DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED IA Company Llmlted by Guarantee) TRUSTEES. REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 30 November 2023 Company no: 09318821 Charity no: 1160969
CONTENTS Page TRUSTEES, REPORT 14 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BALANCE SHEET NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 10-15
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) CURRENT LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Tfu5tEES J M Dunkerton W E A Edwards R O 8 Cooper- resigned 31 March 2024 Charity number 1160969 Company nurnber 09318821 Registered Office Dowdeswell Park London Road Cheltenham GL52 6UT Accountants Ha21ewoods LLP ndsor House Bayshill Road Cheltenham GL50 3AT Bankers HSBC PIC 8, Cork Street Lodon W1S3LJ w(xland 8tewa¥dslilp Greenleaf Foresty Ltd 12, Challoner Court Brtstol BS1 4RG
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORTI The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 30 November 2023. The CKpmpany was incorpuidLed 19 November 2014. The accounts have been prepared in aceordance with the accounting policies set oijt in note 2 to the accounts and comply with the charrtws Trusl Deed, the Companies Act 2006 and the statement of Recommended Practi¢e,"Accounting and Reporting bycharilies", issued in March 2005. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The charity is a privale company limitèd by guarantee. it is governed by its Memorandum & Articles. Dowd8swell Conservalion Limited exchanged contracts with Sovem Trent Limited on 6 February 2015 to purchase Dowdeswell Wood. Dowdeswell Wood comprises substantial mature and maturing woodland and is home to tnany protected species of wildlife such as the whFte clawed crayfish (protectèd on Schedule 5 01 the Wkjlife and Countryside Act 1981) and dormice. Thè site has special conSeatIOn value and was prewoLEsly leased to the GloucesteTShire Nldlrfe Trust and the Cotswold Way, a 102 mile deslgnated national trall Nns adjacènt lo it. A condition of the sale is that the slle be managed in accordance with an approved Management Plan (the Managemenl Plan). A ten year Management Plan for the period 2021 10 2031 which was approved in March 2021 by Ihe Foreslry Commission. The trustees. who are also the direclotB for the purw)se of company law, and who served during the peri(Kl were: Mr R O B Cooper (Chaifman)- reslg1)¥d 31 2024 Mr J M Dunkerton Ms W E A Edwards During the period of reporting Ihree Trustee meetings were held, wf(h addItnal meelings as required lo ensure that the needs of the charrty are addressed. Trnstees are elected by Ihe MeberS of Dowdeswell ConseNation Limited at the Annual General Meetina. Shoukl a vacancy occur durino the yoAr indivlAiialq may bÈ invited by thè Board of Tnjstees to sewve as a Trustee until the next Annual General Meeting when they may stand for formal election. It is the policy of Dowdeswell Conseryation Limited that all Trustees have 8 full inductlon 8nd receive appropriate tiaining. The Management Plan recommends that the charity perfomi various activities, including but not limited to the control of non-native animal p(TrpiJlalions, removal of diseased ash te9, upgrading of access ways and tracks, felling of conifers, general thinning oftrees and woodland management and protection of doimiGe, bats and while clawed crayfish, facilitation of public access. upgrading of walkways. sfiage. regeneration of the network ol footpaths. The trustees have assessed the major risks lo which the charity is exposed and are satk3fied that tsy8tetrts are irb place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. and thts is rev56w8d on an on-going basls.
