OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1161776

Company registration number: 08008486

WYRE RIVER TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

WYRE RIVER TRUST

INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees' annual report (incorporating the directors' report) 2 - 5
Independent auditor's report 6 - 9
Consolidated statement of financial activities 10
Consolidated balance sheet 11
Statement of cashflows and consolidated cashflows 12
Notes to the financial statements 13 - 25

WYRE RIVER TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Registered charity name: Wyre River Trust
Trustees: A Edney
P Robson
M Gornall
G Cook
Dr A M Folkard
J Wilson
D Lawson (Appointed 26 June 2025)
Charity registration number: 1161776
Principal Address Myerscough College
FFIT Centre
St Michael's Road
Preston
PR3 0RT
Registered Office 40 Hoghton Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR9 0PQ
Auditor Lonsdale & Marsh
509-510 Cotton Exchange
Bixteth Street
Liverpool
L3 9LQ
Accountant J A Fell & Company
40 Hoghton Street
Southport
PR9 0PQ

Page 1

WYRE RIVER TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (incorporating the directors' report) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the trust's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objects of the charity are:

The conservation, protection, restoration and improvement of the River Wyre and surrounding area from its source to the Irish Sea including its flora and fauna for the public benefit.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the trust should undertake.

Achievements and performance

In the last financial year, the Wyre River Trust (WRT) continued to deliver a wide range of projects and activities across the Wyre Catchment. WRT recruited 7 staff with a wide range of skillsets. These staff were recruited to work on a number of new projects which are delivering interventions at a catchment and subcatchment scale. The trust now has 16 staff, of which 15 are full-time employees and one is part-time. At the start of this financial year the trust moved into its new offices at Myerscough College, based at the Food and Farming Innovation & Technology Centre. The accommodation includes offices equipment stores and a laboratory to allow WRT to undertake its own scientific analyses. As part of this relocation the Trust will partner closely with Myerscough College on a variety of initiatives, helping to shape future thinking on landbased education and on the delivery of nature-based solutions within lowland agricultural settings. The trust has continued to work with local farming communities, providing advice and guidance on water quality, water quantity, habitat quality and connectivity issues across the catchment. We have also provided funding for the creation of new riparian woodlands, riparian buffer strips and farm infrastructure improvements. This year has seen a continued focus on the delivery of projects which focus on soil science and the understanding of the impacts of soil compaction in the Wyre catchment. As host, we have continued to deliver the aims and objectives of the Wyre Waters Catchment Partnership as part of the Catchment Based Approach, and this continues to ensure that a wide range of partners are involved in the delivery of projects which support the

April 2024 saw the commencement of four large projects, each with a different focus. These include a catchment scale Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Project, the Brock and Calder Landscape Recovery Project (Development Phase), the Wyre Catchment Resilience Programme, and a restoration project focusing on the River Calder, which seeks to deliver two large bypass channels around barriers on the river which have been in place for nearly 230 years. These projects are between two and three years in duration and will see delivery with increased ambition and a much-needed scale and pace. The largest of these projects is the BCLR Development Phase which has had a very successful first year, with 29 land managers now engaged as part of an all-encompassing project which covers over 4000Ha. The project has spent a great deal of time focussing on developing a monitoring baseline focussing on a myriad of habitats and species. It is currently expected that a 20-year programme will emerge from this development phase, the result will be a sustainable, resilient, complex and diverse ecosystem, supporting an enhanced variety of flora, fauna and funga delivering a wide range of ecosystem services underpinned by ambitious natural flood management, innovative regenerative farming and social impact programmes.

