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← Dartmoor Zoological Society

2024-12-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Charity registration number: 1158422

Dartmoor Zoological Society

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Contents

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 14
Independent Auditors' Report 15 to 18
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 19
Parent Statement of Financial Activities 20
Consolidated Balance Sheet 21
Balance Sheet 22
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 23
Notes to the Financial Statements 24 to 42

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairperson Mr Benjamin James
Trustees Mr Benjamin James
Mr Benjamin Mee
Mr Douglas Richardson
Mr Simon Almond
Mr James Ross
Senior Management / David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer
Leadership Team Clare Lee, Head of Compliance
Duncan Wadey, Head of Finance
Alyn Price, Director of Commercial Operations
Joanna Clark, Head of Education and Research
Charity Registration Number 1158422
Registered Office Dartmoor Zoological Park
Sparkwell
Plymouth
Devon
PL7 5DG
Auditor Westcotts (SW) LLP
Chartered Accountants
Plym House
3 Longbridge Road
Marsh Mills
Plymouth
Devon
PL6 8LT
Solicitors McCarthy Denning
Minster House
70 Mark Lane
London
EC3R 7NQ
Bankers Santander
Bridle Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L30 4GB
CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

The trustees of Dartmoor Zoological Society (the Charity or the Zoo) present their annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year to 31 December 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s Constitution, 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.

Objectives and activities for the public benefit

The objects of the Charity are predominantly to benefit the public by operating a zoo and providing education for students to learn about animals, nature and conservation.

The objects are:

While planning the future direction of the Charity, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and performance

Overview

This has been a complicated year for the Charity and the Zoo. We saw stagnant visitor numbers as a result of a lack of visitors to the South West of England which impacted on our ability to raise funds. However, we made a number of enhancements to the collection while dealing with further rising costs and the need to invest in various parts of the estate. The income did not cover the costs incurred and we had to again use reserves to ensure that the necessary investment was undertaken in both people and the estate.

In March we were joined by a new CEO, Dr David Gibson. David has a strong background in both zoos and aquaria, having been CEO of aquaria and zoos before having a short break running his own company.

However, we were able to manage the Charity’s financial affairs in such as way as to ensure that we continued to invest in essential infrastructure. Improvements included:

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

We also continued with our rolling maintenance programme to ensure that the Park remained safe and secure. Updating various fencing posts and ensuring the security of the Park is a licensing requirement, which we take very seriously.

We continued to consolidate our position as a charity and the public recognise more that the Zoo is not privately owned and is a charity, having been kindly donated by the Mee family in 2015. Removing the perceptions created by the film, “We Bought a Zoo”, allowed us to build on our fundraising capability, however, the film can still result in a perception that the zoo is privately owned and does not require public financial support.

Education continued to be a strength in 2024 increasing numbers of both adults and children about the animals in our care and conservation throughout the world.

Animal developments

We continued to expand the collection in 2024 both through transfers and a number of births throughout the Zoo. This has allowed us to not only maintain our collection, but make transfers to other zoos to ensure that continued representation of these species in zoos throughout the UK and Europe.We also developed relationships with zoo collections outside of Europe with the aim of professing wider international transfers.

Following the introduction of our male Amur Leaopard in 2023, a female Amur Leopard joined the collection this year. This followed the building of a cubbing enclosure and new procedures to allow for separation and safety. She came to us with a breeding recommendation so once she has settled into her new home, we will introduce her to our male.

The trustees are committed to enhancing the protection of vulnerable British wildlife and this year saw the approval to build a new section of the zoo specialising in endangered British wildlife. This should open in 2026.

We created a new enclosure for a porcine species and introduced a rebanho of white lipped peccaries into the collection. This was an established ageing group which transferred as a complete group from another collection and is being used to develop the keeper skills for a species which has not been represented in the zoo in the past. This will allow for future development of species in the future.

Other additions have been:

We have been working to increase the number of animals born in the Zoo. Over 2024, our:

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

We transferred a number of animals to other collections, including:

We have been working to ensure that the collection is much younger and this has resulted in many less deaths from aging. However, in 2024 we lost a small number of our animal friends, these included:

We identified that one of our Gelada who had been identified as male at a previous collection, was in fact female. This became apparent when we decided not to re-implant the Gelada with contraceptive implants and female traits developed. Moving from what had been managed as a bachelor group to a mixed group needed careful management and the team ensured that changes were made to keep the group together. After many years on contraception, successful breeding is not expected, but a management plan was designed to cover all eventualities.

Our Binturong managed to escape his enclosure twice during 2024. Once he was located within the Zoo and on the second occasion he was found outside of the zoo estate in the garden of a local resident. On both occasions his enclosure was amended and after the second escape the significant amendments prevented further escape.

Our ethics procedures continued to work well and all matters were appropriately settled. No appeals were made to the ethics recommendations during the year.

Education, research and learning

Following a refreshed education offering in 2023, the Education Team had a very busy year. Against a backdrop of strong competition from other providers, we provided over 130 workshop sessions alongside self-led visits providing education to 7034 adults and children.

Trails were established around the zoo so that all visitors could learn more about the collection with QR codes providing information directly to our visitors’ electronic devices. Our signage was refreshed and updated to ensure consistency and a clear education and conservation message for all species.

