2025-03-31-accounts - Teesmouth Field Centre

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TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

REGISTERED CHARITY: 1161087

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

Contents Page 2-6 Report of the Trustees 7 Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of financial activities 8 9 Balance Sheet Notes forming part of the financial statements 10-13

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

The Trustees of Teesmouth Field Centre present its annual report and the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2025.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Name:	Teesmouth Field Centre
Charity registration number:	1161087
Principal Ofice:	Hartlepool Power Station Visitor Centre
	Tees Road
	Hartlepool
	TS25 2BZ
Board of Trustees:	David George Lister
	Pauline Ann Oxley
	Alan Dixon
	Julie Clare Mason
	Jennifer Clare Watt
Independent Examiner:	Gresham & Gale
	14 Fountain Street
	Guisborough
	TS14 6PP
Bankers	Barclays Bank plc
	19-23 Wellington Square
	Stockton-on-Tees
	TS18 1NA

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Teesmouth Field Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution.

Recruitment and appointment of the Board of Trustees

The trustees are appointed to serve for three years. Initially trustees were appointed for a different period of time, so all do not retire at the same time. The board of trustees may co-opt new trustees whose appointment must be ratified by existing trustees.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity law. They are provided with a copy of the constitution and the most recent accounts, as well as up to date management information.

Risk management

The trustees monitor progress against budget and objectives and review their strategic objectives at their regular meetings. They also review the risks faced by the charity and implement strategies to mitigate those risks.

Organisational structure

The trustees are responsible for administering the charity and for its strategic direction.

Related parties

The charity does not have any related parties other than trustees and their immediate families.

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

Objectives, activities, achievement and performance

Another successful year for Teesmouth Field Centre, located in the Visitor Centre of EDF Energy Hartlepool Power Station. The outside of the building has been refurbished to look clean and bright with new logos decorating the outside, ready to welcome visitors of all ages. Situated on the north bank of the River Tees estuary, the surrounding area is noted for the mix of open green spaces of the Teesmouth National Nature Reserve next to industrial sites being used to break up a North Sea oil rig, alongside the construction of parts for North Sea wind turbines. The contrasts are great, with a diversity of wildlife too.

The aim of Teesmouth Field Centre is to provide opportunities for groups to explore this area that is local to the Teesside population living in Hartlepool, Stockton and Middlesbrough. Bookings are made for full day or half day visits. The programme offers Primary School groups a choice of study options based on ‘The River Tees-source to mouth’, or ‘Exploring and learning how to protect our seashore habitats’ or ‘Rock science’. All are popular and valued by teachers. Each day is structured to make good use of the time, with indoor presentations and outdoor fieldwork activities developed by the two Field Centre staff. Worksheets are provided to record observations, so information can be used for follow-up work back in school.

In the year from 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025, Teesmouth Field Centre had a total of 3,244 visitors in 103 group bookings, mostly Primary School classes. A-level Biology students from two Colleges completed transect work/population studies and a group of 23 Undergraduates from Teesside University carried out one day of fieldwork related to sand dune succession. There were joint visits too, involving a half-day tour of Hartlepool Power Station, together with a half day activity led by Field Centre staff. One group came from Horizon Community College in Barnsley and were very positive about their session looking at the Teesmouth sea defences.

Public benefit

The main target of Teesmouth Field Centre is to stimulate the youngsters of today to make their own observations of some current features of the ever-changing area around the Tees estuary. Measures to combat sea level rise with new flood defences, and habitat creation to ensure biodiversity are happening now. In their lifetime, climate change may result in even greater challenges to these habitats. In their time as adults, some will find this background knowledge useful. It is always necessary to draw attention to what is happening on the ground now to build up an interest and care about an area. The hope is that every visitor to Teesmouth Field Centre gains from their day out. Regular groups of adults returned for their annual visits, including 9 members of Northallerton U3A in June 2024 and 35 members of Leeds RSPB in January 2025. A group of 19 local Guides, plus accompanying parents and leaders completed a very useful litter pick at the North Gare beach on 4[th] June 2024.

