## **COMPANY NUMBER: 02313579 CHARITY NUMBER: 800655**
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
|Page||
|---|---|
|1|Legal and Administrative Information|
|2 - 7|Report of the Trustees|
|8|Independent Examiner’s Report|
|9|Statement of Financial Activities|
|10|Balance Sheet|
|11|Cash flow statement|
|12 - 21|Notes to the Financial Statements|
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
The directors of the Charitable Company are its Trustees for the purpose of Charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Trustees.
## **Directors and Trustees**
James Hillage Sandra Llewellyn Julie Lloyd Barry McNulty Ryan Myint Jacqueline Ralph (Resigned 16th January 2024) Sarah Rideout Andrew Saunders Mark Sawtell (Resigned 16th January 2024) Antonia Scarr Angela Smith (Resigned 6th February 2024)
**Chief Executive Officer** Helen Meade **Company number: 02313579 Charity number: 800655**
**Registered Office** Linklater Pavilion Railway Lane Lewes East Sussex BN7 2FG
## **Professional Advisors**
## **Independent Examiner**
VMR Anderson BA (Hons) FCA DChA Clark Brownscombe 2 St Andrews Place Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP
## **Bankers**
NatWest Bank Churchill Square Brighton East Sussex BN1 2ES
CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ
Page: 1
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
The Trustees of the Railway Land Wildlife Trust (RLWT) have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2024 which are prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and financial statements for Companies Act purposes.
## The Trust
The Trust is a company limited by guarantee (Company registration number 02313579) and a registered charity (Charity registration number 8006550). It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 25[th] November 2019. The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for setting policies and ensuring legality and good practice in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Trust, the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. Trustees are elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Trust.
The Trust’s mission is to inspire environmental sustainability by bringing nature to the heart of Lewes and surrounding areas. To do so it currently has four key strategic aims:
Strategic Aim 1: Increase our influence with key stakeholders Strategic Aim 2: Get more local people involved with the Trust Strategic Aim 3: Provide inspirational and innovative learning activities and events Strategic Aim 4: Improve our infrastructure and resources.
## The Past Year
In the year to the end of March 2024, thanks to the wonderful efforts of our eight staff and our many volunteers, we made significant progress on all of these aims.
## Strategic Aim 1: Increase our influence with key stakeholders
With the majority of our main projects being delivered in partnerships, the network of organisations that we work with and who we influence has grown and strengthened. Some partnerships are made up of larger environmental organisations and statutory bodies, while others are more grassroots focused. This reflects the position that RLWT occupies within these networks, as very much rooted in the community and with the ability to work with and influence larger organisations.
Our key relationship with Lewes District Council (LDC) has been further strengthened during this period, and the Trust was very happy to be included as a partner in the Cockshut Stream Restoration project in Kingston. As well as raising significant funds for the project, we now run two volunteer sessions per month on this incredible new wetland where nature’s recovery has been astounding. We have also been working closely with LDC Officers on the development of a new operational strategy that will support a new management plan for the Railway Land nature reserve which we help to manage in partnership with the Council.
The Changing Chalk project moved into its second year, led by the National Trust and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Made up of 18 projects being delivered by the ten partners that include both statutory and third sector organisations, Changing Chalk aims to create multiple connections across the urban and rural areas of the Downs, and restore and reconnect the fragmented areas of remaining chalk grassland. RLWT’s work in engaging diverse communities and delivering practical conservation sessions at three additional sites has extended our reach and enabled the Trust to develop new, exciting partnerships, for example in working with the University of Brighton to develop ways to explore the relationships between young people, technology and the natural world.
Page: 2
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
The Ouse Valley Climate Action project also entered its second year, led by South Downs National Park Authority and in partnership with Lewes District Council, Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Transition Town Lewes, Seaford Community Partnership, Community Energy South, OVESCO, 3VA and Sussex Community Development Association. As well as making great strides in developing community rewilding approaches, we received additional funding to train and support local people in Seaford to deliver sessions with Young People based on our successes with the NatureLinks Youth Action project. The Trust is recognised as experts in this field locally, and we will be delivering training in working with young people for other local community groups as a result of this work.
