## **REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 00729746 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 212744** 

Report of the Trustees and 

Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

for Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Thorne Widgery Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors 2 Wyevale Business Park Kings Acre Hereford Herefordshire HR4 7BS 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Contents 

||Page|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|Report of the Trustees|2 to 10|
|Report of the Independent Auditors|11 to 13|
|Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities|14 to 15|
|Consolidated and Company Balance Sheet|16 to 17|
|Cash Flow Statement|18|
|Notes to the Cash Flow Statement|19|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|20 to 36|





## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Reference and Administrative Details 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

**Trustees** Veronica Cossons President Kirsten Mould Roger Owen Chair Stephen Marsh Hon Treasurer Alex Grant Hon Secretary Daniel Wrench (retired 15 October 2022) Richard Carpenter James Drever Andrew Hearle Lizzie Hulton-Harrop (resigned 1 January 2023) Kate Mayne (resigned 8 February 2023) Malcolm Monie Quentin Shaw Anne Wignall (resigned 20 June 2022) Laurence Kinnersley (elected 15 October 2022) Iain Diack (elected 15 October 2022) Lisa Bartlett (elected 15 October 2022, resigned 6 December 2022) **Company registered number** 0729746 **Charity registered number** 212744 **Registered office** 193 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6AH **Company Secretary** Sarah Zacharek **Chief Executive Officer** Richard Grindle **Senior Management Team** Jan McKelvey, Head of Conservation Peter Lambert, Head of Land & Water Helen Trotman, Head of People & Wildlife Helen O’Connor, Head of Development Sarah Zacharek, Head of Finance & Operations 

## **Honorary Advisors** 

Dr John Box Andy Whyle Katie Foster 

## **Auditors** 

Thorne Widgery, 2 Wyevale Business Park, Kings Acre, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 7BS 

## **Bankers** 

HSBC, 33 High Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1SL 

## **Solicitors** 

McKenzie Law, Global House, Sitka Drive, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.  SY2 6LG 

1 



## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Reference and Administrative Details 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity and the group for the year ended 31 March 2023. 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** 

## **Charitable Objects** 

Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) is part of The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) federation.  The Trust’s charitable objects were updated in 2022 to align more closely with The Wildlife Trusts nationally.  They are as follows: 

1. To advance, promote and further the conservation and protection of nature reserves which shall be owned, maintained or managed by the Charity. 

2. For the benefit of the public, to advance, promote and further the conservation, protection and enhancement of: 

   - (a) Wildlife and its habitats (including terrestrial, marine and aquatic habitats); 

   - (b) Areas of natural beauty or heritage; 

   - (c) Areas of zoological, botanical, mycological or other biological scientific interest; 

   - (f) Areas with geological, geographical, geomorphological, archaeological, physiographical or amenity value in particular, but not exclusively, in ways that further biodiversity. 

3. To advance education and engagement, of both the general public and businesses, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs in: 

   - (a) The principles and practice of biodiversity and geodiversity conservation; 

   - (b) The principles and practice of sustainable development; 

   - (c) Nature based health and wellbeing initiatives; 

   - (d) Natural capital, and its protection, restoration and value to society, and 

   - (e) Natural solutions for climate change. 

4. To promote, encourage and carry out study and research for the advancement of knowledge in the natural sciences, to make grants or donations for such purposes and to encourage and support the recording and publication of the useful results thereof. 

## **Vision and goals** 

Our vision is of a thriving natural world where Shropshire's Wildlife and natural habitats play a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people are inspired and empowered to take action for nature. 

## **Our three goals are that:** 

1. Shropshire's Nature is in recovery with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder land and rivers where people and nature thrive 

2. People are taking action for nature and the climate, resulting in better decision making for the environment 

3. Nature is playing a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems 

2 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (Continued)** 

## **Visions and Goals (Continued)** 

To achieve these goals we have identified **three key outcomes** 

1. 30% of land managed for nature by 2030 

2. 1 in 4 people taking meaningful action for nature 

3. Nature based solutions are being adopted 

## **Activities** 

In 2022-23 SWT adopted a new ‘theory of change’ which identifies the essential activities needed to achieve these outcomes and strategic goals in Shropshire.  These include: 

- Community mobilisation, urban nature and wellbeing: activities designed to increase connection with nature, improve health 

- and wellbeing and to build a movement of people taking meaningful action for nature. 

- National and local campaigns: to influence decisions on conservation, climate and infrastructure, led by SWT (or TWT) but 

- amplified by the broader public. 

- Children & Young People: innovative programmes to engage children and young people with nature, to support schools to put 

- nature at the heart of their education and grow a cohort of young leaders. 

- Habitat and species projects: safeguarding or restoring specific types of habitat and/or keystone species. 

- Biodiversity monitoring and analysis: habitat surveys to inform and monitor the creation of a nature recovery network in 

- partnership with third-party land managers, to help reach ‘30 by 30’. 

• Management of SWT’s nature reserves: to safeguard key species and habitats, to demonstrate good practice, and to allow people from all parts of society to engage with nature. 

• Land management advice: to enable and inspire the creation and restoration of habitat at scale on third-party land, as part of the practical delivery of nature recovery networks in Shropshire and Telford. 

## **Inputs** 

To enable these activities we have identified four key inputs: 

- experienced, specialist SWT staff 

- networks we can work with or call upon for support 

- a strong business model, including finance, IT, HR & governance, development and the trading company 

- support from our members, volunteers, and branches. 

Volunteers are integral to the Trust’s ability to deliver our programmes: they help with botanical surveys and monitoring, practical conservation, visitor services, outdoor education and in a variety of other roles.  The Trust has over 300 regular volunteers, 10 branches, and six friends and affiliated groups. 

## **Impact measurement** 

We collect internal and external data to measure the impact of our activities and progress towards these outcomes, which will be published annually.  Progress towards these targets and some key successes are covered in the next section. 

## **Public benefit** 

The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in making decisions on the Trust’s aims, objectives and future activities.  As set out in more detail below, the Trust provides public benefit by ensuring that Shropshire’s wild spaces are protected and continue to thrive, that access is available to the general public, and that provide a net gain for wildlife and the public. 

3 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE** 

This section summarises the aims that the Trust set for itself for 2022-23 and beyond, and _in italics, the progress made towards these aims during the year._ 

## **Goal 1 – Nature is in Recovery** 

To create a nature recovery network (NRN) for Shropshire in partnership with local authorities, land managers and other NGOs, using volunteers from our local Branches to ground-truth the data and map opportunities. _In March 2023 the Government published statutory guidance to local authorities on Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). Work is in progress to establish a formal Shropshire and Telford Nature Partnership, and the Trust has been approached to be a lead organisation in coordinating this work. To date over 180km[2] of habitat has been mapped by SWT volunteers and the information will be invaluable in identifying key areas in the NRN which in the future will help to connect investors with land managers to bring about improvements for wildlife._ 

We will continue stand up for nature where it is threatened by excessive or ill-planned development or major infrastructure projects, including for example the Shrewsbury North-West Relief Road. _Although this scheme has not yet been determined, we have renewed our objection as updated consultations were published in March 2023._ 

To maintain our own nature reserves in favourable condition, to protect valuable habitats and species and as exemplars for other land managers, and to promote wellbeing and connection with nature.  We will acquire additional land where necessary to achieve these goals. _The first phase of the re-wetting of Charles Sinker Fields for carbon storage and to attract wetland bird species was finished, and an accessible bird hide was built and opened to the public; funding has been secured to complete the second phase in 2023-24. Funding secured from National Highways has enabled the Trust to increase the area of limestone grassland at Llynclys Common and on a similar project with Tarmac at Llynclys Quarry- an important stepping-stone for butterflies between our nature reserves in the Oswestry Hills. Working with Butterfly Conservation we have also been able to improve rocky scree habitat for grayling butterflies at Earls Hill, and wet flush habitat for small-pearl bordered fritillary butterflies at Cramer Gutter next to Catherton Common._ 

