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2021-03-31-accounts

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Charity number: 288749

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Page
Trustees' Report 1 to 7
Legal and Administrative Information 8
Independent Examiners' Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 19

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Bentley Wood Charitable Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) FRS102 "Accounting and Reporting by Charities".

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is managed by the trustees who make strategic decisions and are legally responsible for the management of risks faced by the charity. The day to day management of the wood is delegated to the woodland manager. The trustees seek additional advice from statutory bodies which include the Forestry Commission, Natural England and also Bentley Wood's in-house advisory group of local interested parties. The woodland manager attends all meetings of the trustees and regularly reports and updates the chairman between the quarterly meetings.

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Dr P Woodruffe Mr A G Goddard Mr J Spencer Mr S Brunt

Other changes in trustees who served are as follows:

Mr GV Darrah - retired 14 June 2020 Mr R Burrows - retired 26 February 2021 Mr A J Horner - deceased 15 October 2020

Trustees are identified and selected by trustees for their knowledge, skills and experience in relevant fields that they can bring to the charity. Specifically these include, forestry, conservation, financial, trust management, governance and local knowledge.

Investment powers

The Trust is subject to provisions of the Trustee Act 2000.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Trust was established under a deed dated 31 January 1984.

The Trust's main functions are the maintenance of Bentley Wood SSSI and Upper Frenchmoor Copse on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border close to Salisbury and the investment of Trust monies in Shares, Securities and Personalty at the absolute discretion of the trustees.

The Trust's objectives are to enhance, with assistance of grants from the Forestry Commission and Natural England, the woodland owned by the Trust and to provide an environment where wildlife can thrive and people's quality of life can be enhanced.

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

1

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Strategic Report

Achievements and performance

Report from the Chairman of the Bentley Wood Trustees

One thing that all can agree on is that 2020 was a year that was unlike any other and for which very few were in any way well prepared. Well laid plans and ambitions collapsed across the country, and new challenges, and occasional opportunities, sprang up in their wake. This has certainly been the case with Bentley Wood. Few of the carefully laid projects unfolded to plan; we had ponds projects in train and trial pits dug and tested, but no new ponds were created. We had aspirations for visits and conservation volunteer led tasks that have had to be changed, modified or postponed. Even the regularly held Trustees’ meetings had to adapt to socially distanced, often cold, outdoor meetings. On at least one occasion we were socially separated by the leaks in the drafty barn roof that kept us all suitably separated from one another. So, this year has been far from normal.

The most obvious and most visual of consequences has been the major upsurge in visitors enjoying the wood and its wildlife. They have discovered Bentley Wood in large numbers as they accommodated their own lockdown conditions and needs, seeking both exercise and wellbeing in the wood. The vast majority of these are welcome and responsible visitors, and as trustees we see their use of the wood as both an essential good that the woodland provides and as meeting the ambitions of the original benefactor in promoting the enjoyment of the wood as one of the Trusts primary aims.

This surge in usage has created problems. The increase in use of limited parking areas has led to ugly and unsustainable wear and tear at some entry points. A small number of new users, apparently unaware of the law, our guidance and rules to be observed in visiting Bentley Wood, have created problems that, alongside the restricted scope for managing and policing such headaches, have led to unwelcome wear and tear and inappropriate use of the wood. Notable amongst a number of challenges has been the use of large areas within the wood, especially at its northern end, by mountain bike users, building jumps and ramps and creating wide tracks through bluebell rich woodland. It is tempting to blame such users on local children and teenagers, but it is very clear that many have come from far afield to use Bentley Wood. Some clearly arrive by car but some have cycled from far away.... one at least from as far afield as Frome! And many are far from being teenagers; many are full grown responsible men (and it is almost invariably men) who really should know better and behave more responsibly. We have also recorded incidents of overnight camping in the wood and more recently, break ins into vehicles at the car park. Littering, thankfully, has not been a major issue, and certainly not on the scale reported elsewhere during the past year’s lockdown. The message is, I fear, that such problems are not readily resolved and solutions impossibly elusive; but they can be managed. The use of the wood by so many welcome and responsible visitors during these unprecedented times of need is to be welcomed; we will need to rely more on all of us that enjoy the wonderful environment of the wood to ensure that it is used respectfully and wisely.

