Charity Number: 1183986 FRIENDS OF ThE LOWER DERwE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP (Charitable Incorporated (ganisat)n) FINANCIAL sTATEmErs Perlod ended 31 Decemw 2024 Phcenlx AccountsrKy and Business COnltanCY Limited
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP "Charty Number: 1183986 Contents to the Financial Ststements For the period ended 31 December 2024 Page Trustees Annual Repx)rt Independent Examiners, Report 11 Receipts.and Payments Account 12 ststement of Assets and Liabilities 13 Notes to the Financial Statements
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWENT VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 The Trustees present their report with the independently examined financial statements of Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley ConseNation Group, a Charitable InCoorated Organisation (CIO), for the year ended 31 December 2024. Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers. me Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conrvation Group Chari Re istration Number: 1183986 Contsct A ress: Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conrvation Group Natural England Church Lar Wheldrake York Y019 6FE Trustees Names of trustees who served during the period were as follows: Michael Frederick jaCk)n Jo2phlne Jean Thorpe MBE Nicholas Carter John Matthew Stone Inde endent Examiner Rebecca Triffitt MAAT phniX Aco)untsncy and Busine Consultan0/ Limited Morfevs Cottage Modevs Yard Walkergate verley East Yorkshire HU17 9BY
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charty Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Bankers Hse£ Market Pla Selby North Yorkshire Goole Y08 4PA Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group is a Charitsble Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution (FourKJatK)n model), registered with the Charity Comrnission on 20 June 2019. Recruitment and Appoinln*nt of Trustees The Constitution outlines the prcu ft)r the appointment of Trustees. There must a minMum of 3 truStS and thére Is no maximum number of Trustees. Trustees a eletted for a.term of two years by a reg)lution passed at a prOrIY COnverd meeting of the Charity Trustees. Any person retiring as a Charity Trustee Is eligible for reappointment. Trustee Induction and Training All Trustees are provided with a copy of the Constitution, Charity ComMissn guidan 'Tre Essential Trustee" and a copy of the CIO'S latest Trustees Annual Rep)rt and financial statements. Organisational Structure The charity is managed by the PA)ard of Trustees and is responsible for all strategic decisDns. Trustees are made aware that any conflicts of interest must be declared and mlnuted.
FRIENDS OF TrIE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charlty Numter: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Risk Management The major risks to which the charty Is expos&J, as identffied by the Trustees, are regularly reviewed and systems have been established to mttigate those risks. Objectiv&s and Activities The objects of the charity as set out in the constitutKJn are: "To promote for the public benefft the conservation, protection and improvement of the physiol and natural environment of the Lower Derwent Valley, in particular but not exclugvely by condutting environmental improvement works and provEding or assisting in the provision of rearch activrties relevant to the species and the habitat of the Lower Derwent Valley and to publish the uful results thereof. To advance the education of the publK in the consewdtion,.protection and improvement of the physical and naturnl environment of the Lower Derwent Valley." The Trustees have given regard to the Tharity Commission guidan on public benefit." Achievement and Performance Review of Activities 2024 2024 was another successful year wth many positrve developments Includlng more strategic land purchases and continuing conservation management of our existing land holdings in the Valley. Further ongoing SueY aThJ research was undertaken to help underpin the charivs aims. It is pleasing to note that we remain in a strong fi'nancial posilion wtth additional income streams. and a continued recovery in acSSing grants again to support our ambitions. Land urchase We continue to look for opportuntties, acting erther on our own behalf or working in partnership with other conservation organisalions, to a(4uire land of conservation value within the Valley.
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Chaiity Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Athievement and Performance ' Review of Activities 2024 (contlnued) As planned. the land al Acaster Malbis on whith we completed the purthase in 2023 continued to be held and managed as a traditional hay rneadow during 2024. The ownership of this land will be transferred to the Yotkshire Wildlife Trust in exchange for land which they own wthin the Lower DeNEnt Valley plus the differen in agreed value being paid to us in cash. Working in partnership wth Carstairs Countyside Trust we were able to complete on the purchase of 15 acres at Melbourne and Thomton Ings, induding SSSI and non SSSI meadows. We a0 worked with Carstairs Countryside Trusl to purchase most of land at North Duffield Ings which remained outside of the ownership of conservalion bodies. This was in addition to a 9-acre parcel of traditional meadow at North Duffield Ings which we were able to purchase acting on our own behalf and which completed just before the end of 2024 Once these transactions are 1Mpleted, we will have a total of 8 landholdings in the Valley covering 60 acres (24 hectares). Of these 18 acres fall outSFde the existing formal conservation designated network but which enable the existing conservation areas lo be buffered from deyelopment pressures. Our landholding is in five differerTrt sites across the Valley giving us a Vol in wider conservation management policy. All land holdings are in or planned to be in the pipeline for Countryside Stewardship and as such provide a valuable Sour of income for land management and our further ongoing activities. Land Mana ement New Meadow- North Duffield Carrs Having completed the land purchase and earfy hedge planting at 'New Meadow, _ the 11-acre arable reversion site adjant to North DuFFtekl Carrs, habitat management work continued durFng the first half of 2024. Over 1500 hedging plants were planted to complete a new dividing hedge, the field was fenced with asS gates and the two halves were sown as a wild ftower meadow and wild bird mix. Both crops grew well and the new wli d flower meadow. was topped in mid-september to thicken the sward and then was grazed off by a local fartner in late November. This area proved attractive for butterflies and damseMEs during the year and up to 40 Brown Hares were using the site in autumn, whilst the wild bird mix attracted fiocks of feeding linnet (up to 150) and Goldfinth. Signage and a new viewing SCrn ¥*Ere provided to further public enjoymenl of the North Duffield Carrfs visrtor facilities and Ihese were used.
