2022 Chairman’s report for Charity Commission
Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre’s ac�vi�es returned to normal and in some areas exceeded those experienced pre-covid. The full reopening of the observatory for accommoda�on and day visitors saw an unprecedented increase following relaxa�on of the previous COVID restric�ons. Interest in the charity was reflected by a marked increase in visits by the general public, many having read of our conserva�on and scien�fic work which had been reported daily on the observatory blog throughout the lockdowns. The interest in nature generally and the work of socie�es and chari�es working in this sphere were obviously s�mulated by many television programmes watched during the Covid pandemic.
indicators was back to high levels with the many visi�ng naturalists contribu�ng to the daily records. The final database of sixty years past records which had been digi�sed and edited over several years was received from the Bri�sh Trust for Ornithology, these having contributed to their capacity to inform JNCC and the government on biodiversity changes during this period.
Award for our farming for wildlife a�er successful comple�on of the first fiveyear programme. We were sorry to lose Richard Newton, our trustee with farming experience who had undertaken all work for the past twenty years but contracted James Foot, a local farmer who con�nued the agreed programme. The acreage farmed for conserva�on increased during the year thanks to a bequest from the family of a previously regular visitor to the observatory. The generous sum of £100K enabled the purchase of two areas of limestone grassland and five lawnsheds totalling 4.4 acres which were incorporated into the farming regime.
The observatory now farms just under 40 acres maintaining and increasing the biodiversity of Portland Bill under increasing pressure from other uses.
The educa�onal programme was enabled again by the warden, Mar�n Cade and our newly appointed Assistant Warden Jodie Mae Henderson, who like our previous AW, Erin Taylor, had served at Skokholm Bird Observatory. The work of the observatory was detailed to the many visits by schools, bird socie�es, WI, University of the Third Age as well as general visitors. The membership rose to nearly 800 reaching pre-covid levels. Formal educa�on and work experience
was undertaken u�lising our Neil Arnold Memorial Fund and the BTO Young Bird Observatory Volunteer scheme enabling two students to spend a total of eight weeks training at PBO.
period during COVID and ensured a successful resump�on of all of the observatory’s opera�ons and ac�vi�es.
Peter J Morgan
Chairman of Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre.
RO RVAT RY AND HELD (Ef4TRÉ ECEIPTS JJ40 PAYMENTS ACCOUIIT FOA AR ENDED RECEIPTS Accomm¢d¥tion Bank Interest and Oividénds Rec Bookshop Sèle5 (Note 11 FarrnlnB Incorne INCtè 11 Donations and 8eque5ts Membershlp Fees 43.2C& 73.021.42 5.791.J3 634.93 1.347.41 13.796LiI 25.186.rx) 65.640.39 4.511.46 797 65 2J)99.34 JL.981.C Exceptional IhcomE- Bequest for Purthas• (Note 31 TOTAL 237.798.89 110.215.84 xp 88nk Char8e5 and Mtrth•hi Fees Cleani itysurarKe ehl and e1t 919.53 4,259.32 3.322.65 S.366.(6 5,620.02 1.71L.24 881.32 1.(fj3.96 2.306.55 1.250 14.34945 7.Yl.30 44&LX) 439.33 15.041.$1 43.49866 S87.84 L.565 52 3,Tr)5 22 7,018 80 S.263.12 IW76 3,518.04 l.S67.50 2.249.42 1.6W C 7.187.85 1,710 00 72.00 Posr4e Printlng. S¢•llonery ino OMi<e Prolessional Fees Raies and W4¢er Rent Repaifsand Maintenance Rihiini and Data Proces08 SkJb$crtptions and Oon4tbhs Made SundryTfa¥el ané Meellnl Cost5 Telephorte wale5 and Pèyro117axe5 11.315.58 37.378.38 ExceptlQh•l Exptn5•S- Land Purthse IN¢xe 31 102.032 60 TAL PAYM 210.4SI.51 8a.220.43 27,347.38 25 995.41 BANK & CASH eALANCf AT 31 DECEMBER 2021 .246 8• 64,251.43 8ANK & CASH 8AL4NCE AT310ECEM8ER 2022 117.594.22 ¥J,246 84 NETIDEFACITI/5URPiV5FOR fNE YEAR ExauDII4GEXCEPTl¢hW IItMS 29JY9. 25.99S.41
PORTLJJID BIRD ERVATORY APIO FIE STATEM NT ANDiIA AT DECEMeER 20Z2 021 Balance ai Sanianoercurrenl Accoum aitrlbuuble 10 tkChariLV Cash at Han 117,404.22 19). 89.981.84 265.00 L17.594.22 ON-MONET - Old Lower Li8hthouse includin8the L•8hthous¢ Keeper'sCotia8eahd attached annexe . Approxirnaiely 31 atres of land ai Portland Bill includini thecrown Estate Field . Stock of bookswith On apprthlmate value of É25.(01 rlcultural equipment ER l. Helo for inveslrnent Purp*$ - M & G Invesirnenis- Iht¢nw unlts held •s•t 31 December 2022 88.857.053 V•lue 313U12n022 £I.s,772.17 Valu¢ •13111V2021 È1,380.399.71
PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY ANO FIELD CENTRE NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20Z2 Bookshop salès have been shown as a net income fi8ure rather than showin8 sales and purchases, as requestèd by the Trustees. This does not affert the overall •¢¢ounts. This category intludes the sale of Ob5ervatory-branded merchandise. Farming Costs are shown net of government grants received under the Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme. This ha5 resulted In a small surplus in ea¢h year from 2019-2022. During 2022 the Charity recèbved a generous bequest in memory of Rob Tuck. spetifi¢ally to be used to fund the purchase of two parcels of land adjacent to the Observatory for conservation purposes, for which we are most grateful. The receipt and corresponding land purchase linclusive of legal fees) are shown as exceptional income and expenditure in the year.
Inde endent Examinels Re rt to the Trustees of'portland Bird Observato Centre" and Field We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages I to 3. Re5 ective res onsibilitles of trustees and exam5ner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for ihis 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 sectlon 145 of the Charities Act).. to follow the proCeduS laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder section 145151 Ibl of the Charities Actl.. and to stale whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basls ot Inde end nt examiner's re Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commisslon. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideralion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you a5 trustee5 concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence ihèt would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as io whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report Is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Inde mlner'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 accountin8 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 atcovnting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met. or to which, in our opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Elliot and Co LLP Chartered Accountants 7 King Street Weymouth Dorset DT4 7BJ Date= 20th June 2023