Heart of Argyll Wi IdLife Organisation Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Scottish Charity nurnber: SC047167 Simmers & Co - )uni OBAN
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Independent Examiners Report on the Accounts | 1 |
| Trustees Annual report | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 - 4 |
| Statement of Receipts & Payments | 5 |
| Statement of Balances | 6 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 - 10 |
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Independent examiner’s report on the accounts
Report to the trustees/members of Heart of Wildlife Organisation on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2024
I report on the accounts set out on pages 2 to 10
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention.
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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b. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Chartered Accountant Independent Examiner Simmers & Co Chartered Accountants Albany Chambers Albany Street Oban
26 July 2025
Page 1
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Trustees’ Annual report For the year ended 31 December 2024
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity name Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Charity no SC047167 Address Crown House Ford Lochgilphead PH31 8RH
Current Trustees
Page 2
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
Constitution
The Charity is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (a SCIO). It was registered in its current legal form on 10 February 2017. The Charity was previously an unincorporated association but changed its legal form to a SCIO. The assets of the unincorporated association were transferred to the SCIO on the 10 February 2017. It has a single tier structure and as such the trustees are the members of the charity.
Appointment of trustees
The management committee, which meets 4 times a year, are the Charity’s trustees. Membership of the management committee is open to anybody interested in supporting the aims of the charity.
Trustees are elected at the annual general meeting. There must be a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 trustees, of which a maximum of 2 are co-opted.
Our Trustees and Volunteers
We continue to work closely with our Trustees and recognise their commitment and dedication to our organisation. We have had 9 regular volunteers during 2024.
Financial review
In the year, the charity made a deficit on unrestricted funds of £4,004 (2023 surplus £5,826) and a surplus on restricted funds of £33,993 (2023 £11,408). Reserves at the year-end after transfers were £45,617 (2023 £49,621) unrestricted and £47,932 (2023 £13,939) restricted.
Reserves policy
In line with current best practice for charitable organisations we aim to ensure that unexpected costs are met by a proportion of our unreserved funding.
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation’s activities and associated income are seasonal in nature, peaking between April and October. As a result, a temporary surplus of unreserved income in the autumn goes towards core running costs (such as salaries not paid from restricted grant funding) for the upcoming winter, when income from donations and sales is reduced. The remainder of our unrestricted income can be allocated to our strategic reserve.
When deciding on a reserve we have set the aim of maintaining sufficient level to cover the organisation’s operating costs for 6 months in the instance of an unforeseen downturn in income. This could be due to staff illness, unexpected closure of the visitor centre, adverse weather events or public health restrictions.
The policy aims to ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability and to help explain to members and donors how this is achieved. It also helps us manage resources and shapes the organisation’s fundraising strategy. We will review the policy annually.
Page 3
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Report of the Trustees (Continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024
Plans for future period
Our plans for 2025 include
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To identify future unreserved revenue opportunities to increase organisational resilience.
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To identify future sources of core and project funding.
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To extend geographical range of mink elimination project.
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To continue to diversify our educational offering whilst engaging with students at all levels within Argyll and beyond.
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To further develop our STEM offering to encourage greater uptake of environmental science and other science-based subjects.
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To reach out to community groups within Mid-Argyll, particularly those under-represented within the conservation/outdoor recreation spheres.
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To secure the positions of Development Manager and Project Manager into the foreseeable future.
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• To increase engagement and co-operative working with other tourism providers through the local destination marketing group to maximise collective benefits for all concerned.
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To continue to deliver environmental education in collaboration with Sea-wilding and the Argyll Hope Spot.
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To explore the possibility of employing a Finance Officer if appropriate funding can be identified
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Page 4
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Statements of Receipts and Payments For the year ended 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Receipts £ £ Donations 16,880 10,000 Gift Aid Receipts 705 - Grants 453 58,910 Bankinterest 1,149 - Membershipfees 334 - Sale of goods and events 18,386 - Contract Work 16,762 - Total receipts 54,669 68,910 Payments Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Cost of charitable activities 54,363 30,616 Governancecosts 559 - Purchase of equipment 3,711 4,301 Purchase of building - - Total payments 58,674 34,917 Surplus/(deficit) for the year (4,004) 33,993 |
Year ended 31/12/24 Year ended 31/12/23 £ £ 26,880 12,431 705 3,500 59,363 139,982 1,149 588 334 551 18,386 14,657 16,762 19,156 123,579 190,915 Year ended 31/12/24 £ Year ended 31/12/23 £ 84,979 46,434 559 522 8,011 3,228 - 123,467 93,950 173,681 29,989 17,234 |
|---|---|
Page 5
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Statement of Balances For the year 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Opening cash at bank and in hand 49,621 13,939 Surplus/(Deficit) for the year (4,004) 33,993 Closing cash at bank and in hand 45,617 47,932 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Bankaccount 45,567 47,932 Cash in Hand 50 - Closing cash at bank and in hand 45,617 47,932 |
Total 2024 £ 63,560 29,989 93,549 Total 2024 £ 93,499 50 93,949 |
Total 2023 £ 46,326 17,234 |
|---|---|---|
| 63,560 | ||
| Total 2023 £ 63,510 50 |
||
| 63,560 |
The accounts were approved by the trustees on 26 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Page 6
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Notes to the accounts For the year 31 December 2024
1. Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (As amended)
2. Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the club.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
3. Related party transactions
The club’s insurance policy includes Trustee Indemnity Insurance for all its trustees. No other remuneration was paid to the trustees or any connected persons during the year (2023: Nil).
