# **STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
# **TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022**
## **C. I. O. Registration number** 1161500
## **Registered Office**
Yew Tree Farm Doley Gate Gnosall Stafford ST20 0EH
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The RDA is a Registered Charity and is generally governed by the rules and regulations of the Charity Commissioners. The Trust also has its own constitution, the decisions and responsibilities of which are taken by non-paid Trustees.
The Trustees meet at a formal meeting, on average once a month. Trustees are usually appointed at the Annual General Meeting, but recently the increased number of changes has meant appointments have been made more frequently.
## **Objectives, activities and public benefit**
To promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (the association) a charity registered with the Charity Commission (number 244108) by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride horses to benefit their health and wellbeing in the Stafford and District area.
The Trustees have reviewed the charity Commission's guidance to report on public benefit and the Charity's aims and objects are consistent with this guidance. All the activities undertaken during the year were for public benefit.
## **Achievements, performance and looking ahead**
The Trust has provided and aims to ensure continued provision of riding for those with disabilities within Stafford and District who would benefit from it.
## **Policies on reserves**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Restricted Funds
Heather Kesson Legacy to be used for capital projects £20,000
only
Unrestricted Funds
Three years running costs based on average annual £31,500
expenditure of £20,000 less income from ride fees
£9,500 = £10,500 x 3
Reserves to be spent at Trustees discretion in line with £55,500
the aims and objectives of the charity
Total Reserves held as at 31 March 2022 £107,000
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Scope, Definitions and Purpose**
The Trustees have reviewed the Groups need for reserves in line with guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
The Group needs reserves in order to: -
1. Ensure there are sufficient cash reserves in the current account to cover day to day running costs
2. Ensure continuity of service provision by covering running costs during periods of lower income following falls in donations and fundraising
3. Replace equipment as it wears out
In calculating these amounts, the Trustees assume the following: -
- The current horse hire rate will not be subject to change in the next twelve months
- Riders will be charged fees which will be reviewed on a regular basis
## **Policy Aims**
In light of the scope, definitions and purpose, the Trustees aim to maintain reserves consisting of: -
- Reserves to cover 3 years running costs - Total expenditure less ride fees received.
- General contingency reserves to cover costs of replacement equipment, competition expenses and unforeseen maintenance costs of building.
The Trustees believe that this level of reserves is prudent and necessary to ensure that the Group can run efficiently and meet future needs.
The Trustees will monitor the actual level of reserves and compare with the target level no less than once a year (at the financial year end).
The Group has restricted funds of £20,000, all other cash balances can be considered part of reserves.
In the event of the reserves falling significantly below the target level, the Trustees will aim to restore the reserves as soon as possible by increasing fundraising and possibly, increasing ride fees. Similarly, if reserves are significantly above the target level, the Trustees will put in place a plan as soon as possible, aiming to eliminate the excess within 3 years by spending money to enhance the quality of the riding provision, or otherwise further the aims of the Group.
The Trustees will not, however, take any steps that might call into question the ability of the Group to continue as a financially viable operation in the long term.
## **Policy Review**
This policy will be reviewed and approved annually by the Trustees of Stafford & District Riding for the Disabled Association.
## **Risk management**
The Trustees understand their responsibility for monitoring and controlling the financial and operational risks to which the charity is exposed to.
## **Statement of Trustees responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice)
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at the time the financial position of the charity to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011
## **TRUSTEE MEMBERS AS AT 31 March 2022**
Mrs Fiona Round Dated …1[st] November 2022………
Chairman
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAFFORD & DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
## **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 examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's 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 keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
- have not been met; or
- (2)to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Anna Richards
ACA FCCA
Richards Associates Limited Chartered Accountants / Statutory Auditor Hawkesyard, Armitage Lane Rugeley Staffordshire, WS15 1PS
## **STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION** Date **INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2022**
|**INCOME AND EXPENDITURE**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2022**|**2021**|
|**Receipts**|£|£|
|Ride fees|3,201|668|
|Collection boxes|79|-|
|Donations|10,526|1,171|
|Fundraising|-|300|
|Interest|21|67|
|Members
fees|5|-|
|Interest others|748|780|
|**Total receipts**|**14,58**
**0**|**2,986**|
|**Payments**|||
|Horses|4,793|-|
|Stationery|508|225|
|Equipment|125|360|
|Prizes, awards and presents|177|164|
|Memberships and DBS|50|-|
|AGM/helpers supper|37|-|
|First Aid courses|713|324|
|Insurance|868|975|
|Legal and professional|120|120|
|Volunteers|23|-|
|**Total expenditure**|**7,414**|**2,168**|
|**Excess payments over receipts**|**7,166**|**818**|
|**Funds brought forward**|**99,94**
**2**|**99,12**
**4**|
|**Funds carried forward**|**107,1**
**08**|**99,94**
**2**|
||||
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
|**Balances in hand at 31 March 2022**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Current account**|1,521|1.348||
|**Deposit account**|34,199|27,965||
|**Scottish Widows**|21,069|21,058||
|**Income Bonds**|8,000|8,000||
|**Yorkshire Bank**|42,319|41,571||
||**107,1**|||
|**08**
**2**
**STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION**||||
|**INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022**||||
Continued………
The notes, as set out on page 7, form part of the financial statements
Approved by the board on………7[th] November 2022………….and signed on their behalf
By………Deborah Richardson…….Mrs Deborah Richardson
# **STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING**
## **NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022**
## **1. Basis of preparation**
These accounts have been prepared using Receipts and Payments method, and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
## **2. Donations**
Included in donations is £9,231 received from Tettenhall Riding for the Disabled Association, a charity that has recently closed. The association now provides services to the users of the former charity.
## **3.Going Concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, as the numbers of interested users of the charity’s facilities remain constant.
## **4.Status**
Stafford & District Riding for the Disabled adopted Charitable Incorporated Organisation status from 1 April 2016.