The Blackdown Hills Trust IA Charltable Company Llmlted by Guarantee) Annual Report and Financlal Statements For the Year Endod 31 March 2023 Company Numb•Y: 07181053 Charlty Raglst•r•d In England and Wal•$ Nurnbor: 1138327
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Contents For Ihe Year Ended 31 March 2025 Pa Contents Reference and Adminislrative D8talls Trustèes, Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report statement of Financlal Actlvitles Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statem8nts 10-16 Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hills Trust Reference and Administrative Details For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Trustees and Directors N Carter (Chair) R Lloyd M Canham D Mounsey Prlnclpal Offlce and R•gister•d Offlcè Blowiscombe Barn Clayhldon Nr Cullompton Devon EX15 3TL Bankers HSBC Bank PIC 2 Fore Street Wellington Somersel TA218AH Independent Examlner Michelle Ferris Bsc (Hons) FCA DChA Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somers8t TA12PX Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Trustees, Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of the Companies Act, present thelr report and Ihe unaudited financial statements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2025. Th8 flnanclal statements hav8 been prepared in accordance wlth the accountlng polldes set out in nole 1 to the financial statements and compty with the charity's memorandum and articles of associalion, the ststement of Recommended Practice, -Accountlng and Reporting by Charities. (SORP FRS 102- implemented 1 January 2019) and are In accordance with the speclal piovlslon relatlng lo small ompanies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Publlc Beneflt The trustees confirm Ihat Ihey have complied wlth sectlon 4 of Ihe Charities Act 2006 to have due regard lo the public benefit guidance publish8d by th8 Charity Commission. Structure, governance and management The Blackdown Hills Trust is an Independent charity, registered number 1138327 and a company Ilmlled by guarantee, registered number 07181053. The reglstered office is Blowiscombe Barn, Clayhidon, Nr Cullompton, Devon. EX15 3TL. The governing document is the memorandum and articl8s of assoclation dated 19 February 2010, amended on 21 June 2011. The company was incorporat8d on 06 March 2010. The following Irustees. who are also directors for the purposes of company law, served durlng Ihe year and slnc& the year end: R Lloyd N Carter {Chair & Treasurer) M Canham D Mounsey All business of the trust is conducted in accordance wlth Its memorandum and articles of association togelher 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 b& re- elected every three years. Appointment of any new trustees Is made In accordance wlth prescribed criteria and company rules. None of the truslees has any beneficial inlèrèst In the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of liquldation of the company. Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees, Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Oblecllves and actlvttles Th8 objects of th8 charity are.. 1. To promote for the benefit of the public the conservatlon, protectlon and Improvement of the physical and natural environment. 2. To advance the education of the public in conservation. protectton and improvement of the physical and natural environment. 3. To provide or assist in the provision of facilitiès In the inlerest of social welfare for recreation or other leisur8 tlme occupation for the public at large or individuals who have need of such facllities by reason of thelr youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or soclal circumstsnces wlth Ihe object of improving their condltions of Ilfe. Every potential project is evaluated as to how far it reflects our objects. In the future project evaluation wlll take Into account how well outcomes have mel with our objects. Achl•v•m•nts and porfornianpAS The Trust's curfenl activitles are focused on enabling conservation grazing and woodland m8nagement in the publlc forest, encouraging environmental volunteering, and providlng advlc8 to landowners on vA)odland creatlon and managemenl. The project funded by the Foraslry Commlsslon came to an end in March 2017 where it was hoped that the cattl8 own8d by tha For8Stry Commission would be gifted to the Trust and the Trust could continue the grazing projecl. During the 2018-19 year end the cattle (livestock units (LU)) was subsequentty gifted to the Trust by the Forestry Commisslon for £nil consideration, 86 LU'S were gifted at the value of £600 aach (90/0 market value). A livestock leasinglmanag8m8nt agreement was In place wlth the two grazlers. whereby