Charity Re<i8tratlon No. 214927
Company Reg1s1r￿10n No. 738693 (England &Wal8sl
THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
REPORTOFTHETRUSTEESAND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
LEGALAND ADMINISTRATION
Trustees
M Argo (appointed 281111241
R Collins
J Dennington lappointed 281111241
S Javid (appointed 28/11/241
S Judd (retired 281111241
C Neame
J Richards
J Roscoe
S Sanderson (appointed 281111241
B Stothart Ichairl
C Swarbrick
S Williams
Secretary
Charlotte Harris
Chief Executive
Charlotte Harris
Registered office
Bickley Hall Farm
Bickley
Malpas
Cheshire
SY14 8EF
Charity number
214927
Company number
738693
Auditors
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Ch3rtered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
3, Floor
44 Peter Street
Manchester
M2 5GP
Bankers
CAF Bank
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME194JQ
Solicitors
Excello Law
One City Place
Queens Road
Chester
CHI 3BQ

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
CONTENTS PAGE
Page
Chairfs Report
Trustees, Report
Independent Auditor's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
5-18
19-23
24
Balance Sheet
25
Statement of Cash Flow
26
Notes to the Accounts
27-43

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
CHAIR'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
2024125 has been another good year for Cheshire Wildlife Trust. CWT continues to work for people,
wildlife and nature in Cheshire, Wirral, Stockport. Trafford, Tameside, Warrington and Halton. There
are many examples in thi5 report which show the impact of that work,. making more space for nature
and wildlife, and engaging and energising more people to art for its recovery. Notably, the TrLJSt
managed and influenced over 3,000 hectares of land and reached almost 250,000 people. During the
vear we a150 reviewed our strategy (to be published in due course), ensuring that we remain focused
on the actions that deliver the greatest impact and continue to be a resilient organisation.
CWT is in good financial health, showing a surplus for the ninth successive year. Cash now stands at
just over £2m, of which 45% is restrirted or designated for specific purposes, and we have unrestricted
financial reserves equivalent to 6 months, essential operating expenditure.
The Trust received a legacy of £600k during 2024125 from David Aldred for land acquisition. CWT is
very grateful for all legacies and donations received which support our work. Accounting rules
determine that such receipts are accounted for in the period they are received, which somewhat
inflates our income for this year. Much of the legacy from David Aldred has been used to support the
purchase of land, completed after I" April 2025, at Picton near Chester and at Erwin's Lane near
Macclesfield, and some remains to support future purchases. The land at Erwin's Lane has been
renamed Aldred's Lea in memory of David.
This will be my final report as Chair, having served the maximum period of nine years as a Trustee, of
which the last seven were as Chair. I would like to thank the Trust's staff, volunteers, all sUPPOrters
and my fellow Trustees for their contributions and commitment both this year and throughout my
time as Chair.
We need more spocefor wildlife, t7nd more people on noture's side
Bill Stothart
Chair
Date.. 29 September 2025

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the audited accounts for the year
ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention and in accordance with Charities SORP IFRS 1021 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 IFRS 1021 lefFective
l January 20191.
Overview
Cheshire Wildlife Trust is the only charity dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places in
the Cheshire region.
Formed in 1962 by volunteers, Cheshire Wildlife Trust is one of 46 independent charities, which
together form the UK-wide Wildlife Trust movement. The Trust benefits from the support of 17,500
members and over 700 volunteers, is governed by a ten-strong Board of Trustees and currentlv
employs 60 dedicated staff. We are passionate about securing a future for local wildlife on land and at
sea and work as part of the Wildlife Trust movement to influence decision making for nature at the
highest level nationally.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited is required by charity and company law to act within the objects of its
Memorandum of Association, which are as follows..
l. To promote and deliver the conservation, protection, improvement and expansion of the
physical and natural environment, for the benefit of wildlife and the public of the United
Kingdom,. particularly in the Vice County 58 (the traditional County Palatine of Chester) and
adjacent areas.
2. To advance the education and engagement of the public in the principles and practice of-
Biodiversity conservation and enhancement;
b. Sustainable living and development,.
Nature-based health and wellbeing initiatives,. and
d. Natural capital, and its protection, restoration and value to society.
3. To promote research in all branches of relevant scientific study and to publish the useful
results thereof.
Our 2030 Strategy: Wilder Cheshire is available on our website..
htt
www.cheshirewildlifetrust.or
2030str3te
with a SLJmmar
Public benefit statement
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the dutie5 in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to
have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and PLJblic
Benefit, The Trust's public benelit is enshrined in its charitable objerts.

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Our vision is for a Wilder Cheshire
Our mission is to bring wildlife back - for everyone, everywhere.
Our strategytackles three crises:
l. Wildlife crisis- Let's fight for wildlife's recovery.
Nature today is not normal. Since the 1930s, species-rich wildflower meadows have become virtually
extinct; since the 19505, we have lost over half the abundance of all species across the UK; since the
1970s, there's been 3 60% fall in vertebrates globally. Elsewhere, recent reports tell us that insect
populations have collapsed by 75% between 1990 and 2014. In the UK, we have lost half of our
farmland birds in one generation. Cheshire is not immune to these trends and less than IO% of our
region is protected for wildlife.
Outcome.. At leost30% of the lond ond seo in Cheshire needs to be monagedfor noture so thut missing
wildlife will return. We want to see more fJnd better connected wild spaces ond the pressures on the
environment reduced.
2. Climate crisis- Levs make nature part of the solution.
We are facing a climate crisis and nature is a big part of the solution. Healthy ecosystems and restored
habitats will help us play our part in delivering the UN'S Paris Agreement to tackle the climate
emergency. Our peatlands, woodland and wetlands, if restored, can protect us. These habitats store
carbon, cool our towns and help control flooding as well as supporting our economy and wellbeing.
Our utility bills are higher because we need to clean our water. Our food bills are rising because farminE
is not Sustainable. The costs of flood damage are devastating where nature'5 defences fail.
Outcome.. Resilient nature will help combat climote change. We rjeed more carbon to be locked up in
our plants arjd soils ond to restore broken ecosystems.
3. Nature connection deficit- Levs have more people on nature's side.
Our disconnect with nature is snowballing with each passing generation. New generations grow up
ever more distant from the natural world. They do not miss it when it disappears, and so it continues
to slip away unnoticed. When we lose our connection with nature, mental health problems, obesity
and isolation rise. We need at least l in 4 people to be taking visible and meaningful action for nature
in order to achieve 3 social tipping point. We need caring for and protecting nature to be a normal
part of everyday life and the decisions we take. Only then will we start to see nature recover.
Outcome.. Our wellbeAng and economy rely on a heolthy, notural environment. We need everyone to be
possionate about wildlife and at least l in 4 people to be toking actionfor nature s recovery.

