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← Cymdeithas Eryri The Snowdonia Society

2024-03-31-accounts

About Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society ; ] ae | J e —=YIiil Cc é > ; » OWdOoNIa e SOC!e ety New pylons in the Park?*

The Sustainable Farming Scheme

We responded to Welsh Government’s consultaIn March the National Grid published plans to tion on the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme for a £60bn upgrading of the grid infrastructure * (SFS) in March, strongly supporting the principle across the UK. Worryingly, this included a new that Welsh farmers should be fairly paid for takhigh tension connection between Bangor and oak antag ing action to tackle the nature emergency, taking a Swansea, potentially passing through Eryri, Banpractical actions that will enhance biodiversity. ’ a nau Brycheiniog and the Cambrian Mountains. In particular, we called for a Sustainable Farming ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Things are at an early stage, there are no definite in Designated Landscapes programme as a colplans, but the Society has been in discussion with laborative layer within the SFS, on the basis that FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024 the National Grid, with the Eryri National Park Designated Landscapes should be hotspots of Authority and also with other members of the biodiversity, but that this is not always the case. Alliance of Welsh Designated Landscapes. We are

Alliance of Welsh Designated Landscapes. We are hugely concerned with the prosect of new pylons through

Not content with this, we worked with the Alli-

ance of Welsh Designated Landscapes to create an e-action to enable our supporters to easily take part in the consultation themselves. Exactly 100

Mobile phone masts

people did this, helping to demonstrate to the

Welsh Government that many people care deeply Mobile phone providers have been busy trying about the future species like the curlew, the to improve mobile phone reception throughout Welsh daffodil or the salmon and want the Welsh = See a ee ~ eg= SS ; Eryri, something which we welcome. Nevertheless a : ad Government to support farmers in becoming part we are deeply concerned about the impact new of the solution. poles and lattice towers on the landscape, particularly where these are in prominent positions on the tops of hills or on the skyline, and where they risk marring a stunning landscape. The Society voiced concerns about four such new masts over the year, once of which at Rhyd-yr-~Eirin in the foothills of the Rhinogydd above Harlech, was subsequently refused. We are grateful to the National Park Authority for dealing with these applications with the sensitivity they deserve.

“uyateth, e ROTTS iMMilman * aNi AMES,aS IY E S SuesVad | WA. SA.ee Registered Charity (No. 1155401) Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Office: Caban Cyf, Yr Hen Ysgol, Brynrefail, Caernarfon LL55 3NR

snowdonia-society.org.uk

Table of contents An introduction from our Chair ee

The State of Nature Report 2023 highlighted in stark detail how changes in the way we manage our land for agriculture together with climate change have impacted nature through biodiversity loss in the past half century across the United Kingdom. The forward-looking Welsh Government’s Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (2015) has become a model for many countries wishing to recognise the value of nature and landscapes as benefits for people. A milestone within the Act aims ‘to reverse the decline in biodiversity with an improvement in the status of species and ecosystems’ by 2030.

However, as with every year our work is only made possible through the core support of our members along with the financial support of grant funders and vital donations, including through The Big Give, and the generous support of our volunteers whose time spent on an array of conservation activities is truly invaluable. To everyone, and on behalf of all trustees, I give my heartfelt thanks.

During the reporting year there have been a number of changes in the team. We said goodbye to John Harold who had successfully guided Cymdeithas Eryri for almost a decade, and welcomed Rory Francis as our new Director. Judith Bellis, Finance Officer also left and was replaced by Hazwani Ibrahim, as did Conservation Assistant Alf Bodenham. We welcome Peri Smith as Engagement Officer, and two conservation trainees, Molly Isherwood and Chelsea Boden.

21 to 28 Notes to the Accounts 29 Detailed Statement of Financial Activites

All hands are needed to help reverse these trends; whether farmers and landholders building on good practice in sustainable farming, Eryri National Park and its mission to protect and enhance the qualities that make Eryri special, all public bodies, conservation organisations such as ourselves, and people – we all have a part to play, more so, than ever before.

We also bade farewell to several trustees: Jane Parry-Evans, Denis McAteer, Richard Neal and Richard Brunstrom, and welcome Rob Collister, Chloe Bailey and Chris Ball to the important role of providing overall strategic direction and governance for our charity.

