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2022-03-31-accounts

Together for Nature

Wild Oxfordshire

Trustees’ report and financial statements 1[st] April 2021 to 31[st] March 2022

Company number 06828051

Charity number 1131540

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Contents

Legal and Administrative Information....................................................................................... 3 Trustees/Company Directors ................................................................................................. 3 Wild Oxfordshire ................................................................................................................... 3 Trustees’ Annual Report ............................................................................................................ 4 Structure, Governance and Management ............................................................................... 4 The Board of Trustees ............................................................................................................ 4 Chairman’s Report 2021/22 ................................................................................................... 5 Engaging ............................................................................................................................ 9 Inspiring ............................................................................................................................. 9 Informing ......................................................................................................................... 10 Funding & Supporters ...................................................................................................... 11 Financial Review of the year ended 31st March 2021 ..................................................... 13 Comparative position ....................................................................................................... 13 Cash/Bank/Investments.................................................................................................... 14 Investment Policy............................................................................................................. 14 Reserves Policy ................................................................................................................ 14 Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities ................................................................................... 16 Independent Examiner ..................................................................................................... 16 Independent Examiner’s Report .............................................................................................. 17 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner....................................................... 17 Basis of Independent examiner’s report .......................................................................... 17 Independent examiner’s statement ................................................................................... 17 Financial Statement .................................................................................................................. 18 Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31[st] March 2022................................ 18 Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2022 ................................................................................... 19 Notes to the Financial Statements ........................................................................................ 20

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

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Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees/Company Directors

Sian Liwicki (resigned 1st December 2021)

Victoria Robinson (re-elected 9th December 2020)

Ian Curtis (re-elected 9th December 2020) Fiona Danks (elected 9th December 2020) Chris Cousins (re-elected 1st December 2021) Nick Mottram (resigned 1st December 2021) Nick Rowe (elected 11th September 2019) David Knight (elected 10th March 2021) Mike Russell (Treasurer) (elected 10th March 2021) Dave Woodwark (resigned 10th March 2021)

Wild Oxfordshire

Charity number 1131540 (registered 9[th] September 2009) Company number 06828051 (registered 24[th] February 2009) Registered Office: Manor House, Little Wittenham, Abingdon OX14 4RA Independent Examiner: Certax Accounting, Creek End, Burcot, Abingdon OX14 3DJ Bank: CAF Bank Ltd., P.O.Box 289, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA Investment Manager: CCLA Investment Management Ltd, 85 Victoria St, London EC4V 4ET Contact: Clare Mowbray, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RA Number of employees: 6

Web Site: www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Trustees’ Annual Report

Structure, Governance and Management

Wild Oxfordshire is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and governed by Memorandum and Articles.

The Trustees are elected by the members of the charity at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year with one third standing down each year but eligible for re-election indefinitely. The Chair of Trustees is appointed by the Board from time to time.

The Board of Trustees

Wild Oxfordshire’s Board of Trustees has an upper limit of 12 to enable the broad partnership that is the core of the charity’s purpose to be fully represented. Development of the Board is seen as an ongoing process, with review of representation and skills carried out in response to vacancies as they arise, and a more structured skills audit carried out periodically. New Trustees are given an induction into the work and policies of the Charity.

The trustees retain authority and decision-making powers in respect of the key areas of Wild Oxfordshire's activities. The day-to-day overall executive leadership of activities are delegated to the Chief Executive, who started in June 2020.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Chairman’s Report 2021/22

I t was with great pleasure that I joined the Board of Wild Oxfordshire in early 2021 to take on the role of Chair. I would like to offer my deepest thanks and appreciation to my predecessors Nick Mottram and Sian Liwicki who did such a wonderful job in leading the governance of Wild Oxfordshire in the preceding months and years. Both have stood down from the Board but I am so pleased that Sian has accepted an ongoing role as patron of the charity alongside our founder, Robin Buxton.

I have joined the Charity with a background in environmental and higher education and a previous role with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. I was drawn to a governance role with Wild Oxfordshire because of the very practical and hands-on role it plays with local communities across the County and because it is above all else a charity committed to meaningful relationships across all sectors of society to work in partnership to further our vision of a more natural, resilient and biodiverse County for the benefit of all.

