Annual Report of SARA The Ann Prosser Foundation for the year ended 31st March 2021
Registration and Constitution
SARA is a registered charity (1051037) operating mainly in the area of East Cleveland. It exists as an Association. Its governance is outlined in a constitution which was adopted on 5[th] of July 1995 and the charity was registered on 27[th] November 1995.
Objectives and Activities
The purpose of the charity is to provide the relief of suffering and distress among animals and the care and protection of any animal who has need of this by reason of sickness, maltreatment or neglect. This is carried out in any ways which are deemed charitable in law. In addition the charity seeks the advancement of the education of the public in the ways in which to achieve the above and in other matters of general animal welfare.
Public Benefit
The charity’s trustees are satisfied that they fully comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2006 with regard to public benefit.
SARA seeks to rehome as many animals as it can. Rescued animals are cared for at its animal sanctuary in Redcar. Volunteers also provide fostering care in their own homes if necessary. Rehoming is done with great care, visiting prospective new owners and providing advice and inspection services. Adopters are asked to make a contribution towards the costs of the charity.
SARA obtains veterinary care on behalf of animals in foster care as well as for animals in its own premises. We also offer support in providing necessary veterinary care for adopted animals with certain pre-existing conditions. SARA also trains dogs in preparation for rehoming.
Trustees and volunteers also work along side other charities with similar aims and provide educational visits and talks to schools, libraries, local associations and church groups when requested.
Achievements and Performance
This last year Covid 19 has continued to plague our world and in recent months our own area has for some time recorded the highest incidence of infections in the country. This has obviously had an affect on the workings of the charity both in monetary terms, as we have been unable to hold any events and in limited numbers of volunteers, a situation which has greatly increased the workload of the staff who have worked tirelessly to make sure the animals did not suffer. Thankfully in the last few months we have been able to welcome back more volunteers which is improving the situation.
Despite some improvement we are still in need of more volunteers both for cat cuddling and dog walking but especially for help in cleaning out the animals as there are few volunteers who help in this area.
As many of our supporters will be aware we have struggled for a long time to find enough volunteers to work in the shop in Guisborough and this, combined with the effects of Covid, led to a decision to close the shop last April/May. This decision was not taken easily and the Trustees want to record their grateful thanks to the loyal volunteers who did a great job in keeping the shop going for so many years.
Although the shop was closed there was a small group of volunteers who had for some time been moving on antiques and better quality items through other avenues such as Market Place and the Barn Owl at Staithes. Through meetings and discussion a decision was made to try to set up a shop in the Arundel building and the rest is SARA history. It was initially going to be a few tables but has grown to fill much of the building and now also incorporates a small cafe. It is only open on Saturdays and Sundays but is definitely a success and is growing more popular week on week.
We also continued to maintain our land and farm buildings and are currently awaiting a replacement door for the big barn which is being made for us as it is a specialist job.
Financial Review
SARA prepares its accounts using the receipts and payments method as permitted under the Charities Act 2015. Gross income is £136623.26 over 12 months. Current costs continue to exceed regular income as the charity invests in further improvements and maintains its building assets. The charity continues to be
able to support its activities. However, the generosity of supporters through donations, endowments and bequests indicates that the charity is solvent. Cash and near cash resources currently exceed six months turnover.
Reserves Policy
The charity normally maintains limited general reserves and these are to be applied to support and maintain the development of the sanctuary and to ensure financial security. At present, SARA holds substantial reserves owing to generous donations through bequests.
Volunteers
Volunteers make a significant contribution by caring for animals and being involved in fundraising activities and administrative duties. Volunteers receive appropriate guidance and training from full time staff. Covid has recently affected volunteer numbers but this situation is slowly improving.
Structure. Governance and Management
SARA is governed by a board of trustees operating under the constitution. Trustees are elected at the Charity’s annual meeting and are normally appointed for one year at a time. Due to the Covid 19 restrictions easing we are again able to hold our annual general meeting this year .
The charity owns premises in Redcar which are used as an animal sanctuary.
The charity employs a farm manager and assistants who, in addition to maintaining the sanctuary, direct and guide the activities carried out by volunteers at the sanctuary. The charity has policies and procedures relating to its current principal activity which is the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs and cats. These activities are the responsibility of staff and designated re-homers.