In early 2023 the Lewes Mosaic Project started, which is a partnership with Common Cause Co-operative and involves Wildflower Lewes, Lewes Urban Arboretum and Lewes Swift Supporters. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project focuses on Lewes Town and aims to develop more opportunities for nature-based wellbeing activities and to grow a mosaic of wildlife habitats across the town that everyone can get involved with.
## Strategic Aim 2: Get more local people involved with the Trust
Our programme of school visits is now well known and very well regarded, and we have welcomed more than 2000 school children to the Railway Land, both from local schools and those further afield. We have an excellent cohort of freelance educators and volunteers who support school visits, and feedback from visiting schools is overwhelmingly positive.
This has been an incredibly busy year for NatureLinks, our Youth Action Project, and we have worked with nearly 400 young people, giving them the opportunity to develop skills, explore their environmental interests and concerns, and make new friends. The project evolves around monthly Youth Action Group meetings, which have brought young people together to develop ideas about courses and events that enable them to broaden their knowledge and bring them into contact with inspiring environmental experts and activists. Projects delivered on school grounds have enabled us to work with young people who might otherwise struggle to take part.
“ _I’ve really enjoyed getting to plan it out ourselves instead of just being told what to do.”_
_“It’s improved my mental health a lot and helped me to be more active”_
_“ I’ve enjoyed the teamwork aspect – all working together doing individual jobs and then the outcome comes to life!”_
NatureLinks is funded by the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund.
Our mental health project, Wellbeing in Nature, has continued to provide vital support to people who are struggling with their mental health, and it is fantastic that this is now funded for three years as part of the Lewes Mosaic Project. Wellbeing walks enable participants to deepen their connection to the natural world and to build social connections. Volunteers provide support to the sessions, with many volunteers sharing their own areas of expertise, such as bird watching, floral identification and creative writing. An important element of the Mosaic Project is to work more closely with the Social Prescribers at the GP surgeries, so that they can make more effective referrals to us and our partners.
_“The WiN community offers gentle support with physical movement. Its uplifting being around people and part of a close-knit group There are many occasions for sharing knowledge, to learn about trees and birds. To look for familiar reassuring patterns of nature, light and growth.”_
Page: 3
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
_“I felt good to be outdoors in safe environment, with others I am finding peace on the Railway Land – feel less anxious, calmer”_
September saw our Wilder Ways festival, which attracted around 2000 people to a wonderful array of activities, trails and talks, all encouraging them to explore their wilder side. Our Soilworld installation was a stand out success, recreating the underground world through sound, scent and vision!
We have a vibrant volunteering programme, with over 70 active volunteers. Opportunities range from supporting school visits and wellbeing walks to practical conservation, helping with marketing and promotion and maintaining the building.
## Strategic Aim 3: Provide inspirational and innovative learning activities and events
We take a lifelong approach to learning, and acknowledge that there is formal and informal learning, as well as different learning styles. Our programme of school visits provides curriculum based experiential learning that is imaginatively delivered; our Wellbeing in Nature project is underpinned by the Five Ways to Wellbeing, one of which is ‘Learn’; our projects such as Changing Chalk, Ouse Vally Climate Action and NatureLinks all provide opportunities for people to learn more about the natural world and how to support it to thrive; our volunteering programme provides opportunities for people to learn and also to share their knowledge and expertise.
This year also saw our Head of Learning begin to work on a series of Adult Courses. This will start with a Flint Knapping Course in the Spring of 2024, providing experiential learning for adults that reconnects them with the landscape through a combination of history, science and culture.
Strategic Aim 4: Improve our infrastructure and resources
We continue to manage the Linklater Pavilion as a hub for environmental learning. As the building ages, some of its infrastructure has become worn out and this year saw us replacing both the lift and the Ground Source Heat Pump unit. We were very fortunate to receive a generous donation that made the replacement of the lift possible, and the GSHP unit was paid for from RLWT reserves.