The team continued to provide in person and outreach educational sessions built around the National Curriculum, which again was successful and provided a strong income from the work of the team. We introduced an Alternative Provision Pass to allow children from SEND and SEMH settings to be able to take advantage of the quiet, green setting that the zoo provides. We had 4 schools take advantage of this and it is hoped to grow this in future years.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

We developed new home educator day offerings following trial dates in 2023. We ran 4 dates across 2024 welcoming 474 children and 368 adults to engage in topics such as research, enrichment and STEM

We continue to note that private outreach companies, that are not as regulated as zoos, are a cause for concern. Their unregulated status means they can take larger more impressive animals out to schools. This remains a concern for us, both as a source of competition and concern as to how these unregulated visits to schools and colleges could negatively impact on the reputation of all animal based outreach programmes.

Overall, we provided educational services to 3843 students in person from 139 schools and 209 students from 4 schools took part Outreach Sessions. We also delivered outreach to 85 adults through evening talks to adult interest groups.

After not being able to welcome many research students due to the pandemic, we again opened our doors to research projects for university under- and post-graduates. Research projects included:

Other significant leadership developments

As outlines above, Dr David Gibson joined as CEO.

David graduated with a PhD from Stirling University in 1994 and secured a role at the recently built “Deep Sea World” near Edinburgh, Scotland. This was the beginning of a 30-year career that saw him involved in some of the highest profile Public Aquarium projects in the UK including “The Blue Planet, “The Deep” and latterly the National Marine Aquarium. David also spent time as Executive Director at Fota Wildlife Park in the Republic of Ireland and has run his own Zoo and Aquarium Consultancy. This experience was recognised when David was appointed as a DEFRA Zoo Inspector in 2021.

We added a Zoo Registrar to the team in 2024. We manage the Charity’s collection using ZIMS. Currently paper records are kept which are transferred to ZIMS as and when time is available. All records have been updated and we undertook a full review of the collection. Our Zoo Registrar is ensuring that all records are up to date and manages complex animal moves between collections.

Site development

Following significant development in 2023, 2024 was a year for maintenance and consolidation. Save for the new Peccary enclosure and the cubbing enclosure for the Amur Leopard, there were no significant changes to the estate.

We have continued a pro-active and busy schedule with our 1,000+ trees. Working on the tree database which was revised last year we managed to deal with the majority of outstanding issues and only had one tree fall near an enclosure all year. A small number of trees did fall over the Zoo during our various storms, but this did not create any safety issues.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Catering, retail and events

The Catering team delivered a number of successful weddings, private and public events during 2024. We again saw an increased spend per head, but this was against increasing costs. We successfully managed to absorb some of these costs without increasing costs to our visitors in a number of areas.The surplus was £24,767 (2023: £13,359) which was a small contribution to the Charity.

We continue to aim to ensure we use fresh, local produce, local suppliers and regular specials. Again we were able to keep costs under control. We believe that the success of the foods sales was partially due to the work undertaken on visual awareness of our policies on sustainable and ethical purchasing using printed information, handouts and informative chalk boards.

Once again, the coffee bar was popular with all age groups. The kiosks were running to capacity and further development will be required in this area in 2025 and the children’s play areas were well used. We also continued our work on refreshing our retail offering, purchasing ethical products, from recycled materials and reducing plastic etc, whilst ensuring the right amount of cute and cuddly gifts at the same time.

We continued to develop the skills of our kitchen staff and they have experienced creating new dishes which have been added to the menu during their training periods.

We held a small number of events, the most impressive of which was our fifth Christmas Light events, known as Zooluminate.

The number of wedding bookings increased. Bookings for 2025 are already strong with our aim of having a smaller number of larger weddings being realised.

The 2024 full review of the trading company accounts continued to show improvements and the trading company continued to provide a surplus which was paid to the Charity.

Wellbeing

Our wellbeing programmes are very important to the Charity and comprise:

The look and feel of the grounds have improved again, thanks largely to the charity’s novel use of hours of free and willing labour from corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Charity has netted over 1,008 hours’ hard work from 168 people and with that we have organically weeded and trimmed, edged and tended with people who are usually office-based.

We continued to support our Superkids through the year through their families, online and in through wider contact. While they could not spend time in the Zoo, they were set tasks related to the work they had previously carried out at the Zoo and we were pleased how this project was maintained throughout the restrictions.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Supporters

We would like to thank all of those that have visited and supported the Charity over the last year. Without the support of the visitors it would be impossible to protect the amazing animal collection that we maintain at the Charity.

We would also like to acknowledge the local partners and organisations who have helped us throughout 2024 with financial donations, donations in kind and blood, sweat and smiles:

• Devon Contract Waste - Free “Zero to Landfill” refuse collection, and their unwavering support. • Air Improve Ltd - Free servicing and repairs of our air conditioner in the Jaguar restaurant.

• Aquamarine - Free Google Analytics support.

Financial review

For the second year in a row, we incurred an overall loss to the end of December 2024 (£66,862) compared to (£93,115) in 2023. This was caused by expenditure increasing by more than the increase in income.

Our main source of funding continues to be admission for entry to the exhibit which has funded the key objectives of the Charity. The core income was supported by experiences, weddings, events and trading income. Fundraising for the support of vulnerable animals is still difficult and complex and running far behind where we would like it to be.