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Strategic report
The information below, including the review of achievements and performance, fi'nancial review, risk
management statement and summary of future plans, forms the Strategic Report for the purpose of
the Companies Act 2006.
Achievements and performance
Our charitable objects are the drivers behind our 2030 strategic framework. Our achievements and
performance are reported against each of the three strategic outcomes and we also report on a fourth
underpinning objective to ensure that Cheshire Wildlife Trust is effective and resilient.
Wlldllfe and cllmate are In crlsls
In the year ended 31 March 2025, Cheshire Wildlife Trust transformed 140 spaces for nature across a
total of a 3,032 hectares.
Outcome: 30% of land in Cheshire is
ood for nature
We completed the Severn Trent Water funded Environmental Measures on the Aldford Brook IEMABI
project, creating and restoring a range of wetland habitats including ponds, scrapes, ditches and
riparian corridors across 15ha of the Barnston Estate and Green Farm.
Forty-two hectares is our lucky number for woodland creation,. for a second year running we have
created another 42ha of new woodland with Defra Trees for Climate funding. New woodland sites
included a second agroforestry scheme covering 10.5ha, sites where natural regeneration was
prioritised and others where the diversity of species planted was chosen to give maximum benefit for
wildlife.
We created and restored 35 more ponds for great crested newts, mitigating for losses due to
development, bringing the total from the District Level Licensing Scheme to date to 355.
Sixty-five hectares of wildflower meadow were created and restored to provide a welcome boost for
pollinators. This is the most we've created in one year since we launched our Pollinating Cheshire
project, with the increase thanks to grant funding. The project was sUPPOrted by additional grant
funding from National Highways, Networks for Nature fund and planning compensation funds
distributed by the Local Authorities.
During the year we increased capacity within our plant nursery at Bickley Hall Farm, which now
supplies plug plants and trees, grown from Cheshire seed, to our habitat creation projects.
We delivered land management advice to a variety of private, corporate and agricultural land
managers and owners to b005t the biodiversity value of approximately 840ha of land. This included a
contract to monitor the condition of protected sites on behalf of Natural England, creation of a Nature

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Recovery Plan for the Daresbury Laboratory Science Park, as well as advice to farmers, landowning
estates and smallholders.
We completed our Dee Treelines project, which saw the creation and improvement of 40km of
hedgerow for wildlife.
We secured funding from the Environment Agency for a natural flood management project at Newhall
Farm in the Wirral in partnership with Wirral Council.
Nature reserves were managed in line with our plans to restore and maintain priority habitats. During
the year we carried out baseline surveys and created a restoration plan for our new 51te, Greenbooth
Nature Reserve, which was purchased using donations from our 60, anniversary appeal. At our13rgest
reserve, Gowy Meadows, a Species Recovery grant enabled 3km of habitat improvement for water
voles and 2.5km of habitat creation to support wading birds. We further improved access at Hatchmere
Nature Reserve and held regular work parties across our sites to manage scrub encroachement and to
control invasive species. We agreed a management contract with Royal Liverpool Golf Club to secure
the future of Red Rocks Marsh and continued the restoration of Saltersford Farm using Biodiversity Net
Gain contributions.
Outcome: Declinin
ecies are recoverin
The completion of the RiverThrive project has seen the creation and restoration of approximately
121ha of wetland habitat along the River Gowy to benefit water voles and European eels, including
the creation of 40 ponds, eight scrapes, 2ha of reedbed, 5.3km of new buffer strips and 3.5km of new
ditches.
Through the Southwest Peak Curlew Recovery Partnership we continue to engage citizen scientists to
monitor wader nests across the Peak District and create farm wader plans with landowners. New
scrapes have been created and are already attracting breeding waders, which helps support the long-
term recovery of this threatened species.
reptile recovery strategy has been created acros5 the Sandstone Ridge and Delamere Living
Landscape, which will inform future species recovery progr3mmes across the landscape.
Research is underway to understand coastal change in the Dee Estuary and model future habitat
change, which potentially impacts on the natterjack toad population.
Our beavers at the Hatchmere enclosure continued to attract interest across Cheshire, with over 500
people attending guided visits.
Outcome: 31VA of land is
rotected for nature
During the year a process arising from the Environment Act 2021 to produce Local Nature Recovery
Strategies ILNRSI was the focus of our work towards this outcome. In collaboration with RECORD, the
local biological records centre for the Cheshire region, we successfully tendered for and then led the
creation of a new landcover map for Cheshire and Warrington. This included modellinE habitat