We will create and restore habitat on third-party land, and will expand and develop our conservation advice offer to land managers, in order to influence land management at landscape scale. _Our three Severn Trent full-time farm advisers provided advice to 275 farmers through the Severn Trent Water ‘STEPS’ programme.  A further 35 landowners and  managers made use of our bespoke land management advice service.  We began stage 2 of the ‘connecting the Clees’ test and trial to explore mechanisms for private investment in biodiversity. We restored or created 48 ponds for great crested newts on third-party land, funded by Natural England, and began work on major catchment improvement projects in the Worfe and Strine catchments. Further strategic activities include projects in the Morda, Corve, Perry, Roden, Aqualate and Tern catchments within smaller actions in the Clun._ 

In partnership with neighbouring Wildlife Trusts we will promote landscape-scale nature recovery projects to restore habitat and enhance both diversity and abundance of key species. _Funding was secured for two years from The John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust to begin the Wilder Marches programme in partnership with Herefordshire, Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Shropshire Wildlife Trusts; the programme manager was appointed in January 2023 and detailed planning is under way. The new Carbon for Curlews project funded through the AONB Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme will map peatland in the Clun area around the Trust’s 3 nature reserves. This will begin to identify opportunities for landowners in the area to access agri-environment scheme grants and longer-term green finance initiatives enabling them to support their farm businesses, and at the same time to protect, connect and restore habitats around the headwaters of the Clun catchment._ 

## **Goal 2 - People are taking action for nature and the climate** 

During 2022 we will begin to implement the ‘Team Wilder’ approach of community mobilisation and organisation across the whole organisation, with the goal of helping 1 in 4 people take action for nature. We aim to secure funding for a multi-year project in Telford to expand access to nature and promote wellbeing. _The two year ‘Nextdoor Nature’ project is under way in selected underserved communities in Telford and detailed plans are in hand for a larger five-year project to expand and continue this work from 2024._ 

4 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Reference and Administrative Details 

## for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

We will continue to work with school leaders to increase their capacity to provide nature education, as well as providing hands-on environmental education ourselves. _We influenced 1016 pupils and 138 staff through our school partnerships. In addition, 2,336 children and young people experienced nature with us through wildlings, school visits, youth groups, uniformed groups, wildlife watch, birthday parties and holiday clubs._ 

We will engage young people in environmental social action through the Green Influencers scheme, set up a youth forum, and appoint at least two youth trustees to our council. _The Green Influencers project has supported 60 participants aged 11 to 20 to undertake social action projects in and around their school grounds. Our weekend work parties provided opportunities for 30 children and young people to gain confidence and skills whilst assisting the management of our nature reserves. In addition, 15 young people attended our garden club on a regular basis. Preparatory work has laid the foundation for the launch of a youth forum in 2023. Two young trustees were appointed, though one has since had to stand down. We have now secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund’s climate action fund for a follow-on project – see below._ 

We will maintain a network of branches and affiliated groups and a large and diverse group of volunteers to support all of our activities. _Our volunteers contributed nearly 29,000 hours, equivalent to nearly 19 full-time staff, across a range of work. Approximately 40% of this was contributed by our branches and groups with other significant contributions from our weekly work parties, Feed the Birds and visitor centre team. Our branches, groups and ambassadors engaged more than 2,500 people through walks, talks and events._ 

We will continue to work through our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) work plan to ensure that our organisation is fully representative and that members of all communities are encouraged to engage with nature. _We worked with an independent research agency to develop a survey that gauges perceptions of how the organisation is currently performing from staff and trustees._ 

## **Goal 3 - Nature is playing a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems** 

We will continue to make progress against our Health and Wellbeing strategy. _Our 50 Feed the Birds volunteers provided weekly visits to 60 vulnerable and isolated people, with strong anecdotal evidence that this has helped improve their mental wellbeing. Several workshops, aiming to increase awareness and understanding of Green Social Prescribing opportunities as well as identify any barriers, were delivered to health care workers and providers of activities in nature. Insight will inform our activities in 2023._ 

We aim to reduce the Trust’s own emissions to net-zero by 2030 by reducing energy use, adopting zero-emission vehicles, and by keeping conservation grazing to the minimum level required to maintain each unique habitat. In 2022-3 our emissions totalled 275.23 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) (2020-21: 270tCO2e), of which 56.82 tCO2e were from travel and utilities and 191.15 tCO2e from conservation grazing (2020-21: 80 tCO2e for travel & utilities and 189 tCO2e from conservation grazing. The Trust’s first two electric vehicles are on order and four petrol vehicles have been disposed of. 

Where we cannot eliminate, reduce, or substitute emissions we will seek to offset the residual emissions, where possible through increased sequestration on our own land. We will encourage and support our members, partners and suppliers to reduce their own emissions. 

## **Organisational capacity and resilience** 

We will continue to grow and diversify unrestricted income streams to maintain our financial resilience and freedom of action. _Car parking charges were introduced at the Wrekin (Forest Glen Car Park) and are now generating significant unrestricted income to help us manage our nature reserves. Our focus this year will be developing income through Individual Giving, and more strategic Corporate support._ 

We will continue to modernise our operational systems, moving all remaining ICT to the cloud, to maximise flexibility and resilience. _A new TWT-wide cloud-based finance system, Xledger, will be operational from 1 April 2023.  Most other systems including our client relationship management (CRM) system are now on the cloud. We are working towards integrating these systems (Xledger and the CRM) and integrating our website with the CRM._ 

5 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Financial Position** 

During the reporting period the income received by the Group was £2,892k (2021-22: £2,661k) and expenditure was £2,472k. (202122: £2,271k). Net income was £415k (2021-22: £392k). Total funds at year end increased from £3,594k to £4,009k, of which £353k were unrestricted and £3,656k restricted (2021-22: £617k unrestricted and £2,977k restricted).  The net book value of tangible fixed assets at the year-end stood at £2,941k (2021-22: £2,942k). 

Free reserves at the year end, being total reserves less any restricted funds and fixed assets held by the charity, plus the funds held by the subsidiary company amounted to £141k surplus (2022: £401k surplus). 

Income was better than plan and expenditure slightly less than plan.  There was a substantial surplus on restricted funds, but a deficit on unrestricted. Full-cost recovery (FCR) has been sought on all new grants and contracts since 2021, but in some cases this was not achieved in 2022-23; this meant that more unrestricted funds than expected were spent on organisational support costs, contributing to the unrestricted shortfall. 

Trading and face-to-face membership recruitment are stable. In 2022 we added car parking charges which brings an additional £40k of net income. Digital membership recruitment has continued to be an area of growth, despite the impact of the cost of living. Corporate partnerships were stable but we hope to see a greater return on investment in future, particularly now that the Business Engagement Network (TBEN) will be delivered by the Chamber of Commerce. Major grants secured in 2022-23 include £200k from John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust for Wilder Marches, £250k from the Charles Banister Charitable Trust for additional work at Charles Sinker Fields and £89k from National Highways for conservation work. 

The Trust has a strong track record of securing grants and contracts from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), the Landfill Communities Fund, corporations including Severn Trent Water, and statutory agencies (Natural England and the Environment Agency) and from trusts and foundations. These pay for the majority of our charitable activities. Unrestricted income comes from individual and corporate members, legacies, individual giving, retail, conference room hire, and car parking. This pays for organisational management costs and allows us to continue essential conservation and education work for which grant funding may not be sufficient. Unrestricted funds not required in the short term are held in sustainable investments; the level of risk is reviewed regularly by the Finance Committee. 

