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2023-12-31-accounts

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

Charity Number 1091181

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE
2023 IN NUMBERS
Serving Kent For 24 Years
~~a~~		 KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE
2023 IN NUMBERS
Serving Kent For 24 Years
~~a~~		 KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE
2023 IN NUMBERS
Serving Kent For 24 Years
~~a~~
~~a~~
~~Ci~~		 1
~~a~~
~~Ci~~		 84 MEMBERS
21 MEDICS
5 SEARCH DOGS
22 FLOOD RESPONDERS
ALL UNPAID VOLUNTEERS
~~a~~
~~Ci~~
~~eo~~ 2
~~eo~~		 118 DAYS DEPLOYED
288 SEPARATE INCIDENTS
8,359 HRS DEPLOYED
12,000 HRS TRAINING
3,500 HRS FUNDRAISING
~~eo~~
~~x~~ 3
~~x~~		 71% MISSING = MALES
8% MENTAL HEALTH
23% DEMENTIA
51% DESPONDENT/RISK OF SUICIDE
2 MEDICAL INCIDENTS
~~x~~
~~Ce~~ 4
~~Ce~~		 3 X INCIDENT VANS
3 X RESPONSE CARS
3 X POWER BOATS
4 X KAYAKS, 2 X CANOES
8 X BIKES
2 X DRONES
~~Ce~~
~~eo~~ 5
~~eo~~		 c.£80,000 ANNUAL EXPENDITURE
TO PROVIDE 24/7/365
SERVICE ACROSS KENT
ALL FUNDED BY YOU!
~~eo~~
~~oo~~ 6
~~oo~~		 AMAZING SUPPORTERS
10,800 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
6,250 X/TWITTER FOLLOWERS
1,600 INSTAGRAM FRIENDS
~~oo~~

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

Contents
PAGES
Report of the trustees 1-3
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance sheet 6
Notes to the financial statements 7-10

1

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 together with the financial statements for that period.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Charity’s principal address:

Kent Search and Rescue Kent Police Marine and Search Division Coldharbour Outstation London Road Aylesford Kent ME20 7SL

Trustees

Lord Jonathan Evans (Chairman) – resigned 22[nd] January 2024 Mr John Weir (Chairman) – appointed 22[nd] January 2024 Mr Martin Kingman Mr Brian Tinham Mr Andrew Turnbull – resigned 23[rd] January 2023

Mr David Schooledge – resigned 22[nd] January 2024 Mr Barry Doggett – appointed 23[rd] January 2023 Mr Carl Hynes – appointed 22[nd] January 2024 Mr Andrew Whitehouse Mr Adrian Harper Mr Peter Ayling Mr Mark Rist Mr Stewart Baird Mr Andrew Heselwood – appointed 10 August 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is governed by a Constitution adopted by the members, the latest version of which was adopted on 25[th] January 2021. The board of trustees is authorised to appoint new trustees to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an existing trustee.

2

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT - continued

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The primary objective of the charity is to protect and preserve good health and life by the provision of volunteer search and rescue teams to assist organisations involved in the search and/or rescue of missing or vulnerable persons. The secondary objective is the provision of programs to help prevent the need of search and rescue teams by means of education of the general public. The charity activities assist in the relief of suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards in the lowland areas of Kent, particularly by providing adequate arrangements for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any person or persons so endangered. The trustees have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Purely based on the statistics, 2023 showed a very similar number of incidents compared to 2022. This remains somewhat below our pre-pandemic activity, although there continues to be a larger percentage of despondent, suicidal and mental health cases that may be a result of cost-of-living problems.

The team continued to be available throughout the year, although there continues to be a number, albeit small, of cases of COVID.

The Fundraising team continued to do a remarkable job of raising finance from a variety of grants and donations to provide a high level of funds, despite concerns that the cost-of-living crisis and removal of COVID funding might have a negative impact. This allowed the team to continue to offer a high standard of operational readiness.

Extensive training continued both to develop skills and to bring all members back to full effectiveness following the impact of COVID restrictions.

On a more positive note, 2023 saw callout attendance numbers maintained and the successful operation of our drone offering all weather capability and optical and thermal imaging cameras extended our aerial search capability. In a similar vein, our sonar capability has continued to improve with a growing team of operators and reviewers, along with the acquisition of an underwater remotely operated vehicle that, when fully operational with its own sonar unit, will further enhance our underwater search capability.

3

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT - continued

The major project for 2023 was the acquisition and fit-out of a replacement Incident Support Vehicle. There were some issues finding a company to carry out the installation of the required kit, but this vehicle should be fully operational by Summer 2024 and will also provide a secondary role as a reserve Incident Control Vehicle. This will then allow us to re-purpose the existing Incident Support Vehicle to be configured as a dedicated Sonar/Drone Support Vehicle.

We continued to extend our pro-active work with Kent Police, principally with Operation Concern, where small teams identified and attended calls of concern that would have otherwise required action by a police patrol, and Safe and Dry, where members of the team provide safety cover on the River Medway and surrounding area during periods of concern, such as the King’s Coronation and Christmas, as a response to some high-profile drowning incidents.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

For the year ended 31[st] December 2023 the trustees consider the financial position of the charity to be in line with expectations. The reserves at the end of the year were £265,363 (2022: £272,722). Reserves are held in order to fulfil the charities aims and objectives in the future and to be sufficient to cover expenditures for a twelve-month period.