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

Governance

The Trustees met formally in July, September and December 2024 and in February 2025, with discussions and decisions recorded in the Minutes. David Lister was re-appointed as a Trustee in July 2024, Ann Oxley continued as Chair of the Trustees. The change of accountants last year to Gresham & Gale has continued, and they have provided payroll services and the preparation/examination of the TFC Annual Accounts for submission to the Charity Commission. The notice that the satellite broadband service to the Field Centre would cease on 28[th] February 2025, came from a new supplier offering to take over the service provision. No warning had been given from the existing supplier used for over ten years. Payment had already been made for the 2025 full year, as in previous years, but only two months service in 2025 was provided. As broadband internet and email service is essential, the offer from the new supplier was accepted, and is being paid for monthly. The usual matters regarding bookings, visitor numbers, staff salaries and policy reviews have continued at meetings during the year.

Funding

The Trustees are grateful for all donations, grants and sponsorship. The main sponsor of the Field Centre is EDF Nuclear Generation Ltd which provides TFC accommodation, services and some financial support towards salaries. Two funding bids were successful in the 2024-2025 financial year. The Cleveland Scientific Institution awarded a grant of £2,500 for the’ Rock Science 2024’ project and DEFRA/Environment Agency made a grant of £4,350 for a new project ‘Protecting Our Seashore Habitats’. Two other bids were unsuccessful. It was decided to maintain the charges for educational bookings at the same level as in the past three years. The DEFRA grant will cover the TFC admission charges for eight Primary School groups to visit Teesmouth, each one for a full day.

Reserves Policy

At the 31[st] March 2025 the Charity held designated funds of £10,000 to cover potential statutory redundancy costs. There were restricted reserves of £4,350 associated with one project that had not begun by the end of this reporting year. There were uncommitted reserves (free reserves) of £37,015. Free reserves are those unrestricted reserves which are not designated or tied up in fixed assets. The Financial Reserves policy has been updated by the Trustees to cover increasing costs over time, including statutory redundancy payments and maintain a balance sufficient to ensure that the Field Centre can continue to operate for the following year.

The Coming Year

Annual staff contracts are in place and signed for 2025-26. There have been no changes in staffing. The Field Centre is totally reliant on Clare Gubbins and Clare Shakespeare-Watts to deliver the programme of study options and administer all the bookings, invoices and reports as required. They will continue to work three days a week in term-time, with six additional days, all flexible to suit bookings and subject to the availability of the Field Centre premises.

Ann Oxley, Chair TFC Trustees, March 2025.

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the regulations made under the Charities Acts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the trustees:

Mrs P A Oxley Chair Date: 23[rd] June 2025

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Teesmouth Field Centre

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 which are set out in pages 8 to 13.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 the examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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 the 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.

Gresham & Gale Date: 23[rd] June 2025

14 Fountain Street Guisborough TS14 6PP

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

INCOME Note Income from Donations and Legacies 2 Income from Charitable activities 2 Bank interest TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES EXPENDITURE Expenditure on charitable activities Costs of main activity Other Costs TOTAL EXPENDITURE 3 Net income/(deficit) Transfer between funds 6 Net movement in funds Balances brought forward Balances carried forward	Unrestricted Funds £ 969 28,528 393 29,890 28,204 1,045 29,249 641 - 641 46,374 47,015	Restricted Funds £ - 4,350 - 4,350 3,670 - 3,670 680 - 680 3,670 4,350	Total Funds 2025 £ 969 32,878 393 34,240 31,874 1,045 32,919 1,321 - 1,321 50,044 51,365	Total Funds 2024 £ 710 28,187 315
				29,212
				30,435 1,078
				31,513
				(2,301) -
				(2,301) 52,345
				50,044