In spite of the constraints of lockdown the forestry and wildlife conservation management has continued with little or no interruption, though the admirable work of volunteers has of course been disrupted and delayed. This last is not only a loss to the wood but of course a loss to the enjoyment had by volunteers. Our thanks go to David and Martin for their diligent work throughout the year under testing conditions, and to the volunteers for the tasks and achievements under the most trying of circumstances. Particular thanks to Sue Walker and her team for organising events in spite of changing guidance and regulations. The work the volunteers undertake is very much appreciated, and those that get the volunteers on track and under way doubly so.

Wildlife recording has proceeded apace, not least perhaps because it is less constrained by lockdown rules and more time possibly available to recorders. Some 800 species of fungi have now been recorded and catalogued in the wood, and recording has continued throughout the year. The roll out of vaccinations and the likely lifting of lockdown restrictions by the end of summer 2021 should have the recording programme back on track soon enough.

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Report from the Chairman of the Bentley Wood Trustees (continued)

2020 also saw some additional challenges and concerns on the boundaries of the woodland. Changes in the ownership at the former woodyard near Livery Gate has led to a need to address boundary disputes and resolution and as a result the Trust shall be undertaking a review of the whole boundary in 2021, to secure its ownership and confirm its bounds. Potential developments on its edges is an ever increasing pressure on the wood and its wildlife.

The broader future of the wood however looks promising, regardless of the human burden incurred by the pandemic and the disruption that this has caused. In the wider world a greater appreciation of the climate challenge and the biodiversity crisis has made us pause and reappraise the future character of Bentley Wood and the ways and means by which it is managed. To address the climate challenge, we are looking at more mixed and diverse native stands of trees, while ensuring that the wood continues to provide timber and fuelwood to support the emerging low carbon economy. And over the coming year or so we shall be looking at an “Environmental Plan” for the Trust examining our use of fossil fuels, the generation of electricity from rooftops and the sustainability issues of plastic in tree guards and fencing. To rise to the national biodiversity challenge, we are looking at greatly expanding the areas of the wood given over principally to wildlife conservation, as coppices, wider rides and extended areas of grazed wood pasture, and perhaps in the longer term, supporting a wider array of species conservation projects. This will be a core part of the revision of the Forest Design Plan, the management agreement we hold with both the Forestry Commission and Natural England which is in effect our licence to operate. The plan comes up for redrafting and renewal in the coming year or so. A lot of work has to be done before then and wide consultation undertaken, with a large number of people, to ensure that there is wide support and appreciation for such changes, and that when the work begins it does not come as a surprise. We also have exciting plans to monitor the state and character of the woods and its open habitats using drone technology and digital aerial photographs... we already have some excellent initial results and look forward to building this into planning and operations in the coming year.

Sadly, 2020 was also the year in which we lost Tony Horner, who died in October after a long illness. Tony had been a Trustee since 1998, and chaired the Advisory Group, and as a local person was very much in touch with local interest and concerns. Tony had been engaged with Bentley Wood from the outset, taking a special interest in its birds and butterflies. His contributions to butterfly and bird recording generated insights and information that has influenced the wood to this day. He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Lastly, we have in recent weeks said farewell to Ron Burrows, a Bentley Wood Trustee. Ron has stood down as a Trustee after some 15 years of support. Before his term as a Trustee Ron also chaired the Friends of Bentley Wood. Ron’s contribution to the work of the Trust was considerable and most valued. His sharp and critical eye kept us all on track with regard to budgets and accounts, spending decisions and Trust management. He shall be sorely missed. Ending on a bright note, his last Trustees meeting in February 21 was held outside the barn on a bright sunny day, with the first brimstones and red admirals of the year on the wing. The Trustees have though welcomed Steve Brunt as a Trustee, a former military man with management experience of Salisbury Plain. Steve’s experience will be a welcome addition to the group. The Board of Trustees is now a member down with the retirement of Ron. The Trustees shall be looking to increase their number in the coming year and in particular are looking for experience in accounting budgets and numbers to fill the gap left by Ron.

With the passing of the pandemic, and a lot of work to do to prepare for the future, 2021 looks challenging, hard work and exciting. We must though continue to also make it fun, rewarding and fulfilling. Getting involved with Bentley Wood provides all that and more, and a chance to be part of the future of one of the most exciting forests in southern England.

Jonathan Spencer

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Forestry Report:

Forestry operations over the past year have involved a continuation of the thinning programme underpinned by the current Countryside Stewardship Scheme Woodland Improvement Grant; the emphasis under which is to restore plantations on ancient woodland sites by the removal of the non-native conifer species to the advantage of the native broadleaved trees present.