The Trustees have identified the principal financial risks to the Trust as a significant reduction in grant funding, whether because the Shared Prosperity Fund does not replace lost EU funding or for other reasons; a continued under-achievement of FCR; and the underperformance of unrestricted income streams. The funding pipeline is reviewed regularly by the finance committee and action is taken where necessary to reduce costs. The Trust will seek to diversify unrestricted income streams further in order to provide greater financial resilience. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The Group’s reserves policy is to maintain free reserves (unrestricted net current assets) equivalent to at least three months’ core operating costs, or circa £250k; and ideally six months, or circa £500k.  As at 1 April 2023 free reserves were £141k including unrestricted investments, which is below the reserves policy.  However, a significant legacy is expected shortly which should restore the position 

## **Going concern** 

Having considered emerging external opportunities and having carefully reviewed operational plans and budgets, funding pipeline, and cash-flow projections for the coming three years, the Trustees are satisfied that the organisation is a going concern and have reported on that basis. 

6 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** 

## **Goal 1** 

We will carry out a captive release of Beavers at the Old River Bed SSSI in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Council.  This will inform consultations about future wild releases. 

Wilder Marches will extend land management advice cross-border, and continue to investigate new ‘green finance’ funding mechanisms for carbon and biodiversity net gain to enable lasting improvements to habitats in the farmed landscape 

We will support Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin councils in the creation of a new local nature partnership, and the development and implementation of the local nature recovery strategy. 

We will aim to bring all our nature reserves to favourable condition. 

We will develop our Land Management Advice Service to support more landowners and managers and encourage them to take advantage of new funding mechanisms. 

Biodiversity enhancements – Land and Water programme will see delivery of large catchment scale projects on the Strine and Worfe with a further 45 ponds created and restored across Shropshire and a suite of smaller projects addressing river restoration and habitat enhancement. 

## **Goal 2** 

We will carry out a review of accessibility on our nature reserves in 2023 and in 2023-25 we will carry out a programme of improvements to make key sites more welcoming to as diverse an audience as possible. 

We will support four communities in Telford to connect with nature and explore how they might take action for it through the Nextdoor Nature Project. 

Community listening exercises in specific geographical areas of Telford will be used to inform an application to a funder for a multiyear community focused project which will follow on from Nextdoor Nature. 

From 2023 until 2027 we will deliver an Environmental Leadership Programme in partnership with UpRising. 100 young people a year from underrepresented and underserved communities will undertake the 12month long programme during which they will co-create and deliver nature connection campaigns in their own communities. 

We will launch a youth forum and continue to make progress against our Team Wilder implementation plan. 

We will continue to work with school leaders to increase their capacity to provide nature education, as well as providing hands-on environmental education ourselves. 

We will maintain a network of branches and affiliated groups and a large and diverse group of volunteers to support all of our activities. 

7 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS (CONTINUED)** 

## **Goal 3** 

We are expecting three additional multi-year natural flood management project developments to be signed off for 2023-24. These are two Severn Valley Water Management Scheme Demonstrator projects – 1. De-Pave [Morda], 2. Perry and Peatlands and 3. a Shropshire Council led ‘Shropshire Slow the Flow’ NFM project. 

The Trust has invested in 6 electronic ‘No Fence’ collars for cattle and will be trialling more efficient grazing on smaller nature reserves to help reduce carbon emissions from livestock and to target management on the most biodiverse areas of grassland. We plan to use this technology first at Cramer Gutter and Masons Bank nature reserves. 

We will be completing the final phase of safeguarding the peat soils beneath the suite of fields adjacent to Morris Bridge at Whixall, with bunding works across a further 5 hectares to help retain water on the fields and keep the peat as wet as possible. With luck it will also increase the area of habitat attractive to wetland bird species and expand the area of birdwatching interest around the Charles Sinker bird hide. 

In the Clun uplands we have secured funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes fund (administered by the Shropshire Hills AONB) which has enabled us to engage a specialist consultant to investigate peat-forming soils on the hill-top sites around Rhos Fiddle, Mason’s Bank and Lower Shortditch Turbary nature reserves. The survey work incorporates adjoining private land holdings and will provide information at a landscape level positioned at the headwaters of the River Clun SAC and inform where best to focus natural flood management techniques and attract green finance investment. 

We will develop guidance for groups interested in becoming a green social prescribing intervention, develop and implement a ‘green buddy scheme’ for groups providing activities in nature and run an awareness campaign to highlight places that can be used for low level activity in nature. 

## **Organisational capacity and resilience** 

We will undertake a review of our offices and visitor centre facilities by 2024; and then by 2028 we will expand, upgrade or move our office facilities to integrate teams fully and to enable more effective agile working. 

Further improvements to ICT, bringing all users including branches onto MS365 and all remaining systems to the cloud, to improve cybersecurity and reduce ICT support costs. 

FCR projections for 2023-24 onwards are much more robust and the new Xledger finance system will enable us to monitor actual receipts closely.  Contingency plans exist to reduce core costs if FCR is lower than expected. 

We carry out regular employee engagement surveys and will ensure that pay, benefits and CPD are aligned with TWT and competitive in the sector, so that we continue to attract and retain good people. 

We recently carried out an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) perception survey and we will now use the data and insight to identify actions to improve EDI. 

8 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Governing document and charity constitution** 

The Shropshire Wildlife Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee.  In 2022 updated Articles of Association were adopted to bring SWT into closer harmony with The Wildlife Trusts.  The SWT group comprises SWT and its trading subsidiary Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Ltd (SWTC). The group was set up by a Trust deed on 10 November 2009. 

## **Related parties and wider network** 

Shropshire Wildlife Trust has over 9,000 members, more than 300 active volunteers, 10 Branches and 6 affiliated groups helping to drive forward its work, and nature reserves covering 1,000 hectares in 41 locations throughout the county. 

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is a member of The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) (registered as the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), charity no: 207238). This is a federation of 46 autonomous charities covering every part of the UK. TWT acts as an umbrella body carrying out lobbying and public relations on behalf of all Wildlife Trusts. Trusts cooperate on joint projects but each Trust remains entirely independent in terms of governance. 

## **Organisational structure, appointment and training of new trustees and key management remuneration** 

The Trust is governed by the Council of Trustees, which has up to fourteen members. All members of the Trust are eligible to seek election to the Council at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) limited to two terms of four years. The Chair, Hon Secretary and Treasurer are elected at the first meeting of Council following the AGM and serve one-year terms. The Trustees are guided by the Trust’s articles of association and Governance Handbooks. 

Council sets and reviews strategic direction, monitors delivery of agreed targets, and ensures that Trust’s finances and assets are managed appropriately and holds the management to account for day-to-day operational matters. Operational decisions are delegated to the Senior Management Team. 

Council is supported by committees responsible for finance; personnel; land management; and communications, campaigns and marketing. The Finance Committee includes the Chair, Treasurer, Hon Secretary, CEO, Head of Finance and Head of Development; it meets quarterly to review risks, performance against budgets, and financial projections, and reports its findings and recommendations to council. 

Newly appointed Trustees receive a full induction to the Trust including the TWT Strategy and SWT Business Plan, articles of association, governance handbook and Charity Commission guidance for trustees, as well as visits to Trust projects and sites. 

The Council of Trustees appoints the Chief Executive Officer and supports the appointment process for members of the Senior Management Team. The pay of the Senior Management Team is reviewed annually by the Personnel Committee each February in line with other staff. 

