Wootton Conservation Trust
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity No 1163549
Trustees Annual Report
For the year ending 31 December 2022
Trustees:
Philip Parker (Chair)
David Fairweather (Treasurer)
Edward Taylor
Malcolm Barnicoat Marcus Brown Sarah Brown
Address:
c/o Yew Trees House, 32 Castle Road, Wootton OX20 1EG
Wootton Conservation Trust CIO, Registered Charity 1163549 Trustees’ Report and Accounts for year to 31 December 2021
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Objectives
Wootton Conservation Trust CIO (“WCT CIO” or “the CIO”) was established in 2015 by the Trustees of the Wootton Conservation Trust, registered charity 1070246 (“WCT” or “the original Trust”).
The objectives of the CIO and the original Trust are to preserve and protect for the public benefit all forms of wildlife in the civil parish of Wootton, and to advance education of the public regarding wildlife and to increase understanding and appreciation of nature, its value and its conservation, in particular by the promotion of the evolution and enhancement of the landscape and the promotion, preservation and protection of public rights of way over footpaths in the parish.
The CIO was established with the intention that the property and activities of the WCT Trust be transferred to the CIO, in order to simplify the administration of the charities, and in particular to allow the CIO to own the land directly, which is not possible for the original Trust as it is an unincorporated trust.
On 30[th] September 2019 the trustees transferred the Trust’s property and activities to the CIO, since which time the CIO has taken over the activities of the Trust and the management of Wootton water meadows and adjacent limestone grassland.
Activities and Finances
The CIO received income of £2,474 in 2022 and incurred expenditure of £4,037. Total funds at the end of the year were £9,128.
Income in 2022 consisted principally of income from the Trust’s Higher Level Stewardship agreement with the RPA (£1,930), as well as proceeds from the Curry Breakfast fundraising (£270) and other smaller donations.
Expenditure in 2022 was principally related to replacing 250 metres length of fencing in the Meadows (£2,780), as well as smaller amounts relating to gate repairs, to maintaining the land (topping the grass, contributions to Oxford Conservation Volunteers in exchange for work done etc) and insurance costs.
The Trust ran a deficit for the year of £1,564, reflecting capital expenditures in line with the long term plan developed Between the summer of 2019 and March 2020 WCT benefitted from the generous donation of the proceeds of the Wootton Village Hall Talks (totalling £4,960), resulting in an accumulation of reserves. The Trustees have developed a plan for long term management of the land which will necessitate spending these additional accumulated resources. There is a material need for replacement fencing in various areas of the land, for pollarding of trees and trimming of overgrown hedgerows. These items are expected to represent a material cash outlay over the next few years. The Trustees expect that expenditure will materially exceed income in 2023-2024, which will deplete our reserves, and are looking into sources of additional funding to help with the planned works.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 4 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
David Fairweather (Treasurer)
Wootton Conservation Trust CIO, Registered Charity 1163549 Trustees’ Report and Accounts for year to 31 December 2021
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Receipts and Payments for the 12 months ended 31 December 2022
| Receipts – donations and grants Total receipts Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Other recognised gains/(losses) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total cash funds last year end Total cash funds this year end |
2022 2021 Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds £ £ 2,474 6,987 |
|---|---|
| 2,474 6,987 4,037 1,990 |
|
| (1,564) 4,997 0 0 |
|
| (1,564) 4,997 10,691 5,695 |
|
| 9,128 10,691 |
Wootton Conservation Trust CIO, Registered Charity 1163549 Trustees’ Report and Accounts for year to 31 December 2021
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Balance Sheet
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at the end of the period As at 31 December 2022
| Cash funds Other monetary assets Assets for the charity’s own use Note 1 Liabilities Total funds at this year end |
2022 2021 £ £ 9,128 10,691 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 9,128 10,691 |
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 4 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
Chairman Philip Parker
Treasurer David Fairweather
Notes
- WCT owns the freehold to approximately 32 acres of land near the village of Wootton, Oxfordshire, comprising largely water meadows and adjacent limestone grassland. As this was transferred from the old Trust to the CIO for nil consideration and is intended to be held in perpetuity this land is carried at zero book value.