## **Charity Number: 1176457** **Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025** The Darlands Conservation Trust ## **Page** - **1 Contents 2 Reference and administrative details 3 Statement of trustee’s responsibilities 3-5 Report of the trustees 6 Income and Expenditure account 7 Balance sheet 8 Independent Examiners Report** 1 The Darlands Conservation Trust ## **Reference and administrative details** **Structure:** Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) **The name of the CIO:** The Darlands Conservation Trust **Charity number** : 1176457 ## **The first charity trustees: -** Terrence Bannister Kerin Conn (Resigned 7 August 2020) Eileen Eskenzi John Hart (Retired 23 April 2025) Deborah Hobson John Living (Resigned 31 May 2022) Dianne Murphy (Ceased to be a trustee on 18 March 2025) Caroline Stock (Chairman) Michael Worms ## **Trustees appointed since formation of the CIO: -** Paul Flashman (Appointed 4 April 2022) (Deputy Chair) Valerie Duschinsky (Appointed 23 May 2022) Jeffrey Duckett (Appointed 4 September 2023) **Treasurer:** Mark Turner **Bankers:** Lloyds Bank Plc, Park Lane Branch, London **Solicitors:** Edwin Coe LLP, London WC2A 3TH **Correspondence address:** PO Box 57691, London, NW7 0GR **Website:** www.darlandsconservationtrust.org 2 ## The Darlands Conservation Trust ## **Statement of trustee’s responsibilities** Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare receipts and payments accounts and statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year, which properly present the charity's receipts and payments for the year together with its assets and liabilities at the end of the year. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice and the regulations made under Section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Report of the trustees** The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the charity's constitution dated 22 December 2017 (as amended on 7 Sep 2022) and the recommendations of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice and comply with applicable law. ## Structure governance and management The charity is under the governance of its Trustees, as set out on page 2 of the Financial Statements. The day-to-day management of the Charity is undertaken by the Trustees. ## The objects of the CIO The object of the CIO is to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of Darlands Nature Reserve. When planning the activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit. ## Achievements and performance Volunteers continued to play a vital role in the practical management and improvement of the nature reserve throughout the year. Recorded activities up to 3 ## The Darlands Conservation Trust December 2024, with similar activity continuing thereafter, included a wide range of conservation, access and maintenance works across the site. Key areas of volunteer activity included: - **Habitat management** , including bramble and scrub clearance, thinning of holly and woodland, invasive species control (including Himalayan balsam and ragwort), and halo clearance around veteran trees. - **Watercourse and drainage works** , including ditch clearance, vegetation management around weirs and culverts, and improvements to drainage in lower field areas. - **Access and infrastructure improvements** , such as path edge cutting and mowing, meadow management, bridge construction using sleepers, installation of post-and-rail fencing along the lake edge, and clearance to improve access to woodland and field entrances. - **Meadow and field management** , including mowing, raking, seed collection, and ongoing ragwort control. - **General maintenance and site support** , including repairs to fencing and gabions, equipment maintenance, and unloading and installation of site materials. These volunteer-led activities significantly enhanced the ecological condition, accessibility and safety of the reserve, while helping to reduce reliance on paid contractors. The Trustees extend their heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who generously gave their time and energy throughout the year. We continued our programme to control Giant Hogweed, a hazardous invasive plant that can cause serious burns upon contact with its sap. Despite its establishment in parts of the reserve, progress has been made through annual treatments by licensed contractors. Our ‘Help Save Darlands’ appeal remains active, inviting everyone who loves the reserve to contribute toward its regeneration, lake restoration, and long-term maintenance. A new bridge, improving access across the reserve was installed. The trustees gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Aviva Shafritz, given in memory of her late parents, long-time visitors to Darlands. During the year, the Trust received significant support from the London Borough of Barnet through Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding, with the support of Councillors Caroline Stock (Totteridge and Woodside ward) and Valerie Duschinsky (Mill Hill ward). 4 ## The Darlands Conservation Trust NCIL funding totalling **£85,550** was awarded to support access improvements across the reserve, comprising **£68,150** towards the completion of paths around the lake and **£17,400** towards the completion of the path leading to the St Andrew’s Church entrance. These works were completed in April 2024 by contractors appointed and managed by the London Borough of Barnet. In addition, the London Borough of Barnet provided **£90,000** of NCIL funding towards **Phase 1 of the lake desilting project** , part of a wider project with a total estimated cost of **£300,000** . Phase 1 was completed by the year end at a total cost of **£213,510** . The Gosling Foundation also supported this phase with a grant of . **£49,000** The trustees are extremely grateful to the London Borough of Barnet and The Gosling Foundation for their generous support, which made this significant phase of the project possible. Funding received from both funders is included within **restricted funds** , with the balance of the Phase 1 costs met from the Trust’s unrestricted **designated funds** . During the year, essential tree management and safety works were undertaken across the reserve to address hazardous trees and overhanging branches. The trustees wish to acknowledge the significant practical support provided by Paul Flashman, a trustee and local farmer, who undertook much of this work using his own tractor and treecutting equipment. This enabled the Trust to complete substantial works without the need to appoint external contractors. In recognition of this contribution, the trustees agreed to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this work. An amount of £400 was paid to Denham Farm in respect of these costs. In June 2024, the Trust received a grant of **£3,000** from **Affinity Water** through its **INNS Out Scheme** to support the spraying and control of **Japanese knotweed** across the reserve. This funding was applied in accordance with its intended purpose and is included within **restricted funds** in the financial statements. In September 2024, the Trust received a donation of **£3,500** from the Totteridge Horticultural Society following its decision to wind up after many years of activity. The trustees are very grateful to the Society for this generous contribution, which will be treated as **unrestricted funding** and used to support the Trust’s ongoing work in the management and conservation of the nature reserve. The Charity successfully achieved its objectives for the year, as outlined above. ## Financial review The charity’s activities resulted in net incoming resources on the Unrestricted Income Fund for the year of £87,510 (2023/24: £8,784). In the prior years, the 5 ## The Darlands Conservation Trust trustees had designated the Millennium Fayre income, towards the cost of desilting the Darlands Lake and the wider Save Darlands appeal. These funds were originally raised by the local community in 2000. In the current year £75,545 (2023/24: £4,521) of the 2024/25 Unrestricted Income Fund has been allocated to the Designated ‘Help Save Darlands’ appeal funds. Restricted income amounted to £227,550 (2023/24 £nil). The trustees are confident that through a combination of different income streams, they will receive sufficient income to enable the charity to meet its objectives. The trustees have determined that there is no material uncertainty that casts doubt on its ability to continue as a going concern. ## Plans for future periods In 2025/26, the trustees plan to complete **Phase 2 of the Darlands Lake desilting project** , following the successful completion of Phase 1. Phase 2 works are scheduled to take place between **April and October 2025** and will form a key part of the Trust’s long-term strategy to restore and maintain the ecological health of the lake. The trustees will continue to oversee ecological monitoring and surveys across the reserve, with findings feeding into the development and implementation of a **tenyear management plan** . This plan will guide future habitat management, conservation priorities and access improvements across the site. Alongside this, the Trust will continue to maintain and enhance **safe public access** to the nature reserve, including paths, infrastructure and boundary management, while ensuring that conservation outcomes remain central to all works undertaken. Strategies for **sustainable fundraising** , communications and the **recruitment and retention of volunteers** will continue to be developed to support delivery of the management plan. **Community engagement** will remain at the forefront of the Trust’s activities, strengthening links with local residents, volunteers and partner organisations. This report was approved and authorised for issue by the trustees on 16 January 2026, and signed on their behalf by: ## Caroline Stock **Chairman** 6 The Darlands Conservation Trust Income and Expenditure Account For the year ended 31 March 2025 PrAor Year Unre8tr1cted Restricted Total Income Donation8 And leg*cle8 IA)cal busiti¢s8 840 840 580 IA)c81 commutiity Trusts & Found*tlon8 60,456 3,500 60,456 231.050 3514 427 227,550 ToiAI DonAtion8 And legacle8 Communlty evEn15 Other Income 64,796 227.550 292,346 4.521 22.714 22.714 4263 Tothl Income 87.510 227,550 315,060 8,784 Expen8e8 arAi#ble Activities Indepetsdent examlnadon f¢¢ Land & Habltat Manag¢m¢ni Repalrs and Tnaln*nance T￿41 Chariiable Activities 200 200 79J50 227,550 306.900 16,023 754 79,550 227,550 307,100 16,777 ltssurAttceB 787 787 760 Sundry expen8e8 C4J8t of rai8ing fund8 Tothl Expense8 Net Operatlng Income 1,136 30 1,136 30 424 81.503 227,550 309,053 17,970 6,007 6.007 (9,186) Total Reconciliation of fund8: Unre8tricled Designated Re8tric*d funds Total fund8 brought forward Income 18.044 11.965 (12.153) 10.000 201.043 10.169 229256 75.545 227.550 315.060 (69350) P27550) (309,053) (10,000) Expenditure Trattsfets bctwccn fimds Total fimd8 cartied forwatd 27,856 207.238 169 235.263 The Darlands Conservation Trust The financial statements on pages 6 and 7 were approved by the trustees and authorised for issue on 16 January 2026, and signed on their behalf by: ## Caroline Stock **Chairman** 8 ## The Darlands Conservation Trust ## **Independent Examiners Report** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Darlands Conservation Trust, registered charity number 1176457 (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31March 2025. As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Full name of Examiner: Mohib Abid ACCA Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________ 15 January 2026 9