The trustees maintain several policies to ensure effective governance and to demonstrate probity. The policies are provided to new trustees on election.
The trustees review risks on a regular basis. The trust has developed stronger planning procedures to ensure that resources are available to support the development and operation of its animal sanctuary. The major operational risk is the uncertainty of income arising from economic difficulties. The trustees maintain a reasonable balance to reduce risk in this area, and constantly seek, and attract, donations and bequests.
Administrative Information
The current trustees are set out below:
Anne Davison Chairperson Shelia Green Eileen Herd Treasurer Barbara Jordan Joy King-Lane Maureen West Secretary Christine Westwood Ruth Sudron
The charity is based at Foxrush Farm, Kirkleatham Lane, Redcar TS10 5NJ and can be contacted by telephone during office hours on 01642 488108.
Eileen Herd Treasurer 27/07/21
SARA, Saving and Rehoming Animals, Ann Prosser Foundation
Detailed Receipts and Payments Accounts 2020/21
| 2020/21 | 2019/20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | £ | £ |
| Animal re-homing: | ||
| Cats | 3110.00 | 7489.00 |
| Dogs | 1680.00 | 6610.00 |
| Donations and fundraising | 100618.41 | 100405.04 |
| Endowments and Bequests | 28066.93 | 0.00 |
| Membership | 1270.00 | 1140.00 |
| Sales/Sundry | 0.00 | 1197.84 |
| Interest | 977.26 | 2225.44 |
| Shop | 900.66 | 21658.11 |
| TOTAL | 136623.26 | 140725.43 |
| Payments | ||
| Sanctuary and employee costs (1) | 126627.82 | 108797.03 |
| Vet Fees | 38045.18 | 53339.36 |
| Insurance | 3547.04 | 4028.14 |
| Stationery and Meeting Costs | 528.68 | 369.36 |
| Mileage | 1417.89 | 1410.83 |
| Animal costs | 6698.48 | 8610.98 |
| Postage | 394.62 | 430.68 |
| Advertising | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Builders | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Maintenance | 3039.95 | 40373.51 |
| Miscellaneous | 5660.18 | 7212.29 |
| Capital | 0.00 | 10890.00 |
| Shop costs | 2961.42 | 9381.70 |
| TOTAL | 188921.26 | 244843.88 |
| NET SURPLUS/DEFICIT | -52298.00 | -104118.45 |
(1) Including employee costs of £105,674.37
Cash Balances
| Cash Balances | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfers | Balances | |||
| Balances | Surplus/Deficit | between | Brought | |
| accounts | Forward | |||
| General Account | 6670.06 | -51334.50 | 49377.06 | 8627.50 |
| Shop Account | 0.00 | -2060.76 | -5377.06 | 7437.82 |
| Sanctuary Account | 116572.18 | 1097.26 | -44000.00 | 159474.92 |
| 123242.24 | -52298.00 | 0.00 | 175540.24 | |
| Cash | 20.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 20.00 |
| Total | 123262.24 | -52298.00 | 0.00 | 175560.24 |
| Capital | ||||
| Land and buildings | 525,052.57 | |||
| Animal Accommodation | 92,857.57 | (after depreciation) |
E. Herd Treasurer
Date: 10/07/2021
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Independent Examiner's Report to the members/trustees of SARA, Saving and Rehoming Animals, Ann Prosser Foundation (Charity Number 1051037)
I report on the accounts for the twelve months ended 31[st] March 2021 which are set out on page 1 and 2.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner
As trustees of the charity, the members of the PCC are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They 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 examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission updated in 2017. I have also taken into account the additional guidance provided in respect of accounting statements inspected during restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
I can confirm that I do not consider that there is a conflict of interest that would prevent me from undertaking the role of independent examiner and that I am suitably qualified to undertake the task.
I have confirmed that the charity is able to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis as gross income after endowments and bequests is less than £250,000.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the charity’s officers concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in a full audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention
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which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with s.130 of the 2011 Act; or
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to prepare accounts which accord with these accounting records have not been met; or
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2 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
F. Hutchinson
Address: 81 The Pastures Coulby Newham Middlesbrough TS8 0UL Date: 05.07.2021