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 2024 

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 7|
|Independent Examiner's Report|8|
|Statement of Financial Activities|9|
|Balance Sheet|10|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|11 to 19|





## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Reference and Administrative Details** 

**Trustees :** A M G Darby M G Darby P S Doble R H Workman P Marren R Winnall Mr R A Umpelby (appointed 14 February 2024) **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 2024. 

## **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, manages sites to promote their biodiversity, carries out surveys of plants and animals, conducts research into biodiversity conservation, engages in informal education, and 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: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- 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 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 £19,801 during the year (31 March 2023 - £25,982). This was placed on deposit until such time as it was required. The total interest earned during the year was £993 (31 March 2023 - £362). Income from charitable activities was £15,018 (31 March 2023 - £16,263). 

Expenditure on charitable activities (general conservation work) was £23,010 (31 March 2023 - £41,118). 

## **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 2024, regular maintenance work has been carried out in the orchard by local volunteers (Kemerton Orchard Workers), by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden, by volunteer working parties, by Kemerton Estate’s hedge cutting contractor. Two small grant-funded projects were completed in the orchard during the period. 

## 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 2024, regular maintenance work has been carried out by the Trust’s Voluntary Warden and by volunteer work parties. 

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 2024, 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 5 parcels of land in this Lammas flood meadow on the River Avon west of Bredon, which together total 33.1 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. 

## Upton Ham SSSI. 

The Trust owns 4 parcels of land in this flood meadow east of Upton-Upon-Severn, which together total 18.9 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 parcels of land in this Lammas flood meadow on the River Avon at Birlingham, which together total 13.8 acres. The meadow is designated Open Access land (CROW Act 2000). It is hoped this land can be included in a Sustainable Farming Initiative scheme in 2024/25. 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 50.8 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 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** 

## 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 8.3 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. 

In the year to 31 March 2024 work was completed on a new circular vehicle access route around the lake, and investigations were started into methods to control typha in the lake margins and seasonally flooded meadow. 

## **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 2024, the Trust carried out monitoring and survey work across the Kemerton Estate. Work continued under the Monitoring Strategy with the Conservation Advisor Pamela Clarke undertaking much of the monitoring work and liaising with volunteer recorders/surveyors. 

The Trust’s volunteers continued the monitoring of birds, fungi, dragonflies, butterflies, and other invertebrates across the Kemerton Estate. 

## Countryside Stewardship on the Kemerton Estate 

Kemerton Estate is in a 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 assists in the delivery of conservation goals by providing advice. The sites benefit from capital works and management carried out by the estate under the agreement. 

## Habitat management on the Kemerton Estate 

During the year to 31 March 2024, 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 many of which have permissive access to Members. During the year to 31 March 2024, the Trust’s Voluntary Warden helped to maintain specimen trees. In addition, a contractor carried out thinning in the arboretum. 

Page 5 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Governors' Report** 

## **Grants and Donations** 

In November 2022, the Trust secured funding from the England European Regional Development Fund through the Natural Networks scheme 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 completed in April 2023. The project also benefited from an additional grant of £2,500 from Highfields Trust CIO. 

In August 2023, the Trust secured funding of £683.38 from Welcome to Our Future for a bioblitz event at Daffurns Orchard aimed at increasing our biological records for the site while simultaneously encouraging the involvement of local residents in managing the orchard. Work on the project started in October 2023 and will complete in May 2024. 

In October 2023, the Trust secured funding of £300 from The Dent-Brocklehurst Family Charitable Trust for a project aimed at improving visitor access at Daffurns Orchard and supporting volunteers. Work on the project started in October 2023 and completed in March 2024. 

In addition to the sums mentioned above, the Trust received grants and donations totalling £2,671 from various community bodies, companies and trusts. 

## **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 member-only events. 

## Outreach 

Visits and events continued to be well attended. Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve Open Day was held on 10th June 2023. Kemerton Apple Day was held on 14th October 2023 and successfully raised £800 for Daffurns Orchard. 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 www.kemerton.org. The site was designed by David Aubury and is maintained by him on a voluntary basis. 

## Partnership Working 

The Trust is a member of the Worcestershire Local Nature Partnership. Adrian Darby has been actively involved in the preparation of Worcestershire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, representing the Trust on the Steering Group and being a member of Task & Finish Groups on Biodiversity Priorities, and on Species. The Trust 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 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. 

Page 6 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Governors' Report** 

## **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. 

## **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 1866 hours of their time, valued at £38,475. 

## **Acknowledgements** 

The Governors would like to thank all the Trust’s volunteers and supporters for the help and generous financial assistance they have generously given throughout the year. 

