Northeast Red Squirrels
Trustees Annual Report Year Ended 31st December 2020
Charity Name : Northeast red Squirrels
Registration Number : 1162179
Address : 29 Woolsington Gardens, Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AP
Trustees :
Mr Stephen Barrett Mr Keith Brooks
Mr Alan Worthington
Mr Tony Metcalf
Mr Ivan Brown
Bank Account held with :
HSBC 110 Grey Street Newcastle NE1 6JG
Governing Document : CIO Constitution Adopted 17/5/2015
Structure Details : Four charity trustees, appointed for a minimum of between two and four years.
Mr Stephen Barrett – 4 years (continuing for an extra 2 years.)
Mr Keith Brooks – 4 years (continuing for an extra 2 years.)
Mr Alan Worthington – 4 years
Mr Tony Metcalf – 4 years
Mr Ivan Brown – 4 years
We make trustees decisions at our Charity Trustee Meetings. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and received no pay or other benefits for their role as trustees.
Objectives and Activities for the public benefit
To promote conservation of native red squirrel populations in their natural habitat across the NorthEast of England for future generations. We do this in two ways. First, by supporting local voluntary groups working to protect and preserve the species. Second, by raising awareness of and educating the public in the red squirrel, the threats it faces and the need for conservation to ensure its survival.
In planning our work for 2020 we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our Trustees’ Meetings. Our focus is on promoting conservation of red squirrels in the NorthEast for future generations. We continue working with local volunteer groups to support them in
preserving red squirrels. We also raise awareness of and educate the public of the need for conservation to ensure red squirrels survive in the north-east. In the past year we recruited new volunteers who promote and carry out conservation. Working with landowners and farmers, especially to allow volunteers to carry out conservation on their land, has been a priority in the last year.
Achievements and Performance
The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 had, and still has, a major impact on the charity’s work. Lockdown rules delayed conservation work, including trapping of grey squirrels. Landowners and homeowners were reluctant to allow volunteers on their property, although this improved after lock down rules relaxed. Unable to meet in person, trustees met virtually in Zoom meetings.
Nevertheless, we continue to build on our achievements in previous years. Our south-east Northumberland project continues to support and work with volunteers at Havannah Nature Reserve and with Northumberland volunteer group members. We provided small grants and essential equipment and supplies for their red squirrel conservation work.
The second phase of our longer-term strategy, ‘Red Squirrels back on Tyne' , HLF funded, started in 2018 and continued until October 2020. . We have a Senior Ranger supported by Rangers and other volunteers. This project covers from the western fringe of Newcastle to the North Tyne at Hexham. The project successfully covers many woodlands owned by large and smaller landowners. Our work with large estates still in private hands is important, especially where they share boundaries.
Over the last year we preserved red squirrel numbers with populations increasing in our project areas. Local groups and volunteers, who we support, work cooperatively towards our aims, with ‘adopt-a-wood’ areas in place. Among other impacts, the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our plans to present information to local community groups and schools. These settings were, and some remain, closed to us, so we are developing IT based presentations, to share information and teaching materials electronically. It remains a priority to encourage and nurture engagement and an increased love of the red squirrel and nature in general.
Plans
We continue to deliver our long-term strategy and consolidate our achievements so far. We will expand the range of our red squirrels through engagement with local communities. Build on our volunteer base and deliver training and information to local schools and community groups. We continue to fund raise to continue our efforts.
Financial Review Details
We have continued to raise funds through private donations from supporters. The income we have raised is to support our aims. We continue to supply funds and materials to support volunteer conservation work. This includes Havannah Nature, Cramlington Red Squirrels and other Northern Red Squirrels volunteer Groups. These groups work with a dedicated Ranger and support the efforts of our volunteers.
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31st December 2020
Northeast Red Squirrels Charity no 1162179 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ending 31 December 2020 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT INCOME Donations Public collectio Heritsge Lottery Grant £3.028.50 £57.66 £3.162.00 Red Squirrel Groups Income Gift Aid £1,000.00 £500.00 £7.748.16 Totsl EXPENDITURE Equipment and Feed etc £5,725.39 £17,639.39 £2.394.00 £3,113.68 £473.93 Total £29.346.39 Red Squirrel Group Outgoij$ Communty and Education events and insurance Deficlt for year £21.598.23 BALANCE at 31 Doc1b•r 2019 £29.032.97 Assets at December 312020 HSBC Account Cash £7,434.74 £0.00 Llabllitle8 Accruals Creditors £0.00 £0.00 BALANCE at 31 December 2020 £7.434.74 Accounts prepared by Steve Barrett Honorary Treasurer HONORARY AUDITOR'S REPORT I hereby Cerbfy that the above income and expenditure accounts and Balan Sheets are a tru representation of the financial affairs of North East Red Squi* . as evidenced by the books vouchers arKI other inf0mtiOn supplied to me Date....28 October2021................................. Sianed.....