**Registered number: 7823588 Charity number: 1144528**
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
**Trustees' Report and Financial Statements**
**For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers**|1 - 2|
|**Trustees' report**|3 - 9|
|**Independent auditors' report on the financial statements**|10 - 13|
|**Statement of financial activities**|14|
|**Balance sheet**|15|
|**Statement of cash flows**|16|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|17 - 40|
**National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
**Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**Trustees**|J A Elliot,Chairman|
|---|---|
||Dr C W Looker|
||R A Macdonald|
||J E Godfrey|
||J R Latham(appointed 9 January2024)|
||P G Wynn(appointed 9 January2024)|
||R Pemberton(resigned 4 December 2023)|
|**Company registered**
**number**
7823588
**Charity registered number**
1144528
**Registered office**
93 Lawrence Weaver Road
Cambridge
CB3 0LE
**Company secretary**
M Spraggins
**Independent auditors**
Moore Kingston Smith LLP
Statutory Auditors
9 Appold Street
London
EC1M 7AD
**Bankers**
Barclays Bank plc
1 Churchill Place
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HP
**Solicitors**
Birketts LLP
22 Station Road
Cambridge
CB1 2JD
Ashtons Legal LLP
Chequers House
77-81 Newmarket Road
Cambridge
CB5 8EU||
Page 1
**National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers (continued) For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **Property Advice**
Bidwells Trumpington Road Cambridge CB2 2LD St Andrews Bureau 18 Mill Road Cambridge CB1 2AD Frazer Halls A3, East Gores Farm Salmons Lane Coggeshall CO6 1RZ
Ceres Property Council Offices London Road Saffron Walden CB11 4ER
Sarasin & Partners Juxon House 100 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8BU
Page 2
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust | Annual Report and Accounts | March 2024
## TRUSTEES’ REPORT INCORPORATING THE STRATEGIC REPORT
## STRATEGIC REPORT
## Background
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) was founded by Deed of Trust in 1919. It was regulated by a scheme made by the Secretary of State for Education and Science until 1998, when a new structure was agreed which saw the formation of two charities which would operate in tandem. The National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust (The Trust) provides land, facilities and financial support to NIAB, which The Trust determine is the preferred vehicle to deliver its charitable objectives. The activities of the unincorporated trust were transferred to a new charitable company of the same name in 2012.
## Mission and Vision
The specific objects of The Trust are the promotion of agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture anywhere in the world by charitable means, including the provision of support to NIAB. (Charity No. 1064230).
NIAB’s mission is to pioneer crop science for the benefit of society. NIAB’s vision to be the UK Centre for crop innovation to contribute to the development of a thriving world powered by crop science.
## Strategy
The strategy of The Trust is to support NIAB through the provision of land, facilities and finance for investment in scientific research. The current focus is on continued improvement to the NIAB Park Farm site to enable consolidation of all Cambridge based operations.
## Public Benefit
The Trust provides facilities, research funding and other support to NIAB, which has underpinned the provision of independent science-based research and information to agriculture. The Trust seeks to:
- advance science for public benefit, primarily through the support of crop research and development, publishing scientific papers and delivering practical solutions, working with a network of scientific partnerships and collaborations with leading academic, research and commercial organisations in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world;
- demonstrate how plant resources and crop genetic improvement can help address the major global challenges of sustainable use of resources, climate change, food security and the provision of highquality food to enhance health and nutrition;
- promote agriculture, horticulture and arboriculture anywhere in the world
The Trustees are satisfied they have complied with their duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission. Based on this guidance, and as described in this Trustees’ report, the Trustees believe the activities of The Trust to be charitable in nature.
The Trust has provided annual financial support to NIAB, both in the terms of an annual grant to support research and in the provision of a rolling working capital facility.
Page | 3
## Performance
Our performance against our 2023/24 objectives is highlighted in the table below:
|**Objectives**|**Performance**|
|---|---|
|Secure a beneficial value for the next phase of the Darwin
Green Land|The Trust continues to work closely with a consortium of
Cambridge landowners and a national house builder to secure
detailed planning permission for the future phases of the
Darwin Green development in Cambridge. Outline permission
was granted in September 2024|
|Identify further land development opportunities|The Trust have identified possible future development sites
within the land holding and is assessing planning consent
feasibility for these|
|Maximise the value of the current property portfolio|NIAB is now relocating all of its operations to the Park Farm site
in Cambridge. Consequently, the Trust has negotiated leases
with third parties for part of the Lawrence Weaver Road site
previously used by NIAB.|
|Provision of facilities, research funding and covenant support
to NIAB.|The Trust continues to support NIAB in the provision of
facilities and research funding. The site development activities
have provided new and replacement facilities which will
underpin the delivery of charitable activities for the
foreseeable future.
The Trust is providing covenant support in respect of the NIAB
Pension Scheme deficit as it is a participating employer in the
scheme and therefore stands beside NIAB.|
## Objectives for 2024/25
The Trust will address the following objectives in the forthcoming year:
- Secure a beneficial value for the next phase of the Darwin Green Land
- Identify further land development opportunities
- Maximise the value of the current property portfolio
- Provision of facilities, research funding and covenant support to NIAB.
Page | 4
## FINANCIAL REVIEW
## Income
The total incoming resources for the year were £1,534k (2023: £1,169k). Income is derived from charges for the use of The Trust’s charitable assets, as well as investment income and other activities. Other funding sources include realised proceeds from sale of surplus assets from property developers.