4. Donations
| Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ On site collection and by post 16,880 10,000 ale of goods and events Unrestricted Restricted Funds £ Funds £ Sale of goods, walks, events and survey work 18,386 - |
Total 2024 £ 26,880 Total 2024 £ 18,386 |
Total 2023 £ 12,431 Total 2023 £ 14,657 |
|---|---|---|
5. Sale of goods and events
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Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Notes to the accounts For the year 31 December 2024
6. Grants received
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Easyfundraising | 453 | 453 | |
| Vegware | - | 600 | 600 |
| CraignishTrust | - | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| FoundationScotland | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Scottish Land Fund | - | 10,810 | 10,810 |
| Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust | - | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Mathew Good Foundation | - | 3,500 | 3,500 |
| Hugh Fraser Foundation | - | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| NHASMA Scholarship | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Swire Charitable Trust | - | 19,000 | 19,000 |
| Groundwork | - | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 453 | 58,910 | 59,363 | |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Scottish Land Fund | - | 125,382 | 125,382 |
| Vegware | - | 600 | 600 |
| BeaverTrust | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| FoundationScotland | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Schroder Charity Trust | - | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| - | 139,982 | 139,982 |
Page 8
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024
| 7. Cost of Charitable activities Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Staffcosts 38,142 20,101 Self-employed contractors 8,585 Trainingcosts 380 - Researchcosts 4,313 - Purchases 4,596 796 Heat & Light 268 - Repairs & Maintenance 965 150 Insurance 1,569 810 Professionalfees 440 Officecosts 1,903 6 Advertising 1,044 Travelexpenses 128 168 Sundrycosts 615 - 54,363 30,616 Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ Staffcosts 6,635 14,666 Self-employed contractors 11,949 - Trainingcosts 103 - Researchcosts 320 - Purchases 4,842 600 Heat & Light 9 - Repairs & Maintenance 636 - Insurance 1,953 - Professionalfees 615 162 Officecosts 1,533 - Advertising 607 - Travelexpenses 1,432 - Sundrycosts 372 - 31,006 15,428 |
Total 2024 £ 58,243 8,585 380 4,313 5,392 268 1,115 2,379 440 1,909 1,044 296 615 84,979 Total 2023 £ 21,301 11,949 103 320 5,442 9 636 1,953 777 1,533 607 1,432 372 46,434 |
|---|---|
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Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation
Notes to the accounts (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2024
8. Governance costs
| overnance costs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Independent examiner’s fee | 552 | - | 552 | 552 |
9. Restricted funds
| Opening Balance £ Oyster reintroduction 475 Scottish Land Fund – revenue 4,167 Vegware - BeaverTrust 2,000 FoundationScotland 4,167 Mink/ Vole Project HIEF 702 Mink/ Vole Project Craignish Trust - Mink/ Vole Project Martin Wills Trust - Mink/ Vole Project Mathew Good Foundation - Mink/ Vole Project Hugh Fraser Foundation - Mink/ Vole Project Swire Charitable Trust - Schroder Charity Trust 2,000 AshfieldTrust 428 NHASMA - Groundwork - Privatedonation - 13,939 |
Income £ - 10,810 600 10,000 - 3,000 5,000 3,500 4,000 19,000 - - 2,000 1,000 10,000 68,910 |
Costs £ Transfers £ Closing Balance £ - - 475 6,643 - 8,334 600 - - 38 - 1,962 14,167 - - 702 - - 3,000 - - 5,000 - - 916 - 2,584 - - 4,000 3,585 - 15,415 - - 2,000 266 - 162 - - 2,000 - - 1,000 - - 10,000 34,917 47,932 |
|---|---|---|
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