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2023-12-31-accounts

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Directors and Trustees

and Financial Statements for the year ended

31 December 2023

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Index to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

Page
Charity Information 1
Trustees' Report 2
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Statement of Financial Activities - Comparative 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 - 14

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Charity Information for the year ended 31 December 2023

Trustees

Ms E L Atherton : Secretary Mr D Benson Mr M Evans Mr C Francis Mr R Grange : Chair Mr M Guy : Treasurer Ms E Whiteford Mr R Wilson Mr T Woolley-Wildgoose

Principal and c/o 1 Collin Road Registered Office Kendal Cumbria LA9 5HN Charity Number 1015934 Independent Examiner Helen Holmes Stables Thompson & Briscoe 34 Lowther Street Kendal LA9 4DX 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 2023

The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023. 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.

Public Benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

2. Organisation

The trustees who have served during 2023 were: Rob Grange, Chair Emma Louise Atherton - Secretary Anthony Michael Guy, Treasurer Christopher Francis, Callout Co-ordinator Eleanor Gwendoline Whiteford, Training Officer Christyne Judge - Resigned April 2023 Mike Gullen - Resigned April 2023 Joy Grindrod - Resigned April 2023 Michael Evans Tom Woolley-Wildgoose Richard Wilson - Appointed April 2023 David Benson - Co-opted June 2023

Page 2

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2023

2. Organisation (cont)

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.

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

Perhaps the standout moment for the Association at the end of this year, was the award of the MBE to handler Penny Kirby of Wasdale MRT for services to Mountain Rescue, which has included training 5 successful searchdogs over a 40 year period. The latest, Jess, started off her year with three finds of missing persons in three days last January.

The Association continues to train and assess search dogs. The newest addition to the graded dogs list is Search Dog Roxy, a Springer spaniel who made the grade on 31st July after a footpath search on Cat Bells. She was in action right away, turning out for a search for a missing person in Ennerdale the following night! The 6 other graded air scenting searchdogs continue to support their local rescue teams, and from time to time respond to calls outside our local patch as well. In total, the dogs attended 36 incidents ranging from Southern Scotland to North Wales, but with the majority in the Lakes. Our trailing dog, Brock, has been in demand frequently by teams to give a “direction of travel” for missing persons, and had a successful trail to locate a missing vulnerable misper in the west of the county. Two dog teams retired from service this year.

There are five more dogs now in the group just below assessment level, and we’re working hard to get them on the active list; three more teams are at the beginning of their training, but making good progress.

The Association is in process of reviewing its training and assessment practice. Dogs are getting used to working in conjunction with drones, and the number and types of assessments are being recalibrated. There is still a need for intensive winter training, assessor training and instruction of our "dogsbodies" – the volunteers who act as casualties for our dogs, and to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for all the time and effort they put in.

The difficulties posed by a huge increase in visitors to the Lake District has led to traffic congestion, increased costs for accommodation at training weekends, and a big increase in workload for the rescue teams, from which handlers are drawn. All these factors have led to an increase in costs, without a consequent rise in funding; this has resulted in some difficult decisions about expenditure being made for the coming year.

The Association is still in a sound place financially, but trustees are very aware of the need to maintain adequate income to support high quality training.

Page 3

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2023

4. Activities and achievements (cont)

The Association maintains an active role in liaising with other search and rescue interests, not just Mountain Rescue England and Wales in the UK, but also with ICAR (International Commission for Alpine Rescue) in Europe. Members have contributed to seminars on a variety of subjects, all of which broaden our own practice, and disseminate our methods to others abroad. Handlers and instructors from Norway, Iceland, and Ireland have joined us at some of our courses this year.

We make no apologies for acknowledging the generosity of landowners and graziers in allowing us access to areas for training, particularly in the light of increased pressures from visitors, and the support of local business, and visitors to the area in our fundraising efforts.

5. Financial Review

During the year, the Association had a total income of £55,656 (2022 - £66,091), and an expenditure of £76,717 (2022 - £69,450), resulting in net outgoing resources for the charity of £21,061 (2021 net outgoing resources of £3,359) before revaluation of investments. In addition to income and expenditure, there were unrealised gains in the value of investments of £17,483 (2022 - losses of £37,025) The closing reserves at 31 December 2023 were £477,000 (2022 - £480,578) All reserves remain unrestricted.

6. Reserves policy

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

As the pandemic has changed our revenue streams, we will need to rely on more online and direct appeal fundraising . If our future operations continue unchanged from previous years, and the costs of training, equipment and travel are subject to high levels of inflation, trustees will need to consider how that challenge can be met.

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.

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 training 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.

Page 4

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Report of the Trustees, contd. for the year ended 31 December 2023

7. Investment policy (Cont)

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.

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 Trustees continue to invest in indemnity insurance to protect them against legal action. 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 21st April 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Rob Grange (Chair)

Page 5

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Independent Examiners Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and

content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

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.