Despite the Government setting ambitious goals for 30% of land in the UK to be protected by 2030 we know that the outlook for wildlife in the County is still not good, with many protected areas such as sites of special scientific interest in poor condition and numbers of key species in decline. Major development, especially in housing, continues and the fragmentation and loss of connectivity between our key habitats remains a major concern.

However, there are signs of hope and the potential for Wild Oxfordshire and our partners to use a range of new policy tools now coming into place that will help reverse the decline in wildlife. The Environment Act 2021 introduced the concept of net biodiversity gain required for all new developments. Reforms to agricultural payments following our exit from the European Union offers the prospect of farmers being paid to manage public goods such as ecosystem services which will benefit wildlife. We are also on the cusp of there being a statutory responsibility for a Nature Recovery Strategy to be in place for the County. Wild Oxfordshire has done so much good work to prepare the wider environmental movement in the county to take advantage of that strategy when it is finally in place.

Perhaps most important is the growing public awareness of a global climate emergency and extinction crisis and that the fate of the planet's climate is intimately linked to the wild places, plants and animals that make up natural ecosystems.

The staff and volunteers of Wild Oxfordshire are able to work at a range of scales to maximise the opportunities these changes are bringing. Whether it is working with families in their homes and gardens, local community groups and Parish Councils on cherished local green spaces, local authorities including the three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in our County, and farmers,

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

landowners and managers responsible for the agricultural landscape of Oxfordshire, Wild Oxfordshire excels in bring people together to work collectively towards a common purpose.

I am excited in the work we are doing in supporting local communities and this is an area of work that we hope to expand in the coming year. Similarly, the landscape scale activities that happen through our leadership of the Evenlode River Catchment Partnership brings together a wide range of organisations and individuals with a common interest in improving the quality of the Evenlode River.

Such projects can sometimes secure grants and sponsorship, but at the heart of our organisation are our friends who support us financially. The Board of Wild Oxfordshire offer our sincere thanks to our financial supporters for the commitment made to our charity. This income gives us the flexibility to invest in areas where grants at not so forthcoming such as our work on strategic ecology.

An example of this is the investment in time made by our Chief executive, Camilla Burrow, in working with other environmental organisations, especially our friends at the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, to help set up the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership. This body brings together public, private and NGO sector organisations to coordinate strategy on nature recovery across Oxfordshire and is a major step forward in guiding the work of a wide range of organisations towards a common purpose.

The Charity continues to grow, at a steady and sustainable rate, and I'm pleased that two new members of staff have joined the team, Rhiannon Evetts, who is supporting community ecology activities and the Evenlode Catchment Project on engaging people and Eoghan Concannon who has joined the Evenlode Catchment Partnership as a Project officer, drawing on his experience in working on river management in his native Ireland.

I am blessed to be working alongside an enthusiastic and committed group of trustees, staff, volunteers, and supporters of Wild Oxfordshire. We have many challenges to overcome before our vision of a county rich in wildlife is realised but we'll continue the journey in partnership, our collective hands-on action continuing to benefit the treasured wildlife of Oxfordshire.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Wild Oxfordshire Together lor Naiure Our Vision A more natural, resilient, and biodiverse Oxfordshireforthe benefit of all Our Purpose To catalyse change by identifying needs, convening partnerships and tjnlocking opportunities for conservation action Our Values Posltlve Working collaboratively,. seeking to understand other points of view and approaches Agilt Responding quickly once we have identified a need for conservation action Open New ideas, new ways of working and alternative approaches Our Key Activities CollalM>ratlng Bringing people wrfhin the conseNalion sector Insplrlng Inffrfmlng ProwdiTrg besp)ke athice to Inspire and èmpDwer Indmduals and communities lo enhance their &￿￿7[0nMe￿l and n*ur8.ba$@d exemplar on4he-gTound sh3nng curated. releyant. raise a￿a￿￿eSS and facilrtate 3clion for n¥iuie's iecfftry ¥York for more effectwe changè avoiding duplication and cotthicl Wild Oxford5hire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxford5hire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.or .uk Charity number.. 1131540

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Collaborating

Working together for Nature’s Recovery is essential so that we can support each other and collaborate to achieve greater impact for our environment and communities. We are lucky in Oxfordshire to have a wonderful group of hard-working, passionate, and knowledgeable individuals employed by a variety of organisations (charities, local government, DEFRA bodies, AONBS, businesses), in addition to a large number of volunteer community groups and individuals.

