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2020-12-31-accounts

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Directors and Trustees

and Financial Statements for the year ended

31 December 2020

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Index to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

Page
Charity Information 1
Trustees' Report 2
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Statement of Financial Activities - Comparative 9
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 - 14

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Charity Information for the year ended 31 December 2020

Directors and Ms E L Atherton - Secretary Trustees Mr J Dunbavin Mr C Francis Mr R Grange - Chair Mr M Guy - acting Treasurer Ms C Judge Mr A Peacock Ms E Whiteford Principal and c/o 1 Colin Road Registered Office Kendal Cumbria LA9 5HN Charity Number 1015934 Independent Examiner Frances Clark FCA CTA Keswick Accountants 4 Leonard Street Keswick CA12 4EJ Investment Advisors Brewin Dolphin Securities Ltd 34 Lisbon Street Leeds LS1 4LX

Page 1

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees for the year ended

31 December 2020

The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2020. The financial statement has been prepared in accordance with the accounting practices required by law and the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.

Governing Document

The Charity is an Unincorporated Charity, governed by a Constitution.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The only body with the power (within the Terms of the Constitution) to appoint a Trustee is the full membership of the Charity. The Trustees are appointed at each Annual General Meeting,(AGM) and hold office until the following Annual General Meeting. The Trustees must be members of the charity, and are made up of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Callout Co-ordinator, Training Officer, Equipment Officer and two Committee members elected from the general membership. There is no bar on a Trustee standing for office on successive terms. Candidates for positions conferring trusteeship must be nominated not less than 21 days prior to the AGM, and notified to the membership not less than 14 days prior thereto.

Constitution and objects

The Association is governed by its Constitution, which was revised in 2001, amended in 2011, and is a registered charity no. 1015934. This Constitution was revised in 2014 and early 2015, and again in late 2015 at the request of the Charity Commission. It was approved by members in early 2016. The primary function of the charity is as follows: “The main object of the charity shall be, for the public benefit, to train search dogs and handlers to assist in the search and rescue of missing persons, predominantly in a mountain environment, but also in other areas where our skills may be of benefit.” To further this, the Association:

Promotes the development of Search Dogs through running training and assessment courses; raises funds for training, assessment, equipment, and the meeting of running expenses; assists organisations with similar objects where this enhances the work of the Association.

2. Organisation

The trustees who have served during 2020 were: Rob Grange, Chair Alastair James Burns - resigned 7th March 2020 Emma Louise Atherton - Secretary - appointed 7th March 2020 Anthony Michael Guy, Treasurer Andrew James Peacock, Training Officer Christopher Francis, Callout Co-ordinator John Dunbavin, Equipment Officer Eleanor Gwendoline Whiteford, Committee member Christyne Judge, Committee member

The Trustees are elected annually, and met 7 times as a Committee during the year. Members may attend any Committee meeting. A sub-committee of training assessors also meets regularly and advises the Trustees about progress of search dog teams.

Page 2

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2020

3. Relationship with other charities with similar objectives

The Association works closely with mountain rescue teams in the Lake District, with its local umbrella body, the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, and Mountain Rescue(England and Wales), the national body. Association members are drawn from individual Lake District mountain rescue teams. It also liaises closely with sister organisations in this country and abroad, in order to disseminate knowledge and learn from others, and is an associate member of the ICAR (International Commission for Alpine Rescue).

The Association is not reliant on any team or Governing Body for its funding, but receives contributions towards its running costs from the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association each year.

4. Activities and achievements

As experienced by many other charitable institutions, the Covid pandemic has made this a very challenging year for Lake District Mountain Rescue Search Dogs. Training has been drastically curtailed by the need to socially distance, use PPE, and the privations caused by lockdowns . For some 6 months in total, we were unable to train at all, and even after that, we have had random short periods where training was stood down for local reasons. On the positive side, we now have three trainee dogs who are close to being assessed for search dog grade, a further six who are developing their stamina and experience just below that level, and a number of new entrants who will be able to join the Pre Stage 1 Novice group once things open up.

