jamesmilne CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS The Rlver Don Trust Scottlsh Charlty Numbgr SC036015 Report and Flnancial Ststsments for the yoar ended 30th S•ptomber 2025
The River Don Trust Scottlsh Charlty Num[ SC036015 Report ofthe Tntstee¥ The trustees submit their annual report and financial statements of the charty for the year ended 30th September 2025. The financial statements have been prepa in aco)rdan¢e with the &¢ounting poli¢ies set out in note 1 to the accounts, and compty with the Charities and Tnjstee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulalk)ns 20¢ {as amended) and Accounting and Reporb'ng by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practits appluble to ¢harities preparing their )Unts in xcordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applKzble in the UK and RepubltG of Ireland published on 16th July 2014. Oblectlvgs and actlvlti The River Don Trust IRDT) has been initiated in order to delrier an achievable 8CtK)n program based on our Flshery Management Plan. IFMPI ObjectiVO8 To consèrv8 and enhance all speues of freshwater fish and their environment wlhin the inland and coastal waters of the River Don. To advance the education of the public. or any association. company. IcKal authority, administrative or govemment agenw or public tody or representative body in.. 11 The understanding of aquatsc ecosystems, including their fauna. flora and economic or social activlty, and the rer catchment management. 2) The need for, and the benefrts of, protn, conservation, rehabilitats'on, and improvement of aquatic envlronmenl. Achlevements and perfomiance Under the terms of the Service Level Agreement wrth the River Dee Trust, they contlnue to progress the FMP on behalf of the Don 8oard and Tru$L There are conlinulng concems wTrth the lack of retuming adult salmn over recent seasons and numbers In 2025 were again extremely disappointing, although near drought conditions was a major factor this year, with less than half our average annual rainfall resulting in huge re$lri¢tions on fish being able lo enter the river or swim upstream . Tho lack of water this season onty exacertiales the issues caused by lack of retuming adult salmon on the majority of rivers in the UK. Once again, The Don has been given a ¢onseNation grading of Category 3. Angling effort on the Don was extremely low from toth I(al and outside anglers. Local angling clubs contlnue lo be affected financialty due to a decline in membership numters. The River Don Trust continues to operate in collaboration with The River Don Board and The River Dee Trust, assisting where possible with th8 roll out of the Don Fishory Managemenl Plan. The removal of man-made obstacles on the River Don and Tts tributaries remain an important target for both Trust and Board, in a bid to increase and improve the available spawning areas for our retuming salmon and sea trout. The Alaskan Denil Fish Pass in the Newe Weir has improved the passage upstream of spawning salmon. however not in all flows and il is of concem that redds are lo be found in the depleted stretch below the Fish Pass. There remains further work required to improve the results. Board staff continue to monitor the results, with further work being planned, x) as lo maximise the numbers spawning abov8 the Weir. Ideally the depleted stretch should be screene(f off to avoid the above happening. Removal of the obstruction on the Es5et Burn is heading towards a solution. hopefvjlly to be completed In 2028, however the obstruction on the Goval Bum remains. Iliamston Weir remains on the River Ury and all of the above remain priorities for the River Don Board and Trust.
The River Don Trust Scottlsh Charity Number SC036015 Report of the Trustees (contd.) Achievements and perfornian¢e l¢ontinued). The Trust remains committed to assisting in the restoration of our catchment which will include tree-planling, wetland creation. flood control and incorporation of leaky dams and large wooden structures into schemes where they will be effective. There is urgent need to give shade to many of the upper Don spawning tributsries, in order to reduce temperatures during long hot spells. This yearfs exceptionally long dry period underlines the effects of climate change. As reported last year. this is a nationwide problem effecting our salmon and sea trout speGies but also potents.alty our wild brown trout The Trust continues to work towards employing a restoration manager in order to realise our ambition5 to enable restoration improvements throughout our catchment, as well as assisting in fund raising towards the Watershed Initiative described above and to that end we continue to work with Flsheries Management Scotland and other enlities in order to drive this fornard. We applied for fvndlng In Sprlng 2025. In ord&r to begln the above P$$ but sadty were unsuccessful In our bid and therefore shall be putting in further applications as and when the suitable opportunities arise. The intention is to address habitat and climate change induced issues throughout our catchment on a phased basss. Thls will Initially involve survey work and idealty digital mapping where required. We are already working towards Carying out these PTiorilies. Invasives control oontinues to be a massive task, and The Trust intends to contribute towards this on an ongoin9 basis, throughout the catchment. mainly in fund raising. Meanwhile SISI funding Conts'nues which is havlng a huge impact on the problem areas. Having completed a short film on InvasNes along with the launch of the new tlon website the Trust hopes lo generate funding in order to assist in the ongoing treatment of Invasives, a5 well as perhaps finding volunleers to join the teams which already oporate within tho cat¢hment. This 15 becoming even more important as climate change results in less time available lo carry out the necessary controls on the considerable mileage of banks. bolh on mainstem and tributaries. The Ury remains particular challenge and 1$ included in the abOveScribed funding scheme. The objectives regarding Invasives remain as follows.. Education regarding the issues and dangers that invasNes can bring to anybody who comes In contact with them. particularly Giant Hogweed. Community based projects lo the benefit of all who exerclse In and enjoy the rivers and bum8 In our Galchment. The Trust will continue its work on the Rwer Don Website, wilh regular updates once we have our restoration manager in place and surveylprojecl work begins. The Trust is in touch with Bug Lrfe regarding survey work and now beglnnlng to work on water quallty in the Aberdeen area. Flnanclal revlew As at 30th September 2025, the TNSt has unststed funds of £15,352. Rg5grv95 poIIcy The Trltst policy from September 2025 onwards will be to assist the Riv8r Don Board in achieving the objectives of its Fishery Management Plan in particular regarding the improvements lo the River Don ecosystem, educational elements of the plan and raising funds towards both of these, as well as towards the control of invasives within the R¢ver Don catchment. In terms of reserve$, the policy will continue to be one of raising fvnds for specific projects, with expenditure restricted to these and basic running costs. Structure, governance and management Governing document The River Don Trust 15 a charilable company limf(ed by guarantee govemed by ils Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company is registered as a charity with OSCR. Membership of the company, both ordinary and associate, is open lo indwiduals and organi5alions who support the objects of the company.
