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2022-05-31-accounts

Company registration number: 08834787 Charitable company registration number: 1157392

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

Edmund Carr LLP Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees Report 2 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 17

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairman A G Davies
Trustees D C D Dignum
A Martin
C I McArthur
P A Roberts
W H Robinson
A E Ruggles-Brise
A C J Wood
J M Burch
Principal Office Dairyley Farmhouse
Spains Hall Road
Finchingfield
Braintree
Essex
CM7 4NL
The charitable company is incorporated in England & Wales.
Charitable company Registration 1157392
Number
Company Registration Number 08834787
Bankers CAF Bank
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner Colin Andrew Barker FCA
Edmund Carr LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor
146 New London Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0AW

Page 1

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Trustees Report

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present their annual report together with the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 May 2022.

The company is a registered charity under number 1157392 and is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee from 7 January 2014. The activities are governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the company commenced trading on 20 August 2014.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 published on 16 July 2014.

This annual report also includes the requirements of a directors’ report, as required by company law.

Organisation

The directors who served as trustees during the year are set out on page 1.

Objectives and activities

Our objects for which the charity is established are:

Review of activities and future developments

The board has a strong and diverse membership able to provide advice and give direction on work areas, drawing membership from consultancy, businesses, banking, agriculture, water companies and voluntary conservation bodies. The board has met every three months over the last year. We have three part-time (Director – 3 days, and Admin Support - shared 3 days between the two part-time staff members) and one full-time members of staff (Project and Catchment Officer). We have no liabilities such as ownership of buildings, so we can closely manage our finances with a high degree of certainty and prudence. This policy will be reviewed as we grow as an organisation.

As with many organisations and businesses, Covid restrictions and lockdowns impacted our work. However, with the easement of restrictions across the UK in early 2022, we were able to focus on more project development and on the ground delivery.

Page 2

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Trustees Report

The Director was signed off as long-term sick from the New Year (2022), which reduced and impacted staffing levels and capacity. The Director has continued to play a supporting role at a much-reduced level and supported the Trustees in the recruitment of a new Director for the ESRT.

Despite the restrictions and impacts on the development of the ESRT, we continued with Catchment Partnership meetings, maintained and developed our working relationships with partners and stakeholders throughout Essex and Suffolk using AV conferencing facilities (Teams and Zoom).

We continued to build on our work as hosts of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership (ESCP) and Essex River Hub (ERH), thanks to continued support from DEFRA and the Environment Agency, holding three successful partnership meetings for each partnership, issuing winter and summer newsletters for the ESCP and our first newsletter for the ERH during the year. We are also the hosts of the ERH website, which we will look to update develop further.

Project delivery work included:

• A suite of small river restoration projects was delivered with our catchment partners, which included the creation of backwaters, scrapes and in-channel habitat creation and flow management.

• Riparian tree planting with fencing, with over 400 trees planted in three catchments (Deben, Alde and Ore)

• Invasive non-native Himalayan balsam plant is a significant ecological problem on many riverbanks in the Stour Catchment. The project focusses on the Stour, Brett and Box rivers and year one of two was successfully delivered in partnership with Essex and Suffolk Water’s (part of the Northumbrian Water Group) Branch Out Fund.

• The final phase of the Layer Brook project, as part of the Topsoil programme, supported by the EU Interreg Programme and Essex and Suffolk Water was delivered and successfully bought to a conclusion.

Future project development work includes:

• WEIF project for Essex and Suffolk, focusing on the Deben, Butley River and Colne catchments.

• We are progressing with a tiered Citizen Science project to engage with the general public across Essex and Suffolk.

• We will be delivering our commitment on the INNS Branch Out project, supported by Essex and Suffolk Water for Himalayan balsam control and will be developing a new project to look at the impacts of invasive crayfish species on our Essex populations of white-clawed crayfish.

• We will be developing a Preventing Plastic Pollution Project in partnership with catchment partners for delivery in East Suffolk.

Prior to the New year, we played an active role in the development of a new Regional Water Resources Management Plan for the East of England, led by Water Resources East (WRE). This plan was published in late 2021. We also participated in a number of strategic meetings and workshops as members of WRE’s Strategic Advisory Group, and our Trustee representative continues to be actively involved with WRE. We are also actively involved in the Environment Subgroup which is part of the Regional Flood Coastal and Communities Committee and have attended meeting which have principally focussed on water quality in Suffolk rivers, further workshops will be held for this.

In September 2021, Jessica Duckenfield joined the team on two days per week to provide additional admin support as Katie Phillips reduced her hours to one day per week due to other commitments.