It is with pride that we can look back to the Richard Brunstrom, and welcome Rob Collister, vision of our founder Esme Kirby who established Chloe Bailey and Chris Ball to the important Cymdeithas Eryri in 1967. Several decades on our role of providing overall strategic direction and ability to campaign and advocate, and deliver governance for our charity. practical conservation is more relevant than ever before. Our committed, knowledgeable and Towards the end of the year, we started to think hard about how best we should direct our respected staff continue to make a difference through partners and volunteers. Our sought considerable knowledge and experience in future. after trainee positions will contribute to the The resulting strategy, ‘A nature rich Eryri for All’ development of a green economy which has to looks to inspiring many more to support and take be the future model for integrating the protection action for the protection and conservation of of nature and landscapes with the production of Eryri; to focus more specifically on defining the food and energy. areas of nature recovery where we can best have an impact; to continue to use our independent As the highlights of this report demonstrate, the voice to speak up for conservation, and challenge year 2023/24 has been a very successful one actions that can have adverse environmental across a variety of activities. Everyone who takes consequences; and, finally, to strengthen our part not only makes an invaluable contribution organisation to remain relevant and sustainable but also, judging from the feedback we regularly for many decades to come. receive, the act of participation brings personal benefits, too. In giving one receives, knowing you Cover image: Jesal Hirani are part of a force for good. Sue Beaumont - Chair Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society yp UN a 2 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 snowdonia-society.org.uk snowdonia-society.org.uk Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 3

About Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society

Report of the Trustees

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Our ways of working

Objectives and aims

Our vision

Snowdonia is an exemplar for sustainable management of designated landscapes, where diverse people are active in ensuring that landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage are valued, protected and enjoyed.

To protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Snowdonia and to promote their enjoyment in the interests of all who live in, work in or visit the area both now and in the future.

Significant activities

Our significant activities delivered were:

Our beneficiaries

As the only voluntary organisation existing solely to protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Eryri, our principal beneficiaries are all those who live, work and visit the area, not to mention the wildlife itself. In addition to that, of course, our work is of benefit to all those who choose to get involved in our activities: our members, supporters, volunteers, and those who attend our events. Finally, our work benefits the organisations with which we work as partners, such as National Trust and the Eryri National Park Authority, whose objectives very much synergise with our own.

Public benefit

The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on delivering public benefit in deciding what activities Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society should undertake in pursuit of our purpose and in exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. The Trustees therefore consider that they are in compliance with the Charities Act 2011.

Volunteers

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society receives substantial support from volunteers, in particular for Helping Hands and our practical conservation work, as well as from Trustees and ad hoc advisers, for example, on planning applications in the National Park. We are immensely grateful to all of them for their invaluable time, commitment and expertise. In line with SORP 2015 the contribution of volunteers has not been included in the Statement of Financial Activities, because this cannot be easily quantified in financial terms.

President

Mr Roger Thomas

Trustees

Vice Presidents

Sir Simon Jenkins Mr David Firth His Hon Huw Morgan Daniel KSTJ

Ms Sue Beaumont Ms Jane Barbrook Mr Julian Pitt Mr Mathew Teasdale Mr David Walker Mr Rob Collister (elected 18.11.23) Ms Chloe Bailey (elected 18.11.23) Ms Chris Ball (elected 18.11.23)

Bankers

HSBC UK Bank plc 60 Mostyn Street Llandudno LL30 2SF

Rathbones Investment Management Port of Liverpool Building, Pier Head Liverpool L3 1NW

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Highlights from 2023-24

Helping Hands

Making use of a grant funding secured through the Shared Prosperity Fund, we have been able to move our Caru Eryri work to a new level, working with more volunteers, organising more work days making a real difference within the National Park.

Carneddau Project

Our Caru Eryri work was funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund through Gwynedd Council. This work therefore had of necessity to be focussed within Gwynedd, but through the excellent Carneddau Project, we were able to undertake two major projects of work within Conwy.

First, we worked with local communities to support their efforts to clear invasive balsam in their local areas and have engaged with school children from Ysgol Llangelynnin and Ysgol Llanllechid. 18 people took part in accredited training for invasive species removal over the summer of 2023 while we organised 11 practical work days to support local communities with their clearance work.

Second, we organised 14 work days clearing vegetation from around archaeological monuments (with a few additional ones unfortunately cancelled due to poor weather). We have worked with groups from St Davids College, Coleg Llandrillo and Ysgol Tir Morfa as well as members of the public. The vegetation clearance days always prove popular with volunteers enjoying the added value of learning about archaeology.

