The directors and trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Trust's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust (the Trust) was founded in the wake of a chemical spillage on the Tweed. By establishing a local treatment centre it is hoped to be better equipped to deal with any similar problems as well as day to day cases.
The Trust objectives include:
- Relieving the suffering of swans and other wildlife of any species who are in need of care and attention and to provide and maintain facilities for the reception and care of wildlife;
- The provision of training for volunteers;
- Maintaining the Trust's profile through local press, local events and their website; and
- Increasing membership levels.
The directors and trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Trust should undertake.
During the year, we treated a total of 473 casualties: 115 mammals and 358 birds. Despite Avian Influenza still presenting problems with our intake of water and sea birds, we have still managed to function well. We have invested in test kits that give results in 15 minutes allowing us to test a bird outside of the premises and either get the bird treated by the Vet, if necessary, or take in the bird ourselves. These test kits are not cheap at £9.00 but have proved very useful. We have kept two aviaries well away from the others to use as isolation sites to be doubly sure of reducing infection risks.
With the help of volunteers, we have been continuing to maintain our aviaries in good condition. The addition of panels around the pond areas has helped our overwintering swans by reducing the amount of people they see. They were very wary of the volunteers that they did not see on a daily basis which gives them a much better chance of survival on release.
The biggest problem the committee encountered this year was, without doubt, the sudden death of our Treasurer, Derek Roughton. He was in his 99th Year and had been doing an excellent job preparing our accounts and managing the money for 16 plus years. The role was taken on by one of our trustees, Gill Powell. The transition was made easier by Derek leaving everything up to date and in order, the biggest challenges coming from changing over the signatories and access at the banks.
Financial Review
The total ordinary income for the year amounted to £32,647 (2025: ordinary income £34,818). Running costs for the year totalled £73,486 (2025: £68,844) which resulted in the Trust recording a deficit of £40,839 (2025: deficit of £34,026). Capital expenditure was nil (2025: nil).
The balance of free funds on 31 March 2026 was £102,149 (2025: £140,290), the Unrestricted Designated Fund represents the value of land and buildings together with the emergency reserve and totalled £126,513 (2025: £129,205). The Restricted Fund totalled £26 (2025: £32) and is specifically for use in the educational outreach project.
Reserves policy
The directors and trustees have reviewed the reserves of the Trust in relation to current and future requirements, and the nature of the reserves held and consider the levels held adequately allow the Trust to continue to meet its charitable objectives in the short term.
The Trust continues to undertake the feasibility project to look at its future, amongst other things, and future plans are being formulated with regard to the level of reserves.
In the meantime the funds are invested in a deposit account in order to obtain a reasonable level of interest without taking any risk as to the value of the deposit.
The Trust, as mentioned elsewhere, is looking to safeguard its future and wish to ensure the legacy reserves are used to do this.
Risk review
The directors and trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Trust is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Plans for the future
For the future we need to concentrate on welcoming more volunteers as the ones that have been here for many years may shortly be retiring. We also want to improve our fundraising and intend to set up a dedicated fundraising group to raise more awareness in the local area and attract more regular donations.
It was decided during the year that we needed a new website as our existing one is well out of date and inflexible. We are pleased with the way it is developing and it ought to be ready for May 2026 enabling us to improve our communication with supporters, both old and new, and to support our fundraising initiatives.
We are very conscious of the cost of energy, and this year we had a liquid gas tank installed to replace the canisters that we had been using as the gas price is lower. We are now looking at the possibility of solar panelled heating as a way of saving money on our electricity bills. We have been working with Northumberland Community Energy Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation, who will install them at no cost to us, and we are waiting for funding to come available.
Public benefit
In considering the operation, achievements and performance and finances of the Trust, the directors and trustees are satisfied that public benefit has been provided in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the guidance provided by the Charity Commission.
The Trust is an association which together with its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with its Constitution adopted on 28 May 1992 by the members of the Executive Committee (directors and trustees). The Trust is a limited company with no share capital, being limited by guarantee.
The directors and trustees who served during the year were:
Appointment of directors and trustees
The members of the Executive Committee are responsible for the policy and general management of the affairs of the Trust. Committee members are elected at the Annual General Meeting and serve for 5 years, one third retiring annually. The Committee may co-opt up to four further members to hold office up to the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. The Chairman and Honorary Officers are elected annually for a maximum of five consecutive years.
All directors and trustees are required to declare their eligibility to fulfil the legal responsibilities of the role, with introduction training and appropriate documentation offered to all new directors and trustees covering health and safety and wildlife care issues.
The trustees, who are also the directors of the Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Directors and Trustees Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the directors and trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Trust for that year.
In preparing these accounts, the directors and trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in operation.
The directors and trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The directors and trustees report was approved by the Board of Directors and Trustees.
I report to the directors and trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Trust are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investments
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investments
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust (the Trust) is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Swan Shed, Windmill Way East, Ramparts Business Park, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1TU.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Trust's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The Trust is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Trust has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors and trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors and trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The General Fund is an unrestricted fund, which is available for use at the discretion of the directors and trustees in furtherance of the general activities of the Trust.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the directors and trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Trust for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Membership subscriptions are recognised in the year in which they are received.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been aggregated under appropriate headings.
Costs of raising funds are the expenses incurred in connection with fund raising events.
Governance costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the Trust and compliance with the constitutional and statutory requirements.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Individual items are capitalised at cost, where the purchase price exceeds £500.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the Trust reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Trust has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Trust's balance sheet when the Trust becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Trust’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Taxation
The Trust, being a registered charity, is not liable to UK income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax as long as the income is applied to charitable purposes. There are therefore no tax charges in the accounts.
Donated goods and services
Gifts of goods and services are included in donations at the estimated cost of the items provided to the Trust.
Limited by guarantee
Every member undertakes to contribute such amounts as may be required (not exceeding £1) to the Trust's assets if it should be wound up whilst he or she is a member or within one year after he or she ceased to be a member, for payment of the Trust's debt and liabilities contracted before he or she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up and the adjustment of rights of the contributories amongst themselves.
In the application of the Trust’s accounting policies, the directors and trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Donations and legacies
Subscriptions
Other trading activities
Fundraising income
Investments
Raising funds
Fundraising expenditure
Direct charitable expenditure
Governance costs
Depreciation
Veterinary fees
Animal feeds
Heat and light
Calor gas
Water rates
Insurance
Advertising and website
Equipment repairs and replacements
Cleaning
Stationery
Telephone
Travelling expenses
Accountancy
General administration
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiner of £1,565 (2025: £2,940) for accountancy and payroll services as well as carrying out the independent examination.
During the year no remuneration or expenses (2025: None) were paid, directly or indirectly out of the funds of the Trust, to any directors and trustees or any person or persons known to be connected with them.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The Trust is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
The income funds of the Trust include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:
Donations and grants have been received for the Educational Outreach Project, which aims to provide a building and purchase educational aids. This will provide facilities for young people to visit and find out more about the work of the Trust. The aim is to encourage interest and participation by young people to ensure the continued survival of the Trust.
The income funds of the Trust include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the directors and trustees for specific purposes:
The Land and Buildings fund represents the net book value of the land and buildings owned by the Trust. Depreciation on the building is charged against this fund.
The Emergency Reserve was created to ensure sufficient money is available to fund the response to any unforeseen emergency.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2025: None).