Page 2

WYRE RIVER TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (incorporating the directors' report) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Our Wyre INNS project saw the removal of around 5000m2 of Himalayan balsam from the catchment and the inoculation of ~3355 stems of Japanese knotweed in the upper Wyre catchment. This represents a significant increase in action against INNS within our catchment and delivery over the next two years will build upon these foundations with further work focussing on American mink planned for 2025/26. During this year WRT was successful in obtaining approval for its ~£1m Wyre Catchment Resilience Programme, delivered as part of the Environment Agency’s £25m NFM Programme. This will see delivery of a range of NFM interventions at four priority locations within the Wyre catchment, our focus will be on lowland sites and the delivery of measures which help to store water and slow flows during periods of heavy rainfall. The project has a significant monitoring element which will see the installation of one of the most high-resolution hydrological monitoring networks in Lancashire.

As part of the Calder Restoration programme the Trust embarked upon its first season of widescale electrofishing surveys, delivering quantitative fish surveys at 43 sites between July and October 2024. These data are crucial in assessing the health of native fish populations, they will also begin to formulate a baseline dataset which can be used to assess the impact of our work on these species. The data are available in a detailed annual report but in short, populations of Atlantic salmon fry and parr are poor, with them being found at 5 of the 43 sites surveyed. There is a brighter outlook for brown trout with fry and parr found at 36 and 38 sites respectively. Whilst this is an initial dataset and not likely to be wholly representative at this stage, the data for Atlantic salmon are particularly concerning, the trust will continue to deliver these surveys in future years to further develop this baseline.

In addition to these new projects the Trust has continued to deliver its existing nature-based solutions programmes, with the groundbreaking Wyre Catchment NFM project ending at March 31st 2025. In total the project has delivered 77Ha of NFM interventions and ~32ha of woodland creation since 2022. Our original target for NFM interventions was 70Ha and so the project has outperformed by 10% with additional interventions planned which we expect will take total delivery to ~84Ha. It is also expected that 47Ha of woodland will be delivered by the conclusion of the 2025/26 financial year. In addition to this, the Trust also received funding from United Utilities via their Green Recovery fund to deliver NFM measures in the Brock and Tributaries operational catchment, the project worked across 8 farms to deliver a wide suite of interventions. As a result of these programmes, in 2024/25 the Trust planted 54,530 trees, these were planted across 34 woodlands spanning 18.89 hectares and within 7.95km of new hedgerow.

Future plans

Looking forward, the trust will continue to deliver upon its aims and objectives for the Wyre Catchment, which are set out in our Integrated Catchment Plan. Under these objectives we will continue to improve water quality, water quantity, habitat quality, biodiversity, reduce flood risk and increase carbon sequestration. We will also work with communities to ensure that they are engaged and educated. The next financial year will see us consolidate our current staffing position, enabling delivery of the trusts aims at a far greater scale and pace than seen previously. It will also allow us to break new ground, advancing the science around river restoration and gathering more data about the Wyre catchment.

Financial Review

The accounts comprise information relating to the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and reflect the increasing activity of the Trust which continues to grow in income and expenditure.

The result of this year reflects the increased activity particularly with regard to grants which had been received in the previous accounting year. This is to be expected where grants are received in advance and then recognised in future years along with the relevant expenditure as the project is fulfilled.

Page 3

WYRE RIVER TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (incorporating the directors' report) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The income for the year totalled £2,081,135 compared to £828,448 in the previous year. Expenditure in the period, which is detailed in the Statement of Financial Activities, totalled £2,011,937 (2024 - £923,813), resulting in a surplus for the year of £69,198 (2024 - deficit of £95,365). This resulted in reserves at the end of the year of £422,469 compared with £353,271 at the end of the previous year.

The financial position of the Trust continues to be very strong at the end of the year with significant cash balances as funding was received in advance for a new multi year project which will enable the work of the trust to grow further.

Reserves policy

The board of Directors reviews Wyre River Trust's reserves policy annually. The purpose of the reserves policy is to smooth out any short term variations in funding and expenditure to ensure that the charity is able to fulfil its objectives without interruption.

The work of Wyre River Trust is project driven with peaks of expenditure corresponding with project activity. As such the board recognises that the level of general reserves will vary as Wyre River Trust builds the funds to undertake the work.

Under normal circumstances the board considers it appropriate to hold reserves of the expenditure needed to complete the current projects which are being carried out on the river Wyre.

Risk statement

The Directors have reviewed the risks to which the charity is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Wyre River Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company 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 trust and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 4

WYRE RIVER TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (incorporating the directors' report) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Organisation

Governing document

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, formed on 27 March 2012 and governed by its memorandum and articles of association dated 20 March 2012. The Company Registration Number is 08008486 and the Charity Number is 1161776. The registered office is 40 Hoghton Street, Southport, PR9 0PQ. The principal operational address is Myerscough College, FFIT Centre, St Michael's Road, Preston, PR3 0RT.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is overseen by a board of trustees who are also the company Directors. The board reviews the need for new trustees regularly looking for individuals with the necessary skills and interest to enable the trust to function effectively. The board gives due consideration to the induction required for any new trustees on the basis of their knowledge of the trust.

The Trustees, who are also Directors for the purposes of company law, who served the charity during the year and the period up to which the financial statements were approved were as follows:

A Edney P Robson M Gornall G Cook Dr A M Folkard J Wilson D Lawson (Appointed 26 June 2025)

None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guaranteed to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each of the directors has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditors are aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

…............................ …............................ Alan Edney Philip Robson Trustee Trustee

Dated: 20 February 2026

Page 5

WYRE RIVER TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WYRE RIVER TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Wyre River Trust (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Cashflow statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

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 charitable company 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 charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 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 other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. 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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

Page 6

WYRE RIVER TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WYRE RIVER TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, 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 they 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 group’s and charitable company’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 group or the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 7

WYRE RIVER TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WYRE RIVER TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Our 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the charity and group and determined that the most significant are those that relate to fundraising regulations. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements such as Charity SORP including FRS 102 and Companies Act 2006.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, included the following:

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including override of controls) and addressed the risk through testing of journal entries to identify unusual transactions and assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed our audit procedures which included, but were not limited to:

Page 8

WYRE RIVER TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WYRE RIVER TRUST FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Opinion

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulations. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members 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 company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicholas James O'Donovan (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Lonsdale & Marsh

Date: 24 February 2025

Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

509-510 Cotton Exchange Bixteth Street Liverpool L3 9LQ

Page 9

WYRE RIVER TRUST

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
Note £ £ £ £ £ £
Income from:
Grants 2 668 1,266,050 1,266,718 1,220 275,225 276,445
Charitable Activities 3 - 790,385 790,385 - 551,353 551,353
Investment income 4 24,032 - 24,032 650 - 650
Total income 24,700 2,056,435 2,081,135 1,870 826,578 828,448
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 5 (25,389) 2,037,326 2,011,937 35,062 888,751 923,813
Total expenditure (25,389) 2,037,326 2,011,937 35,062 888,751 923,813
Net income/(expenditure) 50,089 19,109 69,198 (33,192) (62,173) (95,365)
Gross transfers between funds 19,087 (19,087) - 1,760 (1,760) -
Net movement in funds 69,176 22 69,198 (31,432) (63,933) (95,365)
Total funds brought forward 16,754 336,517 353,271 48,186 400,450 448,636
Total funds carried forward 85,930 336,539 422,469 16,754 336,517 353,271
----- End of picture text -----

The Statement of Financial Activities includes gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on pages 13 - 25 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

Company registration number: 08008486

WYRE RIVER TRUST

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Group Charitable Group Charitable
company company
2025 2025 2024 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 9 141,737 125,435 63,788 45,158
Investments 10 - 100 - 100
141,737 125,535 63,788 45,258
Current assets
Stock 9,200 9,200 - -
Debtors 12 264,108 264,108 207,109 236,059
Cash at bank and in hand 1,101,130 1,005,493 1,236,486 1,169,027
1,374,438 1,278,801 1,443,595 1,405,086
Less: Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year 13 (1,093,706) (981,867) (1,154,112) (1,097,073)
Net current assets 280,732 296,934 289,483 308,013
Net assets 422,469 422,469 353,271 353,271
Reserves
Restricted funds 15 336,539 336,539 336,517 336,517
Unrestricted funds 85,930 85,930 16,754 16,754
Total funds 422,469 422,469 353,271 353,271
----- End of picture text -----