Caru Eryri – Care for Snowdonia

Much of this work was carried out as part of the Caru Eryri project. This is a partnership between the Eryri National Park, the Outdoor Partnership, National Trust and Cymdeithas Eryri, which engages with the increasing number of visitors on how best to care for the environment and manage the impact of visitor activities through litter picking and maintenance of major footpaths.

This year we organised no less than 164 volunteer workdays and our volunteers put in a total of 5,620 hours of work. We were able to pick up, recycle or otherwise responsibly dispose of 1,500kg of litter. We undertook work to maintain 30km of footpaths. We were also able to invest in our volunteers, providing accredited training to 26 volunteers and, at the end of the year, taking on two full-time trainees, who are not just helping organise our conservation work but gaining valuable career experience in doing so.

St David Award

We were delighted at the end of the year when the Caru Eryri project was shortlisted for a prestigious St David Award. These awards are made annually to celebrate and recognise the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales including for bravery, innovation, culture, sport, community spirit as well as for being environment champions. Caru Eryri was one of three finalists in the environment category. And while we did not win, our Chair Sue Beaumont and three volunteers travelled to Cardiff to attend the event at which the First Minister Vaughan Gething gave out each award and congratulated the winners.

Our thanks to all our funding partners whose support has enabled us to enhance our impact:

Caru Eryri volunteers Karen Wood, Sue Beaumont, Simon Higgins, Alwyn Williams and Ian Hampton at the prestigious St David Award ceremony

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Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

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Some of the feedback we received from volunteers when we carried out an online survey at the end of the 2023 Caru Eryri season:

— ) WN “It was an enjoyable experience } : yi 6 ay and felt good to be able to give ~~ a Nee A " something back to our beautiful local area.” “Roedd yn wych gael cyfle i wirfoddoli yn fy nghymuned.”

SE IRRSseeEPs. a pe : eeace “= Rieese sa3 “Cynllun a chyfle hollol a BS IE nag A EP) a wych! Y peth gorau “It’s a pleasure to spend time in this ES ee es agit wnes i y flwyddyn yma! as gis. amazing landscape and to know that you Pawb mor mor glên a ee BREE MBS are building and maintaining important chroesawgar! Diolch habitats for the future. Connecting with yn fawr! Annog pawb i SEES like-minded people and doing hands on ymuno flwyddyn nesa!” work is also very good for your mental ay Wee Rees; health and wellbeing.”

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Learning the art of willow weaving with the fantastic Eirian Muse from Helyg Lleu
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T ŷ Hyll

Tŷ Hyll continued to be leased out as a tea room ‘The Honey Pot. The grounds, however, are maintained by the Society, in particular by volunteers aided by two regular gardeners. The aim is to allow the surrounding grounds to become wilder while allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful woodland walks, taking in the pond that has been created as a wildlife haven. We work with local bee-keepers to maintain a hive of honey bees which can gather pollen and nectar from this wonderful woodland habitat. During the year, we unfortunately needed to take down some of the trees, which had become dangerous as a result of ash die-back.

MaD Weekend

Lines in the Landscape Project

During the year we organised a fantastic programme of events on the theme of Lines in the Landscape, thanks to the National Grid Community Grant Fund. Our members, volunteers and others who took part had a wonderful opportunity to engage with the landscapes of Eryri National Park in ways that are practical, educational, creative, and at times, just fun!

They had chance to try their hand at traditional skills that hold our landscapes together such as dry stone walling with Julian Thompson from the Pensychnant Conservation Centre, and hedge laying with Joseff from Llwyngwilym Farm, Dinas Mawddwy. They got to learn and practice these ancient skills which have been passed down for generations and hopefully will continue to be into the future.

They were inspired by fascinating guided walks, from the industrial history which has shaped Yr Wyddfa with Mountain Leader Keith Hulse, to tracing the map lines that surround us but that we can’t see with Mike Raine.

National Trust Archaeologist Kathy Laws offered an insight into the human history of the Carneddau mountain range, and they discovered the secret world which surrounds us after dark in a Tŷ Hyll bat walk with Sam Dyer.

They explored their creative side with Guided by Nature, using traditional natural inks and techniques to create a booklet of personal meaning, and tried charcoal drawing with our very own Peri Smith. Learning willow weaving with the fantastic Eirian Muse from Helyg Lleu provided a wonderful insight into this beautiful skill.

Eryri is full of lines which enable us to understand and navigate the landscape, from footpaths and tracks to rivers and contours. It reveals storylines of man and nature if we know where to look. It has been wonderful to work with members of the public and community groups this year through the Lines in the Landscape project, to engage with and appreciate the National Park, and maybe add a small line to our own stories.