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT IINCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORTI (Continuodl OBJECTIVES AND ACTMTIES The charity's objectives were last reviewed in 2020. and submitted to the charity commission for approval, which was given on 9 July 2020, with fomial adoption by Ihe board trustees on 24 July 2020. The charity's objects are restricted to.. 'For the Public Benefft, the PreseatiOn of woodland through the purchase and thereafter envimnmental and 8(logIcal conservation of rf pmviding for managed access to the relevant land :_ for educational purposes by speal interest groups," for education81 purposes by educational establishments,. and lor the general publiG for recreation through the use of pennissive paths., The woodland is wilhln close proximity lo dense population areas and rts aim is to remain open lo the public for recreational use sublect lo appropriale assessments of risk. The company has, Sin the purchase of the woods, ¢ommenced Ihe lask of undertaklng the following.. way markers, clearing of pathways, access to the woods for school visits, and other educational purposes, extensive thinning works lo oddress ash die-back. Entrances have been improved and carefully desvJned to allow for on fool public. Mr J M Dunkerton, a trustee. made a donation through the Charities Aid FoLErwJation (CAF) for the purchase of the woodland. The trustees have pakl due regard lo guidance issued by the Charity Commission irs deciding what activities the charity should undertake in respect of public benefrt. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE During the year. further progress has been made wilh accelerating progress towards the aGhlevement of Ihe charnable Objectives. Some of the achievernenls are as tollows.. Ongoing consultation wlth the Environment Aaency to work together on eGolooical projects. Rh(Klodendron clearanoe works by physical tneans lo avoid the use of chemicals. Completlon of annual tree survèy remedial works. Installation of piirr>lp mijtp. waymarker. UniverBity of Gloucestershire - students of Dr M. O'connell undertook anntsal biodiversity a¥Jdrts as part of their Msr coursè sharing the dala with the ch8rtty to help prooress the charltable objectives. Btitish BryologteAI Society- C. Halpin undertaking ongoing bryophyte surveys. Gloucestershire Raptor Monf(oring - A. Fields (licence holder for schedule 1 Dislurbance Pemiit for ringing & nesl recowtling 2023). Goshawk chicks moniiored and tagged to ensure successful nesting and a suttable habitat. Bristol University - students were granted permission to acces8 the woods to take soil samples and SdY the woodland springs.. C. Cammies FHEA, PGDipEd IQTSI, MRes, BSC- Nematode & soil carbon analyses A. Fancy- Dissertation on the formation ofTufa springs
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (Continued) ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (Continu) Noticeboards installed at key entrance points to the woods are updated with a map setbng OLrt walknng routes and flora and fauna to look out for. Submission of an application to provide fvnding for Infrastructure Improvement Grant- phase 2 to improve public access. Car park stoning work {linked to on-going p18nning application). The installation of a new pedestrian gate into the wood8 from the Cotswold Way with input from volunteers from the Cotswold Way project. Commencement of control of squirrel population in accordance wth the fflanagement plan approved by The Foresty Commission. Footpath clearance work5 to include brash matting being placed in muddy sections and the In$tsllatSon of new ramps and culvert. Installation of 40 wildlsfe boxes along a designated walking Toute. Followng the planning application submitted in December 2022 for addibonal car parking off the A40 to improve road safety and the experience for users of the Woods meetings with Highways, Police ènd local Councillors have been held to progress the application In accordance with go¢xl govemance a review of the Composition of the board of trustees -Iccs continucs to cn4pufc 4pUOOC-- is ongoing and the idèntificatioTr of potential ncw tru- planning is addressed in a timely manner. This review has been led by the Chairynan, with due conslderation being given to ensuring the right mix of skills and expertise is achieved. POST YEAR END ACTIVITY Since the year end the followinu Èvp.nt8 havg. nttr.iitTgd. Monitoring of Goshawks to ensure undisturbed during key bleeding season Oliver Cooper resigned as Trustee and Director with effect from 31 March having served tr)r 4 years. RISK AND INSURANCE Wrth the increased level of forestry activity in addilton to the increased footfall the Injstees review the level of cover on an ongoing basis to ensure that it reflects Ihe changing ii5k profile. As staled above, a further review of insurance cover has been undertaken and additional cover was put in place. FORWARD LOOKING FELLING PLAN Wrth the expertise of Greenleaf Forestry Ltd to manage the woodland stewardship, there is now a fotward-looking felling plan for 202412025. This proactive approach assists with finaneial planning and also ensures accEleraled progress with the achievement ol the charitable objectives.
