BioCap Limited
A company Limited by Guarantee and registered charity Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 2 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 2 |
| Trustees' Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 |
1
BioCap Ltd
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Mr Kevin Bushell
Mr William Pitt Mr Edmund Cooper Principal Office 27b Priory Road, Newbury RG14 7QS Charity Registration Number 1191824 Company Number 12543544
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Charitable law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable organisation and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable organisation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable organization. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable organisation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on
14[th] May 2025
and signed on its behalf by:
Ed Cooper, Chairman and Trustee
Kevin Bushell, Trustee
2
BioCap
Trustees' Report
The trustees, present the annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Objectives and activities
The objects for which BioCap is established are:
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by engaging in projects designed to mitigate climate change and its effects and to promote biological diversity by facilitating public engagement in nature conservation and practical nature based work that can mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.
To advance the education of the public in the subject of climate change and biodiversity loss and their mitigation and to promote research for the public benefit in all aspects of climate change and biological diversity loss and to publish the useful results
Public benefit
BioCap continues to manage West Berkshire s regional natural solutions partnership with the local authority and other local charities. BioCap has completed a contract to develop the concept of a regional market in Natural Capital using pilot projects with landowners and has set up a regional habitat Bank at Sulham Woodmeadows. The legal agreements for this process and for the ability to sell BNG units are with the LPA. Langley Park and Little Hidden Farm projects are underway. BioCap has also led on a Environment Agency funded NEIRF3 project which is half way through. Six landowners are considering creating new habitat across 8 sites in West Berkshire. The concept of Impact Claims by corporate entities is being explored.
BioCap is nearing completion of its work with the UK Nature Impact Fund Accelerator.
BioCap has initiated and is working with the Education Business Partnership and Sulham Estate on a two year engagement of secondary and primary schools. Three 1 day school visits delivering a workshop to 12-14 year olds have been held. Primary school visits to site will occur this summer.
BioCap has presented at a number of public forums and farmer groups promoting discussion regarding biodiversity loss and climate change and how agriculture can respond.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
3
Achievements and performance
The accounts show a surplus of £20,832 in the financial year and a balance at the bank of £41,470. The company has received income from contracts with the Local Authority, Gov grants, and landowners.
The existing cash at the bank and contracts for next year provide sufficient funding for the company to continue to employ a 4 day per week programme manager and to employ a full time project officer on a 1 year contract.
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
Biocap Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee incorporated on 1[st] April 2020 company Number 12543544. BioCap registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 15[th] October 2020, Reg No. 1191824. BioCap is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, registered at the Charities Commission in October 2020.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have considered the minimum reserves appropriate to the level of activity of the charity to achieving this.
As at the year end, the general reserve stood at £23,145, sufficient to cover at least two months of operating expenses.
Trustees' Report
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on;
14[th] May 2025
and signed on its behalf by:
Ed Cooper, Chairman and Trustee
Kevin Bushell, Trustee
4
Statement of Financial Activities BioCap Limited
2024-2025
2023-2024 1/4/23 - 31/3/24
1/4/2024 - 31/3/2025
| Grants Invoices IT Supplies Salaries NEST NI IT costs & mobile Social media & PR Training Travel Expenses Event costs Premises Project costs Accounts exam fee Memberships Admin Insurance Surplus Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds b/f Total Funds c/f |
Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Total funds £ £ £ £ 58,390 - 58,390 - 24,800 42,100 66,900 31,675 |
|---|---|
| 83,190 42,100 125,290 31,675 |
|
| - 896 896 - 34,334 17,376 51,710 28,736 647 327 974 1,095 1,231 623 1,854 2,032 663 335 998 530 305 155 460 - - 1,545 1,545 518 286 145 431 - 1,518 768 2,286 5,084 - 236 236 866 512 259 771 - 40,747 - 40,747 - 300 - 300 - - 297 297 - 121 61 182 - - 771 771 604 |
|
| 80,664 23,794 104,458 39,465 |
|
| 2,526 18,306 20,832 (7,790) 2,526 18,306 20,832 (7,790) - 4,839 4,839 12,629 2,526 23,145 25,671 4,839 |
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Biocap Ltd
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Note Current assets Debtors 3 Cash Total current assets Current liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 4 Net assets Funds Unrestricted Restricted |
2025 £ 11,318 41,470 52,788 (27,117) 25,671 23,145 2,526 25,671 |
2024 £ - 6,715 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,715 (1,876) |
||
| 4,839 | ||
| 4,839 - |
||
| 4,839 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 .
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
ensuring the company keeps adequate accounting records, and
preparing financial statements that comply with the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with: Charities SORP (FRS 102), and
Companies Act 2006 as applicable to charitable companies.
The financial statements above were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 21st November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Ed Cooper, Chairman and Trustee
Kevin Bushell, Trustee
6
Biocap Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1 Charity status
The charity is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
As a Limited Company BioCap is following the HMRC and Companies House process for the accounts. In preparing this we have followed basic good accountancy practice.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
BioCap Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
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Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
BioCap Limited registered for VAT on 9[th] September 2020 with the VAT No. 357193575.
Assets
Tangible fixed assets costing over £1,000, with a useful life of over one year, are capitalised. Fixed Assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the length of their expected useful life as follows:
-
IT equipment - 3 years
-
Fixtures & fittings - 4 years
3 Debtors
| rs | ||
|---|---|---|
| West Berkshire Council VAT |
2025 2024 £ £ 9,528 - 1,790 - |
|
| 11,318 |
- |
4 Creditors
| Greenham Business Park Alex Collins Finance Earth Oxford County Council Crosby Associates Hilltop Accounting examiner Ed Cooper expenses PAYE / NI VAT |
2025 £ 120 75 20,806 4,116 552 300 540 608 - 27,117 |
2024 £ - - - - - - - 326 1,550 1,876 |
|---|---|---|
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5 Staff Cost and employee benefits
Salaries for the period were £53,564 (2024: £31,377), employer NI was zero and company pension contributions were £974 (2024: £485) No employees received benefits of more than £60,000. There were on average 3 employees for the period.
In accordance with 7.2 (g) of the BioCap Articles of Association the trustee Edmund Cooper was remunerated £14,400 (2024:£12,319) during the reporting period for work carried out performing the role of Managing Director.
Edmund Cooper was paid travel and subsistence expenses in the reporting period of £889 (2024: £1,740) for costs incurred whilst carrying out his duties as a trustee and Managing Director.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUStEES OF BIOCAP LTD (CHARITY NUMBER 1191824) I report to the trustees on my exarnination of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responslblllties and basls of report A5 the charity trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Art 20111.the AcV}. I report in respect of my examination of the TrusY5 accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 Out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Basls of Independent examlneVs report My examinotion was carried out in accordance with the 8eneral Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. 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. Independent examinerfs 5tstement I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connettion with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting record5 were not kept in accordance with settion 130 of the Att; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2( other than any requirement that the accounts grve a 'true and frairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 51gned Date: li Iitlltsir Rachel Belshaw MA ACA CTA Hill Top Accounting Ltd. Hill Cottage, Church Lane. ufton Nervet. RG7 4HQ