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2025-03-31-accounts

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

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 2025

for

Shropshire Wildlife Trust

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

CONTENTS

CONTENTS
Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 9
Report of the Independent Auditors 10 to 12
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities 13
Consolidated and Company Balance Sheet 14
Cash Flow Statement 15
Notes to the Financial Statements 17 to 31

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees

Veronica Cossons President Gordon Scorer (elected 12 October 2024) Chair (from 16 October 2024) Roger Owen Chair (to 16 October 2024) Steve Marsh Hon Treasurer Alex Grant Vice-Chair (from 16 October 2024); Hon Secretary (to 16 October 2024) Laurence Kinnersley Hon Secretary (from 16 October 2024) James Drever Andrew Hearle Malcolm Monie Quentin Shaw Iain Diack Rob Paul Mandie Haywood Amanda Craig Lara Richardson Rory Lay (co-opted 22 May 2024, elected 12 October 2024)

Company Registration Number

0729746

Charity Registered Number

212744

Registered Office

193 Abbey Foregate , Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6AH

Company Secretary

Sarah Zacharek

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Richard Grindle

Senior Leadership Team

Fran Lancaster, Head of Policy and Evidence Lucy Povall, Acting Head of Development (maternity cover till January 2025) Helen O’Connor, Head of Development (returned from maternity December 2025) Helen Trotman, Head of People and Wildlife Luke Neal, Head of Landscape Recovery Sarah Zacharek, Head of Finance and Operations Tom Freeland, Head of Nature Reserves

Honorary Advisor

Andy Whyle

Auditors

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

Bankers

HSBC, 33 High Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1SL

Solicitors

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

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SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

INTRODUCTION

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 for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, Financial Reporting Standard 102 (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:

  3. (a) wildlife and its habitats (including terrestrial, marine and aquatic habitats);

  4. (b) areas of natural beauty or heritage;

  5. (c) areas of zoological, botanical, mycological or other biological scientific interest;

  6. (d) areas with geological, geographical, geomorphological, archaeological, physiographical or amenity value in particular, but not exclusively, in ways that further biodiversity.

  7. 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:

  8. (a) the principles and practice of biodiversity and geodiversity conservation;

  9. (b) the principles and practice of sustainable development;

  10. (c) Nature based health and wellbeing initiatives;

  11. (d) Natural capital, and its protection, restoration and value to society; and

  12. (e) Natural solutions for climate change.

  13. 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.

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

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:

Inputs

To enable these activities we have identified four key inputs:

Volunteers are integral to the Trust’s ability to deliver our programmes: they run our branches, help with botanical surveys and monitoring, practical conservation, visitor services, outdoor education and in a variety of other roles.

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.

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SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

This section summarises the aims that the Trust set for itself for FY2025 and beyond, and the progress made towards these aims during the year.

Goal 1 – Nature is in Recovery

We will support Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin councils in the development and implementation of the local nature recovery strategy and nature recovery network, including through habitat survey by SWT volunteers. SWT has led on the drafting of the strategy on behalf of the LNRS partnership. The strategy should be signed off as being ready for public consultation by Natural England in mid-2025.

In 2024-25 we will carry out a captive release of Beavers at the Old River Bed SSSI in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Council. A pair of beavers were released at the Old River Bed in February 2025.

In 2024-25 we intend to acquire a new nature reserve which will help demonstrate how biodiversity net gain (BNG) funding can support conservation aims in the wider landscape. In general we aim to bring all our nature reserves to favourable condition. A new 50-hectare nature reserve was purchased at Betchcott Hill in September 2024, funded by a successful appeal, grants and major donations, and using philanthropic loans which will be repaid from the sale of biodiversity net gain units. Work has started with removal of a conifer covert, with plans developed for conservation grazing, ditch blocking and managed public access. The rewetting works at Charles Sinker Fields were completed.

We will develop our Land Management Advice Service to support more land managers and enable them to take advantage of new funding mechanisms. The three existing farm advisor posts funded by Severn Trent Water (STW) were taken in-house by STW at the end of FY2025. However we have created two new advisor posts to provided bespoke advice to land managers on habitat restoration and ecosystem services.

We will continue to develop and implement habitat and species restoration projects in Shropshire. The three-year ‘Worfe on the Wildside’ project has come to a close delivering 30 hectares of wetlands, 15km of river improved and 42km river unlocked for fish migration. The sister project on the river Strine created 16 hectares of wetlands and four ponds. A further 40 ponds for great crested newts (GCN) were created or restored this year, bringing the total to over 130. The ‘Shropshire Slow the Flow’ project has identified multiple sites across 6 catchments with delivery beginning in FY2026. Severn Valley Water Management Scheme demonstrator projects, ‘Perry & Peatlands’ and ‘Oswestry De-pave’, are established with multiple sites scoped for delivery in FY2026 and the establishment of a Peatland Partnership. Environment Agency funded WEIF projects, aimed at tackling water framework directive failures, have delivered 3 hectares of wetland; 2km of watercourse protected; 70 hectares of field aeration; and a novel floating reed bed island.

