Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 February 2022 Period start date To 31 January 2023 Period end date
Charity name: German Shorthaired Pointer Trust
Charity registration number: 1172457
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote humane behaviour towards animals, for the German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) breed, by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment, and security for animals that need care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances, or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
In summary our activities are: • to provide education and advice to the public about the German Shorthaired Pointer breed, • to assist owners and, in some cases, to directly rehabilitate GSPs to ensure they can be placed into a home whilst ensuring the welfare of the animal is met and the public is protected from a potential nuisance, • to provide temporary sanctuary in registered kennels in exceptional circumstances, where the health and welfare of the dog or people is a concern, • to facilitate the successful rehoming of UK based GSPs that are surrendered to us due to unfortunate circumstances or neglect, • to support the rehoming of GSPs suffering from neglect or unfortunate circumstances from other rescues in the UK and potentially, other countries, where possible, and • to support GSP owners in helping them to provide the most positive environment for their dogs. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | **We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. In providing our services, we support the community in that we prevent animals and help owners prevent their animals becoming a nuisance. In addition, we aid people who are in unfortunate circumstance due to health, relationship, work and other issues. We provide support to GSP owners and (potential/actual) adopters with concerns about animal behaviours or individual situations that may present a risk to the animal, family or general community. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | We do not currently provide this facility |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not Applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | In addition to the work carried out by the volunteer trustees, the GSP Trust is blessed to have volunteers to assist with: • Web site generation and maintenance • Maintenance of social media to promote our work and dogs in need of new homes • Visiting homes to assess suitability for adoptions • Providing transportation and foster care for dogs • Provision of fund-raising activities which have included: - Meet the Breed Day - sponsored by GSP Southern and Central Club which helps the general public to learn more about the GSP breed. - Adults and children entering challenges and raising pledge money/donations for the Trust. • Assisting with management and sale of merchandise • Clubs running events and fundraising activities in support of our charity including fun days and auctions of donated items, and raffle of donated items. • Volunteers assisting on Crufts rescue stand. • Suppliers from greater GSP community providing services and products at discounted prices. • Provide emergency kennelling for animals and assist in rehabilitation. |
| Other | Not Applicable |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The charity was established on request of various GSP organisations. They wished for a registered charity with full accountability and visibility. The charity was established and registered with the Charity Commission. We continue to meet all regulatory requirements and act in an appropriate manner. Based on feedback we have received we are seen to be fair and honest in our approach and continue to achieve the main goals placed upon us in establishing the charity. This past year has been challenging with a higher number of dogs needing homes and people requiring assistance in some manner. The financial environment and the housing situation have added extra complication for people with dogs. Landlords are reclaiming and selling homes prior to changes in law and interest rates are increasing placing additional financial burdens on families. We have also found the increased occurrence of dogs with behavioural problems continues into this year and our training costs continue to be high. The rescue’s ability to rehome these dogs has become increasingly difficult resulting in increasing kennelling costs. We provided support to the German Longhaired Pointer Club for some dogs in need of new homes as they do not have a breed rescue themselves. It was a coordinated effort to ensure the best welfare for the dogs. We provided support to the German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue on an interim basis on the death of their coordinator. We have been fortunate to have continued to receive excellent support from our charity’s community and have had no significant impact on our financial situation. We have managed to build on our reserves which we believe will be needed if the increase in dogs requiring assistance continues to increase. The number of dogs we have rehomed is a critical factor in calculating our reserves as we provide lifetime support. We had a successful external assessment and have been accepted as full members of the Association of Dogs and Cats homes which will enforce our standards and ensure that they are in accordance with best practice. We have an increased presence in the general community with referrals now being received from police and Local Authority dog facilities. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Finance & Governance Reconsolidate stock holding to eliminate issues with stock management Started process of stock consolidation. 1. Clearly identified locations of stock. 2. Shift shipments to main depot 3. Stock transferred to one location Status: complete Risk 1. Establish procedures appropriate for a charitable organisation. - Annual review of all policy and procedure to see if any updates required. - Complete 2. Insurance - Maintain Insurance policy to cover insurable risk and reduce vulnerability for Charity. - Complete 3. Information Management - Research and consider online rescue management service to improve record keeping and coordination. - Selected software based on price and functions. Trialling software in 2023-2024 Rescue Activity 121 Dogs and families have been assisted with 79 placed into homes. Of the number assisted: 4 Foreign connections 4 Assistance involving another rescue 9 GWP or GWP crosses assisted 9 Spent some time in foster with us 10 Spent some time in kennels 13 Rehomed again since first placement 14 Were withdrawn before placement We have had 10 Dogs pass away this year. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Primary Fundraising Auctions Decision made to hold only 1 main Christmas Auction per year. 2 Auctions held in previous years. The charity has built an appropriate foundation that means we no longer require the 2 auctions. Adoption Donations Donations meet daily operation costs. Merchandise We offer a simple offering of merchandise geared toward animal welfare and promotion of the breed. |