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
connectivity and identifying potential areas for restoration and creation so that future action by a wide
range of stakeholders can focus their efforts to achieve the greatest impact for nature.
The project involved digitsl mapping of habitat data from 15 years of Local Wildlife Site surveys,
gathering data from a wide range of sources and extensive consultations with stakeholders on the
methodologies to map the priority measures. This project also enabled a review of the state of nature
in Cheshire and the creation of an up-to-date description of the region's wildlife and how and why it
has changed over the last 80 years. We also fed into the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester
LNRSS. These strategies will be published in 2025.
We made it easier for the public to respond to planning applications affecting natLJre by reviewing and
updating the resources on our website. We supported communities in protecting habitats by
producing environmental reports or maps for Weston, Basford and Crewe Green and Churton
Neighbourhood Plans in alignment with new planning policies. We co-led 6 training courses through
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management ICIEEMI for Local Authority decision
makers, ecologists and practitioners and gave talks to parish councils and community groups on
planning related matters.
Over the year we provided management advice for 16 Local Wildlife Sites. ranging from tree planting
queries and reviewing management plans to full survey/advice visits. We also carried out data audits
to ensure that accurate information relating to Local Wildlife Sites was available to local partnerships.
We influenced 14 major planning proposals Icovering 96ha of landl, including large infrastructure
projects such as HyNet, to ensure nature doesn't lose out. We convened a group of eNGOs to align our
advocacy and formal responses to the Mersey Barrage proposals and raise awareness of potential risks
to wildlife posed by the proposals.
We participated in the planning inquiry for Longridge Local Wildlife Site lan appeal by a developer to
build 225 houses on proterted habitat). This involved giving evidence over a five-day period and being
cross-examined by a King's Counsel barrister.
We continued to work with RSWT and Countryside Link, and met with Defra to highlight our concerns
about the new BNG metric, and we fed into the consultation response for the new National Planning
Policy Framework.
Our plans for April 2025-March 2026:
Transform 140 spaces for wildlife.
Directly improve the management of a further I,OOOha for wildlife.
Influence the management of 2.OOOha through advice. support and other enabling activities.
Ensure our nature reserves remain well managed and provide refuge to declining species.
Increase the are3 of land under our direct control.
Develop a species recovery plan for the water vole to prevent local extinction.
Influence local plans and policies to ensure they deliver the best outcomes for nature.
Take forward landscape-scale restoration projects in the Gowy catchment, Sandstone Ridge and
Cheshire Peak District areas.

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
We are in crisis
In the year ended 31 March 2025, our communications and engagement programmes reached
248,024 people and inspired 22,598 actions for nature.
Outcome: Peo
le in Cheshire are more connected to nature
We engaged nearly 2,000 school children through learning sessions on nature reserves and other sites.
We delivered 15 teacher training sessions to develop the skills of more than 50 teachers. Topics
included conlidence in teaching outdoors, adapting your curriculum for the outdoors and leading
beach learning confidently.
Through the Our Dee Estuary project, we delivered 81 events which engaged 1,593 new people. These
included geology walks and wildlife talks, coastal wellbeing sessions and National Marine Week
celebration event5.
Our teacher training events and outreach to schools saw the membership of the Wilder Educakn'on
Network grow to 131 teachers.
A Young Rangers Day was delivered in collaboration with the Rangers at Wirral Country Park. Students
from four schools and colleges were given an insight into green skills and green careers. The day
involved practical surveying techniques in water quality sampling, shore searches and moth trapping.
In partnership with Scotli5h Power, we worked with Chester University to support the installation of
three Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDSI Pods on campuses. We delivered an interactive
workshop with 25 geography students on the value of SUDS in tackling the sewage crisis.
Outcome: More
eo
le are aware of the nature and climate trisis and what the can do to hel
Our social media followers grew to over 39,316, and 205,000 people visited our website. Our social
media content engaged people well, with high levels of sharing and commenting. Our Facebook and
Instagram engagement rates were consistently well above the average for the charity sector.
Our weekly Wild Cheshire e-newsletter was opened and read by an average of 9,0(x) people every
Wednesday.
We engaged more than 5,000 people at events which included Operation Summer in Crewe, RHS
Flower Show Tatton Park and Chester Zoo's Wildlife Connections Festival. We also welcomed people
to a wide range of our own events and activities, including Nature Break sessions for businesses, shore
searches for families and Our Dee Estuary clean water information stands and dog pit stops.
Outcome: Eve
one has access to urban wlld s
ace
Our Green Shoots project, in its final year of delivery, continued to advance the community organising
approach to increasing access to nature in Crewe and surrounding areas, including Nantwich,
Shavington and Haslington. In total, 383 volunteers have been involved, and at least 3,473 people
have benefited from the project in the SLJrrounding geographic areas,. 11,000m of new green spaces
across 13 different areas were created, and 33 spaces improved. These included a mix of meadow
10

