NORTH SEA CONSERVATION
Undertaking education, research and conservation
Objects
THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN: (A) THE CONSERVATION, PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT OF THE NORTH EAST COAST BY:- THE OPERATION OF A PUBLIC MARINE SPECIES EDUCATION FACILITY IN WHITBY;- PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH INTO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING FISHERIES SCIENCE AND FISHERIES STOCKS, AND THE EUROPEAN AND OTHER VARIETIES OF LOBSTER.(B) THE MARINE AND FISHERIES HERITAGE OF WHITBY.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a total surplus of £99,781 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £174,488. The trustees identified the lack of reserves and long-term debt repayments as principal risks, though they confirmed the charity remains a going concern based on written assurance from a major creditor.
What the accounts disclose
“Total income for the year ending 31st March 2025 was £294,054 (2024 - £141,313) of which £213,916 was restricted grants” — page 6
“NSC is working towards reserves of £40,000 which will ensure the hatchery has a strong financial position. At 31st March 2025 actual reserves were £45,090.” — page 6
“The charity pays rent to the Marine Discovery Centre Whitby CIC (MDC) for the area it occupies within the Visitor Centre. Terry Pearson, a trustee of the charity for 9 months and Joe Redfern, general manager of the charity are directors and shareholders of MDC. The rent for this space is £410 per month from October 2023. £2,460 is due for the year to 31st March 2025 and £410 is owing to MDC at the year end.” — page 22
“Finally, the charity is charging MDC for part use of the charity's office. This is charged at £115 per month from March 2023. £1,380 is shown in income for the year to 31st March 2025 and the same amount is also shown in accrued income.” — page 22
“The charity pays rent to the Marine Discovery Centre Whitby CIC (MDC) for the area it occupies within the Visitor Centre. Terry Pearson, a trustee of the charity for 9 months and Joe Redfern, general manager of the charity are directors and shareholders of MDC. The rent for this space is £410 per month from October 2023. £2,460 is due for the year to 31st March 2025 and £410 is owing to MDC at the year end.” — page 22
“Finally, the charity is charging MDC for part use of the charity's office. This is charged at £115 per month from March 2023. £1,380 is shown in income for the year to 31st March 2025 and the same amount is also shown in accrued income.” — page 22
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Trustees
- Linda Wildchair
- Emma Clea McMurray
- Marcus Lee Mills
- Simon Brockington
- Tobyn Dickinson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £294k | £194k |
| 01/04/2024 | £141k | £98k |
| 01/04/2023 | £76k | £64k |
| 01/04/2022 | £94k | £46k |
Common questions
Is NORTH SEA CONSERVATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a total surplus of £99,781 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £174,488. The trustees identified the lack of reserves and long-term debt repayments as principal risks, though they confirmed the charity remains a going concern based on written assurance from a major creditor. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 23/02/2024 | £99k | "Whitby Lobster Hatchery & Marine Discovery Centre 2023" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LOCAL TRUST | 1 | £871k |
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £341k |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £311k |
| THE GEOFFREY WATLING CHARITY | 1 | £70k |
| THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| THE MARTIN LAING FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
| THE RANWORTH TRUST 1985 | 1 | £20k |
| THE LESLIE MARY CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |
Charities like this
- GROUNDWORK NORTH EAST
- NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST
- CANARY WHARF CONTRACTORS FUND
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EMMANUEL NORTHWOOD
- NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE ENGINEERING GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- THE NORWEGIAN SCHOOL IN LONDON LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH SEA CONSERVATION | £294k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| GROUNDWORK NORTH EAST | £8.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST | £9.4m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CANARY WHARF CONTRACTORS FUND | £464k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF EMMANUEL NORTHWOOD | £585k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE ENGINEERING GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £1.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |