Pitton Nature Trust Pitton Nature Trust Charity Registration No. 1203375 Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts For the year ending 31st March 2024
Pitton Nature Trust Contents Page Trust Inforniation Trustee's Rert Objectives and Activitiès Public Benefit Statement Achievements, perfonnance and financial review Collaboration and Engagemenl Report Volunteers IT Report Financial Review Reserves Policy Plans for the future Structure Governance and Management Trustees. responsibilities Financial Accounts 2023124 Statement of assets and liabilities
Pitton Nature Trust Trust Information l Registration No. 1203375 Trustees Paul Fredericks Mandy Kerley Gary Pitt Lyn Fredericks (Resigned 20110123) (Appointed 26110123) (Appointed 26110123) Lindsay Thompson (Appointed 28111123) Rosie Lane , Officers Chair Gary Pitt Paul Fredericks (2415123 to 281111231 j (From 28111123) Secretary Paul Fredericks Lindsay Thompson (2415123 to 28111123) 1 (From 28111123) Treasurer Mandy Kerley Lyn Fredericks (2415123 to 20110123) (From 26110123) Registered , Address Penny Royal The Green Pitton SP5 1DZ Bankers Co-operative Bank Pagèlof8
Pitton Nature Trust Report of Trustees for the year ending 31 March 2024 The Trustees present theirAnnual Report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024. The Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation with income and expenditure below £25,000, the Trustees have opted to prepare the accounts using receipts and payments accounting principles consistent with the Charity Commission guidance. Objectives and Activities Pitton Nature Trust was established in March 2023 and was registered by the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 2nd June 2023. Registered charity number 1203375. The objects of the Trust are'(a) To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biodiversity. and (b) To advance the education of the public in the conservation protection and improvement of the physical and natural environmenf. This is the first year the charity has operated and the focus of the TrUStS has been to develop opportunities to manage areas of land in Pitton to create biodiverse habitats and to provide information to the public lo enhance their knowledge of conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment. Public Benefit Statement The Trustees confinn that they have considered the guidance from the Charity Commission regarding public benefit when reviewing the Charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities. They are satisfied that the activities undertaken during the reporting period fully meet these requirements. Achievements. perfomiance and financial review This is the first year of operation of the charity and a such there has been a focus in establishing the charity's policies and procedures, whilst also seeking opportunities to manage areas of land to deliver the Trust's objects. Review of activities and achievements Key Achievements: The founding Trustees first met in January 2023 to discuss establishing the Trust. The governing document was signed in April 2023 and an application was made to the Charity Commission to register the Trust as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The Trust became a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVOI in April 2023. Their resources have been utilised to establish our key policies. The Trust opened a bank account with the Co-operative Bank in April 2023. Page2of8
The Pitton Nature Trust website was launched in April 2023. On 2nd June 2023 the Trust was register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission. In September the Trust submitted a proposal to Pitton & Farley Parish Council for a management agreement to create a biodiverse wildlife area on part of The Close. Also in September the Trust submitted a proposal to Pitton & Farley Parish Council and Wiltshire Council for the creation of a Community Orchard and nature reserve on Wiltshire Council owned land at Roundbarrow Farm. In March 2024 the Trust received £1,900 in grant funding from the Wessex Water Environment Fund. Creation of Biodiversa Habitats.. The Trustees have sought to identify areas of land to manage in Pitton to deliver the Trust's objects. ThroughoLrt 2023 the Trustees attempted to reach an agreemenl with the owners of an area of land on Pitton Hill which would enable the charity to create a nature reserve open to the publi- We received advice from a range of extemal sources, including Dr Sue Clarke from the Wiltshire Branch of the Butterfly Conservation Trust. With the consent of the landowners volunteers conducted wildlife surveys on this area of land, in particular to identify moths, butt8rf1ies and birds. Th@ results of these surveys were published on the charity's website. Unfortunately, tOW8rds the end of 2023 the land owners decided not to proceed with the agreement. Th In September 2023 the Trust submitted a proposal to Pitton & Farley Parish Council for a management agreement to create a biodiverse wildlife area on part of The Close. This is a small area of land, approximately a frfth of an acre, in the centre of the village adjoining the children's play area. For a number of years the Parish Council had adopted a "no mow. policy on this area of land, however the absen of wildfiowers meant this approach had little benefit for pollinators and low impact on creating biodiversity. The charity therefore created a management plan which would see the introduction of native flora to attract pollinators and make the area a more aCssIble nature leaming environment. At the end of 2023 the charity signed a seven year management agreement with the Parish Council to create a biodiverse environment on this area of land. Page3of8
