARKET VALUE At 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 30 June 2025 At 30 June 2024
Shares in group £ 1 1 1
There were no investments outside the UK.
The company's investments at the balance sheet data in the share capital of companies include the following:
Wessex Rivers Services Limited
Registered office: The Granary Phillips Lane, Stratford-Sub-Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3YR. Nature of business: Cultural education
| Nature of business: Cultural education | ||
|---|---|---|
| % Class of share: Holding Ordinary 100 Aggregate capital and reserves Loss forthe year |
2025 2024 £ £ (290) 3,064 (3,354) (676) |
|
| 16. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Others debtors |
2025 2024 £ £ 80,355 98,795 |
|
| 17. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Amounts owed to group undertakings Social security and othertaxes Trade creditors Other Creditors Deferred income Accrued expenses |
2025 2024 £ £ 1,553 2,471 8,431 7,645 20,076 6,330 1,938 5,747 70,034 184,986 10,920 13,620 |
|
| 112,952 220,799 |
||
| 17. DEFFERED INCOME At 1 July 2024 Additions duringthe year Amounts released to Income |
Under 1 year £ 184,986 102,267 (217,219) |
Over 1 Year Total £ £ - 184,986 - 102,267 - (217,219) |
| Asat30June2025 | 70,034 | - 70,034 |
Income has been deferred pending completion of specific conditions relating to the grant agreement and terms.
17
Wessex Rivers Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|18.|MOVEMENT|IN|FUNDS|At|Incoming|Resources|Transfers|At|
|1.7.24|resources|expended|between|30.6.25|
|funds|
|Unrestricted|funds|£|£|£|£|£|
|General|fund|389,811|143,923|(22,603)|(13,014)|498,117|
|Restricted|funds|
|Rivers|Test|&|Itchen|Catchment|Based|Approach|-|
|.|.|9,071|15,000|(24,390)|319|-|
|joint|hosting|
|River Avon|Catchment|Based|Approach|-|hosting|16,282|30,690|(29,877)|-|17,095|
|Education|57,943|140,565|(119,573)|-|78,935|
|Beaulieu|Wetland|-|17,603|(17,603)|-|-|
|Research &|Monitoring|8,694|-|(1,283)|-|7,411|
|River|Stour|-|Capital|Projects|12,188|41,504|(46,799)|2,256|9,149|
|River Test &|Itchen|-|Capital|Projects|117,149|1,062,517|(615,729)|1,523|565,460|
|River Avon|-|Capital|Projects|18,067|339,599|(321,831)|8,916|44,751|
|239,394|1,647,478|(1,177,085)|13,014|722,801|
|TOTAL FUNDS|629,205|1,791,401|(1,199,688)|-|1,220,918|
|MOVEMENT|IN|FUNDS|Incoming|Resources|Transfers|At|
|At|1.7.23|resources|expended|between|30.6.24|
|funds|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|
|General|fund|305,044|122,417|(33,741)|(3,909)|389,811|
|Restricted|funds|
|Rivers|Test|&|Itchen|Catchment|Based|Approach|-|
|.|.|35,550|2,001|(28,480)|-|9,071|
|joint|hosting|
|River Avon|Catchment|Based|Approach|-|hosting|3,321|42,102|(29,141)|-|16,282|
|Education|10,521|146,207|(98,888)|103|57,943|
|Research &|Monitoring|17,714|20,000|(29,020)|-|8,694|
|River|Stour|-|Capital|Projects|7,634|68,629|(64,075)|-|12,188|
|River Test &|Itchen|-|Capital|Projects|19,021|654,682|(556,554)|-|117,149|
|River Avon|-|Capital|Projects|31,847|278,048|(295,634)|3,806|18,067|
|125,608|1,211,669|(1,101,792)|3,909|239,394|
|TOTAL FUNDS|430,652|1,334,086|(1,135,533)|-|629,205|
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The charity recognises that the following funds are held for specific purposes:
Rivers Test & Itchen Catchment Based Approach joint hosting - Funds received from contributions to co-host the Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, a Defra national initiative to obtain the engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in prioritising and implementing actions to bring about ecological improvements to the rivers and other water bodies within the relevant catchment.
River Avon Catchment Based Approach hosting - Funds received from contributors to host the River Avon Catchment Partnerships, a Defra national initiative to obtain the engagement and participation of all relevant stakeholders in prioritising and implementing actions to bring about ecological improvements to the rivers and other water bodies within the relevant
Education - Funds received from contributors to educate, inform and build awareness of the importance and fragility of river habitats and to inspire a sense of value for them in the broader community.
Research & Monitoring - Various projects including work funded through the HDH Wills Charitable Trust to investigate the status of the River Stour through asssessing invertebrate populations
River Stour Capital Projects - Developing and delivering habitat enhancement projects on the River Stour through an Enforcement Undertaking.
18
Wessex Rivers Trust Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 June 2025
18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Rivers Test & Itchen Capital Projects - Funds received for river habitat improvement projects, ongoing at the year end.
River Avon Capital Projects - Funds received from various sources were partially expended on habitat design and delivery. The work was ongoing at year end
19. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Fixed assets|Net current|Creditors|>|1|Total|
|assets|year|
|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|3,924|494,193|-|498,117|
|Restricted|funds|-|722,801|-|722,801|
|Net|assets|at end|of the year|3,924|1,216,994|-|1,220,918|
|Comparative|analysis|of|net|assets|between|funds|for the the|year|ended|30 June June|2024:|
|Fixed|assets|N|et current|Creditorsi|>1|Total|
|assets|year|
|£|£|£|£|
|Unrestricted|funds|3,003|386,808|-|389,811|
|Restricted|funds|-|239,394|-|239,394|
|Net|assets|at end|of the year|3,003|626,202|-|629,205|
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Comparative analysis of net assets between funds for the the year ended 30 June June 2024:
20. OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
Total future financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies which are not included in the balance sheet amount to £20,850 (2024: £24,400)
This amount is in relation to operating lease commitments which are payable over the next year (2024: one to two years).
21. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The charitable company is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company.
£350,000 was received from the trading subsidiary Wessex River Services Limited during the year (2024: £1,997).
G.E.S Seligman is also a Trustee of the Wild Trout Trust a charity with whom Wessex Rivers Trust collaborates on various activities and projects
22. LEGAL STATUS OF THE TRUST
The Trust is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the company being wound up the maximum amount by which each member is liable to contribute is £1.
19
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