As well as holding our own events and activities, we hire out the building to other local groups and organisations which provides essential income for the charity.
We also generate income for the charity through our ‘Friends of the Railway Land’ scheme. We are lucky to benefit from donations and legacies.
The signal box is in a sound condition. Although there has been less vandalism, it is still subject to graffiti and we are exploring creating some street art on it as part of the NatureLinks project. It is used for small art installations and by the Wellbeing and Youth groups as somewhere to sit and enjoy the peace and the view of the water meadows and the nesting peregrine falcons beyond.
We have a strong Board of Trustees, and this year saw the recruitment of Sandra Llewellyn as Chair, as well as new Trustee Sarah Rideout. Some of our Trustees are approaching their maximum term of service and so we will be recruiting to specific skills gaps within the Board in the coming year.
Page: 4
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document**
As with many Charities, The Railway Land Wildlife Trust Limited (RLWT) is a company limited by guarantee (Company registration number 02313579) and is registered as a charity (Charity registration number 800655). It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles dated 19th April 1999 and updated 16th October 2019. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice” applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1st January 2019).
## **Public Benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives.
## **Financial Review**
The financial year 2023/24 marked a significant period for the RLWT, with income reaching £553,032, an increase from £417,170 in 2022/23. Total resources expended during the year amounted to £630,462 (2023: £230,035), resulting in a technical net deficit of £77,430 (2023: £187,435 surplus). The deficit reflects the drawdown of funds allocated to multi-year projects.
Of the total income, £421,672 (76%) was restricted, project-specific income. This includes key contributions such as £140,000 from Veolia for the Cockshut Stream restoration project and £58,622 for the NLHF Mosaic Project. These projects, among others, underpin our ongoing commitment to nature recovery and community engagement.
Unrestricted income totalled £131,360, encompassing £86,734 from charitable activities such as children’s activities, school visits (£32,732), and hiring the Linklater Pavilion (£23,927). We have reviewed our charges for school visits so that they are simpler and remain as affordable as possible for schools, and have adjusted our delivery of the visits so that they are no longer running at such a loss.
Vital financial support through donations and legacies, including Gift Aid, amounted to £38,334 (2023: £28,466). This funding bridges gaps in areas like school activities, the Linklater Pavilion upkeep, and nonfunded projects.
Staff costs increased significantly to £159,388 (2023: £134,258), reflecting the growth of our team to deliver our expanding portfolio of projects. We now have six part-time staff supported by freelance specialists, ensuring both operational efficiency and expert delivery.
Our main asset, the Linklater Pavilion, valued at £598,896 (2023: £612,248), continues to be central to our work. Maintenance remains a priority, with £13,352 allocated for depreciation this year, emphasising the need for a sink fund to ensure long-term sustainability.
As of 31 March 2024, RLWT’s total fund balances stood at £876,075, a decrease from £953,505 in the previous year, reflecting the planned use of restricted funds for specific projects. Unrestricted funds increased to £734,224 (2023: £709,906), while restricted funds decreased to £141,851 (2023: £243,599).
Page: 5
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
Despite challenges, our financial position remains strong, supported by prudent resource management and a committed team. We continue to prioritise long-term project sustainability and community impact.
We pride ourselves in being “agile” with a “flat” organisation structure where everyone has delivery responsibilities. Our team is very experienced in ecology, life-long learning and community-based projects. Our CEO leads the organisation and is also the Programme Director. She leads a collaborative, supportive team to look for synergies across projects and with external organisations, focussing the team on tangible deliverables. Collectively the team, with the active support of trustees, refine the project strategies, spends most of its time on the ground with the communities we serve (human and nature).
We have a part time administrator/bookkeeper and we utilise the skills of our board of trustees to keep normal overheads to an absolute minimum.