In September 2023 we once again organised a Make a Difference, or MaD weekend. A total of 52 people of all ages converged on Nant Gwynant for an activity-packed weekend of volunteering, including owl box building, a canoe litter pick, footpath maintenance, invasive species management and loads more! The weekend was a fantastic opportunity to spend time enjoying the special habitats and landscapes of Eryri while helping to look after them. Crucially, it allowed some of our enthusiastic members from further afield to take a full role in our conservation work.

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The wonderful woodland of Tŷ Hyll
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Advocacy

Our advocacy work is led by our Advocacy

Committee comprising the Director, two Trustees, Julian Pitt and Jane Barbrook and Mark Dakeyne, a member of the Society who is a retired planning professional.

We coordinate our advocacy work closely with the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes and Campaign for National Parks. We are also an Associate Member of Wales Environment Link and a partner of Climate Cymru.

Along with the rest of the world, Eryri faces a nature and a climate crisis, with one species in six at risk of disappearing from the country. During the year we organised and supported a number of campaigns, and responded to a number of consultations, as the only voluntary organisation existing solely to protect and enhance the beauty and special qualities of Eryri in the interests or all who live, work and visit the area, both now and in the future.

Proposed Rhaeadr y Cwm hydro-electric scheme In November we responded to a consultation on building a new hydro-electric scheme at Rhaeadr y Cwm waterfall in Cwm Cynfal, Ffestiniog. The Society had objected to very similar proposals on the same stretch of the river on three occasions over the previous thirty years, for reasons of both biodiversity and landscape. Each of these had been either withdrawn or refused. The latest proposal would see the river dammed and up to 70% of the water diverted though a pipe, thus bypassing the waterfall. The Society thus expressed great concern about this, also raising the issue in the National media. We expect a full application later this year.

Article 4 Directive

In March the Eryri National Park Authority followed Gwynedd Council in proposing to make an Article 4 Directive to regulate the conversion of local houses to short term lets and holiday accommodation. Concerned about the impact of the growth of the tourism industry on local communities and the availability of housing for local people, the Society supported this move.

The Sustainable Farming Scheme

We responded to The Welsh Government’s consultation on the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in March, strongly supporting the principle that Welsh farmers should be fairly paid for taking action to tackle the nature emergency, taking practical actions that will enhance biodiversity. In particular, we called for a Sustainable Farming in Designated Landscapes programme as a collaborative layer within the SFS, on the basis that Designated Landscapes should be hotspots of biodiversity, but that this is not always the case.

Not content with this, we worked with the Alliance of Welsh Designated Landscapes to create an e-action to enable our supporters to easily take part in the consultation themselves. Exactly 100 people did this, helping to demonstrate to the Welsh Government that many people care deeply about the future species like the curlew, the Welsh daffodil or the salmon and want the Welsh Government to support farmers in becoming part of the solution.

New pylons in the Park?

In March the National Grid published plans for a £60bn upgrading of the grid infrastructure across the UK. Worryingly, this included a new high tension connection between Bangor and Swansea, potentially passing through Eryri, Bannau Brycheiniog and the Cambrian Mountains. Things are at an early stage, there are no definite plans, but the Society has been in discussion with the National Grid, with the Eryri National Park Authority and also with other members of the Alliance of Welsh Designated Landscapes. We are hugely concerned with the prospect of new pylons through the Park and we will be doing everything we can to make sure that whatever option is eventually chosen does not include these.

Mobile phone masts

Mobile phone providers have been busy trying to improve mobile phone reception throughout Eryri, something which we welcome. Nevertheless we are deeply concerned about the impact new poles and lattice towers have on the landscape, particularly where these are in prominent positions on the tops of hills or on the skyline, and where they risk marring a stunning landscape. The Society voiced concerns about four such new masts over the year, one of which at Rhyd-yr-Eirin in the foothills of the Rhinogydd above Harlech, was subsequently refused. We are grateful to the a National Park Authority for dealing with these applications with the sensitivity they deserve.

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12 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 ‘ eas » snowdonia-society.org.uk oy oan snowdonia-society.org.uk
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Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 13
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Financial Review

Financial position

This was the second full year of alignment with the tax year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. Although the economic climate had eased somewhat as compared to the previous years; the situation has continued to be challenging with concerns around the impact of inflation, the rising cost of living and a potential change in government.