The notes on pages 13 to 25 form part of these financial statements.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 20 February 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:

…............................ …............................ Alan Edney Philip Robson Trustee Trustee

Page 11

WYRE RIVER TRUST

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS AND CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Group Charitable Group Charitable
company company
2025 2025 2024 2024
£ £ £ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net movement in funds (per SOFA) 69,198 69,198 (95,365) (95,365)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation 49,785 47,457 19,896 17,567
Interest receivable (24,032) (23,864) (650) (438)
Movements in working capital
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors (56,999) (28,049) 21,171 (23,082)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (60,406) (115,206) 945,637 1,014,066
- -
(Increase)/Decrease in stock (9,200) (9,200)
Net used in/(provided by) operating activities (100,852) (128,862) 986,054 1,008,113
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (127,734) (127,734) (3,285) (3,285)
Interest receivable 24,032 23,864 650 438
Net cash used in investing activities (103,702) (103,870) (2,635) (2,847)
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year (135,356) (163,534) 888,054 909,901
Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 April 2024 1,236,486 1,169,027 348,432 259,126
Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March 2025 1,101,130 1,005,493 1,236,486 1,169,027
----- End of picture text -----

Page 12

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Charity information

Wyre River Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Wyre River Solutions Limited, is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales (company number 13730168). The registered office of both companies is 40 Hoghton Street, Southport, PR9 0PQ.

1.2 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 2019 applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.3 Group financial statements

The financial statements consolidate the results of the charitable company and its wholly owned subsidiary Wyre River Solutions Limited on a line-by-line basis. A separate Statement of Financial Activities and Income and Expenditure account for the charitable company itself are not presented because the charitable company has taken advantage of the exemptions conferred by s408 of the Companies Act 2006. A summary of the financial performance of the charitable company can be found in Note 6.

1.4 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.5 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 13

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

1.6 Incoming resources

Income, including both grants and charitable income, is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Income is deferred where it is received in advance of any performance conditions being met and is recognised over the periods in which those conditions are met. The stage of completion is normally by reference to expenditure incurred or any specific conditions agreed with funders.

1.7 Resources expended

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 settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be reliably measured.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. all expenses including support costs and governance costs are apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings.

1.8 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand are basic financial assets, and include cash in hand and deposits held with banks

1.9 Financial instruments

The charitable company has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind which qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable.

1.10 Investments

Investment in the subsidiary, Wyre River Solutions Limited, is stated at cost in the charitable company's balance sheet.

1.11 Stock

Stocks of bought in goods are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price. Cost comprises direct materials.

1.12 Debtors

Debtors are basic financial assets and are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

1.13 Creditors

Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

1.14 Leasing

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Page 14

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

1.15 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.16 Retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged as an unrestricted expense in the financial statements as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. The assets of the scheme are held in an independently administered fund.

During the year the amount of defined benefit pension scheme contributions paid amounted to £20,338 (2024 - £19,511) and this has been allocated to restricted and unrestricted funds on the basis of usage.

1.17 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Plant and equipment 10%-25% straight line/25% reducing balance Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line/25% reducing balance

2
Grants
3
Services provided
4
Interest receivable
Investments
Grants
Charitable Activities		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2025
2025
£
£
£
668
1,266,050
1,266,718
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2025
2025
2025
£
£
£
24,032
-
24,032		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
1,220
275,225
276,445
Restricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
790,385
551,353
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
650
-
650