## **Recruitment and appointment of trustees**
Trustees are elected in accordance with the Articles of Association Trustees. Half of the Trustees are required to retire annually by rotation and may offer themselves for re-election. Any Trustee co-opted by the Trustee Board during the year are required to stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). When considering co-opting, the Trustee Board has regard to the requirements of any specialist skills needed.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility to manage risk and have a risk strategy in place which comprises:-
- The maintenance of a risk register;
- An annual review of the risks the charity may face;
- The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate against those risks identified in each review; and
- The implementation of procedures designed to prevent and potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
## **Trustees’ responsibilities**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure of the Company for the period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:-
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures and explained in the financial statements;
Page: 6
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees must, in determining how amounts are presented within items in the income and expenditure account and balance sheet have regard to the substance of the reported transaction or arrangement in accordance with generally accepted accountancy principles or practice.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
By order of the Board:
J Hillage - Trustee
Date: 17th December 2024
Page: 7
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 21.
## **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 financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 report**
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 the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- (2) the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records; or
- (3) the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the financial statements give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
- (4) the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Victoria Anderson BA (Hons) FCA DChA Chartered Accountant Clark Brownscombe 2 St Andrews Place Date: 17th December 2024 Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UP
Page: 8
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
|**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**INCOME FROM**
3
Donations and legacies
**38,334**
**-**
Charitable activities
**86,734**
**421,672**
Other trading activities
**3,440**
**-**
Investments
**2,852**
**-**
**TOTAL**
**131,360**
**421,672**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
4
Raising funds
**1,156**
**-**
Charitable activities
**105,886**
**523,420**
**TOTAL**
**107,042**
**523,420**
Net movement in funds
**24,318**
**(101,748)**
**Fund balances at 31st March 2023**
**709,906**
**243,599**
**Fund balances at 31st March 2024**
**734,224**
**141,851**|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
**38,334**
**508,406**
**3,440**
**2,852**
**553,032**
**1,156**
**629,306**
**630,462**
**(77,430)**
**953,505**
**876,075**|2023
Total
£
28,466
382,733
5,317
654
417,170
1,225
228,810
230,035
187,435
766,070
953,505|
|---|---|---|
The detailed 2023 comparative statement of financial activities is reported in note 2.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page: 9
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024 COMPANY NUMBER 02313579**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible fixed assets
7
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
8
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS:**Amounts falling due within one year
9
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**FUNDS**
Restricted Funds
11
Unrestricted Funds
12||**2024**
**£**
**33,864**
**260,029**
**293,893**
**(16,714)**|
**£**
**598,896**
**277,179**
**876,075**
**141,851**
**734,224**
**876,075**|2023
£
612,248
6,634
340,661
347,295
(6,038)
341,257
953,505
243,599
709,906
953,505|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
The company is entitled to exemption from audit conferred by Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees confirm that they are responsible for:
- a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006,
- b) and preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its results for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees on 17th December 2024
J Hillage – Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page: 10
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
||**Note**|**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
|**Cash flow from operating activities**||||
|Cash generated from operations|**13**|**(83,484)**|203,760|
|**Cash flows from investing activities**||||
|Purchase of tangible fixed assets||**-**|(5,578)|
|Interest receivable||**2,852**
|654|
|**Net cash from investing activities**||**2,852**|(4,924)|
|**Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents**||**(80,632)**|198,836|
|Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year||**340,661**|141,825|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**14**|**260,029**|340,661|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page: 11
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## 1. **Accounting policies**
## **a. Basis of Accounting**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102, effective 1 January 2019), hereafter referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The Railway Land Wildlife Trust Limited 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 note.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. However, there are no judgements or assumptions that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment.
## **b. Funds Held**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes.
## **c. Income**
All income is included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.
Page: 12
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **d. Expenditure**
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
## **e. Fixed Assets**
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off cost less residual value over their expected useful economic lives as follows:
Freehold Land - none Pavilion building - over the length of the lease Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 5 years straight line
## **f. Debtors**
Trade debtors and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. Accrued income and tax recoverable are included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.
## **g. Creditors**
Creditors 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.
