Company registration number: 02453076 Charity registration number: 702488
Kemerton Conservation Trust
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Devereux & Hunt Ltd 51 Basepoint Business Centre Oakfield Close Tewkesbury Glos GL20 8SD
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Governors Report | 2 to 8 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 9 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 10 to 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 13 to 22 |
Kemerton Conservation Trust
| Reference and Administrative Details | Reference and Administrative Details |
|---|---|
| Trustees : | A M G Darby |
| M G Darby | |
| P S Doble | |
| R H Workman | |
| Lord Howick | |
| P Marren | |
| R Winnall | |
| Secretary | Mrs K Aubury |
| Charity Registration Number | 702488 |
| Company Registration Number | 02453076 |
| Registered Office | Kemerton Court |
| Kemerton | |
| Tewkesbury | |
| Glos | |
| GL20 7HY | |
| Independent Examiner | Devereux & Hunt Ltd |
| 51 Basepoint Business Centre | |
| Oakfield Close | |
| Tewkesbury | |
| Glos | |
| GL20 8SD | |
| Solicitors: | Thomson and Bancks |
| 27 Church Street | |
| Tewkesbury | |
| Glos | |
| GL20 5RH |
Page 1
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
The Governors present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Reference and Administrative Information
Reference and administrative information is as set out on page 1.
Objectives and Activities
The Trust was founded by AMG Darby OBE for the charitable objective of the conservation of fauna and flora and of places of natural and cultivated beauty for the public benefit in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and adjoining counties.
Public Benefit
The Trust seeks to realize this public benefit through all the activities listed below. It provides access to nature reserves, it manages sites to promote their biodiversity, it carries out surveys of plants and animals, it conducts research into biodiversity conservation, it engages in informal education, and it provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in these activities. It sometimes promotes its charitable objective by making submissions to national and local government. The core aims of the charity are reviewed annually.
The Governors confirm that they have complied with the requirement of Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Governors have taken advantage of the exemption from an audit conferred by section 249A(1) of the Companies Act 1985 and the financial statements for the year are unaudited.
The company was incorporated as ‘Kemerton Trustees Limited’ on 15 December 1989 as a company which is limited by guarantee, the liability of each member on winding up being limited to £1. It is governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The company was registered as a charity on 24 January 1990. The company's name was changed to ‘Kemerton Conservation Trust’ on 25 June 1999.
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as members of the management committee. The trustees are elected at General Meetings for an indefinite period and are not required to retire. They may co-opt new trustees and provide details at the following meeting. The trustees are referred to throughout this report as the Governors.
Statement of Governors' responsibilities
Company and charity law requires the Governors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Governors are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
Page 2
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
The Governors have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable the Governors to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. The Governors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. The Governors have formulated policies in respect of Financial Reserves, Risk, and Health and Safety. These policies are reviewed annually. The Governors are responsible for establishing the company's strategy, but day to day management is delegated to Governors A M G Darby, M G Darby and P S Doble.
Financial Reserves
The reserve fund represents the funds arising from past operating results. It is the long-term policy of the Governors to hold reserves equivalent to between six months’ and two years’ year’s recurrent cash expenditure.
Accountants
The Governors have appointed Ms Michele Devereux of Devereux & Hunt Ltd as the Trust’s accountant and recommend that she remains in the role for the next year.
Special provisions
This report is prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 1985 relating to small companies.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
During its thirty-second full year, Kemerton Conservation Trust continued to work in the areas identified in previous years' reports.
Income & Expenditure
The company received cash grants and donations totalling £23,617 during the year (31 March 2022 - £17,149). This was placed on deposit until such time as it was required. The total interest earned during the year was £362 (31 March 2022 - £7). Income from charitable activities was £16,263 (31 March 2022 - £15,237).
Expenditure on charitable activities (general conservation work) was £41,118 (31 March 2022 - £27,181).
The Trust’s owned sites
Daffurns Orchard
The Trust owns a 0.7 acre traditional orchard at the north-west edge of the village of Kemerton. It was purchased in 2000 using funds raised by public appeal. The orchard is open to the public. During the year to 31 March 2023, regular maintenance work has been carried out in the orchard by local volunteers (Kemerton Orchard Workers), by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden and by Kemerton Estate’s hedge cutting contractor.
