A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
Dear Member,
We are pleased to present your Impact Report and agenda for the 62nd Annual General Meeting for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which will be held on Monday 3rd November 2025 at 6pm
This year’s agenda covers some important points, including the review of the minutes from the 61st Annual General Meeting held on 4th November 2024, the presentation of our annual report and accounts, the re-election of two trustees and the appointment of external auditors.
You can submit your vote and any questions ahead of the meeting by visiting www.wiltshirewildlife.org/AGMVote2025 by 5pm on Friday 17th October.
Your continued support is vital in our mission to protect and restore Wiltshire’s precious wildlife and wild places. The past year has been a fantastic one for the Trust, and we are looking forward to sharing our achievements with you and our plans for the future.
If you would like to watch the meeting live, you can join us online using this link: https://bit.ly/WWTAGM25
Yours sincerely,
Phil Heads Chair of Trustees
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
Annual General Meeting 2025
The 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Limited will be held on Monday 3rd November 2025 at 6pm, broadcast live via YouTube.
You can join the live meeting using the link here: https://bit.ly/WWTAGM25
AGENDA
1. Welcome and apologies by the Chair, Dr Phil Heads.
2. Adoption of the Minutes of the 61st Annual General Meeting held on 4th November 2024. This is proposed by Dagmar Junghanns and seconded by Tim Gilson.
3. Matters Arising: None identified.
4. Presentation of Annual Report and adoption of the Impact Report and Accounts
The Chair will present brief highlights of the year’s activities as well as future plans. The adoption of the Impact Report and Accounts is proposed by Fiona Goff and seconded by Julian Crawford.
5. Appointment of Sumer Audit as auditors and authorisation of the Trustees to fix their remuneration
This is proposed by Piers Maynard seconded by Julian Crawford.
6. To re-elect two Trustees for a second term. Both Fiona Goff and Tim Gilson have served as Trustees for three years and are seeking re-election for a second term. Fiona is proposed by Phil Heads and seconded by Mel Henry. Tim is proposed by Sylvia Wyatt and seconded by Phil Heads.
To read more about Fiona and Tim, and to vote for their re-election, please complete the online vote: www.wiltshirewildlife.org/AGMVote2025 Please note you will need your membership number (found on the envelope). If you are unable to vote online, please contact comms@wiltshirewildlife.org or call 01380 725 670.
7. Any Other Business
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
Minutes of 61st Annual General Meeting held Monday 4th November 2024 at 6pm on Zoom and broadcast live via YouTube.
1. Welcome
Mark Street, Chair of Trustees warmly welcomed everyone to the Sixty First AGM of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust extending the welcome to those viewing on youtube. Mark noted apologies from Mel Henry, Richard Gantlett and Piers Maynard.
2. Minutes of the 60th Annual General Meeting held on 30th October 2023
These had been circulated to members with the AGM invite. The minutes of the 60th meeting were proposed by Mark Street and seconded by Charlie Fattorini, the member votes have been cast; 212 for, none against and 10 abstain. The minutes were approved.
3. Matters Arising
None were identified.
4. Presentation of Annual Report and adoption of the Impact Report and Accounts
Mark began by introducing the Impact Report and Accounts which had been sent to members. Mark explained that the Impact Report and Accounts had been proposed by Tim Gilson and seconded by Phil Heads. The member votes have been cast; 218 for, 0 against and 4 abstain. The Impact Report and Accounts were approved.
Mark explained that the Trust income to 31st March 2024 at £7,468,851 is slightly higher than last year. This is another fantastic result in what has been another challenging year with increased costs and inflation. Mark gave special thanks to our members and supporters for their continued support and extend our gratitude for recognition in a number of legacies. In addition, we have been fortunate in securing £5.5m of income to undertake our charitable activities which allows the Trust to invest in nature’s recovery. Mark thanked funders for supporting us and also passed thanks to the Hills Group for their continued support.
Total expenditure was £7,144,444 of which £6,319,934 was on revenue and £824,510 was spent on capital items including the acquisition of Bishopstone and the addition of Dixon Meadows at Hanging Langford. Mark noted that ash dieback costs consisted of nearly £60,000 which is a big area of expenditure for the Trust.
The summary of the Balance Sheet was shown on a slide. Fixed assets have continued to increase with capital investments and investment in equipment.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
There is an increase in Debtors at the year end, this was created due to a timing issue with many large projects such as the Bristol Avon Catchment Market finishing at 31st March, this value has now decreased. Mark explained that the Bristol Avon Catchment Market, funded under the Green Recovery Challenge project, has been an amazing project, one-of-a-kind, and established a market mechanism for the buying and selling of environmental credits through Entrade. The legacy of the project continues through Entrade and the work of the Nature Recovery Team here at the Trust and illustrates another mechanism for landowners to support nature’s recovery.
The Balance Sheet overall reflects the strong performance of the Trust and the hard work and dedication from staff and volunteers across the Trust. Trustees therefore extend their thanks to Jo, the staff and volunteers for the great performance over the last year.
Carbon reporting is also highlighted in the Impact Report, we aim to reduce emissions from our operations as far as possible while increasing carbon captured and stored through land management of our nature reserves. Using calculation tools developed by The Wildlife Trusts, the Trust completes a detailed, annual carbon footprint to measure and take responsibility for its impact. Mark added that is increasing in accuracy year on year and is hopeful that we can become more certain about the flux figure and carbon sequestration for our reserves. Mark highlighted the important of gathering the carbon emissions data to help focus and inform our actions to reduce emissions, alongside consideration of other factors for the Trust to meets its objectives as a conservation charity.