We will continue to develop habitat and river restoration projects at scale in the wider bioregion in partnership with other Wildlife Trusts and environmental NGOs through the Wilder Marches initiative and the Severn & Wye Nature partnership (SWN). A bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a Wilder Marches Biosphere Reserve was unsuccessful; we are investigating other potential approaches. SWN business development work continues, centred on the Severn floodplain.

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

We will carry out a programme of improvements to make key sites more welcoming to as diverse an audience as possible. Access works were delivered at Nipstone Rock and Pontesford Hill, and web information improved, but main focus has been starting work on new strategic approach to access and welcome, using RSWT’s Know Before You Go’ principles

We will build on the work of the Nextdoor Nature Project to support more communities taking action for nature in their own area, to the extent that funding permits. We have continued to support community groups including the Telford Central Mosque in the creation of a nature garden.

In partnership with UpRising we will recruit a new cohort of young people from underrepresented and underserved communities for the Environmental Leadership Programme (‘ELP2’), which continues until 2027. They will have the opportunity to co-create and deliver nature connection campaigns in their own communities. The first cohort completed in July 24. 83 people applied, 64 started, of whom 40 were still engaged at the end. 22 online and 6 face to face sessions were delivered at a total of 82 hours and five campaign groups were formed. The programme showed a marked increase in participants identifying as leaders, rising from 45% to 90% along with substantial growth in understanding environmental issues and how to influence related decisions. 82 people started the second cohort which is now nearing completion. RSWT is now the lead partner, not UpRising.

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We will launch a youth forum and continue to make progress against our Team Wilder implementation plan. The youth forum held its first meeting in April 2025. 34 partnerships and coalitions were supported around organising and campaigning.

We will continue to work with school leaders to increase their capacity to provide nature education, as well as providing handson environmental education ourselves. The schools partnership was taken up by 3 schools and supported 539 children and 40 staff. 2,467 children were supported to connect with nature formally and a further 1,210 informally. In addition, 92 teachers received training in taking learning outside.

We will maintain a network of branches and affiliated groups and a large and diverse group of volunteers to support all of our activities. We have 290 active volunteers, who contributed 22,000 hours (equivalent to 15 full-time staff), nine active branches and four affiliated groups. Our branches and groups provide events locally and manage sites for nature. Our volunteers continue to support activities including habitat surveys, education and teacher training, nature reserve management, and running the visitor centre.

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

We will continue to deliver high-quality river and habitat restoration projects including on the Worfe, Strine, Perry and Morda Catchments under the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme, and across Shropshire under ‘Shopshire Slow the Flow 2’. The Worfe and Strine projects were completed; Slow the Flow 2 is under way; the Morda (‘Oswestry de-Pave’) was delayed but is now under way in FY2026.

We will continue to reduce our operational carbon emissions by replacing the remaining petrol and diesel vehicles with electric; and reduce the carbon impact of our conservation grazing by expanding the use of No Fence collars. Grazing emissions fell from 190 to 173 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e). Other operational emissions fell slightly from 2.57 tCO2e to 2.51 tCO2e in FY2025, compared to a baseline of 3.91tCO2e in FY2020.

We will continue to develop Green Social Prescribing capacity in Shropshire; to support local groups to become more resilient and inclusive and support groups to secure capital funds to improve green spaces. The Green Spaces Project has supported 23 organisations in various ways such as obtaining Crowdfunding, setting up Nature Buddies, networking and peer support, promoting their activities, governance and volunteer development. A promotional video was produced to raise awareness of Green Social Prescribing along with a series of short films designed to increase confidence and understanding amongst groups providing activities in nature of Social Prescribing.

Organisational capacity and resilience

We will continue to develop and expand our unrestricted fundraising, with a focus on digital fundraising, membership recruitment, and major donors. In FY 2025 we contracted with South West Wildlife Fundraising Ltd (SWWFL), a company (owned by a group of Wildlife Trusts) who already work with 11 Wildlife Trusts, to take over our membership recruitment function from 1 April 2025. A very successful appeal was run raising £168k towards the purchase of Betchcott Hill.

By 2028 we will expand, upgrade or move our office facilities to provide the best possible facilities for effective collaborative working for all SWT staff. Initial options appraisal has been further refined to set out two main options and detailed plans are being prepared.

We will continue planned improvements to our Information & Communications Technology (ICT), in particular moving our Geographic Information System (GIS) (– a system that analyses & displays geographical reference information) capability & our direct debit software to the cloud so that we can retire the remaining servers.

The employee engagement survey will be repeated in 2025 to monitor progress and identify further opportunities to improve. The survey was run again in March 2025. Overall results showed an improvement against 2023 in almost all aspects, and favourable comparison with the benchmark scores for the charity sector.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Position

During the reporting period income was £3,375k (FY2024: £3,315k) and expenditure was £3,476k. (FY2024: £3,176k). Net expenditure was £95k (FY2024: net income £144k). Total funds at year end decreased from £4,153k to £4,058k, of which £436k were unrestricted and £3,622k restricted (FY2024: £373k unrestricted and £3,780k restricted). The net book value of tangible fixed assets at the year-end stood at £3,820k (FY2024: £2,937k).