DOWDESIAELL CON8ERVATJON LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORTI {Continued FINANCIAL REVIEW During the year of rp.r)nrtino. Ihp. triiqt rp.e.eivgd a donation from onè indlvidual lo18lling £100,000 (£125,000 for 2022> and revenue from limber sales was £111,967 (£29.003 for 2022), resulting in total income of £290,222 {£162,542 for 2022). It is the policy of the charity Ihat unrestricled funds which have not been deslgnated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months, expenditure. The trustees c04)sidef that reseivvb al this level will ensure that, in the evenl of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the chartty's current aclivrties while consideration is given lo ways in which additional funds may be raised. At the year end, the total reserves held by the Charity weie £1,096,445 12022.. £1,164,756), of which £1,096,445 12022.. £1,163,616) were unrestricted and nil were restricled (2022.. £1,140). The free reserves ol the Charity al the year end were £80,243 {2022".£147,414). D¢)wdeswell Conservation (Trading} Limiied - Co. No. 13785122, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dowdeswell ConseNation Limited was incorporaled on 6 December 2021 to support the apital iiivebtlTiviII phase of the charlty. This enabled Ihe charity to reclaim VAT on the expenses incutred with the improvements made to the woodland infrastructure. Wi<h the completion of this phase of works there is no longer a requirement for this subsidiary and so dll income and expenditure is reported through Dowdeswell ConseNallon Limited. The subsidiary is now dormant. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPON81BILITIES The trustees, who are also the directors of Dowdeswell Conservation Limited for the putpose of Company law, are responsible for preparing the Directors, Report and the accounls In accordance with applicable law and Untted Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Iruslees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair Mew of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the incomino rp.*niJrp&.s application of resources, including Ihe income and expenditure, of the Gharrtable company for that period. In preparing these accounts, Ihe trustees are required to= select 5uilable accountlng policies and then apply ihem Consistently., observe the Mhod8 and principles in thc Charitic- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- and piepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the chartiy will continue in operelion. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequale ac(x)untlng records that disclose wilh reagonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the chartiy and enable Ihem to ensure thal the accounts cornply wtth the Companies Ac( 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assels of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detedion of Iraud arrd ulher irregularities. The tntrstees are also responsible for ensuring that the assets are propedy applièd in accordance with charity law.
DOWD&8VRLL GONaERVATION LIMITED TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) Iconlinued) This report has been prepared in accxjrdance wlth the special provisions of Part 15 of the Lompanies Acl 2006 relating io small enirties. Appr d on behalf of the board of trustees on W E A Edwards Trustee
DOWDE8WELL CONSERVATION LIMITED INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DOWDESWELL GONseRVATION LIMITED I report on the accounts of Dowdeswell Cor15ervalion Limited for the year ended 30 November 2023, whiGh afe $¢1 oul oli 8 tD 15. Respectivè rnsponsibilities of TN$tees of the Charity and èxaminer The Charity's Trustses (who are also the Dlrectors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in a¢¢ordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 {kne 2006 A¢t). The Trustees consider that an autht is not required for this year (under section 144 of the chare5 Act 2011 (the Aot) and under Part 16 of the 2006 Act) and that an independent examination FS needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts (under sedon 145 of the Act)., to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5}{b} ofthe Act)., and to state whether paitcular matters have come to my attention. lndèpèndt examiners, statèment In connects.on with my examinalion, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect.. accounting COrdS were not kept in accor(lance wlth Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., or the accounts do not accord such records,. or the accounts do not compty with relevant a¢counting requirements under seclton 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requiremenl that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in accoidance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). I have no ¢on¢erns and have come across no other matters in connection the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Jon Cartwright FC¢A Hazlewood5 LLP Windsor House ayshill R¢Md Cheltenham GL50 3AT
DOWDE8WELL CONSERVATION LIMITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES VNCLUDING SUMMARY INCOME AND EXPENDITVRE ACCOUNTI lor the year ended 30 November 2023 2023 Total Funds 2022 Toral Funds Re5trlcted UnStTIcted Funds Funds Nole Incomo and endovmients from DonatÈons and legacies Charttable adivttses Invèstments 100.000 8.034 100.000 78.255 125,000 8,505 34 70,221 Other Income Sale of timber 111,967 111,967 29,003 TOTAL INCOME 70,221 220,001 290,222 162,542 Expenditure on Raising fund•.' CAF fees A(re81ng 339 165 165 Charft•ble aclivibes.. A¢tivlties in fvrtherance of charitsble objects 71,361 287,007 358.368 21,484 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 71,361 267.172 356,533 21.823 NET INCOME FOR THEYEAR BEFORE TAX 11,1401 (fj7,1711 <06,3111 140.719 Tax payable NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR 11,1401 (67,171) (68,3111 140,719 Fund balance brought forward at beginning of year 1,140 1,163,616 1,164,756 1,024,037 FUND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD AT END OF YEAR 1,096,445 1,096.445 1,164,756 Al activities of the company arè continuing activities,. theie were no acquisityon¥ In the year. There were no recognised gains or losses other than the surplus for the year shown above.
