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2021-03-31-accounts

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

(A company limited by guarantee)

Company Registration Number 816710 Charity Number 239863

TREASURERS’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2021

CONTENTS

Legal and administrative information 2
Introduction from the Chairman 3
Trustees’Report, consisting of the following:
Structure, governance and management 4
Trust vision, objectives and strategic plans 7
Review of year ended 31 March 2021 8
Headline actions for year ending 31 March 2022 16
Financial review and results for the year 18
Trustees’ responsibilities and approval 23
Independent auditor’s report 24
Statement of financial activities 28
Balance sheet 29
Cash flow statement 30
Notes to the financial statements 31

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Honorary President Sir Simon Bowes-Lyon, KCVO Honorary Vice President Robert Wilson Council of Management (Trustees) Olivia Bertham Dr Veronica Edmonds-Brown (Vice Chairman) Keith Cotton Clive Hinds (Treasurer) Jackie Hunter Amy Jankiewicz Paul Knutson Sarah Kohl Kathryn MacKenzie (appointed at AGM September 2020) Michael Master MBE (Chairman) Peter Tallantire (appointed at AGM September 2020) Andrew Woods (retired at AGM September 2020)

Chairman, Finance & Resources Committee Clive Hinds Chairman, Conservation, Community Dr Veronica Edmonds-Brown & Education Committee Chairman, Health & Safety Committee Sarah Kohl

Chief Executive Lesley Davies Senior Management Team Sally Clark, Finance Manager Dr Tom Day, Head of Living Landscapes (until 12[th] March 21) Emma Norrington, Head of Fundraising & Communications Becky Vernon-Clinch, Business Support Manager

Auditor

Mazars LLP, The Pinnacle, 160 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 1FF

Solicitors Longmores, 24 Castle Street, Hertford, SG141HP Bankers Barclays Bank, 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP Registered office and principal address Grebe House, St Michael’s Street, St Albans, AL3 4SN Charity number 239863 Company number 816710

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INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIRMAN

The Trustees, who are also the Directors, of Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Limited (“the Trust”) are pleased to present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

On behalf of the Trustees I would like to express my thanks to all our Members, volunteers, advocates, financial supporters and our staff team for enabling the Trust to create a better future for wildlife. With over 22,000 Members, the Trust has a powerful local voice enabling us to stand up for wildlife. The many hundreds of volunteers are critical to the Trust. We cannot name all our volunteers in this report as there are so many people involved but our thanks goes to each and every person for their varied and important work. The Trust relies upon securing financial support additional to our membership income and we are very grateful for all the individual donations, grants, legacies and sponsorships we receive. The Trust simply could not make the difference it does to wildlife without this support.

This has been a challenging year for the Trust due to the impact of the Covid-19 situation, which meant that much of our volunteering programme had to be put on hold, and a loss of our usual face to face activities including membership recruitment and engagement events. This has resulted in a fall in the Trust’s income which will be felt for many years. We have been very grateful for how our members responded so positively to our appeal for financial support and how understanding our volunteers have been during the restrictions. Our staff team have gone to great effort to keep our activities running as far as possible, dealing with many more visitors to our nature reserves, switching to online activities and meetings, and creating new activities such as Wild At Home.

Our ongoing work to address the ecological and climate crisis becomes more pressing every year, now made more complex by the need, and ability, to help society recover from these unprecedented circumstances.

The ongoing support of our Members, partners and grant funders has become all the more important as we strive to ensure that Herts & Middlesex has a Wilder Future.

M Master

M Master (Jun 24, 2021 18:08 GMT+1)

………………………………….

Mike Master, MBE Chairman

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Charity and company limited by guarantee

The charity is registered with the Charity Commission and is a company limited by guarantee. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended by Special Resolution on 1 July 1987, 1 July 1996, 15 September 2007, 8 November 2014, 21 November 2015, 22 September 2018 and 14 September 2019.

Individuals, groups and organisations paying the prevailing subscription, as set by the Trustees, or opting to pay a higher amount, become Members of the Trust. We were very pleased to see the number of our members holding up well during the year, and as at 31 March 2021, the number of memberships stood at 12,319 (2020: 12,342) including 22,133 individuals.

The Trust operates in Hertfordshire and the London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Harrow and Hillingdon (“Middlesex”). The Trust is an independent member of The Wildlife Trusts, a partnership of 46 local Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts working across the UK protecting wildlife for the future. Collectively, the Wildlife Trusts have over 800,000 Members, manage around 2,200 nature reserves and have a vital role standing up for wildlife together at a national level.

Objects

The objects of the Trust are:

a) For the benefit of the public, to advance, promote and further the conservation, maintenance and protection of: i) wildlife and its habitats ii) places of natural beauty iii) places of zoological, botanical, geological, archaeological or scientific interest iv) features of landscape with geological, physiographical , or amenity value

c) To promote research in all branches of nature study and to publish the useful results thereof.

Trustees

For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, Trustees are Directors and the Council of Management is regarded as the Board of Directors of the Company. The Council of Management, which can have between eight and twelve Trustees, meets quarterly. It is supported by three committees which also meet quarterly: Finance & Resources (chaired by Clive Hinds); Conservation, Community & Education (chaired by Veronica Edmonds-Brown); Health & Safety (chaired by Sarah Kohl). Our thanks go to Andrew Woods who retired as a Trustee in 2020 and who played an invaluable role in the Finance & Resources Committee. As set out in the Articles of Association, Trustees are elected by Members of the Trust attending the Annual General Meeting (AGM). When there are vacancies between elections, Members are invited to nominate Trustees or to put themselves forward prior to the AGM. Selection is by a panel of Trustees, against an agreed specification. Kathryn MacKenzie and Peter Tallantire were co-opted to Council in November 2019 and February 2020 respectively and were elected as Trustees at the 2020 AGM.

The Trustees were delighted that in 2020, Mike Master, Chairman of the Trust, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for his services to nature conservation in Hertfordshire and offer their congratulations and thanks to Mike for his dedication and service to the Trust.

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New Trustees receive induction including meetings with the Senior Management Team and relevant staff and volunteers. They are invited to an RSWT Open Day to be introduced to the wider Wildlife Trusts movement and can attend relevant training. Depending upon their area of expertise, Trustees are allocated to a Committee or to support specific areas of work. Trustees sign a declaration to meet the requirement of the Finance Act 2010 that Trustees are ‘fit and proper’ persons for the charity. This is also signed by the relevant senior staff (the Chief Executive and Finance Manager).

Management

The Chief Executive leads the day to day operations of the charity, supported by the Senior Management Team which consists of the Head of Living Landscapes, Head of Fundraising & Communications, Finance Manager and Business Support Manager. The Trust’s wider Management Team plays an important role in the leadership and strategic direction of the Trust, and includes the members of SMT plus the Conservation Manager, Nature Reserves Manager, Herts Environmental Records Centre Manager, Planning & Biodiversity Manager, Marketing & Communications Manager and Fundraising Manager.

The Trust’s Reward and Remuneration Policy recognises that its success relies on the talent and contribution of all staff and the importance of valuing and rewarding our employees. Whilst reward and remuneration effectively cover ‘benefits’ and ‘pay’, the total reward approach seeks to embrace an organisational culture of employees having a voice in the operation and direction of the Trust. This aims to lead to more engaged staff, improved performance, and to enhance the reputation of the Trust as an employer of choice. The Trust carries out benchmarking from time to time to ensure that salaries are appropriate to the level of responsibility and a reasonable level of salary is on offer. The Trust encourages staff development and supports training through in-house mentoring and coaching, and external courses. At annual performance development reviews staff are asked to reflect on the previous year’s training and to consider their coming year’s needs.

Charity Code of Governance

The Trust seeks to follow the seven principles set out in the Charity Code of Governance and keeps it policies and practices under review accordingly.

Safeguarding

Jackie Hunter is the lead Trustee for the Council on matters relating to safeguarding and supported the CEO’s annual report to Council which set out that there were no safeguarding concerns in the year.

Fundraising standards

The Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and a member of the Institute for Fundraising. We comply fully with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and the six guiding principles identified in the Charity Commission guidance for Trustees on charity fundraising. This is reflected in our Fundraising Policy and our Fundraising Promise outlines the commitment made to donors and the public by the Trust, confirming that our fundraising is legal, open, honest and respectful. We received two complaints relating to fundraising in FY21, which were investigated and recorded in accordance with our Complaints Procedure and a response given where appropriate.

The Trust uses one external fundraising supplier to help with membership recruitment, Wildlife Fundraising Central Ltd, which was set up by the Trust and seven other Wildlife Trusts as a company limited by guarantee. As with all external providers, they are closely monitored and required to adhere to agreed guidelines including the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Practice and our own high standards. Other fundraising activities include the use of direct mail and emails, general requests for donations and support, and occasional door drops. We ensure measures are in place to monitor compliance and that we protect vulnerable people and other members of the public from unreasonable intrusion and persistent approaches for support. All supporters are requested to state their preferences for how they want to be contacted and are invited to update these at any time. A detailed privacy statement and complaints procedure is highlighted on our website and in our publicity to ensure we are clear and transparent about our use of personal data.

Risk management

The Trust maintains a Risk Register, an Accidents & Incidents Register, and a Complaints, Comments & Compliments Register. These are reviewed regularly by SMT and reports are taken to relevant committees and Council. Trustees keep under review the major risks to which the charity is exposed and how these are mitigated. New risks and changes to risk levels are reported to FRC and HSC and the Risk Register is reviewed annually at Council.