the graziers would purGha8e the cattle (al £600 each) over 4 years at which point they wlll take sole responsibility for the grazing project wilh lh8 Forestry Commlsslon and Natural England. The finel cattle were purchased during the year to 31 March 2023, at which point the Trust had no remaining LU'S to sell to the grazlers. Tha Trust channels fundSng from the HLS agre8ments to the grazlers on a non-profil basis. retaining only small percentage (6Q/o) to cover administration costs. The trust Is run by volunteers, The graziers, in turn, aye responslble for the grazlng of the forest area during summer and overwSnterlng the cattl8, outside the forest. HLS monies finance both the grazlng and the overwintering costs. Over the past thirteen years the Trust has also sought capital funding from various sources to finance v8g8tation manag8m8nt on the grazing units in pursuit of the HLS objeclives, and has retsined consultatlon support to oversee practlcal arrangemenls and ecological monltoring The Trust took on the ownership of the Longhom cattle from FE, some years ago and has gradually sold th8 herd lo th8 graziers to help flnance Its work. The Trusts original HLS agreements ran from 2012 until 2022. Thes8 were extended by Natural England IRPA for a further five years and currently run untll 2028. The Trust are still holding Funds donated by the Blackdown Hills Woodland Association with the proviso that it is used for Wood I woodland l Tree related Projects. Plans for the future The Trust will continue looking for funding through FIPLS and other grant providers for scrub cl8arance and Machinery to help with the ongoing conseTvalion. Prepared By Albert GtKrflman LLP
The Blackdown Hills Trust Trustees, Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Flnanclal revlew and reserves policy The charity operates wilh minimal running costs. Most of ils charitable work Is undertaken on restrlcted projects, with an agr88d contribution to unrestricted cor8 Costs wh8r8V8r posslble. A deficit of £4,383 was made durlng the year (2024.. deficlt £1,319), The maln costs are cattle management and repairs and malntenance of fencing. whlch together cost £53.68812024: £48,606). Caltle were donated in the 2019- year end and were held as stock until they were sold to the graziers. At 31 March 2025, the charity had total reserves of £39,541 (2024: £43,924), of which £3,303 is unreslricted {2024.' £2.240) and £36.238 is restricted {2024: £41,684y. The unrestricted r8S8n18s Vuld allow for approxlmately 8 months of unrestrScled expenditure, whlch is in line wlth expectations, Raserves are hald for plans for the charity, and Ihe intention Is that spending wlll be capped to Income to malntaln reSere&. Rlsk managomant The trustees have considered the major risks to whlch the charlty Is exposed. They have revlewed those rlsks and established systems and procedures to manage them appropriately. Slalemenl of Tru?te•s' Re¥spon$lbllltlos Thè trust8è8 (who arè dlrÉctors of The Blackdown Hllls Trust for company law) are rasponslble for preparlng the Truslees. Annual Report (incorporating the Directors, Report) and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and Uniled Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Rèportlng Standard 102 The Financial Rèporting Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law r8qulr8s lh& truste8S to pr8pare flnanclal statements for each flnanclal year whlch glve true and falr vlew of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparirKJ these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting pollcles and then apply them conslstently; observe the methods and prlndples Sn the Charlt18s SORP., make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., stsie whether appllcable UK Accounting Standards hav8 b8en followed, subject to any materlal departures disclosed and explained in the financial staternenls, and prepare the financial stalemenls on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charltable company wlll contlnue In business. The truslees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that dlsdose with reasonable accuracy at any time th8 financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that th8 financlal statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safewarding the assets of the charilable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and are responsible for the mainl8nance and Integrity of the corporate and financlal infomation on the charity's website. Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Trustees, Report For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Small company Thls report has been prepared in accordance wlth the special provislons relatlng to small companies wlthin Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Signed by order of the truste8s on 18-I.26 N Carter Director Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Independent examlners report to the Trustees of The Blackdown Hllls Trust I report lo the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Blackdown Hills Trust (°the Company") for lh8 yéar ended 31 March 2025. Rosponslbllltl6s and basls ol report As the charlly's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of rnpany law) you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts in accoThdancé with thè r6quir6mants of the Companies Act 2006 ("the 2006 Act"). Havlng salisf16d mys&lf that the accounts of thè Company ara not roqulr8d to be audlted undèr Part 16 of the 2006 Acl and are elv3ible for independent examination, I report in respecl of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under seclion 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act.). In carrying out my éxamination I havè lollowed th8 Diréctions giv8n by the Charty Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of the 2011 Acl. Independent examlner's statement I hav8 completed my examlnation. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in ¢¢nneclion with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accountlng records war8 not k8Pt in r8SP8Ct of th8 Company as required by section 386 01 the 2006 Act., or 2. the accounls do not comply with these records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of ihe 2006 Acl other than any requlrement that the accounts give a "true and falr Vie which Is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinalion; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with ihe methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their arxounls in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102). I havo no concerns and have com8 across no othar matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report In order to enable a proper understandlng of the accounts to be reached. le Ferris Bsc (Honsj FCA DChA Albert Goodman LLP Chartered Accountants Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA12PX ..9-o.1oi /9 Date: Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Statement of Financial Activities (including the income and 8xpenditUTe account) For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Unre- strlcted Funds Rè- strlcted Funds Unre- Strlcted Funds Total 2025 strlcted Funds Total 2024 Notes Income from: Charitable activities 3,079 48,242 51,321 3.079 48,243 51,322 Total 3,079 48,242 51,321 3.079 48,243 51,322 Expenditure on: Charltable activilies 2,016 53,688 55,704 4,035 48,606 52.641 Total 2,016 53,688 55,704 4,035 48,606 52,641 Net (expendlture)I Income for the year before tran$ler8 1,063 (5.446) (4,383) (956) (363) (1,319) Transfers Net movements In lunds 1,063 15,4461 (4,383) {956} <3631 (1,319) Raconclllatlon of fund5: Fund balances at 01 April 2024 2,240 41,684 43,924 3,196 42,047 45.243 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 3,303 36,238 39,541 2,240 41,684 43,924 The results for the year derlve from conllnulng aclivities and there are no gains or losses other than those shown above. The slatemenl of financial aclivities Incorporates the income and expenditure account. Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hills Trust - C<>mpany Reglslratlon Numb•r: 07181053 Balance sheet As at 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 2024 Flxed assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 40,983 45,172 40.983 45.172 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year {1,442) (1,248) Net current assets 39,541 43,924 Net assets 39,541 43,924 Funds General funds Restricted funds 12 12 3,303 36,238 2,240 41,684 39,541 43,924 These accounts have been prepared and delivered In accordance with ihe special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companles 2nd constltute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006. For the year endlng 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exempllon under sectlon 477 of tha Companles Act 2006 relating to small companies. The trustee5 have not required the company lo obtaln an audlt In accordance with seclion 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requlrements of Acl with respect to accounting records and preparation of the accounts. Approved by the Board for Issue o . and signed on its behalf by: N Carter Director Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Notes lo the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Accounllng pollcles General Infomiatlon and basls of preparatlon The Blackdown Hills Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in