We move into the 2022/23 financial year with the development of new projects, maintaining our hosts duties of the catchment partnerships, and opening new and promising funding opportunities to see the further development and expansion of the Trust’s activities.

Page 3

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Trustees Report

Our thanks go to all trustees, volunteers, partners and funders for their on-going support of the Trust. We look forward developing and implementing new projects, extending our reach and engagement with partners and local communities and growing the organisation further over the coming years.

Financial review

The details of our finances show that we have a net surplus for the year of £21,760 (2021: £10,287). This is with income of £158,875 and expenditure of £137,115. It should be noted that the difference from year to year is largely due to timing differences between income and outgoings related to specific projects. Our balance sheet shows total funds of £56,251 (2021: £34,491).

Income streams are normally from project financing sources and donations, with only modest funds raised in our own right. Our banking arrangements with CAF Bank are robust and accountable, with two signatories required on all significant transactions. We are confident we will remain a going concern and currently have a number of additional projects being implemented.

Policy on reserves

The total reserves amount to £56,251. These reserves come to more than three months of total expenditure, in line with the reserves policy.

Risk management

The trustees continue to monitor risk and map out a sustainable future for the trust.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. They have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities as demonstrated above.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charitable company on 6 January 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... A G Davies Chairman

Page 4

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Independent Examiner's Report to the trusteess of Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust ("the Company")

I report to the charitable company trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 May 2022 which are set out on pages 6 to 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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.

...................................... Colin Andrew Barker FCA 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW

11 January 2023

Page 5

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2022 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Other Comprehensive Income)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14		 Unrestricted
£
50,395
50,395
33,745
33,745
16,650
16,650
(826)
15,824		 Restricted
£
108,480
108,480
103,370
103,370
5,110
5,110
35,317
40,427		 Total
2022
£
158,875
158,875
137,115
137,115
21,760
21,760
34,491
56,251		 Total
2021
£
57,239
57,239
46,952
46,952
10,287
10,287
24,204
34,491

All of the charitable company's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

Page 6

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

(Registration number: 08834787) Balance Sheet as at 31 May 2022

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
12
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charitable company:
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
14		 2022
£
965
1,700
58,304
60,004
(4,718)
55,286
56,251
40,427
15,824
56,251		 2021
£
1,171
1,404
35,263
36,667
(3,347)
33,320
34,491
35,317
(826)
34,491

For the financial year ending 31 May 2022 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements on pages 6 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 6 January 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... A G Davies Chairman

Page 7

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

1 Charitable company status

The charitable company is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England & Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charitable company in the event of liquidation.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charitable company.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charitable company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charitable company has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charitable company before the charitable company is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charitable company and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Page 8

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charitable company has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charitable company in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activities based upon the proportion of directly attributable activity costs.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including independent examination costs.

Taxation

The charitable company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charitable company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Tangible fixed assets

Significant individual fixed assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate
Computer equipment 33.33% straight-line

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Trade debtors

Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, bank accounts and bank deposits.

Trade creditors

Creditors and accruals 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 and accruals are normally recognised at their settlement amount.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees's discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charitable company.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charitable company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

Classification

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Page 10

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations receivable
Grants receivable
Donations receivable
Grants receivable		 Unrestricted
funds
£
395
50,000
50,395
Unrestricted
funds
£
4,021
-
4,021		 Restricted
funds
£
-
108,480
108,480
Restricted
funds
£
-
53,218
53,218		 Total
2022
£
395
158,480
158,875
Total
2021
£
4,021
53,218
57,239

4 Expenditure on charitable activities

Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil
WEIF
ERH
Water for Tomorrow
Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil		 Activity
undertaken
directly
£
13,486
72
16,363
41,737
10,068
14,898
96,624
Activity
undertaken
directly
£
10,015
2,737
2,855
15,607		 Activity
support costs
£
6,924
541
6,676
15,210
4,634
6,506
40,491
Activity
support costs
£
19,886
5,261
6,200
31,347		 2022
£
20,410
613
23,039
56,947
14,702
21,404
137,115
2021
£
29,901
7,998
9,055
46,954

£33,745 of the total expenditure was unrestricted (2021:£29,115) and £103,370 was restricted (£17,837).

Page 11

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

5 Analysis of governance and support costs

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil
WEIF
ERH
Water for Tomorrow
Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil		 Governance
costs
£
1,209
2
486
1,240
1,107
442
4,486
Governance
costs
£
2,315
537
960
3,812		 Administration
costs
£
5,715
538
6,191
13,971
3,527
6,063
36,005
Administration
costs
£
17,571
4,724
5,240
27,535		 Total
2022
£
6,924
540
6,677
15,211
4,634
6,505
40,491
Total
2021
£
19,886
5,261
6,200
31,347

£33,809 of the administration and governance costs was unrestricted (2021: £29,116) and £6,682 was restricted (2021: £24,665).