We were pleased that the trading income remained positive and expect this positive position to continue noting the difficulties of the cost-of-living crisis and inflation. Whilst there was an increase in trading income in 2024 to £724,813 (2023: £659,365) costs increased to £695,477 (2023: £642,521). Where possible we sought not to pass cost increases to our guests, but this is not possible in the long term.

There was an increase in income of £99,961 (2023 increase of £89,189) in income with a significant increase in costs due to inflation. Overall income was £1,967,675 (2023: £1,867,714) meaning income has not recovered to 2021 levels yet. Costs in 2024 increased to £2,034,537 (2023: £1,960,829). Fundraising income was not maintained, mainly due to grants not being available and individual donations decreasing.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Having significantly reduced our debt in 2021 we remain in a strong position to weather this difficulty with increasing costs not being matched by increasing income. However, we are actively implementing changes so that the income position improves

Wedding and event income increased and interest in wedding bookings for 2024 and 2025 continued to increase and we are expecting to undertake many more weddings than in the past. Wedding and event income increased to £167,692 (2023: £140,379). Education income remained steady.

The steps which were introduced in 2018 to increase visitor numbers continued to work and as set out above visitor numbers increased. We managed some record visitor numbers on specific days and are working to increase the number of these days in each year.

The trustees are very pleased with the work that has been undertaken by key team members to increase the value of the animals within the team which is encouraging more and more people to visit. This has allowed both an increase in paid memberships and many others returning to the zoo on a more regular basis.

Cashflow is no longer difficult to manage, our cashflow forecasts have been prepared and any issues of concern identified and plans put in place to manage any difficulties. However, these are much less likely as a result of the 2024 financial performance and we are predicting positive cash flow balances a year to eighteen months ahead. Cash flow is carefully managed to ensure that the Charity can meet its liabilities as they fall due. We note that we are completely reliant on reserves over the winter and carefully manage balances with this in mind. We have implemented regular reviews due to the deficit to ensure that we do not run out of cash, however, this has not been a problem to date.

In addition to the issues raised above we have further tightened cost control and our Head of Finance continued his review of suppliers. This has resulted in year-on-year savings in a number of areas including utilities. The trustees are very grateful to the work that has been done in this area.

In light of all of the concerns and steps that have been taken to address them as well as the positive impact we are already seeing from them, we have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis.

Post year end events

We settled a rent review with our landlord and agreed a new rent for the next five years. A proposed backdated rent increase from 2019 to 2024 was negotiated away and the 2015 rent level was maintained to December 2024.

There have been no other significant post year end events which have not been reported elsewhere.

There is a clear income stream to ensure that the Charity is clearly viable to December 2026 and for the long term. With the numbers of visitors being able to increase, ticket income and our new fundraising programme will provide sustainable income for the future.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Going concern

On the basis of several years of sustained losses, the trustees have considered whether the Charity is a going concern. It is the view of the trustees that the Charity is a going concern, this is on the basis that:

• visitor numbers again increased in nine months over the previous year;

• income from all areas of the Charity and trading company has been maintained and increased in some areas;

• the changes made have had a positive impact on financial stability;

• costs are carefully controlled;

• research has shown that there is considerable scope for fundraising and the development of fundraising will allow the charity to break even, repay debt and develop reserves along with allowing development of the site and the collection.

We have dipped into our reserves, however, they still show a level which is significantly greater than those we have held in the past. It is expected that these will be replenished over the summer of 2024 and that the Charity will have increased reserves at the end of 2024.

Social impact

The social impact of the work of the Charity is massive and includes:

• creating an awareness in all of those who visit the Charity about the impact on the planet of a reduction in animal life;

• creating an awareness of animals which are endangered and at risk;

• improving the lives of the “Superkids” whose troubled behaviour can be improved by spending time with the Charity;

• improving the lives of veterans suffering from a range of illness and who are engaged in rehabilitation;

• creating a place for people to visit and experience relaxation and learning development;

• supported volunteers with other charities undertaking support work in the grounds, allowing them to develop skills to assist their full reintegration into the community following brain and other injuries.

We aim to continue to maintain and improve the social impact that we have as a charity.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Plans for the future

Heading into 2024, we have a number of plans to develop the site and the animal experience. Key plans are:

Fundraising statement

The Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and undertakes all its fundraising in accordance with the Code of Fundraising Practice.

We have undertaken a monthly fundraising campaign in 2024, all donations which have been received have been made on a voluntary basis. We have publicised that we are a charity and that we accept donations. This has been promoted through our social media feeds and our website. Our fundraising policies are signed off annually by the trustees. We have not engaged with any third parties to undertake fundraising on our behalf. A small number of donations have been received from supporters taking part in third party events and raising sponsorship.

Our CEO has taken charge of fundraising and he is responsible for managing future fundraising campaigns.

We have not received any complaints in 2024 in respect of our fundraising practices.

As an animal charity we are aware that our supporters are emotionally involved with our collection and that asking for money for animals is generally emotive. We ensure that our staff are trained in understanding that vulnerable people will be among our donors and we ensure that we do not expressly target elderly people or other vulnerable groups for donations. We ensure that we engage with our supporters to identify their interests. We are also looking to introduce a new fundraising database which will ensure that we can identity vulnerable supporters and ensure that we work appropriately with all groups.