## Expenditure
## Business Review and key performance indicators
The following financial indicators have been reviewed:
||_2024_|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||_£’000_|_£’000_|
|Charitable expenditure|2,983|_2,739_|
|Income from investments|706|_427_|
|Support costs|168|_166_|
The total outgoing expenditure totalled £2,983k (2023: £2,739k) made up as follows:
|Research funding to NIAB
Support to NIAB in respect of
the Pension Scheme **
Donation to NIAB for new
accounting system
Administrative costs
Bank and other interest
Professional fees
Other
Depreciation
**Total**|_2024_
_£’000_
1,000
341
-
125
-
197
132
1,188
**2,983**|_2023_
_£’000_
_1,000_
_-_
_50_
_125_
_70_
_149_
_155_
_1,190_|
|---|---|---|
|||**_2,739_**|
** A payment of £683k was made during the year out of the accrual made in 2022.
## Capital Expenditure
The charity funded the capital purchases from unrestricted reserves. Capital additions for the year total £156k (2023: £49k). Capital expenditure in the year related to landlord funded improvements to NIAB facilities.
The Charitable Expenditure is a measure of the facilities and core funding provided to NIAB. The Trustees have considered how they can best demonstrate the impact of this funding and how it can be measured.
## Investment Policy
## _Land_
Surplus land assets, which together with other parties’ surplus land, are subject to a Consortium Promotion Agreement and will be disposed of in due course. The Trustees will seek to obtain the maximum sale proceeds available.
## _Redundancy Fund_
Capital sums are held separately in respect of the NIAB Redundancy Fund. This fund was established to provide for the redundancy costs associated with staff in post as of 31 March 1996. Interest on capital is refunded to Defra, together with repayment of capital when staff leave NIAB through retirement/resignation. Sums relating to this fund are disclosed in note 19. The capital sum relating to the 1996 provision at 31 March 2024 was £567k (2023: £576k).
## Going Concern
## Property assets
The Trust owns the freehold properties at NIAB’s Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge and Park Farm, Histon sites. Following a review of its operations NIAB, will have relocated all of its Cambridge based staff to the Park Farm site by December 2024. The Trust has now entered leases with third parties for all of the space previously used by NIAB at Lawrence Weaver Road. The space will be refurbished into fully fitted laboratories catering to Cambridge’s start-up community.
The Trust delivers its charitable objects primarily through its support for NIAB (Charity No: 1064230). The two charities were formed in 1998, following the separation of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany from government in 1996. The Trust holds the charitable assets from the original charitable scheme, and the operational activities were transferred to NIAB. The two charities have continued to work closely and the Trustees continue to believe that NIAB is the best vehicle to deliver the charitable objects of The Trust.
The Trust is a participating employer in the NIAB (1996) Pension Scheme (the ‘Scheme’) with NIAB. This means that the entire deficit liability of the pension scheme could fall to The Trust, and the assets of The Trust support NIAB’s balance sheet in providing the employer covenant, and the recovery payments agreed under the recovery plan.
Page | 5
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust | Annual Report and Accounts | March 2022
## Going Concern (continued)
The Trustees have reviewed the cash flow supporting its own activities for future years. They have also considered the NIAB management projections and cash flow projections to ensure there is sufficient resources within The Trust to be able to fully support its own and NIAB’s activities and financial position for the foreseeable future, being at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The Trust’s NET current liabilities at 31 March 2024 were £1,055k (2023: £301k).
The Trust has historically held a loan facility with the Trust’s bankers, Barclays Bank PLC. The bank have indicated a willingness to renew facilities although the Trust does not currently require this. In addition, further funds would become available, if needed, on the sale of the residential properties.
The Trust has considered the financial position of NIAB and its subsidiaries (together “NIAB Group”) and the funding required to support them in the future. The NIAB Group financial position suggests that over the medium term (to 31 March 2026) it is possible that in order to ensure they remain viable The Trust may need to provide short term lending of up to £2m. The Trustees have considered this and have agreed to provide a letter of comfort to NIAB. The Trustees have provided that comfort letter having considered the financial position of The Trust, including its available reserves and ability to borrow against assets, and are satisfied that The Trust can provide that support as and when it is required without having a significant impact on its own ability to continue as a going concern.
## Reserves Policy
The Trustees have reviewed the reserves of The Trust. There has been considerable cost associated with making the land available for development. Whilst free reserves are currently negative, the Trust anticipate this will be resolved with the planned disposal of further land assets. The Trustees deem the current level of reserves as appropriate given their current commitments.
The Trustees will re-consider their reserves policy in conjunction with the allocation of proceeds from land sale and longer-term asset finance. The Trustees will seek to balance the aim of maintaining the value of its total reserves position with their desire to provide to NIAB continuing annual funding for research initiatives and support.
The Trust had total reserves of £48,099k (2023:£53,970k) at the balance sheet date of which £5,439k (2023:£5,496k is restricted and £42,660k (20213:48,474k) is unrestricted.
## Accounting Period
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. The company’s year-end (Accounting Reference Date) has been amended to 28 March, although the financial statements continue to be prepared to 31 March as permitted by section 390(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees therefore have a reasonable expectation that The Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements and are not aware of any other material uncertainties which may adversely affect the organisation. Accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared on the going concern basis.
Page | 6
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust | Annual Report and Accounts | March 2022
## RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring there are effective and adequate risk management and internal control systems in place to manage the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. The Board reviews the risk register at each meeting.