In 2021/22 Wild Oxfordshire continued to host or lead several partnerships and working groups. These included setting up the Local Nature Partnership, contributing to Biodiversity Gain and Environmental Investment Plan, holding the Vice-chair of the Oxfordshire Environment Board, and hosting the Biodiversity Advisory Group, Conservation Target Area Leads, Evenlode Catchment Partnership, Yellow Wagtail Partnership and Curlew Recovery Project. We also partnered with CPRE Oxfordshire and local communities in the hugely successful Hedgerow Heroes project to plant and restore over 2km of hedgerow and increase understanding of hedgerow management.

‘The strength of the Oxfordshire project was in its grassroots engagement with communities, building up a whole network of people who are now inspired to care for their local hedgerows. It’s been a great partnership between Wild Oxfordshire and CPRE Oxfordshire and we hope this can be repeated in the future.’ Helen Marshall | Director

Wild Oxfordshire have established relationships with two sectors that the environmental community in Oxfordshire has limited engagement with. These are the farming/land owning and commercial business sectors and both will have an important part to play in Nature Recovery within the county. We held several workshops and conversations to reach out to individuals and companies and recruit Nature Recovery Ambassadors who could be influential in promoting wider engagement across their sector.

The Evenlode Catchment Partnership (ECP), hosted by Wild Oxfordshire, uses nature-based solutions to restore the health of the river catchment for wildlife and people. This year, over 30 partner organisations came together to create, and begin to implement, the Smarter Water Catchment Plan. The ECP is working with multiple farming clusters to encourage regenerative farming and mitigate diffuse pollution across the catchment.

Wild Oxfordshire is co-ordinating a new partnership initiative which aims to improve the fortunes of our breeding Curlews. The Curlew is arguably the most pressing bird conservation priority in the UK, where nearly half the breeding population has been lost over the last 25 years. The project is focused on action by volunteer fieldworkers working closely with farmers to increase the breeding success of our remaining Curlews, across a network of sites across the Upper Thames. Volunteers locate curlew nests and erect temporary electric fencing until about a month later the chicks hatch and leave the protected area under close parental supervision! This year 15 nests were located, of

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

which 11 were fenced. Most of the nests protected were at Otmoor, where 9 chicks fledged from 13 nests, an excellent result. Our ambition is to build on this success and fence more nests across the Upper Thames next year.

Engaging

As part of our Community Ecology project, 22 groups and parish councils distributed across Oxfordshire received our help and 7 presentations were made on ‘What You Can do for Nature’ and ‘Why Wild Bees Matter’. We also worked with 5 owners of small land holdings seeking to contribute positively to nature’s recovery.

Additionally, in 2021/2022 our particular focus was given to creating more healthier, and betterconnected hedgerows across the three project areas, reinforcing the character of the landscape, boosting resilience to climate change and in line with Oxfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan targets. Ultimately, this saw 1701m of new hedge planted, 320m of coppiced and gapped up hedge and 160m of laid hedge. 18 new hedgerow trees we incorporated where appropriate. In this process 7 local contractors were employed and 5 suppliers used. Our work subsequently attracted a further £6000 from Natural England Eynsham’s Nature Recovery Network for additional pollarding & hedge laying work.

To increase awareness of the Evenlode river environment the ECP has engaged over a dozen schools and attended several community outreach days to increase support for the ECP vision.

Community walks have been set up, through farm visits to provide people with better access. There was a farm visit to Bruern in March 2022.

Inspiring

Through the hedgerow project we sought to inspire a better understanding within the local community of the importance of connectivity of habitats by hedgerows, with opportunities for practical involvement and engagement. By the end of the project, 175 volunteers were equipped for action, and 5 events were held to build and sustain local capacity.

In Summer 2021 the Yellow Wagtail Partnership continued to collect baseline invertebrate data. We hosted the project’s very successful launch party with over 100 guests and 27 speakers. We have continued our engagement with farmers, landowners and the communities through events including The Oxford Real Farming Conference and talks for groups including Sustainable Harwell. In October 2021, Project Officer, Sophie, started her PhD on Yellow Wagtail ecology at the University of Reading. Working with project’s partners, we have developed a project strategy with deliverable aims and objectives.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

As a result of our Evenlode Catchment Partnership, Thames Water have said they will upgrade at least 4 Sewage Treatment Works (STWs) around the catchment in the next 5- 7 years so that raw and partially treated sewage is not emptied into the rivers and streams of the catchment.

Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures on the Bruern estate were completed in 2021, which has inspired the estates of Bledington and Batsford to implement NFM measures to prepare and protect locals from flood risk.

River Restoration projects were completed on the river Dorn and Brookend farm. Two barriers to fish migration were removed, created wetlands to provide habitat for water birds and delay sediment loading to the main Evenlode. A wet grassland survey to was commissioned to identify remaining species-rich water meadows in the catchment. This work will better protect and improve biodiversity and habitat.

Informing

Communicating with our member organisations, as well as with influencers amongst the public, continues to underpin all our work. Communications and consensus building represent a Wild Oxfordshire USP and continue to be crucial in a sector that is remarkable in its breadth, ambition and degree of under-funding.

In 2021/22 we built on what we had learnt during covid lockdowns by holding a combination of virtual and in person events, in addition to some “hybrid” events. We now have even more highquality videos and presentations on our You-Tube channel, in addition to the networking benefits our in-person events achieved.

To extend the impact of the ‘Hedgerow Heroes’ project beyond the three project areas, we commissioned 2 short films: ‘How to Plant a Hedge’ and ‘The Watlington West Meadow Hedgerow Project’. We ran our hedgerow themed Local Environment Groups Conference via 4 Webinars on Zoom: ‘Surveying Hedgerows, Why & How’ by Megan Gimber (97 people attended); ‘Hedgerows and Wildlife’ by Rob Wolton (101 people attended); ‘Hedgerows - Laws, Rules & Regulations’ by Emma Marrington (73 people attended); ‘The Lifecycle Management of a Hedge’ by Nigel Adams (121 people attended). We publicised these events to environment groups and parish councils; 592 people signed up. They are available to watch again from our website.

We were delighted to welcome Professor Sir Dieter Helm to give our annual lecture of ‘COP26 what next?’ and over 90 people joined a very thought-provoking presentation and discussion.

Sondes equipment was set up in the Evenlode at the end of 2021 to get direct and automatic water quality measurements to identify the sources of pollution.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Our Autumn 2021 newsletter focussed on a biodiversity-first approach, showcasing how Oxfordshire businesses can contribute to Nature’s Recovery.

“ We are delighted to support Wild Oxfordshire and greatly value the cohesion and vision they bring to delivering Nature’s Recovery in Oxfordshire .” Smiths (Bletchington)

Our social media reaches over 2,000 people (Facebook 1,000 members; Twitter 2,300 followers; Instagram 390 followers, Linked-In) and our monthly email Bulletin goes out directly to 1,700 readers each month with news of our own and from partners.

We continued to update the Wild Oxfordshire website which informs everyone working and volunteering in nature conservation about the natural environment of Oxfordshire, partnerships and groups they can join, and resources explaining how to take the best action for nature on their patch.

Funding & Supporters

In these turbulent times, long-term funding is needed to ensure that our work can continue, especially in the context of unprecedented pressure on our beautiful and still largely rural county. Thank you to all our partners and member organisations for engaging with us through the year, our donors and sponsors. 2021 saw us collaborating with two Big Give campaigns, which was a steep learning curve for us but very successful as we met our targets. For the Green Match Fund in April 2021, we raised £2,500 to match the Big Give’s £2,500 and the Christmas Campaign saw us grow in ambition! Wild Oxfordshire Patron Sian Liwicki and the John Spedan Lewis Foundation provided match funds of £10,000 and amazing our supporters matched this to achieve our target of £20,000.

Thank you to our key donors this year which include Blenheim, Grit Howe Charitable Trust, Living Oxfordshire, Lucy Group, Natural England, Neighbourly, Pye Charitable Trust, Smiths (Bletchington), District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Environment Agency and Thames Water.

Thank you to also to the Friends and individuals too numerous to mention but to whom we are very grateful for their support.