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
creations, orchard planting, hedgerow planting, pond creation and wildflower patches. Three local
schools also benefited through creation of new wildlife habitats within their school grounds. The
National Education Nature Park project delivered school grounds improvement works at a further
three schools.
We worked with community and volunteer groups including Wilmslow Allotments, Jodrell Bank and
Knutsford Heath to manage meadows, create ponds and help maintain local wildlife areas.
Outcome: A network ofcham
ions & warriors are em
wered to take action for nature
A total of 17,619 people acted for nature through their continued membership of Cheshire Wildlife
Trust.
The number of active members of our Wild Network la support group for those taking action for
nature) grew to 545. To help develop the capacity of groups and individuals to take action, we ran a
series of training and networking events including winter webinars, networking meetings focused on
swifts and orchard5, and an Action for Nature event at Birkenhead Park. We inspired more action for
nature by publishing stories from the Wild Network on our website, through the Facebook group and
in our quarterly Wild Network e-newsletter.
We hosted two site visits for members of the Cheshire East Economy and Growth Committee. The first
was to Danes Moss and was attended by the Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council as well as four
other committee members. The visit was to encourage the councillors voting on the continuation of
the Danes Moss North development to recognise the value of the site. We also ran an additional visit
for the Leader of the Opposition and a second councillor to see the work we were doing in Crewe.
We piloted our Campaigner Academy training designed to empower individuals to run their own
campaigns. Ten people attended six sessions on the skills needed to plan, run and promote 3 campaign
and reported increased confidence levels at the end of the course. We shared our resources and
findings with other Wildlife Trusts so that the approach can be rolled out nationally.
We campaigned to highlight the nature crisis in the run up to the General Election, albeit cut short by
the snap timing. We had 320 people engage with us directly through action such as lobbying
parliamentary candidates and we supported several nature-focused candidate hustings including a
Wirral Wildlife and Wirral Environment Network husting and a nature-themed question time at
Chester Zoo. Sixty supporters from Cheshire Wildlife Trust and L3nc3shire Wildlife Trust took part in
the London Restore Nature Now march prior to the General Election. We marched alongside 60,000
people and many fellow NGOS to demand that the next Government prioritise nature restoration.
We met with four standing MPS and a parliamentary candidate (who was narrowly defeated) who
expressed a keen interest in supporting our mission, with MPS submithng questions to Defra relating
to beaver licensing and to the Department of Local Government and Housing in relation to the
campaign against development of and greater protection for Local Wildlife Sites such as the one at
Longridge.
We launched Phase l of our campaign against a Mersey tidal barrage, in which over 9(X) people signed
up to send letters of concern to their local councillor. The purpose of the action was to raise awareness

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
amongst the public and local politicians of the importance of the estuary for wildlife and the potential
impact of the proposal.
Our plans for April 2025-March 2026:
Reach at least 250,000 people through our communications, events and outreach visits.
Mobilise and support at least 23,000 people to take action for nature.
Develop trusted relationships Wlth MPS and other decision makers.
Continue to input into the Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
Further grow and sUPPOrt our Wild Network to inspire more actions for nature.
Grow our network of educators and schools to increase nature in the curriculum.
Campaign against development and policies that harm nature in Cheshire.
We are effertive and resilient
Below is a summary of our programme to ensure that CWT has the financial resources it needs, is well
run and has a high-performin8 and valued staff and volunteer team.
Outcome: cwr is financiall
sustainable
Our total income increased by 22% from £3.5m in FY24 to £4.3m in FY25 and we returned an overall
surplus of £636,919. The large surplus is attributable to a generous legacy received of £599,970 from
David Aldred. This gift is restricted for the purchase of land and will be used in FY26 for this prupose.
Our underlying surplus for CWT'S regular operations was £36,949 and therefore this is the ninth
successive year in which the Trust has managed its expenditure within budgetary limits.
Earned income remained similar to the previous year at £1.2m. During the year we continued to
secure new contracts for habitat creation, species reintroduction and land management advice.
Income from grants grew by 12% from £1.6m to £1.8m, secured from a range of sources including
Defra le.g. Trees for Climate), Natural England le.g. Species Recovery Programmel, Environment
Agency (Natural Flood Management Programmel, National Lottery Heritage Fund and several
charitable trusts. Grant funding enabled the continuation of existing engagement activities together
with the completion of our RiverThrive project.
Income from subscriptions, legacies and appeals stood at £1.3m12024: £715kl, an increase frorn the
previous year due to the legacy mentioned above. Our supporters gave £50k in donations to our
meadows appeal and other ongoing appeals. The total number of members saw a small increase,
which, given cost of living pressures, indicated a continued commitment to nature's recovery.
The Trust's cash increased from £1.6m to £2.Im, of which nearly half is designated or restricted for
specific purposes. The Trust has increased its unrestricted financial reserves and therefore its overall
financial resilience has improved. Cash held for future use is invested in fixed term deposit accounts
to maximise risk-free investment potential. These investments generated £46k in interest which was
used to support charitable activities.
12

