## **Trustees’ Annual Report** 1[st] April 2024 - 31[st] March 2025 Website: https://www.treelinkstirling.org 24 Forth Crescent, Stirling, FK81LG Scottish Charity Number: SC050794 ## **Charitable Purpose** TreeLink Stirling’s constitution states its charitable purpose as “ _the advancement of environmental protection.”_ Our purpose is put simply as _“Connecting Trees and People”._ TreeLink Stirling was formed in 2020 by a group of Stirling residents who were brought together by their appreciation of the significant contribution that trees and woodlands make to mitigating the intersecting climate, biodiversity and health and wellbeing crises. The founders saw an opportunity to help people to work together and with the local council and other organisations to improve tree-cover and connectivity across the region to the benefit of all. ## **Mission** TreeLink Stirling’s mission is “To increase the quality, connectivity and extent of Stirling’s trees and woodlands and to improve recognition of their importance and value for our communities and our environment. _”_ ## **Structure, governance and management** TreeLink Stirling has a written constitution and is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It is managed by its volunteer trustees and has no paid staff. At the end of March 2025 TreeLink had 68 paid-up members, 72 registered volunteers and 224 subscribers to its quarterly newsletter. ## **Trustee recruitment and appointment** All members of TreeLink were invited to consider putting themselves forward for election to the board of trustees at the Annual General Meeting. It was not necessary to hold a formal election as the maximum number of trustees had not been achieved. During the year three new trustees were co-opted. Newly elected or appointed trustees are offered an induction into the charity procedures, informed of their responsibilities as charity trustees and sign a declaration to uphold the Scottish Third Sector Governance code. **2** ## **Charity Trustees 2024-25** **3** ## **Key Achievements 2023-24** During the year April 2023 to March 2024 the key achievements have been: _**The TreeLink Tree Nursery**_ has been extended by building two large enclosed raised beds. The well-established team of volunteers continues to provide excellent support. The trustee responsible for co-ordinating the nursery has networked with other community tree nurseries, attended training sessions and reviewed practice including bio-security. The nursery grew over one thousand trees which were planted in several community locations. _**Free Trees Schemes** The Free Trees for Babies_ project ran for a third year and provided over 120 trees to almost 100 families. The _Free Nut & Fruit Tree_ project delivered 200 trees to homes in Bannockburn and Raploch. _**The Crown of Trees**_ Much of TreeLink’s tree planting and woodland management was associated with developing the Crown of Trees. During the summer of 2024 six guided walks along the walking route were held. During the winter over 1,200 trees were planted in eight locations. All the 3,000+ trees planted in the previous year were checked, mulched and tended. Eight volunteer sessions were held clearing invasive Himalayan Balsam from Balquhidderock Wood. Work has been started on the feasibility of a “Nature Loop” on the River Forth at Kildean on the route of the Crown of Trees. _**Speaking Up for Trees**_ The Spring and Autumn Gatherings highlighted key issues and developments. TreeLink has worked hard to influence policy, especially through our work supporting Stirling Council to develop its Tree and Woodland Strategy. Some of TreeLink’s work is aimed at involving people with trees and woodlands, for example the very successful summer TreeLink Art Competition and the subsequent exhibition at the MacRobert Centre _**Governance and Administration**_ The constitution was revised and members voted to introduce an annual membership fee. Policies which were due for review were updated. Improved software security and file sharing facilities we introduced. _**Scotland's Finest Woods Awards**_ TreeLink was delighted to be Highly Commended in the Small Community Woodland category. **4** ## **Financial review** ## 1. Overview This report covers the financial year running from 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025. Treelink Stirling has had a year with significantly more activity than last year. The operating surplus for the year was £14,308 and ended the year with available funds of £11,617 after allowances for known commitments in 2025. Accounts have been kept on a receipts and payments basis. ## 2. Receipts and Payments Income Total income for the year was £30,899 comprising Membership contributions of £1481, Donations of £6,444 (Vivisol, Stirling Rugby Club and Calido) grants totalling £22,974 (CSET, Stirling Council, Future Woodlands Scotland and Inspire Scotland) Expenditure Total expenditure was £16,684. £980 allocated to the Charities core costs, £2,412 for the provision of the Free Trees for Babies programme and purchase of equipment and £13,291 covering the Nursery expansion Free Fruit and Tree programme and the KiIdean Nature Loop study. ## Bank Balances _Opening balance £ 4,940.38_ ## Closing Balances _Current account £ 1,155.52_ _Business reserve account £11,027.44_ _Liquidity Management account £ 7,065.91_ Total Funds at Bank _£19,248.87_ Operating surplus for year _£14,308.49_ **5** ## 3. Financial Provisions for 2025-26 The trustees have made provision for £3000 reserves to ensure essential core operating costs are protected for up to 3 years and have set aside a further fund of £5000 to provide flexibility in supporting ad hoc opportunities for community plantings. The trustees have set a budget for expenditure for all known identified activities and projects. New projects and funding sources will continue to be pursued to ensure no spending commitment are made without appropriate funding. **6** ## **Declaration** Designation Secretary Date 31.07.2025 **7** APPENDIX 2 50794 ## Treelink Stirling **----- Start of picture text -----**
. Pe - =,B. Receipts. and payments accounts
[FS] [|][ ETT]
Scottisnether arsine ca ET | [|][ TS] | ET
Charity Keguiator fae Cece
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Expenwant —— Total funds Total funds last
Finis finda endowment endowment cient ooied iod
funds funds SEISEIH ert nen
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Ai Receipts
7925|{ 7925 || [391]
ltegacesCC] CT ne | [iz]
Grants CT Cat |20 | 22974|| 2,000 [|]
Receipts from fundraising activities | [||] I iii”
Gross trading receipts i|al oo iia
Income from investments other than
land and buildings
GrossRents fromreceipts landfrom& buildingsother charitable eei es 1 ao
activities
Al Sub total 8,368] |_22,624| 30,992] P2391 [|]
A2 Receipts from asset &
investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets ane!