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
|**Risk Area**|**Risk**|**Management**|
|---|---|---|
|**Compliance**|Performance of contractual obligations with third
parties|Clear delegation to NIAB for management of key
projects and contracts, with regular reporting back
to the Trustees|
|**Strategy**|Failure to generate income from the asset base|Day to day management is delegated to NIAB COO
who reports to both The Trust and NIAB regarding
project progress and expenditure. The Trust
approved all expenditure relating to capital
projects.
The
development
programme
is
supported by legal and professional advisors who
report regularly to the project team. Long term
cash flow forecasts are reviewed regularly.|
|**Strategy**|Third Party creating a liability for The Trust and NIAB
through financial risk.|Land Sales are dealt with under consortium
agreements.
NIAB group performance regularly monitored, and
Chair of Trustees sits as an Observer on NIAB Board|
|**Strategy**|Non-performance
of
The
Trust's
contractual
obligations with other 3rd party organisations|Monitoring
of
NIAB’s
performance
against
contracts where The Trust is a signing party.
Regular interactions with Defra in relation to land
sales|
|**Strategy**|NIAB 1996 Pension Scheme|There are legally binding agreements in place
between The Trust, NIAB and the Pension Scheme.
The March 2021 Triannual valuation and recovery
plan has been agreed between the parties.|
|**Financial**|Failure to generate sufficient cash to support
commitments|Regular review of ongoing commitments and
reserves policy|
Page | 7
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust | Annual Report and Accounts | March 2022
## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE and MANAGEMENT
## Members and Board of Trustees
The members of The Trust are the Trustee/Directors. The Board of Trustees comprises the Chair and up to seven additional trustee directors.
## Governance Code
The Trustees will be reviewing the Charity Code of Governance in how best to enhance the organisation’s effectiveness.
The following Trustees have served during the period:
J A Elliot (Chair) Dr C W Looker R A Macdonald CBE J E Godfrey J R Latham (appointed 9 January 2024) P G Wynn (appointed 9 January 2024) R Pemberton (retired 4 December 2023)
## Recruitment, induction and training of Trustees
The Trust recruits Trustees with the relevant skillset to support the charity’s activities. An induction programme has been put in place for newly appointed Trustees and is kept under review and updated where appropriate.
## Organisation and governance
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany was founded by a Deed of Trust dated 13 January 1919 and, up until 31 March 1998 regulated by a scheme made by the Secretary of State for Education and Science under section 18 of the Charities Act 1960. The Institute’s registered charity number was 306069.
## Fundraising
The Trust carried out no fundraising activity in the year.
## Defra
After NIAB was privatised from Government in 1996, the interests of Defra were expressed within a legal charge over certain properties and parcels of land. The original 1996 Debenture was revised in 2007, as a result of negotiations regarding land sales. The fair value of the interest in the property assets of £4,949k (2023: £4,992k) is detailed in note 22.
The Trust has held productive conversations regarding the liabilities associated with land sales. These conversations are ongoing.
## Trustee Remuneration
Charity Commission approval has been received to enable The Trust to make payments to Trustees. The Trust provides an honorarium for the Chairman of the Board. In addition to this, a per diem fee is payable to qualifying Trustees. This is subject to regular review.
## Decision making and key management
When NIAB was privatised from Government in 1996, a new structure was agreed with the Charity Commission from 1 April 1998 which saw the formation of two charities which would operate in tandem. The Trust provide land, facilities and financial support to NIAB who perform the charitable activities. The activities of the unincorporated entity were transferred to a new charitable company on 6[th] July 2012.
The Trust was incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee on 26 October 2011, and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 26 October 2011, and amended 19 July 2013. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (Charity No: 1144528). Its principal operating address is 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE.
The Board of Directors (Trustees) administer the company and meet quarterly.
The Trust has no employees. To facilitate effective operations, members of the executive within NIAB have delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters.
## Liability Insurance
The Trustees have effected liability insurance as permitted by the company’s articles. This insurance does not provide cover in the event that a Trustee is proved to have acted fraudulently or dishonestly.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015).
Page | 8
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust | Annual Report and Accounts | March 2022
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE
ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Trustees Iwho are also directors of The Trust for the
purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the
Trustees Report, incorporating the Strate8ic Report, and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
regulations.
The Trustees confirm that..
So far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audlt
information of which the auditors are unaware; and
The Trustees have taken all the steps that they ou8ht to
have taken as trustees In order to make themselves
aware of any relevant audit information and to establish
that the charitable compan(5 auditor 15 aware of that
information.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year. Under that law the
Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in
accordance with United Kingdom general accepted
accountin8 pr3Ctise (United Kingdom accountin8 Standards
and applicable lawl, including FR5102, the flnanclal reportin8
standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Under
company law the Trustees must not approve the financial
statements unless that they are satisfied that they 8Sve a true
and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company
and of the incomin8 resources and appllcation of resources,
including the Income and expenditure, of the charitable
company for that period. In preparin8 these financial
statements, the Trustees are requlred to..
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and
inte8rity of the corporate financlal information included on
the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United
Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of
financial statements may dlffer from le8i51ation In other
jurisdictions.
The Trustees approve the Trustees, Report, Incorporatln8
the Strate8ic Report, and flnancial statements which are
signed on
half of the Board of Trustees of The Trust.
select suitable accountlng pollcles and then apply
them consistently,.
/?
observe the methods and prlnciples In the Charitles
SORP IFRS1021;
J A Elliot. Trustee
Date.. 13 December 2024
make lud8ments and accountln8 estimates that are
reasonable and prudent,. and
state whether applicable UK Accountln8 Standards
have been followed, sublect to any material
departures disclosed and explained In the financial
statements.
The Trustees are responsible for keepln8 proper accounting
records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the f inancial position of the charitable company and enable
them to ensure that the financial statements comply with
the Companies Act 2006. They are also responslble for
safeguarding the asset5 of the charltable company and
hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other Irregularities.
Page 19
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust (‘the company’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating the Summary Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its 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.
## **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 responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.
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 course of 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 there is 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.
Page 10
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Independent Auditors' Report to the of National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust (continued)**
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the strategic report and the trustees’ annual report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the strategic report and the trustees’ annual report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the trustees’ annual report.
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:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 9, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company 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 trustees 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 trustees 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 an auditor’s report 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
- Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charitable company’s internal control.
Page 11
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Independent Auditors' Report to the of National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust (continued)**
- Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
- Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable company to cease to continue as a going concern.
- Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
## **Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud**
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.
Our approach was as follows:
- We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the charitable company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, the Charity SORP, and UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council
- We obtained an understanding of how the charitable company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
- We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
- We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of non-compliance or suspected noncompliance with laws and regulations.
- Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
Page 12
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Independent Auditors' Report to the of National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust (continued)**
## **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 company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charitable company and charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Andrew Stickland (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of
## **Moore Kingston Smith LLP**
Statutory Auditors
9 Appold Street London EC1M 7AD
19 December 2024
Page 13
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
7
Other expenditure - Loss on revaluation of
fixed assets
12
**Total expenditure**
**Net expenditure before net gains/(losses)**
**on investments**
Net gains/(losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
22|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**828**
**706**
**1,534**
**2,957**
**4,519**
**7,476**
**(5,942)**
**128**
**(5,814)**
**48,474**
**42,660**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**26**
**-**
**26**
**(26)**
**(31)**
**(57)**
**5,496**
**5,439**|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**828**
**706**
**1,534**
**2,983**
**4,519**
**7,502**
**(5,968)**
**97**
**(5,871)**
**53,970**
**48,099**|_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_742_
_427_
_1,169_
_2,739_
_-_
_2,739_
_(1,570)_
_(159)_
_(1,729)_
_55,699_
_53,970_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 17 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
Page 14
Natlonal Instltute ol A8rfcuftural Botany Trust
Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2024
2024
2023
Note
Flxed assets
Tanglble assets
Investments
12
39,387
2,180
23.688
53,212
14
Investment property
13
15,496
65,255
68. 708
Current awts
Debtors
15
1.750
2.914
10,035
Cash at bank and in hand
9,690
12,949
Credltors: amounts falling due withln one year
16
(12,925)
f13,250J
Net current Ilabllltles
13235)
1301)
Total assets less current Ilabllltles
62,020
68,407
Credltor5: amounts fallln8 due after more than
one year
Provislons for liabilities
17
113.354)
{567)
(13,861)
(576)
Total net assets
48,099
53,970
Charlty funds
Restricted fund5
UnrestrScted funds
21
5A39
42.660
5,496
48,474
21
Total fvnds
48,099
53.970
The Trustees acknowledge their responslbllities for complyin8 Wlth the requirements of the Act with respect to
accountin8 records and preparatlon of financial statements.
The financlal statements have been prepared In accordance with the provislons applicable to entities subject to the small
companies regime.
The f inapeial state
their behalf by..
nts were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustee5 on 13 December 2024 and signed on
JAEllI&.
(Chair of Trustees)
The notes on pages 17 to 40 form part of these financial statements.
Page 15
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
|**Cash flows from operating activities**
Net cash used in operating activities (note 23)
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Dividends, interests and rents from investments
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Interest paid
**Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities**
**Cash flows from financing activities**
Repayments of borrowing
**Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**2024**
**£000**
**(645)**
**706**
**(156)**
**-**
**(2,000)**
**-**
**(1,450)**
**-**
**-**
**(2,095)**
**10,035**
**7,940**|_2023_
_£000_
_1,640_
_427_
_(49)_
_7,677_
_-_
_(70)_
**7,985**
_(1,500)_
**(1,500)**
**8,125**
_1,910_
_10,035_|
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 17 to 40 form part of these financial statements
Page 16
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **1. General information**
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales and a registered charity.
The registered office of the charity is 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within the accounting policies and 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## **2.2 Going concern**
The Trust delivers its charitable objects primarily through its support for NIAB (Charity No: 1064230). The two charities were formed in 1998, following the separation of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany from government in 1996. The Trust holds the charitable assets from the original charitable scheme, and the operational activities were transferred to NIAB. The two charities have continued to work closely and the Trustees continue to believe that NIAB is the best vehicle to deliver the charitable objects of The Trust.
The Trust is a participating employer in the NIAB (1996) Pension Scheme (the 'Scheme') with NIAB. This means that the entire deficit liability of the pension scheme could fall to The Trust, and the assets of The Trust support NIAB’s balance sheet in providing the employer covenant, and the recovery payments agreed under the recovery plan.
The Trustees have reviewed the cash flow supporting its own activities for future years. They have also considered the NIAB management projections and cash flow projections to ensure there is sufficient resources within The Trust to be able to fully support its own and NIAB’s activities and financial position for the foreseeable future, being at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The Trust’s NET current liabilities at 31 March 2024 were £1,055k (2023: £301k).
If needed, further funds would become available on the sale of investment properties.