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Outcome: cwr is well
overned and an effective member of the Wildlife Trust federation
A successful round of Trustee recruitment saw four new Trustees co-opted and then elected at the
AGM.
We continued to improve benefits for staff including externally benchmarking salaries and aligning
staff benefits with those across the Wildlife Trust federation.
Policies and procedures relating to health & safety and safeguarding were kept up to date.
A mid-term review of our 2030 strategy was completed in November 2024 which wa5 Used to inform
a reorganisation of our team structure in early 2025. The strategy, for which a public facing version
will be released in due course, reflects on the current state of nature in Cheshire and identifies the
most impactFul actions that CWT can focus on over the next five years, recognising that difficult
choices need to be made to align with available resources.
CWT continued to play its full part in the federation. The CEO and Chair took part in national
conferences and working groups on a range of strategic topics.
CWT continued to work closely with North Wales Wildlife Trust to deliver the final ye3r of the Our Dee
Estuary project and with Cumbria and Lancashire Wildlife Trusts to campaign for better protection of
the Irish Sea.
We provided training and advice to other Wildlife Trusts on biodiversity net gain. We continued to
work closely with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to align input into the Liverpool and Manchester Local
Nature Recovery Strategies and major infrastructure campaigns.
We supported the RSWT campaign against neonics for the fifth year running. After a change of
Government, we linally got the long-needed ban on the emergency authorisation that had become
routine under previous administrations.
Our plans for April 202￿MarCh 2026:
Further grow our resources and ensure that we remain financially sustainable.
Update our public facing strategy document.
Create a five-year work plan to scale up our impact and ensure that our team are motivated by and
focused on clear goals.
Focus on maintaining employee engagement, wellbeing and development.
Aim to further diversify our Board of Trustees by recruiting at least two more Trustees.
Continue to contribute to the progression of the Wildlife Trust federation through working groups
and partnerships.
Further strengthen the Trust's balance sheet through prudent investment in land.
Ensure that our governance remains effective and fit for purpose.
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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Financial review
Review of the year
Cheshire Wildlife Trust's overall financial position improved. The proportion of income from grants and
restrirted gifts increased relative to voluntary income with unrestricted income for the year of £1.9m
IFY24'. £2.4ml and restricted income £2.4m IFY24.. £1.2ml.
Expenditure for the year totalled £3.7m IFY24.. £3.4ml.
Principal funding sources
Almost half of our income in the year came from grants. The largest source of unrestricted income
remains contract5 and earned income, although membership subscriptions continue to provide a
major part of the Trust's ongoing unrestricted funding. The main sources of funding for the charity
were..
Grants
Contracts and earned income
Donations and legacies
Membership subscriptions lincluding gift aid)
Appeals and sponsorships
Other income
41.7Y.
26.9%
15.9%
12.6%
1.1%
1.1%
Fundraising
0.6%
Generatingfunds
Approximately 30% of our financial support came from individuals, with trust membership being
crucial as the foundation for other fundraising. As of March 31, we had 17,619 members, who provide
essential funding and a collective voice for wildlife advocacy. Legacy income increased significantly to
15.9%12.5Yo in FY241 due to a large, restricted gift. We also seek lasting support from institutional
bodies, corporate members, grant funders and charitable trusts. Significant income is generated
through land management, ecological advice and education services. Volunteers, integral since our
founding in 1962, are central to our operations, contributing to conservation, field surveys, and office
and education support, making our work possible.
Financial reserves
Total funds
Less restricted
Less designated
£2,092,646
£831,972
£288,418
Unrestricted funds
£972,256
Unrestricted cash and investments
£1,335,423
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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Council has examined the Trust's requirements for financial reserves in the light of the main risks
to the organisation to..
provide sufficient cash liquidity for operational effectiveness of the Trust, and
protect the continuity of the work undertaken by the Trust.
The Trust has targeted a level of unrestricted cash and investments of four months, expenditure by the
Trust (excluding that on grant-funded projects). At March 2025 the Trust had cash reserves (excluding
cash earmarked for land purchase) which are sufficient to cover six months, unrestricted expenditure.
The Trust is looking to increase this cover to safeguard both the operational and financial sustainability
of the Trust as the organisation grows.
Investment policy
Any surplus cash, over and above the amount required to support one month's working capital
requirement, is held in fixed term deposit account5 at competr.tive rates.
Risk management
The Chief Executive maintains a strategic risk register which is regularly reviewed by Council. The
Trustees and Senior Leadership Team, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, work to both minimise
and mitigate strategic risks.
The top three strategic risks in the year endinE 31 March 2025 were..
The effect of wage inflation and taxation on the Trust's finances.
Continued decline of the UK'S natural environment combined with insufficient societal and
political support for OLJr cause.
The impact of changes to policies, regulations and funding for protecting and restoring the
natural environment proposed by the current government.
Structurei governance and management
Governlng dotument
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited ICWTI is a charitable company limited by guarantee and as such
has no share capital. It was incorporated on 24 October 1962 and registered as a charity on 20 February
1963. The company is governed by its charitable objects and articles of associations Ireviewed 20201.
Recrultment and appolntment of Trustees
The Trustees, elected by member5 at the Annual General Meeting IAGMI, are known as Council
Members and registered as Directors with Companies House and charity trustees with the Charity
Commission.
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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
They serve three-year terms, renewable up to three consecutive terms. Co-opted Council Members
must retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election.
The Council aims for a diverse skill set from various sectors, including public, private and voluntary,
with experknse in policy, strategy, finance and legal matters.
Council Members are unpaid, except for travel and incidental expenses, which were not claimed during
the period. No financial transactions occurred with Trustees or connected persons during the period.
Council Members inducknon and training
All Council Members are inducted so they become familiar with the Trust's governance arrangements,
sites, projects and staff.
Council Members are signposted to relevant reference material, including the Trust's Arkncles of
Association, the Charity Commission booklet CC3 'The Essential TrLJStee', the Companies House
'Incorporation and Names, booklet IGPII, the Companies House 'Hallmarks of an Effective Charity,
booklet ICCIOI and the Health and Safety Executive booklet 'Leading Health & Safety at Work,, and
'Good Governance: a practical guide for trustees, chairs and CEOS, by Dorothy Dalton.
Organlsatlonal structure
The Council sets the strategic direction and policy of the charity and appoints the Chief Executive, who
attends but does not vote in Council meetings.
The Council meets six times a year and uses committees and working groups for detailed scrutiny and
support. Key committees include Finance, Audit, Risk & Resources, Governance & Nomination5, and
Health & Safety. Each group is chaired by a Council Member and includes up to five Trustees and senior
staff.
The Council agrees on strategy, work plans and budget, delegating daily operations to the Chief
Executive and Senior Leadership Team.
Remuneration decisions involve the Chair and Trustees, informed by benchmarking data.
Relationship with the charity and related parties including its subsidiary
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited is the sole shareholder in a dormantlsince April 20211 company,
Cheshire Ecological Services Limited ICES) (Company No.. 26233561.
As part of the Wildlife Trusts federation (Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, registered charity number
2072381, CWT benefits from centrally led advocacy, campaigning, shared services and fundraising.
Members use the Wildlife Trusts logo and benefit from the resources, best practice and specialist
experience of other member Trusts. Membership gives the charity a national voice and profile, as well
as respectability by association for those unfamiliar with its particular work. However, each member
of the federation remains entirely independent in terms of governance.
16