With the weather set fair, machine harvesting started in early August in the very south of the wood (Churchway Copse). This was a light Norway spruce thin with the intention of removing only those trees beginning to suppress the crowns of neighbouring oaks. The rain, thankfully, stayed away and we were able to extract the timber some distance to rideside with relatively few concerns. In adjacent Upper Highwood Copse the objective was the same. Although still dominated by the oak and spruce planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1950s this stand is one of the most diverse in Bentley Wood; remnants of ancient woodland survive in the form of field maple, elm, aspen, alder, ash, hornbeam and old oak stools that clearly predate the FC planting. It will be interesting to see how these respond now they have some room in which to grow.

In the beech dominated stands on the chalk prevalent in the northern part of Bentley Wood we have taken a different approach and have adopted a group selection system. Here, when we thin the crop on an 8 – 10 year rotation we look for opportunities to fell small groups of poorer trees to create gaps of 0.2 – 0.3 hectares which we can subsequently replant. This gives us the opportunity to diversify both the species and the stand structure over time. On the thin, free-draining Rendzina soils on the western slope we planted whitebeam, hornbeam and hazel. On the deeper soils on the plateau we planted lime together with cherry, rowan and hawthorn which, when mature, will provide nectar for insects and berries for birds. There are environmentally friendly tree tubes in development (we are currently trialling one made of compressed cashew nut husks and sheep wool) but they are as yet unproven in the field and not commercially available. So, for small scale plantings where fencing is not appropriate we have no choice but to continue to protect our planted trees from the attentions of deer by using the tried and tested plastic variety. Fortunately, polypropylene is readily recyclable and we recycle our spent tree tubes through the FarmXS recycling scheme.

As always, it is the weather and timber markets that determine the extent of forestry operations but, all being well, over the coming year we plan to thin the Douglas fir in Richwellsted Copse, tidy up the windblown Corsican pine in Barnridge

Report of the Advisory Group:

The group met twice during the course of the year, once in February, when we were blissfully ignorant of the difficulties ahead, and again in early September when we held the meeting out of doors.

Sadly, three members of the group have died during the year, two of whom – Tony Horner and Stuart Pascoe - have been members since its inception in 1988. Stuart Pascoe is best known for the work that he did in the construction of the barn in which we hold our meetings. He also produced a pamphlet in 1998 ‘Bentley Wood: The Death of a Hardwood Forest and the Aftermath’ when he was a mere 97 years young! Tony Hopkins joined the group quite recently and in his few seasons with us greatly increased our records of bees and wasps. All three will be greatly missed.

During the year we also welcomed Steve Brunt, a new Trustee, to the group and Jonathan Spencer attended his first meeting as Chairman of the Trust. Inevitably, many of the plans which were laid down for the coming season did not materialise. Our plans to improve the signage in the wood have developed only slowly but new roadside signs were put in place during the spring and Rhob Williams is making new copse signs which are also being placed around the wood. Eventually, we intend to add small discs to these which will indicate the location within the wood. This is to help people find their way around and also, very importantly, enable requests for help to be pinpointed accurately.

Many of the recording activities which members of this group undertake were able, to a greater of lesser extent, to continue.

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Volunteer Group Activities:

2020 started well with seven Volunteer Tasks by mid-March. Up to twenty volunteers were attending and lots of varied tasks were on the calendar. We had continued coppicing hazel in our Dean Copse and Primrose Hill coupes, improved two areas of ride-side butterfly habitat and bundled up lots of hazel bean poles ready for our famed Bean Pole Celebration at the Barn in mid-April.

We cancelled a task on 18 March as the news of Covid-19 sounded alarm bells and put all tasks on hold as the UK went into National Lockdown on Monday 23 March. During July we prepared a Covid-19 Risk Assessment and Volunteering Guidance Sheet, bought extra equipment and First Aid Kit items and planned a Covid-safe restart of the Volunteers.

We girded our loins and had our first Covid-safe task, with eight volunteers (legal within the Government’s Covid Rules) on 12 August, at the Hawksgrove Bomb Crater pond. It was good to be out and about and enjoying working in the fresh air again! Between then and 3 November we managed another eight tasks – preserving the Barn, working at the Draining Field pond, along the Orchid Path near Witt Road, on the Butterfly Transect in Donkey Copse and in a new hazel coppice coupe for 2020/21 in Dean Copse. Unfortunately two other tasks were cancelled because of torrential rain and gales and a third, on 31 October, because of rain, gales and rapidly rising Covid case numbers.

Once again, on 4 November, the Volunteer Programme was put on hold and we chose not to restart it during 2020 to keep everyone safe as a new variant form of Covid-19 spread like wildfire. We did, just the two of us, clean out Swallow Hide at the Draining Field on a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve. It had been a year of mixed fortunes for the swallows too.

Friends of Bentley Wood Chairman’s report:

I ended my Report for 2019/2020 by suggesting that members might like to come to the Early Morning Birdsong Walk on the 26[th] April 2020, followed by a cooked breakfast! It has just not been that sort of year!

We do, though, have a great deal to be thankful for. The Wood has provided the retreat that many have craved in the difficult periods of lockdown. It has been a wonderful place, to which lots of you have resorted, to find peace and tranquillity as well as to exercise and let off steam.

I am sure that we will see a good deal more of that use of the Wood in 2021, as we start the year once more in lockdown. There are also a great deal more of us using the Wood on a regular basis.

My request is to ask that everyone looks out for others, and that all of us use the Wood with the greatest of consideration, both for its habitat and for the other user groups resorting to it. Thanks, therefore, to all those dog walkers who did pick up those poo bags, the riders who paid their subscriptions and the cyclists who kept their speed down and cycled with real consideration for others. You have all led the way, many thanks!

Despite all the difficulties, the Volunteers still managed to carry on. Sue Walker’s determined efforts and endless research into the Government list of do’s and do not’s, made sure that some volunteering could continue; and she was, as usual, oversubscribed. Thank you all! My thanks go too, to each member of the Committee (we will get to meet properly soon, I hope, rather than by Zoom!) and to David Lambert and Tessa Fisher for each of their contributions.

Equally, despite the pandemic, things have progressed: replacement picnic tables and benches have been installed, new signage has started to appear at the entrances to the Wood and steps have been taken on the 20:20 Pond Project. So, thank you to all of those involved.

A full report on the Trust’s activities for the year is available to all in the form of ‘Bentley Wood Nature Notes 2020 from the secretary.

5

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Financial Review (including reserves policy)

The attached financial statements show the current state of the finances which the trustees consider to be sound.

During the year it has been the trustees’ objective to achieve the greatest possible revenue from sustainable forestry activities such as thinning and felling and to obtain the maximum grant aid from appropriate sources to achieve the Trust’s objectives. The financial management policy for the year is driven by the working cash flow budget produced by the forest manager in consultation with the trustees and the trustees’ bookkeeper. This cash flow budget aims to identify income from grants and planned sustainable timber harvesting and the expenditure involved in timber production and conservation works. The trustees aim to achieve a cash flow budget that breaks even. The forest manager, working closely with the bookkeeper, manages the cash flow budget and presents quarterly budget reports, collated by the bookkeeper, to the trustees at quarterly meetings. In addition to quarterly meetings the woodland manager frequently reports and updates the trustees individually throughout the year.

In order to assure sustained and sufficient annual revenue to support the Trust's conservation activities in the long term, the Trustees have adopted a strategy of building and maintaining a strategic reserve. In 2009, the Trustees set a target for this reserve of £1M. This figure was based principally on an estimate of income required to be generated from the reserve to support annual conservation expenditure should Government grants be significantly reduced, a situation considered to be likely in the current climate.

An additional element was included to provide cash-flow protection for (a) timber and firewood net income variations in future years, and (b) the possible impact on costs and revenue of epidemic tree diseases, feared to pose an increasing risk. To maintain the reserve's capacity to generate required levels of annual income as inflation reduces its value over time, the reserve target has been inflated by a corresponding amount year by year. An additional aim developed this year by the Trustees is to protect the integrity of the habitat in Bentley Wood by ensuring the sympathetic management of a buffer zone around the wood. This may be by cooperation with neighbouring landowners but also possibly by land acquisition.

To enable the Trustees to act quickly should appropriate land become available an addition to the strategic reserve target has been made. The Trustees have therefore increased the target from £1.2M to £1.5M. During the year the strategic reserve increased from £1.085M at 31st March 2020 to £1.426M at 31st March 2021.