## **h. Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **i. Pensions**
Employees of the charity are entitled to join a defined contribution ‘money purchase’ scheme. The costs of the defined contribution scheme are included with the associated staff costs and are allocated to charitable activities. The charity participates in the NEST pension scheme in accordance with meeting auto enrolment responsibilities.
## **j. Going Concern**
There are no material uncertainties concerning the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Page: 13
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
|2.
**Comparative Statement of Financial Activities**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**INCOME FROM**
Donations and legacies
**28,466**
**-**
Charitable activities
**67,173**
**315,860**
Other trading activities
**5,317**
**-**
Investments
**654**
**-**
**TOTAL**
**101,610**
**315,860**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
**1,225**
**-**
Charitable activities
**101,084**
**127,726**
**TOTAL**
**102,309**
**127,726**
Net movement in funds
**(699)**
**188,134**
**Fund balances at 31st March 2022**
**710,605**
**55,465**
**Fund balances at 31st March 2023**
**709,906**
**243,599**
3.
**Income**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations and Gift aid
**32,605**
**-**
**32,605**
Membership fees
**5,729**
**-**
**5,729**
**38,334**
**-**
**38,334**
**Charitable activities**
Children’s activities and school visits
**32,732**
**-**
**32,732**
Hire of Linklater Pavilion
**23,927**
**-**
**23,927**
Grants
**30,075**
**421,672**
**451,747**
**86,734**
**421,672**
**508,406**
**Other trading activities**
Fundraising events
**1,194**
**-**
**1,194**
Electricity feed in tariff
**2,246**
**-**
**2,246**
**3,440**
**-**
**3,440**
**Investments**
Bank interest received
**2,852**
**-**
**2,852**
**Total income**
**131,360**
**421,672**
**553,032**|**2023**
**Total**
**£**
**28,466**
**382,733**
**5,317**
**654**
**417,170**
**1,225**
**228,810**
**230,035**
**187,435**
**766,070**
**953,505**
2023
£
20,892
7,574
28,466
38,492
28,681
315,560
382,733
3,251
2,066
5,317
654
417,170|
|---|---|
Page: 14
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## 4. **Expenditure**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
**Raising funds**
Event costs
**1,156**
**Charitable activities**
Cost of charitable activities
**32,821**
Grant related costs
**-**
Property costs
**18,286**
Salaries and wages
**23,150**
Light, heat and power
**5,771**
General insurance
**3,704**
Marketing and communication
**1,420**
Administration costs
**4,514**
Depreciation
**13,352**
Bad debts
**-**
Independent examination fee
**2,868**
**105,886**
**Total expenditure**
**107,042**
**5.**
**Staff Costs**
Wages and salaries
Social security
Pension costs|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**1,156**
**-**
**32,821**
**349,303**
**349,303**
**37,879**
**56,165**
**136,238**
**159,388**
**-**
**5,771**
**-**
**3,704**
**-**
**1,420**
**-**
**4,514**
**-**
**13,352**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,868**
**523,420**
**629,306**
**523,420**
**630,462**
**2024**
**£**
**144,862**
**5,940**
**8,586**
**159,388**|2023
£
1,225
12,347
36,523
20,169
134,258
3,555
2,795
2,767
1,140
13,696
150
1,410
228,810
230,035
2023
£
117,352
3,266
5,831
126,449|
|---|---|---|
The average number of employees during the year was 6 (2023: 7). No employees received remuneration in excess of £60,000 p.a.
The key management personnel of the company comprise the trustees, the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Learning. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £68,448 (2023: £61,820).
No remuneration was paid to any of the Trustees during the year. During the year no expenses were reimbursed to any Trustee.