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Statement of the Board's responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparin8 the Trustees, report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Iunited Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each ff nancial year which give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs and of the incoming resources and application of resources
of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are
required to..
select suitable accounkn'ng policies and then apply them consistently,.
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP,.
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and exp13ined in the financial statements,.
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it Is inappropriate to
presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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.
Statement as to disclosure of information to auditors
Each Director has confirmed that they have taken all ￿asOnable steps to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor. The
members of the Board who were in office on the date of approval of these financial statements have
conlirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors
are unaware.
Auditor5
In accordance with the Trust's policy on auditor rotation, a resolution to appoint Saffery LLP as auditor
for the year ended 31 March 2026 will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statemerbt of Recommended Practice:
Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance
with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities leffective l January 20191.
17

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The Report of the Members of the Board, which includes the Strategic Report on pages 7-13, was
approved by the Board on 29 September and signed on their behalf-
Bill Stothart
Chair of Council
29 September 2025
18

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of The Cheshire
Wildlife Trust Limited
Opinion
We have audited the fi'nancial statements of The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited for the year ended 31
March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of
Cash Flow, and the 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, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Iunited Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its
incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the
year then ended,.
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Pract'ce,. and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the
Charities Act 2022.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of
the company 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 linancial ststements, 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 Trust's ability
to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the linancial
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.
19

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of The Cheshire
Wildlife Trust Limited
Other information
The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the
information included in the Trustees, annual report, other than the financial statements and our
auditor's report 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 50, 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a
material misstatement of the other information. 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.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
the information given in the Trustees, report for the linancial year for which the linancial
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements,. and
the Trustees, report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on whlch we are requlred to report by exceptlon
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of Cheshire Wildlife Trust and its subsidiary, and its
environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material mis5tatement5 in the
Trustees, report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires
us to report to you if, in our opinion..
adequate and sufficient accounting records have not been kept by the company, or returns
adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us- or
the company's linancial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and
returns,. or
certain disclosures of Trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made,. or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit,. or
the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the Small
ompanies, regime.
20

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of The Cheshire
Wildlife Trust Limited
Responsibilities of Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees, responsibilities statement, the Trustees Iwho are also the
Directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl 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 ststements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the company's ability
to continue as a going concern, di5c105ing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and u5inE
the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the company or to
cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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 an auditor's report
that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of 35surance, but is not 3 guarantee
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI 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 detert material misstatements in
respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the linancial statements, whether due to
fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including
obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud
and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following..
the nature of the sector, control environment and Trust performance,.
the Trust's own assessment of the risks that irregularities may occur either as a result of fraud
or error,.
the results of our enquiries of management and members of the Board of Trustees of their
own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities,.
any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Trust's documentation of their
policies and procedures relating to:
21

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of The Cheshire
Wildlife Trust Limited
identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware
of any instances of non-compliance,.
detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual,
suspected or alleged fraud,.
the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and
regulations,. and
the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud
might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures. we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within
the company for fraud and identifi.ed the greatest potentr.al for fraud in the following areas.. lil the
recognition of revenue, lill the allocation of income and expenditure between restricted and
unrestricted funds. In common with all audits under1SAs IUKI, we are also required to perform specific
procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the Trust operates in,
focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of
material amount5 and disclosures in the financial statements. The key law5 and regulations we
considered in this context included the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2022, and Health and Safety
legislation.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on
the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the Trust's ability to
operate or to avoid a material penalty. These included Data Protection Regulations.
Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified the recognition of revenue and the allocation of
income and expenditure between restricted and unrestricted funds as the key audit matter5 related to
the potential risk of fraud.
In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following..
reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporhng documentation to
assess compliance with relevant laws and regulations described above as having a direct effect
on the financial statements,.
enquiring of management and members of the Board of Trustees concerning actual and
potential litigation and claims-
performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may
indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud,.
reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence
with relevant authorities where matters identified were significant- and
in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the
appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments,.
assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a
potential bias- and
22

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members and Trustees of The Cheshire
Wildlife Trust Limited
evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside
the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identt.fied laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all
engagement team members and remained alert to any indicatt.ons of fraud or non-compliance with
laws and regulations throughout the audit.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at..
https'.//www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter
3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state
to the charitable company's members and its Trustees those matters we are required to state to them
in an auditor's 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 charitable company and the charitable
company's members, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
3 Floor
44 Peter Street
Manchester
M2 5GP
29 September 2025
Jamielee Johnston {Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited
Statutory Auditor
Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the
Companies Act 2006.
23

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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Balance Sheet
Year ended 31 March 2025
Year ended
31 March 2025
Year ended
31 March 2024
Notes
Flxed Assets
Tangible assets
Heritage assets
12
12
833,676
316,046
592,144
316,046
Totsl tangible assets
1.149.722
908,190
Inve5tmentS
13
loo
loo
Totsl fixed assets
1.149,822
908,290
Current assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
14
3,142
910,959
2.072,687
3,415
814,781
1,579.048
15
Totsl currènt assets
2.986,788
2,397,244
Liabilitie5
Amounts falling due within
one year
17
12,043,964)
11,849,807)
Net current asset
942,824
547,437
Liabilities falling due in
more than one year
18
Total net assets
2,092,646
1,455,727
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted income funds
20
20
1,260.674
831.972
1,080,742
374,985
Totsl fund5
2,092,646
1,455,727
The notes on pages 27 to 43 form part of these financial statements.
Signed..
Bill Stothart
Signed..
Jamie Richards
29 September 2025
29 September 2025
25

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Statement of Cash Flow
Year ended 31 March 2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
Notes
Cash flows from opèrating attivities..
Net cash lused inllprovided by operatlng
act5vltles
788,949
17,2521
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant
and equipment
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
540
2,800
1295.8501
143,1291
Net cash (used inl investing activities
1295,3101
140,3291
Change In cash and cash equlvalents In the reportlng
period
493,639
147,5811
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporhng period
1,579,048
1,626,629
Cash and cash equlvalents at the end of the repordng
period
2,072,687
1,579,048
26

