THE MERSEA HARBOUR PROTECTION TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024
Trustees Mark Dixon, Jonathan French, Richard Taylor Alan Mogridge, Simon Plater, David Stoker
Charity Number 1159088 Secretary Jane Dixon 1 City Road West Mersea CO5 8NE
The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Trust are to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the area of West Mersea Harbour, involving:
Protection of West Mersea harbour including the BAP European Flat Oyster beds from excessive erosion by climate change induced storm waves, but still allow natural coastal process to apply and impact.
Providing new and more robust nesting sites for the BAP Little Tern.
Enhancing wherever possible within the project, the conservation designation integrity of protected species and habitats.
Preservation of the long term viability of the harbour for maritime commercial and leisure interests.
Preservation of the character of the Mersea waterside area.
These objectives to be achieved by a Recharge reinforcing the seaward faces of Cobmarsh, Packing Marsh, Old Hall and Tollesbury Wick frontage which protect the harbour from erosion by storm waves with up to 98,000 cubic meters of sand and shingle from a new planned dredge of the approaches to Harwich Harbour.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) granted a 10 year Marine Licence from March 2018.
The Trust made an agreement with Harwich Harbour Authority (HHA) and the Environment Agency for supply and delivery of the dredged materials to Mersea by contractors with a funding contribution from the Environment Agency.
Achievements and Performance
During the period:
The Trust carried out detailed moitoring of the potential effects of the Recharge and submitted reports to The Marine Management organisation.
Financial Review
Direct expenditure on activities involved in the recharge was £8280. Grants received from the Environment Agency were £8280. There were no other costs.
It is the policy of the Trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Structure, governance and management
The charity was established as a charitable incorporated organisation by a constitution dated 29 September 2014.
The trustees who served during the year were:
Mark Dixon, Jonathan French, Richard Taylor Alan Mogridge, Simon Plater, David Stoker None of the trustees has beneficial interest in the Trust.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
………………………………..
Richard Taylor
THE MERSEA HARBOUR PROTECTION TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Income from : | ||||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Grants received -Environment Agency | 14,040 | 8,280 | ||
| Total income | 14,040 | 8,280 | ||
| Expenditure on : | ||||
| Charitable activities - Recharge Monitoring | 14,040 | 8,280 | ||
| Governance and other costs | ||||
| Total expenditure for the year | 14,040 | 8,280 | ||
| Net movement in funds | 0 | 0 | ||
| Fund balances at 1 November 2023 | 4,276 | 4,026 | ||
| Fund balances at 31 October 2024 | 4,276 | 4,026 | ||
| BALANCE SHEET | ||||
| AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2024 | ||||
| 2023 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current Assets | ||||
| Debtors | 0 | 0 | ||
| Cash at bank | 4025 | 4,025 | ||
| Creditors | 0 | 0 | ||
| Net current assets | 4,025 | 4,025 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 4,025 | 4,025 | ||
| Approved by Trustees | ||||
| ……………………………….. | ||||
| Richard Taylor Mark Dixon | ||||
| Date |