Proceeds from sale of investments il
A2 Subtotal] |
A3 Payments
Payments relating directly to charitable “4
activities 15,704 4,664
Grans anacoravons . =
a
es | Ag Sub total[___3302| [13.292 5071
A4 Payments relating to asset and
investment movements
Purchases of fixed assets fT
Purchase of investments aa
Aa Subtotal[|
Net receipts
/ (payments) 4976 ES Eas 14,308 (2.680)
Surplus- / ‘(deficit) for "year 4,976 14,308 2,680
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APPENDIX 2 Treelink. Stirling+ ae 50794
Section B Statement of balances
Unrestricted Expendable Permanent Total current
aviaw Restricted funds endowmentfunds endowmentfunds adiiod Total last period
to nearest£ tonearest£ to nearest £ __tonearest E to nearest£ __to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Cash and bank balances at start of y'year 4943 | || (3) | || [ 4,940 7,619
Surplus y s // (deficit)(deficit) shownshown onon receiptsreceipts anand [—— i. i 7 apne||
pa babinert account —_° 4,975— 9,333 —— 4 14,308 (2,679)a
.
- } } ——_——E1
Cash and bank balances at end of year 9,918 | 8,330 | fy 19,248 | 4940]
(Agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s
Fund to which asset belongs Market valuation Last year
to nearest£ to nearest £
B2 investments oS —- a| |os
||
Fund to which asset belongs Cost (if available) pea avaiados den (it Last year
to nearest £ to nearest£ to nearest £
——_—_——— $$$
B3 Other assets
i
= as — | —
SS —____—_— $$ —{ }+—________ a |
Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
tonearest€ to nearest £
- _ _
B4 Liabilities es = —| |
[- 2S. | |
Fund to which liability relates Amount due Last year
(estimate)
P PA sated a eeto nearest£ aeto nearestTE£
B5 Contingent liabilities
| [
—— = deTotal i
Signed by one or two trustees Date of
on behalf of all the trustees Signaturign e Print Name approval
| } i >»
= — ad
December 2007
SSCAR Accounts 2025-Final / Statenent of balances 2
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APPENDIX 2 ‘ — Treelink Stirling 50794 ## Section C Notes to the Accounts C1 Nature and purpose of funds (may be stated on analysis of funds worksheets) > =Type of activity or project= supported Individualinstitution/ Numbermiataof grants £ C2 Grants Sundries purchase to support volunteers EE Kildean Nature Loop Project Inspire Scot. fal 43,500) Free Nut & Fruit tree project Woodland Scot fd 8,000 CSET Pttt Total 22,974 C3a Trustee remuneration If no remuneration was paid during the period to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee cross this box (otherwise complete section 3b) £ Authority under which paid C3b Trustee remuneration - details C4a Trustee expenses If no expenses were paid to any charity trustee during the period then cross this box (otherwise complete section 4b) Number of £ trustees Nature of relationship Nature of transaction Transaction Balance amount (£) outstanding at riod end (£ C5 Transactions with trustees and connected persons _ Po orm, a OSCAR Accounts 2025-Final / Notes 1 December 2007 APPENDIX 2 50794 ## Treelink Stirling ## Additional analysis (1) Analysis of receipts and payments **----- Start of picture text -----**
1 Donations
Unrest ited Restricted funds endowmentExpendable endowmPerman ent Total convent Total last period
funds funds funds period
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
Stiring Rugby Football dub 4a | es)
[2,500 | [2,600] [730 [|]
tom eee 7,925} [ [381][|]
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## 2 Grants Unrestricted Total current Ainwia Restricted funds mania Total last period to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ amet aS | z=) ae 3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities horas Restricted funds endowmentExpendable endowmentPermanent aa Total last period funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Total ==== = 4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities relating directly to charitable activities directly to charitable activities to charitable activities charitable activities activities Expendable Permanent Sacco Restricted funds endowmentfunds angennds bie Total last period to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Tree Nursery operating costs 86] [ 786] Sundry equipment to support actives a Small Projects a |[1,839)] Free nut and Fruit tree project hE 5,793 5,793 Tree Nursery upgrade Pp 1,423) | 1,423; Kildean Nature Loop study eens 6,076 6,076 Total | T5704 ~ . - - - reference error 4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities relating directly to charitable activities directly to charitable activities to charitable activities charitable activities activities OSCAR Accounts 2025-FinalAdditional notes (1) December 2007 APPENDIX2 50794 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Additional analysis (2)