Signed:

Helen Holmes FCA Chartered Accountant Stables Thompson and Briscoe 34 Lowther Street Kendal LA9 4DX

Page 6

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended
31 December 2023 31 December 2023 31 December 2022
Notes Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total Total
Funds
£ £ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations and legacies 2 - 46,966 - 46,966 61,000
Other trading activities 3 - 292 - 292 44
Investment income 4 - 8,398 - 8,398 5,047
Total income - 55,656 - 55,656 66,091
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds 5 - 2,591 - 2,591 2,641
Charitable activities 6 - 74,126 - 74,126 66,809
Total expenditure - 76,717 - 76,717 69,450
Net income / (expenditure) before transfe - (21,061) - (21,061) (3,359)
and investments
Net gains /(losses) on investments - 17,483 - 17,483 (37,025)
Net income / (expenditure) - (3,578) - (3,578) (40,384)
Total funds brought forward - 480,578 - 480,578 520,962
Total funds carried forward 13 - 477,000 - 477,000 480,578

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 2022

31 December 2022

Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total
Funds
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations and legacies - 61,000 - 61,000
Other trading activities - 44 - 44
Investment income - 5,047 - 5,047
Total income - 66,091 - 66,091
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds - 2,641 - 2,641
Charitable activities - 66,809 - 66,809
Total expenditure - 69,450 - 69,450
Net income / (expenditure) before transfer - (3,359) - (3,359)
and investments
Net gains /(losses) on investments - (37,025) - (37,025)
Net income / (expenditure) - (40,384) - (40,384)
Total funds brought forward - 520,962 - 520,962
Total funds carried forward - 480,578 - 480,578

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Balance Sheet

as at
31 December 2023
Notes
31 December 2023
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
9
2,563
Investments
10
253,649
256,212
Current Assets
Stock
3,605
Debtors
11
13,847
Cash at bank and in hand
203,336
220,788
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
12
-
Net Current Assets
220,788
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
477,000
NET ASSETS
477,000
Funds
Restricted funds
13
-
Designated funds
13
-
Unrestricted funds
477,000
477,000
31 December 2022
£
£
1,913
231,979
233,892
3,608
3,456
239,622
246,686
-
246,686
480,578
480,578
-
-
480,578
480,578
31 December 2022
£
£
1,913
231,979
233,892
3,608
3,456
239,622
246,686
-
246,686
480,578
480,578
-
-
480,578
480,578
233,892
246,686
246,686
-
480,578
480,578
-
-
480,578
480,578

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 21st April 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Rob Grange (Chair)

Page 9

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

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 2023

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 2023 31 December 2023
Restricted Unrestricted Designated Total 1 December 2022
£ £ £ £ £
2 Donations and legacies (incl Grants)
Legacies - 7,283 - 7,283 12,742
Donations - 33,525 - 33,525 41,891
GASDS - 3,667 - 3,667 3,744
Gift aid - 2,491 - 2,491 2,623
- 46,966 - 46,966 61,000
3 Fundraising
Merchandise sales - 292 - 292 44
- 292 - 292 44
4 Investment income
Listed investments - 4,556 - 4,556 3,617
Bank interest received - 3,842 - 3,842 1,430
- 8,398 - 8,398 5,047

Page 11

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

31 December 2023
Restricted UnrestrictedDesignated Total 1 December 2022
£ £ £ £ £
5 Costs of raising funds
Investment management fees - 2,375 - 2,375 2,461
Merchadise purchases - - - - -
Other fund raising expenses - 216 216 180
- 2,591 - 2,591 2,641
6 Charitable activities
Vet and dog costs - 9,945 - 9,945 11,745
Team equipment, clothing & suppl - 9,923 - 9,923 8,328
Courses and training - 40,614 - 40,614 34,970
Incident costs - 1,456 - 1,456 1,002
Travel - 3,243 - 3,243 1,915
Insurance - 1,816 - 1,816 -
Telephone and communications - 1,179 - 1,179 759
Computer expenses - 2,300 - 2,300 5,201
Printing, stationery and postage - 172 - 172 371
Accountancy costs - 1,944 - 1,944 1,250
Bank charges - 467 - 467 630
Depreciation equipment - 1,067 - 1,067 638
- 74,126 - 74,126 66,809

7 Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

No trustees received any remuneration during the year.

Travelling expenses totalling £7,474 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
2023
£
1,067
444
2022
£
638
300

Page 12

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

9 Tangible Fixed Assets

Equipment
£
COST
At
1 January 2023
68,102
Additions
1,717
Disposals
-
At
31 December 2023
69,819
DEPRECIATION
At
1 January 2023
66,189
Charge for year
1,067
Eliminated on disposals
-
At
31 December 2023
67,256
NET BOOK VALUE
At
31 December 2023
2,563
At
31 December 2022
1,913
Investments held as fixed assets
Market Value
At
1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At
31 December 2023
Total
£
68,102
1,717
-
69,819
66,189
1,067
-
67,256
2,563
1,913
231,979
40,048
(35,861)
17,483
253,649

10 Investments held as fixed assets

11 Debtors 31 December 202331 December 2022
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income 10,681 -
VAT reclaimable 1,416 1,818
Gift aid due 1,750 1,638
Payments on account - -
13,847 3,456
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
31 December 202331 December 2022
£ £
Trade creditors - -
Accruals - -
- -

Page 13

LDMR Search Dogs Association

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

13
Net Assets by fund
Restricted
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
2,563
-
Investments
-
253,649
-
Current assets
-
220,788
-
Creditors: amounts falling due
-
-
-
within one year
Total net assets
-
477,000
-
Net Assets by fund - Comparative 2022
Restricted
Unrestricted
Designated
£
£
£
Tangible fixed assets
-
1,913
-
Investments
-
231,979
-
Current assets
-
246,686
-
Creditors: amounts falling due
-
-
-
within one year
Total net assets
-
480,578
-
Total
£
2,563
253,649
220,788
-
477,000
Total
£
1,913
231,979
246,686
-
480,578

Page 14