Thank you to the trustees for all their time and effort, which goes far beyond attending trustees meetings and is estimated conservatively to be a total of 700 hours of time. Particular thanks to Sian Liwicki who stepped down as a Trustee but is still supporting Wild Oxfordshire in her new role as one of our patrons, and to Nick Mottram who also stepped down. Thank you to our founding patron Robin Buxton.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard during another difficult year full of challenges. Particular thanks to two of our volunteers Marilyn McCreight and Bruce Winney, who helped us with fundraising and preparing the Nature Recovery Strategy respectively.

David Knight Chair of Wild Oxfordshire 2021-22

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Treasurer’s Report 2021-22

Financial Review of the year ended 31st March 2021

Because of the level of turnover during the period 2021/22, the company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The directors nevertheless acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts. So, these accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to The Small Companies regime.

Comparative position

Incoming resources of £436,174 in 21/22 was an increase of £28,662 on the previous year (£407,512) with £320,064 (£256,205 20/21) related to Restricted projects with a reduction in income on Evenlode projects (including Natural Flood Management and River Restoration projects) offset by an increase arising from new projects with restricted sources of income, as can be seen from the table below.

The remaining charitable income of £116,110 (20/21 £151,307) decreased mainly due to a reduction in unrestricted grants with increases in most other area of unrestricted funding Overall unrestricted funding remains key in continuing to support Wild Oxfordshire’s ongoing activities and other strategic projects.

In addition, an unrealised gain of £10,029 (20/21 £17,083) was made on our investments.

Restricted Income
ECP (inc. NFM &RR)
Hedgerow
Curlew
Yellow Wagtail
Natures Ambassadors
Total Restricted
Unrestricted Income
Total incoming Resources
Gains/(Losses) on Investments
Total Income		 21/22
20/21
Increase /
(Decrease)
223,642
256,205
(32,564)
53,750
0
53,750
10,518
0
10,518
24214
0
24,214
7,940
0
7,940
320,064
256,205
63,859
116,110
151,307
(35,197)
436,174
407,512
28,662
10,029
17,083
(7,054)
446,203
424,594
21,609

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

In 21/22 Wild Oxfordshire’s expenditure increased by £18,714 from £361,145 in 20/21 to £379,859. The larger share of this spend was on restricted projects to balance the income received (see table above, income by Restricted project) of £320,064 with 70% of this related to the Evenlode Catchment Partnership projects and the remainder on new Restricted projects in 21/22

Spending on our core charitable activities in the year totalled £59,796 a reduction of £45,144 on 20/21 resulting from the increased staff activity and allocations on projects.

Overall, a surplus on the year of £66,344 (20/21 £63,449), so an increase of £9,948.

Cash/Bank/Investments

Total held in our bank accounts and investments at the year-end was £627,265, of this £293,387 is advance restricted income held for expenditure on projects in future years.

Therefore, balance of available funds is £333,878 and with current liabilities of £13,792 unrestricted funds at the end of this financial year stood at £320,086 (20/20 £253,742).

Investment Policy

Trustees held the assets of the charity in accordance with their powers during the year. The trustees have absolute discretion to invest the funds of the charity. Our policy for the selection of investments for the charity has been to place at minimum 75% of surplus funds in fixed fund units with COIF via CCLA, and a COIF investment fund (listed equities).

Our expenditure for 21/22 was on average around £30,000 per month but for 22/23 is budgeted to increase to c. £43,000 month, so we would argue we need 5/6 months liquid funds so minimum £215,000, meaning that of our year end £625,271 cash (including investments) some £410,000 is currently surplus of which policy dictates 75% or £308,000 could be invested short to medium term.

At the end of the financial year some £201,705 of our banking funds are held in interest bearing accounts and our investments held amounted to £109,032, so in total we have funds invested of £310.737, slightly more than our minimum policy requirement.

Reserves Policy

Our policy has been to maintain unrestricted reserves available at a minimum of £150,000. As Wild Oxfordshire’s capacity grows, so does its costs albeit modestly, but it would be prudent to keep the reserves policy under review.

In a nutshell, Wild Oxfordshire’s 21/22 Financial position is: Balance at start of year (all unrestricted) £253,742 Income £436,174

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Expenditure £379,859 Gains from investments (including revaluations) £10,029 Funds carried forward into 2022/23 (all unrestricted) £320,086

Our resulting strong financial position means that Wild Oxfordshire remains comfortably above its agreed £150,000 minimum reserves threshold.

This position has allowed us to continue to invest in increasing our structural capacity and our work for the future and has been achieved because of our fundraising achievements against a relatively modest base spend.

