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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity Number: 1196777

Mersey Rivers Trust

Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2024

Mersey Rivers Trust

Reference and administrative information

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Charity number 1196777

Registered office and operational address

Riverview A17 Embankment Business Park Heaton Mersey Stockport SK3 3GN

Trustees Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Dr Keith Hendry Chair Professor Peter Batey Trustee Retired 6[th] November 2023 Mr Christopher Findley Trustee Mr Terence Clive Gaskell Trustee Retired 6[th] November 2023 Mr Nicolas Carter Trustee Mrs Sarah Jenner Trustee Mr David Thompson Trustee Dr Stephen Boult Trustee Mr Alex Clegg Trustee Ms Francesca Sullivan Trustee

Trustees who held title to property belonging to the charity during the reporting period or at the date of approval were: None

Key management Name Mr Paul Henbrey Operations and Delivery Director personnel Name John Sanders Strategic Planning and Development Director Bankers Name Triodos Address Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5A Solicitors Name Slater Heelis Address 86 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2ER DX 14310 Manchester 1

Independent Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited Examiner Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Manchester, M4 6JG

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the charity’s constitution and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

Objectives and activities

The charity was created in 1998 to work in the River Mersey catchment in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire and has the following objectives:

The trustees have reviewed the objectives of the Trust and agreed they are still valid.

Since September 2014, the charity has been a Rivers Trust, part of a national network of Rivers Trusts. The charity pays an annual fee and gains the support of the regional and national directors in carrying out Trust activities including employment of staff. Staff are entitled to a Rivers Trust pension scheme.

In June 2017 the Healthy Waterways Trust (operating under the name of the Healthy Rivers Trust) merged with the Mersey Basin Rivers Trust with a consequential change of name to the Mersey Rivers Trust. The charity continued to operate as a member of the Rivers Trust and benefits from a wider volunteer base and the utilisation of the skills and experience of its staff and Trustees. The Trust converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 June 2022.

As in recent years the charity has focused on research into water quality and identification and implementation of improvement and engagement projects. It has also been a valuable forum for discussion between local authorities and water professionals. The charity has engaged with local communities as well as professional networks.

The Trustees have identified a number of key long term strategies to help deliver the aims and objectives of the Trust. The Fisheries Strategy aimed at returning native fish species to our rivers has been developed and been implemented. A second strategy, Access and Recreation aimed at improving access to rivers and waterbodies for the purpose recreational activities such as swimming, water sports, walking, cycling and fishing is under development. Action plans identifying short and long term action to deliver these strategies have also been developed.

The charity is committed to working with local groups and volunteers to report and tackle the major pollution issues affecting our rivers such as sewage overflows, industrial pollution, and fly tipping. In addition, we work with Local Authorities, Politicians, Water Companies and other private companies to highlight issues, develop and implement improvements and identify funding.

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

The involvement of local volunteers continues to be a key focus area. The charity has engaged with 200 volunteers (in excess of 1000 volunteer hours) in the reporting period to help deliver Citizen Science monitoring, invasive species control, riverside litter picks and river restoration projects. The Trust actively supports groups who work to clean up and enhance local rivers such as the Tame Working Group, Beacon (River Bollin action group) and several “Friends” groups (volunteers who have particular interest in a river or area).

The trustees review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity each year. This report looks at what the charity has achieved and the outcomes of its work in the reporting period. The trustees report the success of each key activity and the benefits the charity has brought to those groups of people that it is set up to help. The review also helps the trustees ensure the charity's aims, objectives and activities remained focused on its stated purposes.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives that have been set

Achievements and performance

The charity's main activities and who it tries to help are described below. All its charitable activities focus on the rivers, waterbodies and their environs in the Mersey Catchment and are undertaken to further the charity’s charitable purposes for the public benefit and in line with FRS102. The Trust has continued to develop and grow to meet the extensive water quality, river habitat and flood risk issues in the Mersey Catchment and has a significant portfolio of approved and funded projects. Permanent staff numbers have remained constant however temporary staff have been employed to deliver peak workloads. The Trust was again awarded the hosting of three “Catchment Based Approach” (CaBA) catchment partnerships funded by DEFRA via the Environment Agency (£15k per partnership). The team contributed to developing Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) for Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

In Cheshire, the Bentley Environmental Foundation-sponsored project focused on river restoration along part of Valley Brook, completing habitat surveys, designing project interventions, and securing landowner agreements. Community engagement included an Easter arts and crafts event for children, litter picks with the Crewe Clean Team, a corporate volunteering day with Bentley employees, and a career fair at Manchester Metropolitan University, where two trainee roles were filled. Additional outreach involved a Riverfly monitoring training session for 30 conservation students and initial engagement with local farms about sustainable farming through postcards and in-person visits.