John Moore Nature Reserve
The Trust owns a 1.3 acre woodland on the south-east edge of the village of Kemerton. The reserve was originally established by Lucille Bell in memory of her former husband, the well-known countryside writer and Kemerton resident John Moore. It was donated to the Trust in 2001. Part of the reserve is open to the public. During the year to 31 March 2023, regular maintenance work has been carried out by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden and by volunteer work parties, and a two-year woodland restoration project was completed.
Page 3
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
Severn and Avon Vales Floodplain Meadows
Flood meadows are a rare priority habitat with less than 3,700 acres surviving across the UK. All the meadows listed below are managed in a traditional manner with hay cut during the summer and the aftermath grazed in common. During the year to 31 March 2023, the Trust was paid for its hay and grazing rights. In addition, the Trust received Basic Payment Scheme payments on 89 acres (36.1 hectares), including common rights. Together, these payments provided an important source of income to the Trust. However, following Brexit they are being phased out over a seven-year period starting from 2021.
Upham Meadow SSSI (also known as Twyning Ham).
The Trust owns 2 blocks of land in this Lammas flood meadow on the River Avon west of Bredon, which together total 17 acres. Twyning Ham is designated Open Access land (CROW Act 2000). The meadow is in a Countryside Stewardship scheme and it is of importance for breeding curlew. Grazing rights on various commons in the Twyning area are associated with this ownership. Currently, the Trust’s land at Upham Meadow is included in a major Curlew recovery project led by WWT Slimbridge. In Februrary 2023, the Trust purchased 3 additional blocks of land totalling 16 acres. The purchase was part-funded by grants.
Upton Ham SSSI.
The Trust owns 4 blocks of land in this flood meadow east of Upton-Upon-Severn, which together total 18 acres. The land can be accessed via public footpaths. The meadow is in a Countryside Stewardship scheme. Currently, the Trust’s land at Upton Ham is included in a major Curlew recovery project led by WWT Slimbridge.
Asham Meadow.
The Trust owns 2 blocks of land in this Lammas flood meadow on the River Avon at Birlingham, which together total 14 acres. The meadow is designated Open Access land (CROW Act 2000). It is hoped this land can be included in a Countryside Stewardship scheme within the next two years, although there has not been any progress during the year to 31 March 2023. The standing hay on this meadow is usually sold to the Kemerton Estate. Currently, the Trust’s land at Asham Meadow is included in a major Curlew recovery project led by WWT Slimbridge.
The Trust’s leased sites
Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve LWS
The Trust leases management rights at Kemerton Lake from Governor Matthew Darby. The term of the lease is 2014-2034 and the rent is a peppercorn. The site covers 46 acres, and comprises a 15-acre lake, reed beds, fen, calcareous grassland, wet meadow, woodland, scrub and arable land. It is home to a variety of scarce plants and animals. It is an Ark site for the endangered white-clawed crayfish. It is particularly notable for its 20 species of dragonfly and damselfly, 7 species of orchid and its wintering wildfowl. In total, 184 bird species have been recorded at the site. It is designated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) in Worcestershire.
The habitat is managed by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden and work parties, with heavier tasks such as periodic scrub control carried out by the Trust’s contractors. In addition to the conservation work carried out by the Trust, the Kemerton Estate carries out some habitat management under Countryside Stewardship, such as cultivating areas for rare arable plants.
The reserve is accessed by means of public and permissive footpaths. It is very popular with the public who have unrestricted access to a boardwalk and hide on the west side of the lake (opened in the summer of 2016), and permissive access to hides on the east and northwest sides of the lake. Members of the Trust have additional access to permissive paths through neighbouring woodland belonging to Kemerton Estate.
Page 4
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
During the year to 31 March 2023, a survey project (started in 2021/22) was completed which focused on the aquatic habitats at the reserve, and a large aquatic habitat restoration and creation project was carried out. Kemerton Estate completed major capital works at the site, including new fencing, sowing a specialist wildflower mix in one of the meadows (Collin’s), pollarding and other tree management. The works are being part-funded by the Kemerton Estate’s Countryside Stewardship scheme with the remainder paid for by the estate. The Trust was consulted on all measures and will benefit from these capital works.