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Free reserves at the year end, being total reserves less any restricted funds and tangible fixed assets held by the charity, plus the funds held by the subsidiary company, amounted to £250k surplus (2024: £172k surplus).

Income was very close to plan. Expenditure was slightly less than plan due to core costs savings and to delays on some projects cause mainly by adverse weather. There was a surplus before transfer of £68k on restricted funds, and a deficit before transfer of £163k on unrestricted.

Trading income (retail and room hire) remains stable. Car parking charges have brought £42k annually. Membership and individual giving brought in £741k and corporate partnerships £30k. Major grants secured in FY2025 include £145k from the Banister Trust and £150k from the Daniell Trust for the purchase of Betchcott Hill.

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. We now expect full cost recovery (FCR) on all grants and contracts so that all projects can contribute their fair share of organisational management and support costs. In a few cases this was not achieved in FY2025 because FCR had not been factored into the original funding agreement, but all new grants and contracts include FCR and we expect to receive over 90% of potential FCR in FY2026 and 100% thereafter.

Unrestricted income comes from individual and corporate members, legacies, individual giving, retail, conference room hire, and car parking. This 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; a failure to ensure full cost recovery on projects; 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 Trust’s reserves policy is to maintain free reserves (being total reserves less any restricted and designated funds and tangible fixed assets held) equivalent to between three and six months’ core operating costs, or circa £250-500k. The free reserves include fixed asset investments. As at 1 April 2025 free reserves amounted to £250k (2024: £172k).

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.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS

Goal 1 - Nature is in Recovery

We will help to complete the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Shropshire and will play an active role in providing land managers with advice to help deliver it.

We will continue to develop and implement major habitat restoration projects in third-party land providing multiple benefits including flood management, water quality, carbon storage as well as biodiversity. Delivery of natural flood management (NFM) through Shropshire Council is set to expand with new contracts and we will grow the Peatland Partnership to expand peat restoration in the farmed landscape. There is a Landscape Recovery Project bid being worked up by the Worfe farmer group with backing from Severn Trent that SWT will be a part of.

We will expand our work on species recovery, with the aim of stabilising water vole populations, bringing back bird species including osprey and, and bringing about a wild beaver release within the next three years.

We will continue to improve the condition of our reserves through improved management and monitoring plans, whilst reducing the carbon impact of conservation grazing to the minimum consistent with our conservation goals.

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We will secure new funding through biodiversity net gain (BNG), and other payments for ecosystem services when available, to support the long-term management of SWT’s nature reserves and to promote and demonstrate these mechanisms to other land managers.

We will seek to scale up the impact of our nature recovery work through key partnerships, including ‘Wilder Marches’ and ‘Severn & Wye Nature’.

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

We will recruit and deliver the third and fourth cohorts of the Environmental Leadership Programme, and draw up plans for follow-on work after 2027.

We will develop our youth forum and continue to provide practical conservation opportunities for young people. In the mid term we aim to offer more volunteer opportunities for young people.

We will strengthen our Education and Learning team to increase their impact in formal settings – nurseries and schools and informally with families connecting to nature.

We will continue our community mobilising work with a focus on Telford.

In FY2026 we will bring in a new volunteer management system to enable the expansion of our volunteering programme.

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

We will develop a strategy for accessibility and engagement for all groups and users on our nature reserves by mid-2026; and will implement this on all reserves in the medium term.

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

We will implement natural flood management schemes across Shropshire and a sustainable urban drainage scheme (SUDS) programme in Oswestry, helping to demonstrate their efficacy in order to scale up as part of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme.

We will seek funding to establish the North Shropshire Peatland Partnership on a permanent basis, bringing land managers together to provide carbon storage and flood management at scale.

We will seek to establish sustainable funding mechanisms for wellbeing work through green social prescribing.

Organisational capacity and resilience

With membership recruitment devolved to SWWFL we will focus on enhancing the membership journey using improved database and mailing systems, and on developing other unrestricted income particularly legacies and major donors.

By 2028 we will expand, upgrade or move our office facilities to provide the best possible space for effective collaborative working for all SWT staff, and suitable facilities for the public.

We will continue planned improvements to ICT, in particular moving our GIS capability to the cloud so that we can retire the remaining servers.

We will review and update all SWT policies by mid-2026

We will develop an action plan in partnership with employee champions to further enhance employee engagement. We will provide training in leadership, finance, project management and related skills for all SWT managers.

We will develop an EDI action plan to guide improvements which will include a review of the Trust’s approach to recruitment and selection.

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We will replace the remaining diesel vehicles with electric by the end of FY2026, and all power tools with electric by the end of FY2027.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document and charity constitution

Shropshire Wildlife Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee. In 2022 new 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 8,500 members, in addition to volunteers, branches and affiliated groups helping to drive forward its work, and nature reserves covering 1,014 hectares in 45 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 between 10 and 20 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 Hon 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 handbook.

