The Blackdown Hills Trust
(A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Company Number: 07181053 Charity Registered in England and Wales Number: 1138327
The Blackdown Hills Trust Contents For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Contents | 1 |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 2 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 3 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 – 18 |
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
1
The Blackdown Hills Trust Reference and Administrative Details For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Trustees and Directors | N Carter (Chair) |
|---|---|
| J Greenshields (Treasurer) | |
| R Lloyd | |
| M Canham | |
| D Mounsey | |
| Principal Office and Registered Office | Park Farm |
| Voxmoor | |
| Wellington | |
| Somerset | |
| TA21 9NP | |
| Bankers | HSBC Bank Plc |
| 2 Fore Street | |
| Wellington | |
| Somerset | |
| TA21 8AH | |
| Independent Examiner | Michelle Ferris FCA |
| Albert Goodman LLP | |
| Goodwood House | |
| Blackbrook Park Avenue | |
| Taunton | |
| Somerset | |
| TA1 2PX |
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
2
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2020.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s memorandum and articles of association, the Statement of Recommended Practice, “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP FRS 102implemented 1 January 2019) and are in accordance with the special provision relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Structure, governance and management
The Blackdown Hills Trust is an independent charity, registered number 1138327 and a company limited by guarantee, registered number 07181053. The registered office is Park Farm, Voxmoor, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9NP.
The governing document is the memorandum and articles of association dated 19 February 2010, amended on 21 June 2011. The company was incorporated on 06 March 2010.
The following trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, served during the year and since the year end:
J Greenshields (Treasurer) R Lloyd N Carter (Chair) M Canham D Mounsey
All business of the trust is conducted in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association together with the rules incorporated within this document. The directors of the company also act as trustees. They act in a voluntary capacity, except the treasurer who is paid a nominal hourly rate when working for the Trust. The Chairman and Treasurer are elected by the other trustees and must be re-elected every three years. Appointment of any new trustees is made in accordance with prescribed criteria and company rules.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of liquidation of the company.
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
3
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2020
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are:
-
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
-
To advance the education of the public in conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
-
To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the public at large or individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Every potential project is evaluated as to how far it reflects our objects. In the future project evaluation will take into account how well outcomes have met with our objects.
Achievements and performances
The Trust’s current activities are focused on enabling conservation grazing and woodland management in the public forest, encouraging environmental volunteering, and providing advice to landowners on woodland creation and management.
The Trust is working with the Forestry Commission to take a longer tenancy on open spaces in the Neroche public forest, and to enter into countryside stewardship agreements with Natural England to enable the continued conservation management of these open areas, through extensive grazing with cattle. Public benefit includes long term conservation and better public access. This project is to some extent experimental; therefore it will also provide valuable information and education about potential management strategies for woodland pasture.
The Trust are holding Funds donated by the Blackdown Hills Woodland Association with the proviso that it is used for Wood / woodland / Tree related Projects
Plans for the future
The Blackdown Hills Trust is looking to extend the scope of its activities through more diverse projects.
The Trust is now involved in applying for funding through Awards for All with other organisations for a “wellbeing project” encouraging disadvantaged Wellington residents to visit the Woodlands and Countryside of the Blackdown Hills. The Trust is also actively looking for other projects within the Blackdown Hills and surrounding area.
The trust will hand over the grazing project to the graziers in 2024 but keep a management hand on the project
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
4
Financial review and reserves policy
The charity operates with minimal running costs. Most of its charitable work is undertaken on restricted projects, with an agreed contribution to unrestricted core costs wherever possible. All Cattle are now all sold to the graziers
At 31 March 2023, the charity had total reserves of £52,091.00, of which £3,196.00 is unrestricted and £42,047.00 is restricted. The unrestricted reserves would allow for approximately 1 year of unrestricted expenditure, which is in line with expectations. Reserves are held for future plans for the charity and the intention is that spending will be capped to income to maintain reserves.
Risk management
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed. They have reviewed those risks and established systems and procedures to manage them appropriately.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees (who are directors of The Blackdown Hills Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report (incorporating the Directors’ Report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).
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 the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information on the charity’s website.
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
5
Small company
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed by order of the trustees on ……………12/12/23………….