## **Risk management** 

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity and the group is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity and the group, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. 

9 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **FUND-RAISING STANDARDS** 

The Trustees have taken account of the provisions of the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016.  The Trust is registered with the Institute of Fundraising and the Fundraising Regulator; we follow the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and the Charity Commission guidance on charity fundraising; and we subscribe to the Fundraising Preference Service. 

In 2022-23 we did not use a commercial participator or professional fund-raiser.  The Trust employs membership recruiters who attend public events and carry out door to door recruitment. They are closely supervised by SWT management. The Trust complies with the General Data Protection Regulations and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice. All staff have been made aware of its requirements, and those involved in fundraising are given specific training and are closely supervised. We take care to ensure that vulnerable people and other members of the public are not subject to unreasonable intrusion on their privacy, unreasonably persistent approaches, or undue pressure on a person to give money or other property. 

In 2022-23 we received no complaints about activities by the charity, or by a person on behalf of the charity, for the purpose of fundraising (2021-22: none). 

## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES** 

The trustees (who are also the directors of Shropshire Wildlife Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company and group for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company and group will continue in business. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

In so far as the trustees are aware: 

- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company and group's  auditors are unaware; and 

- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. 

## **AUDITORS** 

The auditors, Thorne Widgery Accountancy Ltd, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. 

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ……    03/08/2023   ………………… and signed on its behalf by: 


..................................................... 

RW Owen - Chair 

10 



Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Shropshire Wildlife Trust (the 'parent charitable company and group') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Charity Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

- In our opinion the financial statements: 

- give a true and fair view of the state of the group and parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report.  We are independent of the charitable company and group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. 

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

However, we draw your attention to note 19 which shows that the group and charity incurred an unrestricted deficit of £264,900 meaning that unrestricted free reserves have reduced from £401k to £141k at the year ended 31 March 2023. Please refer to the going concern accounting policy in the notes to the financial statements which highlights how the group will address the situation going forward. If these actions were to prove unsuccessful, this may indicate that a material uncertainty exists and may cast significant doubt on the charity and group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter. 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. 

## **Other information** 

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.  We have nothing to report in this regard. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- the information given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or 

- the group and parent charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records; or 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

11 



Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## **Responsibilities of trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the group and parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group and parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. 

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: 

- Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations ability to detect Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud 

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud ("fraud risks") we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included: 

- Enquiring of trustees, the finance committee and inspection of policy documentation as to the Charity's high-level policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud as well as whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. 

- Reading Trustees' meetings and finance committee minutes. 

- Considering performance targets for management. 

We communicated identified fraud risks throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of fraud throughout the audit. 

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account our overall knowledge of the control environment, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls, in particular the risk that management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries. On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition because the revenue is non-judgemental and straightforward, with limited opportunity for manipulation. 

We did not identify any additional fraud risks. We performed procedures including identifying journal entries to test based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation. These included those posted by finance management/ those posted and approved by the same user/ those posted to unusual accounts. 

12 



Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## - Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to non compliance with laws and regulations 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience, and through discussion with management (as required by auditing standards) and discussed with management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. 

We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. 

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably. 

Firstly, the Charity and group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation, taxation legislation and the Charities Act legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items. 

Secondly, the Charity and group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of noncompliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Charity and group's license to operate. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law, data protection, anti-money laundering and specific areas of other legislation recognising the nature of the Charity and group's activities. 

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of management, inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore, if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach. 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the group and parent charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the group and parent charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the group and parent charitable company and the parent charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 


Thorne Widgery Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditors Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 

2 Wyevale Business Park Kings Acre Hereford Herefordshire HR4 7BS 

Date: ……10/08/2023………………………. 

13 



## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 

(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) 

|for the Year Ended 31 March 2023<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Notes<br>Donations and legacies<br>2<br>**Charitable activities**<br>5<br>A Living Landscape<br>Standing up for Wildlife<br>People and Wildlife<br>BogLIFE<br>Rivers<br>Planning Searches<br>Other Charitable Activity<br>New Initiatives<br>Development<br>People & Wildlife Operations<br>Children & Young People<br>Communities & wellbeing<br>Conservation operations<br>SWT Nature Reserves<br>Habitat & species<br>Land & water<br>Other trading activities<br>3<br>Investment income<br>4<br>**Total**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Raising funds<br>6<br>**Charitable activities**<br>7<br>A Living Landscape<br>Standing up for Wildlife<br>People and Wildlife<br>BogLIFE<br>Rivers<br>Planning Searches<br>Other Charitable Activity<br>New Initiatives<br>Development<br>People & Wildlife Operations<br>Children & Young People<br>Communities & wellbeing<br>Conservation operations<br>SWT Nature Reserves<br>Habitat & species<br>Land & water<br>**Total**<br>Net gains on investments<br>**NET INCOME**<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>20<br>**Net movement in funds**|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>483,332<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,460<br>-<br>52,855<br>(362)<br>8,000<br>-<br>10,000<br>100,772<br>-<br>305,002<br>113,146<br>1,871<br>1,081,076<br>230,646<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>251,966<br>-<br>212,413<br>27,854<br>80,792<br>29,216<br>17,161<br>162,199<br>-<br>307,184<br>1,319,431<br>(5,359)<br>(243,714)<br>(21,186)<br>(264,900)|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>199,342<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>132,961<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>35,694<br>19,642<br>79,040<br>-<br>34,721<br>255,536<br>1,044,970<br>8,968<br>-<br>1,810,874<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>127,565<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>35,694<br>34,711<br>57,918<br>50,000<br>36,387<br>41,610<br>768,528<br>1,152,413<br>-<br>658,461<br>21,186<br>679,647|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>682,674<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>132,961<br>-<br>-<br>6,460<br>-<br>52,855<br>35,332<br>27,642<br>79,040<br>10,000<br>135,493<br>255,536<br>1,349,972<br>122,114<br>1,871<br>2,891,950<br>230,646<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>127,565<br>-<br>-<br>251,966<br>-<br>212,413<br>63,548<br>115,503<br>87,134<br>67,161<br>198,586<br>41,610<br>1,075,712<br>2,471,844<br>(5,359)<br>414,747<br>-<br>414,747|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>1,015,803<br>122,742<br>24,450<br>243,138<br>317,491<br>780,508<br>2,950<br>55,451<br>30,580<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>67,556<br>40|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,660,709<br>432,694<br>163,222<br>11,465<br>315,574<br>383,298<br>683,445<br>25,039<br>201,487<br>54,840<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|||||2,271,064<br>2,658|
|||||392,303<br>-|
|||||392,303|



14 



## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 

(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|617,397<br>352,497|2,977,065<br>3,656,712|3,594,462<br>4,009,209|3,202,159|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||3,594,462|



## **CONTINUING OPERATIONS** 

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities. 

15 



## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

|Consolidated Balance Sheet<br>31 March 2023<br>Notes<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Stock<br>15<br>Debtors<br>16<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>17<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>20<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|31.3.23<br>£<br>2,940,917<br>98,028<br>3,038,945<br>9,682<br>669,623<br>1,147,569<br>1,826,874<br>(856,610)<br>970,264<br>4,009,209<br>4,009,209<br>352,497<br>3,656,712<br>4,009,209|31.3.22<br>£<br>2,942,180<br>48,387<br>2,990,567<br>9,874<br>694,303<br>710,133<br>1,414,310<br>(810,415)<br>603,895<br>3,594,462<br>3,594,462<br>617,397<br>2,977,065<br>3,594,462|
|---|---|---|



The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

(a) ensuring that the charitable company and group keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and group as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company and group. 