Page 17
**National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.2 Going concern (continued)**
The Trust has considered the financial position of NIAB and its subsidiaries (together "NIAB Group") and the funding required to support them in the future. The NIAB Group financial position suggests that over the medium term (to 31 March 2026) it is possible that in order to ensure they remain viable The Trust may need to provide short term lending of up to £2m. The Trustees have considered this and have agreed to provide a letter of comfort to NIAB. The Trustees have provided that comfort letter having considered the financial position of The Trust, including its available reserves and ability to borrow against assets, and are satisfied that The Trust can provide that support as and when it is required without having a significant impact on its own ability to continue as a going concern.
The Trustees therefore have a reasonable expectation that The Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future being at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements, and are not aware of any other material uncertainties which may adversely affect the organisation. Accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared on the going concern basis.
## **2.3 Fund accounting**
## General unrestricted funds
General unrestricted funds represent income which is expendable at the discretion of the Trust in the furtherance of the objects of the charity. Such funds may be held in order to finance both working capital and capital investment.
## Designated funds
Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided, at their discretion, to set aside to use for a specific purpose.
## Restricted funds
Restricted funds represent grant funded assets which are allocated by the donor for specific purposes and in which the donor maintains a residual interest.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
## **2.4 Income**
Income has been analysed in accordance with the service provided.
## Income from charitable activities:
Incoming resources are recognised, when the charity has entitlement to the funds.
Grant income, whether ‘capital’ or ‘revenue’, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred to a future period by a funder. They are recognised as restricted funds in the statement of financial activities where relevant under the particular terms of the grant.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Page 18
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.5 Accrued and deferred income**
Income within charitable activities, other activities and investment income includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions and is recognised as earned (as the related services are provided). This may mean accruing for invoices not yet raised, and deferring payments received in advance of work done.
## **2.6 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## **2.7 Resources expended**
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Trust to the expenditure. Expenditure is allocated as follows:
## _Charitable Activities_
Expenditure incurred directly in the fulfillment of the objectives of the charity including allocated overheads
## Support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include administrative and governance costs which support the objectives of the charity. These costs have been allocated across fundraising and charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.
## Governance costs
Expenditure incurred in running and administering the charity which is not directly attributable to charitable activities.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Page 19
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.8 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
The charity’s policy is to carry all land and buildings at value in use. Depreciation is not provided on freehold land. Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost and not depreciated. On other assets depreciation is provided on cost or revalued amounts in equal annual installments over the estimated lives of the assets.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
- Freehold property between 10 and 60 years - Plant and machinery 5 to 15 years - Fixtures and fittings 4 to 10 years
The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.
Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.
## **2.9 Investments**
Land held for re-sale and properties held to earn rental or for capital appreciation rather than for use in the supply of service are held at fair value. Changes in fair value and gains and losses arising on disposal are recognised in the statement of financial activities and to the appropriate fund holding the investment. No depreciation is provided in respect of land held for re-sale or investment properties.
Listed investments are initially measured at their cost and subsequently measured at their fair value at each reporting date. Fair value is based on their bid price at the balance sheet date without deduction of the estimated future selling costs.Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.
All gains or losses, whether on revaluation or disposal, are included in “Net losses or gains on investments”.
## **2.10 Financial instruments**
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities which qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **2.11 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition or the balance sheet date and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change of value. The cash balance includes funds of £944k relating to the Defra redundancy fund.
Page 20
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.12 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
## **2.13 Liabilities**
Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
## **2.14 Foreign currencies**
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
The Charity’s functional and presentational currency is GBP
Page 21
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement**
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where those judgements and estimates have been made and the assumptions where there is a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets in the next accounting period include:
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:
Land for re-sale
The Trust has made a significant judgement in revaluing the land held for re-sale at Darwin Green, for which forecasted cash flow receipts, from disposal strategy reports prepared by Bidwells, have been used as a basis for the revaluation (note 13).
The next phase is dependent on planning permission. The Trust believes that the buyer is more likely than not to contract to purchase the remaining portion of land and therefore includes the land held for resale at a valuation based on the expected cashflows discounted by 10%. The rate reflects the risks and uncertainties with the development. The Trust will re-assess both the expected cashflow timings and discount rate used as these move through planning permission.
Freehold residential investment property
Residential investment properties, for which the Trust receives rental income, are held at Fair value as determined by an annual valuation exercise. These are included at the latest professional valuation carried out by Messrs Strutt & Parker on 22 September 2021 (£8,360k) uplifted by the general increases in local residential property prices as at 31 March 2024 (note 13).
Freehold investment property
This property has been included at fair value as estimated by the trustees.
## Cost allocation
The cost allocation methodology requires a judgement as to what are the most appropriate bases to use to apportion support costs. These are reviewed annually for reasonableness.