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
Accounting pollcles
General information
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited is a charity incorporated as a company limited by
guarantee in England and Wales. The registered office is Bickley Hall Farm, Bickley,
Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 8EF.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in
accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021- 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 IFRS 1021 (effective I
January 20191. The figures in the accounts are rounded to the nearest £ and the presentational
currency is sterling.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and
liabilities are initially recognised at historical costs or transaction value unless otherwise stated in
the relevant accounting policy notes.
Fund accounting
1.3.1
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of
the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
1.3.2
Restrirted income funds
These funds are given to the Trust for a particular purpose to be used in accordance with the
wishes of the donor.
1.3.3
Designated funds- projects
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustees for specific projects. These
projects may only be partly funded with the unfunded element set aside from general funds.
Incoming resources
The Trust was formed in 1962 by volunteers and continues to benefit from their support in both
linancial and non-linancial ways. Examples of linancial support include membership income,
donations and legacies. These contributions are included in the accounts within voluntary
income.
Voluntary income is received by way of donations, gifts, subscriptions and fundraising activities.
The income is credited to the SOFA on the earlier of receipt or when the receipt is probable, the
value can be ascertained, and the Trust gets the legal right to the income. Tax refunds on gift aid
income are, however, accrued as earned.
27

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
Legacy income is included in the accounts when the amount due can be quantilied with
reasonable probability and the tt.ming of the receipt is known.
Grants receivable which are not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the
charity are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. These are
recognised as 'lncome from donation and legacies,.
Grants receivable that relate to the delivery of a specific performance by the charity are
recognised when the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance. A number of
these grants are retrospective and where these are outstanding at the year end for work
completed, they are accrued. These are recognised as 'lncome from charitable activities,.
All grants receivable are charged to the SOFA in the period to which they relate.
Resources expended
All expenditure, other than that which is capitalised, is included in the SOFA, recognised on an
accruals basis as a liability when incurred.
Charitable activities consist of the costs incurred in support of expenditure on the objects of the
charity.
Costs of raising funds consists of expenditure associated with attracting voluntary income and the
costs of fLJndr3ising and maintaining memberships.
Support costs relate to expenditure incurred in support of the charitable objects of the charity.
These include the provision of premises, personnel, information technology, insurances and audit
fees and have been allocated on the basis of direct stsff wage costs.
Many of our volunteers provide non-financial support covering a wide range of activities from
acting as Trustees to assisting in conservation activities including surveying, as well as providing
administrative support. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated
by volunteers.
Capital purchases are included in the accounts at cost. Capital purchases of less than £250 are
expensed.
Irrecoverable VAT
The charity is parknally exempt. Irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the appropriate cost cateEories.
Golng concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation
that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future. As such the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing
the financial statements.
28

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fi'xed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at the following
annual rates in order to write off each asset, except for land, over its estimated useful life..
Plant and machinery- 25% per annum reducing balance
Fixtures and fithngs- 25% per annum reducing balance
Motor vehicles- 25% per annum reducing balance
Computer equipment- 33% per annum straight line basis
No depreciation is provided on freehold land.
Capitalised expenditure on leasehold improvements is depreciated over the remainder of the
lease period.
Heritage assets
Heritage assets are nature reserves, capitalised at the date of addition. Any assets donated,
where the cost is unknown, are capitalised at fair value at the date of addition. Further details are
disclosed within Note 12 to the accounts.
i.io
Stock and work in progress
General stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, where cost comprises
purchase price.
i.ii
Deferred income
Restricted funds received for projects which are substantially incomplete or not commenced at
year end are recoEnised in the year in which they are received and carried forward in the balance
of restritted funds. The restricted funds are reduced each year by an amount equal to any
expenditure on such projects which have been incurred in the year.
1.12
Pension costs
The company operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees.
Contributions payable are included in the SOFA in the year they are payable.
1.13
Finance and operating leases
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the SOFA over the period in which the cost
is incurred. The Trust has no finance leases.
1.14
Provisions
A provision is recognised when the Trust has a legal or constructive obligation as a result of past
events and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the
obligation.
1.15
Taxation
The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income tax or corporation tax
on charitable activities.
1.16
Materlal uncertalntles/Sudgements
There were no material uncertainties orjudgements contained within the presented ligures.
29

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
1.17
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.
1.18
Flnanclal instruments
The charity ha5 elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instrument5, and
Section 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its fi.nancial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial
statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there
is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financlal assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at
transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using
the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where
the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market
rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Derecognltlon of flnancial assets
Financial assets are derecogni5ed only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the
asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all
the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of
ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to
sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans, are initially recognised at transaction
price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is
measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest.
Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amorknsed.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amorhsed cost, Using the effective interest rate
method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the
ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities
if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are
discharged or cancelled.
30

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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
7 Support costs
Totsl
2025
Total
2024
Training
Insurance
Light & heat
Repairs & maintenance
Legal & professional
St3ff & volunteer expenses
Motor expenses
Telecoms
Post & ststionerv
Sundry expenses
RSWT contribution
Bank charges
Depreciation
Admin salaries
Audit fees
Computer expenses
Premises costs
Recruitment
6,384
37.199
7,260
35,287
30,055
7,911
1.916
10,240
3,292
10,082
24,274
1,486
7,647
275.446
8,240
26,596
60,855
1,3SO
3,335
11,666
30,716
9.955
16,131
25,444
4,419
718
7.101
2,903
7,824
24,160
1,910
6,615
246,104
8.100
27,359
63,140
500
Irrecoverable VAT
Doubtful debts
14,124
110,0001
498,889
558,855
Allocatton of support costs
2025
2024
Raising funds
Charitable activities
67,957
490,898
558,855
69,945
428,944
498,889
34