This report was approved by the Governors on 8th July 2024 and signed on their behalf by 

................................. 

A M G Darby 

Chairman of Governors 

Page 7 



## **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 2024. 

## **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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Kemerton Conservation Trust as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. 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 

4. 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 

8 July 2024 

Page 8 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)** 

|**Note**<br>**Income and Endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>Investment income<br>5<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>6<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income/(expenditure)<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>13<br>**Note**<br>**Income and Endowments from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>Investment income<br>5<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>6<br>Total expenditure<br>Net (expenditure)/income<br>Transfers between funds<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>13|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>18,818<br>15,018<br>993<br>34,829<br>(20,193)<br>(20,193)<br>14,636<br>14,636<br>191,829<br>206,465<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>9,617<br>16,263<br>362<br>26,242<br>(27,739)<br>(27,739)<br>(1,497)<br>6,488<br>4,991<br>186,838<br>191,829|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>983<br>-<br>-<br>983<br>(2,817)<br>(2,817)<br>(1,834)<br>(1,834)<br>4,753<br>2,919<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>16,365<br>-<br>-<br>16,365<br>(13,449)<br>(13,449)<br>2,916<br>(6,488)<br>(3,572)<br>8,325<br>4,753|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>19,801<br>15,018<br>993|
|---|---|---|---|
||||35,812|
||||(23,010)|
||||(23,010)|
||||12,802|
||||12,802<br>196,582|
||||209,384|
||||**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>25,982<br>16,263<br>362|
||||42,607|
||||(41,188)|
||||(41,188)|
||||1,419<br>-|
||||1,419<br>195,163|
||||196,582|



All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. 

The notes on pages 11 to 19 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **(Registration number: 02453076) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>9<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>10<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>11<br>**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**<br>12<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Funds of the charity:**<br>**Restricted income funds**<br>Restricted funds<br>13<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**Total funds**<br>13|**2024**<br>**£**<br>133,896<br>3,628<br>85,452<br>89,080<br>(13,592)<br>75,488<br>209,384<br>2,919<br>206,465<br>209,384|**2023**<br>**£**<br>136,239<br>3,676<br>69,422|
|---|---|---|
|||73,098<br>(12,755)|
|||60,343|
|||196,582|
|||4,753<br>191,829|
|||196,582|



For the financial year ending 31 March 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Directors' responsibilities: 

- 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 

- 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 9 to 19 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 8 July 2024 and signed on their behalf by: 

......................................... R H Workman 

Trustee 

The notes on pages 11 to 19 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 10 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **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 8 July 2024. 

## **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. 

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## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## _**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. 

## _**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. 

## **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 

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## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **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. 

## **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** 

|Donations and legacies;<br>Donations<br>Gift aid reclaimed<br>Grants, including capital<br>grants;<br>Grants from other charities|**Designated**<br>**£**<br>8,317<br>-<br>-<br>8,317|**General**<br>**£**<br>9,265<br>836<br>400<br>10,501|**Restricted**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>983<br>983|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>17,582<br>836<br>1,383<br>19,801|**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>8,762<br>455<br>16,765|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||25,982|



Page 13 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **4 Income from charitable activities** 

|Grazing and mowing<br>Single farm payment<br>Agri Environmental Scheme Payments<br>**5**<br>**Investment income**<br>Interest receivable and similar income;<br>Interest receivable on bank deposits|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>3,467<br>5,474<br>6,077<br>15,018<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>993|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>3,467<br>5,474<br>6,077<br>15,018<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>993|**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>3,236<br>6,738<br>6,289|
|---|---|---|---|
||||16,263|
||||**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>362|



## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|Rent<br>Insurance<br>Sundry expenses<br>Depreciation<br>Site management<br>Accountancy fees<br>Bank charges|**Unrestricted funds**<br>**Designated**<br>**£**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>-<br>9,600<br>-<br>437<br>-<br>2,274<br>-<br>632<br>945<br>5,302<br>-<br>852<br>-<br>151<br>945<br>19,248|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,960<br>857<br>-<br>-<br>2,817|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>9,600<br>437<br>2,274<br>2,592<br>7,104<br>852<br>151<br>23,010|**Total**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>9,600<br>309<br>2,483<br>2,818<br>25,033<br>816<br>129|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||41,188|



