PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE CIO No. 1164156 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024 The responsibility for maintaining the fabric of the Grade 2 listed Old Lower Lighthouse and co�age whilst improving standards for visitor experiences is a constant one, especially given its exposed geographical posi�on deep into the English Channel. enabled ini�al plans for renova�on and refurbishment of the Old Lower Lighthouse itself and the non-listed garage/accommoda�on to be further developed, with a view to submit a detailed planning applica�on in 2025. The Lighthouse co�age although improved over the years has never been fully insulated and remained damp especially in the winter months but work commenced in November with local builders familiar with old limestone on the insula�on and refurbishment of the warden’s and visitor accommoda�on. The installa�on of planned underfloor hea�ng will enable be�er maintenance of the building’s fabric and greatly improve staff accommoda�on and extend guest visi�ng to all months of the year. The plans envisage comple�on ready for the spring migra�on of birds and the first guests in early April 2025. The charity’s farming and conserva�on work to improve the biodiversity of the south Portland Bill area con�nued under our second DEFRA Mid-Tier Stewardship agreement and a key field area was purchased next to part of the Culverwell SSSI, which the Observatory helps to manage. The Observatory was pleased to receive a visit from the family of one of the recent donor bequests and they were delighted with the land that had been purchased along with the Portland Stone memorial bench placed in a key posi�on overlooking the Bill area. The Observatory’s educa�onal and public interac�on was maintained by the daily blog which con�nues to provide detailed observa�onal informa�on and news of the many scien�fic studies being undertaken by the staff and visitors on the Isle of Portland. BBC Springwatch again used our facili�es to film sequences of our work for na�onal broadcast, whilst on the scien�fic front there was news was a result from the recent commissioned MOTUS installa�on: the tagging of a rare Siberian migrant, Yellow-browed Warbler, under a major European programme resulted in a hit at the Observatory of one tagged in the Netherlands a few days before, providing new informa�on on the recent changes in their migra�on strategy. The membership remains steady at 750 providing a key source of revenue which with other income enabled an overdue staff review resul�ng in improved condi�ons of employment, reflec�ng their uns�n�ng work and efforts through the COVID years to the present. Two new Trustees were appointed at the AGM - Dr Ian Davidson and Mrs Susan Murphy – both of whom will bring skills to assist in the observatory’s planned developments. Peter J Morgan Chairman PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT ANO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UA81LITIE5 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 We hereby approve the attached statements: Treasurer .................................................... . Secretary.... Date: 19 July 2025 lrtde endent Examiner's Re ort to the Trustèès of"Portland Blrd Observato Cèntre" and Field We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024. which ore Set out on pages I to 3 Res ective res onslbllities of trustèès and •xaminer The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit 15 not requtred for thi5 year lunder section 144 of the Charities Act 20111 and that an independent examination 15 needed. It is ovr responsibility to.. examine the account (under section 145 of the Charities Act): to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder Section 145151 Ibl of the Charities Actl.. and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention. ndent examlner's re ort Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directjons given by the Charity Commission. 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 consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such m3tters. 