Beggarboys Nature Reserve
The Trust leases management rights at Beggarboys from Governor Matthew Darby. The term of the lease is 2014-2034 and the rent is a peppercorn. The site covers 8 acres and comprises a mosaic of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats. There is no unsupervised public access and the quiet, secluded location is of particular benefit to wildlife.
The site has undergone major restoration works in recent years. Annual management involves scrub control and the cutting and removal of herbaceous vegetation. This is largely carried out by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden and volunteer work parties. Contractors are used for heavier tasks such as periodic scrub control.
Kemerton Estate finished major capital works at the site in the year to 31 March 2023, including new hedging, fencing, tree removal works (as advised by EA to prevent bund erosion) and scrub management works. The works were part-funded by Kemerton Estate’s Countryside Stewardship scheme with the remainder paid for by the estate. The Trust was consulted on all measures and will benefit from these capital works. In addition, the Trust carried out major landscaping works to the bund to improve access for machinery.
Management Agreement with the Kemerton Estate
The Trust is the beneficiary of a Management Agreement with the Kemerton Estate Partnership (a farming partnership between Governor Adrian Darby and Governor Matthew Darby). The term of the agreement is 2022-2027 and there is no financial consideration. Under the agreement, the Trust is permitted access to all farmland, woodland and wetland areas on the Kemerton Estate. It is permitted to undertake surveys and publish the results. It is committed to providing advice to the estate on managing wildlife.
Conservation work on the Kemerton Estate
Surveys & Monitoring on the Kemerton Estate
During the year to 31 March 2023, the Trust carried out monitoring and survey work across the Kemerton Estate. Work continued under the Monitoring Strategy with Pamela Clarke, our Conservation Advisor, undertaking much of the monitoring work and liaising with our volunteer recorders/surveyors.
The Trust’s volunteers continued the monitoring of birds, dragonflies, butterflies, mining bees and other invertebrates across the Kemerton Estate.
Countryside Stewardship on the Kemerton Estate
Kemerton Estate is in a 5-10-year Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship (CS) agreement running until 31 December 2030. The Trust’s leased sites are included in the agreement and the Trust will assist in the delivery of conservation goals by providing advice. The sites will benefit from the capital works and management carried out by the estate under the agreement.
Page 5
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
Habitat management on the Kemerton Estate
During the year to 31 March 2023, the Trust undertook habitat management in several locations across the Kemerton Estate, with a focus on improving field edges for pollinators.
Kemerton Arboretum
The Trust helps to manage of a collection of exotic trees in the Kemerton Estate woodlands. The trees have predominantly been grown from seeds collected in the wild by Kew Gardens, the Howick Arboretum, Adrian Darby and others. Due to the wild origin of seeds, the collection is regarded as an important genetic resource. The trees are mainly located along woodland paths and rides which have permissive access to Members. During the year to 31 March 2023, the Trust’s Voluntary Warden helped to maintain specimen trees. In addition, a corporate away day volunteer group helped maintain guards on specimen trees.
Projects in the Wider Countryside
Work continued under the Carrant Catchment Area Restoration Project. This aims to promote biodiversity across the entire catchment of the Carrant Brook in south Worcestershire and north Gloucestershire and is coordinated by Joanne Leigh of Gloucestershire FWAG. The project has several partners including the Environment Agency, Buglife, the Trust, the Kemerton Estate and other landowners within the catchment. Under the project, Natural England is giving support to farmers wishing to join Countryside Stewardship, while habitat works such as hedgerow planting are funded by small grants from various sources. To date, more than 35 farmers in the catchment have been signed up to the project and a number of successful events have been held.
Grants and Donations
In 2021, the Trust secured funding from the England European Regional Development Fund through the Natural Networks programme delivered in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. The funding contributed to an important programme of habitat creation and restoration at John Moore Nature Reserve. Work on the project started in October 2021 and was completed in June 2022.
In February 2022, the Trust received £1,000 from Highfields Trust CIO towards a project at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. Further funds were received from The Gordon Gray Trust and Broadway Natural History Society. The project started in April 2022 and was completed in October 2022.
In November 2022, the Trust secured funding from the England European Regional Development Fund through the Natural Networks programme delivered in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. The funding contributed to an important programme of aquatic habitat creation and restoration at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. Work on the project started in December 2022 and will complete in April 2023. The project also benefited from an additional £2,500 grant from Highfields Trust CIO.