Page 14 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **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**<br>At 1 April 2023<br>Additions<br>At 31 March 2024<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 April 2023<br>Charge for the year<br>At 31 March 2024<br>**Net book value**<br>At 31 March 2024<br>At 31 March 2023<br>**10 Debtors**<br>Trade debtors<br>Other debtors<br>**11 Cash and cash equivalents**<br>Cash at bank|**Land and**<br>**buildings**<br>**£**<br>166,040<br>250||**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>44,444<br>-||**Total**<br>**£**<br>210,484<br>250<br>210,734<br>74,245<br>2,593<br>76,838<br>133,896<br>136,239<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>1,311<br>2,365|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||166,290||44,444|||
||30,788<br>2,396||43,457<br>197|||
||33,184||43,654|||
||133,106||790|||
||135,252||987|||
||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>3,243<br>385<br>3,628<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>85,452|||
||||||3,676|
||||||**2023**<br>**£**<br>69,422|



Page 15 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

|Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals<br>**13 Funds**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>**_General_**<br>General Fund<br>**_Designated_**<br>Betty Daffurns Orchard Fund<br>Movement for Good Award<br>**Total unrestricted funds**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Water's Edge Hide<br>Daffurn's Orchard Bioblitz<br>Welcoming Visitors &<br>Supporting Volunteers at<br>Daffurn's Orchard<br>**Total restricted funds**<br>**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**<br>**April 2023**<br>**£**<br>190,295<br>1,534<br>-<br>1,534<br>191,829<br>4,753<br>-<br>-<br>4,753<br>196,582|**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**£**<br>26,512<br>3,317<br>5,000<br>8,317<br>34,829<br>-<br>683<br>300<br>983<br>35,812|**2024**<br>**£**<br>12,514<br>-<br>1,078<br>13,592<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>(19,248)<br>(945)<br>-<br>(945)<br>(20,193)<br>(1,960)<br>(557)<br>(300)<br>(2,817)<br>(23,010)|**2023**<br>**£**<br>11,701<br>226<br>828|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||12,755|
|||||**Balance at 31**<br>**March 2024**<br>**£**<br>197,559<br>3,906<br>5,000|
|||||8,906|
|||||206,465|
|||||2,793<br>126<br>-|
|||||2,919|
|||||209,384|



Page 16 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

|**Unrestricted funds**<br>**_General_**<br>General Fund<br>**_Designated_**<br>Betty Daffurns Orchard<br>Fund<br>**Total unrestricted funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>Water's Edge Hide<br>John Clarke Walk project<br>Fish and Aquatic Plant<br>project<br>Aquatic Habitat Restoration<br>and Creation<br>Upham Meadow Purchase<br>**Total restricted funds**<br>**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**<br>**April 2022**<br>**£**<br>185,304<br>1,534<br>186,838<br>6,755<br>1,200<br>370<br>-<br>-<br>8,325<br>195,163|**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**£**<br>26,242<br>-<br>26,242<br>-<br>500<br>-<br>4,865<br>11,000<br>16,365<br>42,607|**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>(27,739)<br>-<br>(27,739)<br>(2,002)<br>(1,758)<br>(4,406)<br>(5,283)<br>-<br>(13,449)<br>(41,188)|**Transfers**<br>**£**<br>6,488<br>-<br>6,488<br>-<br>58<br>4,036<br>418<br>(11,000)<br>(6,488)<br>-|**Balance at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>190,295<br>1,534|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||191,829|
||||||4,753<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|
||||||4,753|
||||||196,582|



Page 17 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

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. 

## 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. 

## Daffurn’s Orchard Bioblitz 

A funded bioblitz event to survey flora, fauna and fungi at Daffurn’s Orchard. Grant funding received from Welcome to our Future. 

## Welcoming Visitors & Supporting Volunteers at Daffurn’s Orchard 

A one year project to improve visitor experience to the community orchard, and support the volunteers, including creating a new nature trail for children. Grant funding received from The Dent-Brocklehurst Family Charitable Trust. 

Page 18 



## **Kemerton Conservation Trust** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024** 

## **14 Analysis of net assets between funds** 

|**14 Analysis of net assets between funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>129,831<br>88,695<br>(13,342)<br>205,184<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>120,486<br>70,733<br>(12,755)<br>178,464|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>4,064<br>-<br>-<br>4,064<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>15,753<br>-<br>-<br>15,753|**Total funds at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>133,895<br>88,695<br>(13,342)|
||||209,248|
||||**Total funds at**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>136,239<br>70,733<br>(12,755)|
||||194,217|



## **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 2023 - £9,600) 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 19