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 03/08/2023 and were signed on its behalf by: 


............................................. S G Marsh – Honorary Treasurer 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

16 



## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

|Charity Balance Sheet<br>31 March 2023<br>Notes<br>**FIXED ASSETS**<br>Tangible assets<br>13<br>Investments<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS**<br>Debtors<br>16<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**CREDITORS**<br>Amounts falling due within one year<br>17<br>**NET CURRENT ASSETS**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**<br>**NET ASSETS**<br>**FUNDS**<br>20<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Restricted funds<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**|31.3.23<br>£<br>2,940,917<br>98,028<br>3,038,945<br>722,407<br>1,105,206<br>1,827,613<br>(855,414)<br>972,199<br>4,011,144<br>4,011,144<br>354,432<br>3,656,712<br>4,011,144|31.3.22<br>£<br>2,942,180<br>48,387<br>2,990,567<br>757,883<br>658,974<br>1,416,857<br>(809,053)<br>607,804<br>3,598,371<br>3,598,371<br>621,306<br>2,977,065<br>3,598,371|
|---|---|---|



The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for 

(a) ensuring that the charitable company and group keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and 

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and group as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company and group. 

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ................... and were signed on its behalf by: 


............................................. S G Marsh - Honorary Treasurer 

The notes form part of these financial statements 

17 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

|31.3.23<br>Notes<br>£<br>**Cash flows from operating activities**<br>Cash generated from operations<br>1<br>500,575<br>Net cash provided by operating activities<br>500,575<br>**Cash flows from investing activities**<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>(10,010)<br>Purchase of fixed asset investments<br>(55,000)<br>Sale of tangible fixed assets<br>-<br>Interest received<br>1,871<br>Net cash used in investing activities<br>(63,139)<br>**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the**<br>**reporting period**<br>437,436<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of**<br>**the reporting period**<br>710,133<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the**<br>**reporting period**<br>1,147,569|31.3.22<br>£<br>490,758<br>490,758<br>(62,146)<br>-<br>-<br>40<br>(62,106)<br>428,652<br>281,481<br>710,133|
|---|---|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

18 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES** 

||||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||£|£|
||**Net income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial**||||
||**Activities)**||414,747|392,303|
||**Adjustments for:**||||
||Depreciation charges||11,273|18,187|
||Losses/(gain) on investments||5,359|(2,558)|
||Interest received||(1,871)|(40)|
||(Decrease)/Increase in stock||(192)|2,649|
||Decrease/(increase) in debtors||24,680|(154,147)|
||Increase in creditors||46,579|234,364|
||**Net cash provided by operations**||500,575|490,758|
|2.|**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS**||||
|||At 1.4.22|Cash flow|At 31.3.23|
|||£|£|£|
||**Net cash**||||
||Cash at bank and in hand|710,133|433,829|1,143,962|
|||710,133|433,829|1,143,962|
||**Total**|710,133|433,829|1,143,962|



The notes form part of these financial statements 

19 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** 

The financial statements of the group and parent charitable company, 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 Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets. 

The Consolidated statements of financial activities (SOFA) and Consolidated balance sheet consolidate the financial statements of the group and its subsidiary undertaking. The results of the subsidiary are consolidated on a line by line basis. 

The Group has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of financial activities in these financial statements. 

## **Going concern** 

Having considered emerging external opportunities and having carefully reviewed operational plans and budgets, funding pipeline, and cash-flow projections for the coming three years, the Trustees are satisfied that the organisation is a going concern and have reported on that basis. 

## **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. 

The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Charity, can be reliably measured. 

Grants are included in the Consolidated statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued. 

On receipt, donated professional services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount it would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable. 

20 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. 

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT. 

## **Raising funds** 

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Group to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading. 

## **Charitable activities** 

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Group's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. 

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost. 

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives. 

Depreciation is provided on the following bases: Freehold property - not provided Improvements to property - 10% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 25% on cost Motor vehicles - 25% on cost Computer equipment - 25% on cost 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. 

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. 

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. 

## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits** 

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme.  Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. 

21 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued** 

## **Investments** 

Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured as cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as "gains/(losses) on investments" in the Consolidated statement of financial activities. 

## **Stock** 

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads. 

## **Debtors** 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 

## **Cash at bank and in hand** 

Cash at bank and 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. 

## **Liabilities and provisions** 

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. 

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. 

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Consolidated statement of financial activities as a finance cost. ‘ 

## **Financial instruments** 

The Group 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. 

## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>Donations<br>63,225<br>Legacies<br>24,649<br>Membership subscriptions<br>383,369<br>Income from Branches<br>12,089<br>483,332|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>199,342<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>199,342|31.3.23<br>31.3.22<br>Total<br>Total<br>funds<br>funds<br>£<br>£<br>262,567<br>129,270<br>24,649<br>487,000<br>383,369<br>393,545<br>12,089<br>5,988<br>682,674<br>1,015,803|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>129,270<br>487,000<br>393,545<br>5,988|
|---|---|---|---|



31.03.2022 - £740,010 Unrestricted, £275,793 Restricted. 

22 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES - continued** 

Shropshire Wildlife Trust depends on vital funds from a range of generous funders. The list below is not exhaustive, but we would like to thank the following: 

Beaver Bridges (for 23/24) DEFRA Environment Agency European Regional Development Fund Friends of Pontesford Hill National Highways Idris & Margaret Jones Charitable Trust Invest in Shropshire The Banister Charitable Trust (for 23/24) The National Lottery Community Fund The National Lottery Heritage Fund John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust Millie's Watch Charitable Trust Mossy Earth Natural England NHS Charities Together Dr. P. Yuille P. Holbourn-Williams Potter Group Environmental Fund (for 23/24) Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Scottish Power Energy Networks Severn Rivers Trust Severn Trent Water Shrewsbury Town Council Shropshire Council Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership Sport England Telford and Wrekin Council Tudor Griffiths Group Veolia Environmental Fund (for 23/24) 

We would like to thank all our members, supporters and fundraisers for their continued support, including those who kindly donated to our 60th Anniversary Appeal, supported Feed the Birds, and the 167 people who sponsored a species. 

Thank you to all our Corporate Partners as well as Kanu Poke, Tanners, Beefy Boys, Clear Design, Caradoc, Vine House Farm and Ludlow Cycling Club. 

We would like to thank the following Taylor Griffiths Group for the time and expertise offered as in-kind support. 

We are also very grateful to the friends and family of those who chose to make in memoriam gifts and funeral donations to Shropshire Wildlife Trust and those who left us legacies, including Rachel Martin, David Miller, Rose Sheldon, Paul Cousins and Dr Niall Kirk. 

|**3.**<br>**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>Trading income<br>40,269<br>Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Ltd<br>72,877<br>113,146|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>8,968<br>-<br>8,968|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>49,237<br>72,877<br>122,114|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>67,556|
|---|---|---|---|
||||67,556|



## 31.03.2022 - £67,556 Unrestricted, £Nil Restricted. 

During the year Shropshire Wildlife Trust have changed their chart of accounts, trading income received by the Trust is now being more accurately reported. 

23 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **4. INVESTMENT INCOME** 

|**INVESTMENT INCOME**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||31.3.23|31.3.22|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
||funds|funds|funds|funds|
||£|£|£|£|
|Deposit account interest|1,871|-|1,871|40|



31.03.2022 - £40 Unrestricted, £Nil Restricted. 