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 Leadership Team.

Council is supported by committees responsible for finance; personnel; land management; and communications, campaigns and marketing. The Finance Committee includes the President, Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Hon Secretary. CEO, Head of Finance & Operations and Head of Development also attend; 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 Leadership Team. The pay of the Senior Leadership Team is reviewed annually by the Personnel Committee 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.

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 FY2025 we did use a commercial participator, Chef and Brewer for their Golden Nectar promotion. We did not use a professional fund-raiser; we employed membership recruiters to attend public events and carry out door to door recruitment.

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They are closely supervised by SWT management. We did do preparatory work with South West Wildlife Fundraising Limited however, who will fundraise professionally for us in FY2026 .

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 FY2025 we received no complaints about activities by the charity, or by a person on behalf of the charity, for the purpose of fundraising.

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 of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

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 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 hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

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 16 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 17/09/2025

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

JG Scorer - Chair

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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 2025 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).

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.

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:

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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:

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:

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.

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

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

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SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

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 noncompliance 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

17/09/2025 Date: …………………………….

12

13

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

_________________

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities

(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account)

Notes
Incoming from:
Donations and legacies
1
Charitable activities
2
Other Charitable activites
BogLIFE
Development
People & Wildlife Operations
Children & Young People
Communities & Wellbeing
Nature Reserves Operations
SWT Nature Reserves
Wildlife Trust Partnerships
Landscape Recovery
Policy & Evidence
Other trading activities
3
Interest receivable and similar income
4
Other income
5		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025

£'000
£'000
£'000

609
182
791

47
-
47
-
-
-
23
4
27
-
6
6
-
106
106
3
108
111
-
-
-
-
509
509
-
183
183
25
1,389
1,414
1
11
12

116
20
136

20
-
20

-
13
13
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
658
94
752
42
-
42
-
18
18
-
-
-
-
9
9
2
129
131
-
88
88
2
-
2
-
202
202
-
527
527
29
1,366
1,395
-
-
-
105
23
128
20
-
20
-
1
1
2024
Total income 844
2,531
3,375		 858
2,457
3,315
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
Other Charitable activites
BogLIFE
Development
People & Wildlife Operations
Children & Young People
Communities & Wellbeing
Nature Reserves Operations
SWT Nature Reserves
Wildlife Trust Partnerships
Landscape Recovery
Policy & Evidence		 319
-
319

274
-
274
-
-
-
207
5
212
30
8
38
27
182
209
25
142
167
10
-
10
7
296
303
-
354
354
56
1,465
1,521
58
11
69		 264
-
264
229
-
229
-
-
-
190
-
190
16
12
28
26
152
178
27
88
115
35
-
35
14
259
273
3
510
513
29
1,322
1,351
-
-
-
Total expenditure
8		 1,013
2,463
3,476		 833
2,343
3,176
Net gains on investments
15		 6
-
6		 5
-
5
Net (expenditure)/income (163)
68
(95)		 30
114
144
Transfers between funds
19		 226
(226)
-		 (10)
10
-
Net movement in funds 63
(158)
(95)		 20
124
144
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward		 373
3,780
4,153		 353
3,656
4,009
Total funds carried forward 436
3,622
4,058		 373
3,780
4,153

Continuing Operations

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

NB: Nature Reserves Operations was previously known as Conservation Operations. Landscape Recovery was previously known as Land & Water.

14

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
Investments
15		 Group
Charity
£'000
£'000
3,820
3,820
5
5
2025		 Group
Charity
£'000
£'000
2,937
2,937
103
103
2024
Total fixed assets 3,825
3,825		 3,040
3,040
Current assets
Stock
16
Debtors
17
Cash held in CCLA Charities Deposit Fund
Cash at bank and in hand		 13
-
587
610
250
250
561
552		 12
-
907
929
150
150
626
619
Total current assets 1,411
1,412		 1,695
1,698
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
18		 578
576		 582
583
Net current assets 833
836		 1,113
1,115
Total assets less current liabilities 4,658
4,661		 4,153
4,155
Creditors: amounts falling due over one year
18a		 600
600		 -
-
Total net assets
21		 4,058
4,061		 4,153
4,155
Funds
Unrestricted funds
20
Restricted income funds
20		 436
439
3,622
3,622		 373
375
3,780
3,780
Total funds 4,058
4,061		 4,153
4,155

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a) ensuring that the charitable company and group keeps accounting records that comply with section 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 requirement 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.

17/09/2025

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

15

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Group Group Notes 2025
£'000		 2024
£'000
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 22 196 (386)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (915) (6)
Sale of tangible investments 104 -
Sale of tangible fixed assets 30 1
Interest Received 20 20
Net cash provided by investing activities (761) 15
Cash flows from financing activities:
New loans recevied inyear 600
Net cash provided by financing activities 600 -
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting periods 35 (371)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 776 1,147
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 22 811 776

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

16

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

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 trust 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.

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.

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

17

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

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.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Charitable activities

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

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.