In March 2024 the Trust received £1,900 in grant funding from the Wessex Water Environment Fund which provides funding to purchase equipment to manage The Close and enable the charity to purchase bird boxes, wildflower plugs and seed. mm ni In July 2023 the Charity launched a survey within the local community to establish rf there was support for the creation of a Community Orchard and Nature Reserve on land that Wiltshire Council owned at Roundbarrow Farm. The response demonstrated there was strong support for the proposal with over thirty people offering to volunteer to establish and maintain the orchard. In September the Trust submitted a proposal to Pitton & Farley Parish Council and Wiltshire Council for the creation of a Community Orchard and nature reserve on Wiltshire Council owned land at ROundbaOW Farm. The Trustees anticipate that this will be major project for the charity in 2024125. Collaboration and Engagement Report The Charity has formed a strong collaboration with Pitton & Farley Parish Council with whom it has a seven year management agreement on The Close. As part of the planning for The Close there was engagement with the local Girl Guides group who undertook a project to identrfy the aspects they considered important in the management of this area of land. The Trustees are grateful for the support and advice they received from other nature trusts in various parts of England this helped to inform the way the charity was established. Volunteers There has been significant interest and support within the local communsty for the creation of the charity. Volunleers have played a key role in undertaking nature surveys and producing reports which can be shared on the website. The Trustees are particularly grateful to Ged Mirski-Fitton who has provided pro-bono IT support and has designed and hosts the charity's website. IT Report The website was launched in April 2023 and has been regularly updated to provide news updates. The site is a key tool in informing and educating the public on aspects of biodiversity and conservation a key feature has been the publication of the surveys undertaken by volunteers identrfying flora and fauna. The charity has a social media presen on Instagram which is used to share images and updates. P•394of8
Financial Review The total income for the year was £2,100 including a grant of £1,900 from the Wessex Water Environment Fund. Two of the founding trustees made donations to provide start up funds for the charEty Reserves Policy As a new charity the focus for the Trustees has been to ensure there are SLfficient funds to deliver projects. The policy has therefore been to establish sufficient funds to operate the charity. As the charity becomes more established this policy will be reviewed. Plans for the future The Trustees plan for 2024125 is to continue to improve the nature biodiversity in The Close and to continue to engage with Pitton & Farley Parish Council and Wiltshire Council with the aim of establishing a long-term agreement to create a Community Orchard and Nature Reserve on Wiltshire Council owned land at Roundbaffow Farm. The trustees will continue to explore the availability of other areas of land in close proximity to Pitton. As the charity's activities expand so will the need for additional funds. The trustees will continue to explore suitable grant funding and seek public donations. Structure Governance and Management Governan The trustees are closely involved in all aspects the Trust's work and meet On a month. Trustees The trustees who served during the reporting period are listed on page 1 of this report. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees and recruiled for the skills and expertise they bring to the charity Structures The charity has no staff and the trustees provide day-to-day management of projects. Risk Factors The Trustees have reviewed the risks to the charity and are satisfied that sufficient controls are in pla. Payo5of8
Trustees, responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The18w applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year in accordan with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practi (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable regulations). Under that law the Trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming reSoUrS and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. 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. Approved by the Trustees on 3rd December 2024 Chair of Trustees: Paul Fredericks Treasurer". Lyn Fredericks Page6of8
Pitton Nature Trust Financial Accounts 2023124 ReTripts and Payments 2023124 '. Income es Unrestricted F¢&stricted Tolai Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Donations £200 £0 £200 £0 ' Grants £1.900 £0 £1,900 £0 FundraisiTrJ £0 £0 £0 £0 . Total Incom8 £2,100 £0 £2,100 £01 , Charitable actwiti8s £0 £0 £0 £0: Total EXditUre £0 £0 £0 £0,, . Nel IncomellExp8nthlwe) £2,100 e2,100 £0 Transfer between funds £0 £0 £0 £0 Cash Funds Brought Foard 2022123 £0 £0 £0 £0 Total Funds Carried Forward 2024125 £2,100 £0 Page7of8
Pitton Nature Trust Financial Accounts 2023124 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the 2023124 period ' Categories DetwL% . Restricted l i Endommenl Cash Furxls | Cash at Bank 2100 | l Total Cash Fundg 2100 DtstL% i Unrestrict1 Restricted , Enckjwment Other mono assets NIA DetLS l Funds to which asset bekjngs CcEt (Opti) Value (Optiona Investment as$8ts N/A Dgtails | Funck to which asset belongs Value (Optionall Assets retained for the charity own use WA Details Funds to which I liability relates i UnfeStrted j i UnreStrted AMnt thje ! When Due i IOptK)naD Uablltties publ liabilty insLrance £157 Soil Testiro in the Close Notes: 1 . The Wessex Water Environment Fund. 2. Public Liability Insurance - reimbursement due to Trustee who paid on personal credit card. 3. Soil Test in The Close - reimbursement due to Trustee who paid on personal credit card. Signed.. Chair of Trustees: Paul Fredericks Treasurer.. Lyn Fredericks Date: 3rd Dernber 2024 Date.. 3rd December 2024 Pagè8of8