The Trustees’ policy is to continue to manage its finances so as to achieve budget surpluses when it is reasonably able to, thereby building the strategic reserve to the level required. Taking into account inflation pressures and other risk factors, the level of the reserve will continue to be reviewed from time to time.

Plans for Future Periods

The Trust intends to continue with the restoration of a significant proportion of Bentley Wood and Upper Frenchmoor Copse by the removal of exotic tree species and the promotion of native broadleaves as part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This work will involve small-scale fellings and widening ride edges to further increase habitat for butterflies and other transitional open space specialists. The Trust aims, with the help of the Volunteer group, to reinstate further areas of hazel coppice, to the benefit of wildlife, across the woodland. Also, with the help of the volunteers and local school children, canopy gaps resulting from harvesting activities will be replanted with native broadleaves and shrubs to diversify both the species mix and age structure of the woodland. The Trust also intend to dig three new clean water ponds in Cowley’s Copse.

6

TrUSYEES' REPORT FOII THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 srATEMENf OF TrusfEfs RESPONYBILrnES The trustee5 are rtsponslbbè for preparln8 the TTUStees' Annual Report and the ffinanchal staternents In accordance wlth applkable law and Unlted Ki￿d0M Accwnting Standards (Untted KSn8dom General￿ Attepted Accountlng Prart￿e). The law •pplk•ble to ch•rities In England & Wa￿5 requlres the trustees to prepre financ6al statements for each financlal year, which gNe a true and fair View of the state of affair5 of the char(ty ènd of the Incomlng resources and appllcatlon of resotsr￿s of the chaiity for that perK>d. In preparin8 these financial 5taternents. the trustees are requlred to.. • select su5tsblt account1￿ polk￿$ ard then apply them con51stentfy: observe the meth¢)ds and prIncIp￿S In the Charitle5 SORP 2015 IFR51021: make Judgements ond estlrnate5 that are reasonable and prudenL' state whether applKable UK AcoJuntSng StaThJa￿5 h•¥• b••n followed. subled to any matsrlal departures d15¢1osed and explalned In the financlal ststements. and Pr￿r• th• fln•ncl•l st•tem•nts on 8oln8 conorn b4s1s unles5 11 15 Inapproprlate to pr•yJm• that th• ch•rlty wlll contSnue Ir4 opeTrtlon. The trust••s ar• r•sponslbl• for ke•pln4 prop•r •r￿untIng rec¢yds that d15dose wSih reasonablt •c￿racY at any tlme the flnanclal pos6tbn of the charlty and enable ihtm to •nsure that thfr flnandal statements cornp￿ wilh the Chjrltles Act 2011, the Charltles IAccourtts aThJ R*p)rtsl R•8ukitbn$ 2￿)8 •nd th¢ provlslons of the trust deed. They are a150 r•sponslble for s•fequardl￿ the assets of the charity and hence for takln8 r••sonable st•ps for the preventlon and detertlon of fraud and other lireeularttles. On behalf of the Board of Trustt MrAG Godd¥d Trustee Iq e)Tr

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Charity Number 288749
Registered Office 55 Elmwood Avenue
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 1DL
Trustees Dr P Woodruffe
Mr A G Goddard
Mr J Spencer
Mr S Brunt
Key management David Lambert
Bankers HSBC Bank plc
27 High Street
Ringwood
Hants
BH24 1BE
Investment managers Sanlam Wealth Planning UK Ltd
Monument Place
24 Monument Street
London
EC3R 8AJ
Independent examiner Nick Jones FCCA
Fawcetts LLP
Chartered Accountants
and Statutory Auditors
Windover House
St. Ann Street
Salisbury
SP1 2DR

8

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

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

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

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

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

Nicholas Jones FCCA Chartered Accountants Fawcetts Windover House St. Ann Street Salisbury SP1 2DR

Date:…………………………………………………..21 January 2022

9

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Unrestricted
Note
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
1,870
2
252,199
3
16,190
270,259
-
4
171,159
171,159
12
-
99,100
Transfers between funds
12
(174,999)
(75,899)
278,347
202,448
EXPENDITURE ON:
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Investments
Charitable activities
Total income
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Investments - management fees
Net gains/(losses) on investments		 Funds Endowment
£
-
-
-
-
5,196
16,344
21,540
172,158
150,618
174,999
325,617
2,815,694
3,141,311		 2021
Total
£
1,870
252,199
16,190		 2020
Total
£
8,079
236,653
16,575
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
270,259 261,307
5,196
187,503		 5,113
182,644
192,699 187,757
172,158 (67,192)
249,718
-		 6,358
-
249,718
3,094,041		 6,358
3,087,683
3,343,759 3,094,041

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.