DOWDE8WELL CONSERVATION LIMITED Company number. 09318B21 Charity number: 1160969 BALANCE SHEET N(bveinber 2023 2023 2022 NotE FIXED ASSETS Tangible a55ets Inv¢slmenls 1,016,201 1,016,201 10 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 141,377 51,975 114,879 CREDITORS due within one year 12 161,9811 118,3001 NET CURRENT ASSETS 80,243 148,554 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,096,445 1.164,756 REPRESENTED 8Y: Unrestricted fijnds Restricted fvnds 17 17 1,096,445 1,163,616 1,140 Total funds 1,096,445 1.164.756 The company was entlded to exemption trom audft under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company lo obtain an audit in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006, The directors acknowledge their respon$ibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small COFnpanies subjeet to the small cornpanies, f gime and in accordance with FRS 102 SORP. Approved bythe board for issue on............-... W E A Edwards, TNstee
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for tlie year wiKle(130 NovetnbET 2023 OENERAL INFORMATION The company is a private company limited by guaranteè, incorporated in England and Wales, and congÈquently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liablè to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the company in the event of liquidation. The address of its registered office is.. Dowdeswell Park London Road CheenhaM GL52 6UT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of prepara*ion The accounts h4ve been wepared under the historical cost convention. The accounts have been prepared accordance with the Statement of Récommended Practice.. Accounting and Repoiting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance wilh the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Ihe Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) effective 1 January 2019, and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United ingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entify as defined by FRS 102. Incoming Resources Income comprised of donation5 from the trustees is recognised on receipt. Investment income ig included in the year in which it is reeeivable. Other inGoiiie i elates tv Scil¥¥ ul tirribei, aiid i¥ rEwgnised net of VAT once the amount ol revenue can be reliably measured and it is probable that fvture economic benefits will flow to the entity. Resources Expended Resources expended are recognised in the period in whiGh Ihe goods or Setvices are IiibuiiEd. ResvuiLES expensed Inclu¢Je attrlbutable VAT whlch Is not recoverable. Expenditure on raising fjjnds comprised the costs associated with attracting voluntary income In the foFm of charitable donatlOn5 th¥ou9h Chaiities Aid Foundation. Expenditure on charitable activities comprised the costs incurred by the charity in the d8liv8ry of its activities for its beneficiarie8. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed as8ets other than freehold land are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at ratès calculated lo write off the costlègs astimated Tesidual value of each asset over its expected usefijl life, as follows. Freehold land is not depreciated.
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS forthe year endf 30 Nt)VEfflbEr ZOZJ ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) Investments Investrnents in equity shares which are not publicly traded and vtherè fair value cannot be measured reliabty are measure at cost less impaimient. Dividends on equity securities are recognised as income when receivable. Liabilities Liabi5ities are recognised where it is more likely than not Ih4t theie is a legal or constructive obl*gation commit15ng the Charity to pay OLbt re59urces and the amount of the obligation can be measured wilh reasonable certainty. Accumulated funds Unrestricted funds are fvnd5 available ftjr use at the discretlon of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the Charity. Going wncern The Trustees have eon$ldered the fure of the Charity and its abilty to continue, and consider thatthere is no material uncertainty about the charity's ability to conlinue. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2023 2022 Donations Gift 80,000 20,000 100,000 25,000 10Q,000 125,000 In 2022. all 4Trcoiii¢ fruiTi and legacles was unresthcted. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2023 2022 Countryside Steward5hip- woodlaiid ilTipiovemenl CoLFntyside Stewardship- capital daim Countyside Stewardship- wldlife boxes 8,034 70,221 7,365 1.140 78,255 8,505 In 2022, £1,140 of income from charitable activities restricted. The remaining £7,365 was unrestricted. -11-
