REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
WILD GROUND |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
FOR |
WILD GROUND |
WILD GROUND |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 7 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 8 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
Balance Sheet | 10 | to | 11 |
Cash Flow Statement | 12 |
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 13 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 14 | to | 21 |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
Our mission is to engage, inspire and enthuse local communities, acting together to protect wildlife, and enhance habitats and eco-systems. |
Our aims are: |
1. To provide opportunities to all members of the community to connect with and to value their local wildlife; |
2. To provide ecological training, providing learning opportunities for personal and professional skills development; |
3. To create opportunities and provide support for a diverse range of volunteers; |
4. To aim to conserve habitats for the benefit of amphibian and reptile populations and other endangered wildlife. |
Each year the trustees of the charity review the objectives and activities of the charity to ensure they continue to reflect the aims of the charity. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
The Trustees are mindful of the Charity Commission's requirement to report on public benefit and the following summary of achievements and performance indicates how our activities contribute towards the public benefit. |
Following two successive years which were significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions our operations could normalise and we were able to re-engage fully with schools, local communities and other beneficiaries as well as with our volunteers, re-establishing opportunities for all to understand, connect with and value their local environment and wildlife. The narrative which follows provides an account of Wild Ground's principal activities, as well as examples of its achievements during the year. |
Wild Ground now owns seventeen nature reserve sites which are grouped into thirteen reserves for management purposes. The majority of the sites were taken on as mitigation sites for great crested newts. We manage the sites in a way which benefits wider biodiversity. Funds for the long-term management of these sites are made available either via a one-off payment from the developer at the point of site transfer and are based on an agreed management plan. In addition to these land management funds four sites attract payment of rent charges from house owners. As well as owned sites, Wild Ground manages two sites with an amphibian and reptile interest on behalf of the site owners. Work on these sites is funded directly from the site owners. |
This area of work is managed and carried out by our Reserves Team, which comprises the Head of Reserves Management, and a number of Reserves Officers. Some of the reserves have public footpaths and permissive footpaths which enable local communities to access and enjoy their local reserves. Wild Ground runs a full and varied volunteering programme, enabling local communities to support Wild Ground's work, get to know the reserves better and engage in personal and professional development. |
Wild Ground holds occasional public events at sites that do not have open public access to engage with local communities and enable them to learn more about the nature reserves. |
During the year we secured ownership of a site comprising two parcels of land for mitigation at Bryn y Groes, off Pikey Lane, Gresford, with the transfer deal including an annual income from charges on resident house owners of £10.5k index-linked to cover ongoing maintenance and supervision, together with a lump sum from the developer to pay for our legal costs and the cost of bringing the site up to standard, including fencing, waste removal, meadow management and pond works. To protect the wildlife and habitat there will be no public access but there will be information boards to support local residents' and the wider community's understanding of the site and its wildlife. |
Wild Ground has for many years managed the Rhydymwyn Valley Nature Reserve (RVNR) site on behalf of Defra under a tendered contract. Since 2019 the contract had been subject to a series of fixed-term extensions, while Defra reviewed the future ownership of the site ahead of formal contract retender. The restrictions and complications arising from the pandemic added to the delay. As we reported last year because this contracted work provides a significant proportion of Wild Ground's turnover and work activity, we were keen to ensure a successful tendering process. We were very pleased to win the tender therefore with an award of contract for one year from October 2022 and the potential for two further extensions each of one year. |
Examples of Wild Ground's achievements during 2022-23 are set out below. |
The annual survey of great crested newts took place in April and May 2022 and was completed in line with contract and SSSI requirements. The survey season is a major undertaking for Wild Ground requiring staff to work night shifts. Through careful planning we succeeded in carrying out our survey obligations as well as maintaining our regular work with volunteers and schools and delivering our contractual obligations at our various nature reserve sites. |
