REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 206084
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
FOR
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
van Dijk Accountants Limited Georgian House 34 Thoroughfare Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8AP
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | |
| Statement of Financial Position | 6 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 | to 13 |
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objectives of the Charity are to study and record the fauna, flora and geology of the county: to publish Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds and the newsletter White Admiral; to liase with other natural history societies and conservation bodies in the county; to promote interest in natural history and the activities of the Society; and to apply the net income of the Society at the Trustees' discretion in such manner as they think fit in the furtherance of the Society.
The Society continues to look at ways in which it can raise its profile locally and attract new members. Looking to the future, it is anticipated that the Society will continue with its annual publications, members' meetings, and conferences when appropriate. The Society will continue to re-establish and build strong links with other scientific, environmental and conversation bodies. Grant funding will be made available for approved natural history projects and commissioned natural history work. The Society also plans to identify, finance and carry out its own projects within Suffolk, and to attempt to recruit additional Council members in order to push ahead with these initiatives.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake in respect of public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
The Society's membership increased from 605 to 607 with over half of members having joint membership with the Suffolk Bird Group, but he Society is conscious it must continue to actively promote membership as there has been a steady decline over the years.
The COIF Charities Ethical Investment fund decreased significantly in value from £495,520 to £437,022, but a concomitant rise in interest rates meant investment income was maintained at £13,662.
Expenditure on publications was slightly less than the previous year (£20,027 in 2022 compared to £22,839 in 2021). The Society will continue to produce its publications on Suffolk natural history as well as seeking to assist in the publications of the work of others.
A Cranbrook Bursary of £150 was awarded for the study of Nathusius' Pipistrelle and Yellow-browed Warbler migration, and another £500 went to Norwich Bat group for a Nathusius' Pipistrelle migration study. A bursary of £500 was awarded to Patrick Barker for purchase of moth traps used to monitor farmland wildlife. A grant of £432 was paid to cover 50% of the costs of a Flora survey at Shingle Street and a grant of £36 was paid for a Mapmate licence for a new Bird Recorder. The Society will continue to promote its bursaries and grants for research and other projects.
The Society expects to resume its programme of biennial conferences in 2023. The Society is very grateful for a legacy of £15,000 from our late member Alan Hubbard (See obituary TSNS 57:126).
Page 1
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity was founded in 1929 by Claude Morley, as an unincorporated charity. It is registered with the Charity Commission under reference 206084.
The charity is governed by a written constitution, and is managed by its Council, whose members are the trustees of the charity. These comprise the Society's officers, together with a maximum of eight elected members. Major decisions are taken at the Annual General Meeting. The Council meets approximately every two months to attend to routine and operational matters.
The Society's officers and other Trustees are elected at the Society's Annual General Meeting, and hold office for four years, with two of the elected trustees retiring each year in turn. Ex officio officers are appointed as required. The Trustees set out above have held office during the whole of 2021 and up to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.
The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, both operational and financial, and have established appropriate systems designed to mitigate those risks. The Society is satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to the major risks which have been identified and reviewed see Risk Register (https://sns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sns-Risk-Register-revised-Mar 2019.pdf) and Risk Management Policy (https://sns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sns-Risk-Management-Policy-Jan 2019.pdf)
The Trustees took steps to implement the General Data Protection Regulations May 2018 and are satisfied that the Society is compliant with the Regulations.
See Data Management Policy (https://sns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sns-Data-Protection-Policy-14 Mar 18.pdf)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
206084
Principal address
The Hold 131 Fore Street Ipswich Suffolk IP4 1LR
Page 2
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
Trustees
J Hardingham Ms G Broad M Sanford J Hawkins N Mason A C Chalkley (resigned 1.4.22) C J Hawes B Heather H Mottram P J Vincent E Jackson (resigned 1.7.22) D Tansley D Casey M Deans H Honey (appointed 1.4.22) Lloyds Bank Plc 13 Cornhill Ipswich IP1 1DG
Independent Examiner
van Dijk Accountants Limited Georgian House 34 Thoroughfare Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8AP
Investment advisors
CCLA Investment Management Limited Client Service Team COIF Charity Deposit Funds 80 Cheapside London EC2V 6DZ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 22 August 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
M Sanford - Trustee
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Suffolk Naturalists' Society
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Suffolk Naturalists' Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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 Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
P N van Dijk FMAAT
van Dijk Accountants Limited Georgian House 34 Thoroughfare Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8AP
22 August 2023
Page 4
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Unrestricted Endowment fund funds Notes £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 24,284 - General income 2 15,210 86 Total 39,494 86 EXPENDITURE ON Costs 26,616 - Net gains/(losses) on investments (17,539) (44,000) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (4,661) (43,914) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 163,001 354,906 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 158,340 310,992 |
31.12.22 31.12.21 Total Total funds funds £ £ 24,284 10,081 15,296 15,071 39,580 25,152 26,616 22,839 (61,539) 58,987 (48,575) 61,300 517,907 456,607 469,332 517,907 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 December 2022
| Unrestricted Endowment fund funds Notes £ £ CURRENT ASSETS Investments 6 126,663 310,359 Cash at bank 35,080 633 161,743 310,992 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (3,403) - NET CURRENT ASSETS 158,340 310,992 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 158,340 310,992 NET ASSETS 158,340 310,992 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds Endowment funds TOTAL FUNDS |
31.12.22 Total funds £ 437,022 35,713 472,735 (3,403) 469,332 469,332 469,332 158,340 310,992 469,332 |
31.12.21 Total funds £ 495,520 23,287 518,807 (900) 517,907 517,907 517,907 163,001 354,906 517,907 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 22 August 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
M Sanford - Trustee
G Broad - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures, fittings and equipment-3 years straight line
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. GENERAL INCOME
| GENERAL INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31.12.22 | 31.12.21 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Investment income | 13,662 | 13,356 |
| Publication sales | 1,634 | 1,715 |
| 15,296 | 15,071 | |
continued...