DECLARATION

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Andrew Whitehouse

Andrew Whitehouse - Trustee 10[th] October 2024

4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity (charity number 1091181) for the year ended 31st December 2023.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31[st ] December 2023.

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 Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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.

BASIS OF THE 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

Roger Storey

Roger P B Storey – Chartered Management Accountant 26 Cherry Orchard Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8NE

Date: 10[th] October 2024

5

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Income from:
Fundraising events
Donations and Grants
Member subscriptions
Training services
Interest received
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
2
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Transfer to Sinking Fund Asset
Reserve
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Reserves
£
£
£
27,285
0
0
15,465
32,000
0
2,640
0
0
1,250
0
0
1,590
0
0		 2023
Total
Funds
£
27,285
47,465
2,640
1,250
1,590		 2022
Total
Funds
£
21,109
77,897
2,700
1,400
328
48,229
32,000
0		 80,229
103,434
77,486
10,102
0		 87,588
83,021
-29,257
21,898
0		 -7,359
20,413
70,392
72,702
129,628		 272,722
252,309
41,135
94,600
129,628
-200
0
200		 265,363
272,722
0
0
40,935
94,600
129,828		 265,363
272,722

The notes to the accounts form part of these financial statements.

6

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

BALANCE SHEET AT 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
3

Current assets
Prepayments and accrued income
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Accruals & Deferred Income
Kit deposits
Net current assets
Total Assets less current liabilities
Funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Sinking Fund Asset Reserve
Operational Costs Reserve		 31/12/2022
£
152,801
3,625
113,999
117,624
2,912
2,150
5,062
112,562
265,363
94,600
40,935
94,828
35,000
265,363		 31/12/2021
£
150,831
7,727
122,346
126,706
3,065
1,750
4,815
121,891
252,390
72,702
70,392
92,213
35,000
252,309		 31/12/2021
£
150,831
7,727
122,346
126,706
3,065
1,750
4,815
121,891
252,390
72,702
70,392
92,213
35,000
252,309
126,706
3,065
1,750
4,815
121,891
252,390
72,702
70,392
92,213
35,000
252,309

Approved by the trustees on 10[th] October 2024.

Andrew Whitehouse

Andrew Whitehouse - Trustee

7

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting Policies

1.1 Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity Commission’s Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (SORP FRS 102) as updated by the Charities SORP (FRS 102) update bulletin. The charity is a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102

1.2 Income recognition

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

1.3 Expenditure recognition

1.5 Tangible fixed assets

Motor vehicles 10 years; Other search equipment 5 to 10 years; IT and radio equipment 5 years.

8

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023 - continued

1.6 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised or set aside for particular restricted purposes.

2
Expenditure on charitable activities
Equipment and clothing
Depreciation
Training
Fuel and other vehicle costs
Insurances
IT and communications
Charitable donations
Member welfare and event costs
Finance & Carriage charges
Memberships and affiliations
Independent examiner’s fees
Loss/(Gain) on disposal of assets		 2023
£
13,810
38,584
428
11,744
13,410
10,098
200
1,528
170
155
157
-2,696
87,588		 2022
£
6,914
35,026
7,818
15,730
9,335
10,598
0
1,795
186
193
280
-4,854
83,021

9

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023 - continued

3
Tangible fixed assets
COST
At 1stJanuary 2023
Additions
Disposals & adjustments
At 31st December 2023
DEPRECIATION
At 1st January 2023
Charge for year
Disposals & adjustments
At 31st December 2023
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st December 2023
At 31stDecember 2022		 Motor
vehicles
IT and
radio
equipment
Other
search
equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
138,600
49,761
123,741
312,102
34,000
0
15,408
49,408
1
-1
-12,500
-12,500
172,601
49,760
126,649
349.010
59,757
46,083
55,431
161,271
19,065
2,004
17,515
38,584
0
0
-3,646
-3,646
78,822
48,087
69,300
196,209
93,779
1,673
57,349
152,801
78,843
3,678
68,310
150,831

4 Taxation

The charity’s activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

5
Analysis of net assets
between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities		 Unrestricted
funds
Reserves
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
42,372
16,533
93,896
152,801
3,625
113,295
704
117,624
-5,062
0
0
-5,062
40,935
129,828
94,600
265,363

10

KENT SEARCH AND RESCUE (LOWLAND)

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023 – continued

6
Movement in
funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Sinking fund
asset reserve
Operational
costs reserve		 At 1st
January
2023
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
At 31st
December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
72,702
32,000
-10,102
0
94,600
70,392
48,229
-77,486
-200
40,935
94,628
0
0
200
94,828
35,000
0
0
0
35,000
272,722
80,229
-87,588
0
265,363

7 Trustees’ Remuneration and Transactions with related parties

No trustee received any remuneration during the year or had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year, (December 2022, £0).

One member of the Management team controls a company that provides Information Technology Services to the charity. These services, which are all provided on an arm’s length basis, resulted in costs to the charity totalling £1,190 during the year (2022, £2,360). This Management team member also has an interest in a separate Community Interest Company, which licences dedicated search specific software to the charity for use during operational search activity. During the financial year the charity was charged licence fees for this software totalling £6,000 by this Community Interest Company (2022, £6,000).

8 Operating profit

This is stated after charging: 2023 2022
£ £
Depreciation of owned assets 38,584 35,026