Mark shared the video showing highlights for the year and thanked everyone for their contributions.
Mark explained that the Youth Education and Wellbeing activities have created 5 new Wildlife Watch groups and partnerships working with Barnados and Youth Action Wiltshire, which are hugely valuable to encourage children into nature.
Mark brought attention to the Wylye Valley Landscape Recovery project sponsored by DEFRA. This is the first year and the project involves 20 landowners and 5 main partners including one of Wiltshire’s Farm Clusters, the Wylye Valley Farmers Group.
5. Appointment of Auditors
The appointment of Sumer Audit had been nominated by Mark Street and seconded by Matt Jolley. The member votes have been cast; 214 for, 0 against and 8 abstain. Sumer Audit Co have been appointed as the Trust Auditors and Trustees will fix their remuneration.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A
future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
6. Election of Officers
Mark gave thanks to Cora Pfarre and Matt Jolley for their service as Trustees. Mark explained that he and Matt will be stepping down at this AGM as they have completed their terms as Trustees.
Mark added that the Board can have between 9 and 15 Trustees who give their time freely as volunteers. Mark explained these are crucial roles for governing the Trust and ensuring the Charity is managed.
Mark was delighted that Piers Maynard will be standing for his second term, this was proposed by Tim Gilson and seconded by Charlie Fattorini. The member votes have been cast; 217 for, 2 against and 3 abstain. Piers was elected for his second term as a Trustee.
Mark was also pleased that Sylvia Wyatt will be standing for her second term, this was proposed by Fiona Goff and seconded by Dagmar Junghanns. The member votes have been cast; 216 for, 1 against and 5 abstain. Sylvia was elected for her second term as a Trustee.
Mark added that there were two nominations for new Trustees, Julian Crawford and Melanie Henry. Mark explained that both Julian and Mel have fantastic experience in their areas and will be great additions to the Trustee Board.
Julian is proposed by Phil Heads and seconded by Richard Gantlett. The member votes have been cast; 217 for, 2 against and 3 abstain. Julian is elected as a Trustee.
Mel is proposed by Fiona Goff and seconded by Matt Jolley. The member votes have been cast; 213 for, 3 against and 6 abstain. Mel is elected as a Trustee.
7. Any Other Business
Mark thanked members for all their questions. Mark said that unfortunately we do not have time to answer all of the questions, therefore the staff team will reply directly to questions which have not been answered tonight.
Mark said that we had received a question as to whether there are plans for a face to face AGM. Mark explained that considerations will be made as to how the 2025 AGM will be held.
Mark said that a comment had been received around increasing the ethnic diversity of the Trust Board. Mark said that this is an area being reviewed. Phil Heads will be taking this forward as Chair and plans to have a Board of Trustees that reflects the
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
communities in Wiltshire.
Mark asked Damian Haasjes, Director of Education and Wellbeing, whether there were targeted programmes to encourage underrepresented groups to participate in activities and to enjoy the natural world. Damian said that the flagship project for the Trust has been Nextdoor to Nature where the Trust has worked in 2 areas as a pilot, defined as areas of deprivation. The aim is to work and engage with communities and how they want to engage with nature. This approach, the “Team Wilder” approach, will be taken forwards across the Wildlife Trusts as a movement. In addition, there is work being undertaken to review access to Trust sites in terms of public access and terrain of the site.
Mark asked Jo Lewis, CEO, what influence the Trust will have once the Wiltshire Local Plan has been approved. Jo said that the local plan sets the vision and framework for sites allocated for housing and commercial development to 2038. Once adopted all planning applications will be determined against the plan. The Trust submitted a full response during the consultation, we welcomed proposals of 20% Biodiversity Net Gain for all new developments which is beyond the national standard and we expressed concern that there was not enough connection between the local plan and requirement for a new local nature recovery strategy to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. Jo added that there is an opportunity to influence the local plan further through the national Wildlife Trusts campaign and ensuring that local wildlife sites have the protection they deserve. The Trust is also lobbying for additional protection for chalk streams. Jo said that once adopted, we can influence how well developments offset their impact on nature, however our influence on where developments will be located be limited.
Mark asked Becki if there are plans for online voting. Becki explained that she is looking at best practice across the Wildlife Trusts and this will be something that she is looking at for Wiltshire.
Mark asked Becki Mckinlay, Director of Fundraising and Engagement, if there are any plans for better signage for dog walkers to ensure dogs will be kept on leads. Becki said that this was a challenge; information boards display code of conduct at the entrance to each reserve, including which sites allow dogs. Becki said there is smaller signage across sites and we do ask owners to keep dogs on leads. Becki added that new signage is installed at Green Lane Wood explaining why keeping dogs on leads is important and why it matters. We are putting up more signage whilst keeping a balance of keeping sites as nature reserves.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A future where wildlife and people flourish in harmony
Mark asked Becki if there are plans to further extend the paths at Lower Moor. Becki said that this is a common question for accessibility and accommodating as many people as possible during wetter months. Becki said that paths and boardwalks are expensive and we are fundraising – the Langford Lakes appeal will launch and Green Lane Wood has had a corporate sponsor. The site at Lower Moor Farm has recently had a new path and we are looking at where we invest next over this winter.
Mark closed the meeting by giving thanks for all volunteers during National Volunteer Week and for staff input into delivery and the achievements of the Trust.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Elm Tree Court, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NJ