The work of the dedicated “dogsbodies” who help to train our dogs by acting as casualties has been radically curtailed this year, but they have been steadfast in turning up and assisting when we have been able to train, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

During the year, between 9 and 11 dog teams were available to assist rescue teams or police with searches for overdue walkers, or missing persons who were at risk. Lakes Search dogs were requested to assist on 26 occasions, and located or found the missing persons on 5 occasions. There was a significant demand for the services of our now upgraded trailing dog team, from both inside and outside the Lake District. Towards the end of the year, two dog teams retired, two trainee teams withdrew, and two new Stage 1 dogs were accepted on to the formal training list.

Regrettably we had to cancel most of our public appearances or talks, which raise our public profile, and have formed an important part of our fundraising. However, the reduction in training costs and travel, and the response of our loyal supporters meant that finances have held up reasonably well. We were also fortunate to benefit from a legacy which boosted funds, and consequently the Association ends the year in reasonable financial health, but challenges still to face.

5. Financial Review

During the year, the Association had a total income of £98,771 (2019 - £97,992), and an expenditure of £42,743 (2019 - £87,354), resulting in net income for the charity of £47,028 (2018 – £10,638) before revaluation of investments. In addition to income and expenditure, there were unrealised gains in the value of investments of £12,625 (2019 - gain £21,904) The closing reserves at 31 December 2020 were £477,179(2019 - £395,622) All reserves remain unrestricted.

Page 3

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2020

6. Reserves policy

The Trustees have had regard to both the short and long-term needs of the Association in reviewing this policy.

The Association does not have a clearly defined “home” of its own within Cumbria unlike the regional rescue teams, and has until now endeavoured to secure a regular income from collecting boxes, street collections, covenants and gift-aided donations. The pandemic has changed much of that, and more online and direct appeal fundraising will need to take its place. If our future operations continue unchanged from previous years, the costs of training, equipment and transport cannot be guaranteed to be entirely sustained by current income.

After reviewing the position, the Trustees consider that it is prudent to try to maintain a general income reserve of approximately four times average annual expenditure, at least for the short term. In doing so, they seek to ensure that the provision of the charity’s primary objective will not be impaired by a short-term shortfall in fundraising. This is of particular concern in the current economic climate, with its potential negative implications for charitable donations. Annual expenditure is estimated as £60k so the Trustees aim to have reserves of at least £240k. Current reserves are in excess of this, but much uncertainty remains about future levels of donations and income.

This policy is monitored and reviewed annually, or as necessary, in order to ensure that funds that can no longer be justifiably held in reserve are applied in accordance with the charity’s objective.

7. Investment policy

The Association provides support to vital emergency services, and needs to ensure that funding for its operations is secure. Consequently, the expenditure budget for the forthcoming year is based on the estimated requirements of the communications and equipment needs and the training officer’s budget in a normal year, against the income from the current year.

The trustees have adopted a cautious, risk-averse approach to investment. Apart from the immediate access funds which make up about 25% of assets, a further 25% is invested in medium term accounts or investments which can be called upon swiftly, and the remainder in a growing longer term investment with Brewin Dolphin which acts as a reserve, but which also can provide income if required. In that way, the capital is secure and additional income accrues from interest. The value of funds is reported to the Trustees at each meeting, so all are aware of the current position.

This policy is kept under review, but unless, or until, substantial excess funds become available for investment to provide guaranteed income against annual running costs, the trustees remain of the opinion that their relatively cautious approach to investment is justified.

8. Grants policy

The Association does not make grants to outside bodies, as all its operations are organised internally. Accordingly, last year, we made no grants to other charitable organisations, and all expenditure was geared to supporting its own charitable objectives.

Page 4

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2020

9. Risk management & trustee indemnity insurance

The trustees have considered the major risks which the charity faces, and confirm that its system of regular meetings to review progress, expenditure and costs provides a robust mechanism to lessen those risks. Those funds not invested are held in UK banks and building societies, within the £85K limit of financial compensation, with a requirement of two signatories for any transaction.The Charity continues to be registered with the Data Commissioners Office to comply with the requirements of GDPR. Documentation is stored in the Cloud via Microsoft Office 365.

Trustees Responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Acccounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:-

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and, hence, taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the Trustees on 24th March 2021 and signed on their behalf by

Robert Grange Chairman

Page 5

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Independent Examiners Report for the year ended 31 December 2020

I report on the accounts for the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2019 which are set out on pages 6 - 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year, under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), and that an independent examiners report is needed.

The charity's gross income is less than £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiners report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these 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 examiners' 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:

or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Frances Clark FCA CTA Keswick Accountants Appleside 4 Leonard Street Keswick Cumbria CA12 4EJ

Page 6

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Statement of Financial Activities

Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended
31 December 2020 31 December 2020 31 December 2019
Notes Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total Total
Funds
£ £ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations and legacies 2 - 83,357 - 83,357 90,300
Other trading activities 3 - 289 - 289 867
Investment income 4 - 6,125 - 6,125 6,825
Total income - 89,771 - 89,771 97,992
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds 5 - 1,839 - 1,839 7,200
Charitable activities 6 - 40,904 - 40,904 80,154
Total expenditure - 42,743 - 42,743 87,354
Net income / (expenditure) before transfe - 47,028 - 47,028 10,638
and investments
Net gains /(losses) on investments - 12,625 - 12,625 21,904
Net income / (expenditure) - 59,653 - 59,653 32,542
Total funds brought forward - 417,526 - 417,526 384,984
Total funds carried forward 13 - 477,179 - 477,179 417,526

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Statement of Financial Activities - Comparative for the year ended

31 December 2019

31 December 2019

Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total
Funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations and legacies - 90,300 - 90,300
Other trading activities - 867 - 867
Investment income - 6,825 - 6,825
Total income - 97,992 - 97,992
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds - 7,200 - 7,200
Charitable activities - 80,154 - 80,154
Total expenditure - 87,354 - 87,354
Net income / (expenditure) before transfer - 10,638 - 10,638
and investments
Net gains /(losses) on investments - 21,904 - 21,904
Net income / (expenditure) - 32,542 - 32,542
Total funds brought forward - 384,984 - 384,984
Total funds carried forward - 417,526 - 417,526

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Balance Sheet

as at
31 December 2020
Notes
31 December 2020
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
9
3,570
Investments
10
224,727
228,297
Current Assets
Stock
3,608
Debtors
11
2,201
Cash at bank and in hand
243,073
248,882
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
12
-
Net Current Assets
248,882
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
477,179
NET ASSETS
477,179
Funds
Restricted funds
13
-
Designated funds
13
-
Unrestricted funds
477,179
14
477,179
31 December 2019
£
£
8,555
211,194
219,749
3,233
4,453
190,091
197,777
-
197,777
417,526
417,526
-
-
417,526
417,526
31 December 2019
£
£
8,555
211,194
219,749
3,233
4,453
190,091
197,777
-
197,777
417,526
417,526
-
-
417,526
417,526
219,749
197,777
197,777
-
417,526
417,526
-
-
417,526
417,526

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)

Approved by the Trustees on 24th March 2021 and signed on their behalf by:

Page 9

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Accounting Policies

Statement of compliance

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 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).

Basis of preparation

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Cash flow Statement

The charity opted to adopt Bulletin 1 for the SORP and therefore did not include a cash flow statement in these financial statements

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees are confident that the charity has not been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Income in the form of grants and donations have been maintained and costs are reduced due to a reduction in the training opportunities and number of call outs. The charity also has substantial reserves.

Fund accounting policy

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for a specific purpose, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. Designated funds are those set aside by the trustees out of general funds for a specific purpose. Further details of each fund are in Note 13.

Income

Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the Charity before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administer/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measured with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the Charity.

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Costs of generating funds include investment management fees. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Equipment 15% - 25% straight line basis

Page 10

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

1 Accounting Policies (continued)

Investments

Fixed asset investments are included at market value at the date of the balance sheet. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the statement of financial activities in the period of disposal. Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the statement of financial activities based on the market value at the end of the year.

Trade Creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Net realisable value is based on selling price less anticipated costs to completion and selling costs. Items donated for resale or distribution are not included in the financial statements until they are sold or distributed.’

31 December 2020 31 December 2020
Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total 1 December 2019
£ £ £ £ £
2 Donations and legacies (incl Grants)
Covenants - - - - -
Legacies - 13,086 - 13,086 20,000
Donations - 64,687 - 64,687 47,906
GASDS - 1,967 - 1,967 15,932
Gift aid - 3,617 - 3,617 6,462
- 83,357 - 83,357 90,300
3 Fundraising
Merchandise sales - 289 - 289 867
- 289 - 289 867
4 Investment income
Listed investments - 4,103 - 4,103 4,932
Bank interest received - 2,022 - 2,022 1,893
- 6,125 - 6,125 6,825

Page 11

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

31 December 2020
Restricted UnrestrictedDesignated Total 1 December 2019
£ £ £ £ £
5 Costs of raising funds
Investment management fees - 1,659 - 1,659 1,680
Merchadise purchases - - - - 5,304
Other fund raising expenses - 180 180 216
- 1,839 - 1,839 7,200
6 Charitable activities
Vet and dog costs - 10,015 - 10,015 9,201
Team equipment, clothing & suppl - 4,369 - 4,369 10,081
Courses and training - 15,638 - 15,638 36,157
Incident costs - 1,277 - 1,277 -
Travel - 737 - 737 4,731
Insurance - 307 - 307 4,852
Telephone and communications - 564 - 564 472
Computer expenses - 2,191 - 2,191 4,491
Printing, stationery and postage - 304 - 304 2,402
Accountancy costs - 500 - 500 1,490
Bank charges - 17 - 17 (67)
Depreciation equipment - 4,985 - 4,985 6,344
- 40,904 - 40,904 80,154

7 Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

No trustees received any remuneration during the year.

Travelling expenses totalling £1,627 were paid out to Trustees. This includes

for travel in relation to their roles as Trustees as well as amounts paid out in relation to travel for training and incidents in their roles as active members of the team.

8 Net income / (expenditure)

Net income / (expenditure) is stated after charging:

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Independent examiner's fee
2020
£
4,985
300
2019
£
6,344
300

Page 12

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

9 Tangible Fixed Assets

Equipment
£
COST
At
1 January 2020
65,551
Additions
-
Disposals
-
At
31 December 2020
65,551
DEPRECIATION
At
1 January 2020
56,996
Charge for year
4,985
Eliminated on disposals
-
At
31 December 2020
61,981
NET BOOK VALUE
At
31 December 2020
3,570
At
31 December 2019
8,555
Investments held as fixed assets
Market Value
At
1 January 2020
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At
31 December 2020
Total
£
65,551
-
-
65,551
56,996
4,985
-
61,981
3,570
8,555
211,194
24,378
(23,470)
12,625
224,727

10 Investments held as fixed assets

11 Debtors 31 December 202031 December 2019
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income - -
VAT reclaimable 1,424 3,331
Gift aid due 777 1,122
Payments on account - -
2,201 4,453

12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

31 December 202031 December 2019
£ £
Trade creditors - -
Accruals - -
- -

Page 13

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020

13
Net Assets by fund
Restricted
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
3,570
-
Investments
-
224,727
-
Current assets
-
248,882
-
Creditors: amounts falling due
-
-
-
within one year
Total net assets
-
477,179
-
Net Assets by fund - Comparative
Restricted
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
8,555
-
Investments
-
211,194
-
Current assets
-
197,777
-
Creditors: amounts falling due
-
-
-
within one year
Creditors: amounts falling due
-
0
-
in more than one year
Total net assets
-
417,526
-
Total
£
3,570
224,727
248,882
-
477,179
Total
£
8,555
211,194
197,777
-
0
417,526

Page 14