In June 2022, the Trust launched a major fundraising effort to secure enough money to purchase 16 acres of land at Upham Meadow SSSI. By December, £11,000 in grants had been pledged and the Trust completed the purchase of the land in February 2023.
In addition to the sums mentioned above, the Trust received grants and donations totalling £2,671 from various community bodies, companies and trusts.
Page 6
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
Education and Community Engagement
Membership of Friends of Kemerton Conservation Trust
Members commit themselves to helping the Trust, either by volunteering their time or by making affordable financial contributions. There is no minimum membership fee. Members receive a twice-yearly newsletter ‘Kemerton Clippings’ as well as access to the Trust’s members-only events.
Outreach
Visits and events continued to be well attended. After a 2-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve Open Day returned in June 2022 to celebrate 25 years of the reserve. Bredon Forest School, a regular and generous donor to the Trust, continues to operate in one of the estate woods and maintains strong links with the Trust.
Website
The Trust operates a web site at "http://www.kemerton.org" ;. The site was designed by and is generously maintained by David Aubury on a voluntary basis.
Partnership Working
The Trust is a member of the Worcestershire Local Nature Partnership. It is also a partner in the Cotswolds Nature Recovery Forum, and it contributes to the work of the Curlew Action Group which monitors curlews on the flood meadows of the Severn and lower Avon.
Planning matters
The Trust seeks to safeguard local biodiversity via the planning system. It is a member of the Worcestershire Local Sites Partnership which identifies sites of importance for biodiversity in the county for designation as ‘Local Wildlife Sites’. This designation is non-statutory but is nonetheless capable of carrying weight in planning matters.
From time to time the Trust comments on planning issues that might adversely affect biodiversity and landscape in the locality.
Personnel and Volunteers
The Trust has no employees but has well established arrangements with various self-employed contractors and key volunteers.
Pamela Clarke has continued as part-time Conservation Advisor.
Kate Aubury undertook administrative work totalling 6hrs each week, equating to £6,000 per year. This work included the role of Company Secretary. This work was paid for by Kemerton Estate Partnership (a farming partnership between Governors Adrian Darby and Matthew Darby).
Joanna Wiseman undertook bookkeeping work for 2hrs each week equating to £2,080 per year. This work was paid for by Kemerton Estate Partnership.
Kate Aubury, in addition to her paid roles, is the Support Coordinator and the editor of Kemerton Clippings. She undertakes these roles on an unpaid basis. The Trust reimburses her direct expenses.
John Threadingham is the Trust’s Voluntary Warden. He undertakes regular practical management of the Trust’s reserves on an unpaid basis. The Trust reimburses him for his direct expenses and for machinery maintenance.
Matthew Darby, separate from his governance role, undertakes regular administrative work and practical habitat management for the Trust on an unpaid basis.
Page 7
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Governors' Report
Volunteers
In addition to those mentioned above, numerous contributions have been made by volunteers in many fields, including habitat management, nest box maintenance, organizing public events, orchard maintenance and carrying out surveys. In total, volunteers (including Governors in a non-governance capacity) donated an estimated 1679 hours of their time, valued at £32461.25.
Acknowledgements
The Governors would like to thank all the Trust’s volunteers and supporters for the help and generous financial assistance they have given throughout the year.
This report was approved by the Governors on 21st August 2023 and signed on their behalf by
.................................
A M G Darby
Chairman of Governors
Page 8
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Kemerton Conservation Trust ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Kemerton Conservation Trust as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
...................................... Ms Michele Devereux FCCA
51 Basepoint Business Centre Oakfield Close Tewkesbury Glos GL20 8SD
21 August 2023
Page 9
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investment income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investment income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 13 |
Unrestricted funds £ 9,617 16,263 362 26,242 (27,739) (27,739) (1,497) 6,488 4,991 186,838 191,829 Unrestricted funds £ 12,233 15,237 7 27,477 (20,809) (20,809) 6,668 (1,448) 5,220 181,618 186,838 |
Restricted funds £ 16,365 - - 16,365 (13,449) (13,449) 2,916 (6,488) (3,572) 8,325 4,753 Restricted funds £ 4,572 - - 4,572 (6,432) (6,432) (1,860) 1,448 (412) 8,737 8,325 |
Total 2023 £ 25,982 16,263 362 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42,607 | |||
| (41,188) | |||
| (41,188) | |||
| 1,419 - |
|||
| 1,419 195,163 |
|||
| 196,582 | |||
| Total 2022 £ 16,805 15,237 7 |
|||
| 32,049 | |||
| (27,241) | |||
| (27,241) | |||
| 4,808 - |
|||
| 4,808 190,355 |
|||
| 195,163 |
The notes on pages 13 to 22 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2023 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2022 is shown in note 13.