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWETrrr VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charty Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Achievement and Performance Review of Athities 2024 (continued) Fleeman's Sni ets North Duffield ca'S and Carters Comer Ellerton In Both sites Vre well managed during the year wtth Ragwort pulling and Dock control. Both were ujt and graze(i under lin to aid their recovery from the long-protracted flooding in the 2023124 nter. Both sites recovered well, supporting good numbers of wintering and breeding birds as 11 as good qualty MG4 grassland at Carterfs Corner." Whilst the sale was yet to comp.kte on a parcel of land at North Duffield Ings, we took over land management control in June and that par1 was cut and grazed and was in good condition by late autumn. Thomton In Having completed the purchase by late November, work started on these parcels during DeMber, including provision of access gates and adIant fencing. Tree works were undertaken as part of a wider project to reinfor and improve some of the remaining scattered hedgerows. planting these up with a mix of native species and addilional Crab apple whips supplied by a grant frcffl the Tree Council (see Grants). Works will continue (ground condilions permrtting) into early 2025 Research an nitorin Both I1mbrel (3) arKI Black-tailed Godwits (2) were fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) tags in April and May as part of wider research into these species and their wider use of funclionally linked land surrounding the Valley. Afi five birds prcKluced good quality iobust data, providing valuable infomiation of land. use outside of the protected site by 1Mbrel. During the autumn, in September and October, 3 Golden Plover were also fitted with similar GPS tags and again prjUCed previousty unknown feeding srte usage around the reseNe. A single Spotted Crake was caught and radio-tagged in June and tracked for several weeks. All of the work above gave opportunities for the ongoing training of ringers in capture methods and also in fitting lags Yrfth this work being supported by a generous grant from the Drax foundation The Friends also collaborated together in developing a joint project with Spum Bird Observatory to track the movements of Jack Snipe using the Motus tracking system tags. following a grant from Brrtish Birds for this project.
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity NumtEr: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Achlevement and Perforniance Revlew of Actfvities 2024 (continued) Cannon netting and the ringing of wildf0 continued and again proved sucsSful during the year with over 700 ducks caught and ringed. Many were colour-ringed or sampled as part of other research projects nationaSly including the taking of feather samples from Shelduck for isotope anawis to establish the moulting grounds of the various British populations The outcomes from such research were shared th partners and also, where appropriate, made public via social media. These results also wÈll be included in a new publication of 'The Birds of the Lower Derwent- Conservation and Migration, lch was progressed during the year thanks to a grant from the Drax foundation and which should be ready for publication in early 2025. nts The Friends continued to be SUssful in drawng in additional grants throughout the year in addition to the Countryside Stewardship payments and related flwd recovery payments. Another Tree Council grant lor hedging plants and crab apple whips and trees for ThoiDton Ings was approved during the year and in addition a Worxlland Trust wildlife tree pack was secured and supplied for New Meadow at North Duffield Carrs. We were also sucSsful in applying to the Drax Foundation wth a grant application to help support Corncrake reintr(NJuction into the Valley. Other supporters making donations during the year include Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, York Omithological Club. Yorkshire Coast Nature and Tom Broxup The Friends of the Lo%ver Detwent Valley continued to meet our conseniation objedives with further Strategic land acquisition and conservation-based management of our existing land holdings. We have enjoyed success in being awarded Countryside Stewardship schemes and have completed valuable searCh work and conservation projects. WtrhavtrmadtrSucc£ssfutrapplication¥fornewurantranctra-. a strong financial position. None of this would have been possible without our magnifint volunteers whose contribLrtions.underpin everything we do. We are extrernely grateful to all the volunteers for their hard work in terms of (£rrying out land management wo. both on our sites, but also in supporting Natural England and other partners in the valley and which unlock other streams of income and support. The trustees gtve their heartfelt thanks to them all for their hard work and continuing support. We are also extremely grateful for the continuing support of Natural England and offer particular thanks to Mr Craig Ralston, Senior Reserve Manager for his invaluable help, expertise and advice.