There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above.

The notes form part of these financial statements

10

AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 2020 Nots FIXED ASSErs Tangible fLxed ass•ts Intrtrnents 1.764.849 1.426.515 3.191.364 1,782,185 1.084.554 2,866,739 CURRENT ASSErs stock Debtors Cash at bank and In h•nd 8,456 111,089 60.284 4.092 85.054 178,865 179.829 268,011 CREDITO￿. AMOUNTS WITHW ONE YEAR io 25.378 40,709 NEf CURRENT Assm 154.4SI 227,302 ￿￿ETs 3,345115 3,094￿1 FUNDS Unrestrkted fvnds Reslrkt•d lunds Endowmtnt fvnds 12 12 12 204,504 278,347 3.141.311 2,815,69q TtrfAL FUNOS li 3.345J15 3m4041 The financlal statements were appro￿1 and authoflsed for Iswè bythe Board of TnJsteeson.....--. . and were SiBned on 115 ￿h•￿ by- Mr A G Goddlfd Truste• The notesfonn part of these finand•l 5t•tmnts

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of listed investments which are included on a market value basis, and in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards in the United Kingdom, the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) FRS102 "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and the Charities Act 2011.

1.2 INCOME

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Dividends on listed investments are recognised when the underlying security is quoted as ex-dividend.

Revenue in respect of timber and venison sales is recognised at the date of delivery to the customer.

1.3 EXPENDITURE

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.

1.4 ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS

All costs are allocated between expenditure categories in the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly; others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.

1.5 FUND ACCOUNTING

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

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

Restricted funds are funds which are used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund where allowable. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income. Any capital gains or losses on the investments form part of the fund. Investment management charges and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund.

1.6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION

All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Land and woodlands not depreciated Land and woodlands - infrastructure 5% straight line basis Buildings 10% straight line basis Motor vehicles 25% straight line basis Computers and equipment 25% straight line basis

12

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

1.7 INVESTMENTS

Listed investments held in a portfolio are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction cost. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in net gains/(losses) on investments in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably.

Investment property is shown at most recent valuation. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in fair value is recognised in the SoFA.

1.8 STOCK

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

1.9 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Debtors are measured at their recoverable amount. Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

1.10 TAXATION

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

13

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - INCOME

Unrestricted
£
Forestry income
97,313
Venison sales
1,488
Grants received
143,198
Rents received
10,200
252,199
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted
£
Dividends from equities
16,031
Bank interest
159
16,190
4.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - EXPENDITURE
Unrestricted
£
Wages (note 5)
49,443
Contract forestry work
13,925
Conservation work
13,980
Planting
1,820
Extraction
450
Road maintenance
24,990
Management fees
4,000
Repairs
12,839
Rental expense
4,609
Depreciation
10,744
(Profit)/loss on disposal of asset
-
Subscriptions & membership fees
680
Support costs
20,580
Travel expenses
733
Miscellaneous expenses
10,068
Trustees' expenses
347
Accountancy fees
1,951
Bank charges
-
171,159		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-
Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Endowment
£
-
-
-
-
-
Endowment
£
-
-
-
Endowment
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,344
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,344		 Total
2021
£
97,313
1,488
143,198
10,200
252,199
Total
2021
£
16,031
159
16,190
Total
2021
£
49,443
13,925
13,980
1,820
450
24,990
4,000
12,839
4,609
27,088
-
680
20,580
733
10,068
347
1,951
-
187,503		 Total
2020
£
162,266
1,734
62,253
10,400
236,653
Total
2020
£
16,323
252
16,575
Total
2020
£
49,446
11,607
13,800
2,771
-
29,225
2,000
4,770
21,693
25,495
(1,059)
391
12,165
1,186
6,366
523
2,250
15
182,644

14

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

5. STAFF COSTS

Staff costs during the year were as follows:
Charitable Activities:
Salaries and wages
Employers' National Insurance costs
Pension contributions
The above also represents the key management personnel remuneration.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Management		 2021
£
45,710
1,103
46,813
2,630
49,443
2021
No.
1		 2020
£
44,807
2,009
46,816
2,630
49,446
2020
No.
1

There were no employees who earned in excess of £60,000 per annum or more (including taxable benefits) during the year (2020: £nil).