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.

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

18

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

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.

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.

Operating Leases

Rentals under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activites on a straight line basis over the lease term.

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.

19

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Notes to the Financial Statements

1. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds 2025 Funds Funds 2024
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Donations 93 182 275 82 94 176
Legacies 122 - 122 188 - 188
Membership Subscriptions 375 - 375 378 - 378
Income from Branches 19 - 19 10 - 10
Total income from donations and legacies 609 182 791 658 94 752
----- End of picture text -----

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:

A & N Daniell Trust Lyth Hill Residents Association Shropshire Charity Concerts
Alan and Karen Grieve Charitable Trust Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust The Banister Charitable Trust
Beaver Bridges Michael and Kate Innes The Lintel Trust
Campaign to Project Rural England Natural England The Millichope Trust
David and Sarah Hardwick National Highways The National Lottery Community Fund
DEFRA Potter Group Environmental Fund The Owen Jenkins Trust
Ecological Restoration Fund Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts The Rowlands Trust
Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust Severn Rivers Trust Tudor Griffiths Group
Environment Agency Severn Trent Water Veolia Environmental Trust
Friends of Pontesford Hill Shrewsbury Town Council Dr P. Yuille
Harbison Charitable Trust Shropshire Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Heart of England Community Foundation Shropshire Hills National Landscape William Cadbury Charitable Trust
John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust Telford & Wrekin Council

We would like to thank all our members, supporters and fundraisers for their continued support, and the 126 people who sponsored a species, as well as a particular thank you to everyone who supported our Betchcott Land Appeal this year

Thank you to all of our Corporate Partners, with special thanks to Platinum Corporate Partners Reconomy, GrowRoom Agency Ltd and Müller Yogurts & Desserts. Thanks also go to Atchams, Caradoc, Kanu Poke, Ludlow Cycling Club, Viridian Nutrition, Greene King/Chef and Brewer and Rowton Brewery.

We would like to thank the following Tudor 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 Ian Lennox, Philip Souster, Jane Tomley, Brenda Jones, John Jackman, Patrick Martin and the estate of Mrs Marsland.

2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
Income from charitable activities:
Other Charitiable Activity
47
-
47
BogLIFE
-
-
-
Development
23
4
27
People & Wildlife Operations
-
6
6
Children & Young People
-
106
106
Communities & Wellbeing
3
108
111
Nature Reserves Operations (previously Conservation)
-
-
-
SWT Nature Reserves
-
509
509
Wildlife Trust Partnerships
-
183
183
Landscape Recovery (previously Land & Water)
25
1,389
1,414
Policy & Evidence
1
11
12
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
42
-
42
-
18
18
-
-
-
-
9
9
2
129
131
-
88
88
2
-
2
-
202
202
-
527
527
29
1,366
1,395
-
-
-
2024
Total income from charitable activities
99
2,316
2,415		 75
2,339
2,414

3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Income from other trading activities:
Trading Income
Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Ltd		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
14
20
34
102
-
102
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
21
23
44
84
-
84
2024
Total income from other trading activities 116
20
136		 105
23
128

20

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

4. INTEREST RECEIVABLE AND SIMILAR INCOME

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds 2025 Funds Funds 2024
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Income from investments:
Deposit Account Interest 20 - 20 20 - 20
Total income from investments 20 - 20 20 - 20
----- End of picture text -----

5. OTHER INCOME

5. OTHER INCOME
Other income
Profit on sale of fixed assets		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
-
13
13
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
-
1
1
2024
Total other income -
13
13		 -
1
1

6. EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS

6. EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS
Rasing donations and legacies
Staff Costs
Membership & recruitement
Marketing and event costs
Motor &Travel
Bank Charges
Others
Branch Expenditure
Shropshire Wildlife Trading Company Ltd		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
130
-
130
39
-
39
20
-
20
3
-
3
1
-
1
2
-
2
21
-
21
103
-
103
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
128
-
128
16
-
16
18
-
18
4
-
4
3
-
3
2
-
2
8
-
8
85
-
85
2024
Total expenditure on raising funds 319
-
319		 264
-
264

7. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Expenditure on charitable activities by fund
Other Charitiable Activity
BogLIFE
Development
People & Wildlife Operations
Children & Young People
Communities & Wellbeing
Nature Reserves Operations (previously Conservation)
SWT Nature Reserves
Wildlife Trust Partnerships
Landscape Recovery (previously Land & Water)
Policy & Evidence		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2025
£'000
£'000
£'000
274
-
274
-
-
-
207
5
212
30
8
38
27
182
209
25
142
167
10
-
10
7
296
303
-
354
354
56
1,465
1,521
58
11
69
2025		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
229
-
229
-
-
-
190
-
190
16
12
28
26
152
178
27
88
115
35
-
35
14
259
273
3
510
513
29
1,322
1,351
-
-
-
2024
Total expenditure on charitable activities 694
2,463
3,157		 569
2,343
2,912