Page 22
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **4. Income from charitable activities**
|Provision of facilities to NIAB
Provision of facilities to Cambridge University
**Total 2024**
Provision of facilities to NIAB
Provision of facilities to Cambridge University
_Total 2023_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
500
328
828
_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_500_
_242_
_742_|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**500**
**328**|
|---|---|---|
|||**828**|
|||_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_500_
_242_|
|||_742_|
Page 23
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **5. Investment income**
|Rental income - residential investment properties
Income from listed investments
Interest receivable from NIAB
Bank interest received
**Total 2024**
Rental income - residential investment properties
Interest receivable from NIAB
Bank interest received
_Total 2023_|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
383
42
106
175
706
_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_279_
_64_
_84_
_427_|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**383**
**42**
**106**
**175**|
|---|---|---|
|||**706**|
|||_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_279_
_64_
_84_|
|||_427_|
Page 24
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **6. Analysis of grants**
|Grant to NIAB
Grant to NIAB|**Grants to**
**Institutions**
**2024**
**£000**
1,341
_Grants to_
_Institutions_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**1,341**|
|---|---|---|
|||_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_|
The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year:
|**Name of institution**
NIAB - to fund research
NIAB - contribution to pension fund deficit
NIAB - new accounting system|**2024**
**£000**
**1,000**
**341**
**-**
**1,341**
**1,341**|_2023_
_£000_
_1,000_
_-_
_50_|
|---|---|---|
|||_1,050_|
||||
|||_1,050_|
Page 25
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
## **Summary by fund type**
|Grants to NIAB (note 6)
Administration fees
Legal & Professional
Property costs
Other costs
Depreciation|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
1,341
125
197
103
29
1,162
2,957|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
-
-
-
-
-
26
26|**Total**
**2024**
**£000**
**1,341**
**125**
**197**
**103**
**29**
**1,188**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**2,983**|
|Grants to NIAB (note 6)
Administration fees
Legal & professional
Property costs
Interest paid
Other costs
Depreciation|_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_
_125_
_166_
_132_
_70_
_6_
_1,164_
_2,713_|_Restricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_26_
_26_|_Total_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_
_125_
_166_
_132_
_70_
_6_
_1,190_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_2,739_|
Page 26
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **8. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Grants to NIAB (note 6)
Administration fees
Legal & professional
Property costs
Provision of facilities
Other costs
Grants to NIAB (note 6)
Administration fees
Legal & professional
Property costs
Provision of facilities
Other costs
Interest paid|**Property**
**2024**
**£000**
-
50
183
1,188
103
-
1,524
_Property_
_2023_
_£000_
_-_
_50_
_151_
_1,190_
_132_
_-_
_-_|**Grant funding**
**2024**
**£000**
1,341
-
-
-
-
-
1,341
_Grant funding_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_|**Support costs**
**2024**
**£000**
-
75
14
-
-
29
118
_Support costs_
_2023_
_£000_
_-_
_75_
_15_
_-_
_-_
_6_
_70_
_166_|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**1,341**
**125**
**197**
**1,188**
**103**
**29**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**2,983**|
|||||_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,050_
_125_
_166_
_1,190_
_132_
_6_
_70_|
|||||_2,739_|
||_1,523_|_1,050_|||
Page 27
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **9. Auditors' remuneration**
||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||**£000**|_£000_|
|Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual|||
|accounts|**15**|_14_|
## **10. Taxation**
The Trust is a registered charity and is thus exempt from tax on income and capital gains falling within section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.
No deferred tax liabilities have been recognised for assets held at fair value.
## **11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
There were 7 serving Trustees during the year or part thereof (2023 - 5). Four Trustees were paid honorariums or _per diem_ fees totaling £6,200 (2023 - 3 totalling £5,200).
Expenses totaling £1,177 were reimbursed or paid directly to 3 Trustees (2023: £240 to 3 Trustees). This principally reflects reimbursed travelling expenses incurred in attending meetings.
Page 28
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **12. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Transfer to investment property
Revaluations
At 31 March 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Transfer to investment property
At 31 March 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2024
_At 31 March 2023_|**Freehold**
**property**
**£000**
**59,060**
**156**
**(9,252)**
**(4,519)**
**45,445**
**5,920**
**1,176**
**(977)**
**6,119**
**39,326**
_53,140_|**Plant and**
**machinery**
**£000**
**252**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**252**
**180**
**11**
**-**
**191**
**61**
_72_|**Total**
**£000**
**59,312**
**156**
**(9,252)**
**(4,519)**
**45,697**
**6,100**
**1,187**
**(977)**
**6,310**
**39,387**
_53,212_|
|---|---|---|---|
Freehold property formerly included NIAB's headquarters building at Lawrence Weaver Road (which includes the Crop Science Centre) and the buildings and glasshouses at Park Farm. During the year the decision was made to relocate all of NIAB's Cambridge staff to Park Farm and part of the Lawrence Weaver Building was let to third parties. That property has been transferred to investment properties at valuation (note 14).
## **Assets transferred to investment properties (note 13)**
|Cost of assets transferred
Depreciation on asset transferred
Revaluation of assets on transfer
**Assets transferred at value**|**13,771**
**(977)**
**(4,519)**
**8,275**|
|---|---|
Page 29
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **Tangible Fixed Assets (continued)**
Building costs are held as "Assets in the course of construction" until completed when they are transferred to the relevant asset class.
As stated in the accounting policy (note 2), the Trust carries land and freehold buildings at value in use.
When the new structure was initiated in 1998 (see "Background" in the Trustees' Report), the interests of Defra were expressed within a legal charge over certain properties and parcels of land. This interest amounts to £1,455k of the cost of the land and buildings.
The carrying amount under the cost model of the assets which have been revalued would have been £Nil (2023 :£Nil).
The Charity's bankers have a legal charge secured on certain of the freehold land and buildings
## **13. Investment property**
|**Valuation**
At 1 April 2023
Transfer from Tangible Fixed assets
Gain on revaluation
At 31 March 2024|**Freehold**
**residential**
**investment**
**property**
**£000**
**9,363**
**-**
**(83)**
**9,280**|**Freehold**
**investment**
**property**
**£000**
**-**
**8,275**
**-**
**8,275**|**Land held for**
**resale**
**£000**
**6,133**
**-**
**-**
**6,133**|**Total**
**£000**
**15,496**
**8,275**
**(83)**
**23,688**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Trustees have reviewed the market value of the Trust’s freehold investments at 31 March 2024.