the Unlted Klngdom under the Companies Act. The address of the registered office is given on pagè 2. The nature of the charity's oparations and its principal aclivities are set out in the Trust8es r8POrt on pages 34. The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. The financial slatements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stat8ment of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing Iheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021 (effective 1 January 2019)-(Charltles SORP (FRS102)), Ihe Flnanclal R8POrtlng standard applicable in (he UK and Republic of Ir8land {FRS 102) and the Companies Acl 2006. The charlty maets the definilion of public benafil under FRS 102. Assèts and Ilabllltles are initlally recognised at hlstorical cost or Iransaclion value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. 1.2 Fund accountlng pollcy Unr8slricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees. discretion In furtherance of th8 objectivas of Ihe charlty. Reslricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes. the use of which Is restricted to that area or purposa. 1.3 Income All income is includ8d in th8 statement of financial activities when the charily is èntlded to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applled to partlcular categories of income. The valuation of donated servlces is not quantified withln the Statement of Financial Activities. Donated stock is included at falr value, belng the expected proceeds from the sale less the expected costs of Ihe sale. If practic81 to assass the fair value at receipt. il is racognised in stock and income from donations. Upon sa18, the value of the stock is charged agalnst charitable activities expenditure and the proceeds are recognised as income from donations. Incomè from grants, relatlng to speclfically Ihe provlslon of goods or servlces as part of charitable activities or setvlces to clients are included in full in the Statement of Flnancial Activities when receivable and in the poriod in which Ihey relate to. Granls are deferred when the monies have b8en r8caived in advance of the period in which Ihey relale to. 1.4 Expondlture Expenditure is accountèd for on th& accruals basls. Llabilities are recognlsed In th8 accountlng period to which Ih8y relate. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountabllity of the charity and its compliance with regulalion and good practice. Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP 10
The Blackdown H5115 Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 1.5 Government grants Government grants are accounted for when uncondltlonally due and reasonabl8 assurance can be gained that it will be received. Where fvnds are r8ceived in advance, for a sp8cifi8d period, these funds are deferred and iecognlsed In the period to whlch they relate. Where funds have r1 been received in 8 speclfied period, these funds will be accrued in debtors and recognised in the period to which they relate. Not all grants received have conditions and performance indicators attached, where this is the case, the Income Is Included wlthln donations. Parformance related grants are included within Charilable Activities income. 1.6 Dopreclatlon Depreciation is provided on tanglble flxed assets so as to wrlte off the cost or valuailon. less any estlmated resldual value. over their expected uselul economlc Ilfe as follows: Plant and machinery 20Vo slr8ight line basis Cash at bank and in hd Cash at bank and in hand comprise cash on hand and call deposits that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificanl risk of change in value. 1.8 Credltors Creditors and provislons ar8 r8cognised where the tharlty has a Pfesent obligatlon resulting from a past èvent Ihat will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obllgation can be measured or estimated reliabty. Creditor8 and provisions are recognised al their settlement amount. Flnanclal Instrumonts The charity onty holds bas5c financial inslrumenls as defined in FRS 102. The financial assets and liabilities of the Charlty and their measurements are as follows: Financial assets trade and other debtors are basic flnancial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortisad cost. Prepayments are not flnanclal Instruments. Cash at bank- Is classified as a baslG financlal instrument and Is measured al face value. Flnanclal Ilablllt18S - trade creditors, accruals and other creditors are financial instruments, and ar8 measured at amortised cost. Deferred income is not deemed to be a financial liability, as Ihe cash settlement has already taken place and there Ss an oblSgatlon to dellver seNlces rather than cash or anolher financial instrumént. Prepar8d By Alb8rl Goodman LLP