A grant was awarded in 2020 by the Heritage Lottery Community Fund for our Meet the Amphibians Project---an educational and awareness programme, predominantly working with volunteers and schools. Due to the pandemic and associated restrictions, progress with the two-year programme was limited in 2020 with a delayed start. Excellent progress was made in 2021 and the first half of 2022-23 in all areas of the programme plan, with ongoing habitat and sitework at Trefnant, Glascoed, Broughton and Maes y Grug nature reserves. The programme also works in conjunction with other projects on most of the remaining reserves. Volunteer involvement has latterly been extensive. The programme was successfully concluded in October 2022. |
The Swire Trust Project provided Reserve Officer support for the Connah's Quay and Johnstown sites for 12 months from October 2021. The project supported ongoing management of the sites and allowed for school and community engagement with an emphasis on sustainable living, with volunteering opportunities and provision for engagement events. The project concluded in the Autumn of 2022 but it is hoped that the volunteering opportunities created during the project will be sustained. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
We were also successful in securing Landfill Tax funding for our Woodland Wellness project for 12 months. The project will focus on woodland improvements at our Broughton, Knowle Hill and Maes y Grug sites. The funding will also support wellbeing events and sessions at the site for the local community. The project will continue into 2023-24. |
Funding was also secured via NRW's section 16 agreements for work on our SSSI sites at Aberderfyn, Stryt Las and Maes y Grug. The funding has supported pond restoration to improve habitat for a range of species. |
Towards the close of the financial year, we were delighted to be awarded £250k funding by the Nature Networks Fund (a Welsh Government grant programme delivered by the National Lottery Development Fund). Our Newt Networks programme will extend over three years. By working in partnership and involving communities the programme will increase the resilience of the network of all our protected sites in North East Wales. The Wild Ground team will involve local communities, schools, and volunteers with the aim of making our site habitats more resilient and increasing nature connectivity. A wide range of enjoyable, accessible engagement activities to suit varied interests, abilities and access needs will be delivered. |
After two successive years of disruption a full programme of engagement events filled the calendar during the Easter holidays, as well as over the summer months and the Autumn half-term into the Winter months too. The aim of the events-as well as to ensure participants have fun---was to build knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the important habitats and species we manage. |
General reserve management has continued across our network of sites. Our team of reserves officers work across sites to ensure they are maintained safely and provide the best habitat for our range of supported species, The team provide a range of volunteer opportunities for local communities, deliver educational sessions to local schools, and organise events throughout the year. Work has been prioritised across all sites based on contractual obligations, project aims and commitments, and safety requirements. There has been a key focus on the management of our tree stock which has been further impacted by ash die-back. We continue to monitor the trees and to plan work accordingly. |
Volunteering |
Support from our volunteers is vital to enable us to carry out some of our projects, it also enables us to engage local people in practical conservation work which brings immediate benefits to the local area and long-term benefits with increased local knowledge, enthusiasm and participant confidence and wellbeing. The monetary value of this contribution can be used to match funding received from outside sources to maximise the benefits financially and in terms of work completed on the ground. Following two years which were impacted by the pandemic and associated restrictions volunteering returned to a much healthier level. |
Performance Measure | Actual |
Trees Planted | 140 |
Biodiversity Projects | 26 |
Sq Metres of land Improved / maintained | 51,145/159,000 |
Volunteers | 202 |
Waste Removed from Public Spaces (kg) | 265 |
Community Clean Ups | 35 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
The trustees have reviewed the Charity's need for reserves in line with the Charity Commission guidelines and the Group's Management Plan, Financial Forecast and Risk Assessment Policy. |
Given the Charity's dependence on a mix of both contractual and discretionary grant income and to ensure that the Charity can run efficiently and to enable it to discharge its charitable duties, it is considered prudent to maintain unrestricted reserves of no less than three months of unrestricted expenditure. These are to cover costs such as salaries, repairs/replacements, and potential other employment costs. In the past this level of reserves has been shown to be sufficient to absorb unexpected setbacks and short-term fluctuations such as the mismatch between expenditure and discretionary grant income. In addition, the trustees anticipate having to absorb the shortfall between expenditure and income with regards to the managed sites and specific projects provided for in the restricted reserves: the unrestricted reserves need to be maintained to cover the anticipated shortfall. Unrestricted reserves as at 31st March 2023 amounted to £215,107. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Principal funding sources |
