REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1162192
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
for
Avon Cat Rescue
Julia Biddle FCCA J S Biddle Accounting Ltd Greystone Cottage Church Bank Temple Grafton Warwickshire B49 6NU
Avon Cat Rescue
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 13 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 14 | to | 15 |
Avon Cat Rescue
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 20 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The Avon Cat Rescue was established for the benefit of the public and to relieve the suffering of cats in need of care and attention. In particular:-
- to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals and, - to educate the public in matters pertaining to cat welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among cats.
The Rescue is in a fortunate position because it is able to help, simultaneously, three groups of people: - firstly, those who are forced, through circumstance, to relinquish their cat or cats into care;
-
secondly, those who wish to give a cat a home; and,
-
thirdly, those who wish to work with cats.
In addition, of course, the cats themselves benefit from the Rescues work by securing a home for life with the continued back-up support of the Rescue.
Significant activities
Over the past year Avon Cat Rescue (ACR) has taken in 299 cats which included strays, unwanted pets and cats who's owners have died. In addition, new homes were found for 284 cats including 9 older cats exceeding 12 years of age. Several other cats found new homes directly from the ACR website and the ACR Facebook page. Many of these new owners continue to support ACR through donations, visits, sending photos and attending events.
There are 17 cats which live permanently at ACR. These are called "pensioners" and are sponsored by supporters. They are cats which are unlikely to find home because of their temperament, age or medical conditions. There is one with diabetes,one receiving thyroid treatment and others with breathing difficulties and other health problems,
All unneutered male cats arriving at ACR were tested for FIV and FELV. ACR has continued to vaccinate and microchip. 75 vaccinations were carried out and 83 cats were microchipped, 75 cats were neutered. All of these measures protect the health of the cat community.
Public benefit
The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, as shown by the activities undertaken by the Rescue during the year.
Volunteers
The volunteers play a vital role in the work of the rescue. As well as the fundraising they make a large contribution to the care of the cats. At weekends whatever the weather volunteers are feeding, caring and socialising the cats in the care of the rescue.
Page 1
Avon Cat Rescue
for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
Report of the Trustees
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Fundraising activities
There have been a several successful events at ACR and other venues over the year. There was a bazaar at the Memorial Hall, a jumble sale, a Christmas Fair at the Memorial Hall. As well as this there have been open afternoons at the rescue where visitors could view the cats and purchase from stalls and tea and cake stands. We depend on the volunteers who collect items to sell, set up and run the stalls and clear away after. Many work tirelessly to keep these events going and the events couldn't go ahead without them. As well as helping at the events, volunteers are regularly donating cat food, blankets, cleaning materials and newspaper which are invaluable for the care of the cats.
The Sponsorship Scheme continues to raise funds for the "pensioners" at ACR. Those who are unable to take a cat home can adopt a "pensioner" and receive news and photos of their chosen cat during the year.
The new pens have been sponsored and supporters have been able to sponsor an individual pen or items withing them. They then receive a yearly update on the cats that have been helped and housed in their pen.
Donations of food are essential for ACR. They are supported by an amazing group of individuals and companies. ACR is extremely grateful and depend on this generosity.
Over the year three newsletters were produced, many being sent by e-mail rather than hard copy saving postage and paper. A range of greetings cards were produced and sold to raise funds and every year there was a calendar illustrating happy cat homing stories from the past year. This year 140 calendars were sold.
The ACR website continues to be essential to publicising and homing the cats. All the ACR events are advertised here.
The ACR Facebook page is also a key part if finding homes for cats and advertising events and this year ACR has started to use Istagram as an addional promotional tool.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
The Rescues operating performance for 2022/23 was financially in line with expectations with a total operating deficit of £6,350 before legacies and depreciation.
The Rescues principal sources of funds are donations and fund-raising, which raised £93,145 and £13,798 respectively. Legacy income varies year-on-year, making it difficult to plan. Legacies amounted to £28,376 in the current year income. Running costs were covered by the principal sources of income, with the majority of expenditure given over to Cat Food & Care, Veterinary Fees and manpower expenses. All of these items of expenditure are in line with the Rescues objectives.
Investment policy and objectives
The policy for investing the charities funds is to keep all reserves and surplus funds in either fixed rate low risk cash bonds or interest bearing deposit accounts. The Trustees agree that it is important that the funds generate income for the Charity but that the risk of that income generation must be as low as possible.