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2022 nor for the year ended 31 December 2021.
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted Endowment fund funds £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 10,081 - General income 14,986 85 Total 25,067 85 EXPENDITURE ON Costs 22,839 - Net gains on investments 16,811 42,176 NET INCOME 19,039 42,261 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 143,962 312,645 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 163,001 354,906 5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 |
Total funds £ 10,081 15,071 25,152 22,839 58,987 61,300 456,607 517,907 Fixtures and fittings £ 1,264 1,264 - - |
|---|---|
continued...
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
6. CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS
| COIF income units 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund Endowment funds Endowment TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 39,494 Endowment funds Endowment 86 TOTAL FUNDS 39,580 |
At 1.1.22 £ 163,001 354,906 517,907 Resources expended £ (26,616) - (26,616) |
31.12.22 £ 437,022 31.12.22 £ 3,403 Net movement in funds £ (4,661) (43,914) (48,575) Gains and losses £ (17,539) (44,000) (61,539) |
31.12.21 £ 495,520 31.12.21 £ 900 At 31.12.22 £ 158,340 310,992 469,332 Movement in funds £ (4,661) (43,914) (48,575) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.1.21 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 143,962 Endowment funds Endowment 312,645 TOTAL FUNDS 456,607 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 25,067 (22,839) Endowment funds Endowment 85 - TOTAL FUNDS 25,152 (22,839) |
Net movement At in funds 31.12.21 £ £ 19,039 163,001 42,261 354,906 61,300 517,907 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 16,811 19,039 42,176 42,261 58,987 61,300 |
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Endowment funds Endowment TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.21 £ 143,962 312,645 456,607 |
Net movement in funds £ 14,378 (1,653) 12,725 |
At 31.12.22 £ 158,340 310,992 469,332 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | losses | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 64,561 | (49,455) | (728) | 14,378 |
| Endowment funds | ||||
| Endowment | 171 | - | (1,824) | (1,653) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 64,732 | (49,455) | (2,552) | 12,725 |
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2022.
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
| DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 December 2022 | ||
| 31.12.22 | 31.12.21 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations and gifts | 50 | 1,025 |
| Legacies | 15,007 | - |
| Subscriptions | 9,227 | 9,056 |
| General income | 24,284 | 10,081 |
| Investment income | 13,662 | 13,356 |
| Publication sales | 1,634 | 1,715 |
| 15,296 | 15,071 | |
| Total incoming resources | 39,580 | 25,152 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Costs | ||
| Insurance | 631 | 639 |
| Webhosting and internet | 2,209 | 508 |
| Suffolk Bird Report | 7,825 | 6,525 |
| Suffolk Natural History | 5,426 | 8,573 |
| SNS Newsletter | 3,630 | 1,953 |
| General expenses | 248 | - |
| Paypal fees | 94 | 74 |
| Distribution costs | 3,146 | 2,131 |
| Direct Debit processing | 630 | - |
| Bursaries and grants | 1,618 | 985 |
| Honorarium | 250 | 300 |
| Conference | - | 187 |
| Accountancy | 900 | 900 |
| Bank charges | 9 | - |
| Support costs | 26,616 | 22,775 |
| Other | ||
| Depreciation of plant and machinery | - | 64 |
| Total resources expended | 26,616 | 22,839 |
| Net income before gains and losses | 12,964 | 2,313 |
| Unrealised recognised gains and losses | ||
| Carried forward | 12,964 | 2,249 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| 31.12.22 | 31.12.21 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Unrealised recognised gains and losses | ||
| Brought forward | 12,964 | 2,249 |
| Unrealised gain/loss on investments | (61,539) | 58,987 |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (48,575) | 61,300 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13