The Charity has a variety of funding streams which vary from short term to long term. This year the primary sources included continuing payments from Defra in respect of the Rhydmwyn nature reserve. |
The Charity also receives land management funds from developers to cover the long-term management costs of nature reserves. These funds are calculated based on the management plan of the site over a 15-year period and paid as a lump sum to the Charity which it retains as deferred income. This enables the Charity to draw down annual amounts for most of its nature reserves which it then uses for conservation management and community works on the sites. |
Other income sources include management contracts, consultancy, ground rent and property charges, and interest on bank deposits, as well as small amounts derived from donations and fundraising activities. |
Total income for the year 2022-23 was £239,533. The main funding sources have been: |
£ |
National lottery | 35,723 |
Charitable grants | 32,721 |
Public sector | 90,119 |
Private sector | 80,970 |
These figures allow for accrued and deferred income from all funding sources. |
Investment policy and objectives |
The trustees invest the Charity's funds in accordance with its investment policy which complies with the regulations and guidelines laid down by the Trustee Act 2000 (or a statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) and legally binding restrictions as set out in the transfer documents of some sites. |
As advised in the 2021-22 trustees report following a significant injection of cash arising from the successful conclusion of the Lane End transfer deal with Redrow Homes (North West) Ltd the trustees decided to invest £600k of Wild Ground's total cash balances (all restricted reserves) in a balanced and relatively low risk ethical investment portfolio comprising bonds, gilts, and shares, with the strategic objective to at least maintain purchasing power over the longer period by earning appropriate returns. Following a competitive selection process, Canaccord Genuity (CG) were appointed as our investment manager. The 2022-23 financial year has seen turbulent times in the financial markets, because of the conflict in the Ukraine, soaring inflation, and political and economic instability. Like most investment funds the Wild Ground portfolio has reduced in value to £553k at the end of March 2023-incurring a book loss of £47k (7.8%). Regular meetings have been held with CG to monitor performance and the decision taken to remain invested with CG and follow the agreed strategy with a view to recovering ground and earning the targeted returns in the longer term. |
To earn further returns from Wild Ground's cash holdings decisions were also taken to hold £100k on deposit in an interest-bearing NatWest Treasury reserve account on a rolling fixed term basis, and to place a further £70k in a NatWest 35-day access account which also yields interest. |
Sufficient liquidity has been retained to meet the organisation's working capital and foreseeable day-to-day needs and the balance of Wild Ground's cash at 31st March 2023 remained on instant access in a current account and a gold account with CAF Bank, with a further sum in a NatWest current account. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS |
The Charity recognises the need to continue to work closely with partners and communities to ensure funding streams are maintained and aims and objectives are met. Whilst the Charity is continually striving to secure funding to meet its immediate needs, it also recognises the need to diversify funding streams and create innovative projects to secure income and to capture the support of the local communities it serves to ensure its continuing viability. To this end the Charity is involved in consultation with other third sector organisations, charities, and communities it already works with in addition to new community groups to examine how it can better serve local needs. |
Mindful of the economic climate and the impact this is having on grant funding, the Charity is also pursuing closer collaboration with like-minded charities. It is hoped that developing closer working relationships with our partners, as well as developing new partnerships, will enable us to pool existing skills and knowledge as well as to work together on projects and fundraising for the benefit of partners and local communities alike. |
Business plan priorities 2023-24 |
The trustees of Wild Ground continue to pursue the following business plan priorities as part of a strategy for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Charity: |
1. To increase and diversify funding streams, |
2. To develop internal and external relationships via a fit for purpose governing document and a review of our membership offer, and |
3. To build capacity within the organisation to grow and develop our service offer and the skills of our specialist team to deliver outcomes in pursuit of Wild Ground's mission. |
The GWNW Group's draft strategic plan for 2023-26 includes the following strategic goal for Wild Ground: |
