REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 206084
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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 2023
|
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 |
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Thetrusteespresenttheirreportwiththefinancialstatementsofthecharityfortheyearended31December 2023.
ThetrusteeshaveadoptedtheprovisionsofAccountingandReportingbyCharities:Statementof Recommended
PracticeapplicabletocharitiespreparingtheiraccountsinaccordancewiththeFinancialReporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
TheobjectivesoftheCharityaretostudyandrecordthefauna,floraandgeologyofthecounty:topublish Suffolk
NaturalHistory,SuffolkBirdsandthenewsletterWhiteAdmiral;toliasewithothernaturalhistorysocieties and
conservationbodies in the county;to promoteinterestin naturalhistoryand the activitiesof the Society;and to apply
thenetincomeoftheSocietyattheTrustees'discretioninsuchmannerastheythinkfitinthefurtheranceof the
Society.
The Societycontinuesto lookat ways in whichit can raiseits profilelocallyandattractnew members.Lookingto the
future,itisanticipatedthattheSocietywillcontinuewithitsannualpublications,members'meetings, and
conferenceswhenappropriate.TheSocietywillcontinuetore-establishandbuildstronglinkswithother scientific,
environmentalandconversationbodies.Grantfundingwillbemadeavailableforapprovednaturalhistory projects
andcommissionednaturalhistorywork.TheSocietyalsoplanstoidentify,financeandcarryoutitsown 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 guidanceissued by the CharityCommissionin decidingwhat activitiesthe charity
should undertake in respect of public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
TheSociety'smembershipfellsignificantly(8%)from607to559,thishasreducedourincomefromsubscriptions by
£730.TheSocietyisconsciousitmustcontinuetoactivelypromotemembershipastherehasbeenasteady decline
over the years.
TheCOIFCharitiesEthicalinvestmentfundincreasedsignificantlyinvaluefrom£437,022attheendof2022 to
£480,369;interestrateswererelativelystablesotherewasaslightincreaseininvestmentincomefrom£13,662 in
2022 to £14,172 in 2023.
Expenditureonpublicationswasalittlemorethanthepreviousyear(£20,628comparedto£20,027in2022) but
these figures mask a significant(43%) rise in distributioncosts. The Society will continueto produceits publications on
Suffolknaturalhistoryaswellasseekingtoassistinthepublicationsoftheworkofothers.Publicationsales were
good, particularly for the Bird Report, with an increase from £1,634 in 2022 to £2,131 in 2023.
In March, the Society held its first onlineconference"Into the Wild" on the theme of rewilding.Tickets were sold at £8
forthetwomorningsessions(or£5asinglesession)raising£1,061whichcoveredmostoftheexpenditureon the
event £1,380).
A MorleyBursaryof £300wasawardedforresearchonBumblebeenestboxesinarablefarmland.A Simpson Bursary
of £500 over two years was awarded for research on seedbanks in Ghost Ponds in NE Suffolk.
The Society will continue to promote its bursaries and grants for research and other projects.
TheSocietyisverygratefulforadonationof£657inmemoryofourlatememberBenPerkins(Seeobituary TSNS
59:201).
Page 1
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Thecharitywasfoundedin1929byClaudeMorley,asanunincorporatedcharity.Itisregisteredwiththe Charity
Commission under reference 206084.
Thecharityis governedbya writtenconstitution,andismanagedbyitsCouncil,whosemembersarethetrustees of
thecharity.ThesecomprisetheSociety'sofficers,togetherwithamaximumofeightelectedmembers. Major
decisionsaretakenattheAnnualGeneralMeeting.TheCouncilmeetsapproximatelyeverytwomonthstoattend to
routine and operational matters.
The Society'sofficersandotherTrusteesare electedat the Society'sAnnualGeneralMeeting,andholdofficefor four
years,withtwooftheelectedtrusteesretiringeachyearinturn.Exofficioofficersareappointedasrequired. The
Trusteessetoutabovehaveheldofficeduringthewholeof2021anduptothedateofthisreportunless otherwise
stated.