The Trust managed significant work on Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) through the Cheshire Local Action Group (LAG) Fund (Defra funding). INNS surveys were conducted, and management data were transferred to GIS for future planning. Volunteer recruitment was highly successful, with 27 new volunteers contributing over 1,000 hours across 44 work parties, controlling 25km of riverbank. Four volunteers received training in INNS control, and the necessary equipment was purchased for volunteer groups. Volunteers were also supported with permits to use herbicides near water bodies.

This year saw interventions across nine farms in the Upper Weaver catchment, including installing 217 metres of guttering, 281 square metres of concretingin farmyards to help prevent pollution, and 1.7 kilometres of watercourse fencing to reduce livestock entering rivers and damaging river banks. Funding of £35,000 was awarded to support these interventions. Five water management plans were developed for farms, and a “Pie and Pint” event was held for engagement with farmers at Darley Brook.

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

The charity continued its work with stakeholders through BEACON (Bollin Environmental Action and Conservation), organising catchment planning meetings, volunteer work parties, and social events to maintain strong relationships with members.

Collaboration with Stockport Council deepened this year, resulting in a successful application to the Environment Agency’s (EA) Quick Wins fund. This funded natural flood management projects, including leaky dams and a flood attenuation basin at Bruntwood Park and Cheadle Golf Course. The Upper Mersey Catchment Partnership established three sub-groups focusing on priority watercourses. The Tame Working Group received particular attention, including a visit from a local MP and securing funding from the EA Fisheries Improvement Fund for river habitat improvement works. In Reddish Vale on the River Tame, additional funding from the Greater Manchester Environment Fund enabled the recruitment of three new volunteers from Brinnington, an area of social deprivation. Funding was also obtained for the Tame Working Groupto provide power tools and scything training to enhance volunteering efforts further. The Micker/Norbury group worked on river restoration priorities for this tributary of the Upper Mersey, engaging ‘Friends of’ groups and training volunteers as River Guardians.

A new Senior Project Manager was appointed, who took over management of the Lower Mersey and Alt Crossens team, including the role of hosting the CaBA Catchment Partnerships. The team delivered a pilot Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) project for the new Liverpool City Region Headbolt Lane railway station, offsetting biodiversity loss from the station construction. The project enhanced wetlands, hedgerows, ponds, and woodlands, securing 24 BNG units. This project also helped the charity gain experience using the BNG metric and delivering various biodiversity interventions.

The Alt Catchment saw a successful bid for a £2.1 million Natural Flood Management (NFM) programme, designed to implement measures such as leaky dams, wetlands, and sand dune management across the River Alt catchment during 2024 to 2026. This builds on previous NFM work delivered during the report year, including 19 leaky dams at Howard’s Pits and Little Wood and enhancing the River Alt wetland at Croxteth Park. The team also developed a river restoration project at Alt Meadows, liaising with the Liverpool City Council on integrating this work with commercial development plans.

In addition, the team completed a pesticide sampling project for the Environment Agency across the Alt/Crossens catchment, with results informing targeted interventions in high-contamination areas. The team completed the feasibility study for the Alt Weir removal, setting the stage for an application for funding for the project’s removal phase. They also began a lowland peat monitoring project funded by Defra to provide local farms with data to improve water management and conservation practices on peat soils. The charity continued to support ecological surveys and worked on the Championing Coastal Coordination (3Cs) project, culminating in a stakeholder workshop for the development of a Mersey Estuary & Coastline “Blueprint” document.

Beneficiaries of our services

The Trust aims to improve the aquatic environment of the River Mersey catchment in the Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Derbyshire areas for the benefit of local communities, anglers and other river users, environmental action groups and other organisations with similar objectives. Improvements to the environment will benefit the public through cleaner and healthier rivers with improved access, education and awareness through public events and volunteer activities.

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Financial review

The Trust continues to be run on a sound and improving financial basis and has been successful in gaining funding for major projects across the catchment. Good financial management has maintained a positive cash flow hence reducing risk and ensuring creditors are paid within payment terms.

The total income received in the reporting period was £974,798 (£683,053:2023) and expenditure of £843,371 (£655,243 :2023). The net income/expenditure of £131,427 resulted from income received for in year projects which were delayed and will be completed in the following financial year and project efficiencies on unrestricted contract work.

The increase in income and expenditure compared with the last reporting period is largely due to the longer accounting period (12 months) than 2023 (9 months) resulting from the switch from an unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 June 2022.