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Avon Cat Rescue
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Charity's reserves policy acknowledges that the Charity's income streams can be inconsistent. Income arises evenly throughout the year from general fundraising and unevenly from legacies. The unpredictability in income makes planning difficult and, whilst the trustees are keen not to stockpile money unnecessarily, they believe that sustainability is paramount to their beneficiaries: the cats, their owners and the general public.
Of a more predictable nature is the fact that each year the income from general fundraising is insufficient to meet outgoings and has to be supplemented by legacy income. Therefore, to enable the Charity to plan its activities and to maintain a level of service, the trustees deem it judicious to hold sufficient funds in reserve to cover any shortfall arising in general fundraising income over the next three years.
This year, legacies amounted to £28,376. Together with the previous years legacies, the Charity has the financial capacity not only to reserve three years of operating costs but also to carry out significant improvements to the Rescues Centre. Upgrades that will improve the lives of the cats, the visiting public and the volunteers, in accordance with the Charity's constitution and the wishes of the public who donate the money.
The Charity will reserve £200,000 to ensure sustainability over the next three years. The reserve assumes operating costs of £75,000 per year and a conservative income from general fundraising of £25,000, leaving a shortfall of £50,000 for each of three years, ie £150,000 to be made up from reserves. A further £50,000 will be reserved for unexpected expenditure. In addition to this the Charity will reserve £350,000 to provide for the relocation of the Rescue Centre. The rescue centre is currently situated on the property of one of the Trustees, should the Trustee become incapacitated or pass away the centre would need to be relocated.
It is reassuring to know that the public trusts the Charity to spend their donations on the cats in the Charity's care. As a result, the Charity is in the fortunate position of having total unrestricted cash reserves of approximately £676,000 to hold in reserve as above and spend on its charitable objectives.
FUTURE PLANS
The trustees plan to continue improvements to the Rescue Centre. These include the replacement of all of the current pens and the installation of new pens, where appropriate.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the constitution and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1162192
Principal address
The Barn House Chapel Street Welford on Avon Warwickshire CV37 8PX
Trustees
Mrs R Spicer Chairperson Miss M Hall Treasurer Mrs K Unitt
Page 3
Avon Cat Rescue
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner Julia Biddle FCCA J S Biddle Accounting Ltd Greystone Cottage Church Bank Temple Grafton Warwickshire B49 6NU Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
.......................................................................... Mrs R Spicer - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Avon Cat Rescue
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Avon Cat Rescue
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Avon Cat Rescue (the Trust) for the year ended 20 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Julia Biddle FCCA
Julia Biddle FCCA J S Biddle Accounting Ltd Greystone Cottage Church Bank Temple Grafton Warwickshire B49 6NU
Date: .............................................
Page 5
Avon Cat Rescue
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|Unrestricted|Total|
|fund|funds|
|Notes|£|£|
|INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM|
|Donations and legacies|121,521|97,299|
|Other trading activities|2|13,798|9,267|
|Investment income|3|7,666|3,673|
|Total|142,985|110,239|
|EXPENDITURE ON|
|Raising funds|4|895|835|
|Other|133,034|116,392|
|Total|133,929|117,227|
|NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)|9,056|(6,988)|
|RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS|
|Total funds brought forward|776,416|783,404|
|TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD|785,472|776,416|
----- End of picture text -----
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Avon Cat Rescue
Balance Sheet 20 December 2023
| 20.12.23 Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 7 116,458 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 8 200 Debtors 9 1,980 Prepayments and accrued income 180 Cash at bank and in hand 676,183 678,543 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 10 (9,529) NET CURRENT ASSETS 669,014 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 785,472 NET ASSETS 785,472 FUNDS 11 Unrestricted funds 785,472 TOTAL FUNDS 785,472 |
20.12.22 Total funds £ 85,115 200 1,589 175 697,398 699,362 (8,061) 691,301 776,416 776,416 776,416 776,416 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. R Spicer - Trustee
............................................. M Hall - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Improvements to property - 10% on reducing balance Plant and machinery - 25% on reducing balance
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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 for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
continued...
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Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
----- Start of picture text -----
||||
|---|---|---|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|£|£|
|Fundraising events|11,463|7,030|
|Shop income|2,335|2,237|
|13,798|9,267|
|3.|INVESTMENT INCOME|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|£|£|
|Deposit account interest|7,666|3,673|
|4.|RAISING FUNDS|
|Raising donations and legacies|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|£|£|
|Support costs|-|50|
|5.|TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|£|£|
|Trustees' remuneration|13,682|14,237|
----- End of picture text -----
In addition to acting as Trustee, K Unitt actively works in the cat rescue centre providing care for the cats, she also provides bookkeeping services. The remuneration she received for cat care was £12,976 (2022 £13,720) and for bookkeeping was £706 (2022 £517).
