REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1159769
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
FOR
HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
Taylor, Robertson & Willett Ltd 95 King Street Lancaster Lancashire LA1 1RH
HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The object of the Charity is to promote such purposes that are exclusively charitable under the laws of England and Wales as the Trustees in their discretion from time to time determine and in particular,
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The prevention of poverty.
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The relief of sickness and the preservation of health.
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The promotion of volunteering.
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The advancement of human rights.
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Developing the capacity and skills of members of a community (especially those socially and/or economically disadvantaged) so that they are better able to meet their needs and to participate more fully in society.
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The advancement of environmental protection or improvement.
Application of income and capital
(1) The trustees must apply the income, and at their discretion, all or part of the capital, of the charity in furthering the object.
(2) The Objects will be promoted by making donations or grants to other registered charities and/or philanthropic or community organisations in accordance with the Grants Policy, and with the intention of encouraging and enabling ways for humankind to live in harmony with nature.
(3) The Trustees will consider all applications which further the Objects, and which also encourage and enable ways for humankind to live in harmony with nature, but wish in particular to support activities which:
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Promote the restoration, conservation and protection of wild places with their indigenous animals, plants, soils and natural processes for the benefit of present and future generations;
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Encourage sustainable energy generation and energy conservation in order to reduce degradation of the natural environment;
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Advance the education in, and appreciation of, natural processes, sustainable living practices and technologies;
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Encourage voluntary public participation in enhancing nature, both in urban and rural settings;
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Promote democratic community ownership and control of land (including buildings), for the benefit of the community and the surrounding natural environment;
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Protect the land rights and territories of indigenous peoples worldwide.
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
The Board of Trustees are satisfied that the Charity's affairs and resources have been managed in accordance with its aims and purpose and, at their meetings during the year, made clear decisions about what needed to be achieved in accordance with these aims and purpose. The Charity's rental income has increased following the gift of a further residential property by the settlor.
The Charity's rental income has increased following the gift of a further residential property in 2022/23 by the settlor, and the completed build of an 8-bedroom flat which now provides accommodation to refugees and workers on low incomes.
The trustees have made five grants in the year totalling £25,000.
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£5,000 to Green Rose CIC, a social enterprise giving free energy saving advice to householders
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£5,000 to Forest Peoples Programme, to protect the Rights of indigenous peoples worldwide
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£5,000 to Nea Guinea, Greece, for training refugees in practical skills
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£5,000 to Money for Madagascar, for a rainforest restoration project
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£5,000 to LESS CIC, for their work in local schools around nature restoration and food growing
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The principle source of the Charity's income was through the continued donations from the Trust's Settlor, together with dividends and interest from current investments and rents from investment properties.
Investment policy and objectives
Investments were made in accordance with the Charity's Investments policy. Shares are owned in three community-owned renewable energy companies. The Charity owns three residential and one commercial property. The balance of investments are made in publicly quoted shares, using positive and negative ethical screening. The Charity's share portfolio is managed by Rathbone Greenbank and has a high risk profile skewed towards capital growth. This is likely to produce a greater financial return, and a high income from the portfolio is not currently essential for the furtherance of the Charity's Objects. In common with worldwide stockmarket trends, the book value of the share portfolio has reduced in the last year. The trustees however, have confidence that the underlying assets are sound and will recover in due course.
Reserves policy
The Charity does not hold any financial reserves for any purpose.
Funds in deficit
The charity does not have any fund which is materially in deficit.
FUTURE PLANS
In the financial year 2024/25 the Trustees anticipate purchasing a commercial property which has been offered at a 40% discount to its open market value, and plan to make grants of at least £25,000 to charities selected by the board, in furtherance of the Objects of the Charity. The Trustees additionally anticipate making a grant of up to £200,000 towards the purchase of a community owned farm.
The Trustees are embarking on a building programme to extend a residential property they own. Although this will restrict the grants that the Charity is able to distribute in the short term, the subsequent rental income will enable the Charity to substantially increase its distribution after completion of the works.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity was established in 2015 and is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust. The charity constitutes an unincorporated charity.