FRtENDS OF THE LOWER DERWEfvtr VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP arity Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Future Plans The charity greatty values its dose working relationship wtth key partrers whom continue to support the reserve, dwrity and ivs aims, whether through donations, purchase of tvices or supporting each other in grant bids and is grateful for all the on going p[rt it receives. In 2024 the charty has cSsfUllY grown its financial reseNes and aims to use the funds raised to compet1VelY bld and purchase further land in and around the Lower Dernent Valley National Nature Reserve that is of high conNation value, as and whén such land becomes available for purchase. Targeted on golng land purchase will be the main use of the charities accumulated funds. Further the charity has continued to undertske on-going scientific monitr)ring, including the ringing of wildfowl and other bird specEs on the re*rve. In 2025 the charity and it's volunteers hope to be involved in tagging and tracking projects of wildfowl and wader species, from which knowledge will te gained of individual species movements and their use of areas of habltaL This knowledge may further inform the charity to target land for purchase by providing eviden of itrs l(l31cal importance and functional linkage. Financial Review Reserves policy The Trust regulady review the RerVeS poticy of the charity to ensure it meets the needs of the Charity. Whllst the tharity has On nominal 0rdting costs, e.g1 the payment of annual drainage rates for land owned, the charity seeks to hold an at601ute minimum of £5,000 in reseNe. This level of fund5 would allow the charity to meet all High-Level Stewardship (HLS) obligations for land owned for a three-year pericml, given currènt land ownings. Beyond this level of minimum reseNe, the chaiity aims to er6ure that funds in the wion of a tntal of £20,000 are available to caiitalise on any OPkXJrtunities, such as match funding with key partnets, such as the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. All other income and cash hokjings, i.e., above £20,000 are held principally to surwrt the purchase of new land, the development of new activities or where the Twstees decide it to be financialW prudent.
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charlty Number: 1183986 Trustees Annual Report For the period ending 31 December 2024 Statement of Disdosure of Information to the Independent Examiner We, the trust*s of the Charty who held Offi at the date of approval of the financial ststements, each confirm that frdr as we are aware:
There is no relevant information of which the Charivs Independent Examiner is. unaware. All steps have bn tsken to make Ou1Ve$ aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Charitys Independent Examiner is aware of that Information. Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which gives a true and fair view of the state of affrairs of the arity and of the excess of income over expenditure for that period. The Trustees confirm that Ihe accounts comply with the alx)ve qu1ment The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which dilOse with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial Frf)&tion of the tharlty and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements compty with the Charit'ies Att 2011. They are al responsible for safeguarding the ats of the Charity and h_ence_for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detettion of frdud and other irregularities. Durfng the pericxl the income of the Charfty was below £250,000, therefore in line with Charity Legislation the trUStS have el to prepare their accounts on the Receipts and Pa]ents basis. Independent Examiner The Independent Examination was undertaken by Rebecca Triffitt, MAAT, Chartered Management Accountant, Director of Phoenix Accountsncy and Business Consultsncy Limited. By order of the Board, Mlchael Frederlck Jackson Chairperson Date: io
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWEr VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity Number: 1183986 Independent Examinerfs Re)rt to the Friends of the Lower Deent Valley Conservatlon Group I report on the accounts of The Friends of the Lower DeMent Valley ConrvatK)n Group for the year ended 31 December 2024, which a set out on page5 12 to 15. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner chariivs Trustees are reswnsible for the preparztion of the accounts. The charitys Trustees consider that an aLKlit Is not required for this finarjaI rIOd under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an Independent examination Is needed. It Is my responbIlIty to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the tharities Art; to ft)Ilow the procedures laid down in the Generdl Direcknons given by Charity Commissioner5 under section 145 (5)(b) of the Charities Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examinauon was carried out in accordan with the Cneral DIrtionS given by the Charlty Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity •• and a comparison of the accounts presented with th)se records. It also includes