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 endent examlner's Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any matertal respect the requirements to keep accountin8 records In accordance with sectlon 130 of the Charities Art.. and to prepare accounts which accord with the aCCOLFntin8 records and io comply with the accounting requirements of the Charitie5 Art have not been met,. or tow in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper tanding of the accounts to be reached. and ILP Accountants street vmouth orset BJ Date= 23rd lune 2025 Cha er PORTLAND BIRDOBSERVATOftY AND FIELD CENTRE AND PAYMENT THE YEAR EN IDE 14T FOR EMBER 2024 2024 Accomtnodaiion eank Interest and Dividervjs Aèeeived 8ookshop Sales INote 11 Oon3tlons RètèivÈd Farming Iniomtr INoie 21 Membership Fees 43,814.LThJ 79,971.35 3,34S.28 1.175.45 2.328.71 14.924.fy1 41.975.Q) 75.972.78 3.343.51 2.302.81 0.00 14,444.ryJ ExceplwJnal Income- BeouestslNoie 31 48.226.70 442,648.66 RE 193.785.49 580,686.76 Bank Char8es and Merchanr Fee5 Bild Rln8inB and Moih siudles Farminicesis INote 21 Insurance 1.734.93 4.779 27 L.069 81 7.867.OS 776.15 3.L20.24 8.117.91 5.260 44 1,130.70 2.438.09 9CQ.CrtJ 33,213.59 1.229.30 11.616.50 5S.337.64 3,317.35 12.029.34 2.592.IS i.iio Tr) 2,576.84 450.ty) 11,343.55 713.60 9,988.47 71.687.75 Offlce. Cleanin8 and Meetln8 Costs Professional Fees Rates and waiei Aeni Repairs and M•inien4rKe Subscrlpiions and Oonaiiorbs Made Tolephone and Inierrtei Wa8e5, Pen519ns and P4yrdl Taxes Exceptional Expenses- Land Puithases INotÉ 31 Excepiional Expen5es- Renovatlon PrgJe¢i (Note31 110,319.98 59.1(N).Tr) PAYM NT 291.703.Z3 132.077.42 7,917.71 M8.609.34 BANK & CASH BAL4NCE 4T 310ECEMBER 2023 $66.201.S6 117,594.22 BANK & CASH BALANCE AT 31 OECEMBER 2024 468.285.82 566.203.56 IIETIDEFICITI/SURPLUS FOR TIIE YEAREXCIIIDINfj EKEPTIONAL IIEMS 23,275.$4 5.960.68 PORTLANDBIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIEiOCENTRE STATEMENTOFNSSET AND LIA8IUTI ETARY ASSErs 8alance at Santanoer CurreTri Accovni attributaNÈ trj the (hartty Cash at Hand 468.185.82 lco.co 565,953.56 2SO.00 468.285 82 566.203.56 . 010 Lower Ll8htho¥st In¢ludlfi8the Ll8hthrwJse Keepe¢sCotta8e and attact*d amexe - Approxirnately 31 acre5 Qt land at Portland Bill includini the tsLSwn E5tote - Siock of book5 ¥YIth an approxim•t¢ ¥alu¢ of £2S.(K•J A8Ficuliural equipment OTHER ASSÉ l. Held for Investment purposes - M & G Investmenis- Inccffje unlts held a5Ji 31 December 2024 88.857.053 Value at 3111212024 £1.308,33I.25 Value at 3111212023 £1.275,089.82 PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Bookshop sales have been shown as a net income figure rather than showing sales and purchases, as requested by the Trustees. This does not affect the overall accounts. This category includes the sale of Observatory-branded merchandise. Farming cos1$ are shown nel of 8overnment grant5 received under the Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme. This has resulted in an income position in 202412023.. deficit). During 2024 the Chèrlty was the beneficiary of a final receipt from the estate of Mrs julie Spivey, in addition to the sum5 received in 2023. The Charity made purchases of two pieces of land on Portland during ihe year in furtherance of its aim to safeBuard habitats on the1s13nd for conservation purposes. The Chority also commenced a signrficant project of renovation and modernisation works, usin8 bequests received in recenl years, in Order to maintain the Old Lower Lighthouse as a facility suitable for its on8oin8 aims of conservation and environmental education. This project is likely to continue for several years. PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT ANO STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UA81LITIE5 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 We hereby approve the attached statements: Treasurer .................................................... . Secretary.... Date: 19 July 2025 lrtde endent Examiner's Re ort to the Trustèès of"Portland Blrd Observato Cèntre" and Field We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024. which ore Set out on pages I to 3 Res ective res onslbllities of trustèès and •xaminer The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit 15 not requtred for thi5 year lunder section 144 of the Charities Act 20111 and that an independent examination 15 needed. It is ovr responsibility to.. examine the account (under section 145 of the Charities Act): to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners lunder Section 145151 Ibl of the Charities Actl.. and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention. ndent examlner's re ort Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directjons given by the Charity Commission. 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 consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such m3tters. 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 endent examlner's Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any matertal respect the requirements to keep accountin8 records In accordance with sectlon 130 of the Charities Art.. and to prepare accounts which accord with the aCCOLFntin8 records and io comply with the accounting requirements of the Charitie5 Art have not been met,. or tow in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper tanding of the accounts to be reached. and ILP Accountants street vmouth orset BJ Date= 23rd lune 2025 Cha er PORTLAND BIRDOBSERVATOftY AND FIELD CENTRE AND PAYMENT THE YEAR EN IDE 14T FOR EMBER 2024 2024 Accomtnodaiion eank Interest and Dividervjs Aèeeived 8ookshop Sales INote 11 Oon3tlons RètèivÈd Farming Iniomtr INoie 21 Membership Fees 43,814.LThJ 79,971.35 3,34S.28 1.175.45 2.328.71 14.924.fy1 41.975.Q) 75.972.78 3.343.51 2.302.81 0.00 14,444.ryJ ExceplwJnal Income- BeouestslNoie 31 48.226.70 442,648.66 RE 193.785.49 580,686.76 Bank Char8es and Merchanr Fee5 Bild Rln8inB and Moih siudles Farminicesis INote 21 Insurance 1.734.93 4.779 27 L.069 81 7.867.OS 776.15 3.L20.24 8.117.91 5.260 44 1,130.70 2.438.09 9CQ.CrtJ 33,213.59 1.229.30 11.616.50 5S.337.64 3,317.35 12.029.34 2.592.IS i.iio Tr) 2,576.84 450.ty) 11,343.55 713.60 9,988.47 71.687.75 Offlce. Cleanin8 and Meetln8 Costs Professional Fees Rates and waiei Aeni Repairs and M•inien4rKe Subscrlpiions and Oonaiiorbs Made Tolephone and Inierrtei Wa8e5, Pen519ns and P4yrdl Taxes Exceptional Expenses- Land Puithases INotÉ 31 Excepiional Expen5es- Renovatlon PrgJe¢i (Note31 110,319.98 59.1(N).Tr) PAYM NT 291.703.Z3 132.077.42 7,917.71 M8.609.34 BANK & CASH BAL4NCE 4T 310ECEMBER 2023 $66.201.S6 117,594.22 BANK & CASH BALANCE AT 31 OECEMBER 2024 468.285.82 566.203.56 IIETIDEFICITI/SURPLUS FOR TIIE YEAREXCIIIDINfj EKEPTIONAL IIEMS 23,275.$4 5.960.68 PORTLANDBIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIEiOCENTRE STATEMENTOFNSSET AND LIA8IUTI ETARY ASSErs 8alance at Santanoer CurreTri Accovni attributaNÈ trj the (hartty Cash at Hand 468.185.82 lco.co 565,953.56 2SO.00 468.285 82 566.203.56 . 010 Lower Ll8htho¥st In¢ludlfi8the Ll8hthrwJse Keepe¢sCotta8e and attact*d amexe - Approxirnately 31 acre5 Qt land at Portland Bill includini the tsLSwn E5tote - Siock of book5 ¥YIth an approxim•t¢ ¥alu¢ of £2S.(K•J A8Ficuliural equipment OTHER ASSÉ l. Held for Investment purposes - M & G Investmenis- Inccffje unlts held a5Ji 31 December 2024 88.857.053 Value at 3111212024 £1.308,33I.25 Value at 3111212023 £1.275,089.82 PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY AND FIELD CENTRE NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Bookshop sales have been shown as a net income figure rather than showing sales and purchases, as requested by the Trustees. This does not affect the overall accounts. This category includes the sale of Observatory-branded merchandise. Farming cos1$ are shown nel of 8overnment grant5 received under the Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme. This has resulted in an income position in 202412023.. deficit). During 2024 the Chèrlty was the beneficiary of a final receipt from the estate of Mrs julie Spivey, in addition to the sum5 received in 2023. The Charity made purchases of two pieces of land on Portland during ihe year in furtherance of its aim to safeBuard habitats on the1s13nd for conservation purposes. The Chority also commenced a signrficant project of renovation and modernisation works, usin8 bequests received in recenl years, in Order to maintain the Old Lower Lighthouse as a facility suitable for its on8oin8 aims of conservation and environmental education. This project is likely to continue for several years.