## **5. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** 

|Activity<br>Grants and charitable income<br>A Living Landscape<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Standing up for Wildlife<br>Grants and charitable income<br>People and Wildlife<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Meres and Mosses<br>Grants and charitable income<br>BOG Life<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Rivers<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Planning Searches<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Other Charitable Activity<br>Grants and charitable income<br>New Initiatives<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Development<br>Grants and charitable income<br>People & Wildlife Operations<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Children & Young People<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Communities & wellbeing<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Conservation operations<br>Grants and charitable income<br>SWT Nature reserves<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Habitat & species projects<br>Grants and charitable income<br>Land & water|31.3.23<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>132,961<br>-<br>-<br>6,460<br>-<br>52,855<br>35,332<br>27,642<br>79,040<br>10,000<br>135,493<br>255,536<br>1,349,972<br>2,085,291|31.3.22<br>£<br>122,742<br>24,450<br>243,138<br>-<br>317,491<br>780,508<br>2,950<br>55,451<br>30,580<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
|---|---|---|
|||1,577,310|



£1,602,564 (2022: £943,510) of the above income related to the restricted fund. 

During the year Shropshire Wildlife Trust have changed their chart of accounts, department and project set up which has resulted in presentational differences throughout the financial statements. 

## **6. RAISING FUNDS** 

**Raising donations and legacies** 

|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>Staff costs<br>152,581<br>Membership and recruitment<br>9,590<br>Marketing and event costs<br>4,346<br>Office costs<br>19,075<br>Motor and travel<br>3,053<br>Bank charges<br>4,097<br>Others<br>-<br>Management Charge<br>-<br>Project Development Charge<br>-<br>Contractors<br>548<br>Carried forward<br>193,290|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>152,581<br>9,590<br>4,346<br>19,075<br>3,053<br>4,097<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>548<br>193,290|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>271,707<br>66,758<br>13,317<br>7,842<br>10,184<br>3,045<br>2,305<br>6,000<br>(20,418)<br>9,174|
|---|---|---|---|
||||369,914|



24 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **6. RAISING FUNDS - continued** 

## **Other trading activities** 

||**Other trading activities**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|||funds|funds|funds|funds|
|||£|£|£|£|
||Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Ltd|37,356|-|37,356|62,780|
||Aggregate amounts|230,646|-|230,646|432,694|
||31.03.2022 - £430,048 Unrestricted, £2,646 Restricted.|||||
|**7.**|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**|||||
|||||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|||funds|funds|funds|funds|
|||£|£|£|£|
||A Living Landscape|-|-|-|163,222|
||Standing up for Wildlife|-|-|-|11,465|
||People and Wildlife|-|-|-|315,574|
||Meres and Mosses|-|-|-|-|
||BOG Life|-|127,565|127,565|383,298|
||Rivers|-|-|-|683,445|
||Planning Searches|-|-|-|25,039|
||Other Charitable Activity|251,966|-|251,966|201,487|
||New Initiatives|-|-|-|54,840|
||Development|212,413|-|212,413|-|
||People & Wildlife Operations|27,854|35,694|63,548|-|
||Children & Young People|80,792|34,711|115,503|-|
||Communities and Wellbeing|29,216|57,918|87,134|-|
||Conservation Operations|17,161|50,000|67,161|-|
||SWT Nature reserves|162,199|36,387|198,586|-|
||Habitat and species projects|-|41,610|41,610|-|
||Land and Water|307,184|768,528|1,075,712|-|
|||1,088,791|1,152,407|2,241,198|1,838,370|



31.03.2022 - £1,190,604 Unrestricted, £1,080,460 Restricted. 

25 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **7. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS - continued ANALYSIS OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE** 

|**ANALYSIS OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Raising funds<br>SWT Trading Company<br>Charitable activities|Staff<br>costs<br>£<br>152,581<br>57,941<br>1,087,423<br>1,297,945|Depn<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>11,273<br>11,273|Auditors<br>remun-<br>eration<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>9,500<br>9,500|Other<br>costs<br>£<br>40,709<br>(20,585)<br>1,133,002<br>1,153,126|31.3.23<br>£<br>193,290<br>37,356<br>2,241,198|
||||||2,471,844|



## **8. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)** 

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): 

||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Depreciation - owned assets|11,273|18,670|
|Operating leases|3,660|6,056|
|Auditor's remuneration|9,500|9,025|



## **9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** 

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

## **Trustees' expenses** 

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2023 nor for the year ended 31 March 2022. 

26 



Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **10. STAFF COSTS** 

|**CHARITY**<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>1,009,534<br>Social security costs<br>98,296<br>Other pension costs<br>132,174<br>1,240,004<br>**GROUP**<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>Wages and salaries<br>1,067,475<br>Social security costs<br>98,296<br>Other pension costs<br>132,174<br>1,297,945<br>The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:<br>31.3.23<br>Management<br>6<br>Other staff<br>45<br>51<br>The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was<br>31.3.23<br>£60,001 - £70,000<br>1|31.3.22<br>£<br>861,330<br>65,363<br>119,784|
|---|---|
||1,046,477|
||31.3.22<br>£<br>897,379<br>67,407<br>122,791|
||1,087,577|
||31.3.22<br>6<br>44<br>50<br>:<br>31.3.22<br>-|



During the year, the key management personnel as listed on page 1 received total benefits (including employers pension contributions) of £300,146 (2022: £256,991). 

27 



Notes to the Financial Statements - continued 

for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

## **11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|Notes<br>**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**<br>Donations and legacies<br>2<br>**Charitable activities**<br>5<br>A Living Landscape<br>Standing up for Wildlife<br>People and Wildlife<br>Meres and Mosses<br>BOG Life<br>Rivers<br>Planning Searches<br>Other Charitable Activity<br>New Initiatives<br>Other trading activities<br>3<br>Investment income<br>4<br>**Total**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON**<br>Raising funds<br>6<br>**Charitable activities**<br>7<br>A Living Landscape<br>Standing up for Wildlife<br>People and Wildlife<br>Meres and Mosses<br>BOG Life<br>Rivers<br>Planning Searches<br>Other Charitable Activity<br>New Initiatives<br>**Total**<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**<br>**Transfers between funds**<br>20<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**<br>**Total funds brought forward**<br>As previously reported<br>Prior year adjustment<br>**As restated**<br>**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>740,010<br>122,453<br>24,450<br>60,676<br>-<br>-<br>388,319<br>2,950<br>32,951<br>2,000<br>67,556<br>40<br>1,441,405<br>430,048<br>156,856<br>11,465<br>99,631<br>-<br>-<br>241,698<br>25,039<br>201,487<br>24,380<br>1,190,604<br>2,658<br>253,459<br>77,710<br>331,169<br>286,228<br>-<br>286,228<br>617,397|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>275,793<br>289<br>-<br>182,462<br>-<br>317,491<br>392,189<br>-<br>22,500<br>28,580<br>-<br>-<br>1,219,304<br>2,646<br>6,366<br>-<br>215,943<br>-<br>383,298<br>441,747<br>-<br>-<br>30,460<br>1,080,460<br>-<br>138,844<br>(77,710)<br>61,134<br>2,915,931<br>-<br>2,915,931<br>2,977,065|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>1,015,803<br>122,742<br>24,450<br>243,138<br>-<br>317,491<br>780,508<br>2,950<br>55,451<br>30,580<br>67,556<br>40<br>2,660,709<br>432,694<br>163,222<br>11,465<br>315,574<br>-<br>383,298<br>683,445<br>25,039<br>201,487<br>54,840<br>2,271,064<br>2,658<br>392,303<br>-<br>392,303<br>3,202,159<br>-<br>3,202,159<br>3,594,462|31.3.21<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>441,386<br>238,570<br>24,450<br>302,312<br>21,220<br>188,725<br>739,728<br>7,287<br>74,547<br>75,570<br>38,454<br>165|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,152,414<br>362,027<br>210,061<br>13,193<br>332,446<br>20,220<br>166,574<br>673,424<br>62,541<br>100,192<br>86,203|
|||||2,026,881<br>10,630|
|||||136,163<br>-|
|||||136,163<br>2,968,118<br>97,878|
|||||3,065,996|
|||||3,202,159|