Income for the year was £280,884 with a surplus of £13,290 which included a profit on our Long-Term Reserves in our investment portfolio with Rathbones of £42,043. We received several new grants which enabled us to continue our practical conservation work. Despite this, managing cash flow remained a challenge as significant amounts of our grant income were claimed retrospectively.

Income from fundraising activities including donations and legacies and trading income from the sale of merchandise and seeds, remained stagnant as compared to the previous year (2024: £81,293, 2023: £81,820).

Trustees continued to monitor the budgetary situation during the year and to assess risks and how to manage them and made several decisions. The Trustees agreed to draw down a total of £50,000 from its Long-Term Reserves (LTR) to ensure the continuation of its conservation work and in anticipation of the receipt of our grant income.

We were grateful to receive grant funding from Postcode Community Trust, The National Lottery: Awards for All, New to Nature and Shared Prosperity Fund, and legacies worth £15,318, as well as donations, including those doubled by The Big Give, and the ongoing support of memberships. With an additional number of staff, we are optimistic that we have the resources in place which will enable us to continue our work.

Investment policy

The Society’s Written Investment Policy (WIP), covering reserves, investment and risk management is available from the office on request. The objective of the Long-Term Reserves (LRT) investment portfolio is to produce a return balanced between income and capital growth, using a moderate level of risk, generating a return in excess of inflation over the long-term as a minimum. The Short-Term Reserves (STR) are held in current accounts which generate minimal interest, but which seek to preserve capital values.

The draw down of £50,000 from the Society’s Long-Term Reserves noted above, fell within permitted limits specified in WIP, leaving sufficient working capital in the event of a systemic and catastrophic failure in funding.

Ethical Investment

The Society’s policy on ethical investment is included in the Written Investment Policy, instructing Rathbones as investment portfolio manager to apply ‘negative screening’ to exclude investment in animal exploitation, human rights concerns, environmental management concerns, high carbon impacts, agrochemicals, mining and habitat exploitation. Trustees have informed Rathbones that they are keeping this policy under review given their preference for ‘positive screening’ whereby future investments are in companies with positive environmental and other ethical benefits. Rathbones continue to work to refine and improve the current policy.

Investments/Performance Report

The total value of the investment portfolio with Rathbones as of 31 March 2024 was £419,944. Over the 12-month period, the portfolio total fell by 0.3% compared with an annual shortfall of 4.4% in 2022/23.

Reserves policy

The Society’s policy is to hold sufficient Short -Term Reserves to meet normal expenditure over a 4- 6 month period in readily accessible accounts. Other reserves (Long-Term Reserves) are invested on the Society’s behalf by investment managers (Rathbones) to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk and according to our instructions on ethical investment. The Charity needs Long-Term Reserves (LTR) in order that it can:

The Trustees consider having a sum equal to the total of one year’s turnover over and above the STR to be suitable to enable the Charity to continue its activities. The trustees keep under review whether the minimum LTR is set at an appropriate level and also whether to set up any designated funds within the LTR, should this rise significantly above two years’ turnover.

Future Plans

During the year the Society developed a Strategic Plan for the period for 2025-27, which very much maintains an emphasis on volunteering and practical action working with partners, hand in hand with pro-active advocacy work. It does, however, put a greater emphasis on actions needed to tackle the nature crisis, and also on trying to work more pro-actively, empowering communities to take action themselves and focusing more on outcomes rather than outputs.

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eS Structure, Governance and Management Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities ee

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Cymdeithas Eryri The Snowdonia Society was formed and first registered as a charity in 1967. In January 2014 it re-registered with the Charity Commission (registered no. 1155401) as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Society’s governing document is its constitution, which is available on its website.

Board of Trustees

Accountability and the overall strategic direction of the Society lies with the Trustees and all must be members of the Society, and not receive any remuneration for the role. We can have up to twelve Trustees. The Trustees meet quarterly, and currently a Finance and Governance Committee meets prior to each Board, and an Advocacy Group meets when required. Trustees undertook a strategic review during 2023-24, producing a new Strategic Plan

Appointment of Trustees

A panel of at least two Trustees, including the Chair, was formed to establish the recruitment criteria and interview process for new Trustees, taking into consideration the need for greater diversity and appropriate skills. As a result of this process, three new Trustees were proposed and duly elected at the 2023 AGM.