The notes on pages 13 to 22 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 11
Kemerton Conservation Trust
(Registration number: 02453076) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand 11 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Net assets Funds of the charity: Restricted income funds Restricted funds 13 Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 13 |
2023 £ 136,239 3,676 69,422 73,098 (12,755) 60,343 196,582 4,753 191,829 196,582 |
2022 £ 106,193 8,571 96,077 |
|---|---|---|
| 104,648 (15,678) |
||
| 88,970 | ||
| 195,163 | ||
| 8,325 186,838 |
||
| 195,163 |
For the financial year ending 31 March 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 10 to 22 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 21 August 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... R H Workman
Trustee
The notes on pages 13 to 22 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
1 Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in , and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: Kemerton Court Kemerton Tewkesbury Glos GL20 7HY
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 21 August 2023.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
Kemerton Conservation Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
Page 13
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £0.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Page 14
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class
Equipment
Depreciation method and rate
20% reducing balance
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 15
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
Foreign exchange
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date.
The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period and their balance sheets at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of the opening net assets and results of overseas operations are reported in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity (attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate).
Other exchange differences are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they arise except for:
1) exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see above);
2) exchange differences arising on gains or losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in other comprehensive income; and
3) in the case of the consolidated financial statements, exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognised in other comprehensive income and reported under equity.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
3 Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
| Unrestricted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies; Donations Donations - Darby family Gift aid reclaimed Grants, including capital grants; Grants from other charities |
General £ 8,762 - 455 400 9,617 |
Restricted £ - - - 16,365 16,365 |
Total 2023 £ 8,762 - 455 16,765 25,982 |
Total 2022 £ 7,888 2,000 1,545 5,372 |
| 16,805 |
Page 16
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
4 Income from charitable activities
| Grazing and mowing Single farm payment Agri Environmental Scheme Payments 5 Investment income Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits |
Unrestricted funds General £ 3,236 6,738 6,289 16,263 Unrestricted funds General £ 362 |
Total 2023 £ 3,236 6,738 6,289 16,263 Total 2023 £ 362 |
Total 2022 £ 2,688 8,095 4,454 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,237 | |||
| Total 2022 £ 7 |
6 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Rent Insurance Sundry expenses Depreciation Site management Accountancy fees Bank charges |
Unrestricted funds General £ 9,600 309 2,483 816 13,586 816 129 27,739 |
Restricted funds £ - - - 2,002 11,447 - - 13,449 |
Total 2023 £ 9,600 309 2,483 2,818 25,033 816 129 41,188 |
Total 2022 £ 8,340 478 3,637 2,743 11,111 792 140 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27,241 |
Page 17
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
7 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
8 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
9 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 Depreciation At 1 April 2022 Charge for the year At 31 March 2023 Net book value At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 10 Debtors Trade debtors Other debtors 11 Cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank |
Land and buildings £ 133,176 32,864 |
Equipment £ 44,444 - 44,444 45,431 422 45,853 (1,409) (987) 2023 £ 1,311 2,365 3,676 2023 £ 69,422 |
Equipment £ 44,444 - 44,444 45,431 422 45,853 (1,409) (987) 2023 £ 1,311 2,365 3,676 2023 £ 69,422 |
Total £ 177,620 32,864 210,484 71,427 2,818 74,245 136,239 106,193 2022 £ 5,699 2,872 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166,040 | |||||
| 25,996 2,396 |
|||||
| 28,392 | |||||
| 137,648 | |||||
| 107,180 | |||||