28 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

## **CHARITY** 

|**COST**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Charge for year<br>Eliminated on disposal<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022<br>**COST**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Charge for year<br>Eliminated on disposal<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022|Freehold<br>property<br>and<br>nature<br>reserves<br>£<br>2,906,901<br>-<br>-<br>2,906,901<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,906,901<br>2,906,901<br>Motor<br>vehicles<br>£<br>64,193<br>-<br>-<br>64,193<br>64,193<br>-<br>-<br>64,193<br>-<br>-|Improvements<br>to<br>property<br>£<br>91,392<br>-<br>-<br>91,392<br>70,455<br>3,907<br>-<br>74,362<br>17,030<br>20,937<br>Computer<br>equipment<br>£<br>2,880<br>3,926<br>-<br>6,806<br>720<br>1,702<br>-<br>2,422<br>4,384<br>2,160|Fixtures<br>and<br>fittings<br>£<br>115,522<br>6,084<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||121,606|
||||103,340<br>5,664<br>-|
||||109,004|
||||12,602|
||||12,182|
||||Totals<br>£<br>3,180,888<br>10,010<br>-|
||||3,190,898|
||||238,708<br>11,273<br>-|
||||249,981|
||||2,940,917|
||||2,942,180|



29 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

## **GROUP** 

|**COST**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Charge for year<br>Eliminated on disposal<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022<br>**COST**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**DEPRECIATION**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Charge for year<br>Eliminated on disposal<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022|Freehold<br>property<br>and<br>nature<br>reserves<br>£<br>2,906,901<br>-<br>-<br>2,906,901<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,906,901<br>2,906,901<br>Motor<br>vehicles<br>£<br>64,193<br>-<br>-<br>64,193<br>64,193<br>-<br>-<br>64,193<br>-<br>-|Improvements<br>to<br>property<br>£<br>91,392<br>-<br>-<br>91,392<br>70,455<br>3,907<br>-<br>74,362<br>17,030<br>20,937<br>Computer<br>equipment<br>£<br>2,880<br>3,926<br>-<br>6,806<br>720<br>1,702<br>-<br>2,422<br>4,384<br>2,160|Fixtures<br>and<br>fittings<br>£<br>117,457<br>6,084<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||123,541|
||||105,275<br>5,664<br>-|
||||110,939|
||||12,602|
||||12,182|
||||Totals<br>£<br>3,182,823<br>10,010<br>-|
||||3,192,833|
||||240,643<br>11,273<br>-|
||||251,916|
||||2,940,917|
||||2,942,180|



Included in cost or valuation of land and buildings of both the charity and group is freehold land of £2,906,901 which is not depreciated. 

Included within freehold property and nature reserves of both the charity and group is land with a closing NBV of £570,895 which has been leased on a 99 year lease to Natural England. It has not been deemed appropriate to classify this value as investment property due to the common objectives of the charities and that Shropshire Wildlife Trust does not earn rental income or any other form of capital appreciation. 

30 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **13. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS – CHARITY AND GROUP** 

|**MARKET VALUE**<br>At 1 April 2022<br>Additions<br>Revaluations<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**NET BOOK VALUE**<br>At 31 March 2023<br>At 31 March 2022|Listed<br>investments<br>£<br>48,387<br>55,000<br>(5,359)<br>98,028<br>98,028<br>48,387|
|---|---|



41.33% of the investment value is held within the UK the remainder is held in overseas investments. 

Cost or valuation at 31 March 2023 is represented by: 

|||Listed|
|---|---|---|
|||investments|
|||£|
|Valuation in|2020|(4,736)|
|Valuation in|2021|10,565|
|Valuation in|2022|2,558|
|Valuation in|2023|(5,359)|
|Cost||40,000|
|||98,028|



The company's investments at the balance sheet date in the share capital of companies include the following: 

|**Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Limited**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Registered office: UK||||
|Nature of business: Retail Shop||||
||%|||
|Class of share:|holding|||
|Ordinary shares|100|||
|||31.3.23|31.3.22|
|||£|£|
|Aggregate capital and reserves||(1,933)|(3,907)|
|Profit/(loss) for the year||1,974|8,031|



The charity has a wholly owned trading subsidiary, Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Limited (02452421), which is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company gifts its profits to Shropshire Wildlife Trust. A summary of trading results is shown below. 

|Turnover<br>Cost of sales<br>Gross Profit<br>Admin expenses<br>Other operating income<br>**Operating profit**|31.3.23<br>**£**<br>101,579<br>23,197<br>124,776<br>(122,802)<br>-<br>1,974|31.3.22<br>**£**<br>70,811<br>(18,112)<br>52,699<br>(44,668)<br>-<br>8,031|
|---|---|---|



31 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **14. STOCKS** 

|**GROUP**<br>Finished goods and goods for resale<br>**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>**CHARITY**<br>Trade debtors<br>Amounts owed by group undertakings<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**GROUP**<br>Trade debtors<br>Other debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income<br>**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**<br>**CHARITY**<br>Trade creditors<br>VAT<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>**GROUP**<br>Trade creditors<br>VAT<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income<br>**LEASING AGREEMENTS**<br>Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:<br>Within one year<br>Between one and five years|31.3.23<br>£<br>9,682<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>331,178<br>62,249<br>315,723<br>13,257<br>722,407<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>337,838<br>318,528<br>13,257<br>669,623<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>300,953<br>14,190<br>252,771<br>287,500<br>855,414<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>302,149<br>14,190<br>252,771<br>287,500<br>856,610<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-|31.3.22<br>£<br>9,874<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>227,567<br>78,078<br>441,926<br>10,312<br>757,883<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>242,065<br>441,926<br>10,312<br>694,303<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>178,175<br>17,241<br>432,282<br>181,355<br>809,053<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>179,535<br>17,241<br>432,284<br>181,355<br>810,415<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>4,235<br>-<br>4,235|
|---|---|---|



## **15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

## **16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** 

## **17. LEASING AGREEMENTS** 

32 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **18. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS** 

|**CHARITY**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>Fixed assets<br>209,901<br>Investments<br>98,028<br>Current assets<br>901,917<br>Current liabilities<br>(855,414)<br>354,432<br>**GROUP**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>£<br>Fixed assets<br>209,901<br>Investments<br>98,028<br>Current assets<br>901,178<br>Current liabilities<br>(856,610)<br>352,497<br>**19.**<br>**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**<br>At 1.4.22<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General funds<br>599,897<br>Designated funds<br>17,500<br>617,397<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>2,977,065<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>3,594,462<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General funds<br>1,081,076<br>Designated funds<br>-<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>1,810,874<br>**TOTAL FUNDS**<br>2,891,950|Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>2,731,016<br>-<br>925,696<br>-<br>3,656,712<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>£<br>2,731,016<br>-<br>925,696<br>-<br>3,656,712<br>Net<br>movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>(243,714)<br>-<br>(243,714)<br>658,461<br>414,747<br>Resources<br>expended<br>£<br>(1,319,431)<br>-<br>(1,152,413)<br>(2,471,844)|31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>2,940,917<br>98,028<br>1,827,613<br>(855,414)<br>4,011,144<br>31.3.23<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>2,940,917<br>98,028<br>1,826,874<br>(856,610)<br>4,009,209<br>Transfers<br>between<br>funds<br>£<br>(3,686)<br>(17,500)<br>(21,186)<br>21,186<br>-<br>Gains and<br>losses<br>£<br>(5,359)<br>-<br>-<br>(5,359)|31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>2,942,180<br>48,387<br>1,416,857<br>(809,053)<br>3,598,371<br>31.3.22<br>Total<br>funds<br>£<br>2,942,180<br>48,387<br>1,414,310<br>(810,415)<br>3,594,462<br>At<br>31.3.23<br>£<br>352,497<br>-<br>353,497<br>3,656,712<br>4,009,209<br>Movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>(243,714)<br>-<br>658,461<br>414,747|
|---|---|---|---|