Page: 15
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **6. Net income**
|Net income is stated after charging:
Depreciation
Independent examiners remuneration|**2024**
**£**
**13,352**
**2,868**|2023
£
13,696
1,504|
|---|---|---|
## **7. Fixed Assets**
|**ixed Assets**||
|---|---|
|**Freehold**
**Land**
**Pavilion**
**Building**
**Fixtures,**
**Fittings**
**and**
**Equipment**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024
**3,530**
**763,125**
**38,166**
**Depreciation**
At 1st April 2023
**-**
**156,008**
**36,565**
Charge for the year
**-**
**12,752**
**600**
At 31st March 2024
**-**
**168,760**
**37,165**
**Net Book Value**
At 31st March 2024
**3,530**
**594,365**
**1,001**
At 31st March 2023
3,530
607,117
1,601|**Total**
**£**
**804,821**|
||
**192,573**
**13,352**|
||
**205,925**|
||
**598,896**|
||
612,248|
There is a legal charge dated 13 November 2012 in favour of Viridor Credits in respect of the building known as “The Linklater Pavilion”. This was a condition of the funding provided by Viridor Credits to ensure compliance with the Land Communities Fund (LCF) Regulations and is designed to ensure the “The Linklater Pavilion” remains in compliance in terms of the management of LCF funded assets only.
## **8. Debtors**
|Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments|**2024**
**£**
**6,070**
**26,545**
**1,249**
**33,864**|2023
£
2,444
1,706
2,484
6,634|
|---|---|---|
Page: 16
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Other taxes and social security costs
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
**£**
**10,402**
**2,257**
**1,337**
**2,718**
**16,714**|2023
£
1,140
1,047
1,001
2,850
6,038|
|---|---|---|
## **10. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
Fixed assets
**598,896**
**-**
Current assets
**152,042**
**141,851**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
**(16,714)**
**-**
**734,224**
**141,851**
**nalysis of Net Assets between Funds (Prior year)**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
Fixed assets
**612,248**
**-**
Current assets
**103,696**
**243,599**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
**(6,038)**
**-**
**709,906**
**243,599**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
**598,895**
**293,893**
**(16,714)**
**876,075**
**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
**612,248**
**347,295**
**(6,038)**
**953,505**|Total
Funds
2023
£
612,248
347,295
(6,038)
709,906
Total
Funds
2022
£
620,366
153,709
(8,005)
766,070|
|---|---|---|
## **Analysis of Net Assets between Funds (Prior year)**
Page: 17
## **THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## **11. Restricted Funds**
|**1st April**
**2023**
**£**
Chalk Cliff Trust
**42**
Southover Manor General
**1,929**
CIL
**3,903**
Youth Action Fund
**57**
NLHF Changing Chalk
**(7,405)**
OVCA
**(1,055)**
HAF
**631**
Reaching Communities
**72,290**
LDC Community Grant
**-**
Grants for Wellbeing
**6,962**
Scythes
**(659)**
NLHF Mosaic
**(3,096)**
Veolia
**140,000**
Crucible
**30,000**
Cockshut Stream
**-**
**243,599**
**Restricted Funds (Prior year)**
**1st April**
**2022**
**£**
Chalk Cliff Trust
**842**
Sussex Community Foundation
**4,665**
Southover Manor General
**1,929**
CIL
**5,011**
Youth Action Fund
**527**
Awards for All
**1,962**
NLHF Changing Chalk
**-**
Cares Project
**770**
HAF
**800**
Reaching Communities
**38,959**
Enjoolta
**-**
Grants for Wellbeing
**-**
Scythes
**-**
NLHF Mosaic
**-**
Veolia
**-**
Crucible
**-**
**55,465**|**Income**
**Expenditure**
**At 31st**
**March**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**(42)**
**-**
**(1,929)**
**10,000**
**(12,263)**
**1,640**
**-**
**(57)**
**-**
**45,732**
**(38,327)**
**-**
**45,330**
**(18,190)**
**26,085**
**-**
**(631)**
**-**
**78,356**
**(72,635)**
**78,011**
**3,600**
**(3,600)**
**-**
**-**
**(6,962)**
**-**
**659**
**-**
**-**
**58,622**
**(55,526)**
**-**
**140,000**
**(280,000)**
**-**
**-**
**(30,000)**
**-**
**39,373**
**(3,258)**
**36,115**
**421,672**
**(523,420)**
**141,851**
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**At 31st**