The key expenditure areas associated with charitable activities such as partnership hosting and project delivery are staff costs (salaries, National Insurance and Pension contributions) of £451,054. Staff costs on a like-for-like basis (pro rata to account for the longer accounting period) increased by 5% because of pay increases to reflect the higher cost of living, additional staff joining the pension scheme and temporary staff employed to deliver peak workload.

The Trust is almost wholly funded by grants and awards to complete environmental projects and initiatives. The principal source of funding is the Environment Agency through its Water and Environment Improvement Fund, Natural Flood Management Fund and Catchment Based Approach. However, the Trust identified this as a medium/low risk due to a potential reduction in future Government spending and has actively tried to find alternative funding sources to reduce the reliance on Environment Agency funding. The funding is used to deliver projects using Mersey Rivers Trust staff (staff costs recovery) and the use of contractors and consultants (project management). A small number of directly contracted works were carried out on behalf of our partners.

The Trust’s unrestricted funds have increased to £416,445 (£331,484: 2023 for a 9-month reporting period) reflecting efficiency savings and small surpluses made on unrestricted contracts. The Trust has also identified additional projects which it will fund from unrestricted funds to be delivered in 2024/25.

Restricted funds increased to £99,415 (£52,758: 2023) mainly because of the carry-over of funding for multi-year projects.

Reserves policy

Reserves are that part of the Trust’s funds which are freely available for its general purpose after it has met its commitments and covered its other planned expenditure. These unrestricted funds are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income and to cover administrative, fundraising and support costs without which the Trust could not function. The trustees consider that due to the expansion and future growth plans for the Trust the ideal level of reserves as of 31st March 2024 would be in the region of £297,000 being 6 months (or 50%) of future annual base operating costs (2024/25) for salaries, insurance, accounting, governance and general administration costs.

The unrestricted “General Fund” of £416,254 includes MRT planned funding (£172,320) to deliver MRT identified projects. The balance of the General Fund of £243,943 will be regarded as ‘MRT Reserves’. Reserved have increased by £44,531 from 2022/23 primarily as a result efficiencies made on project delivery and a reduction in the amount spent on MRT identified projects included in the General Fund.

The reserves stand at 43% of base annual operating costs, lower than the stated reserve policy figure of 50%. The decrease in the percentage of reserves is mainly due to increased staff costs (additional

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

staff to meet the expected increase in project delivery and strategic development). This will be offset in future years where possible by future project efficiencies and donations.

Plans for the future

We will continue to deliver our short-term plans which are aligned to our long-term objectives (2050 given the scale of the challenges faced in the Mersey Basin).

The 2050 outcomes will guide the shorter-term strategy for the growth and development of the Trust over the next three years. Allied to the longer-term outcomes, we have developed the following key priorities for the period 2024 to 2027:

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Structure, governance and management

Healthy Waterways Trust was constituted by Trust Deed dated 6 October 1998 and deed of variation dated 1st July 1999 and was a registered charity No. 01073152. The Trust was renamed The Mersey Rivers Trust in May 2017.

The Trust applied to the Charity Commission to convert to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The main driver for this action was to reduce the administrative burden of reporting to both the Charity Commission and Companies House (as a Limited Company). The Mersey Rivers Trust Limited Company has been closed and “struck off” the Companies House register. The application to become a CIO was accepted and registered on 25 November 2021. The Trust worked with the Charity Commission to transfer the assets and business of the original Trust to the new CIO which was completed on 20 June 2022.

The Trust constituted itself as a “Foundation CIO” whose only voting members are its charity trustees. The trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Appointment of Trustees

The first and current trustees were appointed (and may be removed) by its board of trustees. There should be one third of the trustees or two trustees, whichever is the greater, of those attending a meeting to be quorate.

The charitable objectives of the Trust are such that the trustees believe that it is essential to ensure that the management of the charity is effective and in line with good practice in the charitable sector. In addition, the areas of activity require experience, knowledge and expertise in river basin management, water resources, environmental management and protection, local government and the voluntary sector. The trustees annually review the membership of the trust to ensure an appropriate balance of management, and more specialist expertise is available. New trustees are appointed following consideration by the existing trustees collectively. Trustees may serve for a maximum period of three years before standing down or seeking re-election. Each new Trustee undertakes an induction process based on Charity Commission guidance (CC3). Regular updates and events e.g. Charity Commission news, regulatory changes or potential issues are notified to the Trustees by the Directors.

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 8 to the accounts.

The Trustees delegate the day-to-day operation of the charity including its bank accounts to its two Executive Directors, Mr Paul Henbrey and Mr John Sanders. Governance and strategic direction to meet the objectives of the charity are led by the Trustees.

