## **North-east Red Squirrels** ## **Trustees Annual Report Year Ended 31st December 2021** **Charity Name** : North-east red Squirrels ## **Registration Number** : 1162179 **Address** : 29 Woolsington Gardens, Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AP ## **Trustees** : Mr Steven 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** : Five charity trustees, appointed for a minimum of between two and four years. Mr Steven 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 North-East 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 2021 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 North-East 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** Following the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 had a major impact on the charity’s work. Lockdown rules delayed conservation work, including trapping of grey squirrels. However, over the last year landowners and homeowners have welcomed our volunteers back on their property and a full trapping and conservation programme resumed. Now able to meet in person, Trustees meet four times over the year. The grant we received in 2020 from the Postcode Lottery, will fund our work until April 2022, though we may seek an extension as the pandemic had such an impact on our work. 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 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. 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 raise is to support our aims. We continue to supply funds and materials to support volunteer conservation work. This includes Cramlington Red Squirrels and other Northern Red Squirrels Volunteer Groups. These groups work with a dedicated Ranger and support the efforts of our volunteers. **Northeast Red Squirrels Charity No. 1162179 Accounts for Year ending 31 December 2021 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## **Income** Donations £288.72 Grants £19,050 Red Squirrels groups income £1,000 **Total £20,338.72 EXPENDITURE** Equipment £1,087.99 Feed £1,697.89 Staff & expenses £8,276.10 Red Squirrel Group outgoings £1,000 Community and Education events £266.40 and insurance **Total £12,328.38 Surplus for year £15,240.67 BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2020 £7,230.33 Assets at 31 December 2021** HSBC account £15,240.67 Cash £0 **Liabilities** Accruals £0 Creditors £0 **£15,240.67** ## **BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2021** Accounts prepared by Tony Metcalf, Honorary Treasurer. ## HONORARY AUDITOR'S REPORT I hereby Certify the above income and expenditure accounts and Balance Sheets are a true representation of the financial affairs of Northeast Red Squirrels, as evidenced by the books, vouchers and other information supplied to me. Date. 13 October 2022.