considerdtion of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, a1 seeknr¥J explanations from you as ' Trustees concernirKJ any such matters. Tr pr(Kedures undertaken do not provide all the emdence that would be required in an audtL arKI consequenty I do not express an audit opinion on the view gTven by the accounts. Independent examiner's statement In connection wlth my examination, Tr) matter has come to my attention . l} which gives rne reasonable cause to trlieVe that in any material res the requirements a. to keep accounting rdS in accordan wtth section 130 and 131 of the Charities Act; aTh b. . to prepare accounts whith accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have rK)t been met. or 2) to which, in my opinion, attention sh)uld drawn in order to enatle a prOr understanding of the accounts to reached. Rebecca Triffitt, MAAT Phoenix Accountancy and BLLgness Consultarry Limthl Morley's Cottage, Morleys Yard, Walkergate Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 9BY Date: &)sr li
FRIENDS OF ThE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity NumtEr: 1183986 Receipts and Payments Account For the year ending 31 December 2024 2024 ZOZ4 2024 ' 2023 2023 2023 Notss Vnreslricted Restrf T(tsl Unyestilcted Restrfcted Trtal RECEEFrs GrarTrts tknnations C(serVation se CNtys1de Stewardship Sale of logs and wldfiower se Intwt 21.991 21,991 1,193 37,645 6,876 26,200 26,200 17,622 29,920 1,685 25,362 1.193 37,645 6,876 24,D( 3,221 T2,943 17,622 29,920 1,685 25,362 786 3,221 91,934 21,991 75,375 26,2( 101,575 PAYMENTS Land Purchases ConservatM)n Work Insuran I29 2,3n 129,(A)O 4,363 264 162,(J)O 162,000 1,200 277 1,991 1,200 277 54 Ratss 93 11.503 93 Legal and Pr(*eSsI?l Fe PblIsher Bank Tharges Accounts Fee 11,9)3 8,971 ioi 4,683 8,971 IDI loo loo 143,813 10.962 154,775 167,594 1,200 168,794 Net Surnlusl(Defi¢lt) for the period (70,870) LL029 (59WI) (92,219) 25W (67,219) balan brought fo¥wa 107.755 132,755 199,974 199.974 balancts carried fDrward 36,029 72,914 107,755 25.OLVJ 132,755 The notes on pages 14 to 15 form part of these financial statements. 12
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWE VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity Number: 1183986 Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Monetsry Assets Current Account . Savings Account Total Monetary Assets Comprislng: Unrestritted Funds Restricted Furtds 22,773 50,141 81,967 132 755 36,885 107,755 132 755 Non-monetary Assets Fixed Assets for the Charivs Use (at cost) Land - North Duffield Land - Ellerton Ing s Land - Naburn, Yor1( Land - between Bubwith & North Duffield Land - Stubbins Land, Thomton Land - Bubwith Ings, North Dufffield Motus Tracking Electronics 25,000 18,OOD 51,000 111,000 80,000 49,000 614 334 614 25,000 18,000 51,000 111,000 614 205 614 Debtors Creditors Accounts Fees 480 480 480 The financial ststements were approved by the o)mmittee on signed on its behalf by: (dats) and Michael Frederick Jackson, Chairperson Matthew Stone, Treasurer on pages 14 to 15 fomi part of these financial statements. 13
FRIENDS OF THE LOWER DERWENT VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP arity NumLEr: 1183986 Notes to the Yinancial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2024 Notes Basis of Preparation These accounts have bn prepared on a receipts and paents (R&P) basis in line with Charity Commission guidan for a charity of thls size. Grants 2024 2024 Unrestrtcted Restrlcted 2024 Trtal 2023 Unresbicted 2023 Restrfcted 2023 . Total Drax Foundation The Tree CnCil Cty of Y(Yk Coundl 20,(h)O 1,991 20,OfXI 1,991 25,000 25,LXiO 1,200 26,200 1,200 26,200 21,991 21,991 Restricted Funds Balan Balan At At 01112R024 Incomiro OutgoiThJ Trnnsfers 3111212024 25,10 {8,971) 16,029 20,000 Movement in Resour Drax Foundation Drax Foundation The Tree Council 20,(X)O 1,991 (1,991) 21,991 (10,962) 25,0(K) 36,029 A brief description of the restritted fvnds are given below: Drax Foundation Restritted funding was received from Drax FourKlation for the funding which comprises £15,000 towards a scientific monitoring and GPS tagging of birds and also £10,000 towards the publication of Tre birds of the Lower Derwent Valley. book. During 2024 another £20,000 was received from Drdx FoundatK>n to support Comcrake reintroduttion. The Tree Council Restricted funding was received from The Tree Q)uncil for the funding of plantlng new hedging plants, crab apple whips and for Thomton Ings. 14
FIUENDS OF ThE LOWER DERWEDtr VALLEY CONSERVATION GROUP Charity Number: 1183986 Notes to thé Financial Statements For the period ended 31 December 2024 Payments to Trustees No remuneration directly or indiredjy.out of the funds of the Charity was paid or payable for the financial period to any Trustee, There was no lMbument of travel experw In resFEtt of the financial perlod. Taxation Friends of the Lower Dernent Valley Consewdtion Group is a registered charty. All the Charities, income is appli&d to its charitable objectives and the association is therefore exempt under current legislation from most forms of taxation. The charity is not VAT reglstered and all expendUre iludeS irrecoverable VAT. 15