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS the year endpj JO Novelbr 2023 INVESTMENT INCOME 2023 2022 HMRC Glft Ald interest 34 In 2022, all income frofft investments was unrestrlctsd. TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 2023 2022 Activltles In furthera? of charftobl* objects." Insurance Repairs and mainten8n¢e Log felling Legal expenses Consulting IT sothyare and consumables Telephone & Intemet Travel expenses Accountancy and bookkeeping fees Bank fees Bad debts WTitten off Costs of nerating funds." CAF fees Advertising 4,059 229,606 59,664 3,242 50,290 398 2,42S 2,030 2,792 52 3,810 4.059 12,414 15 1,300 496 3,200 339 165 358,533 21.823 In 2022, all expendtLure was from unrestricted fvnds. TAXATION The company does not trade for profit, therefore no corporation tax liabilty afises on hs resuNs. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER REMUNERATION 2023 2022 Fee for independent examination Accountancy services 1,740 720 2,000 1,200 2,460 3,200 -t2-
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 30 November 2023 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Land and buildings Qst and net b(k value At 1 December 20r2 and at 30 November 2023 1,016,201 10 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY Bolance as at 1 December 2022 Addib'ons Disposals Revalualons Balance as at 30 November 2023 On 6 December 2021, Dowdeswell Conseryation (Trading) Limited was trFcorpoTated. It is 1 OOYO subsidiary of Dowdeswell Conservats'on Limited, its year end is 30 November. and its prinupal activity 18 SUPPOrt seNices to foresty. In the year to 30 November 2023, Dowdeswell ConseNatson (Trading) Limited made a proffit of £19,207 (2022.. loss of£20,8151 and its Gapital and reserves held at 30 November 2023 tolalled (£1,008112022. (£20,61411. 11 DEBTORS 2023 2022 Prepayments Trade debto Accrued Inoome Loan to trading subsidiary VAT d¢btor 141 24.365 80,703 3,611 7,365 40,999 315,168 141,377 51.975 12 CREDITORS due in less than one year 2023 2022 Tr8de creditors Accruals 31,386 10,980 3,786 14,514 42,366 18,300 -1>
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION UMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS lor tlie year ended 30 November 2023 13 EMPLOYEES There were no employees during the cuwent period or the prior period. 14 TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES During the year none of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment the charity or a related entity. During the yeai no expenses were incurred by the iriistees. 16 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS DuTing the year, the charity received an unreslrictsd donation of £80,000 (2022- £100,000) froffl J M Dunkerton, a trustee. At 30 November 2023 the charity was owed £nil {2022 - £40,999) by Dowdeswell Conservation ITrading) mIted, its wholly owned subsidiary. The loan was made on a shtsrt tsim, interest free basis to enable the subsidiary to Carry oul works in support of the chèrity. At 30 November 2023 the charity owed £18,240 {2022 - £nill to Dowdeswell Conservation (Trading) Limited in respect of sales made by the subsidSary in the period. This balance Ss included within trade creditors. 16 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 2023 RestrKted Funds Unrestricted Funds Totsl Funds Tangible fixed assets Inveslmenls Curreiil asset¥ Currenl liabilibes 1,016,201 1,016,201 142,224 161,981) 142,224 (61,9811 1,096,445 1,096.445 2022 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Fund5 Total Funds Tangible fixed assets Investments Current a5s¢ts Current liabilTrties 1,016,201 1,016,201 1.140 165,714 118,3001 166,854 118,3001 1,140 1,163,616 1,164,756 -1
DOWDESWELL CONSERVATION LIMITED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year •nd•d 30 November 2022 17 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 2023 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Total Funds Al 1 December 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers betsveen ndS 1.140 70,221 (71,361) 1,163,616 220.001 1287.172) 1.164,756 290,222 (358,5331 At 30 November 2023 1,096,445 1,096,445 2022 Restricted Funds Unrestricted Fund5 Total Funds At 1 December 2021 Income Expenditure Transfers bee¢n ndS 1.024,037 161,402 (21,823) 1,024,037 162.542 {21.823) 1.140 At 30 November 2022 1,140 1,163,616 1,164.756 Restricted fiJnds of £1,140 are to be used for the installation of wildlife boxes. -15-