Management and staffing

Day-to-day management is delegated to the Director of the Society who reports regularly to the Chair, other committees and the Board. The Director and staff team work to deliver the priorities set out in the annual action plan, and

Director reports to each quarterly Board on performance against the budget and impact. As responsible employers, the Trustees have approved policies relating to equalities and diversity, health and safety and others relevant to the work of the Society, which are reviewed and updated in line with changes to legislation and best practice.

Risk management

The primary risk to the long-term financial stability of the Society, under normal circumstances, has been identified in recent years as the effect of inflation on the financial reserves. The investments are managed with the object of minimizing this risk. The trustees have committed to compiling a Risk Register, reviewing the key current financial risks within a wider risk context.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number 1155401

Principal address

Cymdeithas Eryri Snowdonia Society Caban, Yr Hen Ysgol Brynrefail CAERNARFON Gwynedd LL55 3NR

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charity for that period.In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 29/10/2024 and signed on its behalf by:

........................................................................ Sue Beaumont - Chair ........................................................................ TJRn Jane Barbrook - Trustee

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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Cymdeithas Eryri - Snowdonia Society

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Cymdeithas Eryri - Snowdonia Society

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Cymdeithas Eryri The Snowdonia Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 March 2024

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

Note: All pages containing financial information (pages 19,20,23,24,25,26,27 and 29) are in a smaller font size because of the page margin restrictions.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr Owain Ap Elfed, FCCA

Williams Denton Cyf Chartered Certified Accountants

Glaslyn

Ffordd Y Parc Parc Menai

Bangor Gwynedd LL57 4FE

Signed:.............................................

31 October 2024 Date: ................................................

Trustees, staff and members at our 2023 Annual General Meeting

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Notes to the Accounts

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Income

Income from grants including capital grants, is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measure reliably except for:

When it is specified that income from grants and contracts received by the charitable company are to be used in future periods, then the income is deferred till that period.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on the 29/10/2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

.............................................. Sue Beaumont - Chair

............................................... Jane Barbrook - Trustee

When conditions are imposed which have to be fulfilled before the charitable company becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the pre-conditions for use have been met.

When specified, income including capital grants, is for a particular restricted purpose, which does not amount to pre conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Certain expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and has been included in those cost categories. Certain other costs, which are attributable to more than one activity, are apportioned across cost categories on the basis of an estimate of the proportion of time spent by staff on those activities or estimated usage.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment- 33% on reducing balance

20 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

snowdonia-society.org.uk

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Heritage assets

Assets are shown in the accounts at market value and reviewed annually for impairment. Any gains or losses areincluded in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Listed investments

Listed investments are stated at market value as quoted on the UK Stock Exchange. Realised gains or losses from the sale of investments and unrealised gains or losses from revaluing them to current market value are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

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Depreciation – owned assets Independent° examination of accounts
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Volunteers out on the Carneddau clearing gorse from ancient archaeological remains

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Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 23

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Jransfersbetweenfunds 00009
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Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

snowdonia-society.org.uk

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25

(196,114) (30,302) (117,582)

~~TT 8,928~S~~<“«s‘D«TA)—“Cts~“‘~‘~S~~~‘s‘“ ™;«;«SS BE) TOTAL FUNDS 177,762 (318,328) (30,302) (170,868) aNaeasSs=«|SSaooeeeeeeeeoeoeeee e~~ ~~o eoeo~~ ~~e eeeeeeeee~~ ~~ee e eeoooooowywseeeeee~~

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127,126 (133,078) 42,043 36,091
7,480 (17,523) - (10,043)
18,000 (18,077) - (77)
(Tee) (13,195)
18,507 (19,569) - (1,062)
99,053 (98,224) - 829
153,758 (176,559) - (22,801)
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A few of Cymdeithas Eryri / Snowdonia Society trustees and staff enjoying the sun

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 27

snowdonia-society.org.uk

snowdonia-society.org.uk

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~~5182~~

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2024 29

snowdonia-society.org.uk

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Image Credits

Cover photo: Jesal Hirani - Featured in our 2025 calendar

Page 7: St David Award ceremony by Sian Williams Page 9 : (Top) Graham Turner Page 11: Cymdeithas Eyri / Snowdonia Society Page 12: Rhaeadr y Cwm by Rory Francis Page 13: Sheep, North Wales Wildlife Trust Page 19: AGM by Mary-Kate Jones Page 22: Cymdeithas Eyri / Snowdonia Society Page 27: Cymdeithas Eyri / Snowdonia Society All other images by: Dan Struthers - Love Adventure Photography