* To increase our scope and engagement to become an exemplar in conservation and environmental activities and the "go-to" body in the region for developers and others requiring environmental mitigation. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The Charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated 6 December 1999, as amended by special resolutions dated 19 July 2005, 2 December 2014, 28 November 2016, 28 February 2019, and 6 October 2021, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
Governance review |
A comprehensive review of the governance of Wild Ground and the other members of the GWNW Group was conducted in the Autumn of 2020 using the framework for governance reviews issued by Groundwork UK. While the findings were generally positive, a number of improvement actions were identified which were approved by the Board and were progressively implemented with completion by the end of 2022.. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
Following an amendment to the Articles in February 2019, Trustees can be appointed by the member(s) at a general meeting. The members are mindful of their responsibilities towards trustee recruitment and regularly review the recruitment policy, as well as the induction and training offered to new Trustees. A further amendment was made to the Articles in October 2021 to align the appointment terms of Trustees with the three years which applies to the Trustees of Groundwork North Wales, the holding company. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Organisational structure |
During the period of this report, Wild Ground has been effectively managed by a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the overall governance of the Charity, its financial stability and strategic direction. For the sake of administrative efficiency and except for the AGM and when otherwise determined, the governance and business of Wild Ground is conducted under the umbrella of the GWNW Group Board which meets on a quarterly basis, by GWNW's Finance and Human Resources Sub-Group which meets in the period between Board meetings, while risk assurance is overseen by the Group Board's recently formed Risk Assurance Sub-Group. |
Day to day responsibility for the operational running of Wild Ground is delegated to the [Head of Reserves Management], who line manages, supervises, and monitors work programmes for up to 6 staff. Trustees are presented with regular progress reports on services and activities as well as financial reports; they exercise scrutiny and approve budgets. |
Trustees also take responsibility for the development and approval of all company policies and procedures and for the recruitment and appointment of the most senior staff. Wild Ground is a subsidiary of Groundwork North Wales and benefits from the support of the parent's back-office functions in HR, Finance, Business Development, IT, and Sales and Marketing, as well as sharing accommodation costs. |
Related parties |
Wild Ground collaborates with a wide range of partners at local, regional, and national level. These include public bodies and other third sector organisations. The purpose of this collaboration is to develop new projects and services, to secure additional resources and to represent the third sector. A register of interests is kept, and the declaration of any potential conflicts is invited at each trustee meeting. |
Risk management |
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The controls that are in place to reduce the likelihood of risk occurring include: |
1. Having strong financial controls and procedures in place, |
2. Having a reserve policy in place, |
3. Taking appropriate and timely financial advice. |
Statement of public benefit |
The Objects of Wild Ground as stated in the Memorandum and Articles of Association are as follows:- "to promote and assist in the preservation and conservation of land in the areas of benefit (as defined below) which is of educational or scientific interest to the general public, including land within which the wildlife is in need of protection and including the improvement and maintenance of public parks, and to educate the public in all matters concerning wildlife and nature conservation". |
The areas of benefit are Wales and England. |
The trustees have taken note of the Charity Commission's guidance on 'public benefit' and trust that this report reflects that guidance. Wild Ground discharges its responsibility under 'public benefit' by working primarily in North East Wales to engage, inspire and enthuse local communities acting together, to protect wildlife, and enhance habitats and eco-systems as set out in 'Objectives and Activities'. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
Trustees |
Independent Examiner |
Anthony Lewis |
M. D. Coxey and Co. Limited |
Chartered Accountants |
25 Grosvenor Road |
Wrexham |
LL11 1BT |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
WILD GROUND |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Wild Ground ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2023. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
Anthony Lewis |
M. D. Coxey and Co. Limited |
Chartered Accountants |
25 Grosvenor Road |
Wrexham |
LL11 1BT |
5th October 2023 |
WILD GROUND |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies | 2 |
Investment income | 3 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities | 4 |
Salaries and Wages | 62,811 | 40,285 | 103,096 | 92,776 |
Office Expenses | 109,845 | 42,882 | 152,727 | 141,851 |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 1,149,442 |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31ST MARCH 2023 |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 10 |
Heritage assets | 11 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 12 |
Investments | 13 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 14 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME | 15 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 16 |
Unrestricted funds | 216,674 |
Restricted funds | 932,768 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,149,442 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st March 2023. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each 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 charitable company. |
WILD GROUND (REGISTERED NUMBER: 03889382) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31ST MARCH 2023 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
WILD GROUND |
CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Notes | £ | £ |
Cash flows from operating activities |
Cash generated from operations | 1 | (36,548 | ) | 677,310 |
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities | (36,548 | ) | 677,310 |
Cash flows from investing activities |
Purchase of tangible fixed assets | (14,163 | ) | (11,075 | ) |
Purchase of heritage assets | - | (85,250 | ) |
Sale of tangible fixed assets | 275 | 773 |
Purchase of other investments | - | (600,000 | ) |
Interest received | 539 | 54 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (13,349 | ) | (695,498 | ) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period |
(49,897 |
) |
(18,188 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
276,203 |
294,391 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
226,306 |
276,203 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
1. | RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) |
(63,150 |
) |
662,178 |
Adjustments for: |
Depreciation charges | 5,708 | 4,222 |
Interest received | (539 | ) | (54 | ) |
Increase/(Decrease) in group creditor | (59,253 | ) | 35,850 |
Decrease/(Increase) in Investment | 46,859 | - |
Rounding difference | 2 | - |
Decrease in stocks | - | 732 |
Decrease in debtors | 54,311 | 1,590 |
Decrease in creditors | (20,486 | ) | (27,208 | ) |
Net cash (used in)/provided by operations | (36,548 | ) | 677,310 |
2. | ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS |
At 1.4.22 | Cash flow | At 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Net cash |
Cash at bank and in hand | 276,203 | (49,897 | ) | 226,306 |
276,203 | (49,897 | ) | 226,306 |
Liquid resources |
Deposits included in cash | - | - | - |
Current asset investments | 600,000 | (46,859 | ) | 553,141 |
600,000 | (46,859 | ) | 553,141 |
Total | 876,203 | (96,756 | ) | 779,447 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets. |
The company's presentational currency is pound sterling. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related 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 resources. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Plant and machinery | - |
Fixtures and fittings | - |
Motor vehicles | - |
Computer equipment | - |
Heritage assets |
The charity's accounting policy for its heritage assets is to value at cost where a site has been purchased or at fair value for donated sites. At present all sites have been acquired through section 106 agreements with local authorities. The charity has adopted the policy under FRS 102 section 18.19 to treat the initial valuation as deemed cost. |
No depreciation is provided in respect of freehold land. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Donations |
Grants |
Rent charge | 4,731 | 11,024 |
Land management | 165,311 | 114,514 |
Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
WCVA | 32,721 | 19,917 |
Heritage Lottery | 35,723 | 19,372 |
Swire Charitable Trust | - | 24,373 |
Postcode Community Trust | - | 19,984 |
68,444 | 83,646 |
3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
4. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
Support |
Direct | costs (see |
Costs | note 5) | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
Salaries and Wages | 103,096 | - | 103,096 |
Office Expenses | 150,221 | 2,506 | 152,727 |
Loss on investment revaluation | 46,859 | - | 46,859 |
300,176 | 2,506 | 302,682 |
5. | SUPPORT COSTS |
Governance |
costs |
£ |
Office Expenses | 2,506 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
6. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
7. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2023 nor for the year ended 31st March 2022. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st March 2023 nor for the year ended 31st March 2022. |
8. | STAFF COSTS |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Wages and salaries |
Social security costs |
Other pension costs |
103,096 | 92,776 |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
Office and management |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Investment income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities |
Salaries and Wages | 41,907 | 50,869 | 92,776 |
Office Expenses | 61,459 | 80,392 | 141,851 |
Total |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 193,081 | 294,183 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 216,674 | 932,768 | 1,149,442 |
10. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Improvements | Fixtures |
to | Plant and | and |