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year set out above. All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 NOTE 2025 £ CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments 7 319 Accrued income 774 Cash at bank and in hand 51,174 52,267 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 8 (902) NET ASSETS CAPITAL AND RESERVES Funds -General -Restricted Funds -Designated	2024 £ 552 870 49,559	£ 50,044 37,574 3,670 8,800
52,267 (902)	50,981 (937)

		50,044

Approved by the Trustees on 23[rd] June 2025 and signed on their behalf by

Mr D G Lister

Trustee

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, the Charities Act 2011 and follow the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts with FRS 102.

b) Donations and legacies are received by way of donations and gifts and are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
c) Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
d) Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered and is allocated to the particular activity to which it relates.
e) Unrestricted funds are donated and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity and are available as general funds or designated funds;
General funds represent unrestricted funds available for general work of the charity at the discretion of the trustees.
Designated funds represent unrestricted funds which have been designated by the charity for a specific purpose. The designated funds in these accounts are set aside for any future potential redundancy costs.
f) Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, with a fair allocation of management and support costs.

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

2. INCOME Donations Other donations Income from Charitable activities EDF Energy Venator Materials UK Ltd Cleveland Scientific Institution DEFRA/Environment Agency Nineveh Charitable Trust Groundwork Community Fund Entry fees to Centre 3. EXPENDITURE Charitable services Costs directly allocated to activities £ Gross wages 27,756 Pension contributions 458 Travel and sundry expenses 85 Subscriptions 80 Insurance 1,940 Printing and stationery 95 Broadband 1,376 Computer running costs 84 Staff training courses - Accountancy - 31,874	Unrestricted Funds £ 969 969 Unrestricted Funds £ 16,937 - 2,500 - - - 9,091 28,528 Other costs £ - - - - - - - - - 1,045 1,045	Restricted Funds £ - - Restricted Funds £ - - - 4,350 - - - 4,350 2025 Total £ 27,756 458 85 80 1,940 95 1,376 84 - 1,045 32,919	Total 2025 £ 969 969 Total 2025 £ 16,937 - 2,500 4,350 - - 9,091 32,878 2024 Total £ 26,659 426 49 80 1,847 147 771 - 456 1,078 31,513	Total 2024 £ 710
				710
				Total 2024 £ 16,669 - - - 3,670 250 7,598
				28,187

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

4. NET (OUTGOING)/INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

5.

This is stated after charging: Trustees' emoluments and expenses Independent Examiner's Fee Other Accounting Services (including Auto Enrolment) STAFF COSTS & NUMBERS Wages and Salaries	2025 £ Nil 720 325 2025 £ 27,756	2024 £ Nil 720 358
		2024 £ 26,659

There were no employees whose emoluments as defined for taxation purposes amounted to over £60,000. The average number of employees during the year was 2.

6. TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

These relate to transfers which account for management and other charges from unrestricted to restricted funds.

7.

8.

DEBTORS Accrued income Prepayments CREDITORS: Amount falling due within one year Accruals Social security costs Other creditors	2025 £ 774 319 1,093 2025 £ 720 182 - 902	2024 £ 870 552
		1,422
		2024 £ 720 134 83
		937

TEESMOUTH FIELD CENTRE

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2025

9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 2025 Net Current Assets ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS 2024 Net Current Assets 10.MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1st April 2024 £ Unrestricted Funds General 37,574 Designated 8,800 Restricted Funds DEFRA / Environment Agency - Nineveh Charitable Trust 3,670 Total Funds 50,044	Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 47,015 4,350 47,015 4,350 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 46,374 3,670 46,374 3,670 Incoming Outgoing Transfers Resources Resources £ £ £ 29,890 29,249 (1,200) - - 1,200 4,350 - - - 3,670 -	Total £ 51,365
		51,365
		Total £ 50,044
		50,044
		At 31st March 2025 £ 37,015 10,000 4,350 -
50,044	34,240 32,919 -	51,365

Purpose of Restricted Funds

Nineveh Charitable Trust - To support the funding of school visits to the Teesmouth area.

DEFRA / Environment Agency - To support the funding of school visits to the Teesmouth area.