21

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

8. TOTAL EXPENDITURE

----- Start of picture text -----
2025
Staff Depn Auditors Other Total
costs Remuneration costs 2025
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Raising Funds 130 - - 86 216
SWT Trading Company 69 - - 34 103
Charitable activities 1,409 15 13 1,720 3,157
Total expenditure 1,608 15 13 1,840 3,476
----- End of picture text -----

Comparative information:
Raising Funds
SWT Trading Company
Charitable activities		 Staff
Depn
Auditors
Other
Total
costs
Remuneration
costs
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
128
-
-
51
179
63
-
-
22
85
1,243
10
16
1,643
2,912
2024
Total expenditure 1,434
10
16
1,716
3,176

9. NET INCOME / EXPENDITURE

Total Expenditure includes: 2025 2024
£'000 £'000
Operating lease rentals:
Operating Leases
Land & buildings - -
Cars & office equipment 12 7
Auditor's remuneration:
Auditor's remuneration		 12 12
Depreciation:
On owned assets		 15 10
Payments to Trustees:
Trustees expenses		 - -

10. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trusteees' expenses

There was a total of £nil (2024: £173) trustee expenses paid to no Trustees (2024: one trustee) for the year ended 31 March 2025 .

22

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

11. STAFF COSTS

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
The movement in the year is after charging: Note £'000 £'000
Charity
Wages and salaries 1,308 1,156
Social security costs 120 112
Pension costs 28 111 103
1,539 1,371
Group
Wages and salaries 1,368 1,219
Social security costs 124 112
Pension costs 116 103
Total 1,608 1,434
The average number of employees, calculated on a head count 2025 2024
basis, analysed by function was: Number Number
Management 7 6
Other Staff 55 48
Total staff (Headcount) 62 54
The number of employees whose emoluments (including taxable benefits in kind but 2025 2024
excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000, was as follows: Number Number
£60,001 - £70,000 - 1
£70,001 - £80,000 1 -
----- End of picture text -----

During the year, the key management personnel as listed on page 1 received total benefits (including employer pension contributions) of £372,163 (2024: £329,674).

23

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

12. SUBSIDIARY COMPANY

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

Profit and loss account

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
£'000 £'000
Turnover 102 91
Cost of sales (25) (19)
Gross profit 77 72
Administrative expenses (78) (72)
-
Operating profit / (loss) (1)
Interest received - -
- -
Profit / (loss) for the year
Assets, liabilities and funds
Assets 52 34
Liabilities (55) (36)
Total net assets and shareholder's funds (3) (2)
----- End of picture text -----

13. SWT CHARITY RESULTS (EXCLUDING SUBSIDIARY)

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |The summarised results of the parent charity are as follows:|£'000|£'000| |Total incoming resources|3,273|3,231| |Total resources expended|(3,367)|(3,092)| |Net incoming resources|(94)|139| |Net gains/(losses) on investments|6|5| |Net movement in funds|(88)|144| |Funds brought forward|4,155|4,011| |Funds carried forward|4,067|4,155|

----- End of picture text -----

24

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

----- Start of picture text -----
2025
Freehold Improvments Fixtures, fittings Totals
property and to and equipment
nature reserves property motor vehicles
Charity £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Cost
1 April 2,907 91 194 3,192
Additions 915 - - 915
Disposals (17) - - (17)
31 March 3,805 91 194 4,090
Depreciation
1 April - 78 177 255
Disposals - - - -
Charge for the year - 3 12 15
31 March - 81 189 270
Net book value
Preceeding 31 March 2,907 13 17 2,937
31 March 3,805 10 5 3,820
----- End of picture text -----

Group
Cost
1 April
Additions
Disposals		 Freehold
Improvments
Fixtures, fittings
Totals
property and
to
and equipment
nature reserves
property
motor vehicles
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
2,907
91
196
3,194
915
-
-
915
(17)
-
-
(17)
2025
31 March 3,805
91
196
4,092
Depreciation
1 April
Disposals
Charge for the year		 -
78
179
257
-
-
-
-
-
3
12
15
31 March -
81
191
272
Net book value
Preceeding 31 March		 2,907
13
17
2,937
31 March 3,805
10
5
3,820

Included in cost or valuation of land and buildings of both the charity and group is freehold land of £3,790k (2024: £2,907k) which is not depreciated. New addition to Freehold Property & nature reserves is the purchase of Betchcott Hill (£915k).

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.

25

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

15. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - CHARITY AND GROUP

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
Investments in subsidiaries £'000 £'000 £'000
Other investments reflects holdings at market value 5 5 103 103
Total investments 5 5 103 103
----- End of picture text -----

Analysis of movements in other investments
Group and charity
Market value at 1 April
Add: Additions at cost
Less: Disposal proceeds
Revaluations		 Unrestricted
Total
Funds
2025
£'000
103
103
-
-
(104)
(104)
6
6
2025		 Unrestricted
Total
Funds
2024
£'000
£'000
98
98
-
-
-
-
5
5
2024
Market value at 31 March 5
5		 103
103

Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is represented by:

Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is represented by:
Listed
Investments
Cost 5
5

100% (2024: 70.27%) of the investment value is held witin the UK the remainder is held in overseas investments.

16. STOCK

Stock Group
Charity
£'000
13
-
2025		 Group
Charity
£'000
£'000
12
-
2024
Total stock 13
-		 12
-

17. DEBTORS

17. DEBTORS
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade debtors
Amounts due from group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and income receivable		 Group
Charity
£'000
544
515
-
52
35
35
8
8
2025		 Group
Charity
£'000
£'000
836
854
-
6
38
36
33
33
2024
Total 587
610		 907
929

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

26

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

18. CREDITORS

----- Start of picture text -----
2025 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
Amounts falling due within one year £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Trade creditors 453 451 242 243
VAT 15 15 69 69
Other creditors 107 107 241 241
Tax and social security - - 27 27
Accruals 3 3 3 3
Total 578 576 582 583
18a. CREDITORS 2025 2024
Group Charity Group Charity
Amounts falling due after more than one year £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Loans 600 600 - -
Total 600 600 - -
----- End of picture text -----

£600k of Philanthropic loans were taken out for the purchase of Betchcott Hill. This purchase will allow us to provide Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units, a potentially significant new income stream. The loans are interest free for the first 12 months and we are confident that sales from BNG will clear them.

19. ANNUAL OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS

Total operating lease commitments of the group
and charity:
Within one year
Between one and five years		 Land &
buildings
Other
£'000
£'000
-
10
-
3
2025		 Land &
buildings
Other
£'000
£'000
-
10
-
12
2024
Total -
13		 -
22

27

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

----- Start of picture text -----
2025
Balance Movement in Funds Balance
1 April Incoming Expended Transfers 31 March
Restricted Funds (a) 2024 resources in year in year 2025
Fixed Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Capital Reserve Account 2,736 (17) - 915 3,634
Total restricted fixed asset funds 2,736 (17) - 915 3,634
Net Current Assets (b)
Beavers 72 25 (76) - 21
Biodiversity Net Gain 50 501 (34) (915) (398)
CaBA SMS 6 7 (4) - 9
De-pave - 59 (53) - 6
Earl's & Pontesford Hills 6 - (6) - -
Environmental Leadership Programme 35 100 (128) - 7
Feed the Birds 19 - (21) - (2)
GCN DLL (NE) Newts 29 95 (78) (46) -
Green Spaces Project - 34 (32) - 2
Land Management Advice Projects 106 390 (460) 4 40
Landscape Recovery Contracts 282 513 (578) (218) (1)
Local Nature Reecovery Strategy - 11 (11) - -
Lightmoor 19 24 (18) - 25
Llynclys Quarry - 8 (3) - 5
Natural Childhood Projects 73 25 (55) 29 72
Nature Reserves 100 135 (183) - 52
Perry & Peatlands - 65 (65) - -
Project FINCH 63 128 (169) - 22
Shropshire Road Networks Nature Retreats - 51 (51) - -
Sinkers Fields 88 - (56) - 32
SINNSI 6 - (5) - 1
Slow the Flow 2 (3) 91 (53) - 35
Wilder Marches 64 - (28) - 36
Severn & Wye Nature - 30 (25) - 5
Telford Communities 9 81 (88) 5 7
Wood Lane Projects - 6 (6) - -
Woodland Restoration Project 20 - (8) - 12
Water Environmanet Investment Fund Projects - 169 (169) - -
Total restricted revenue funds 1,044 2,548 (2,463) (1,141) (12)
Total Restricted Funds 3,780 2,531 (2,463) (226) 3,622
Unrestricted Funds
Revenue Surplus (GENERAL FUND) 375 718 (889) 235 439
Land Management Advice Service - 24 (21) (3) -
Unrestricted charity only 375 742 (910) 232 439
Charity Funds Total 4,155 3,273 (3,373) 6 4,061
Trading company funds (2) 102 (103) - (3)
Total consolidated funds 4,153 3,375 (3,476) 6 4,058
----- End of picture text -----

The Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) restricted reserve account closing deficit of £398k relates to the funding and purchase of Betchcott Hill and its subsequent inclusion in tangible fixed assets and the capital reserve account. The purchase of Betchcott hill was also in part funded by £600k of philanthropic loans which are included within creditors due after more than one year.

It is anticipated that in future years the proceeds of the sale of Biodiversity Net Gain(BNG) units, generated by the Betchcott site will clear the deficit on the account, repay the philanthropic loans and help to support the charitable activities of the trust.