The River Don Trust Scottish Charity Number SC036015 Report ol the Trustees Icontd.) Appointment of Trustges The Trustees may appoint Of CQpt further Tru5tee5 a5 required as well a5 inviting membership of the River Don Trust. It is with great pleasure that The Trust has Wn joined this year by new Trustees. We continue to active look to strengthen our team further, with new members or Trustees holding appropriate skills. Organisatlon and related partl88 The Trustees as the Board of Directors administer the RNer Don Trust The TDJst continues lo have a c10s8 relationship with the Don District Salmon Fishery Board. with 2 of the directors being elected a Fishery Board member. Strategy The strategy of The Trust MaInS to assist where suitable. with the Impmentron of the current and fure River Don Fishery Management Plans and to improve th8 ecok)gy wlthin the RNer Don catchment area. cOmnY Infomiatlon Dlrector8rrru8teo8: R. Fyffe S. Martin B. Martin P. Adderton G. Hough Reglstered offlce: Corsir8e Sau¢hen Inverurie Aberdeenshire A8517PP Ac¢ountsnts: James Milne Chartered Accountants 5 Bon Accord Squa Aberdeen AB116XZ Scottish charity numbgr. SC036015 Company number: SC348749
The River Don Trust Scottish Charlty Number SC036015 Report of the Trustees {contd. Trustees, responslbllltles In relation to tho financial statements The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees. annual report and finanGial ststements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (Untted Kingdom Generalty Accepted Accounting Pra¢tice}. The law applicable lo charities in Scotland requires the charity twslees to Ppare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the chanty and of the incoming resources and application of resources. of the charity for that period. In preparing the finan¢ial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable ac¢ounling policies and thèn appty them consistenty: observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP., make Judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. slate whetheT applicable accounting slandards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial ststements., prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless tt is inappropliate to presume that th8 charlty wlll continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonabl8 accuraGy at any lime the financial position of the charity and lo enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scollandl Act 2005, the Charity Accounts (Scollandl Regulations 2006 las amended), and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and takin9 rea$onabSe steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularllies. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial infomalion includéd on the charity's website. Legislab'on in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of flnanclal statements may differ from legislab'on in other jurisdictions. On bohaw of the Trustees on Richard Fyffo Trustee
The Rlver Don TNst Scottlsh Charlty Number SC036015 Report by the Independent Examlner I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to11. Respectlve responslbllltles of dlrectors and examlner The company'5 directors are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the tems of the Charities and Trustee Investment {Scotlandl Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scollandl Regulations 2006. The directors consider that the audit reqUIrnent of Regulation 10111 Idl of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 4411}1¢) of the Act and to stale whether particular matters have corne to my attention. Basis of indopendent examlnorf8 Statomont My examlnation is Carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts Iscotlandl Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review ot the accounting records kept by Ihe company and compari50n of the accounts presented wrth those records.11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the directors conceming any such matters. The prdureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audll and consequently I do not èxpress an audlt opinion on the view given by the account5. Indopendent •xamIn•8 statement In the course of my examination, no matters have come to my attention whlch give me reasonable cause to belleve that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep a¢¢ounling records in accordance with Section 44111{al of the 2005 Act and Regulatlon 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and to prepare accounts which accord with the axounting records and comply wlth Regulation 8 of the 20 Accounts Regulations hava not been met, or 2. to which, in my oplnion, attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper underslandlng of the accounts to be 8¢hed. Da Id S. Mlnett CA Partner James Milne Charter6d Accountants 5 Bon A¢¢ord Square Aberdeen AB116XZ 11.1t.I
The River Don Trust Scotttsh Charlty Number SC036015 Statement of Flnanelal Actmtles For the year ended 30th September 2025 2025 Totsl Funds 2024 Totsl Funds Nolg Income and endovnngnts fr(¥ffl: Charitable acts'vities 17,028 2,453 Total income 17,028 2,453 Expendlture on: Charitable activities 2,945 2.062 Total expendlture 2,945 2,062 Net (expenditureyincome 14,083 391 Transfers beeen fvnds Net rnov¢m¢nts In fund8 14,083 391 Total fvnds brought forward 1,269 878 Total funds carried forward 15,352 1,269 All funds are unrestricted
The River Don Tn PJcottish Charity Number SC036015 Balance Shget at 30th September 2025 2025 2024 Flxed assets Tangible assets 325 38D Current sets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 570 14.967 497 882 15,537 1,379 Credltor8: amounts falllng due wlthln one yoar Net current a880ts {510) {4901 15,027 889 Not as80ts 15,352 1,269 Fund¥ Share capital Unrestricted fvrKI8 10 15,352 1.269 15.352 1.269 For the year ending 30th September 2025 the company was entiUed to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibllities.. The members have not required the company to obtaln an audit of its financial ststements for the year in question in accordance with Section 476.. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect lo accounting records and the PreParatn of finanaal statements. These financlal statements have been prepared in accordance with the pmisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies. regirne and in accordance with FRS 102 'The Flnancial Report¢ng Standard appli¢abl@ in the UK and Republic of Ireland". These financial slalements were approved by the board of director5 and authorised for issue on and are signed on behalf of the board ty.. Rlchard Fyffo Trustee Bernard Martln Trustee 211ovkllOIC 2210k+l202 G
The Rlver Don Trust Scottlsh Charity Number SC036015 Note¥ to the Flnancial Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025 1. A¢¢ountlng pollcles Status of the Company The River Don Trust is a company limited by guarantee of its members and does not have a Share capital. In the event of the company being wound up, the liabilty in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company. Accountlng convenllon The financial statements have been prepared in acrdanCe with Accounting and Reporting by Charits'es: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in a¢¢ordance with the provisions of FRS102, section 1A 'The Financial Reportlng Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". Flxed a5sgts Fixed assets a stsled at cosl18ss depreciabon on the bases set out herèunder. DeprlatIOn Depreciation is charged as follows- Plant and machinery 15% reduclng balance Incomlng resources Incoming resources from charitsble trading activib'es are Induded in the ffinanclal statements when recefvable. Other Incoming resources are induded in th& financial stalerrents when receivable. Resourcos oxpen5ed Expenditure on charitable activtties comprises those costs incurred by the company In the delivery of its activities and are included in the financial slaleffents on an wuaLs basis. Expenditure on support costs including accountancy fees and costs linked to the management of the company a in¢luded in the financial statements on an accruals basis. Funds With the adoption of the statement of recommended practice all incorre and exndItUre is dealt with through the statement of financial activth"es. In the slotet of financial activities. fvnds are dassified as either restricted or unrestricted fvnds, defined as followg.. Restricted funds are fvnd$ sutfj'ecl to spec[r purposes whth may be declared by the donor or with their authority. Unrestricted fijnds are 8xpendable at the dis¢retion of Ihe tM)ard in fvrtherance of the obje¢tives of The River Don Tfust. Transfers are made betsveen fvnds to release capital grants and also to dear any funds in defiat.
The River Don Trust Scottlsh Charlty Number SC036015 Note5 to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th Septsmber 2025 2. Operatlng surpluslldeflcltl 2025 2024 Operatlng surpluslldeficitl is stated after charglng: DepreCiatn of tangible assets Independent examinels fee 55 524 65 490 3. Trustee remuneratlon None of the directors received any mneration or reimbursed expenses during this or the preceding financial year. 4. Donatlons The following donations were received tolalling £17.028 {2024- £2.453} to the unrestricted funds during the year. Aberdeen District Angling A$Son Flshpal Nescan Hub Ltd Don District Salmon Fishery Board S. Dlroct charltable expen••s Charrtablo Activitles 2025 Total 2024 Total Support Charitable expenses Project costs Insurance Accountancy Bank charges Sub$criptK*ns General expenses Computer costs Depre¢ialion 691 691 524 671 490 524 565 565 34 227 55 801 13 227 55 65 2,421 524 2,945 2,062
The Rlver Don Trust Scottish Charity Number SC036015 Note5 to thg Flnan¢Fal Statements for the year ended 30th September 2025 6. Tanglble fixed assets Equiprn•nt Total C08t Al 1st October 2024 and 30th September 2025 Depreciation At 1 st October 2024 Charge for the year 4,698 4,698 4.318 55 4,318 55 At 30th September 2025 4,373 4,373 Net book value At 30th September 2025 325 325 At 30th September 2024 380 380 AII fixed assets are used for charitable purposes. 7. Dobtor8 2025 2024 Other debtors Prepayments 570 497 570 497 8. Credltorn: amounts falllng duo wlthln one y•ar 2025 2024 Trade creditors Accruals 510 490 510 490 9. Share capital The company is limited by guarantee. It has no share ¢apilal. 10
The Rlver Don Trust Scottlsh Charity Number SC036015 Notss to the Financlal Ststements for the year ended 30th September 2025 10. Unrestrlcted funds 2025 2024 Al 1 st October 2024 Surplus for year 1,269 14,083 878 391 AI 30th September 2025 15,352 1.269 11