The residential investment properties are included at £9,280k (2023: £9,363k) based upon a valuation carried out by Messrs Strutt & Parker in September 2021 (£8,360k) adjusted by the general changes in local residential property prices as at 31 March 2024. Defra has an interest of £3,566k in the investment properties (see note 21).
During the year the decision was made to relocate all of NIAB's Cambridge staff to Park Farm and part of the Lawrence Weaver Building was let to third parties. That property has been transferred to investment properties based on a valuation by by the Trustees.
The Trustees have valued the land held for re-sale at £6,133k (2023: £6,133k). The valuation is based on projected future cash flows, which have been discounted to the net present value at a rate of 10%. The rate of 10% reflects an the risk factor associated with the sale.
Page 30
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **14. Fixed asset investments**
|**Cost or valuation**
Additions
At 31 March 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2024|**Listed**
**investments**
**£000**
**2,180**|
|---|---|
||**2,180**|
||**2,180**|
## **15. Debtors**
|Trade debtors
Amount due from NIAB **
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Tax recoverable|**2024**
**£000**
**168**
**1,500**
**19**
**5**
**58**
**1,750**|_2023_
_£000_
_150_
_2,480_
_155_
_11_
_118_
_2,914_|
|---|---|---|
A loan to NIAB of £1.5m included above ** is scheduled to be repaid in full by 8 February 2026 (see note 28).
Page 31
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Amount owed to NIAB
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
**£000**
**57**
**27**
**12,548**
**293**
**12,925**|_2023_
_£000_
_55_
_-_
_12,538_
_657_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||_13,250_|
Bank loans - Barclays Bank Plc made available a revolving loan facility of up to £9,700k at an interest rate of 1.5% above LIBOR (from January 2022 this changed to Bank of England Base Rate plus margin). The loan was repaid in September 2022.
## **17. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year**
||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||**£000**|_£000_|
|Accruals and deferred income|**13,354**|_13,861_|
Deferred income included above of £13,184k (2023: £13,461k) arises from amounts received from the University of Cambridge towards capital expenditure. Similar deferred income of £274k (2023: £274k) is also included in Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year. The total deferred income is £13,428k (2023: £13,735) (note 18).
## **18. Deferred income**
|Deferred income at 1 April 2023
Amounts released from previous periods
**Deferred income at 31 March 2024**|**2024**
**£000**
**13,735**
**(307)**
**13,428**|_2023_
_£000_
_13,977_
_(242)_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||_13,735_|
Deferred income arises from amounts received from the University of Cambridge towards capital expenditure on the Cambridge Crop Science Centre and the University Glasshouse (note 17).
Page 32
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **19. Provisions**
|At 1 April 2023
Amounts reversed|**Redundancy**
**Fund**
**£000**
**576**
**(9)**|
|---|---|
|||
||**567**|
The provision reflects the potential costs of future redundancies of staff employed at 31 March 1996 for their service to that date and is cash backed.
## **20. Financial instruments**
||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||**£000**|_£000_|
|**Financial assets**|||
|Financial assets measured at fair value through income and expenditure|**7,940**|_10,035_|
Page 33
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **21. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds
Fixed asset
**Restricted funds**
ERDF
Defra Charitable Assets reserve
Defra Investment Property
reserve
**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**
**April 2023**
**£000**
**(1,701)**
**50,175**
**48,474**
**504**
**1,395**
**3,597**
**5,496**
**53,970**|**Income**
**£000**
**1,534**
**-**
**1,534**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**|**Expenditure**
**£000**
**(2,957)**
**-**
**(2,957)**
**(14)**
**(12)**
**-**
**(26)**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£000**
**128**
**(4,519)**
**(4,391)**
**-**
**-**
**(31)**
**(31)**
**(4,422)**|**Balance at 31**
**March 2024**
**£000**
**(2,996)**
**45,656**
**42,660**
**490**
**1,383**
**3,566**
**5,439**
**48,099**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**1,534**|**(2,983)**|||
Page 34
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **21. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds
Fixed asset
**Restricted funds**
ERDF
Defra Charitable Assets reserve
Defra Investment Property
reserve
**Total of funds**|_Balance at_
_1 April 2022_
_£000_
_116_
_50,175_
_50,291_
_518_
_1,407_
_3,483_
_5,408_
_55,699_|_Income_
_£000_
_1,169_
_-_
_1,169_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_1,169_|_Expenditure_
_£000_
_(2,713)_
_-_
_(2,713)_
_(14)_
_(12)_
_-_
_(26)_
_(2,739)_|_Gains/_
_(Losses)_
_£000_
_(273)_
_-_
_(273)_
_-_
_-_
_114_
_114_
_(159)_|_Balance at_
_31 March_
_2023_
_£000_
_(1,701)_
_50,175_
_48,474_
_504_
_1,395_
_3,597_
_5,496_
_53,970_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The ERDF restricted fund relates to a capital grant for the Sophi Taylor Building and associated glasshouse facilities. The funds will be written off over the relevant reporting period.
Defra have an interest in a proportion of the Charitable Assets, which is secured by a legal charge. The Defra Charitable Assets reserves £1,383k (2023: £1,395k) reflects the fair value of this interest, should the Trust dispose of their estate. The Defra Investment Property reserve reflects the fair value of the interest in investment properties of £3,566k (2023: £3,597k).