| Christmas Calendar & Cards Published and sold annual Calendars and cards. External Events The Natural Dog Hub held an event on behalf of the charity to provide a family with free dog food. This was very successful and resulted in over £1000 being raised. The Meet the Breed was held again this year for the first time following Covid. We were able to meet with members of the public and raise some funds through selling merchandise. The Central & Southern German Shorthaired Pointer Association donated part of the proceeds to the rescue. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not applicable | |
| Other | Not applicable |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity’s financial performance was fairly balanced this year. Gross income of £ 45,010 Total expenditure of £ 41,676 Sales of merchandise exceeded cost of merchandise realising £ 1,909 Key expenditures were: Kennelling: £ 11,115 Veterinary: £ 16,342 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Reserves Policy for the GSP Trust is to hold a sum for two critical areas – veterinary care and emergency kennelling. We also hold funds to ensure the continued operation of the charity. The level of reserves is set by the: 1. Number of Animals in our care 2. Historical pattern of spend 3. Number requiring neutering Number of animals in care includes animals currently in process of being rehomed and the number of animals rehomed that are still living. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £86,287 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The Trustees have no concerns currently |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The GSP Trust principal sources of funding are: 1. Auction of donated goods 2. Member of public fundraising e.g., sponsored activities 3. Donations from members of the public who adopt dogs 4. Legacies 5. Donations to support our work 6. Annual calendars & cards 7. Attendance at GSP activities |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The investment strategy for the charity is risk averse and consists of holding funds with recognised banking institutions. In the current economic environment, we prefer a low-risk approach. We are looking at the potential of placing some reserve funds into a fixed rate low risk bond to earn interest. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The primary risks for the charity are: 1. Regulatory 2. Reputation 3. Third Party Claims 4. Governance 5. Trustee succession and loss of critical Skills These risks are mitigated with financial and operational controls. Efforts are being made to ensure trustees are trained to provide cover for each other. Financial resilience and support are being provided with support from financial professionals, as needed. All information is maintained on an electronic system that can be accessed in a controlled manner by others. We are looking at adding an additional Trustee to assist with administrative matters as the volume of activity increases and to provide some redundancy in trustees. If this proves successful, we will consider a further expansion as need to cover other critical activities. |
| Other | Not Applicable |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions ~~e.g.~~e.g.,election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees were initially appointed to post with a staggered period of service. Upon expiration of period of service, they may choose to be re-elected to post or resign. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | We follow Charity Commission guidelines in this respect |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Charity is governed by four trustees with responsibilities for Finance & Governance, Operations, Administration and Fundraising. We support the GSP community of owners and associated organisations. We endeavour to work with the various Clubs and organisations for the welfare of the breed and provide coordinated support. In this past year, we assisted the German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue following the death of their coordinator. We also now provide support as needed to the German Longhaired Pointer breed when required as they do not have a breed rescue. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Not applicable |
| Other | Not Applicable |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | German Shorthaired Pointer Trust |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue UK, GSP Rescue UK |
| Registered charity number | 1172457 |
| Charity’s principal address | 6 Forge Row Gilwern Abergavenny NP7 0HA |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deborah Seeley | ||||
| Natalie Stamp | ||||
| KerryDavies | ||||
| Sue Rose | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name Not applicable
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year Not applicable Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held in this capacity Not applicable Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets Not applicable are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of Not applicable such assets from the charity’s own assets
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Trustee as above
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Natalie Stamp | Deborah Seeley | |
Treasurer |
Operations | |
| 18/08/2023 | ||
| 18/08/2023 |
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