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2023-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 213311

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FOR

WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

Deans Chartered Accountants Gibson House Hurricane Court Hurricane Close Stafford ST16 1GZ

WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16
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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 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).

All references to Charity and or Club in this report mean The West Midland Bird Club, charity number 213311. The terms 'Charity' and ‘Club’ are interchangeable in this report.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

In setting the objectives for the charity the trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The aims of the charity are to advance the education of the public in the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of wild birds and wild bird study and to promote the conservation of, and raise public and scientific awareness of, wild birds and their habitat.

OUR RESERVES

The charity manages bird reserves at Belvide and Blithfield reservoirs in Staffordshire, Harborne near the city of Birmingham in the West Midlands and Ladywalk in Warwickshire. We also have access agreement to birdwatch at Gailey Reservoirs in Staffordshire (with kind permission of the Canal & Rivers Trust) and at the Moors Pool at the Upton Warren reserve in Worcestershire (with kind permission of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust).

The charity also has interest in other sites around the region including Grimley, Wildgoose and Patshull.

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Membership rates continued to maintain the high levels reached during the Covid-19 pandemic. With over 2,400 members the subscription income in the year was just under £69,000.

Field meeting attendance has remained high and all trips in the year were thoroughly enjoyed by those members attending. The trips remain very good value for money and are one of the benefits of membership of the club. More recently, the Stafford branch have started to explore the feasibility of arranging field trips, leaving from Stafford.

During the year the club has continued to maintain its core reserves and those other sites where the club has an interest. Furthermore, the club is engaged in discussions regarding various other sites / projects around the region where we may obtain beneficial access arrangements in the future. Watch this space! It is also encouraging to see the club's reputation extending outside of the region with financial support promised to the Fair Isle Bird Observatory rebuild (£15,000) as well as continued support for the Bardsey Bird Observatory student week. The club is also helping, via sponsorship and treasurer time, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Bird Group to replace one of their dilapidated hides at Porth Hellick Pool. It is hoped the new hide will be installed in the autumn of this year and it will proudly display a sponsorship plaque advertising the WMBC.

Some key activities in the year included:

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

Charity income from donations and legacies totalled £85,915 for the year, up from £77,372 in the prior year. The main reason for the increase being an increase in membership subscriptions this current year.

Income support was received from EON in relation to Ladywalk (£10,250). Unfortunately the Rural Payment Agency payment in respect of Belvide was not received and is currently being disputed. No accrual has been made in the accounts due to the uncertainty of receipt.

Expenditure increased overall in the year, driven by a general increase in costs:

Before unrealised gains on investments the charity recorded a net surplus of £678 in the year.

Unrealised gains on investments totalled £13,552 in the year, recouping for the losses made last year and also compensating for inflation. The trustees monitor the performance of the investments and remain satisfied that the funds are well invested. Notably, the investments have increased by a further £10,000 in quarter one of 2024.

After unrealised investment gains the charity recorded a surplus of £14,230 for the year. When taken to reserves the charity has total funds carried forward of £381,118, of which £15,290 is restricted. A very healthy and stable financial position.

Cash in current accounts stood at £90,330 as at 31 December 2023. Post year end the trustees have endorsed the movement of the majority of this balance onto a cash investment platform to enable the club to benefit from higher interest rates on bank accounts. The funds remain in bank accounts with top tier banks and hence there is no change in the risk profile of these funds.

Reserves policy

The trustees have a policy of ensuring that capital funds of the charity never drop belowa level equivalent to six months’ worth of expenditure with no income. Based on the 2023 accounts this would be a level of £48,000. The reserves are well in excess of this base line level.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Charity constitution

The club was formed as the Birmingham Bird Club in 1929. It then went through various name changes and its geographical coverage grew to include the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and The West Midlands. The club became known as the West Midland Bird Club in 1959.

The club was registered as a charity on 19 May 1967 as an unincorporated charity under a deed of trust with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The club rules were set at that time and have since undergone various updates and renewals to keep pace with modern technology and good governance.

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Organisational structure

The charity has three executive trustees - the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the Treasurer. At the next AGMa proposal will be made to replace the Deputy Chair position with the Secretary to bring the club into line with many other similar organisations. There are at least four non-executive, independent trustees at any point in time. At trustee meetings any votes are constitutional as long as there are more non-executive trustees in attendance than executive trustees. Executive trustees may be asked to sit-out a vote if the numbers of trustees at the meeting do not conform to the above ratio.

The day to day running of the club is managed by the Management Committee which is made up of the following roles:

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

213311

Principal address

Gibson House

Hurricane Court Hurricane Close Stafford $T16 1GZ

Trustees

Chair of Trustees and independent - J K Macmillan Independent - Mrs J Jupe (Resigned 30 September 2023) Independent - T J Fallowell Independent - C McShane Executive - R C Broadbent Executive - RN Stonier

Independent Examiner

Deans Chartered Accountants Gibson House Hurricane Court Hurricane Close Stafford ST16 1GZ

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ZS, Abate. 2024 ang signed on its behalf by:

R N Stonier - Trustee

:

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of West Midland Bird Club

| report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of West Midland Bird Club (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination | have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

| have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2: the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

& i J G Hodgkiss Deans Chartered Accountants Gibson House Hurricane Court Hurricane Close Stafford ST16 1GZ Date: sa X mai

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies 2 85,915 - 85,915 77,372
Charitable activities
Activities undertaken directly 10,250 - 10,250 16,573
Investment income 3 222 - 222 80
Total 96,387 - 96,387 94,025
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities 4
Activities undertaken directly 79,830 - 79,830 76,768
Support Costs 15,879 - 15,879 13,775
Total 95,709 - 95,709 90,543
Net gains/(losses) on investments 13,552 - 13,552 (11,616)
NETINCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 14,230 - 14,230 (8,134)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 351,598 15,290 366,888 375,022
TOTALFUNDSCARRIEDFORWARD 365,828 15,290 381,118 366,888

The notes form part of these financial statements

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

BALANCE SHEET

31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
fund funds funds funds
Notes £ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 9 90,181 - 90,181 83,764
Other investments 10 200,561 - 200,561 187,008
290,742 - 290,742 270,772
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 11 16,017 - 16,017 5,238
Cash at bank and in hand 75,040 15,290 90,330 92,960
91,057 15,290 106,347 98,198
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year 12 (15,971) - (15,971) (2,082)
NETCURRENT ASSETS 75,086 15,290 90,376 96,116
TOTALASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 365,828 15,290 381,118 366,888
NETASSETS 365,828 15,290 381,118 366,888
FUNDS 13
Unrestricted funds 365,828 351,598
Restricted funds 15,290 15,290
TOTALFUNDS 381,118 366,888

TOTAL FUNDS

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

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RN Stonier - Trustee
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The notes form part of these financial statements

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’:

° the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery - 10% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 10% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

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

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in the statement of financial activities in other administrative expenses.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
2023 2022
£ £
Donations 4,936 1,535
Gift aid 11,984 11,807
Legacies - 1,882
Subscriptions and permits 68,995 62,148
85,915 77,372
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2023 2022
£ £
Interest receivable - trading 222 80
4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Direct
Costs (see
note 5)
£
Activities undertaken directly 79,830
Support Costs 15,879
95,709

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

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|||||| |---|---|---|---|---| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Ladywalk|reserve|10,504|18,816| |Belvide|reserve|22,735|17,789| |Blithfield|reserve|4,669|4,621| |Harborne|reserve|366|114| |Non|reserve|costs|3,519|9,909| |Solihull|branch|121|436| |Stafford|branch|595|354| |Kidderminster|branch|(45)|=| |Bulletins|27,303|11,248| |Bird|reports|8,369|15,295| |Support|costs|17,573|11,961| |95,709|90,543|

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  1. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

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

Trustees' expenses

There were no_ trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.

7.

COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total| |fund|funds|funds| |£|£|£| |INCOME AND|ENDOWMENTS|FROM| |Donations|and|legacies|77,372|-|77,372| |Charitable|activities| |Activities|undertaken|directly|16,573|-|16,573| |Investment|income|80|-|80| |Total|94,025|-|94,025| |EXPENDITURE|ON| |Charitable|activities| |Activities|undertaken|directly|71,768|5,000|76,768| |Support|Costs|13,775|-|13,775| |Total|85,543|5,000|90,543| |Net gains/(losses)|on|investments|(11,616)|-|(11,616)|

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
Unrestricted Restricted Total
fund funds funds
£ £ £
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (3,134) (5,000) (8,134)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 354,732 20,290 375,022
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 351,598 15,290 366,888
8. INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION FEES
2023 2022
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,040 960
9. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures
Freehold Plant and and
property machinery fittings Totals
£ £ £ £
COST
At 1 January 2023 5,766 48,800 195,962 250,528
Additions - 720 23,228 23,948
At 31 December 2023 5,766 49,520 219,190 274,476
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2023 - 42,896 123,868 166,764
Charge for year - 904 16,627 17,531
At 31 December 2023 - 43,800 140,495 184,295
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 5,766 5,720 78,695 90,181
At31December2022 5,766 5,904 72,094 83,764

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10. OTHER INVESTMENTS

10. OTHER INVESTMENTS
Other
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 January 2023 187,008
Revaluations 13,553
At 31 December 2023 200,561
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2023 200,561
At 31 December 2022 187,008
11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 16,017 5,238
12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2023 2022
£ £
Other creditors 15,971 2,082
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.1.23 in funds 31.12.23
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 351,598 14,230 365,828
Restricted funds
Worcestershire Curlew Group 290 - 290
Fair Isle Bird Observatory 15,000 - 15,000
15,290 - 15,290
TOTALFUNDS 366,888 14,230 381,118

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

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||||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Incoming|Resources|Gains|and|Movement| |resources|expended|losses|in|funds| |£|£|£|’|£| |Unrestricted|funds| |General|fund|96,387|(95,709)|13,552|14,230| |TOTAL|FUNDS|96,387|(95,709)|13,552|14,230| |Comparatives|for|movement|in|funds| |Net| |movement|At| |At|1.1.22|in|funds|31.12.22| |£|£|£| |Unrestricted|funds| |General|fund|354,732|(3,134)|351,598| |Restricted|funds| |Worcestershire|Curlew|Group|290|-|290| |Uffmoor Wood|Project|5,000|(5,000)|-| |Fair|Isle|Bird|Observatory|15,000|-|15,000| |20,290|(5,000)|15,290| |TOTAL FUNDS|375,022|(8,134)|366,888| |Comparative|net|movement|in|funds,|included|in|the|above|are|as|follows:| |Incoming|Resources|Gains|and|Movement| |resources|expended|losses|in|funds| |£|£|£|£| |Unrestricted|funds| |General|fund|94,025|(85,543)|(11,616)|(3,134)| |Restricted|funds| |Uffmoor Wood|Project|-|(5,000)|-|(5,000)| |TOTAL FUNDS|94,025|(90,543)|(11,616)|(8,134)|

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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WEST MIDLAND BIRD CLUB

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 4,936 - 4,936 1,535
Gift aid 11,984 - 11,984 11,807
Legacies - - - 1,882
Subscriptions and permits 68,995 - 68,995 62,148
85,915 - 85,915 77,372
Investment income
Interest receivable - trading 222 - 222 80
Charitable activities
Ladywalk management account 10,250 - 10,250 10,250
Belvide management account - - - 6,323
10,250 - 10,250 16,573
Total incoming resources 96,387 - 96,387 94,025
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Ladywalk reserve 10,504 - 10,504 18,816
Belvide reserve 22,735 - 22,735 17,789
Blithfield reserve 4,669 - 4,669 4,621
Harborne reserve 366 - 366 114
Non reserve costs 3,519 - 3,519 9,909
Solihull branch 121 - 121 436
Stafford branch 595 - 595 354
Kidderminster branch (45) - (45) -
Bulletins 27,303 - 27,303 11,248
Bird reports 8,369 - 8,369 15,295
Support costs 17,573 - 17,573 11,961
95,709 - 95,709 90,543
Total resources expended 95,709 - 95,709 90,543
Netincome 678 - 678 3,482

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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