Page 15

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
5 Charitable activities
2025 2024
£ £
Direct costs 1,182,043 547,232
Salaries and staff costs 517,137 238,315
IT Software and consumables 8,766 2,949
Postage Printing and Stationery 2,359 1,960
Training costs 10,451 1,100
Travel and motor 41,813 37,398
Depreciation 49,785 19,896
Other costs 2,768 10,187
1,815,122 859,037
-
Grant funding of activities 44,305
Share of support costs (see note 6) 135,215 56,596
Share of governance costs (see note 6) 17,295 8,180
2,011,937 923,813
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted fund (25,389) 35,062
Restricted fund 2,037,326 888,751
2,011,937 923,813
6 Support costs
2025 2024
£ £
Office Expenses 39,505 13,124
Travel and motor 24,379 19,076
-
Consulting 26,890
Other costs 21,212 15,927
PL Insurance 7,194 5,375
Telephone 6,953 2,972
Salaries and staff costs 6,014 -
IT Software and consumables 1,636 -
-
Postage Printing and Stationery 1,312
Bank charges 120 122
135,215 56,596
Governance costs
Audit and accountancy 17,295 8,180
Analysed between charitable activities: 152,510 64,776
----- End of picture text -----

Page 16

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

7 Financial performance of the charity

The consolidated statement of financial activities includes the results of the charitable company's wholly owned subsidiary Wyre River Solutions Limited.

8 The summary financial position of the charitable company alone is:
Income from:
Grants
Charitable Activities
Investment income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Gross transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Represented by:
Unrestricted fund
Restricted fund
Number of employees
The average number of employees during the year was:
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Employees		 2025
£
1,266,718
395,130
23,864
1,685,712
1,616,514
1,616,514
69,198
-
69,198
353,271
422,469
85,930
336,539
422,469
2025
Number
15
451,575
41,634
29,942
523,151		 2024
£
276,445
420,254
438
697,137
792,502
792,502
(95,365)
-
(95,365)
448,636
353,271
16,754
336,517
353,271
2024
Number
8
204,453
18,752
15,110
238,315

No member of staff was paid in excess of £60,000 (2024 - none).

Page 17

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9 Tangible fixed assets - Group

Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Carrying amounts
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Tangible fixed assets - Charitable Company
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2025
Carrying amounts
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Plant and
equipment
Fixtures and
Fittings
£
£
87,652
26,841
119,469
8,265
207,121
35,106
28,458
22,247
46,570
3,215
75,028
25,462
132,093
9,644
59,194
4,594
Plant and
equipment
Fixtures and
Fittings
£
£
64,365
26,841
119,469
8,265
183,834
35,106
23,801
22,247
44,242
3,215
68,043
25,462
115,791
9,644
40,564
4,594		 Total
£
114,493
127,734
242,227
50,705
49,785
100,490
141,737
63,788
Total
£
91,206
127,734
218,940
46,048
47,457
93,505
125,435
45,158

Page 18

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10
Fixed asset investments
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025		 Group
Charitable
Company
Total
-
100
100
11
Subsidiary undertaking
2025
2024
£
£
Turnover
517,836
253,610
Cost of sales and administrative costs
517,836
253,610
The wholly owned subsidiary Wyre River Solutions Limited (company number 13730168) is
incorporated in the United Kingdom. The charitable company owns the entire ordinary share capital of
£100. The summary financial performance of the subsidiary alone is:		 11
Subsidiary undertaking
2025
2024
£
£
Turnover
517,836
253,610
Cost of sales and administrative costs
517,836
253,610
The wholly owned subsidiary Wyre River Solutions Limited (company number 13730168) is
incorporated in the United Kingdom. The charitable company owns the entire ordinary share capital of
£100. The summary financial performance of the subsidiary alone is:
Net Profit -
-
The balance sheet of the subsidiary was as follows:
Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current liabilities		 16,301
18,630
169,396
90,141
(185,597)
(108,671)
Net Assets 100
100
12
Debtors
Group
Charitable
Company
2025
2025
£
£
Trade debtors
173,543
173,543
-
77,925
Prepayments and other debtors
90,565
12,640
Amounts owed by subsidiary		 Group
Charitable
Company
2024
2024
£
£
163,974
163,974
-
51,616
43,135
20,469
264,108
264,108		 207,109
236,059

Page 19

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
Accruals
Trade creditors
Other creditors		 Group
Charitable
Company
Group
Charitable
Company
2025
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
43,330
42,636
56,656
56,656
884,874
855,866
1,045,908
1,000,000
95,030
38,419
4,290
-
66,626
41,100
47,212
40,371
3,846
3,846
46
46
1,093,706
981,867
1,154,112
1,097,073

14 Trustees

One of the trustees was engaged by the Trust on a self employed basis for consultancy work involved in the preparation and administration of a number of the projects. The amount charged during the year was £17,150 (2024 - £4,200). None of the other trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the trust during the year.