| 2023 £ 1,311 2,365 3,676 2023 £ 69,422 |
|||||
| 8,571 | |||||
| 2022 £ 96,077 |
Page 18
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals 13 Funds Unrestricted funds General General Fund Designated Betty Daffurns Orchard Fund Total unrestricted funds Restricted funds Water's Edge Hide John Clarke Walk project Fish and Aquatic Plant project Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Creation Upham Meadow Purchase Total restricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 185,304 1,534 186,838 6,755 1,200 370 - - 8,325 195,163 |
Incoming resources £ 26,242 - 26,242 - 500 - 4,865 11,000 16,365 42,607 |
Resources expended £ (27,739) - (27,739) (2,002) (1,758) (4,406) (5,283) - (13,449) (41,188) |
2023 £ 11,701 226 828 12,755 Transfers £ 6,488 - |
2022 £ 14,850 - 828 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,678 | |||||||
| Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 190,295 1,534 |
|||||||
| 6,488 | 191,829 | ||||||
| 4,753 - - - - |
|||||||
| 4,753 | |||||||
| 196,582 |
Page 19
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
| Unrestricted funds General General Fund Designated Betty Daffurns Orchard Fund Total unrestricted funds Restricted Water's Edge Hide Woodland Restoration Biodiversity Enhancements John Clarke Walk project Fish and Aquatic Plant project Total restricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 1 April 2021 £ 180,084 1,534 181,618 8,737 - - - 8,737 190,355 |
Incoming resources £ 27,477 - 27,477 - 1,502 1,200 1,870 4,572 32,049 |
Resources expended £ (20,809) - (20,809) (1,982) (2,950) - (1,500) (6,432) (27,241) |
Transfers £ (1,448) - (1,448) - 1,448 - - 1,448 - |
Balance at 31 March 2022 £ 185,304 1,534 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186,838 | |||||
| 6,755 - 1,200 370 |
|||||
| 8,325 | |||||
| 195,163 |
Page 20
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
Water's Edge Hide
This fund was to contribute to the construction of the hide to sit over the water accessable via a boardwalk cut through the reed beds, allowing unhindered views of wildlife across the lake for visitors to the site.
Natural Networks Programme:Woodland Restoration Biodiversity Enhancements
A two year project of Woodland Restoration Biodiversity Enhancements at John Moore Nature Reserve. It is being part funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Natural Networks programme is delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. The project is also being part funded by the Cheltenham Tree Group
John Clarke Walk Project
A one year project to create a new walk on Bredon Hill in memory of John Clarke. Grant funding received from Highfields CIO and Magic Little Grants.
Fish and Aquatic Plant Survey Project
A one year project to survey the fish and aquatic plants at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. Grant funding received from Highfields CIO and the Gordon Gray Trust.
Natural Networks Programme: Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Creation
A one year project of Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Creation at Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve. It is being part funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Natural Networks programme is delivered in partnership between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. The project is also being part funded by Highfields CIO.
Upham Meadow Purchase
This fund was to contribute to the acquisition of further land at Upham Meadow.
Page 21
Kemerton Conservation Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
14 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 14 Analysis of net assets between funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Total net assets |
Unrestricted funds General £ 120,486 70,733 (12,755) 178,464 Unrestricted funds General £ 97,868 104,648 (15,678) 186,838 |
Restricted funds £ 15,753 - - 15,753 Restricted funds £ 8,325 - - 8,325 |
Total funds at 31 March 2023 £ 136,239 70,733 (12,755) |
| 194,217 | |||
| Total funds at 31 March 2022 £ 106,193 104,648 (15,678) |
|||
| 195,163 |
15 Related party transactions
The company rents a cottage from A M G Darby, a governor, at an annual rental of £9,600 (31 March 2022 - £8,340) which has been verified by an independant valuer, Lee & Griffiths in March 2022. Total rents paid to A M G Darby during the year were £9,600. The company also leases other land belonging to A M Darby and M G Darby during the year at a nil rent. Any work done by Kemerton Estate Partnership on behalf of the trust was paid for at cost.
One of Kemerton Estate Partnership's employees and one of Kemerton Estate Partnership's self-employed contractors carried out administration work on behalf of the Trust equating to one day per week between them. The Trust made no payment for this.
None of the governors received any remuneration in the year as trustees, nor in previous years.
Page 22