28

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Comparative information:
Restricted Funds
Fixed Assets (a)
Capital Reserve Account		 Balance
1 April
2023
£'000
2,731		 Balance
Incoming
Expended
Transfers
31 March
resources
in year
in year
2024
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
-
-
5
2,736
2024
Movement in Funds
Total restricted fixed asset funds
Net Current Assets
Accessibility
Beavers
Biodiversity General
BogLIFE
CaBA SMS
Carbon for Curlews
Clee Hill Test & Trials Extension
Earl's & Pontesford Hills
Embedded Learning
Enrichment Wildplay Workshops
Environmental Leadership Programme
Feed the Birds
GCN DLL (NE) Newts
Green Influencers Scheme
Green Social Prescribing
Green Spaces Project
Hazledene
Hedgerow Heroes 3
Nature Reserves Fund
Land Acquisition Fund
Lightmoor
Llynclys Quarry
Nextdoor Nature
Pam's Pools
Project Finch
Reserves General
Roden
School Fees
Shrewsbury Beaver Engagement
Shropshire Road Networks Nature Retreats
Sinkers Fields
SINNSI
Slow the Flow 2
Stoke Brook
Strine
Swire
ST WT CP
Telford Communities
Telford Schools and Young People
Unmuddying the Waters 2		 2,731
-
198
-
(18)
2
-
7
13
-
-
-
15
27
4
1
-
-
-
200
50
11
-
6
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
-
100
-
62
-
-
-
-		 -
-
5
2,736
-
(24)
24
-
20
(157)
-
61
3
(3)
-
-
18
-
-
-
8
(4)
-
6
58
(58)
-
-
37
(44)
-
-
-
(7)
-
6
4
(22)
18
-
8
(1)
-
7
128
(93)
-
35
37
(33)
-
19
226
(224)
-
29
-
(13)
9
-
-
(1)
-
-
1
(1)
-
-
113
(7)
-
106
18
(18)
-
-
-
-
(100)
100
-
-
-
50
24
(16)
-
19
8
(8)
-
-
52
(49)
-
9
9
(11)
-
(1)
63
-
-
63
109
(147)
38
-
38
(38)
-
-
13
(24)
11
-
11
-
-
11
46
(46)
-
-
278
(190)
-
88
14
(11)
-
6
-
(3)
-
(3)
-
(100)
-
-
300
(149)
-
151
109
(106)
-
65
284
(284)
-
-
-
(5)
5
-
66
-
-
66
25
(25)
-
-

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST

29

Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

Net Current Assets (continued.)
Wood Lane Habitat Enhancements
Woodlane Restoration Project
Worfe on the Wildside EA
Worfe on the Wildside ST		 Balance
1 April
2023
-
-
-
243		 Incoming
Expended
Transfers
resources
in year
in year
9
(9)
-
20
-
-
50
(50)
-
250
(362)
-
2024
Movement in Funds		 Incoming
Expended
Transfers
resources
in year
in year
9
(9)
-
20
-
-
50
(50)
-
250
(362)
-
2024
Movement in Funds		 Incoming
Expended
Transfers
resources
in year
in year
9
(9)
-
20
-
-
50
(50)
-
250
(362)
-
2024
Movement in Funds		 Balance
31 March
2024
-
20
-
131
Total restricted revenue funds 925 2,457 (2,343) 5 1,044
Total Restricted Funds 3,656 2,457 (2,343) 10 3,780
Unrestricted Funds £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Revenue Surplus (GENERAL FUND)
Land Management Advice Service
Wild Play		 355
-
-		 727
29
18		 (702)
(29)
(18)		 (5)
-
-		 375
-
-
Unrestricted charity only 355 774 (749) (5) 375
Charity Funds Total 4,011 3,231 (3,092) 5 4,155
Trading company funds (2) 84 (84) - (2)
Total consolidated funds 4,009 3,315 (3,176) 5 4,153

(a) Restricted fixed assets funds : are represented by freehold properties or other fixed assets gifted or donated to the Charity, or purchased or renovated by funds raised, grants and donations for the projects.

The balances on restricted capital funds in respect of depreciating assets are reducing at the same rate as the assets depreciated.

(b) Restricted income funds: are represented by funds raised, donations and grants recieved less expenditure incurred for restricted income projects.

Project Headings were revised in FY2025. Given the increasing complexity of the organisation, it was concluded to simplify the projects into a condensed list.

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.

Transfers between funds

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

30

SHROPSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST Annual Reports & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025

21. ANALYSIS OF GROUP NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:

----- Start of picture text -----
2025
Unrestricted Total
Restricted
General Designated Funds
Group Note £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Tangible fixed assets 14 186 - 3,634 3,820
Investments 15 5 - - 5
Fixed assets 191 - 3,634 3,825
Stock 13 - - 13
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 17 587 - - 587
Cash and bank 223 - 588 811
Current assets 823 - 588 1,411
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 578 - - 578
Current liabilities 19 578 - - 578
Creditors: amounts falling due over one year - - 600 600
Total net assets 436 - 3,622 4,058
----- End of picture text -----

Comparative information:
Group
Tangible fixed assets
Investments		 Total
General
Designated
Funds
£'000
£'000
£'000
£'000
201
-
2,736
2,937
103
-
-
103
2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Fixed assets
Stock
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
Cash and bank
Current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Current liabilities		 304
-
2,736
3,040
12
-
-
12
597
-
310
907
(143)
-
919
776
466
-
1,229
1,695
-
397
-
185
582
397
-
185
582
Total net assets 373
-
3,780
4,153