Page 20

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Tidal Wyre Project
Wyre SGZ Project
TFRR Project
OFC Stannah
Woodland Trust GBG Project
Wyre NFM Delivery Phase - WRSL Project
Grizedale Reservoir Eel Mitigation Project
Green Recovery Project
BRBNW UU
Weirs audit and design
BRBNW D&E
EA Soils for Water
LNRS Aquatic
LNRS Coastal
UU Inns
UU Calder Restoration Project
UU Brock and Tribs NFM
BCLR PDP
WCRP
Restricted Funds		 Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Transfers
Balance at
Incoming
Resources Transfers
Balance at
1 April
resources
expended
1 April
resources
expended
31 March
2023
2024
2025
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
81,304
-
(5,718)
-
75,586
-
(49,393)
-
26,193
17,010
20,000
(20,927)
-
16,083
28,979
(12,406)
-
32,656
97,737
-
(84,512)
10,678
23,903
-
(377)
-
23,526
1,220
3,399
(4,619)
-
-
100,956
(83,800)
-
17,156
13,649
170,106
(146,794)
-
36,961
230,281
(242,437)
-
24,805
-
253,611
(253,611)
-
-
505,500
(505,500)
-
-
40,000
-
-
-
40,000
2,655
(5,682)
-
36,973
67,351
125,160
(185,480)
-
7,031
114,532
(106,059)
-
15,504
-
11,360
(11,833)
-
(473)
11,152
(9,743)
-
936
-
60,000
(4,891)
-
55,109
50,000
(105,146)
37
-
-
44,944
(11,748)
-
33,196
-
(30,561)
-
2,635
-
15,000
(7,666)
-
7,334
-
(95)
-
7,239
-
361
(361)
-
-
6,189
(1,488)
(4,701)
-
-
1,653
(1,653)
-
-
19,436
(5,013)
(14,423)
-
-
-
-
-
-
71,180
(71,180)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
97,954
(97,954)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
300,000
(212,248)
-
87,752
-
-
-
-
-
358,649
(340,893)
-
17,756
-
-
-
-
-
117,312
(117,312)
-
-
318,271
705,594
(739,813)
10,678
294,730
2,014,775
(1,997,287)
(19,087)
293,131
Movement in funds
Movement in funds

Page 21

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
15 Restricted funds (continued)
318,271 705,594 (739,813) 10,678 294,730 2,014,775 (1,997,287) (19,087) 293,131
- - - - - -
Abbeystead Monitoring Programme 9,201 (12,633) 3,432
- - - - - - -
Innovative Farmers Herbal Leys (324) (324)
Forest for the Nation - - - - - 9,650 - - 9,650
- - - - - -
Duchy of Lancaster 7,809 (5,137) 2,672
Calder Fisheries Restoration 17,640 - - - 17,640 - (48) - 17,592
CABA 2,189 15,000 (17,189) - - 15,000 (15,000) - -
- - - - - -
Fisheries Improvements Project 3,432 3,432 (3,432)
Brockside Weir Removal 1,101 - - - 1,101 - - - 1,101
EA ART 5,850 - (502) - 5,348 - - - 5,348
- - - - -
Chemicals programme 13,129 13,129 (6,275) 6,854
Wyre NFM Monitoring 2,078 - (1,456) - 622 - (622) - -
Dispelling the myth - 1,000 (485) - 515 - - - 515
- - - - - - -
Enforcement undertaking 35,000 (35,000)
Morph Estuaries Project 591 - - (591) - - - - -
- - - - - - -
Natural Course C10 Project 2,155 (2,155)
- - - - - - -
WAMM Project 1,169 (1,169)
- - - - - -
Royles Brook Restoration 60,678 (50,000) (10,678)
KGPF LEF - 30,000 (30,000) - - - - - -
Pinfold EWCO - 12,151 (12,151) - - - - - -
Restricted Funds 400,450 826,578 (888,751) (1,760) 336,517 2,056,435 (2,037,326) (19,087) 336,539
----- End of picture text -----