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Trustees' Report

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales under number 1158422. It is a charitable incorporated organisation constituted under a constitution dated 2 September 2014. The Charity commenced operation on 19 December 2014.

If the Charity is wound up, the members of the Charity have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.

The constitution provides for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 trustees.

Overall responsibility for the management of the Charity is vested in the trustees. The names of the trustees are set out on page 1.

The trustees have undertaken a skills audit and identified the areas in which they would like to recruit trustees. These are relatively specialist areas and there has been a difference in the skills required and the skills held by people offering themselves to be trustees. The financial position has also resulted in some reluctance to join the board due to a concern over CIO status.

Therefore, at present, any trustee vacancies would be recruited on an invite basis after considering the skills or experience required.

Risk management

The principal financial risk and uncertainty facing the Charity is an over-reliance on visitor numbers for funding. A fall in visitors could significantly impact the available resources of the Charity.

One factor that can affect visitor numbers is poor weather. To mitigate against this putting off potential visitors we will develop the site with semi-permanent shelters and indoor activities.

Another factor that can cause a fall in visitor numbers is not updating our attraction and our animals. We have shown that by revitalising the collection we have increased the number of visitors and we expect this to continue with our current plans.

The additional major risks that we face are:

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

All of the above issues have been considered by the trustees and plans and procedures are in place to guard against all of the risks which have been identified.

The strategic plan developed in 2018 has been actioned and amended to take into account the issues we are facing. A new plan is In development. This will continue with the development and refurbishment of new enclosures, review and development of each team and ensuring that the grounds are completely revitalised.

Few zoos manage to operate on ticket income and charitable fundraising is key to being able to stop operating in a deficit and to repay the current debt. Our fundraising in 2024 has shown that we have the ability to raise funds and that people are willing to make donations. Increasing regular giving is a priority for 2024.

Reserves policy

The charity’s short-term aim is to break even however within the next 2-3 years the Trustees aim to begin to build up free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately 6 months of unrestricted expenditure.

At the year-end, reserves were at approximately 3 months of expenditure (2024: 3).

The trustees are working on development plans to generate reserves of £650,000 which will increase as the Charity increases in size. It is hoped that this can be achieved by obtaining sponsorship and fundraising for core costs for the operation of the Charity and care of the animals, allowing income from entry fees, education and events to be divided between creating a strong reserve and developing the grounds.

As of the end of 2024, a cash reserve of £200,000 had been developed, meaning that the trustees have not reached their reserves policy aim by 2024, it is expected that this will now take to 2028. Overall, the Trustees will ensure that they always have £100,000 in cash assets, as the zoo would not be viable without maintaining cash assets at this level.

Related and connected parties

A summary of transactions occurring during the year ended 31 December 2024 between related parties is shown in note 26 of the financial statements.

Pay policy

The Charity’s policy is to pay all staff, regardless of age, at least the current National Living Wage. The overall aim is to review all salaries and begin a programme of market streamlining as funds become available. We are grateful to a committed staff group that provides love and care to all of our animals, whilst understanding the financial pressures on an animal charity of our size. We cannot take advantage of this goodwill and we will seek to improve salaries at the earliest opportunity.

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Trustees' Report

Volunteers

Over the course of 2024, we received support from 67 (2023: 63) volunteers delivering at least 8,404 hours (2023: 6,923) which is a significant number of hours of volunteer time. This was provided as 1,386 hours of voluntary keeper time and 5,743 of education and discovery time and 1,275 of other volunteering time including, but not limited to maintenance and administration. When we added in the CSR time, this was over 9,412 volunteer hours from 235 people.

The volunteers have assisted in a wide variety of ways, including:

• maintenance;

• providing educational support to the visitors and undertaking a large number of daily talks and seminars;

• administration;

• animal care.

Volunteer hours in the animal team increased significantly following a drop in 2022 which was partially reversed in 2023. It is hoped that volunteer hours will increase again in 2025.

We work closely with the charity Grow 4 Good South West Limited (G4G). The G4G Volunteers and Staff have provided approximately 503 (2023: 702) hours of volunteer time within the grounds. G4G also hosted corporate groups which added a further 290 hours of volunteer time.

The G4G volunteer team have been involved in not only the general up-keep of the landscaped areas but have also:

• taken on the management of the pot plants and general cleanliness at the front of the main house to keep it looking tidy for weddings;

• undertaken the clearing of overgrown areas of the park;

• planted appropriate plants in some of the larger enclosures to provide cover and enrichment for the animals;

• pruned and maintained the hedges around the Estate.

Benjamin James has provided pro bono legal services to the charity over the course of the year.

Mr Simon Almond, a trustee has provided numerous voluntary services to the Charity including free waste collection services as well as donating funds and goods. His support and dedication are much appreciated by all of the trustees and staff.

The trustees would like to thank all of the volunteers for the work that they have undertaken over the last year. The Chairperson would also like to thank the trustees for their commitment in assisting the Charity over another complicated year.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The Charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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Trustees' Report

The law applicable to Charities in England requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the Charity for that period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:

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 applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulation, and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Trust's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.