6 Net incoming/outgoing resources

Net incoming resources for the year include:

Independent examination fees
Other non-audit services
Depreciation of fixed assets		 2022
£
1,454
1,000
776		 2021
£
1,340
1,000
743

7 Trustees remuneration and expenses

No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charitable company during the year.

No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.

Page 12

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

8 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2022
£
64,466
1,157
1,193
66,816		 2021
£
37,354
-
605
37,959

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charitable company during the year expressed by head count was as follows:

Average number of staff employed 2022
No
4		 2021
No
3

1 (2021 - 1) of the above employees participated in the Defined Contribution Pension Schemes.

Contributions to the employee pension schemes for the year totalled £1,193 (2021 - £605).

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

9 Taxation

The charitable company is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

Page 13

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

10 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 June 2021
Additions
At 31 May 2022
Depreciation
At 1 June 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 May 2022
Net book value
At 31 May 2022
At 31 May 2021
11 Debtors
Prepayments
12 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank
13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals		 Computer
equipment
£
4,079
570		 Total
£
4,079
570
4,649
2,908
776
3,684
965
1,171
2021
£
1,404
4,649
2,908
776
3,684
965
1,171
2022
£
1,700
2022
£
58,304
2022
£
1,072
1,192
2,454
4,718
2021
£
35,263
2021
£
782
225
2,340
3,347

Page 14

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

14 Funds

Current year:

Current year:
Unrestricted funds
General
Restricted
Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil
WEIF
ERH
Water for Tomorrow
Total restricted
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
General
Restricted
Suffolk CPF
Colne WFD
Topsoil
Total restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at 1
June 2021
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
(826)
50,395
(33,745)
12,812
24,550
(15,691)
13,704
15,000
(587)
8,801
6,046
(17,314)
-
28,650
(42,397)
-
11,734
(11,190)
-
22,500
(16,191)
35,317
108,480
(103,370)
34,491
158,875
(137,115)
Balance at 1
June 2020
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
24,268
4,021
(29,115)
9,071
15,000
(11,259)
1,674
15,000
(2,970)
(10,809)
23,218
(3,608)
(64)
53,218
(17,837)
24,204
57,239
(46,952)		 Resources
expended
£
(33,745)
(15,691)
(587)
(17,314)
(42,397)
(11,190)
(16,191)		 Balance at
31 May 2022
£
15,824
21,671
28,117
(2,467)
(13,747)
544
6,309
40,427
56,251
Balance at 31
May 2021
£
(826)
12,812
13,704
8,801		 Balance at
31 May 2022
£
15,824
21,671
28,117
(2,467)
(13,747)
544
6,309
(103,370) 40,427
(137,115) 56,251
35,317
34,491

Page 15

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Suffolk CPF - This fund is for projects the charity is managing as hosts of the East Suffolk Catchment Partnership.

Colne WFD - This is to fund projects in Essex, mainly Water Framework Directive projects on the River Colne.

Topsoil - This consists of two projects which are part of the EU Project Topsoil. One project looks at sediment in Layer Brook in Essex and one trials Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Sandlings area in Suffolk.

WEIF – This is an Environment Agency Water Environment Improvement Fund grant for river restoration and tree planting in Suffolk.

ERH – This is the Essex Rivers Hub Catchment Partnership host funding. This covers the costs of running the Catchment partnership for Essex and comes from the Environment Agency Water Environment Improvement Fund.

Water for Tomorrow – is a programme of information dissemination on water resource issues. It is part of a wider project funded by the Rivers Trust who are the Lead partner receiving their funding from EU INTERREG VA France (Channel).

15 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current year:

Current year:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Prior year:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
£
965
14,859
-
15,824
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,171
343
(2,340)
(826)		 Other
£
-
45,145
(4,718)
40,427
Other
£
-
36,324
(1,007)
35,317		 Total funds
2022
£
965
60,004
(4,718)
56,251
Total funds
2021
£
1,171
36,667
(3,347)
34,491

Page 16

Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2022

16 Prior year Statement of Financial Activities

16 Prior year Statement of Financial Activities
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14		 Unrestricted
£
4,021
4,021
29,115
29,115
(25,094)
(25,094)
24,268
(826)		 Restricted
£
53,218
53,218
17,837
17,837
35,381
35,381
(64)
35,317		 Total
2021
£
57,239
57,239
46,952
46,952
10,287
10,287
24,204
34,491

Page 17