Related parties and relationships with other organisations

No trustee receives remuneration or other benefit for their work with the charity. Any contractual relationship with a related party must be disclosed: in the current or previous year, no such related party transactions were reported.

The charity does not have any subsidiaries. The Charity is a member of the national Rivers Trust movement, an umbrella organisation for local Rivers Trust in England, Wales and Ireland. The Rivers Trust campaigns on national issues and provides advice, guidance and support to local Trusts.

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Remuneration policy for key management personnel

Remuneration for key staff (Operations and Delivery Director and the Strategic Planning and Development Director) is aligned to the national Rivers Trust guidance “Pay Guide for Rivers Trusts October 2023”.

The post of Director is designated as Grade 6 – “Director of a medium/large sized Trust”. The appointment of Paul Henbrey was made in November 2016 and John Sanders in July 2019. Remuneration will be reviewed annually by the Trustees.

Risk management

The monitoring and management of risk is a dynamic process, and the charity faces some level of risk in the activities, events and contracts that it engages in. The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

Compliance with law and regulation - eg breach of trust law and regulatory requirements of particular activities such as fund-raising.

The charity’s review of its risk management will continue to help ensure:

Fundraising

The Trust does not carry out direct fundraising activities.

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Mersey Rivers Trust

Trustees’ annual report

for the year ended 31 March 2024

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The Trust does not hold funds or other assets on behalf of other individuals or organisations.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

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 period and of its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 27 November 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Keith Hendry

Chair

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Independent examiner’s report

to the members of

Mersey Rivers Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 11 to 23.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts 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.

Jennifer Daniel FCCA DChA Slade & Cooper Limited, Chartered Certified Accountants Beehive Mill, Jersey Street Manchester, M4 6JG

Date 17 December 2024

10

Mersey Rivers Trust Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Note Income from: Charitable activities 201,944 765,423 967,367 680,326 Investments 7,431 7,431 2,727 Total income 209.375 765.423 974.798 683.053 Expenditure on: Charitable activities.. 149.414 693.957 843,371 655,243 Total expenditure 149,414 693,957 843,371 655,243 Net income/(expenditure) for the year 59,961 71,466 131,427 27,810 Transfer between funds 24,809 (24.809) Net movement in funds for the year 84,770 46,657 131,427 27,810 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 331,484 52,758 384,242 356,432 Total funds carried forward 416.254 99.415 515.669 384.242 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. li

Mersey Rivers Trust

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024

Note
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
10
168,306
Cash at bank and in hand
480,744
Total current assets
649,050
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due in less than one year
11
(133,381)
Net current assets
515,669
Net assets
515,669
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
12
99,415
Unrestricted income funds
13
416,254
Total charity funds
515,669
2024		 £
£
244,070
614,925
858,995
(474,753)
384,242
384,242
52,758
331,484
384,242
2023		 £
£
244,070
614,925
858,995
(474,753)
384,242
384,242
52,758
331,484
384,242
2023
384,242
52,758
331,484
384,242

The notes on pages 14 to 23 form part of these accounts.

Approved by the trustees on 27/ 11/ 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Dr Keith Hendry (Chair)

12

Mersey Rivers Trust Statement of Cash Flows for the year ending 31 March 2024 Note 2024 2023 Cash provided by/(used in) operating artivities {141.612) (205.431) Cash flow5 from investing activities.. Dividends, interest, and rents from investments 7,431 2,727 Cash provided by/(used in) investing activities 7,431 2,727 Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year (134.181) (202,704) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 614.925 817,629 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 480,744 614,925 13

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Accounting policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows.. a Basis of preparation 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), second edition October 2019 {Charities SORP {FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. The account5 (financial statements) have been prepared to give a 'true and fair view, and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair view,. Thi5 departure has involved following 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), second edition Ortober 2019, rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5: Statement of Recommended Practice effertive from l April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. Mersey Rivers Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note. b Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concem. The trustees have made no key judgments which have a significant effect on the accounts. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period. 14

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) c Income Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met. it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from govemment and other grants. whether 'capital' grants or'revenue, grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either.. the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notiffication has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate. and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent Sset and disclosed if material. Income received in advance of a provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met. d Interest receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank. 15

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) e Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity- Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations and partnership agreements which the funder has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. f Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT Expenditure 15 recognised once there 15 a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings: Expenditure on charitable activities includes salary payments, payments to contractors and other administration costs undertaken to further the purposes of Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred. h Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. i Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. j Creditors and provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 16