28 September 2025

Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Mr Benjamin James Chairperson

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Dartmoor Zoological Society

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Dartmoor Zoological Society (the 'charitable parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group 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 group's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

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Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Dartmoor Zoological Society

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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 or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the and the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees 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 charity'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 charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor 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 the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Dartmoor Zoological Society

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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.

Page 17

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Dartmoor Zoological Society

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable parent company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the group's trustees 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 anyone other than the charitable parent company and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

...................................... Adam Croney ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Westcotts (SW) LLP, Statutory Auditor

Plym House 3 Longbridge Road Marsh Mills Plymouth Devon PL6 8LT

29 September 2025 Date:.............................

Page 18

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Dartmoor Zoological Society

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

(Including Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investment income
6
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
9
Costs of trading activities
9
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
23		 Unrestricted
funds
£
130,207
1,101,825
724,813
10,830
1,967,675
(45,194)
(1,293,866)
(695,477)
(2,034,537)
(66,862)
(66,862)
364,056
297,194		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
58,632
58,632		 Total
2024
£
130,207
1,101,825
724,813
10,830
1,967,675
(45,194)
(1,293,866)
(695,477)
(2,034,537)
(66,862)
(66,862)
422,688
355,826		 Total
2023
£
148,252
1,048,783
659,365
11,314
1,867,714
(49,905)
(1,268,403)
(642,521)
(1,960,829)
(93,115)
(93,115)
515,803
422,688

All of the group's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 23.

The notes on pages 24 to 42 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 19

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investment income
6
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
9
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
23		 Unrestricted
funds
£
149,163
1,101,825
10,830
1,261,818
(45,194)
(1,289,297)
(1,334,491)
(72,673)
(72,673)
339,110
266,437		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
58,632
58,632		 Total
2024
£
149,163
1,101,825
10,830
1,261,818
(45,194)
(1,289,297)
(1,334,491)
(72,673)
(72,673)
397,742
325,069		 Total
2023
£
165,300
1,048,783
11,314
1,225,397
(49,905)
(1,264,918)
(1,314,823)
(89,426)
(89,426)
487,168
397,742

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 23.

The notes on pages 24 to 42 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 20

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

(Registration number: 10606514) Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 16 335,812 319,118
Current assets
Stocks 18 44,037 41,303
Debtors 19 57,743 52,502
Cash at bank and in hand 222,899 320,236
324,679 414,041
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 20 (303,547) (306,671)
Net current assets 21,132 107,370
Total assets less current liabilities 356,944 426,488
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 21 (1,118) (3,800)
Net assets 355,826 422,688
Funds of the group:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds 58,632 58,632
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 297,194 364,056
Total funds 23 355,826 422,688

The financial statements on pages 19 to 42 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... 28 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Dunjomiw, James Mr Benjamin James Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 24 to 42 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 21

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

(Registration number: 10606514) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 16 312,750 301,867
Investments 17 2 2
312,752 301,869
Current assets
Debtors 19 44,465 50,239
Cash at bank and in hand 221,675 317,606
266,140 367,845
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 20 (252,705) (268,172)
Net current assets 13,435 99,673
Total assets less current liabilities 326,187 401,542
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 21 (1,118) (3,800)
Net assets 325,069 397,742
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds 58,632 58,632
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds 266,437 339,110
Total funds 23 325,069 397,742

The financial statements on pages 19 to 42 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on .................... 28 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Dunjomiw, James Mr Benjamin James Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 24 to 42 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 22

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash expenditure
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation
16, 11
Investment income
6
Working capital adjustments
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
18
Decrease in debtors
19
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
20
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest receivable and similar income
6
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
16
Net cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of borrowings
20
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December		 2024
£
(66,862)
50,418
(10,830)
(27,274)
(2,734)
13,715
(22,080)
(38,373)
10,830
(67,112)
(56,282)
(2,682)
(97,337)
320,236
222,899		 2023
£
(93,115)
50,394
(11,314)
(54,035)
4,906
15,712
88,779
55,362
11,314
(37,088)
(25,774)
(3,803)
25,785
294,451
320,236

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 24 to 42 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 23

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1 Charity status

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

The address of its registered office is: Dartmoor Zoological Park Sparkwell Plymouth Devon PL7 5DG

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).

Basis of preparation

Dartmoor Zoological Society 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.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the charity and its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to 31 December 2024.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is achieved where the charity has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between the charity and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, are eliminated in full.

Intra-group losses are also eliminated but may indicate an impairment that requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements.

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Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Going concern

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

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity 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 charity 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 charity before the charity 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 charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when:

-The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or -The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Gift aid

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the Statement of Financial Activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

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.

Raising funds

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity 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.

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Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Support costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Governance costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.

Taxation

The charity 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 charity 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

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Asset class Depreciation method and rate
Leasehold improvements 10% straight line
Plant and machinery 10% reducing balance
Eco-Perch Over 21 years (the lease)
Equipment 25% straight line

Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments consist of shares in subsidiary undertakings held by the charity, these are accounted for at cost less any impairment to date.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

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Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the group.

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.

Hire purchase and finance leases

Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are recognised in the statement of financial position as assets and liabilities at the lower of the fair value of the assets and the present value of the minimum lease payments, which is determined at the inception of the lease term. Any initial direct costs of the lease are added to the amount recognised as an asset.

Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the outstanding lease liability using the effective interest method. Finance charges are allocated to each period so as to produce a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Financial instruments

Recognition and measurement

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Other fundraising income		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
125,102
5,105
130,207		 Total
2024
£
125,102
5,105
130,207		 Total
2023
£
102,338
45,914
148,252

Page 27

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

4 Income from charitable activities

Grants
Admissions
Memberships
Education
Experiences and events
Other income		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
9,927
828,444
53,193
105,150
92,902
12,209
1,101,825		 Total
2024
£
9,927
828,444
53,193
105,150
92,902
12,209
1,101,825		 Total
2023
£
7,206
759,497
43,112
122,235
98,870
17,863
1,048,783

5 Income from other trading activities

Restaurant sales
Retail sales
Other trading income
Weddings and events
6
Investment income
Bank Interest		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
399,733
143,349
14,039
167,692
724,813
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
10,830		 Total
2024
£
399,733
143,349
14,039
167,692
724,813
Total
2024
£
10,830		 Total
2023
£
382,388
125,227
11,371
140,379
659,365
Total
2023
£
11,314

Page 28

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

7 Dartmoor Zoo Enterprises

Dartmoor Zoo Enterprises Limited is a trading subsidiary of the charity, audited accounts are filed with the Registrar of Companies. A summary of the trading results is shown below:

Turnover
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Operating profit
Interest payable
Profit before tax
Assets
Liabilities
Capital
Reserves		 2024
£
724,813
(365,168)
359,645
(334,878)
24,767
-
24,767
2024
£
160,368
(135,420)
24,948
2024
£
2
24,946
24,948		 2023
£
659,365
(345,194)
314,171
(300,523)
13,648
(289)
13,359
2023
£
155,902
(130,954)
24,948
2023
£
2
24,946
24,948

8 Expenditure on raising funds

Marketing and publicity
Other costs of raising funds		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
34,566
10,628
45,194		 Total
2024
£
34,566
10,628
45,194		 Total
2023
£
39,468
10,437
49,905

Page 29

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

9 Expenditure on charitable and trading activities

Expenditure by fund type

Charitable activities
Allocated support costs
Trading subsidiary costs
Support costs
Charitable activities
Trading subsidiary costs
Support costs
Expenditure by activity type
Charitable expenditure
Trading expenditure
Governance costs		 Note
7
10
Activity
undertaken
directly
£
1,235,721
691,110
-
1,926,831		 Note
10
7
10
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
917,336
638,223
342,994
1,898,553
Activity
support
costs
£
40,137
4,367
18,008
62,512		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
938,217
(4,063)
691,110
364,079
1,989,343
Restricted
funds
£
12,371
-
-
12,371
2024
£
1,275,858
695,477
18,008
1,989,343		 Total
2024
£
938,217
(4,063)
691,110
364,079
1,989,343
Total
2023
£
929,707
638,223
342,994
1,910,924
2023
£
1,246,028
642,522
22,374
1,910,924

Page 30

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

10 Analysis of governance and support costs

Staff costs
Premises
General office
Bank charges
Irrecoverable VAT
Governance costs
11 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net outgoing resources for the year include:
Depreciation
12 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other staff costs		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
308,616
4,367
1,901
1,132
30,055
18,008
364,079		 Total
2024
£
308,616
4,367
1,901
1,132
30,055
18,008
364,079
2024
£
50,418
2024
£
940,974
73,595
20,143
7,051
1,041,763		 Total
2023
£
282,439
4,298
3,632
1,489
28,762
22,374
342,994
2023
£
50,394
2023
£
903,399
64,476
21,439
5,989
995,303

Page 31

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the group during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2024 2023
No No
Total 52 54

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

All pension liabilities and expenditure incurred were in relation to defined contribution schemes and utilised unrestricted funds.

13 Trustees remuneration and expenses

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

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

14 Auditors' remuneration

Audit of the financial statements
Other fees paid to auditors		 2024
£
6,500
7,905
14,405		 2023
£
6,000
8,138
14,138

15 Taxation

The group is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

Page 32

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

16 Tangible fixed assets

Group

Leasehold
improvements
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
193,128
Additions
47,253
At 31 December 2024
240,381
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
38,447
Charge for the year
17,407
At 31 December 2024
55,854
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
184,527
At 31 December 2023
154,681
Charity
Leasehold
improvements
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
193,129
Additions
47,253
At 31 December 2024
240,382
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
38,448
Charge for the year
17,407
At 31 December 2024
55,855
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
184,527
At 31 December 2023
154,681		 Plant and
Machinery
£
80,308
-
80,308
23,568
5,674
29,242
51,066
56,740
Plant and
Machinery
£
80,308
-
80,308
23,568
5,674
29,242
51,066
56,740		 Eco-Perch
£
95,820
-
95,820
37,188
4,791
41,979
53,841
58,632
Eco-Perch
£
95,820
-
95,820
37,188
4,791
41,979
53,841
58,632		 Equipment
£
177,351
19,859
197,210
128,286
22,546
150,832
46,378
49,065
Equipment
£
145,898
9,681
155,579
114,084
18,179
132,263
23,316
31,814		 Total
£
546,607
67,112
613,719
227,489
50,418
277,907
335,812
319,118
Total
£
515,155
56,934
572,089
213,288
46,051
259,339
312,750
301,867