There has been considerable change over the last year which has led to the level of risk increasing for several areas, whilst there have been some reductions in risk in others. These are primarily related to the impact of the Covid-19

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21

pandemic on the Trust’s staff, operations and finances and it is considered likely that these higher levels of risk will continue for some time. There have been a number of areas where the risk level has been reduced from HIGH. There has been a significant improvement through the major IT project implemented over the last year, resulting in a net risk rating reducing from HIGH to MEDIUM.

Table 1: residual high level risks after mitigation

Change of government
policy relating to
planning, agriculture and
environment		 Linked primarily to the delays to the new legislation (Environment Bill, Agricultural
Act) across the last year and to the impact of Brexit, it is possible that policy may be
weakened leading to less protection for wildlife. Also, the current lack of clarity on
agri-environment funding may mean fewer landowners taking up schemes. The
government has published a consultation on planning reforms which includes some
very concerning implications for biological data and a loss of protection for wildlife.
We have supported national campaigns, engaged with MPs and local politicians and
encouraged the Trust’s membership to write to their MPs. Given the uncertainty and
the risk to the protection of wildlife, and that this could mean fewer landowners
wanting to improve their land for wildlife and development resulting in biodiversity
loss, the overall risk has been raised from MEDIUM to HIGH.
Financial sustainability One of the main increases is the risk around the Trust’s financial sustainability due to
the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, and the associated recession. This has meant a
loss of income in FY21 and may mean a further drop in individual giving over the
coming years. There are also concerns that with the focus on societal recovery from
Covid-19 that many grant funders will be focusing on this and there will be increased
competition for funds. As a result of the reduction in new members recruited the risk
is increased from MEDIUM to HIGH. The loss in income has been partially offset by
local and national campaigns and appeals.
Loss of income for HERC There is a risk that the current funding for HERC which is through the local
authorities will be lost or reduced due to pressures on their budgets. There is a
further risk with the government’s move towards open data which would undermine
HERC’s businessmodel.
Climate change and
severe weather events		 The risk associated with climate change and severe weather events remains HIGH,
particularly because of the high financial implications it could entail for the Trust as
wellas theloss ofordeterioration inthe quality of habitats.
Impact on staff The risk to the Trust of losing key staff has increased from MEDIUM to HIGH. The
last year has seen an increase in workload to understand and manage the impact of
the Covid-19 restrictions, and has brought a change in job roles for staff. There have
been a number of leavers which is more difficult when there is a gap in their
replacement as well as the loss of organisational knowledge. The Covid-19
restrictions have increased stress and anxiety which has impacted staff. The risk
register also acknowledges the potential risk to the organisation due to ill health
associated with a pandemic and what this could mean for managing workloads.
Fortunately, this has not had a major impact on the Trust to date but this is in part
due to the rigorous approach to work practices and the offices being Covid-secure.
We have developed Covid-19 protocols which govern the use of offices, outdoor
working for both staff and volunteers, and carrying out engagement activities and
events.

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TRUST VISION, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIC PLANS

Vision and objectives

Across the UK the Wildlife Trusts share a vision for a Living Landscape and Living Seas, an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.

Objective 1: f or WILDLIFE

To protect, enhance and connect places for wildlife on nature reserves, in urban areas and across the wider countryside through positive conservation action.

Objective 2: f or PEOPLE

To inspire people to value the natural world and enable action for wildlife.

50 Year Vision

Over the Trust’s history there have been extensive changes to the status of wildlife across the UK with major habitat and species losses. The Trust has achieved a huge amount during this period but there is more to do to address the decline. Whilst losses can happen rapidly, the recovery of nature takes longer. Our 50-year vision therefore recognises the need for long term planning to secure a positive future for the wildlife of Herts & Middlesex and sets out long term goals:

Strategic Plan 2016-2021 – ‘a better future for wildlife’

The Plan gives a clear direction for the Trust and overview on how we will meet our objectives. The Plan was founded on a review of achievements in previous years and the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Plan sets out how the Trust seeks to deliver its objectives including priority habitats and flagship species . Members and volunteers continue to play a vital role, providing both an essential source of income and of practical support for our conservation and engagement work as well as being the collective voice for nature.

The Plan highlights the ongoing importance of partnership working, external funding and our advocacy role. We continue to stand up for wildlife, including how the impacts are considered in housing and infrastructure developments. Strong and effective legislation and policy, alongside agri-environment funding is critical to wildlife protection and to enabling the Trust and other landowners to carry out work to support wildlife on their land. The potential impact of the business sector on the natural environment underlines the importance of the Trust’s work in this area, as well as offering the opportunity to engage with their staff and customer base.

The Trust’s Management Team have led a strategy review. Due to the impact of Covid-19 and the restrictions and additional workload that this has entailed, the strategy review has taken longer than originally anticipated and was not completed in time for the start of FY22. Instead, it is planned that this will be presented to Trustees for approval in the autumn of 2021.

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REVIEW OF THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Highlights of the year

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Leading nature conservation in Herts and Middlesex

The Hertfordshire State of Nature report was launched in March 2020 and draws on the biological data produced by thousands of volunteers, some three million individual species records from the last 50 years. The report underlines the need to act now to address the ecological and climate emergency, to address the loss in amount and quality of habitats and the severe decline of species. The report underpins the work of the Trust helping to shape our priorities in the next strategy period 2021 to 2030. The report has been shared with stakeholders across the Trust’s area, from landowners to local authorities, as a call to action.

The Living Rivers Project , remains a priority for the Trust due to the international importance of chalk rivers and we continued to lead the Upper Lea and Middle Lea Catchment Partnerships. Partnership meetings were held for the upper Lea, middle Lea, Beane, Stort with close work with landowners on the Mimram, Rib and Ash. Another busy year included development of detailed plans for the restoration of the River Ash between Widford and the Lea Valley. Detailed plans were also developed for the River Rib in partnership with the Buntingford Town Council. These detailed plans will enable partners to make use of funding quickly should it become available. We supported the wider partnership by providing advice on responding to national Environment Agency consultations about the future management of river basins.

Through the Water Vole and Invasive Non-Native Species Project five key site surveys were completed at Fray's Farm Meadows, Amwell, Rye Meads, Thorley Wash and Panshanger Park. We would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of Martin Ketcher, our Project Officer for the past ten years who left the Trust in August. We are grateful to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Environment Agency for continuing to fund this vital dedicated conservation work which means that water voles continue to breed in the county although they remain somewhat local and missing from large areas of our counties. We were pleased to receive funding from the Debs Foundation and Linder Foundation for a water vole reintroduction scheme which will take place in summer 2021. They were last recorded on this river in 1987.

In the Colne Valley our ‘ Landscape on the Edge’ project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund focuses on preventing water voles from becoming extinct through habitat improvements. In partnership with the Colne Valley Fisheries Consultative we are also working with angling clubs to develop conservation management plans for fisheries. Ten anglers gave up five days to be trained in wetland ecology, management planning, fisheries management and managing change. Twenty two anglers have now been trained in total. Using the knowledge gained, they are writing management plans for their own fisheries. This pioneering project was featured on BBC Countryfile in January showing the works which are being carried out to conserve water Voles.

The Nathusius Bat Project , also in the Colne Valley, has carried out research into the populations of these rare bats, working with the Regional Park, Maple Lodge Nature Reserve, Three Rivers District Council, Affinity Water, Thames Water and the Colne Valley Fisheries Consultative. Covid-19 has curtailed much of the planned survey work but remote detector deployment established a greater understanding of the usage of the 4 study sites, 56 bat boxes were erected, including 16 maternity boxes, and an international monitoring station is being installed in the Colne Valley to track Nathusius migration from tagging schemes on the continent. The legacy created from the equipment purchased during the project will enable bat survey work for all species to continue well into the future.

Increasing the quality and stature of our nature reserves

Thanks to the generosity of our members, vital grant funding and our team of volunteers, much has been achieved on our nature reserves. The last year has however been particularly challenging for the nature reserves team due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the restrictions, our Assistant Reserves Officers were furloughed for part of the year and volunteering was suspended for many months. Over the year we have seen an increase in visitor numbers to our nature reserves which is very welcome, but we have also experienced a significant increase in issues such as littering, vandalism and fly-tipping.

There have been significant achievements across the year. We were delighted to work with the local community to secure the future of Beane Marsh in Hertford . Thanks to the local community organising a series of fundraising activities, a grant from Hertford Town Council and a generous individual donation, we were able to secure funding to purchase this 5 acre floodplain grassland site next to the river Beane. It is home to a variety of butterflies and dragonflies, and has great potential to become home to endangered water voles.

Woodland management saw experimental fencing introduced at Balls Wood to exclude deer and encourage the regeneration of the shrub layer and improve the structure of the wood. Ring barking of a few of the mature trees at Purwell took place to increase the amount of light to the woodland floor to benefit the ground flora and to create new deadwood habitat.

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Grazing of our grassland reserves continues to be a priority and we have begun working with a new grazier whose cattle grazed Danemead, Thorley and Rye Meads. The battle to keep our heathland sites free of scrub continued with lots of scrub clearance and felling of trees that shade and seed in to the habitat at Patmore Heath and Hertford Heath.

Management and enhancement of our wetland sites continues at Rye Meads with large areas of rush cut again and water level monitors installed to try and improve our understanding of the hydrology of the site. Reedbed lowering took place at Tring and cressbed management at Cassiobury Park and Lemsford. Reed encroaching into the fen at Purwell was cut back to prevent it dominating the open fen.

The invasive species work included pulling Himalayan Balsam at Tewinbury and the introduction of a rust to suppress its growth, Purwell, Stanborough, Amwell, and Willowmead, clearance of floating pennywort at Thorley Wash and removing goats rue at Waterford Heath. These works are essential to control the spread of these species and to improve the natural habitat.

In February we were able to get specialist contractors in to Tewin Orchard to try some experimental pruning of the veteran Bramley apple trees, this involves selective rotational pruning of 20% of the canopy and will hopefully help to extend the life of these important trees.

Fencing has been installed at King’s Meads as part of our Restoring the Majesty of the Meads project, to enable us to reinstate some of the traditional management of the floodplain meadows. Scrub clearance has continued on Chadwell Bank opening up even more of the valuable chalk grassland habitat.

Through our Affinity Water Biodiversity Project , the grasslands and islands of Stocker’s Lake have been managed, supported by a volunteering programme for Affinity Water employees. Following fencing funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and the Friends of Stockers Lake, Dexter cattle continued grazing the meadows at Stocker’s Lake. At Springwell Reedbed management continued to increase structural diversity to benefit both breeding and wintering birds such as water rail and reed bunting. Pochard showed signs of breeding – a rare occurrence. Management work at Hilfield Park Reservoir focused on conservation of marginal habitats where the nationally rare black-necked grebes nest. This year a maximum of 19 individuals were recorded but sadly no young were fledged. Creation of ponds for dragonflies continued and the reserve remains of county-significance for this group. Highlights included records of the lesser emperor, the only from the county. Online events led by the Project Officer reached an audience of nearly 500 people.

Increasing wildlife habitat in the wider countryside and urban areas

Tailor-made plans drawn up for farmers in the Jordans Farm Partnership are helping wildlife recover, focussing on key species and habitats relevant to the farm’s local landscape. This is part of a national arrangement with Jordans working with 40 farms across the country in which over 4,500 hectares of farmland have been covered. Further survey work on the Barbastelle maternity colony found last year on a Jordans Farm resulted in 8 new maternity roosts being discovered and foraging areas.

On a consultancy basis the Trust is working with Berkhamsted Golf Club, Berkhamsted Castle, Dacorum Borough Council, The Aldenham Estate, The Met Office, Mill Hill Preservation Society and Affinity Water.

At Harpenden Common through our partnership with Harpenden Town Council we continued with a trial to vary the traditional management of the Common for overwintering invertebrates and late flowers, by leaving a different 15% of the grass uncut this year – the rest was taken for hay. It’s clear from monitoring that wildflowers are benefitting from this new regime.

Our partnership with Stevenage Borough Council focused this year on writing conservation management plans for areas of the towns linked to potential biodiversity net gain through the development process. We also developed plans to further increase diversity of town centre parklands and to provide improved opportunities for educational use. In Stevenage and Dacorum the Trust continued working in partnership with the Councils and their contractors to install nesting boxes for swifts through the re-roofing and restoration of social housing. In Hemel Hempstead a box installed early in the year was occupied immediately by nesting swifts in May and the pair raised young successfully. We also advised on the installation of swift nesting boxes in Rickmansworth.

The Trust partnered Youth Connections (part of Herts County Council) to deliver the second phase of Go Wild at Hudnall Park , a National Lottery Heritage Funded project which provided a wide range of nature-focused emotional wellbeing learning opportunities for young people. This year’s work focused on the building of fencing for sheep grazing which will contribute to making meadows more botanically diverse. A grasshopper survey found five species including long-winged conehead.

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We launched a new project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – Restoring the Majesty of the Meads . The project will restore the habitats of Kings Meads, lying between Hertford and Ware and make it more accessible to visitors through a new programme of community outreach work.

At Panshanger Park we entered a new five year partnership with Tarmac, the owners of this 1000 acre historic landscape of wetlands, woodland and grasslands. A new People and Wildlife Officer is responsible for delivering the conservation management plan for the nature reserve and developing a new community of volunteers who will help with management, ecological monitoring and public engagement through guided walks, talks and events.

We entered into a partnership with St Albans District Council to deliver Wilder St Albans . This pioneering urban conservation project launching in 2021 will enable and facilitate action by the people, communities and businesses of St Albans to increase biodiversity in the city thereby contributing to tackling both the nature and climate emergencies we are facing.

Wilder Chess is a project which the Trust is leading with landowners and organisations in the Chess Valley. This landowner focused initiative aims to bring landowners together to work collaboratively to increase biodiversity. The Trust is providing advice on guidance on how to effect changes in land management to improve habitats for wildlife. In partnership with Natural England the Trust began work on a Nature Recovery Network for Hertfordshire . We interviewed five large estates and businesses to gauge their view of nature recovery networks, how they might get involved and their own priorities for conservation. This work will inform how Natural England and the Trust could work together in future on this important new initiative.

In partnership with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Natural England and Thames Water we embarked on a project to reassess the wetland resource of the Lee Valley , with special reference to water birds. This is an assessment first carried out in 1998 and repeated in 2012. The assessment is looking at the ecology of waterbodies throughout the Lee Valley and comparing their use by water birds to the past and will provide land managers important information to guide work in the future to ensure the valley retains its international significance for wildfowl.

Step change in our knowledge of habitats and species

Herts Environmental Records Centre (HERC), which is hosted by the Trust, now holds over 3.1 million records, an increase of 300,000 records over the year. The data is used to inform Neighbourhood Plans and planning application ecological reports, and is vital to ensuring that the ecological impacts of development are fully considered.

HERC is helping HMWT to build on the impact of the 2020 Hertfordshire State of Nature Report by working with the Herts Natural History Society to identify conservation actions that would benefit the species of conservation concern. HERC is also supporting the Wilder St Albans project, and has produced an initial audit of biodiversity information for the district to contribute to the project’s context and activities.

Earlier in the year the records centre completed data modelling for water vole habitat suitability using the GIS data generated by the River Beane volunteer surveyors. An article about the habitat survey and HERC’s contribution appeared in the Herts Naturalist, and the modelled outputs are being used by the River Beane Restoration Association and the Environment Agency.

HERC was approached by Natural England to begin work on updating the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) dataset for the county. The methodology was trialled on a 10km test square and HMWT has received grant funding in order to allow the records centre to complete Phases 1-2 of the project. The result will be a dataset of long-established woodland and the identification of new candidate woodlands for inclusion on the AWI.

We welcome a new Data Officer and are pleased to be returning to full capacity. This financial year was exceptionally busy for data searches.

The Local Wildlife Sites Project was affected by Covid-19 with lengthy periods of furlough for the project officer, but despite these restrictions 35 LWS were surveyed. The trainee Local Wildlife Sites Officer benefitted from the extra period of time she was retained and has developed into an exceptional botanist.

Positive outcome for wildlife from planning and infrastructure proposals

The Trust has an important role in commenting on planning and infrastructure proposals, including local plans, minerals plans and neighbourhood plans. We seek to work closely with local planning authorities and developers across our area in order that our advice can be fed into the planning application process as early as possible and give the best chance for full consideration of the ecological impact. The Trust provides comments and will object where appropriate.

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The local plan and neighbourhood plan process continues. Contributions were made on the Three Rivers, St Albans, Dacorum, North Herts, Hertsmere, and Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan process, and the Much Hadham, Sandridge, Ashwell, Pirton, Abbotts Langley, Bishops Stortford, Hunsden, Bengeo, St Stephens, Sele, Kings Langley, and Preston neighbourhood plans.

Our role in scrutinising planning applications is vital to ensure that the implications for wildlife are understood. From April 2020 to March 2021, 874 applications fell into our criteria for closer checking and were scrutinised to assess the ecological impact. We made 254 responses on these, of which 164 were objections. Of the 164 objections, 38 applications have not been decided yet, 116 addressed our objection, i.e. followed our advice, 45 were refused or withdrawn (38 of which were refused or withdrawn on wildlife grounds raised by the Trust), and 10 did not uphold our objection. We also made 90 comments on applications without objecting.

A major achievement of the year was the adoption of the Stevenage Biodiversity Accounting Supplementary Planning Document by Stevenage Borough Council. This comprehensive, practical planning guidance, produced by the Trust, details how measurable and objectively assessed biodiversity net gain is to be achieved in Stevenage. It is already paying dividends in securing better results for biodiversity through the planning process and is the basis of a template that is being considered for adoption by several other LPAs in Herts.

We continue to make the case for the full and proper consideration of the ecological impact of High Speed Two , which will pass over our Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve. This includes sitting on the HS2 Colne Valley Panel which resulted in our securing funding for the Nathusius’ Bat Project. We are liaising with the HS2 main contractors and Natural England to seek to achieve the best possible mitigation.

Increasing support for the Trust

The Trust is extremely grateful for the continued support we have received from all our supporters through their memberships, donations, legacies and grants. The overall number of members shows only a slight decrease which is encouraging considering the suspension of so much of our face to face recruitment and other engagement activities, and predicted downturn in financial confidence as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Members not only provide vital funding, enabling us to take action for wildlife, but also represent the collective voice of people who care about the natural world. This is critically important in helping the Trust to stand up for wildlife and get our message across to key decision-makers.

With the majority of our usual fundraising activities suspended due to the pandemic, we were extremely grateful for the generous response of our supporters to our emergency Appeal , which raised over £66,000.

The variety and growth of support from our local community has been very encouraging. Income from general donations and community fundraising activities has been steadily received throughout the year, albeit at lower rates than usual due to the pandemic. Many of our supporters organised their own fundraising events and we received welcome support from community groups such as Datchworth Climate Group. Some of our events were redesigned to be Covid-safe including the Chess Valley Challenge which saw over 100 people take part, raised over £4,000 and was kindly sponsored by Affinity Water. Other events were moved online and we ran our first digital fundraiser - the 2.6 Challenge.

The Wildlife Trusts’ national campaign seeking to secure 30% of land and sea for wildlife by 2030 continues to bring new supporters to the Trust along with individual donations for our work for nature’s recovery locally.

We are very grateful for the generous legacies we received from David Mattingly, Moira Petty, Mary Marwood and Jean Hird. We continue to operate a dedicated Legacy Fund through which Trustees determine how unrestricted legacies are allocated. This fund enabled us to purchase Blagrove Common Nature Reserve this year, securing the future of this important grassland habitat for future generations.

The Trust received kind donations in memory of Colin and Rosemary Jenkins, Chris Bartram, Diane Sirkett, Pat and Peter Lomer, Charles Lansdown, David Murrell, Mr Wilson, Ann Hirst-Smith, Sylvia Oliver, Georgia, Andrew Cox, Damian Henry Cordrey-Fuller, Shirley Avery, Iris Oakes, Len Barron, Paul Thrush and Rita Hayes.

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We were pleased to receive the ongoing support from our existing Corporate Members.

Platinum
Bourne Leisure Group
UK Power Networks
Gold
Affinity Water
Islandbridge Properties Limited
Thames Water Utilities
The Grove		 Silver
Borras Construction
Cemex UK
Tarmac
Bronze
Institute of the Motor Industry

We continue to work with business partners in managing their land, engaging their staff and the local community. We ran joint events with Home Farm Glamping who hosted educational family events at their site and received sponsorship from Affinity Water for our Chess Valley Challenge and Opticron for our photography competition. We continued to work with Puddingstone Distillery who helped raise awareness of our conservation work and funds for the Trust through sales of their gin. Other companies supported us with donations from product sales this year including Tommy and Lottie and Abigail’s Flowers, Home Farm Glamping and Little Otter Books, and we received annual contributions from national partnerships with Vine House Farm. We also received donations from Dotmatics, Fitch Ratings and Beazley Management.

External income from grants and individual donations continue to be important to the Trust, enabling improvements on our nature reserves and other conservation and engagement projects. We are also grateful for to the generosity of all our funders which includes:

Affinity Water London Borough of Hillingdon
Asda Foundation Miss S M G Ross Trust
Biffa Award National Lottery Community Fund
Dacorum Borough Council National Lottery Heritage Fund
Environment Agency Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Friends of Tewin Rural Payments Agency (DEFRA)
Graham and Henrietta Somervell's Wildlife Trust St Albans City & District Council
Harpenden Town Council Stevenage Borough Council
Hertford Town Council Tarmac Limited
Hertfordshire Community Foundation Tesco Bags of Help
Hertfordshire County Council Thames Water
Hertfordshire County Council Locality Budget (Cllr Bibby, Cllr Billing, Cllr The Banister Charitable Trust
Bloxham, Cllr Chesterman, Cllr Clapper, Cllr Eames-Petersen, Cllr
Featherstone, Cllr Greensmyth, Cllr Hale, Cllr Kaye, Cllr Mills, Cllr
Stevenson)		 The Debs Foundation
The Linder Foundation
HS2 Colne Valley Regional Park Panel The Robert Clutterbuck Trust
HS2 Ltd The Spear Charitable Trust
Jan Klapwijk Three Rivers District Council
John Davis Veolia Environmental Services
Kate Aylett Waitrose Community Matters
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority West Herts Environment Forum

Increasing influence on and support from key decision-makers

We continue to champion wildlife through our advocacy work with local government, MPs and business leaders on specific subjects such as the impact of Brexit and the future of agri-environment funding and wildlife legislation. We continue to play a full role within the Wildlife Trust movement in national campaigns. We have been very pleased to engage with the new Herts Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership which is being led by the local authorities across the county. This provides a way to ensure a joined up approach to delivering nature’s recovery and recognises that the future of wildlife is integrally linked to addressing climate change.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21

Working with local authorities continues to be a priority for the Trust in terms of having local impact and benefiting local communities. Special thanks go to County Cllrs Bibby, Billing, Bloxham, Chesterman, Clapper, Eames-Petersen, Featherstone, Greensmyth, Hale, Kaye, Mills, Stevenson for their support through their Locality Grants. We are very pleased to continue working with Harpenden Town Council, Stevenage Borough Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and a new project with St Albans District Council through which we deliver a wide range of community engagement and conservation activities.

More people aware of the need for wildlife conservation

Our events programme this year was severely hampered by Covid-19 restrictions. Our face-to-face events programme was largely cancelled from March 2020. However, at the start of the first national lockdown in March 2020, we launched Wild at Home, a series of online activities and events to help people stay connected to wildlife whilst remaining safely at home.

In June 2020, the Trust launched its online events programme. Between June 2020 and March 2021, the Trust hosted 47 online events from drawing classed to winter tree identification. These events were enjoyed by over 3,300 people and raised more than £11,100 for the Trust.

Now in its 6[th] year, the national campaign 30 Days Wild once again proved popular. The campaign aims to get people closer to wildlife and participants are encouraged to complete a ‘Random Act of Wildness’ of their choosing every day in June. Over 1,900 people took part from our area.

New for this year was the launch of a photography competition in August. The competition, sponsored by Opticron, saw over 160 entries and over 820 votes on the shortlisted images. These were very healthy results and proved that the competition can be a really good engagement tool which we will look to repeat in 2021.

Our partnership projects such as those for the Affinity Water sites, Kings Meads, Harpenden and Panshanger Park, provide an excellent way to raise awareness of our local conservation and to engage people actively as volunteers.

Raise awareness of the Trust and our work

Our external communications continue to grow and create awareness of the Trust and our activities. Wildlife Matters is the Trust’s flagship membership publication and is well received, with many readers writing in to compliment it. Our media work has been highly successful including appearances on Countryfile in relation to our Colne Valley projects. Our print media alone has an estimated advertising value of over £367,000, while our social media channels continue to grow and through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram which now have an aggregated social media audience of over 14,400, up 37% year-on-year.

Increase sales activities and new income streams

Our paid-for events programme has been reinvigorated by the Team during the pandemic and successfully moved online, providing higher than anticipated participation and income. Our wildlife sponsorships have also seen a great response this year with the introduction of digital packs during 2020. Postal packs were resumed alongside the digital option in the autumn.

More children learn about, experience and value nature

Whilst Covid-19 affected our ability to run fact-to-face events for children, our Wild At Home project was particularly aimed at families with children. This ran for 14 weeks in the first national lockdown with each week having a different theme and was reintroduced in January 2021 offering online events and activities for 6 weeks. The project proved to be popular and has now been adapted into Wild Child engagement programme which launched as a pilot at the end of March to coincide with the Easter school holidays. The Wild Child programme has shifted the focus of Wild At Home to give families activities and inspiration to visit nature reserves and the wider countryside.

Increase number of actively involved volunteers

Volunteers support the work on nature reserves and in the countryside, as well as our community speakers, the wildlife gardening team at Grebe House, event helpers and our team of volunteers who help regularly in the offices. The Trust is grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who support us and gave over £130,000 worth of their time over the year. The level of volunteering has been reduced over the year in response to the restrictions placed by the Covid19 pandemic and there have been large parts of the year when our volunteering programme was put on hold.

As always, our work party volunteers, volunteer wardens and their assistants continue to do fantastic work across our nature reserves, and the work we have achieved this year would not have been nearly possible without them. Thanks go to them all for their hard work and dedication.

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A few highlights include Robin Cole and his team at Tewinbury and their dedicated work to begin the eradication of Himalayan Balsam from the site. Martin Ketcher clearing inflow ditches and building leaky dams at Purwell to improve site hydrology, Gavin Vicary continuing his amazing work clearing scrub at Patmore, and Barry Trevis managing the watercress at Lemsford Springs. This year we said goodbye to Cynthia Coombe Warden at Fox Covert and Hawkins Wood and Nicola Philips our warden at Cassiobury.

Provide employment skills whilst helping the Trust

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 restrictions we were unable to run our usual nature reserves trainee schemes.

Improve physical and intellectual access to wildlife and our reserves

New interpretation boards and orientation signage have been installed at Long Deans and Gobions Wood. A new bird hide, named in honour of the late Paul Thrush, the Trust’s former Nature Reserves Manager, has opened at Wilstone Reservoir in Tring and features new bird ID interpretation.

In January we started a project to revitalise our Reserves Guide and update it to a Wildscapes book to inspire readers to get out and explore the wildlife around them. The new document turns away from being a catalogue of our nature reserves and instead focusses on seasonal wildlife highlights, actions that people can take for wildlife and how and when to spot different species on our nature reserves and in the wider countryside. The new publication will start to be delivered to new members in May 2021.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21

HEADLINE ACTIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2022

This sets out the major projects which will be developed with an indication of how the various work streams are funded. Unrestricted (UR) (core) funding is money we can spend on any activity in line with our charitable objectives. Restricted (R) funding is where the provider of the money specifies exactly what it can be used for. As one of the impacts of the Covid-19 situation has been to delay the production of the Trust’s new strategy until Autumn 2021, Trustees have agreed to roll forward the FY21 headline actions to FY22.

HEADLINE ACTIONS FY22

HEADLINE ACTIONS FY22 HEADLINE ACTIONS FY22 HEADLINE ACTIONS FY22 HEADLINE ACTIONS FY22
**UR ** R
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1
WILDLIFE:to protect, enhance and connect places for wildlife on nature reserves, in urban areas and across the
widercountryside throughpositive conservationaction
1.1 **Outcome: lead nature conservation in Herts & Middlesex **
Deliver BarbastelleProject √ √
Deliver LivingRiversProject,includingwater vole andnon-native specieswork √
DeliverColneValleyProject √
1.2 Outcome: an increased overallquality and stature of our portfolio of nature reserves
Develop 5naturereservesimprovement projects √ √
Deliver AffinityWater Project √
DelivertheKingsMeads project √
1.3 Outcome: increased areas of wildlife habitat inthe wider countryside and urban areas
Wildlife land management advice to 50 farmers, golf course managers, schools and local
authorities.		 √ √
Deliver the Local Wildlife Sites Programme,through botanical surveys and management advice √ √
Deliverthe community projectinpartnershipwith Harpenden TownCouncil √
1.4 Outcome: a step change inour knowledge of habitats and species
Host andruntheHertfordshireEnvironmental Records Centre √
DelivertheNathusius bat project √
Develop'EveryRecord Counts', a project to encourage biological recording √ √
Prepare a State of NatureReportfor Hertfordshire andfor Middlesex √
1.5 Outcome: a positive outcome for wildlife from planning and infrastructure proposals
Review and comment upon local plan documents, planning applications and provide advice to
Planners		 √
Influence the designandmanagement of newgreen infrastructure √
Seek to secure appropriate ecological mitigation for High Speed Two and other major
infrastructure		 √

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2:
PEOPLE: toinspire people tovalue thenatural world and to enable action for wildlife
2.1 Outcome: greater support for the Trust
Develop grant bids to deliverthenaturereservesworkandmajorproject plan √
Deliverylegacy plan √
Deliverbusiness partnership scheme √
Develop and deliver majordonorplan √
DelivertheHerts CommunityFoundation BuildingEffectivenessProgramme √
2.2 Outcome: key decision-makers are influenced and supportive of the Trust and our
objectives
Advocate wildlife and its conservation to localpoliticians,MPs,local authorities,business leaders √
Play a full role within the Wildlife Trust movement in campaigning for strong protection through
lawand policy and on issues suchasHS2		 √
2.3 Outcome: more people are aware of the Trust and of the need for wildlife conservation
Growthe annualprogramme of walks, talks and events toincrease participationandincome √ √
Continueinvolvement atPanshanger Park √ √
Develop a project to engage families with nature, encouraging reserve visits and action for
wildlife		 √ √
Deliver 2 majorevents √ √
2.4 Outcome: opportunities to raise awareness of the Trust and our workare maximised
Increasemedia coverage and positivePR √
Maintain and develop the website and digital media, developing online content and interactivity
withsupporters and the generalpublic		 √
2.5 Outcome: children have the chance to learnabout, experience and value nature
Deliver RiverSchool √
Target schools and collegesforparticipation in30DaysWild √
2.6 Outcome: the number of actively involved volunteers grows
Build and support anetworkofactivevolunteers across theTrust’swork √
Continue to support and develop our LocalGroups seeking opportunities toreach newareas √
Continue to support and develop ourteamof ReserveWardens √
2.7 Outcome: people gainthe chance to learnemployment skills whilst helping the Trust
Continue torunannualtrainee programmefor reserves √
Continue torunannualtrainee programmefor Wildlife Sites √ √
2.8 Outcome: physical and intellectual access to wildlife and our reserves improves
Improve physicalaccess to our naturereserves √ √
Deliverprogramme of interpretationat our naturereserves √ √

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FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

Covid-19

Not surprisingly Covid-19 has had a significant impact on our finances this year. Due to the various lockdowns our ability to recruit new members by face-to-face recruitment has been severely restricted. Also face-to-face fundraising events normally held during the year have had to be cancelled or postponed.

The main long-term issue is that the number of new members we recruited this year overall was significantly down. We will not see the adverse impact of this until a few years time. In the year of recruitment, a commission is paid to our recruitment company Wildlife Fundraising Central (WFC), which is owned by us and other Wildlife Trusts. This commission is more than the income we receive in the first year of a membership. Hence our cash position actually improves in the short term.

We have received funds from both central and local government to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on our financial situation. This included included a grant from the Heritage Lottery Emergency Fund of £156k, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme payments of £19k and emergency payments from St Albans District Council of £5k.

Brexit

Compared to the impact of Covid-19, the impact of Brexit has been minimal so far on our financial situation. It is unclear however what impact it will have in the medium term as legislation impacting the environment, farming, and wildlife is currently being debated.

Income

Overall income

Our overall income comprises two categories, unrestricted and restricted . Unrestricted income is money we can spend on any activity in line with our charitable objectives, and restricted income is where the provider of the money specifies how it should be spent.

Our total income this year fell by £235k to £2,176k primarily due the lack of legacy income, lower restricted fees and contract income and our reduced ability to run face to face fundraising events.

Unrestricted income (decrease of £79k)

Unrestricted income comprises mainly membership subscriptions together with items such as donations, legacies and investment income.

Membership income

Membership is the major income stream which allows the Trust to deliver its charitable objectives. The Trust is committed to developing strong and lasting relationships with its supporters and to enabling new members to join us.

Formed in February 2013, Wildlife Fundraising Central (WFC) is jointly owned by the Trust and 5 other Wildlife Trusts. WFC operates a face-to-face recruitment model and has developed new areas of work over the last year. The Trust has regular communication with WFC management to review performance and agree actions to ensure compliance with legal and best practice requirements. In a ‘normal’ year, the majority of new members are recruited by WFC. Covid-19 restrictions resulted in face-to-face fundraising being suspended for much of the year, with periods of limited activity in outdoor settings delivered where possible. WFC delivered a successful telephone fundraising campaign for the Trust in early 2021.

The Trust has seen strong growth in other areas of recruitment through its own activities this year including a programme of online promotions and a postal campaign.

Despite restrictions, total household memberships decreased by only 23 from 12,342 in March 20 to 12,319 as at March 2021. This shows the success and growth of the Trust’s other recruitment activities and strong retention in membership during year.

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However as highlighted above Covid-19 will have an impact on our finances in the medium term as the total new members recruited this year of 1,118 was nearly 700 fewer than the 1,808 achieved last year.

The Trust continues to monitor the ‘journey’ of our members from recruitment through their wider engagement with our work and, in the event of cancellation, their reasons and timing for withdrawing their support. This helps the Trust to maintain our relationship with our members and to improve the membership experience.

Donations and other fundraising income

We had a great response to our emergency appeal during the year and saw an overall increase in donations from those attending our online and other activities.

Having had to put our Community Fundraising and in-person event plans on hold, the Trust’s new programme of online engagement activities, developed in response to Covid-19, has been key to reaching new audiences and raising awareness of the need to connect with and protect local wildlife. This has had an impact both on our membership recruitment campaigns and in donations from the public.

Unrestricted legacy income

Unrestricted legacy funding is hugely important to the Trust to enable us to carry out vital management of our nature reserves, plan ahead for longer-term activities, and provide matched funding to unlock grants. (Match funding is where grant providers require a charity to provide an element of the funding for a project). We are very thankful for these generous gifts.

By its nature, legacy income is a variable and unpredictable source of income. Unrestricted legacy income decreased significantly from £133k in FY20 to £3k in FY21. Management continue to take a cautious approach with legacy income in the budgeting process due to its unpredictability, in order to avoid overstretching the Trust.

Unrestricted legacy income is held in a designated fund, as discussed later in the report.

Restricted income (overall decrease of £156k)

Restricted income generally comprises grants and contract income given to us by third parties for specific projects, which can be used for both staffing and project delivery costs. Grant giving bodies include local authorities, central government and charitable foundations.

In the previous year we received significant income from Thames Water, Heritage Lottery Fund & the Environment Agency relating to the Kings Meads project.

This year we received £156k from an Emergency Heritage Lottery Fund to support the Trust through Covid-19, along with other funding specifically set up in response to the pandemic.

No restricted legacies were received during the year.

Funding from Local Authorities remained steady this year, with new funding from St Albans District Council & Welwyn, Hatfield DC & Three Rivers DC.

Funding from Tesco Bags of Help scheme was reduced due the impacts of Covid-19. Residual payments were received for Purwell Ninesprings & Patmore Heath and new funding secured for Alpine Meadows.

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Expenditure

Trustees continue to be vigilant to ensure that whilst satisfying our strategic objectives remains paramount, proper caution and control over expenditure should be maintained where possible.

Raising funds

Expenditure on raising funds has decreased by £58k from £522k in FY20 to £464k in FY21.

Whilst there was an overall cost saving in FY21, this is in part due to lower level of members recruited by Wildlife Fundraising Central. Whilst this delivers a short-term cost saving, there will be a longer-term reduction in membership income.

Charitable activities

Expenditure on our charitable activities increased by £175k from £1,386k in FY20 to £1,561k in FY21.

It should be noted that expenditure on restricted projects is often impacted by timing differences where it is not possible to spend the restricted income on the project in the year it is received, or funding received is planned to fund multi-year projects. As a result, restricted income will often be spent in later years.

Governance costs

Details of Governance costs can be found in Note 5. The level of Governance expenditure remains consistent with previous years at 5% of total expenditure.

Gains on investments

The value of our investments increased by £161k during the year. The improvement reflects the fact that the starting point was March 2020, where the stock markets had reduced dramatically in value, following the worsening Covid-19 situation.

It should be noted that this gain is unrealised, it does not represent cash gained or lost.

In any period the value of these investments can go down as well as up. However as explained later we are careful not to invest cash in these investments which we may need to access in the short term. Also we do not assume any increases in value on our investments when we set our operating budgets. Stock market valuations are always volatile particularly in the current situation.

Net movement in funds

Overall there was a surplus of £312k for the year, comprising a restricted funds surplus of £19k and an unrestricted surplus of £293k.

Nature Reserves

During the year two nature reserves were acquired Beane Marsh (£163k) and Blagrove Common (£36k)

Financial position as at 31 March 2021

Our total funds at 31 March 2021 are £5,242k, comprising General Funds of £914k, Designated Funds £1,087k and Restricted Funds of £3,241k.

Designated Funds

The Trust has two unrestricted designated funds, the Endowment Fund and the Unrestricted Legacies Fund.

Endowment Fund

The balance held within the fund reflects the investment we have with Sarasin in their endowment fund. This designated fund represents the amount of money that the Trust has invested for the long term with the aim of generating an annual

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

income to fund our ongoing charitable activities. The balance of the endowment fund at the end of the year is £791k (up from £651k in March 20).

Unrestricted Legacies Fund

The Unrestricted Legacies Fund was introduced in October 2015 and the Finance & Resources Committee (FRC) agreed that unrestricted legacy income would be transferred into this fund each year. The aim of this fund is to ensure that the visibility of legacy income is not lost and to highlight how the legacies we receive are spent. Projects to be funded from the Legacy Fund will be considered annually as part of the budgeting process, and as requirements/opportunities arise.

This year’s unrestricted legacy income of £3k has been transferred into the fund. This represents legacy income received at the end of last year deemed to be restricted, which transpires to be unrestricted.

The fund has been used to fund the purchase of Blagrove Common (£36k). The fund closing balance was £296k.

Restricted Funds

The Trust held £3,241k of restricted funds at 31 March 2021. These funds are analysed in Note 18.

The value of funds has increased by £55k from £3,186k at 31 March 2020.

Financial reserves policy

Financial reserves are defined as that part of our unrestricted funds (including designated funds) that are available to spend on any of the Trust’s purposes. Accordingly it excludes restricted funds and any tangible fixed assets purchased using unrestricted monies.

As described in previous years during our last strategic review the Trustees decided that we need to maintain:

Short-term funds must be maintained at a level to cover next year’s budgeted unrestricted cash outflows together with any financial or capital investments to be made in that period. They must be maintained in cash or cash equivalents (convertible to cash within 3 months).

At 31 March 2021, total unrestricted cash and equivalents stand at £385k this level meets the Trust’s short-term unrestricted requirements for the year to 31 March 2022.

Medium-term funds set aside to fund one-off projects may be invested in asset classes with higher risk than cash, but not entirely in equities. At 31 March 2021, £242k of unrestricted funds are held in medium-term investments (primarily in fixed income assets) and £249k in a 6 month notice account.

Long-term funds set aside to create an endowment may be invested in equities. At 31 March 2021 these were £791k.

Our level of financial reserves is reviewed by the Finance & Resources Committee as part of the annual budget approval process to ensure that the Trustees are comfortable with the level of financial reserves being maintained by the Trust.

During the ongoing Covid-19 crisis both management and FRC have continued to monitor our financial situation very closely.

Refer to Note 19 for an explanation of any restricted funds in deficit.

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Our financial investment policy

Our financial investment policy is focused on the need to provide appropriate short-term cash resources for the Trust to carry out its present and future activities effectively, together with the management of an acceptable level of investment risk on funds that we do not need in the short term to generate an income for the Trust, along with capital growth.

Our investment policy is reviewed annually by the FRC. Investments funds held are reviewed on a regular basis and any substantive changes to the finances will be highlighted to Council. No additional funds were invested this year.

During our last major review of the financial investment policy we decided to use Sarasin & Partners, a Swiss /UK investment manager, specialising in charities and used by a number of other wildlife trusts.

We have investments in two Sarasin funds - these are both Charity Authorised Investment Funds available only for charities to invest in, and the funds are regulated both by the Charities Commission and the Financial Conduct Authority. The Sarasin Alpha funds follow a socially responsible and ethical investment policy.

In addition we have relatively small investments in two Blackrock (a leading global investment manager) funds, which we have held for a number of years. We decided to continue to hold these to provide an element of diversification in our investment portfolio.

Details of movements in our investments can be found in Note 12.

As noted in previous years the Trust is receiving restricted income which for a variety of reasons will not be spent in the immediate future. We therefore decided to expand our financial investment policy to cover restricted funds, with the one difference to the policy used for our unrestricted funds being that when we will hold short term funds to cover planned expenditure for the next 24 months rather than just the next financial year’s budget for unrestricted income.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

TRUSTEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPROVAL

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also Directors of Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements published on the Charity’s website. Legislation in the UK concerning the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

The responsibility for preparing this Annual Report rests with the charity’s Trustees. It is taken to the June 2021 meeting of Council for approval.

Disclosure of information to auditors

So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware. The Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s auditors are aware of that information.

Auditors

Mazars have indicated their willingness to continue in office and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, it is proposed that they be re-appointed auditors for the ensuing year.

Statement for small companies

This Trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption provided by section 414B (b) of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the Council of Management on 24 June 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

clive hinds (Jun 24, 2021 18:11 GMT+1)

………………………………….

Clive Hinds Trustee & Treasurer Date: 24-Jun-2021

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Limited (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the Report of the Trustees, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of 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.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

24

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report included within the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 23, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity 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 assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

25

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Based on our understanding of the charity and its activities, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to the Charities Act 2011, the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice UK, health and safety regulation, UK tax legislation, anti-bribery, corruption and fraud, money laundering, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements, such as the Companies Act 2006.

We evaluated the trustees’ and management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks were related to posting manual journal entries to manipulate financial performance, management bias through judgements and assumptions in significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to use of restricted funds, and significant one-off or unusual transactions.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to those identified risks, including non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) and fraud that are material to the financial statements. Our audit procedures included but were not limited to:

Our audit procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of irregularities including fraud rests with management. As with any audit, there remained a risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations or the override of internal controls.

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

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST

Use of the audit report

This report is made solely to the charity’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 charity’s members 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 charity and the charity’s members as a body for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Vincent Marke (Jun 24, 2021 18:17 GMT+1)

Vincent Marke (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Mazars LLP Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor The Pinnacle 160 Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 1FF

Date: 24-Jun-2021

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Note
Income from:
- Donations and legacies:
Membership subscriptions
2
Donations, gifts and grants
4(a)
Legacies
- Other trading activities:
Fundraising activities
Investment and other income
-Income from charitable activities:
Grants
4(a)
-Fees and contracts
4(b)
Total income
Expenditure on:
Costs of raising funds
5
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Conservation and nature reserves
5
Provision for Purwell Bridge (release)
5
Total expenditure
Net gains/(losses) on investments
12(a)
Net income
Transfers
Net movement in funds
6
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£000
1,057
69
3
174
59
-
30
1,392
449
811
-
1,260
161
293
(36)
257
1,744
2,001		 Restricted
Funds
£000
-
7
-
8
-
400
369
784
15
750
-
765
-
19
36
55
3,186
3,241		 Total
2021
£000
1,057
76
3
182
59
400
399
2,176
464
1,561
-
2,025
161
312
-
312
4,930
5,242		 Total
2020
£000
1,064
109
133
232
49
531
293
2,411
522
1,386
(41)
1,867
(36)
508
-
508
4,422
4,930

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There are no recognised gains and losses in the year other than those recorded above.

The information presented within the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021 is equivalent to that which would have to be disclosed in an income and expenditure account and accordingly a separate income and expenditure account has not been presented, as permitted by Companies Act 2006.

The comparative SoFA for 2020 can be found in note 3.

The notes on pages 31 to 45 form part of these financial statements.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
9
Intangible Fixed assets
10
Nature reserves
11
Investments
12
Current Assets
Debtors
13
Short term investments
14
Cash and cash equivalents
14
Creditors: Amounts
falling due within one
year
15
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
Funds
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
18
Designated funds
18
Restricted funds
19
Total Funds		 31 March
2021
£000
271
249
1,522		 31 March
2021
£000
258
42
1,853
1,248		 31 March
2020
£000
303
248
1,594		 31 March
2020
£000
246
-
1,654
1,078
3,401
1,841		 2,978
1,952
2,042
(201)		 2,145
(193)
5,242 4,930
914
1,087
3,241
5,242		 763
981
3,186
4,930

These financial statements have been prepared with the special provision of part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities.

These financial statements were approved on 24 June 2021 and authorised for issue by the Council of Management on and signed on its behalf by:

M Master

M Master (Jun 24, 2021 18:08 GMT+1)

………………………………….

M. Master MBE (Chairman)

clive hinds (Jun 24, 2021 18:11 GMT+1)

………………………………….

C. Hinds (Trustee & Treasurer)

The notes on pages 31 to 45 form part of these financial statements.

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

CASH FLOW STATEMENT AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Losses / (gains) on fixed and current investments
Investment manager fees
Investment and interest income
Movement in debtors
Movement in creditors
Movement in provision
Cash generated from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment and interest income
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of nature reserves
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period		 31
March
2021
£000
312
21
(179)
8
(54)
32
8
-		 31
March
2021
£000
148
(220)
(72)
1,594
1,522		 31
March
2020
£000
31
March
2020
£000
508
12
35
8
(49)
(117)
(97)
(56)
244
49
(87)
(38)
206
1,388
**1,594 **
54
(75)
(199)

The notes on pages 31 to 45 form part of these financial statements.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 Accounting policies

General information

Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Limited Limited is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales. The address of its registered office and principal place of business is disclosed in the company information.

Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Limited Limited is also a charity, registered with the Charity Commission (England and Wales). The principal activity of the charity is to advance, promote and further the conservation, maintenance and protection of wildlife and its habitats.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling and this is the functional currency of the charity.

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice: 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' (SORP), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities and Companies Acts.

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Forecasts and business plans have been prepared which provide comfort that the Charity will continue to meet its objectives and be able to pay its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future and for a period of at least 12 months from the approval of the financial statements.

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the company's financial statements.

Leasehold property (Grebe House) straight line over 99 years
Reserves infrastructure 4% straight line basis
Motor vehicle 25% straight line basis
Plant 20% straight line basis
Office equipment 20% straight line basis
Computer equipment 20% straight line basis
Office refurbishment 20% straight line basis
Nature reserves nil
Assets in the course of construction nil

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Grebe House leasehold property was acquired in 1981 on a 99 year lease. The net book value of the lease at 31 March 2021 was £78,910 (2020: £80,253). In the event that the Trust vacates the premises the lease will automatically revert to the Council of the District of St Albans, and there is no guarantee that compensation will be receivable. In view of this uncertainty the Trustees have decided to carry the leasehold at its net book value. (see Public Appeal Fund in Note 19)

With the exception of expenditure on major reserves infrastructure works, expenditure on constructions within the nature reserve are written off as expenditure during the year. It is the Councils’ view that it should not be capitalised due to their vulnerability to vandalism.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In applying the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions in determining reliable evidence available at the time when the decisions are made, and are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be applicable. Due to inherent subjectivity involved in making such judgements, estimates and assumptions, the actual results and outcomes may differ.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods, if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key estimates and assumptions made in these accounts are:

2. Household memberships
Total Memberships at the start of the year
Net change
Total Memberships at the end of the year		 2021
No.
12,342
(23)
12,319		 2020
No.
11,982
360
12,342

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Income from:
- Donations and legacies:
Membership subscriptions
Donations, gifts and grants
Legacies
- Other trading activities:
Fundraising activities
Investment and other income
- Income from charitable activities:
Grants
-Fees and contracts
Total income
Expenditure on:
Costs of raising funds
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Conservation and nature reserves
Provision for Purwell Bridge (release)
Total expenditure
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Net income
Transfers
Net movement in funds
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£000
1,064
68
133
138
49
-
19
1,471
520
794
(41)
1,273
(36)
162
52
214
1,531
1,744		 Restricted
Funds
£000
-
41
-
94
-
531
274
940
2
592
-
594
-
346
(52)
294
2,891
3,186		 Total
2020
£000
1,064
109
133
232
49
531
293
2,411
522
1,386
(41)
1,867
(36)
508
-
508
4,422
4,930

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.(a) Donations, gifts and grants
Affinity Water
Bannister Charitable Trust
Biffa
CJRS (Job Retention Scheme)
Environment Agency
Environmental Compliance Fine
Heritage Lottery Fund
Hertford Town Council
Herts Community Foundation
HS2 – Colne Valley Bats
Linder Foundation
People Postcode Lottery
Rural Payments Agency (Defra)
Thames Water
Veolia Environmental Trust
Other
Total
Shown in the SoFA as follows:
Donations, gifts and grants
Grants
Total*		 Unrestricted
2021
£000
-
-
-
17
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
-
-
12
69
69
-
69		 Restricted
2021
£000
-
12
-
2
89
-
156
30
15
26
13
10
-
-
-
54
407
7
400
407		 Total
2021
£000
-
12
-
19
89
-
156
30
15
26
13
10
40
-
-
66
476
76
400
476		 Total
2020
£000
17
-
16
-
117
55
48
-
-
47
-
-
59
175
13
93
640
109
531
640

Grants/donations exceeding £10,000 per funder in either the year ended 31 March 2021 or 31 March 2020 have been disclosed separately in the above schedule, with anything below this included within other.

4. (b) Fees and contracts
Affinity Water – Biodiversity Management
Rent for Angling Licences
Consultancy
Go Wild at Hudnall
Hertfordshire County Council - HERC
HS2/HLF – Colne Valley
Harpenden TC - People & Wildlife Officer
St Albans District Council
Stevenage Borough Council P & WO
Tarmac - Panshanger P & WO
HERC Data search invoices
HERC Annual Licences
Other
Total		 Unrestricted
2021
£000
-
11
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19
30		 Restricted
2021
£000
62
-
11
3
44
78
22
25
10
21
52
19
22
369		 Total
2021
£000
62
11
11
3
44
78
22
25
10
21
52
19
41
399		 Total
2020
£000
45
11
19
14
38
47
17
-
12
23
43
15
8
293

35 Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. Analysis of total expenditure
Direct costs:
Note
Staff & volunteer costs
Nature reserves and project
expenditure
Publications, newsletters & publicity
Annual contribution to RSWT
Depreciation
6/9
Membership recruitment & servicing
Audit and accountancy fees
6
Council expenses
Sub total
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Support costs:
Staff & volunteer costs
7
Finance
Office
Information technology
Legal and professional fees
Sub total
Total
Allocation of Governance costs
Total (post allocation)
Total Expenditure (post allocation)

Provision for Purwell Bridge (release)
Total per SOFA		 Expenditure
on Raising
funds
2021
£000
223
-
10
-
4
115
-
-
352
48
3
24
9
4
88
440
24
464
Expenditure
on Raising
funds
2021
£000
464
-
**464 **		 Expenditure
on Charitable
activities
2021
£000
Total
2021
£000
Governance
2021
£’000
744
3
970
338
-
338
94
-
104
48
-
48
13
4
21
-
-
115
-
11
11
-
-
-
1,237
18
1,607
140
44
232
1
1
5
54
18
96
35
17
61
14
6
24
244
86
418
1,481
104
2,025
80
(104)
-
1,561
-
2,025
Expenditure on
Charitable
activities
2021
£000
Total
2020
£000
Total
2021
£’000
1,561
2,025 1,908
-
- (41)
1,561
2,025
**1,867 **		 Total
2020
£000
942
236
113
49
12
175
16
2
1,547
220
5
97
25
14
361
1,908
-
1,908

Governance costs are allocated to activities within the categories based on the average number of staff involved in those activities.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

36

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.
Net movement in funds
Net movement in funds is stated after charging:
Auditors' remuneration
- statutory audit
- other services
Operating lease rentals
- plant and machinery
Depreciation – owned assets
and crediting:
Interest receivable
7. Staff costs and numbers
Salaries
Social security costs
Employer's pension
Total
The average number of employees during the year was:
Conservation and Nature Reserves
Support and Administration
Fundraising and Publicity
Projects
Total		 2021
£000
7
3
8
21
8
2021
£000
1,016
99
73
1,188
2021
No.
12
6
9
8
35		 2020
£000
6
-
8
12
8
2020
£000
967
92
68
1,127
2020
No.
12
6
10
7
35

During the year, one member of staff received a severance package (2020: none).

The Trust considers its key management personnel comprise the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management Team (Head of Living Landscapes, Head of Fundraising & Communications, Finance Manager and Business Support Manager). The total employment benefits including employer pension contributions of the key management personnel were £301,405 for five posts (2020: £291,249 for five posts).

Two employees were remunerated between £60,000 and £70,000 (2020: one).

8. Taxation

All income is applied for charitable purposes and therefore the charity is exempt from corporation tax.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

37

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9. Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 March 2020
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020		 Land,
Buildings &
Reserves
Infrastructure
£000
234
22
-
256
81
6
-
87
169
153		 Office
Equipment
£000
127
10
-
137
34
14
-
48
89
93		 Motor
Vehicles
£000
47
-
-
47
47
-
-
47
-
-		 Plant and
Equipment
£000
29
-
-
29
29
-
-
29
-
-		 Total
£000
437
32
-
469
191
20
-
211
258
246

During the year capital expenditure was incurred in completing the hardware upgrade in Grebe House, which has now been completed. In addition, a programme of works to protect the external fabric of Grebe House was carried out.

10. Intangible Assets
Customer Relationship Management		 Net Book
Value
1 April
2020
-		 Cost
£’000
43		 Depreciation
£’000
Net Book
Value
31 March
2021
(1)
42

Software costs were incurred in the implementation of a new Customer Relationship Management system, which went live in February 2021. These are amortised over 5 years.

11. Nature Reserves
Cost of Nature Reserves		 Value
1 April
2020
£’000
**1,654 **		 Addition
Beane
Marsh
£’000
163		 Addition
Blagrove
Common
£’000
Value
31 March
2021
£’000
36
1,853

The Trust’s nature reserves are held to advance the conservation objectives of the charity. Such assets are central to the achievements of the Trust. Trustees believe that the cost of £1,853k is not materially overstated, in accordance with accounting policy j (above). During the year, the Trust acquired Beane Marsh Nature Reserve and Blagrove Common.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

12.
Fixed asset investments
Listed investments (a)
Loan to Wildlife Fundraising (Central) Ltd (b)
Total
a)
Listed investments
Market value at 1st April
Additions
Gross Unrealised (losses)/gains
Investment manager fees
Market value at 31 March
Analysis by type of fund
Sarasin – Alpha CIF for Endowments
Sarasin – Alpha CIF for Income & reserves
Black Rock – Charinco Common Investment Fund
Black Rock – Charishare Restricted Common Investment Fund
Market value at 31 March
Historical cost at 31 March		 2021
£000
1,233
15
1,248
2021
£000
1,064
-
177
(8)
1,233
791
315
57
71
1,233
978		 2020
£000
1,064
15
1,079
2020
£000
1,107
-
(36)
(8)
1,064
651
298
58
57
1,064
978

The funds are held in the UK by BlackRock and Sarasin, regulated investment managers.

b) Loan to associated company

On 20 March 2013 the Trust advanced a loan of £15,000 as the first tranche of funding of Wildlife Fundraising (Central) Limited as required by the Loan Agreement dated 28 January 2013. This is a company established by a number of the Wildlife Trusts (including the Trust) in the south-east to recruit new members.

A second tranche of £10,000 was due by 1st February 2014, but has not been called upon. This loan is secured under a mortgage security deed over the assets of the said company. The loan remains with WFC.

13. Debtors

Due within one year:
Trade debtors
Gift Aid debtor
Prepayments and accrued income
As at 31 March		 2021
£000
61
36
174
271		 2020
£000
103
60
140
303

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

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HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14. Short term investments and cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments:
Fixed notice accounts (notice exceeding 3 months *)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Current accounts		 2021
£000
2020
£000
249
248
1,522
**1,594 **
15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2021 2020
£000 £000
Life Members' Subscriptions 12 11
Trade creditors 24 25
Other creditors, accruals and deferred income 133 124
Taxation and social security 32 25
As at 31 March 201 193

Deferred income comprises prepaid contracts (including service level agreements for data searches) annual corporate memberships and restricted projects where work cannot commence.

Deferred Income
Corporate Memberships (Annual)
Event Income (prepaid)
Contractual Income (prepaid)
Rattys Lane S.106
Total
16. Provisions
As at 1 April
Charge to SOFA
Released provision
As at 31 March		 2020
£’000
5
10
27
58
100		 Releases
£’000
(5)
(10)
(22)
-
(37)		 Additions
£’000
6
-
35
-
41		 2021
£’000
6
-
40
58
104
2020
£000
56
(15)
(41)
-
2021
£000
-
-
-
-

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

40

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

17. Analysis of net assets between funds:

17. Analysis of net assets between
funds:
Fund balances at 31 March 2021
as represented by:
Fixed assets
Nature reserves
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Total Net Assets
Fund balances at 31 March 2020
as represented by:
Fixed assets
Nature reserves
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Short term investments
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Total Net Assets
*Includes initial loan to WFC (£15k)		 Restricted
Funds
£000
169
1,817
215
1,137
-
(97)
3,241
Restricted
Funds
£000
173
1,654
215
1,228
-
(85)
3,186		 Unrestricted Funds
Designated
£000
General
£000
-
131
-
36
443
590
521
(136)
123
126
-
167
1,087
917
Unrestricted Funds
Designate
d
£000
General
£000
-
73
-
-
412
451
321
45
248
-
-
194
981
763		 Total
Funds
£000
300
1,853
1,248
1,522
249
70
5,242
Total
Funds
£000
246
1,654
1,078
1,594
248
108
4,930
18. Total funds
Unrestricted Funds:
General Fund
Endowment Fund
Legacies Fund
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds(note
19)
Total Funds		 At 1st
April
2020
£000
763
651
330
1,744
3,186
4,930		 Incom
e
£000
1,389
-
3
1,392
784
2,176		 Expenses
£000
(1,260)
-
-
(1,260)
(765)
(2,025)		 Investmen
t gains/
(losses)
£000
21
140
-
161
-
161		 Transfer
s
£000
-
-
(36)
(36)
36
-		 Gains/
(losses)
on sale
of fixed
assets
£000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At
31st
Marc
h
2021
£000
913
791
296
2,001
3,241
5,242

The designated Endowment Fund represents long term funds set aside by the Trustees to support the delivery of objectives by the Trust.

The aim of the designated Legacy Fund is to ensure that the visibility of legacy income is not lost and to highlight what the legacies we receive are actually used for. Projects to be funded from the Legacy Fund are considered annually as part of the budgeting process, and as requirements/opportunities arise.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

41

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

This year the legacy fund (unrestricted income) was used to fund the purchase of Blagrove Common Nature Reserve (a restricted asset). The remaining balance has been carried forward to help the Trust continue to address the longer term impact of Covid-19.

Total funds comparative

Unrestricted Funds:
General Fund
Endowment Fund
Legacies Fund
Restricted Funds
Total Funds		 At 1st
April
2019
£000
701
685
145
1,531
2,891
4,422		 Income
£000
1,338
-
133
1,471
940
2,411		 Expenses
£000
(1,273)
-
-
(1,273)
(594)
(1,867)		 Investment
gains/
(losses)
£000
(2)
(34)
-
(36)
-
(36)		 Transfers
£000
-
-
52
52
(52)
-		 Gains/
(losses)
on sale
of fixed
assets
£000
-
-
-
-
-
-		 At 31
March
2020
£000
763
651
330
1,744
3,186
4,930

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

42

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

19. Restricted funds

Restricted funds were received in the year for specific wildlife conservation projects on the Trust's reserves, county-wide initiatives in Hertfordshire and Middlesex and the Hertfordshire Environmental Records Centre.

Unspent amounts, which can arise for a number of different reasons, are carried forward to be spent in subsequent financial years

Restricted Project Funds
Bannister Charitable Trust
Beane Marsh Nature Reserve Acquisition
Colne Valley Bats
Colne Valley Water Voles & Angling
Consultancy
Environment Agency – Catchment Hosting
Environment Agency – Enforcement
Environment Agency - Lea Catchment
Environment Agency - Fir & Pond Fen
Friends of Tring Reservoir
Harpenden Commons & Greens Officer
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
Herts Environmental Records Centre(HERC)
Herts Community Foundation (HCF)
Herts County Council S.106
Hertfordshire Wildfowl – Duck tracking
Hilfield/Stockers/Springwell management
Individual Donations
Kings’ Meads – Restoring the Majesty
Living Rivers - Environmental Compliance
Panshanger Park People & Wildlife Officer
People Postcode Lottery (RSWT)
St Albans District Council
Tewinbury & Mimram River Restoration
Other
*Restricted Legacies
Capital Funds:
Nature Reserves Fund
Nature Reserves Infrastructure
Public Appeal Fund
*Total		 At
1 April
2020
£000
-
130
-
-
-
32
-
-
16
11
-
-
144
-
103
22
8
75
255
284
-
-
-
38
(35)
1,083
296
1,654
73
80
3,186		 Income
£000
12
39
28
79
16
11
16
50
-
-
24
156
115
15
-
-
65
-
-
-
21
10
25
-
102
784
-
-
-
-
784		 Expenses
£000
(7)
(3)
(26)
(85)
(16)
(21)
-
(1)
(4)
-
(24)
(156)
(89)
(7)
(23)
-
(69)
-
(70)
(36)
(18)
(10)
-
(11)
(73)
(749)
(11)
-
(4)
(1)
(765)		 Transfers
£000
-
(163)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(163)
-
199
-
-
36		 At
31 March
2021
£000
5
8
2
(6)
-
22
16
49
12
11
-
-
170
8
80
22
4
75
185
248
3
-
25
27
(6)
955
285
1,853
69
79
3,241

**** The deficit is purely due to timing and will be recovered during FY22.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

43

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Projects with income exceeding £10,000 and/or those with balances exceeding £10,000 at 31 March 2021 have been disclosed separately in the above schedule. Projects below these figures have been included within other.

The Nature Reserves Fund represents Nature Reserves which have been acquired by the Trust or gifted or bequeathed to the Trust. Nature Reserves Infrastructure represents capitalised costs on the construction of Thorley Bridge. The Public Appeal Fund represents funds used for the acquisition of Grebe House (see accounting policy h).

Restricted Funds Comparative

Restricted Project Funds
Beane Marsh Nature Reserve Acquisition
Cassiobury Park Work Parties
Colne Valley Bats
Colne Valley - A Landscape on the Edge
Consultancy
Fir & Pond Fen
Friends of Tring Reservoir
Gobions Wood maintenance
Gobions Wood S.106
Go Wild at Hudnall
Harpenden Commons & Greens Officer
Herts Environmental Records Centre(HERC)
Herts County Council S.106
Hertfordshire Wildfowl – Duck tracking
Hilfield/Stockers/Springwell management
Individual Donations
Kings’ Meads – Restoring the Majesty
Living Rivers – Catchment hosting
Living Rivers - Environmental Compliance
Long Deans – Chalk Grassland Restoration
Lower Ash Restoration
Panshanger Park Education Fund
Panshanger Park People & Wildlife Officer
Slimy Wrigglers II/Lower Rib
Stevenage Green Spaces
Tesco Local Community projects
Tewinbury & Mimram River Restoration
Other
Restricted Legacies
Capital Funds
Nature Reserves Fund
Nature Reserves Infrastructure
Public Appeal Fund
Total*		 At
1 April
2019
£000
-
-
(5)
(2)
-
-
11
8
-
-
-
136
129
5
14
77
-
20
275
0
28
4
-
10
0
2
48
25
785
361
1,591
77
77
2,891		 Income
£000
133
8
47
48
18
25
-
-
17
14
17
104
0
17
57
-
255
21
55
13
-
-
23
1
12
11
-
44
940
-
-
-
-
940		 Expenses
£000
(3)
(8)
(42)
(46)
(18)
(9)
-
(3)
(19)
(14)
(17)
(96)
(26)
-
(63)
(2)
-
(41)
(47)
(15)
-
(4)
(23)
(1)
(12)
(14)
(8)
(43)
(574)
(13)
-
(4)
(2)
(594)		 Transfers
£000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(52)
-
-
-
(52)		 At
31 March
2020
000
130
-
-
-
-
16
11
5
(2)
-
-
143
103
22
8
75
255
-
285
(2)
28
-
-
10
-
(1)
40
26
1,151
296
1,591
73
75
3,186

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

44

HERTFORDSHIRE & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

20. Pension commitments

The charity provides a defined contribution money purchase pension scheme, the assets of which are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. Contributions totalling £72k (2020: £68k) were paid during the year. There were no contributions payable at year end (2020: £nil)

21. Future financial commitments

At 31 March 2021 the Trust had annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:

Operating leases which expire:
Within one year
Between one and five years		 2021
Other
£000
8
8
16		 2020
Other
£000
8
8
16

22. Local groups

The Trust has one branch (Mid Herts). In 2021 Mid Herts Group submitted their returns, and that has been included in the financial statements.

23. Transactions with members of the Council of Management

During the year no expenses were paid to members of the Council of Management for travelling (2020: £786 paid to one member). No remuneration has been paid in the year (2020: £nil).

Unconditional donations received from Trustees during the year amounted to £450 (4 Trustees) and in 2020 £270 was received. (4 Trustees)

There were no other transactions between Council members and the Trust during the year.

24. Control

The controlling party is deemed to be the Board of Trustees.

Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust Trustee Report and Financial Statements FY21 

45