REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Report of the Trustees and |
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
Balance Sheet | 5 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust (Registered number: SC202475) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
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 31 March 2024. 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 |
To conserve, regenerate and promote the restoration of native woodlands in and around Forres for the benefit of the public and to advance the education of the public and the local community about relevant countryside matters. |
To work alone or in partnership with any organisation, agency, authority or other body to establish, manage and improve the woodlands in and around Forres, including access, recreation, conservation, environmental and cultural matters. |
To encourage community involvement in the management of local woodlands. |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
Volunteer work parties continued in all woodland areas and on the bike track. |
Work continued in Sanquhar, Muiry, and Newforres woods to eradicate the invasive species: rhododendron and laurel. |
Path repair and maintenance work was carried out in Sanquhar. |
School parties and other community organisations were hosted in Sanquhar. |
Membership was down slightly to 74 memberships, (41 family and 33 individual) comprising 115 members. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial position |
The Trust has continued to be financially stable. |
All projects are funded on an ongoing basis with the assistance of grants and donations. |
Principal funding sources |
The trust relies on funding from donations, grants, legacies and membership fees. |
Reserves policy |
The Trust endeavours to have the equivalent of two years of working capital held in reserve. |
FUTURE PLANS |
Path improvements and general maintenance work will be carried out as required. Eradication of invasive species will continue with volunteer work parties and specialist contractors. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governing document |
The charity is controlled by its governing document, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees |
Nomination of any Trustee shall be by not less than any two members of the Company. A candidate for Trustee, who must be an individual person, need not be a member of the Company but on being elected must immediately become a Member of the Company. Candidates shall be elected to the vacancy or vacancies on the Board in order of the number of votes cast, the Chairman having a second or casting vote in the event of equality. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust (Registered number: SC202475) |
Report of the Trustees |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Trustees |
Independent Examiner |
Gordon Scott |
Chartered Accountants |
Scottca Ltd |
34 Ferryhill |
Forres |
Moray |
IV36 2GY |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 set out on pages four to ten. |
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) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) 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 the independent examiner's report |
My examination was 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 seeking explanations from you as 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 view given by the accounts. |
Independent examiner's statement |
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention : |
(1) | which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements |
- | 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 to comply with Regulation 8 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. |
Gordon Scott BAcc CA |
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland |
Gordon Scott |
Chartered Accountants |
Scottca Ltd |
34 Ferryhill |
Forres |
Moray |
IV36 2GY |
25 November 2024 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Statement of Financial Activities |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities |
Other |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
Transfers between funds | 7 | 48 | (48 | ) | - | - |
Net movement in funds | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 205,390 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust (Registered number: SC202475) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 5 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 6 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 7 |
Unrestricted funds | 205,342 |
Restricted funds | 48 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 205,390 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 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. |
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 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
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. |
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. |
Freehold property | - |
Tree Planting & Enhancement | - |
Plant and machinery | - |
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. |
2. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
3. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
4. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 207,590 | 175 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 205,342 | 48 | 205,390 |
5. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Tree |
Freehold | Planting | Plant and |
property | & Enhancement | machinery | Totals |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
6. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Accrued expenses |
7. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 205,342 | (2,943 | ) | 48 | 202,447 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 48 | - | (48 | ) | - |
TOTAL FUNDS | (2,943 | ) | 202,447 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,838 | (4,781 | ) | (2,943 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 562 | (562 | ) | - |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (2,943 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 207,590 | (2,248 | ) | 205,342 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 175 | (127 | ) | 48 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 207,765 | (2,375 | ) | 205,390 |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
7. | 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 |
General fund | 3,016 | (5,264 | ) | (2,248 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 2,447 | (2,574 | ) | (127 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 5,463 | (7,838 | ) | (2,375 | ) |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 207,590 | (5,191 | ) | 48 | 202,447 |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 175 | (127 | ) | (48 | ) | - |
TOTAL FUNDS | 207,765 | (5,318 | ) | - | 202,447 |
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 |
General fund | 4,854 | (10,045 | ) | (5,191 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Restricted | 3,009 | (3,136 | ) | (127 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 7,863 | (13,181 | ) | (5,318 | ) |
Transfers between funds |
The transfer between funds relates to under spent restricted donations for bird boxes for which donors gave permission to be transferred to general funds. |
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
8. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |