EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
Registered charity no 1182308
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 3 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 4 - 7 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 8 |
| Statement of Receipts and Payments | 9 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 -14 |
2
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Reference
The Charity is called East Keswick Wildlife Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is a registered charity which is set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The constitution governing the CIO is dated 6 February 2019. Up until February 2021 the Trust was governed by a constitution adopted on 4 June 1992 and amended on 15 October 1992 and 11 May 1998.
Registered Charity Number: 1182308
Registered Office
c/o Mr David Smith Greenfields, Whitegate, East Keswick Leeds LS17 9HB
Website : https://www.ekwt.org.uk
Trustees at 31 March 2024
D Smith M Smith S Bottrell A Turner P Holmes M Harrison T Meadley E Woolley E Wren P Delaney J Jackson
Officers of the Trust at 31 March 2024
D Smith Chairman S Bottrell Vice Chairman M Harrison Treasurer T Meadley and E Woolley Joint Membership Secretaries J Hosmer Publicity and Newsletters D Lord Secretary
Main Bankers
Santander UK plc 2 Triton Square Regent’s Place London NW1 3AN
Independent Examiner
Wyatt & Co, Chartered Accountants 125 Main Street Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1AF
3
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Structure and governance
East Keswick Wildlife Trust (the “Trust”) is a registered charity which is set up as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The constitution governing the CIO is dated 6 February 2019. Up until February 2021 the Trust was governed by a constitution adopted on 4 June 1992 and amended on 15 October 1992 and 11 May 1998.
At each annual general meeting of the Trust’s members one third of the charity trustees shall retire from office or, where the number of charity trustees is not an exact multiple of 3 the number nearest to one third shall retire. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. Any person who retires as a charity trustee by rotation is eligible for reappointment. Effectively charity trustees may serve a maximum 3 year term before seeking re-election (if they so wish).
The members of the Trust or the existing charity trustees may appoint a new charity trustee at any time subject to the maximum number of charity trustees at any time which is 12. Any appointments as charity trustees during the financial year are to be confirmed by the decision of the members of the Trust at the Annual General Meeting. A person so appointed by the charity trustees shall not be counted for the purpose of determining which of the charity trustees is to retire by rotation at that meeting. There must be at least 3 charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum the remaining charity trustees or trustee must call a meeting to appoint new charity trustees.
Objectives and activities
The objectives of the Trust are:
-
To promote the conservation, maintenance and study of places and objects of botanical, zoological, geological, ecological or scientific interest in the Parish of East Keswick and elsewhere.
-
To establish, form, own and maintain sanctuaries or reserves for the conservation of flora and fauna.
-
To promote the education of the public, particularly young people, in the understanding, enjoyment and conservation of natural flora and fauna.
-
To promote, organise and carry out study and research in the principles and practice of nature conservation, and to publish useful results of such research.
-
To co-operate with other bodies of allied interest where this may assist in attaining the aim of the Trust
-
To liaise with voluntary and statutory bodies involved in local land use and development, and to advise on the management of sites.
4
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Review of the Period
The Trustees are pleased to report that they have actively pursued all the objectives of the Trust over the previous 12 months.
All Trustees and Officers of the Trust are volunteers receiving no financial remuneration from the Trust apart from the reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust. As a result this ensures that all income and funding received by the Trust can be spent on conservation works, land acquisition and running expenses incurred in pursuit of the Trust’s objectives.
To date the Wildlife Trust has acquired various land freeholds totalling 65 acres and has an additional 35.5 acres under management agreements and leases with other land owners.
On these various landholdings the Trust has established four nature reserves with public access and the recent acquisition of land at Bardsey of 23 acres will become the fifth, securing safe havens for local wildlife, education and public access.
While it is important to recognise the Trust’s successes over the past three decades, it is critical to recognise that the countryside’s wildlife is still in serious trouble and the Trust needs to redouble it’s efforts as the decline in wildlife numbers both locally and across the wider country continues.
The work of the Trust depends on it’s army of volunteers, not only in it’s administration but also on the ground. Every week, up to 30 volunteers work on various conservation projects, management of reserves and local habitat restoration. The Trust is very grateful for all their continued efforts.
To support the work of all these volunteers the Trust does incur costs on insurance, machinery, tools and equipment which all require funding. This is why the Trust is so grateful for every penny it receives and equally for the continued support provided by both Trust members and the local community. Members will be aware that the Trust has increased membership fees this year, the first increase in over five years, which will help to offset the Trust’s increased costs and the effects of inflation. The Trust believes these increased fees still give incredible value and enable access to some very special wildlife rich sites for educational purposes, for members and the public in general.
The Trust would like to take on more projects, acquire and conserve more land, and inspire and involve more people in nature conservation. To do this the Trust will need to access new sources of funding and income streams in order to continue it’s work over the coming years.
The Trust hopes that all of it’s supporters will continue to support it with their membership and perhaps even consider leaving a legacy to the Trust in their will. This could enable the Trust to do so much more and to achieve the Trust’s ambition, namely to have a local countryside rich in wildlife for our children and future generations to enjoy.
The Trust thanks all those that give the Trust’s work their support, free time and donations. This enables the Trust not only to survive but prosper.
It is recognised that the climate crisis is a global problem. However by being a member of the East Keswick Wildlife Trust you can be part of a local solution.
5
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Accounts
In summary, the activities for the year resulted in a surplus of receipts over payments of £10,534 (2023 : £9,216). In addition during this year the further sum of £40,313 has been contributed to the Trust in response to the Appeal for funds to help the Trust purchase the land in Bardsey, which was added to the net contributions received in the previous year of £240,078. The balance of the funds required to complete the purchase of the land in Bardsey, in the sum of £24,686, has been contributed directly by the Trust from its own accumulated funds. In May 2023 the land in Bardsey was acquired for the total purchase price of £305,077 (including legal fees).
The Trustees have again utilised the option available to a charity to prepare the year end accounts on a cash accounting basis (receipts and payments) instead of preparing the accounts under an accruals based accounting policy following the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice. At 31 March 2024 the net assets of the Trust amounted to £414,674 (2023 : £356,338) including cash funds of £9,017 (£263,247 : 2023).
As discussed above the increase in the net assets balance from 2023 to 2024 relates mainly to the further funds received from the Appeal to purchase land in Bardsey which enabled the Trust to conclude this purchase in May 2023. Clearly a significant decrease in the cash balances has occurred as a result of the transfer of funds required to complete this land purchase.
The Trustees are satisfied that the Trust has adequate cash resources to enable it to continue in operation and meet its financial obligations going forward. For these purposes, the Trust aims to maintain a minimum cash balance of general unrestricted funds in the range between £5,000 and £10,000 in order to meet running expenses of the Trust going forward. When necessary, expenditure is deferred by the Trust until income sources (eg grant income from the Rural Payments Agency) are received in order to achieve this cash reserves policy.
Public Benefit statement
In carrying out the objectives and activities of the Trust, the Trustees consider that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.
6
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Trustees’ responsibilities
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice
have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial
statements;
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charity will continue its operations.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with 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.
The trustees' annual report was approved and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
David Smith (Chairman)
����������
7
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 204
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of East Keswick Wildlife Trust ('the charity') for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Nigel Wyatt BSC FCA Date: ���������� Independent Examiner 125 Main Street Garforth Leeds LS25 1AF
8
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
| RECEIPTS INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIPT OF SHORT TERM LOAN DONATIONS AND OTHER INCOME APPEALS TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE OTHER EXPENDITURE REPAYMENT OF SHORT TERM LOAN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE - LAND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE - EQUIPMENT TOTAL PAYMENTS NET RECEIPTS / (PAYMENTS) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS (CASH) TOTAL FUNDS (CASH) BROUGHT FORWARD TRANSFER TOTAL FUNDS (CASH) CARRIED FORWARD FUNDS REPRESENTED BY GENERAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS |
2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 22,725 22,725 4,430 4,430 10,000 10,000 1,095 1,095 0 40,313 40,313 38,250 40,313 78,563 7,795 7,795 2,432 2,432 10,000 10,000 0 305,077 305,077 7,489 7,489 27,716 305,077 332,793 10,534 -264,764 -254,230 23,169 240,078 263,247 -24,686 24,686 0 9,017 0 9,017 9,017 9,017 0 0 9,017 0 9,017 |
2023 Total Funds £ 20,823 3,332 0 567 240,863 265,585 13,644 2,647 0 0 0 16,291 249,294 13,953 0 263,247 23,169 240,078 263,247 |
|---|---|---|
9
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| FIXED ASSETS HERITAGE ASSETS OX CLOSE WOODS ELLIKER FIELD ELLIKER WOOD BARDSEY FIELDS TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS TOTAL FIXED ASSETS NET CURRENT ASSETS BANK AND CASH BALANCES LESS : CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS |
2024 £ 25,451 26,810 31,117 305,077 388,455 17,202 405,657 9,017 0 9,017 414,674 |
2023 £ 25,451 26,810 31,117 0 83,378 9,713 93,091 263,247 0 263,247 356,338 |
|---|---|---|
Note
As the accounts are prepared on a cash basis, there is no formal Balance Sheet or Statement of the Financial Position required. Instead a Statement of Assets is provided which shows the net assets position of the charity at the year end. The figures for fixed assets above are based on the value taken from the accounts for 2022 that were prepared under the accruals basis of accounting, as adjusted for capital expenditure incurred in subsequent years.
10
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. ANALYSIS OF RECEIPTS
| INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES GRANTS RECEIVED FROM RURAL PAYMENTS AGENCY SALE OF CHARCOAL SALE OF LOGS MANAGEMENT FEE - EK PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTIONS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS GIFT AID TAX REFUND RECEIPT OF SHORT TERM LOAN DONATIONS AND OTHER INCOME DONATIONS INTEREST SUNDRY INCOME APPEALS BARDSEY FIELDS CAMPAIGN GIFT AID TAX REFUND TOTAL INCOME INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES GRANTS RECEIVED FROM RURAL PAYMENTS AGENCY SALE OF CHARCOAL SALE OF LOGS MANAGEMENT FEE - EK PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTIONS ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS GIFT AID TAX REFUND DONATIONS AND OTHER INCOME DONATIONS INTEREST SUNDRY INCOME APPEALS BARDSEY FIELDS CAMPAIGN GIFT AID TAX REFUND TOTAL INCOME |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 10,075 10,075 1,985 1,985 10,165 10,165 500 500 22,725 0 22,725 3,829 3,829 601 601 4,430 0 4,430 10,000 0 10,000 860 860 47 47 188 188 1,095 0 1,095 40,000 40,000 313 313 0 40,313 40,313 38,250 40,313 78,563 Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 16,169 16,169 2,147 2,147 2,007 2,007 500 500 20,823 0 20,823 2,605 2,605 727 727 3,332 0 3,332 132 132 0 0 435 435 567 0 567 218,553 218,553 22,310 22,310 0 240,863 240,863 24,722 240,863 265,585 |
|---|---|
12
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. ANALYSIS OF PAYMENTS
DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE
CONSERVATION COSTS VEHICLE / MACHINERY COSTS BASIC PAYMENT ENTITLEMENTS
OTHER EXPENDITURE
ADMINISTRATION INSURANCE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES DEPRECIATION CHARCOAL BAGS AND STAPLES NEWSLETTERS/POSTAGE
REPAYMENT OF SHORT TERM LOAN
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PURCHASE OF LAND PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TOTAL EXPENDITURE
----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
1,974 1,974
5,024 5,024
797 797
7,795 0 7,795
400 400
724 724
600 600
0 0
393 393
315 315
2,432 0 2,432
10,000 0 10,000
0 305,077 305,077
7,489 0 7,489
27,716 305,077 332,793
----- End of picture text -----
| DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE CONSERVATION COSTS VEHICLE / MACHINERY COSTS GRANT APPLICATION FEES FIRST AID COURSE FEES OTHER EXPENDITURE ADMINISTRATION INSURANCE DEPRECIATION NEWSLETTERS/POSTAGE BARDSEY FIELDS CAMPAIGN EXPENSES CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 £ £ £ 8,630 8,630 4,166 4,166 288 288 560 560 13,644 0 13,644 514 514 835 835 0 0 513 513 0 785 785 1,862 785 2,647 0 0 0 15,506 785 16,291 |
|---|---|
13
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a cash basis when receipts and payments take place through the Trust’s bank and building society accounts.
Assessment of Going Concern
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Trust’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Fund Accounting
General unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the Trust’s charitable objectives.
Restricted income funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor and/or under the terms related to a specific appeal.
Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources and the money has been paid to the Trust.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on a cash basis when payments have been made through the Trust’s accounts.
Taxation
The Trust is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
11
EAST KESWICK WILDLIFE TRUST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. RESTRICTED FUNDS
The total restricted funds balance carried forward of £240,078 at 31 March 2023 related to the purchase of a 23 acre wildflower rich site in Bardsey. In the year ended 31 March 2024 further contributions were received of £40,313 together with a transfer of £24,686 from the accumulated reserves of the Trust. The aggregate of these amounts is equal to the purchase price of this land in Bardsey (referred to as Bardsey Fields in the statement of fixed assets), the purchase of which was completed in May 2023. As a result the restricted funds balance at 31 March 2024 is £nil.
Part of the monies received from the the fundraising appeal to help the Trust purchase the land in Bardsey included the following grants:
-
a) Leeds City Council made a payment of £40,000 to the Trust in May 2023 from a fund held by the Council for distribution to projects having a public benefit pursuant to agreements made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act in connection with the development of land at Harewood as a film production set. The purpose of this grant was solely to assist the Trust with the purchase of the land in Bardsey (in front of Bardsey Primary Academy) which was duly completed also in May 2023. Other conditions attached to this grant would result in this grant being repayable to Leeds City Council in the event that the Trust ceases to operate, becomes insolvent, etc before the end of May 2025.
-
b) Bardsey Parish Council made a payment of £30,200 to the Trust in February 2023 in order to assist the Trust with the acquisition of this piece of land located in the centre of Bardsey, so that by working together with the Trust the land could be preserved as an environmental asset for Bardsey and surrounding communities for the future. It is understood that this grant by the Parish Council would be subject to repayment by the Trust in the event that this land were to be sold/transferred to any third party other than a charitable institution having similar objects to the objects of the Trust. The Trust has no intention of selling/transferring this land which was acquired for the purpose of conserving the flora and fauna in this local habitat and opportunities for education and public access.
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Subject to the further comment below, no related party transactions took place during the year other than the reimbursement of expenses incurred by trustees for the day to day running of the Trust.
In order to assist the cashflow position of the Trust at the time of purchasing the land in Bardsey in May 2023, as the Trust needed to provide the majority of it’s accumulated cash funds to enable the purchase to be completed, short term interest-free loans in the total sum of £10,000 were made to the Trust by one of the trustees in April 2023. These loans were fully repaid to this trustee by February 2024 and no interest has been charged or paid on these loans by the Trust.
14