TheTrusteeshaveidentifiedandreviewedthemajorriskstowhichthecharityisexposed,bothoperational and
financial,andhaveestablishedappropriatesystemsdesignedtomitigatethoserisks.TheSocietyissatisfied that
systemsareinplacetomitigatetheirexposuretothemajorriskswhichhavebeenidentifiedandreviewedsee Risk
Register(https://sns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sns-Risk-Register-revised-Mar2019.pdf)and Risk
Management Policy (https://sns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sns-Risk-Management-Policy-Jan 2019.pdf)
TheTrusteestookstepstoimplementtheGeneralDataProtectionRegulationsMay2018andaresatisfiedthat the
Society is compliantwith the Regulations.
SeeDataManagementPolicy(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 2023
Trustees
J Hardingham
Ms G Broad (resigned 26.4.23)
M Sanford
J Hawkins
N Mason
C J Hawes
B Heather (resigned 26.4.23)
H Mottram
P J Vincent
D Tansley
D Casey
M Deans
H Honey
E Aldous (appointed 26.4.23)
S Jackson (appointed 26.4.23)
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 9 April 2024 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
IreporttothecharitytrusteesonmyexaminationoftheaccountsofSuffolkNaturalists'Society(theTrust)for the
year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
AsthecharitytrusteesoftheTrustyouareresponsibleforthepreparationoftheaccountsinaccordancewith the
requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I reportin respectof my examinationof the Trust'saccountscarriedoutunderSection145 of the Act andin carrying
out my examinationI have followedall applicableDirectionsgiven by the CharityCommissionunderSection 145(5)(b)
of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I havecompletedmyexamination.I confirmthatnomaterialmattershavecometomyattentioninconnection with
the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust 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.
Ihavenoconcernsandhavecomeacrossnoothermattersinconnectionwiththeexaminationtowhich 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
9 April 2024
Page 4
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Unrestricted
Endowment
fund
funds
Notes
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
10,340
-
General income
2
16,215
88
Total
26,555
88
EXPENDITURE ON
Costs
26,209
-
Net gains/(losses) on investments
12,354
30,993
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
12,700
31,081
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
158,340
310,992
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
171,040
342,073 |
31.12.23
31.12.22
Total
Total
funds
funds
£
£
10,340
24,284
16,303
15,296
26,643
39,580
26,209
26,616
43,347
(61,539)
43,781
(48,575)
469,332
517,907
513,113
469,332 |
|
|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 December 2023
Unrestricted
Endowment
fund
funds
Notes
£
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Investments
6
139,017
341,352
Cash at bank
32,923
721
171,940
342,073
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
7
(900)
-
NET CURRENT ASSETS
171,040
342,073
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
171,040
342,073
NET ASSETS
171,040
342,073
FUNDS
8
Unrestricted funds
Endowment funds
TOTAL FUNDS |
31.12.23
Total
funds
£
480,369
33,644
514,013
(900)
513,113
513,113
513,113
171,040
342,073
513,113 |
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 |
|
|
|
ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardofTrusteesandauthorisedforissueon9 April2024and were
signed on its behalf by:
M Sanford - Trustee
J Hardingham - 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 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
Thefinancialstatementsof thecharity,whichis a publicbenefitentityunderFRS 102,havebeenprepared in
accordancewiththeCharitiesSORP(FRS102)'AccountingandReportingbyCharities:Statement of
RecommendedPracticeapplicabletocharitiespreparingtheiraccountsinaccordancewiththe Financial
ReportingStandardapplicablein the UK and Republicof Ireland(FRS 102) (effective1 January2019)', Financial
ReportingStandard102 'The FinancialReportingStandardapplicablein the UK and Republicof Ireland'and the
Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All incomeis recognisedin the Statementof FinancialActivitiesoncethe charityhasentitlementto the funds,
it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilitiesarerecognisedasexpenditureassoonasthereisalegalorconstructiveobligationcommitting the
charitytothatexpenditure,itisprobablethatatransferofeconomicbenefitswillberequiredin settlement
andtheamountof theobligationcanbe measuredreliably.Expenditureis accountedforonanaccruals basis
andhas been classifiedunderheadingsthataggregateall costrelatedto the category.Wherecostscannot be
directlyattributedtoparticularheadingstheyhavebeenallocatedtoactivitiesonabasisconsistentwith the
use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciationis providedat the followingannualrates in orderto 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.
Restrictedfundscanonlybeusedforparticularrestrictedpurposeswithintheobjectsofthe charity.
Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Furtherexplanationofthenatureandpurposeofeachfundisincludedinthenotestothe financial
statements.
2. GENERAL INCOME
GENERAL INCOME |
|
|
|
31.12.23 |
31.12.22 |
|
£ |
£ |
Investment income |
14,172 |
13,662 |
Publication sales |
2,131 |
1,634 |
|
16,303 |
15,296 |
continued...
Page 7
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees'remunerationor other benefitsfor the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year
ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees' expenses
Therewerenotrustees'expensespaidfortheyearended31December2023norfortheyear ended
31 December 2022.
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
5.
Unrestricted
Endowment
fund
funds
£
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
24,284
-
General income
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
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022 |
Total
funds
£
24,284
15,296
39,580
26,616
(61,539)
(48,575)
517,907
469,332
Fixtures
and
fittings
£
1,264
1,264
-
- |
|
|
continued...
Page 8
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
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
26,555
Endowment funds
Endowment
88
TOTAL FUNDS
26,643 |
At 1.1.23
£
158,340
310,992
469,332
Resources
expended
£
(26,209)
-
(26,209) |
|
31.12.23
£
480,369
31.12.23
£
900
Net
movement
in funds
£
12,700
31,081
43,781
Gains and
losses
£
12,354
30,993
43,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
continued...
Page 9
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Endowment funds
Endowment
TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.1.22
£
163,001
354,906
517,907 |
Net
movement
in funds
£
(4,661)
(43,914)
(48,575) |
At
31.12.22
£
158,340
310,992 |
|
|
|
469,332 |
Comparative 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 |
39,494 |
(26,616) |
(17,539) |
(4,661) |
Endowment funds |
|
|
|
|
Endowment |
86 |
- |
(44,000) |
(43,914) |
TOTAL FUNDS |
39,580 |
(26,616) |
(61,539) |
(48,575) |
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 1.1.22
£
163,001
354,906
517,907 |
Net
movement
in funds
£
8,039
(12,833)
(4,794) |
At
31.12.23
£
171,040
342,073 |
|
|
|
513,113 |
continued...
Page 10
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A currentyear12monthsandprioryear12monthscombinednetmovementinfunds,includedinthe above
are as follows:
|
Incoming |
Resources |
Gains and |
Movement |
|
resources |
expended |
losses |
in funds |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
Unrestricted funds |
|
|
|
|
General fund |
66,049 |
(52,825) |
(5,185) |
8,039 |
Endowment funds |
|
|
|
|
Endowment |
174 |
- |
(13,007) |
(12,833) |
TOTAL FUNDS |
66,223 |
(52,825) |
(18,192) |
(4,794) |
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Page 11
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS' SOCIETY
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
|
|
for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 |
|
|
|
31.12.23 |
31.12.22 |
|
£ |
£ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS |
|
|
Donations and legacies |
|
|
Donations and gifts |
125 |
50 |
Legacies |
657 |
15,007 |
Conference |
1,061 |
- |
Subscriptions |
8,497 |
9,227 |
|
10,340 |
24,284 |
General income |
|
|
Investment income |
14,172 |
13,662 |
Publication sales |
2,131 |
1,634 |
|
16,303 |
15,296 |
Total incoming resources |
26,643 |
39,580 |
EXPENDITURE |
|
|
Costs |
|
|
Insurance |
944 |
631 |
Webhosting and internet |
346 |
2,209 |
Suffolk Bird Report |
7,139 |
7,825 |
Suffolk Natural History |
4,726 |
5,426 |
SNS Newsletter |
4,257 |
3,630 |
General expenses |
619 |
248 |
Paypal fees |
111 |
94 |
Distribution costs |
4,506 |
3,146 |
Admin expenses |
310 |
- |
Direct Debit processing |
171 |
630 |
Bursaries and grants |
550 |
1,618 |
Honorarium |
250 |
250 |
Conference |
1,380 |
- |
Accountancy |
900 |
900 |
Bank charges |
- |
9 |
|
26,209 |
26,616 |
Total resources expended |
26,209 |
26,616 |
Net income before gains and losses |
434 |
12,964 |
Unrealised recognised gains and losses |
|
|
Unrealised gain/loss on investments |
43,347 |
(61,539) |
Net income/(expenditure) |
43,781 |
(48,575) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 12