My thanks to all staff and to Trustees for a yet another great fundraising effort which remains a priority for us, and the resultant generosity of donors in their financial support for the work of Wild Oxfordshire in 21/22 (recognised elsewhere in this Report).

Mike Russell, Treasurer 2021-22

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

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Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the year end and of its incoming resources and resources expended during the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which 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 2006. 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.

Independent Examiner

The Trustees have appointed CerTax Accounting to carry out the examination of these accounts, which exceed the threshold that requires independent examination under Charity Commission accounting rules. The trustees recommend that Certax Accounting remain in office until further notice.

This report was approved by the trustees on 14[th] September 2022 and signed on their behalf by

David Knight Chair of Wild Oxfordshire 2021-22

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

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Independent Examiner’s Report

to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of Wild Oxfordshire.

We report on the financial statements of Wild Oxfordshire for the year ended 31[st] March 2022 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and related notes.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)9b of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of Independent examiner’s report

Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners and in accordance with the provisions in part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 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 we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In our opinion the financial statements:

Give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31[st] March 2022 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

Have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the statement of Recommended Practice for charities.

Simon Oakland, CerTax Accounting Independent Scrutineer

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

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Financial Statement

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31[st] March 2022

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
2
Investment income
3
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Fundraising
4
Charitable activities
Communication and
partnerships
5
Governance costs
6
Total resources expended
NET INCOMING/
(OUTGOING)
RESCOURCES BEFORE
TRANSFERS
Transfers between Funds
Net incoming/(outgoing)
resources before other
recognised gains and
losses
Gains/losses on
investment assets
11
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF
FUNDS
Total funds brought
forward from 2019/20
Total funds carried
forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
2022
£
115,271
839
116,110
1,046
58,029
720
59,795
56,315
-
56,315
10,029
66,344
253,742
320,086		 Restricted
Funds
2022
£
319,514
551
320,064
-
320,064
-
320,064
0
-
0
0
-
0		 Total
2022
£
434,785
1,390
436,174
1,046
378,093
720
379,859
56,315
-
56,315
10.029
66,344
253,742
320.086		 Total
2021
£
405,811
1,701
407,512

167
360,258
720
361,145

46,367
-
46.367
17,083
63,449
190,292
253,742

The notes on pages 19 - 25 form an integral part of these financial statements

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Balance Sheet as at 31[st] March 2022

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Investments
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net Assets
Funds
14		 2022
£
1,994
107,038
109,032
27,119
518,233
545,352
(334,298)
211,054
320,086
320,086		 2021
£
295
97,009
97,305
480
416,345
416,825
(260,387)
156,438
253,742
253,742

The notes on pages 19 – 25 received form an integral part of these financial statements

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 14[th] September 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

Mike Russell

(Hon. Treasurer)

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

Notes to the Financial Statements

1.1. Accounting convention

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments, and in compliance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the accounts the company has followed best practice as laid down in the Companies Act 1985, the Charities Act 1993 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (Revised 2005). Where applicable, comparative figures have been restated to comply with SORP 2005, but these restatements have had no effect on the funds brought forward at the start of the year.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small charity.

Incoming resources

Incoming resources are generally recognised on a receivable basis and are reported gross of related expenditure, where the amounts are reasonably certain and when there is adequate certainty of receipt.

The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

1.3. Resources expended

Resources expended are accounted for on an accruals basis and gross of any related income. They are classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. They are split according to restricted and unrestricted funds to enable us to report back to funders who have requested their donation be spent on specific activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.

Costs of charitable activities comprise direct expenditure including direct staff costs attributable to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Governance costs include those costs, such as statutory audit and legal and professional fees, associated with constitutional and statutory requirement.

1.4. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 20% reducing balance

I.T Equipment - 33% reducing balance

1.5. Investments

Where there is a readily ascertainable market value, investments are shown at market value as at the year-end. In the absence of a readily ascertainable market value, investments are valued at cost. Movements in value are shown in the income and expenditure account.

