2024-03-31-accounts - Stafford & District Riding For The Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving

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STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING

TRUSTEES REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

C. I. O. Registration number 1161500

Registered Office

Yew Tree Farm, Doley Gate, Stafford, Staffordshire, 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

Policies on reserves
Restricted Funds
Heather Kesson Legacy to be used for capital projects only	£20,000

Unrestricted Funds
Three years running costs based on average annual expenditure of £20,000 less income from ride fees £9,500 = £10,500 x 3	£31,500
Reserves to be spent at Trustees discretion in line with the aims and objectives of the charity	£42,095

Total Reserves held as at 31 March 2024	£93,595

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: -

Ensure there are sufficient cash reserves in the current account to cover day to day running costs
Ensure continuity of service provision by covering running costs during periods of lower income following falls in donations and fundraising
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 2024

Chair Mrs Fiona Round

Secretary Ms Blythe Brewer Treasurer Ms Deborah Richardson Trustee Mr C Douglas Smith Trustee Mrs Susan Moore Trustee Mrs Maxine Connelly Trustee Mrs Charlotte Pitt Trustee Ms Jane Tinniswood Trustee Ms Tina Pemberton (Resigned)

Mrs Deborah Richardson Date 28[th] September 2024

Treasurer

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STAFFORD & DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.

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 Hawkesyard, Armitage Lane Rugeley

Staffordshire, WS15 1PS

Stafford and District Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving Charity Number 1161500 Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
Receipts Ride fees Donations Interest Refunds Interest others Total receipts Payments Horse Hire Equipment Prizes, awards and presents AGM/helpers supper First Aid courses County Show Competitions Insurance Legal and professional Admin Expenses Volunteers Total expenditure Excess payments over receipts Funds brought forward STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Cash at Bank 31st March 2024 Current account Deposit account Scottish Widows NS&I Income Bond Virgin Money	2024 £ 5,284 1,028 265 241 720 7,538 9,159 2,049 256 447 346 637 1,467 1,010 240 344 - 15,955 (8,417) 102,012 93,595 1,162 20,321 21,453 8,000 42,659 93,595	2023 £ 4,701 6,236 105 5 312
		11,359
		10,937 568 103 309 84 - - 985 2,696 750 23
		16,455
		(5,096) 107,108
		102,012
		1,111 29,257 21,156 8,000 42,488
		102,012

The notes on page 7 form part of the financial statements.

Approved by the board on 26[th] September 2024 and signed on their behalf by Deborah Richardson (Treasurer).

STAFFORD AND DISTRICT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION INCORPORATING CARRIAGE DRIVING

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared using Receipts and Payments method, and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

2. 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.

3. Status

Stafford & District Riding for the Disabled adopted Charitable Incorporated Organisation status from 1 April 2016.

4. Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without any specified purpose and are available as general funds.

Restricted funds are to be used for the specific purpose as laid down by the donor and referred to in the trustees report.