33 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

|**Restricted Funds**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Capital Reserve Account<br>**Net Current Assets**<br>Badger Vaccination Appeal<br>Beavers Project<br>Biodiversity General<br>BogLIFE<br>CaBA SMS<br>Carbon for Curlews<br>Chalk Stream - Abstraction Worfe<br>Clee Hills Tests & Trials Extension<br>Clun Monitoring Partnership<br>Corve Restoration<br>Feed the Birds 2022-23<br>FiPL Corfield<br>Freshwater First<br>Furbers Appeal<br>GCN DLL (NE) Newts<br>Green Influencers Scheme<br>Green Social Prescribing<br>Idris and Margaret Jones Charitable Trust<br>Indirect LMAS<br>Land Acqusition Fund<br>Lightmoor<br>Mossy Earth<br>Nextdoor Nature<br>North Shropshire CP<br>Pam's Pools<br>Pam's Pools Stewardship<br>Earl's & Pontesford Hills<br>Restored Earth Clarity<br>SCT<br>Severn B-lines<br>Shropshire Road Networks Nature Retreats<br>SINNSI ST<br>SPEN NSIP<br>Stoke Brook<br>Strine<br>Tankervile<br>Wesley Brook EA<br>Wilder Marches<br>Wood Lane Again<br>Wood Lane Habitat Enhancements<br>Worfe on the Wildside EA<br>Worfe on the Wildside ST<br>**Total Restricted Funds**|Opening<br>balance<br>2,726,658|Income<br>-|Expenditure<br>(389)|Transfers/<br>gains<br>4,747|Closing<br>balance<br>2,731,016|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||2,726,658|-|(389)|4,747|2,731,016|
||300<br>5,735<br>-<br>(43,644)<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,409<br>(31,803)<br>10,000<br>19,440<br>250,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(1,977)<br>19,897<br>10,000<br>-<br>4,050<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|-<br>199,270<br>2,207<br>132,962<br>8,081<br>4,536<br>8,333<br>28,432<br>4,068<br>26,446<br>44,887<br>15,636<br>163,867<br>-<br>224,879<br>19,642<br>1,800<br>16,204<br>50,000<br>24,450<br>3,810<br>33,115<br>28,495<br>9,230<br>738<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>150<br>9,533<br>13,786<br>19,648<br>100,000<br>75,000<br>-<br>26,897<br>91,000<br>28,217<br>7,477<br>38,078<br>350,000|(300)<br>(7,282)<br>(2,207)<br>(127,464)<br>(8,081)<br>(4,536)<br>(8,333)<br>(21,427)<br>(4,068)<br>(26,446)<br>(30,514)<br>(15,636)<br>(134,785)<br>(214,790)<br>(34,712)<br>(860)<br>(50,000)<br>(16,204)<br>-<br>(13,801)<br>(3,810)<br>(26,543)<br>(29,485)<br>(5,634)<br>(738)<br>(6,680)<br>-<br>(1,784)<br>(4,200)<br>(9,533)<br>(10,786)<br>(19,648)<br>-<br>(75,000)<br>-<br>(26,897)<br>(29,395)<br>(28,217)<br>(7,477)<br>(38,078)<br>(106,672)|-<br>-<br>-<br>20,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,721<br>(10,000)<br>17,111<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(389)<br>990<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(10,000)<br>1,784<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(5,000)<br>-<br>(389)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(389)|-<br>197,723<br>-<br>(18,146)<br>2,000<br>-<br>-<br>7,004<br>-<br>-<br>15,782<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>27,200<br>4,371<br>940<br>200,000<br>-<br>50,000<br>10,649<br>-<br>6,183<br>-<br>1,619<br>-<br>13,217<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>3,000<br>-<br>100,000<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>61,216<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>242,939|
||250,407|1,810,874|(1,152,023)|16,439|925,696|
|||||||
||2,977,065|1,810,874|(1,152,412)|21,186|3,656,712|



34 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

|**Unrestricted funds**<br>Revenue Surplus (GENERAL FUND)<br>GCNDLL (NE) Newts<br>**Unrestricted charity only**<br>**Charity Funds Total**<br>Trading company funds<br>**Total consolidated funds**|Opening<br>balance<br>603,804<br>17,500|Income<br>979,497<br>-|Expenditure<br>(1,219,826)<br>-<br>|Transfers/<br>gains<br>(9,045)<br>(17,500)|Closing<br>balance<br>354,430<br>-<br>-<br>|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||621,304|979,497|(1,219,826)|(26,545)|354,430|
|||||||
||3,598,369|2,790,371|(2,372,238)|(5,359)|4,011,142|
||(3,908)<br>|101,579|(99,605)|-|(1,934)|
||3,594,462|2,891,950|(2,471,843)|(5,359)|4,009,209<br>|



## **Description of funds** 

Pontesford Hill is funds left over from the purchase of the hill in 2015, which we are spending on managing the site. 

BogLIFE is a project that completed September 2022. Funds are claimed retrospectively and this deficit is part of an outstanding claim along with some overspend. The final amount is to be concluded which will be covered by core funds if additional funding cannot be secured for the overspend. Final claim figures were not received in time for completion of accounts and the deficit will be carried forward and concluded in Financial Year 2024. 

## **Transfers between funds** 

During the year transfers between funds have been carried out to accurately reflect the closing balances. 

35 



Shropshire Wildlife Trust 

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 

## **19. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** 

**Comparatives for movement in funds** 

|Prior<br>year<br>At 1.4.21<br>adjustment<br>£<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General funds<br>271,754<br>Designated funds<br>14,474<br>286,228<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>2,915,931<br>**TOTAL CONSOLIDATED FUNDS**<br>3,202,159<br>Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:<br>Incoming<br>resources<br>£<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General funds<br>1,329,786<br>Designated funds<br>111,619<br>1,441,405<br>253,459<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>1,219,304<br>**TOTAL CONSOLIDATED FUNDS**<br>2,660,709|Net<br>movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>198,244<br>55,215<br>253,459<br>138,844<br>392,303<br>Resources<br>expended<br>£<br>(1,134,200)<br>(56,404)<br>(1,190,604)<br>(1,080,460)<br>(2,271,064)|Transfers<br>between<br>funds<br>£<br>129,899<br>(52,189)<br>77,710<br>(77,710)<br>-<br>Gains and<br>losses<br>£<br>2,658<br>-<br>2,658<br>-<br>2,658|At<br>31.3.22<br>£<br>599,897<br>17,500<br>617,397<br>2,977,065<br>3,594,462<br>Movement<br>in funds<br>£<br>198,244<br>55,215<br>138,844<br>392,303|
|---|---|---|---|



## **20. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES** 

Kate Mayne, a Trustee of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust until February 2023, has been appointed as a contractor on the DEFRA tests and trials project. Standard procurement and tendering processes were adhered to in the appointment of the contractor. During the year, Shropshire Wildlife paid Kate Mayne £13,849 (2022: £7,815) in contractor fees. At the year end there was £5,974 (2022: £Nil) outstanding. 

36