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
8 Net movement in funds
The net movement In funds Is after chargingllcreditingl:
Note
2025
2024
Auditor's remuneration
8,240
1,812
2,058
51,721
8,100
1,812
19041
43,592
Operating lease payments
1profi.tl/loss on disposal of fi'xed assets
Oepreeiation
12
9 stsff costs
2025
2024
Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
1,642,877
143.790
190,478
1,553,970
133.040
181.211
1.977,145
1,868.221
The average number of full-time equivalent employees, analysed by function, was..
2025
2024
Charitable activities
Generating funds
Management & administration
40
39
10
One employee received totsl employment benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of between £60,000 and £70,000
during the year12024.' one employee).
Total remuneration (excluding employer pension costs) paid to key personnel during the year totalled £205,32212024..
£194,200).
10 Pension costs
The trust operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from
those of the trust in the independently administered fund. The pension costs charge represents contributions
payable by the company to the fund and amounted to £190,47812024: £181,211).
35

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
11 Related party transactlons
No Trustee or any person connected with the trust received any remuneration from the trust during the year
12024- £nill.
During the year Trustees were reimbursed travel expenses of £nil12024.. £nill.
36

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
Heritage assets
The focu5 of the Trust is the protection and enh3ncement of wildlife habitat5 and biodiversity within Cheshire. As such
the Trust owns and maintains a number of nature reserves that fall within the definition of heritage assets in accordance
with FRS 102.
The Trustees consider that, owing to the intrinsic nature of the Trust's reserves, conventional valuation approaches lack
sufficient reliability and that, even if valuations could be obtained, the costs would be onerous compared with the
additional benelits derived by the Trust and the users of the accounts. As a result, these assets have been capitalised at
cost and, being land, have not been depreciated.
Nature reserves acquired by gift are not capitalised unless a reliable enough reference value of the deemed cost of the
asset is available without undue expense to the Trust.
The costs of maintaining heritage a55ets are expensed through the Statement of Financial Activities when incurred as
part of the Trust's charitable activities.
There have been no t￿N53¢tionS or movement in the heritage assets in the last fi.ve years.
Capltal commltmènts
At 31 March 2025, the Trust had a capital commitment of £nil 12024.. £209,4451.
13 Investments
Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited owns the entire share capital11 ordinary share of £IOOI in its 5ub5idiary, Cheshire
Ecological Services Limited, which Is incorpo￿ted in England ènd Wales.
The subsidiary was dormant for the full linancial year and as such the financial statements presented for the Trust
have not been consolidated as they are immaterial to the understanding of the results of the Trust.
The net assets of Cheshire Ecological Service5 Ltd are £lOO.
38

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
14
Stock
2025
2024
Stock
3,142
3,142
3,415
3N15
15 Debtors
2025
2024
Trade debtor5
Prepayments and
accrued income
Other debtors
597.570
267.108
313,389
338,228
209,445
814,781
910.959
Trade debtors is stated net of a provision of £8,07812024.. £8,078)
16 Taxation
The company is exempt from corporation tsx on its charitable activities.
17 Credltors: Amounts falllng due wlthln one year
2025
2024
Trade creditor5
Deferred income
Taxation & social securitv
Accruals
144,137
1.457,992
75,099
366,736
284.473
1,224,246
87,273
253,815
2.043.964
1,849,807
39

THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year énded 31 March 2025
18 Commltments under operattng leases
At 31 March 2025, the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-
cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows..
2025
2024
Land & buildings
Within one year
67,556
67,556
Two to five years
Greater than five years
Totsl
67.556
135.112
67,556
Other
Within one year
Two to five years
Greater than five years
Totsl
1.812
585
1.812
2.397
2,397
4,209
19 Analysis of restricted funds
Restricted fund5 represent monies (including donations and grantsl which have been received for Specific
purpts5es as outlined by the donor. The Trust has a nurmber of such funds and for the purposes of statutory
reptsrting these have been grouped together under the four headings below.
Transfers out of restricted funds are made where a project is completed and no funding is required to
be returned to the funder. Transfers into funds are made when a project is completed and the
shorttall in funding is made up from the Trust's general funds.
40

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THE CHESHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Notes to the Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
20 Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
Restrirted
2025
Total
Tangible lixed assets
Herit3ge assets
Stock arid work in progress
Investments
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Total net a55ets
570,054
57,362
3,142
loo
613,912
1,335,421
11,319,317)
1,260,674
263,622
258,684
833,676
316,046
3,142
loo
910,959
2,072,687
12,043,964)
2,092,646
297,047
737,266
1724,6471
831,972
21 Share capital
The charity has no share capital being a company limited by guarantee to contribute an
amount not exceeding £2 per member in the event of a winding up situation.
22 Control
The charity is controlled by the Trustees.
23 Reconcillatton of net lexpendlturel/income to net cash flow from operatlng arttvitles
2025
2024
Net intomè for the reporknng period
las per the statement of financSal actlvStSesl
Depreciation
IProfitl/L05S On the Sale of lixed assets
Decrease in stock
Decreasellincreasel in debtors
IDecreasellincrease in creditors
Net cash loutllowllinflow from operating activity
636,919
83,874
51,721
2,057
273
196,1781
194,157
788,949
43,592
19041
1.264
102.339
1237,4171
17,2521
As at l April
2023
Movement in
year
Asat31
March 2024
Movement in
year
As at 31 March
202S
Cash at bank and in hand
1.626,629
147,5811
1.579,048
493.639
2,072,687
43