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
Trustees' expenses reimbursed (delivery costs/travel)
Number of trustees receiving expenses		 2021
£
347
1		 2020
£
523
1

With the exception of the above, none of the trustees received any remuneration in respect of their duties as trustees during the year (2020: £nil).

There were no other related party transactions during the year.

15

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

7.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Land &
woodlands
£
Cost
At 1 April 2020
1,673,765
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At 31 March 2021
1,673,765
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
38,503
Charge for the year
3,670
On disposals
-
At 31 March 2021
42,173
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2021
1,631,592
At 31 March 2020
1,635,262
8.
FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Movement in market/fair value:
Market/fair value at 1 April
Acquisitions at cost
Disposal proceeds
Realised gains/(losses) on disposals
Unrealised gains/(losses) on revaluation
Market/fair value at 31 March
Cash held as part of portfolio
Total investments
Historical cost
Analysis of investments:
Listed investments: UK quoted shares
UK cash held as part of portfolio
UK investment property		 Motor
Buildings
vehicles
£
£
180,720
28,566
-
-
-
-
180,720
28,566
48,943
26,087
16,513
620
-
-
65,456
26,707
115,264
1,859
131,777
2,479
Investment
Investment
portfolio
property
£
£
597,675
377,613
456,926
-
(245,744)
-
38,136
-
134,022
-
981,015
377,613
67,887
-
1,048,902
377,613
896,695
377,613
Unrestricted
Endowment
£
£
-
981,015
-
67,887
-
377,613
-
1,426,515
Funds		 Computers &
equipment
£
39,402
9,750
-
49,152
26,735
6,283
-
33,018
16,134
12,667
2021
£
975,288
456,926
(245,744)
38,136
134,022
1,358,628
67,887
1,426,515
1,274,308
2021
Total
£
981,015
67,887
377,613
1,426,515		 Total
£
1,922,453
9,750
0
1,932,203
140,268
27,086
-
167,354
1,764,849
1,782,185
2020
£
976,102
209,476
(143,098)
11,893
(79,085)
975,288
109,266
1,084,554
1,082,978
2020
Total
£
597,675
109,266
377,613
Unrestricted
£
-
-
-
-
1,084,554

In the opinion of the trustees the market value of the investment property remains unchanged as at 31 March 2021.

16

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

9.
DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors		 2021
£
20,733
90,356		 2020
£
1,047
84,007
111,089 85,054
2021
£
21,021
2,400
1,957
2,056		 2020
£
9,764
3,233
15,879
11,833
27,434 40,709

11. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Fixed assets
£
Unrestricted general funds
18,846
Unrestrcted designated funds
31,207
Restricted funds
-
Endowment funds
1,714,796
Net Assets at the end of the year
1,764,849
Comparative balances for the year ended 31 March 2020:
Fixed assets
£
Unrestricted general funds
16,168
Unrestricted designated funds
34,877
Restricted funds
-
Endowment funds
1,731,140
Net Assets at the end of the year
1,782,185		 Fixed assets
£
18,846
31,207
-
1,714,796		 Investments
£
-
-
-
1,426,515
1,426,515
Investments
£
-
-
-
1,084,554
1,084,554		 £
152,395
-
-
-
Net current
assets		 Total
£
171,241
31,207
-
3,141,311
1,764,849 152,395 3,343,759
£
227,302
-
-
-
Net current
assets		 Total
£
243,470
34,877
-
2,815,694
1,782,185 227,302 3,094,041

17

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

12. FUNDS

Balance at
01/04/2020
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
243,470
Designated fund
34,877
278,347
Restricted funds
-
Endowment funds
Expendable endowment
2,815,694
Total funds
3,094,041		 Balance at
01/04/2020
£
243,470
34,877		 Incoming
resources
£
270,259
-		 Outgoing
resources
£
(167,489)
(3,670)		 Gains/
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
172,158
172,158		 Transfers
£
(174,999)
-		 Balance at
31/03/2021
£
171,241
31,207
278,347 270,259 (171,159) (174,999) 202,448
-
-		 -
(21,540)		 -
174,999		 -
3,141,311
3,094,041 270,259 (192,699) - 3,343,759

Comparative balances for the year ended 31 March 2020:

Balance at
01/04/2019
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
270,689
Designated fund
38,547
309,236
Restricted funds
-
Endowment funds
Expendable endowment
2,778,447
Total funds
3,087,683		 Balance at
01/04/2019
£
270,689
38,547		 Incoming
resources
£
261,307
-		 Outgoing
resources
£
(162,629)
(3,670)		 Gains/
(losses)
£
-
-
-
-
(67,192)
(67,192)		 Transfers
£
(125,897)
-		 Balance at
31/03/2020
£
243,470
34,877
309,236 261,307 (166,299) (125,897) 278,347
-
-		 -
(21,458)		 -
125,897		 -
2,815,694
3,087,683 261,307 (187,757) - 3,094,041

General fund: This represents funds which have been accumulated for the general purposes of the charity.

Designated fund: This has been created in respect of fixed assets which were grant funded. The annual depreciation of the assets is charged against this fund.

Restricted fund: No restricted fund was received in the year.

Endowment fund: The expendable endowment represents the capital of the Trust established by the Trust Deed dated 31 January 1984 plus further funds held in the investment portfolio. Income on the endowment investments is treated as unrestricted income.

18

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

13. COMPARATIVE BALANCES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Transfers between funds
Total income
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
EXPENDITURE ON:
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
Investments
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
Investments - management fees
Total expenditure
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Total funds brought forward		 Funds Endowment
£
-
-
-
5,113
16,345
21,458
(67,192)
(88,650)
125,897
37,247
2,778,447
2,815,694		 2020
Total
£
244,732
16,575
Unrestricted
£
244,732
16,575
261,307
-
166,299
166,299
-
95,008
(125,897)
(30,889)
309,236
278,347		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
261,307
5,113
182,644
187,757
(67,192)
6,358
-
6,358
3,087,683
3,094,041

19

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

The following pages do not form part of the statutory financial statements.

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

FORESTRY
Forestry income
Sales - conifers and hardwood pulp and permits
Forestry Commission Grant (50%)
Venison sales
Forestry expenses
Contract forestry work
Deer stalking (contract forestry)
Wages
Repairs
Road maintenance
Planting
Extraction
Depreciation
Travel
Subscriptions and membership fees
Miscellaneous
Support Costs
Photocopying, printing and office expenses
Forestry net surplus
CONSERVATION
Conservation income
Forestry Commission Grant (50%)
Other income
Conservation expenses
Wages
Management
Conservation work
Travel expenses
Repairs
Planting
Miscellaneous
Support Costs
Photocopying, printing and office expenses
Conservation net surplus/ (deficit)
OPERATING SURPLUS CARRIED FORWARD		 2021
£
97,313
71,600
1,488
170,401
8,221
5,704
24,749
66
24,990
1,820
450
6,180
367
60
6,699
-
79,306
91,095
71,598
-
71,598
14,849
4,000
13,980
220
2,292
-
1,899
-
37,240
34,358
125,453		 2020
£
162,266
31,127
1,734
195,127
10,690
917
24,783
1,680
29,225
637
-
4,085
593
-
4,844
477
77,931
117,196
31,126
-
31,126
14,870
2,000
13,800
356
3,258
2,134
1,054
518
37,990
(6,864)
110,332

THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

OPERATING SURPLUS BROUGHT FORWARD
RENTAL
Rental income
Rental income
Rental expenditure
Rental expenditure
Net rental surplus / (deficit)
ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRUST
Administration income
Dividends and interest received
Other income
Administration expenses
Wages
Depreciation
Accountancy fees
Subscriptions and membership fees
Travel expenses
Trustees' and volunteers' expenses
Bank charges
(Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assts
Repairs
Miscellaneous
Investment management fees
Support Costs
Insurance
Book keeping
Professional fees
Photocopying, printing and office expenses
Net administration surplus / (deficit)
Overall net operating surplus
Gains / (losses) on investment assets
Realised
Unrealised
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		 2021
£
125,453
10,200
4,609
5,591
16,190
1,870
18,060
9,846
20,907
1,951
620
147
347
-
-
10,481
1,471
5,196
4,041
3,865
7,401
5,273
71,546
(53,486)
77,558
38,136
134,022
172,158
249,718		 2020
£
110,332
10,400
21,693
(11,293)
16,575
8,079
24,654
9,793
21,410
2,250
391
237
523
15
(1,059)
194
106
5,113
4,212
4,373
-
2,585
50,143
(25,489)
73,550
11,893
(79,085)
(67,192)
6,358