property | machinery | fittings |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1st April 2022 |
Additions |
Disposals |
At 31st March 2023 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1st April 2022 |
Charge for year |
At 31st March 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2023 |
At 31st March 2022 |
Motor | Computer |
vehicles | equipment | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1st April 2022 |
Additions |
Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) |
At 31st March 2023 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1st April 2022 |
Charge for year |
At 31st March 2023 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2023 |
At 31st March 2022 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
11. | HERITAGE ASSETS |
Total |
£ |
MARKET VALUE |
At 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023 | 305,044 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31st March 2023 |
At 31st March 2022 |
The directors have valued the Heritage Assets having sought advice. |
12. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
Amounts owed by group undertakings |
Accrual income |
Prepayments |
13. | CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Other | 553,141 | 600,000 |
14. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Trade creditors |
Amounts owed to group undertakings |
VAT | 728 | 3,291 |
Accrued expenses |
15. | ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Accruals and deferred income | 85,842 | 103,018 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
16. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 216,674 | (1,568 | ) | 215,106 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 932,768 | (61,582 | ) | 871,186 |
TOTAL FUNDS | (63,150 | ) | 1,086,292 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 171,088 | (172,656 | ) | (1,568 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 68,444 | (130,026 | ) | (61,582 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (63,150 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.21 | in funds | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 193,081 | 23,593 | 216,674 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 294,183 | 638,585 | 932,768 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 487,264 | 662,178 | 1,149,442 |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
16. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 126,959 | (103,366 | ) | 23,593 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 769,846 | (131,261 | ) | 638,585 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 896,805 | (234,627 | ) | 662,178 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.21 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 193,081 | 22,025 | 215,106 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 294,183 | 577,003 | 871,186 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 487,264 | 599,028 | 1,086,292 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
Group Fund | 298,047 | (276,022 | ) | 22,025 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted Fund | 838,290 | (261,287 | ) | 577,003 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,136,337 | (537,309 | ) | 599,028 |
Unrestricted Reserves |
Group fund is an unrestricted reserve which represents the surplus amounts carried forward to future periods for general spending on site maintenance and other costs determined by the Board of Trustees. The receipt of funding has not been contingent on the resources being expended for any purpose other than that determined by the Board of Trustees. |
WILD GROUND |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 |
17. | ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY |
The company is under the control of Groundwork North Wales, the parent charity. |
Groundwork North Wales is a registered charity, number 1004132. It's Company Registration Number is 02614714. The charity has the following aims and objectives: |
Groundwork North Wales has the same registered office as Wild Ground. |
- | Improve people's prospects by increasing the confidence, skills, well being and employability of those furthest removed from the labour market, in particular young people; |
- | Create better places - by helping people to work together to make their surroundings greener, safer and healthier and get involved in the way decisions are made about services in their area; |
- | Promote greener living and working - by helping people and businesses learn more about their environmental impact and act responsibly to reduce natural resource use and improve health. |
18. | CAPITAL COMMITMENTS |
31.3.23 | 31.3.22 |
£ | £ |
Contracted but not provided for in the financial statements | - | - |
19. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
During the year the charity purchased services and delivery and overhead recharges from the parent charity amounting to £192,586 (2022: £180,646) and sold services and overhead recharges to the parent charity amounting to £11,669 (2022: -£nil). |
During the year the charity sold overhead recharges to the Wild Ground charity amounting to £7,969 (2022: £nil) |
20. | LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY |
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. |
Every member promises, if the charity is dissolved while they remain a member or within 12 months of their resignation as a member, to pay up to £1 towards the cost of dissolution and the liabilities incurred by the charity. |