Trustees' expenses
----- Start of picture text -----
||||
|---|---|---|
|20.12.23|20.12.22|
|£|£|
|Trustees' expenses|1,372|2,067|
----- End of picture text -----
The expenses paid to Trustees were for travel costs and the amounts paid were to R Spicer £924 (2022 £983), H Hall £280 (2022 £749) and K Unitt £168 (2022 £336).
continued...
Page 9
Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 97,299 |
| Other trading activities | 9,267 |
| Investment income | 3,673 |
| Total | 110,239 |
| EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Other |
835 116,392 |
| Total | 117,227 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward |
(6,988) 783,404 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 776,416 |
7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Improvements to property £ COST At 21 December 2022 169,455 Additions 44,313 At 20 December 2023 213,768 DEPRECIATION At 21 December 2022 84,521 Charge for year 12,925 At 20 December 2023 97,446 NET BOOK VALUE At 20 December 2023 116,322 At 20 December 2022 84,934 |
Plant and machinery £ 790 - 790 609 45 654 136 181 |
Totals £ 170,245 44,313 214,558 85,130 12,970 98,100 116,458 85,115 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
| 8. STOCKS Stocks 9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Electricity refund paid to Trustee Gift aid claims 10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors Other creditors 11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 21.12.22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 776,416 TOTAL FUNDS 776,416 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 142,985 TOTAL FUNDS 142,985 |
20.12.23 20.12.22 £ £ 200 200 20.12.23 20.12.22 £ £ 1,261 1,261 719 328 1,980 1,589 20.12.23 20.12.22 £ £ 8,029 6,561 1,500 1,500 9,529 8,061 Net movement At in funds 20.12.23 £ £ 9,056 785,472 9,056 785,472 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (133,929) 9,056 (133,929) 9,056 |
|---|---|
continued...
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Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 21.12.21 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 783,404 TOTAL FUNDS 783,404 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 110,239 TOTAL FUNDS 110,239 |
Net movement At in funds 20.12.22 £ £ (6,988) 776,416 (6,988) 776,416 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (117,227) (6,988) (117,227) (6,988) |
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 21.12.21 £ 783,404 783,404 |
Net movement in funds £ 2,068 2,068 |
At 20.12.23 £ 785,472 785,472 |
|---|---|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 253,224 253,224 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (251,156) 2,068 (251,156) 2,068 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 12
Avon Cat Rescue
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 20 December 2023.
Page 13
Avon Cat Rescue
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 20 December 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 20.12.23 | 20.12.22 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donated goods, facilities & services | 15,000 | 2,500 |
| Donations | 73,278 | 76,235 |
| Gift aid | 4,867 | 4,492 |
| Legacies | 28,376 | 14,072 |
| Other trading activities | 121,521 | 97,299 |
| Fundraising events | 11,463 | 7,030 |
| Shop income | 2,335 | 2,237 |
| Investment income | 13,798 | 9,267 |
| Deposit account interest | 7,666 | 3,673 |
| Total incoming resources | 142,985 | 110,239 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Other trading activities | ||
| Purchases | 450 | - |
| Events - expenses | 445 | 785 |
| Other | 895 | 785 |
| Trustees' remuneration | 13,682 | 14,237 |
| Trustees' expenses | 1,372 | 2,067 |
| Cat food and costs of care | 21,234 | 9,037 |
| Veterinary care | 44,802 | 41,665 |
| Sub-contract labour | 22,653 | 24,954 |
| Volunteer expenses | 193 | 187 |
| 103,936 | 92,147 | |
| Support costs | ||
| Finance | ||
| Bank charges | 263 | 220 |
| Other | ||
| Rent, rates and water | 1 | 1 |
| Carried forward | 1 | 1 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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Avon Cat Rescue
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 20 December 2023
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 20 December 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 20.12.23 | 20.12.22 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other | ||
| Brought forward | 1 | 1 |
| Insurance | 718 | 679 |
| Light and heat | 6,000 | 6,239 |
| Telephone,postage & stationary | 1,828 | 2,418 |
| Website maintenance | 335 | 50 |
| Property repairs & maintenance | 4,811 | 3,024 |
| Accountancy fees | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Travel & subsistence | 536 | 666 |
| Sundry expenses | 136 | - |
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 12,970 | 9,498 |
| 28,835 | 24,075 | |
| Total resources expended | 133,929 | 117,227 |
| Net income/(expenditure) | 9,056 | (6,988) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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