1.6. Pensions

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the charity during the year.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

2. Voluntary income

Donations
Grants
Subscriptions
Other
Total		 Unrestricted
funds
£
76,435
34,737
1,088
3,011
115,271		 RestrictedProjects
£
-
319,514
-
-
319,514		 2022
£
76,435
354,250
1,088
3,011
434,785		 2021
£
37,261
364,663
1,068
2,820
405,811

2.1 Gifts and services in kind

The trustees recognise that gifts and services in kind were an important contributor to the overall financial well-being of Wild Oxfordshire. The total value of help in kind including invaluable support of volunteers is conservatively estimated at £50,000.

3. Investment income

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Income from investments
800
-
Deposit interest
39
551
Total
839
551		 2022
£
800
590
1,390		 2021
£
600
1,101
1,701

4. Fundraising

Expenditure during the Year - £1,046 (2021 £167)

We are constantly seeking new sources of funds.

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

5. Costs of charitable activities

5. Costs of charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted		 Total Total
Funds 2022 2021
£ £ £ £
Staff costs 39,962 104,265 144,227 132,407
Legal - - -
Administration and Communications 29,905 - 29,905 9,403
Fundraising 1,046 - 1,046 167
Core overheads allocated to Projects (33,912) - (33,912) -
Projects
Environmental Strategy work 12,686 - 12,686 7,860
Community Ecologist Projects 9,388 - 9,388 906
Curlew project - 10,518 10,518 3,272
Hedgerow project - 24,911 24,911 -
Evenlode Catchment Work - 163,169 163,169 106,411
Yellow Wagtail - 12,435 12,435 -
Natures Ambassadors - 4,766 4,766 -
Total 59,075 320,064 379,139 360.425
6. Governance costs
Unrestricted
Restricted		 2022 2021
funds funds £ £
£ £
Independent examination costs 720 - 720 720
7. Operating gain
2022
 2021
£
 £
Operating gain is stated after charging:
Depreciation and other amounts written off tangible assets
 982
 144

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

8. Employees

mployees
2022 2021
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was: 6 4
Employment costs
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds		 2022
£		 2021
£
Wages & Salaries 39,964 104,265 144,227 132,407

No trustee received any remuneration or expenses during the year 2021/22 - £Nil, (2020-21 - £Nil)

9. Pension costs

The company pays pension contributions to employees' personal pension schemes. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company and amounted to £9,598 (2020 - £5,294).

10. Tangible fixed assets

angible fixed assets
Computer Fixtures and fittings Total
£ and equipment £
£
Cost
At April 1 2021 7,201 639 7,840
Addition 2,6881 - 2,681
At 31 March 2022 9,882 639 10,521
Depreciation
At April 1 2021 6,911 633 7,544
Charge for the year 981 2 983
At 31 March 2022 7,892 635 8,527
Net Book Values
AT 31 March 2022 1,990 4 1,994
At 31 March 2021 290 6 296

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

11. Investments

nvestments
Listed Total
investment £
£
Market value
At 1 April 2021 97,009 97,009
Additions - -
Disposals - -
Revaluations
At 31 March 2022 10,029 10,029
Net book values
At 31 March 2022 107,038 107,038
At 31 March 2021 97,009 97,009

Included in fixed asset investments are the following individual investments, which represent more than 5% of the total investment portfolio:

2022 2021
£ £
COIF Charities - Fixed Fund units 9,193 9,528
COIF Charities - Investment Fund units 97,845 87,481
Total 107,038 97,009
Investments at market value comprise:
2022 2021
£ £
UK – Listed equities 97,845 87,481
UK – Unlisted equities 1,680 1,680
UK – Securities 7,513 7,848
Total 107,038 97,009
The historical cost of investments at 31 March 2022 was £43,587 (no change)

12. Debtors

ebtors
2022 2021
£ £
Trade debtors 27,119 480

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540

Together for Nature

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2022 2021
£ £
Trade creditors 35,187 11,165
Advanced income (NFM & ECP) 293,387 248,502
Other creditors 437 -
Accruals and deferred income 5,287 720
Total 334,298 260,387

14. Funds

4.
Funds
31 March Incoming Outgoing Gains/losses TRFS 31 March
2021 £ £ £ 2022
£ £
Unrestricted 253,742 116,110 59,795 10,029 0 320,086
Restricted 0 320,064 320,064 0 0 0
Projects
All Funds 253,742 436,174 379,859 10,029 - 320,086

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Wild Oxfordshire, Manor House, Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire OX14 4RA www.wildoxfordshire.org.uk Charity number: 1131540