**March**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**-**
**(800)**
**42**
**-**
**(4,665)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,929**
**14,692**
**(15,800)**
**3,903**
**-**
**(470)**
**57**
**-**
**(1,962)**
**-**
**31,252**
**(38,657) (7,405)**
**4,150**
**(5,975) (1,055)**
**-**
**(169)**
**631**
**77,917**
**(44,586)**
**72,290**
**722**
**(722)**
**-**
**16,828**
**(9,866)**
**6,962**
**299**
**(958) (659)**
**-**
**(3,096) (3,096)**
**140,000**
**-**
**140,000**
**30,000**
**-**
**30,000**
**315,860**
**(127,726)**
**243,599**|
|---|---|
Page: 18
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
CIL – habitat improvements and installation of new handrail on the Heart of Reeds
NLHF Changing Chalk - for RLWT’s element of the Changing Chalk partnership, the Creating Connections project, including the recruitment of Chalk Life Rangers
OVCA – For RLWT’s element of the Ouse Valley Climate Action project, including supporting youth action in Seaford and creating rewilding trails
Reaching Communities – for the Blue Green Infrastructure project
LDC Community Grant – for our Wellbeing in Nature mental health project and associated wellbeing activities
Grants for Wellbeing - for our Wellbeing in Nature mental health project and associated wellbeing activities
Scythes – for the purchase of scythes
NLHF Mosaic – for the Lewes Wildlife and Wellbeing project
Veolia – towards the Cockshut Stream Restoration Project
Crucible – to support organisational development and work with schools
Cockshut Stream – for volunteering sessions at the Cockshut Stream
Chalk Cliff Trust – Railway Land habitat improvement
Southover Manor – resources for school visits
Youth Action Fund – Habitat improvement work with young people
HAF - for subsidised places on our holiday clubs
Page: 19
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
|**12.**|**Unrestricted Funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**At 1st**||||**At 31st**|
|||**April**|**Income**|**Expenditure**||**March**|
|||**2023**||||**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**|
||General|**709,906**|**131,360**|**(107,042)**||**734,224**|
||**Unrestricted Funds (Prior year)**||||||
|||**At 1st**||||**At 31st**|
|||**April**|**Income**|**Expenditure**||**March**|
|||**2022**||||**2023**|
|||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**|
||General|**710,605**|**101,610**|**(102,309)**||**709,906**|
|**13.**|**Reconciliation Of Net (Deficit)/Surplus To Net**||**Cash Inflow**||||
||**From Operating Activities**||||||
|||||**2024**||2023|
|||||**£**||£|
||Net (deficit)/surplus for the year|||**(77,430)**||187,435|
||Interest received|||**(2,852)**||(654)|
||Depreciation|||**13,352**||13,696|
||(Increase)/decrease in debtors|||**(27,230)**||5,250|
||Increase/(decrease) in creditors|||**10,676**||(1,967)|
||Net (outflow)/inflow from operating activities|||**(83,484)**||203,760|
|**14.**|**CASH AND CASH EQUVALENTS**||||||
|||||**2024**||2023|
|||||**£**||£|
||Cash and cash equivalents|||**260,029**||340,661|
|||||**2023**||2022|
|||||**£**||£|
||Cash and cash equivalents|||**340,661**||141,825|
|**15.**|**ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET**|**DEBT**|||||
||||**At 1 April**|**Cashflow**|**At**|**31 March**|
||||**2023**|||**2024**|
||||**£**|**£**||**£**|
||**Net cash**||||||
||Cash at bank and in hand||**340,661**|**(80,632)**||**260,029**|
Page: 20
**THE RAILWAY LAND WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED (LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024**
## 1 **6. Statutory Information**
The Company is a private company, limited by guarantee. Members have a liability not exceeding £1 each in the event of a winding up. The company is registered in England and Wales and the registered number and registered office address can be found on the Legal and Administrative information page.
## **17. Taxation**
The charity 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. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 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.
Page: 21