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5 Breakdown of unrestricted funds
Volunteer Overheads and Free Fruit trees Total Total
support- volunteer for Babies unrestricted unrestricted
essential support funds funds last period
equipment
Receipts [4st
(SaeereS |Sia| [3,500| | ESS:go18|{ |391Sree|
Receipts from fundraising activities eee |See |See ne |
aie |SE |a es: |Se
es |Sa |ee ie! |
Rents from land & buildings easel|)SS | i |
Gross receipis from other charitable activities ee Le: |
Sub total P4154} [3,500| LS Sat}
Receipts from asset & investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
Sub total
Total receipts [rir] [aren] [___s00] [—____-] [3368] [7]
PaymentsExpenses for fundraising activities i —___ =)_____]
Gross trading payments a a el Dee. |aan
is |es |eee eee |eee)
Payments relating directly to charitable activities | 2at2 | [4,336|
Grants and donations Pern| | a|isn
Radi Tindependert examination] eee[_|[oa (i||ee)__|{_—_|SSSR | |SaeaT SeenESeea= ||Semre
i
‘(aesSaaS ee | eee |enei |Eee |hk:|a
aeeaisnieeeeacees! |Se |eee|ee SESS|
Sub total a| | P3392 [|]
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements
Sub total
Total payments Ea
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naand purpose of funds OSCAR Accounts 2025-FinalAdditional notes (2) December 2007 APPENDIX 2 50794 ## Treelink Stirling **----- Start of picture text -----**
Additional analysis (3)
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6 Breakdown of restricted funds **----- Start of picture text -----**
Tree Nursery Fre Nut & Fruit Kildean Nature Total restricted Total restricted
Upgrade tree Project Loop Study funds funds last
period
Receipts
ee | Sees|ee eS |
i Sie |ilies lm | [Ses]
| 1.424 | | _13,500 | |___22,624 [|]
Receipis from fundraising activities in |minced’ |dena! Ens |ees
Gross trading receipts (aaa |Saas!| (RASS Seal aa |
Income from investments other than land and
buildings
Rents from land
Gross & buildings a |a |eat a |
receipts from other charitable acivities RS|eS |aa a |
Sub total |___1,424| | __ 13,500 | |__ 22,624 |
Receipts from asset & investment sales
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Proceeds from sale of investments
TotalSub receiptstotal [1324] ee |
Payments
Gross trading payments | ta |cia ao |
Eee | el
a. ee |ee
Ces|ees3 |ete [|
Sanaa|anaes |MNES scare||MASSES
(Capmany||See | renee cer ae: |
Subtotal [1,423] |___—5,793| 6,076 P [13,292]] [|][3,328][|]
Payments relating to asset and investment
movements
Purchases of fixed assets
Sub total
Total payments a
Transfers to/from) fundsNet receipts (payments) RE Gay Coa]es a Ee
Surplus / (deficit for year EE
Nature and purpose of [funds]
TLS has ongoing commitment for completion of existing projects and the Trustees have set a Budget for 2025-26 that makes provision for a £3000 reserve fund to ensure
the charity has sufficient funds to cover core cost for a period of 3yyears. It has also created a ‘Community Opportunity Fund’ of £5000 to provide flexibility in considering
low cost ad hoc community tree planting projects without needing to secure additional funding first
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OSCAR Accounts 2025-FinalAdditional notes (3) December 2007 ## APPENDIX 3 **----- Start of picture text -----**
independent examiner’s. 3 report onthe accounts
Report tothe Charity name
trustees/members of |reelink Stirling
Registered charity SC050794
number
On the accounts of the Period start date Period end date
charity for the period Day Month Year Day Month Year
01 04 2024 to 31 03 2025
Set out on pages 4 to 6 byphinhinesstinchd : seek eat
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Respective the charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance responsibilities of with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the trustees and examiner Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). 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 |My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts examiner's statement Regulations. 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, | do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts Independent examiner’s — In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention [other than that statement disclosed on the attached page”] 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: **----- Start of picture text -----**
° to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and
Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
° to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with
Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached
Signed: Date: Ey:
Name:
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:
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"Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the following page