The transfers shown is the expenditure relating to equipment purchased during the period for the projects that has been capitalised.

Tidal Wyre - Working with farmers within the Wyre catchment to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture. Wyre SGZ Project - A monitoring project detailing the presence of pesticides within the Wyre drinking water safeguard zone. Thornton Flood Risk Resilience (TFRR) Project - Funding for the development and delivery of nature based solutions to flooding in Thornton. OFC Stannah - The design and development of the Arm Hill Saltmarsh Restoration project as part of the wider EcoCoBS programme.

Woodland Trust GBG Project – The commencement of the delivery of 39Ha of woodland across the Wyre Catchment, funded by the Woodland Trust as part of the Grow Back Greener Project.

Wyre NFM Delivery Phase - WRSL Project – Delivery of the Wyre Catchment NFM Project.

Page 22

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15 Restricted funds (continued)

Grizedale Reservoir Eel Mitigation Project – Delivery of works to mitigate the impacts of Grizedale Reservoir on European eel populations. Green Recovery Project – Working with farmer to improve water quality across the Wyre Catchment.

BRBNW UU - Funding for the organisation and running of farmer groups within the Upper Wyre and, Brock and Calder Catchments.

Weirs Audit and Design - Funding for a feasibility study on options for the mitigation of the impact of all barriers on fish passage and natural processes in the river Wyre. BRBNW D&E – Funding to support a Data and Evidence Officer for the wider Better Rivers Better North West programme delivered across the NW England. EA Soils for Water – Funding for the purchase of soil moisture monitoring equipment and a resulting study into the differences in soil moisture across soil profiles. LNRS Aquatic – Funding to support the joint leadership of the Aquatic Habitats Thematic Habitat Group as part of the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy development. LNRS Coastal - Funding to support the leadership of the Coasts, Estuaries and Marine Habitats Thematic Habitat Group as part of the Lancashire Local Nature Recovery Strategy development.

UU Inns - Invasive Non-Native Species present one of the largest future risks to the Wyre Catchment, this is in terms of water quality, biodiversity, habitat quality and flood risk. Despite detailed data gathering and attempts to control INNS in the early work of the Wyre Waters Catchment Partnership, the issue continues to raise its head and with multi-year funding largely unavailable for this issue, there has been little opportunity to deal with it. The project would see assessment of current INNS data and a small refresh following a series of sub-catchment walkovers/desk-based studies, this would be followed by rapid assessment of available options for reductions in virility and eradication of various INNS species across the Wyre Catchment, primarily Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Mink. The removal/inoculation etc of INNS would take place across three years and would be augmented with improvements to habitat where needed, e.g., where the removal of balsam leaves a sparse sward or bare earth, this would be seeded with a grassland seed mix to prevent soil loss during, and recolonisation following high winter flows. Works would be supported by significant volunteer effort where it is appropriate, i.e., the removal of Himalayan balsam. It could be supported for other species where appropriate training is provided. There are also opportunities for citizen science to assess the impact of the removal of INNS as the project progresses. In the winter of each year, additional surveys and landowner engagement would take place to increase the scope of the work programme

