2021 Trustee’s Report for Charity Commissioners
The year fell into two discrete halves due to the continuing influence of Covid19 and subsequent legal restrictions. The early period was dominated by the finishing of the refurbishment of observatory accommodation by Martin Cade the Warden and Erin Taylor the Assistant Warden who remained in situ.
Although no visitors were permitted the two of them undertook the scientific work, recording all aspects of the natural history especially the moths and bird ringing. The spring was very busy bird migrant wise with one of the highest numbers ringed in recent years. In addition they finalised and published the biannual Report for the years 2019 and 2020 which was sent to the nearly seven hundred members who had retained their membership during the difficult times. Their work and efforts over many hours received a special vote of thanks from the Trustees and the membership at the 3rd July AGM which was again a Zoom meeting, due to restrictions.
After two and a half years as Assistant Warden. Erin Taylor was successful in obtaining a research Post with the British Antarctic Survey studying albatrosses on Bird Island, South Georgia, and left at the end of July. Three of the last four Assistant Wardens have now moved onto further careers in bird conservation after their time at Portland Bird Observatory. An appointment was made in October of a replacement for 2022, Jodie Mae Henderson - another with observatory and seabird experience.
The observatory was fortunate in the spring to have a local trustee in Richard Newton enabling completion of the planting and farming in the last year of our Mid-Tier Conservation Grant. Assessment by DEFRA of our efforts later in the year met with their approval and plans were prepared for a new five-year application from 2022 which would include all of the new land areas purchased over the last three years. The last of these, for 0.94 acres adjacent to our holdings in the Top Fields, was also finalised this year.
In accordance with legislation only the self-contained flat was let to visitors before limited accommodation was made available from August; day-visitors were provided with access to toilet facilities and sanitisers. In mid -September an Independent Health and Safety Review was commissioned and specific actions agreed at the autumn Zoom Trustee meeting. In mid-September, also, the whole observatory was opened to visitors with appropriate Covid precautions and cleaning. This brought much needed income enabling a small
profit for the year assisted of course by the dividend from the investment in the M&G Charifund.
A successful year in difficult circumstances was achieved thanks to the staff on site and good communication between them the Officers and the Trustees.
Peter J Morgan Chairman
RTLAN IRDO ERVAT RYA FIÉiD CEPffl¢E ECEIPTS ANO PAYME ACCOUNT FOR CEIPT Accornmodation Interest and Divthnd5 Recelv•d 8ook5hop Sales (Note 11 Farmin8 Income (Note 21 Oonations and Bequests Membership Fees 25,186. 65.640.39 4.511.46 797.65 2.099.34 11.981.LX) 8,247.97 59.431.16 3.487.87 3.788.38 .21 12.3O).00 EIP 110.215.84 88.15539 IR CHARITABLE EXPEPIDITURE Bank Charges and Merchant Fees aeaning Insurance Light and Heat Pension Contrtbutions Postage Printin& Stationery Jnd Office Professional Fees Rates and Water Rent Repairs and Mainten•nce ftinwn8 Subscripti4n5 Jnd Donat•on5 Made 5uftdry Travel and Meetin8 Costs Telephone Wa8e5 and Payroll Tax¢s 587.84 1.565.92 3.CQS.22 7.018.80 5.263.12 180.76 3.518.04 1.567.$0 2.249 42 1.6(.LI) 7.187.85 1.710.CK) 72.¢XI 349.51 3.982.36 185531 5.913.43 5.526.64 452.28 292.56 1.153.20 2.221.38 1.2fKI.Q) 21.740.63 2 783.14 212.Q) 360.56 11.987.67 41.778.09 11.315.58 37.378.38 Exceptional Expenses {Noie 31 o.co 21.S6S.40 TA PAYM NT 84.220.43 124.374.16 NET Fl APL 15.995.41 36,218.57) 8ANX & CASH 8ACE AT 31 DEC£M8ER 2020 64,251.43 l(Ll.470.IXI NK & CASH 8ALANCE AT 310ECEM8EA 2021 90.246.84 64.251.43 NET(DEFICITJ/SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR EXCLUDING EXCEPTIONAL fTEM5 25.995.41 114.653.17J
RTLAND 81RD VAT RY AND FI CENTRE MENT AND UA81 ITIES AT I DECEM8ER 2 zo TAftY Balance èt Saniander Current Accouni attributable to ihe Charity CJ5h Jt H3nd 89.981.84 265.) 63.501.43 750.C 90.246.84 64.251.43 P40N.M NETARY ASSETS - Old Lower LiRhthouse includin8 the Liththouse Keeperfs CotiO8e and attsched annexe - Approximate 31 acres of land at Portland Bill including the Crown Estate Field - Stock of books with art appromimate value of £25.000 Agricultural equipmeni ETS l. Held for investment purpo5e5 . M & G Investments- In¢ome unlts held as ar 311)ecember 2021 88,703.233 Value at 3111212021 É1.380.399.71 Valve at 3111212020 £1.217.513.97
PORllAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS A FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 202 NT Bookshop sales have been Shown as a net incorne figure rather than showing sales and Pufchases, as requested by the Trustees. This does not affect the ovefall accounts. This category includes the sale of Observatory-branded merchandise. Farming costs are shown net of government grants received under the Mid Tier countrlde Stewardship scheme. This has resulted in a small surplus in each year from 2019-2021. The Charity incurred no exceptional costs during 2021. Prior year exceptional expenditure related to the purchase of land.
Inde endent Examlner's Re ort to the Trustees of "Portland Bi Centre" ervato and Field We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are set out on pages I to 3. Re onsibilities of trustees and examlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the account5. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 20111 and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to: examine the account (under section 145 of the Charities Act): to follow the procedure5 laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5) {b) of the Charities Act): and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention. sis of inde endent examiner's re ort Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the account5 presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you a5 trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out In the statement below. Inde ndent examiner's statement In connection with our examination. no matter has come to our attention. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or to ich, in erst In ur inion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper he accounts to be rea El OLLP Chartered Accountants 7 King Street Weymouth Dorset DT4 7BJ Date: 27th May 2022