The Blackdown Hills Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Charltabla actlvltles Income Unre- strlcted Funds Re- strlcted Funds Unre. strlcted Funds Total 2025 Strlcted Funds Total 2024 Grant Income RPA 3,079 48,242 51.321 3,079 48,243 51.322 3,079 48,242 51,321 3,079 48,243 51,322 Charitable actlvltles expendlture Unre. 8lrlcted Funds R•- 5trl¢t•d Funds Unr•- Re- strl¢tsd •trlcled Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Cattle management Fees paid to Iruslees Rent Repairs and mainl8nance (note 41 Print, postage and stationery Travel Cost of trustee meetings Bank charges Woodlanders administrallon Govemance CA)s15 47,242 47,242 44.570 44,570 801 500 500 500 500 4,084 4,036 4,036 23 71 177 65 1,150 1.248 23 71 177 65 1,150 1,248 122 62 122 62 2,362 1,332 2,362 1.332 2,016 53,688 55,704 4,035 48,606 52,641 Included In governance costs Accountants, remuneration Independent examinerfs fee 1.017 315 1.017 315 933 315 933 315 1,332 1,332 1.248 1.248 Prepared By Albert G0Man LLP 12
The 81ackdown Hills Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Repalrs and malnlenanrA Unrn. strlclod Funds Unre• strlclod Strlcled Funds Funds strlct•d Funds Total 2025 Tolal 2024 Fenc811ne main18nanc8 4.084 4,036 4,036 4,084 4,084 4,036 4,036 Trustees and employo8G The charity has no employees, and hence none that received remuneration of over £60.000 (2024.. none). None of the trustees have been pald any iemunerallon by the charlty durlng the year (2024.. none). Fees of £122 {2024 - £1,070) for administrative sepiiGes, reimbursements for mileage tolalling £nll (2024 £71) and reimbursemenis for postage, slationery, rèpairs matérials 8nd venu8 hlre totalling £nil (2024.. £100) were pald to one (2024 one) of the trustees during the year. Al 31 March 2025, £122 {2024 - £1,070) was owed to one (2024- none) of the trustees. Taxatlon The company is a registered charity and Is, therefore. not Ilable to corporatlon tax to the extent that incoma and gains are applied lo charliable purposes. Pr&pared By Alrt Goodman LLP 13
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Notes lo the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Tanglble assets Plant and machlnery Total Cost As at 01.04.2024 and 31.03.2025 3,000 3,000 Dopreclation As a101.04.2024 and 31.03.2025 3,000 3.000 Net book value As at 31.03.2025 As at 31.03.2024 Crodttors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year 2025 2024 Accruals Other creditors 1,320 122 1,248 1,442 1,248 Company Ilmlted by guarant•• The charily was Incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guaranlee to the company is £10 per member due on ihe winding up of the company. At 31 March 2025, the company had four m8mb8rs and therefore, the lotal amount guaranteed was £40. Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP 14
The Blackdown Hllls Trust Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 10 Operatlng lease commltments As at 31 March 2025, the ¢hari(y had annual commilments under non-cancellable operatlng leases as follows: Operating leases which expire., 2025 2024 Land Land Under one year 500 500 11 Statement of fundg Statemenl of funds - 2025 8alanc• 01.04.24 8alanc• 31.03.25 Incom• Expendlture Transfor8 Restricted funds Cattle grazing project Woodland Fund 33,848 7,836 48,242 (51,326) (2,362) 30,764 5,474 Total restrlcted funds 41,684 48,242 (53,688) 36,238 Unrostrictod funds General 2,240 3,079 (2,016) 3,303 Total Funds 43,924 51,321 (55,704) 39,541 Prepared By Albert Goodman LLP 15
The Blackdown Hills Trust Notes to thé Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Statement of lunds- contlnued,.. Statement of fund5- 2024 Balance 01.04.23 Balance 31.0324 Income Expendltura Transfers Restrlcted funds Cattle grazing project Woodland Fund 34,211 7,836 48,243 (48,606) 33.848 7,836 Tolal restrlcted funds 42,047 48,243 (48,606) 41,684 Unrestrlcted funds General 3,196 3,079 <4,035) 2,240 Total Funds 45,243 51,322 (52,641} 43,924 The purpose of the materlal funds are as follows.. 1) The cattle grazing project aims to malntaln felled areas In the forest using Engllsh Longhorn cattle, which graz8 on bramblos, bracken etc and Ihus keep these under control. 2) Thè Woodland fund was donatéd by thè Blackdown Hills Woodland Association with the proviso that it is us8d for Wood I woodland l Tree relalad Proleets. 12 Analysls of not a880ts between lund¥ Unre- strlcted Funds Unre. Re- strlcted Strlcted Funds Funds strlcled Funds Tolal 2025 Total 2024 Current assets Creditors.. amount falling due within one year 4,745 36,238 40,983 3.488 41.684 45,172 (1,442) {1,442> {1,248) (1,2481 3,303 36.238 39.541 2,240 41,684 43,924 Prepared By Albert G(M)dman LLP 16