f th f ll i th ll i th j t t b id hi d b fi i l ibl UU Calder Restoration Project - Installation of two fish passes on the River Calder, the passes will be situated on the Lancaster Canal Aqueduct Weir and an adjacent weir upstream, which was used to divert water into the canal system. By installing fish passes on the weirs we will provide vastly improved access to a minimum of 17.4km of watercourse to fish species including priority species such as Atlantic salmon, sea trout, brown trout, European eel and brook lamprey, access to the watercourses upstream of these weirs has been fully or partially restricted for over 200 years. Allied to this, we will work with local landowners, farmers, and land managers to deliver habitat improvements along the reaches of the River Calder and tributaries, this will allow us to ensure that habitat is available for fish at all life stages, I.E Spawning adults, fry, parr and resident fish. The habitat works will include but not be limited to; the creation of riparian buffers, riparian woodland creation, floodplain reconnection, installation of instream habitat features (I.E large wood), using natural materials to reduce erosion and the addition of gravel to depleted spawning sites. The project will also see a comprehensive programme of baseline and post works monitoring to

BCLR PDP th - Brock and Calder Landscape Recovery Project Project Development Phase – A project to develop detailed proposals for the Brock and Calder Landscape Recovery f th j t d hi hli ht it b fit Project. The project will produce a number of required deliverables which will be reviewed by the Environment Agency. These deliverables include a land management plan which outlines actions that will be delivered by approximately 27 land managers across 4000ha over a 20 year delivery phase.

WCRP - Wyre Catchment Resilience Project – A Natural Flood Management project delivering a programme of projects across four lowland sites within the Wyre catchment. Abbeystead Monitoring Programme - Funding to support the monitoring or water levels & temperatures within the Upper Wyre.

Page 23

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15 Restricted funds (continued)

Innovative Farmers Herbal Leys - Funding to support monitoring of soil & grassland management interventions

Forest for the Nation - Co-development (with RRT and Myerscough College) of training, apprenticeship standards, and qualifications for career pathways into the catchment management sector – focused on Woodlands and Woodland Management.

Duchy of Lancaster - A project investigating bio-engineered solutions to erosion on the upper Wyre.

Calder Fisheries Project - Investigation and delivery of projects which support fisheries within the river Calder sub-catchment.

CABA - Annual hosting monies for the Wyre Waters Catchment Partnership.

Fisheries Improvement Project - Projects improving the habitat for fish in the Upper Wyre and Barton Brook.

Brockside Weir Removal - A feasibility and design study project, focussing on the partial removal of Brockside Weir, in the river Brock sub-catchment. EA ART Project – Working with farmers to assess soil health and management within the Wyre Catchment.

Chemicals Programme - The study and analysis of chemicals and other novel pollutants within watercourses across the Wyre Catchment.

Wyre NFM Monitoring Project – Funding to support the delivery of monitoring in the Wyre Catchment NFM Project.

Dispelling the Myth – Funding to support awareness raising around water scarcity and the impact of drought.

Enforcement Undertaking - Funding which has been received via civil sanctions from HM Government. This funding will be used to support the delivery of wetland. MoRPH Estuaries Project - A pilot project to assess and refine the MoRPH Estuaries survey methodology, working with Thames21 and Queen Mary University. Natural Course C10 Project - Participation in the Fylde Hub.

Wholescale Approach to Marine Management (WAMM) Project - Estuarine fish monitoring and micro-plastics study as part of a larger Morecambe Bay pilot project investigating collaborative working between catchment partnerships and coastal partnerships.

Royles Brook Restoration – Funding to support the delivery of wetlands at King Georges Playing Fields.

KGPF LEF - Funding to support the delivery of wetlands at King Georges Playing Fields.

Pinfold EWCO – Funding to support the delivery of woodland creation at a permaculture site within the Wyre catchment.

Page 24

WYRE RIVER TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
16 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024
£ £ £ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31 March 2025
are represented by:
Fixed assets 121,197 20,540 141,737 14,848 48,940 63,788
Current assets/liabilities (35,267) 315,999 280,732 1,906 287,577 289,483
Total 85,930 336,539 422,469 16,754 336,517 353,271
----- End of picture text -----

17 Related party transactions

There are no related party transactions which require disclosure.

Page 25