Page 35
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **22. Summary of funds**
## **Summary of funds - current year**
|General funds
Restricted funds
**Summary of funds - prior year**
General funds
Restricted funds|**Balance at 1**
**April 2023**
**£000**
**48,474**
**5,496**|**Income**
**£000**
**1,534**
**-**
**1,534**
_Income_
_£000_
_1,169_
_-_
_1,169_|**Expenditure**
**£000**
**(2,957)**
**(26)**
**(2,983)**
_Expenditure_
_£000_
_(2,713)_
_(26)_
_(2,739)_|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£000**
**(4,391)**
**(31)**
**(4,422)**
_Gains/_
_(Losses)_
_£000_
_(273)_
_114_
_(159)_|**Balance at 31**
**March 2024**
**£000**
**42,660**
**5,439**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**48,099**|
||**53,970**|||||
||_Balance at_
_1 April 2022_
_£000_
_50,291_
_5,408_
_55,699_||||_Balance at_
_31 March_
_2023_
_£000_
_48,474_
_5,496_|
||||||_53,970_|
Page 36
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **23. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current period**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Investment property
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges
**Total**
**Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period**
Tangible fixed assets
Investment property
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
Creditors due in more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges
**Total**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
25,623
2,180
32,013
9,690
(12,925)
(13,354)
(567)
42,660
_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_51,313_
_11,899_
_12,949_
_(13,250)_
_(13,861)_
_(576)_
_48,474_|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
1,873
-
3,566
-
-
-
-
5,439
_Restricted_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_1,899_
_3,597_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_-_
_5,496_|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£000**
**27,496**
**2,180**
**35,579**
**9,690**
**(12,925)**
**(13,354)**
**(567)**
**48,099**
_Total_
_funds_
_2023_
_£000_
_53,212_
_15,496_
_12,949_
_(13,250)_
_(13,861)_
_(576)_
_53,970_|
|---|---|---|---|
Page 37
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **24. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**
|Net expenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities)
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charges
Loss on revaluation of fixed assets
(Losses)/Gains on land for resale
Interest paid
Gains on investment portfolio
Losses/(Gains) on revaluation of investment properties
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Investment income
**Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities**
**25.**
**Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**|**2024**
**£000**
**(5,871)**
**1,187**
**4,519**
**-**
**-**
**(180)**
**83**
**1,164**
**(841)**
**(706)**
**(645)**|_2023_
_£000_
_(1,729)_|
|---|---|---|
|||_1,190_
_-_
_376_
_70_
_-_
_(303)_
_(905)_
_3,368_
_(427)_|
||||
|||_1,640_|
||||
|Cash in hand
**Total cash and cash equivalents**
**26.**
**Analysis of changes in net debt**
Cash at bank and in hand|**At 1 April**
**2023**
**£000**
**10,035**
**10,035**|**2024**
**£000**
**7,940**
**7,940**
**Cash flows**
**£000**
**(2,095)**
**(2,095)**|_2023_
_£000_
_10,035_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||||_10,035_|
||||**At 31 March**
**2024**
**£000**
**7,940**|
||||**7,940**|
Page 38
**National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **27. Contingent liabilities**
In the past certain purchases of land and buildings were partly or wholly financed by a capital grant received from Defra. It is a condition of such grants that, in the event of the property being sold, the net sale proceeds will be apportioned between the Trust and Defra based upon their respective contributions to the original purchase price, and an allocation of agreed deductible costs incurred since the original acquisition. The Trustees have disclosed the Defra interest of £1,383k in charitable assets and £3,566k in investment properties (a total of £4,949k: 2023 - £4,992k) within note 21.
In December 2019 the Trust became a participator in the NIAB (1996) Pension Scheme. In the case of NIAB's insolvency the Trust would be required to make good any shortfall. The potential liability (which is carried in NIAB's balance sheet) stood at £14,356k at 31 March 2024 (2023: £13,741k).
## **28. Related party transactions**
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust has an object to support NIAB. A facilities charge is made for the occupation of the land and buildings owned by the Trust. The Trust receives an invoice from NIAB relating to the provision of support through a Research Funding Agreement between the two parties. These transactions will be represented by both cash and non-cash, due to accruals made for activities at the end of the financial year.
Transactions during the year relate to receipt of a facilities charge, and expenditure on research contracts conducted by NIAB. No charge is made with respect to the Sophi Taylor Building.
These transactions are summarised below:
||**2024**|_2023_|
|---|---|---|
||**£000**|_£000_|
|Support grant|**(1,000)**|_(1,000)_|
|Provision of administration services|**(125)**|_(125)_|
|Pension fund support|**(341)**|_-_|
|Support for new accounting system|**-**|_(50)_|
|Closing (creditor)/debtor|**(27)**|_980_|
NIAB has an option to take an interest free loan from National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust, secured by a first fixed and floating charge on its assets.
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust provided a loan of £1,500,000 to NIAB EMR. The loan was transferred to NIAB on 1 April 2021 when NIAB acquired the business of NIAB EMR. The loan is secured by a first fixed and floating charge on the assets of NIAB and, while there is no fixed repayment timetable, it is repayable by 8 February 2026. Interest is charged at 2% above the Bank of England base rate, which is considered to be market value.
Page 39
## **National Institute of Agricultural Botany Trust**
**Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 March 2024**
## **29. Related undertaking**
The Trust has an objective to support NIAB (a company limited by guarantee) and delivers its charitable aims through this associated company. Copies of the NIAB accounts are available from Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ.
Page 40