Page 33

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

17 Fixed asset investments

Charity

Shares in group undertakings and participating interests

Cost
At 1 January 2024
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023		 Subsidiary
undertakings
£
2
2
2
2		 Total
£
2
2
2
2

Details of undertakings

Details of the investments in which the charity holds 20% or more of the nominal value of any class of share capital are as follows:

Country of Proportion of voting Proportion of voting Principal
Undertaking incorporation Holding rights and shares held activity
2024 2023
Subsidiary undertakings
Providing
catering,
Dartmoor Zoo
Enterprises Limited		 England and
Wales		 Ordinary 100% 100% retail,
and
weddings at
Dartmoor
Zoo

The registered address of Dartmoor Zoo Enterprises is the same as Dartmoor Zoological Society.

18 Stock

Finished goods Group
2024
£
2023
£
44,037
41,303		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
-
-

Page 34

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

19 Debtors

Group
2024
£
2023
£
Trade debtors
4,516
13,218
Prepayments
43,180
39,058
VAT recoverable
6,352
-
Other debtors
3,695
226
57,743
52,502
20 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Group
2024
£
2023
£
Trade creditors
87,099
67,955
Accruals and deferred income
160,647
191,336
Hire purchase and finance
leases
2,682
2,682
Due to group undertakings
-
-
Other taxation and social
security
39,317
31,450
Other creditors
13,802
13,248
303,547
306,671
Deferred income
Group
Deferred income at 1 January 2024
Resources deferred in the period
Amounts released from previous periods
Deferred income at year end		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
884
11,997
37,229
35,462
6,352
2,780
-
-
44,465
50,239
Charity
2024
£
2023
£
55,228
44,289
79,853
101,711
2,682
2,682
84,578
89,675
16,828
16,631
13,536
13,184
252,705
268,172
2024
£
2023
£
137,021
117,800
118,628
105,361
(137,021)
(86,140)
118,628
137,021		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
884
11,997
37,229
35,462
6,352
2,780
-
-
44,465
50,239
Charity
2024
£
2023
£
55,228
44,289
79,853
101,711
2,682
2,682
84,578
89,675
16,828
16,631
13,536
13,184
252,705
268,172
2024
£
2023
£
137,021
117,800
118,628
105,361
(137,021)
(86,140)
118,628
137,021
268,172
2023
£
117,800
105,361
(86,140)
137,021

Page 35

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Company
Deferred income at 1 January 2024
Resources deferred in the period
Amounts released from previous periods
Deferred income at year end		 2024
£
77,983
51,706
(77,983)
51,706		 2023
£
89,208
61,845
(73,070)
77,983

21 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year

Hire purchase and finance
leases		 Group
2024
£
2023
£
1,118
3,800		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
1,118
3,800

22 Obligations under leases

The total value of future minimum lease payments was as follows:

Within one year
In two to five years		 Group
2024
£
2023
£
2,682
3,038
1,118
4,303
3,800
7,341		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2,682
3,038
1,118
4,303
3,800
7,341		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
2,682
3,038
1,118
4,303
3,800
7,341
7,341

Operating lease commitments

Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Other
Within one year
Between one and five years
After five years		 Group
2024
£
2023
£
63,900
64,300
255,600
256,100
383,400
447,300
702,900
767,700		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
63,900
64,300
255,600
256,100
383,400
447,300
702,900
767,700		 Charity
2024
£
2023
£
63,900
64,300
255,600
256,100
383,400
447,300
702,900
767,700
767,700

In the year payments relating to operating leases of £63,900 were recognised as expenditure (2023: £64,300). This mostly relates to the lease of the Zoo as described in note 26, related party transactions.

Page 36

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

23 Funds

Group
Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Restricted funds
Eco-Perch
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
General Funds
Restricted funds
Eco-Perch
South Hams Business
Networking
Armed Forces Veterans
Grant
Travel To Work Grant
Total funds		 Balance at 1
January
2024
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Balance at
31 December
2024
£
364,056
1,967,675
(2,034,537)
297,194
58,632
-
-
58,632
422,688
1,967,675
(2,034,537)
355,826
Balance at
1 January
2023
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Transfers
£
Balance at
31
December
2023
£
421,955
1,867,714
(1,947,578)
21,965
364,056
63,423
-
(4,791)
-
58,632
2,941
-
(2,618)
(323)
-
3,775
-
(3,451)
(324)
-
23,709
-
(2,391)
(21,318)
-
93,848
-
(13,251)
(21,965)
58,632
515,803
1,867,714
(1,960,829)
-
422,688		 Balance at
31 December
2024
£
297,194
58,632		 Balance at
31 December
2024
£
297,194
58,632
355,826
Balance at
31
December
2023
£
364,056
58,632
-
-
-
58,632
422,688