……………………….. ………………………….. N Carter J Greenshields Director Director
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
6
The Blackdown Hills Trust
(A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Company Number: 07181053 Charity Registered in England and Wales Number: 1138327
The Blackdown Hills Trust Contents For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Contents | 1 |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 2 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 3 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 – 18 |
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
1
The Blackdown Hills Trust Reference and Administrative Details For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Trustees and Directors | N Carter (Chair) |
|---|---|
| J Greenshields (Treasurer) | |
| R Lloyd | |
| M Canham | |
| D Mounsey | |
| Principal Office and Registered Office | Park Farm |
| Voxmoor | |
| Wellington | |
| Somerset | |
| TA21 9NP | |
| Bankers | HSBC Bank Plc |
| 2 Fore Street | |
| Wellington | |
| Somerset | |
| TA21 8AH | |
| Independent Examiner | Michelle Ferris FCA |
| Albert Goodman LLP | |
| Goodwood House | |
| Blackbrook Park Avenue | |
| Taunton | |
| Somerset | |
| TA1 2PX |
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
2
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2020.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s memorandum and articles of association, the Statement of Recommended Practice, “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP FRS 102implemented 1 January 2019) and are in accordance with the special provision relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Structure, governance and management
The Blackdown Hills Trust is an independent charity, registered number 1138327 and a company limited by guarantee, registered number 07181053. The registered office is Park Farm, Voxmoor, Wellington, Somerset, TA21 9NP.
The governing document is the memorandum and articles of association dated 19 February 2010, amended on 21 June 2011. The company was incorporated on 06 March 2010.
The following trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, served during the year and since the year end:
J Greenshields (Treasurer) R Lloyd N Carter (Chair) M Canham D Mounsey
All business of the trust is conducted in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association together with the rules incorporated within this document. The directors of the company also act as trustees. They act in a voluntary capacity, except the treasurer who is paid a nominal hourly rate when working for the Trust. The Chairman and Treasurer are elected by the other trustees and must be re-elected every three years. Appointment of any new trustees is made in accordance with prescribed criteria and company rules.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of liquidation of the company.
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
3
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2020
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity are:
-
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
-
To advance the education of the public in conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
-
To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the public at large or individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Every potential project is evaluated as to how far it reflects our objects. In the future project evaluation will take into account how well outcomes have met with our objects.
Achievements and performances
The Trust’s current activities are focused on enabling conservation grazing and woodland management in the public forest, encouraging environmental volunteering, and providing advice to landowners on woodland creation and management.
The Trust is working with the Forestry Commission to take a longer tenancy on open spaces in the Neroche public forest, and to enter into countryside stewardship agreements with Natural England to enable the continued conservation management of these open areas, through extensive grazing with cattle. Public benefit includes long term conservation and better public access. This project is to some extent experimental; therefore it will also provide valuable information and education about potential management strategies for woodland pasture.
The Trust are holding Funds donated by the Blackdown Hills Woodland Association with the proviso that it is used for Wood / woodland / Tree related Projects
Plans for the future
The Blackdown Hills Trust is looking to extend the scope of its activities through more diverse projects.
The Trust is now involved in applying for funding through Awards for All with other organisations for a “wellbeing project” encouraging disadvantaged Wellington residents to visit the Woodlands and Countryside of the Blackdown Hills. The Trust is also actively looking for other projects within the Blackdown Hills and surrounding area.
The trust will hand over the grazing project to the graziers in 2024 but keep a management hand on the project
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
4
Financial review and reserves policy
The charity operates with minimal running costs. Most of its charitable work is undertaken on restricted projects, with an agreed contribution to unrestricted core costs wherever possible. All Cattle are now all sold to the graziers
At 31 March 2023, the charity had total reserves of £52,091.00, of which £3,196.00 is unrestricted and £42,047.00 is restricted. The unrestricted reserves would allow for approximately 1 year of unrestricted expenditure, which is in line with expectations. Reserves are held for future plans for the charity and the intention is that spending will be capped to income to maintain reserves.
Risk management
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed. They have reviewed those risks and established systems and procedures to manage them appropriately.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees (who are directors of The Blackdown Hills Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report (incorporating the Directors’ Report) and the financial statements in accordance with 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).
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 the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information on the charity’s website.
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees’ Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
5
Small company
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed by order of the trustees on ……………12/12/23………….
……………………….. ………………………….. N Carter J Greenshields Director Director
Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
6