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) k Financial instruments The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. I Pensions Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution scheme. The charity's contribution is restricted to the contributions disclosed in note 8. There were no outstanding contributions at the year end. Legal status of the charity The charity is an unincorporated charity registered in England and Wales. Income from charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Catchment partnership Invasive species removal and river restoration 765,423 765,423 201,944 201,944 Total 201,944 765,423 967,367 Previous reporting period Unrestricted Restricted Total 2023 Catchment partnership Invasive species removal and river restoration 342.729 342.729 337,597 337,597 Subtotal for activity I 337.597 342. 729 680.326 Investment income 2,024 2,023 Income from bank deposits 7,431 2,727 All of the charity's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. All investment income is unrestricted. 17

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities 2024 2023 Staff costs Contractors expenses Travel and subsistence Stationery and telephone Accountancy fees Meetings Equipment Training Insurance IT costs Administration Miscellaneous Charitable donations Legal and professional fees Governance costs Independent examinerfs fee 451.054 265,354 31.092 1,197 5.294 3,620 38,306 6,277 4,550 4,399 14,158 4,281 loo 11.409 335,399 231,942 16,618 2,512 3,778 1,320 26.231 5,730 6,242 1,167 13,582 988 loo 7,474 2.280 2.160 843,371 655,243 2024 2023 Restrirted expenditure Unrestricted expenditure 693,957 149,414 424,642 230,601 843,371 655,243 Net income/{expenditure) for the year This is stated after charging/{crediting): 2024 2023 Independent examiner's fee 2,280 2,160 18

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) Staff costs Staff costs during the year were as follows: 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs 390,579 30.985 29,490 287,825 27,092 20,482 451.054 335,399 No employees has employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023: Nil). The average number of staff employed during the period was 15 (2023: 14). The average full time equivalent number of staff employed during the period was 14.3 (2023.. 12). The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the Executive Director Operations and Delivery and Executive Director Strategy Development. The total employee beneffits of the key management personnel of the charity were £84,821 {2023'. £76,955). Trustee remuneration and expenses, and related party transactions No {2023'. nil) trustee received conference expenses during the year (2023.. £nil). Aggregate donations from related parties were £xyz (2023: £nil). There are no donations from related parties which are outside the normal course of business and no restricted donations from related parties. No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity, including guarantees, during the year {2023: nil). 19

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) Corporation tax The charity 15 exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Chapter 3 of Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charitv. 10 Debtors 2024 2023 Trade debtors Other debtors 167,722 584 243,486 584 168,306 244,070 11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2023 Other creditors and accruals Deferred income Taxation and social security costs 4,865 120.320 8,196 7,522 458.832 8,399 133,381 474,753 20

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) 12 Analysis of movements in restricted funds Current reporting Balance period at 1st April 2023 Balance at 31 March 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers Catchment partnership 52.758 765.423 (693.957) (24.809) 99,415 Total 52,758 765,423 (693,957) (24,809) 99,415 Previous Balance reporting period at l April 2022 Bolance ot 31 March 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers Catchment partnership 134,671 342, 729 (424,642) 52, 758 Total 134,671 342,729 (424,642) 52, 758 Name of restricted fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund Catchment partnership The Catchment Partnerships and associated projects are part of the DEFRA led initiative Catchment Based Approach (CaBA). The Mersey Rivers Tnjst receives funding from DEFRA (via the Environment Agency) and the European funded Natural Course Project to host three Catchment Partnerships (AIt/Crossens, Lower Mersey and Upper Mersey Catchments). Funding is also received to deliver other environmental projects from the Environment Agency (Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) and Natural Flood Management Fund and Water Environment Grants). Transfer to unrestricted funds represents expenditure that have not been correctly allocated to restricted funds and surpluses achieved through projert efficiencies. The associated projects have been delivered satisfactorily and signed off by the funders. 21

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) 13 Analysis of movement in unrestricted funds Current reporting period Balance at 1st April 2023 Asat31 March 2024 Income Expenditure Transfers General fund 331,484 209.375 (149,414) 24.809 416,254 331,484 209,375 (149,414) 24,809 416,254 Previou5 Balance reporting period at l April 2022 Asat31 March 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers General fund 221,761 340,324 (230,601) 331,484 221,761 340.324 (230.601) 331,484 Name of unrestricted fund Description. nature and purposes of the fund General fund The free reserves 14 Analysis of net assets between funds General fund Designated funds Restricted funds Total Net current assets/(liabilities) 416.254 99.415 515,669 Total 416,254 99,415 515,669 22

Mersey Rivers Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 (continued) 15 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities 2024 2023 Net income/(expenditure) for the year Adjustments for: Dividends, interest and rents from investments Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors 131,427 27,810 (7,431) 75.764 (341,372) (2,727) (221,308) (9,206) Net cash provided by/(used in) operating (141,612) (205,431) 23