Page 37

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Charity
Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Restricted funds
Eco-Perch
Total funds
Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Restricted funds
Eco-Perch
South Hams Business
Networking
Armed Forces Veterans
Grant
Travel To Work Grant
Total funds		 Balance at 1
January
2024
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Balance at
31 December
2024
£
339,110
1,261,818
(1,334,491)
266,437
58,632
-
-
58,632
397,742
1,261,818
(1,334,491)
325,069
Balance at
1 January
2023
£
Incoming
resources
£
Resources
expended
£
Transfers
£
Balance at
31
December
2023
£
393,320
1,225,397
(1,301,572)
21,965
339,110
63,423
-
(4,791)
-
58,632
2,941
-
(2,618)
(323)
-
3,775
-
(3,451)
(324)
-
23,709
-
(2,391)
(21,318)
-
93,848
-
(13,251)
(21,965)
58,632
487,168
1,225,397
(1,314,823)
-
397,742		 Balance at
31 December
2024
£
266,437
58,632		 Balance at
31 December
2024
£
266,437
58,632
325,069
Balance at
31
December
2023
£
339,110
58,632
-
-
-
58,632
397,742

Page 38

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

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

Income received from Plymouth University to fund the building of the Eco-Perch. The Eco-Perch is leased to Plymouth University and the fund is being depreciated in line with the lease over a period of 20 years.

Other restricted grants was money received from the Building Forum, which was subsequently noted to be unrestricted.

South Hams Business Networking is Funding from SHDC enabled DZS to offer free monthly Breakfast Networking events to local businesses, traders and not for profit organisations.

Armed Forces Veterans Grant is used to support veterans to improve their physical and mental health through the benefits of engaging with or being surrounded by animals and nature. Skills, education and social interactions are facilitated in an unconventional format which works extremely well for people who struggle with mainstream processes and social pressures.

The travel to work grant has been used towards building a new washroom, this has now been transferred to an unrestricted fixed asset and is depreciated over 10 years as is the policy for improvements to leasehold property.

Page 39

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

24 Analysis of net assets between funds

Group

Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors over 1 year
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors over 1 year
Total net assets		 Unrestricted
funds
General
£
281,971
324,679
(303,547)
(1,118)
301,985
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
239,168
414,041
(306,671)
(3,800)
342,738		 Restricted
funds
£
53,841
-
-
-
53,841
Restricted
funds
£
79,950
-
-
-
79,950		 Total funds
at 31
December
2024
£
335,812
324,679
(303,547)
(1,118)
355,826
Total funds
at 31
December
2023
£
319,118
414,041
(306,671)
(3,800)
422,688

Page 40

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

25 Analysis of net funds

Group

Group
Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Finance leases and hire purchase contracts
Net debt
Cash at bank and in hand
Debt due within one year
Debt due after more than one year
Net debt		 At 1 January
2024
£
320,236
(8,182)
(3,800)
308,254
At 1 January
2023
£
294,451
(9,156)
(6,482)
278,813		 Financing
cash flows
£
(97,337)
84
2,682
(94,571)
Financing
cash flows
£
25,785
974
2,682
29,441		 At 31
December
2024
£
222,899
(8,098)
(1,118)
213,683
At 31
December
2023
£
320,236
(8,182)
(3,800)
308,254

Page 41

Docusign Envelope ID: F33C4BD7-A17A-4EEB-B416-409EE8E928EC

Dartmoor Zoological Society

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

26 Related party transactions

Group

All trustees and their immediate family automatically get free entry to the zoo.

Benjamin Mee (Trustee)

The freehold land, known as Dartmoor Zoological Park, is owned by Benjamin Mee and the Executors of Mrs Amelia Mee. The charity has a 20-year lease with Benjamin Mee and the Trustees of the Amelia Mee Trust. The total rent charged in the year amounts to £63,900 (2023: £63,900).

At the year end, the charity owed Benjamin Mee £5,416 (2023: £5,500), which is included within other creditors. Movements were from expenses paid for by the charity related to Mr Mee personally or vice versa. The remaining funds are a prepayment against certain expenses incurred by the charity which are shared with Mr Mee as the Charity’s landlord. The terms of the prepayment are interest free and will be set off against expenses as incurred.

Benjamin James (Trustee and Chairperson)

Benjamin James has provided both pro bono and paid for legal services to the Charity over the course of the year. Along with all the other Trustees who serve for three years or more, Benjamin has a free lifetime membership to the zoo.

Simon Almond (Trustee)

Simon Almond was a director of a refuse collection company, which provides free refuse collection at the zoo, until 30th November 2023. Additional services were provided in the year, whilst this was a related party, amounting to £1,668 (2023: £1,668) were provided at an arm’s length. There were no donations received in the year (2023: £Nil).

Dartmoor Zoo Enterprises Limited

The wholly owned subsidiary, detail in note 17 , has been granted by the charity an informal license of part of the property at Dartmoor Zoological Park. A sub-lease is not required, and the terms of occupation are clear between the group companies. No rent has been charged in the year (2023: £Nil). The trading subsidiary is currently owed £78,767 from the charity (2023: £89,675) was owed to the charity) for transactions paid on behalf of the other party. The balance is interest free and has no repayment terms. The subsidiary has donated their year-end profits to the charity throughout the reporting period to manage cash flow, donating £24,767 in total, meeting the requirement for year-end profits of the subsidiary to be donated to the parent within 9 months of the year end.

Dartmoor Zoological Society - company number 10606514

On the 7 February 2017 a company limited by guarantee was incorporated with the name of Dartmoor Zoological Society. Two of the trustees of the charity are directors of the company. The company is dormant. It is intended that the company will replace the charity once it is registered as a charity.

Page 42