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1159769
Principal address
51 Ashfield Avenue Lancaster Lancashire LA1 5DZ
Trustees
Mr S C Gershon Ms A Wallman Dr E Heath Dr D Touliatos
Independent Examiner
Taylor, Robertson & Willett Ltd 95 King Street Lancaster Lancashire LA1 1RH
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 14th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Dr E Heath - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Harmony With Nature Charitable Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Harmony With Nature Charitable Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
Jennifer Beckett
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Taylor, Robertson & Willett Ltd 95 King Street Lancaster Lancashire LA1 1RH
30th September 2024
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Investment income 2 Other income Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable donations Other Total NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
2024 Unrestricted fund £ 266,259 98,143 18,813 383,215 25,000 39,963 64,963 318,252 1,821,210 2,139,462 |
2023 Total funds £ 170,725 68,491 (55,224) 183,992 17,000 27,145 44,145 139,847 1,681,363 1,821,210 |
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The notes form part of these financial statements
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
31st March 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 4 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 5 Investments 6 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year 8 NET ASSETS FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 Unrestricted fund £ 1,168,772 3,190 909,331 92,180 1,004,701 (34,011) 970,690 2,139,462 - 2,139,462 2,139,462 2,139,462 |
2023 Total funds £ 1,060,507 - 850,791 28,976 879,767 (54,064) 825,703 1,886,210 (65,000) 1,821,210 1,821,210 1,821,210 |
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 14th October 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
Dr E Heath - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
- Freehold property not provided - Plant and machinery at varying rates on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Investments
Listed investments are revalued at market value at the balance sheet date.
continued...
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
2. INVESTMENT INCOME
| Rents received Interest received Dividends received |
2024 £ 80,609 4,668 12,866 98,143 |
2023 £ 50,990 2,699 14,802 68,491 |
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3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2024 nor for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2024 nor for the year ended 31st March 2023.
4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| COST At 1st April 2023 Additions At 31st March 2024 DEPRECIATION At 1st April 2023 Charge for year At 31st March 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2024 At 31st March 2023 |
Freehold property £ 1,032,035 105,518 1,137,553 - - - 1,137,553 1,032,035 |
Plant and machinery £ 42,447 11,093 53,540 13,975 8,346 22,321 31,219 28,472 |
Totals £ 1,074,482 116,611 1,191,093 13,975 8,346 22,321 1,168,772 1,060,507 |
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continued...
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
| 5. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Prepayments 6. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS Listed investments Unlisted investments 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Other creditors 8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR Other creditors 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1/4/23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,821,210 TOTAL FUNDS 1,821,210 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 383,215 TOTAL FUNDS 383,215 |
2024 £ 3,190 2024 £ 837,027 72,304 909,331 2024 £ 34,011 2024 £ - Net movement in funds £ 318,252 318,252 Resources expended £ (64,963) (64,963) |
2023 £ - 2023 £ 777,245 73,546 850,791 2023 £ 54,064 2023 £ 65,000 At 31/3/24 £ 2,139,462 2,139,462 Movement in funds £ 318,252 318,252 |
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continued...
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1/4/22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,681,363 TOTAL FUNDS 1,681,363 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 183,992 TOTAL FUNDS 183,992 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: At 1/4/22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,681,363 TOTAL FUNDS 1,681,363 |
Net movement in funds £ 139,847 139,847 Resources expended £ (44,145) (44,145) Net movement in funds £ 458,099 458,099 |
At 31/3/23 £ 1,821,210 1,821,210 Movement in funds £ 139,847 139,847 At 31/3/24 £ 2,139,462 2,139,462 |
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A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 567,207 567,207 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (109,108) 458,099 (109,108) 458,099 |
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continued...
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Transactions with Mr S C Gershon, a Trustee of the Charity.
During the year Mr S C Gershon donated shares to the Charity worth £167,714.
During the year Mr A Gershon (Mr S C Gershon's father) donated shares to the Charity worth £98,260.
The long term creditor brought forward of £65,000 which was owed to Mr S C Gershon, was repaid in the year.
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HARMONY WITH NATURE CHARITABLE TRUST
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 31st March 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Investment income Rents received Interest received Dividends received Other income Profit/loss on share disposal Revaluation Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Grants to institutions Support costs Management Postage and stationery Portfolio management Finance Bank charges Other Property running costs Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees Total resources expended Net income |
2024 £ 266,259 80,609 4,668 12,866 98,143 11,873 6,940 18,813 383,215 25,000 9 6,531 6,540 84 23,763 8,346 32,109 1,230 64,963 318,252 |
2023 £ 170,725 50,990 2,699 14,802 68,491 14,440 (69,664) (55,224) 183,992 17,000 63 7,016 7,079 84 12,019 6,823 18,842 1,140 44,145 139,847 |
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This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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