2023-11-24-accounts - Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Charity registration number 1181186

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

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Page
Trustees annual report 1-5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Statement of cash flows 9
Notes to the financial statements 10-14
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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 24[th] November 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published on 16[th] July 2014.

Address:

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary Sawyers Hall Lane Brentwood Essex CM15 9BZ Charity number: 1181186 Trustees: Nicola Carson Leona Lewis Lee Clark Jess Roche William Lewis CEO: David Schlaich Manager: Lianne Angliss Activities and objectives.

Providing a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected animals. This includes raising funds to provide food, shelter and veterinary care.

Achievements and performance.

We have continued to work hard to improve the facilities on-site for our visitors, and this has paid off incredibly well this financial year, with our total visitor numbers exceeding 55,000 (30% increase from the previous year).

In an attempt to “damage control” the effects of not having our exotic animals on public display anymore (more information later in this report), we welcomed the addition of a brand-new children’s play area, as well as a converted double-decker bus, which has been transformed into a soft play facility for children aged 3-9 years. This has enabled us to offer new birthday party packages, thus increasing our fundraising efforts, and ensures that there’s more for the little ones to enjoy when visiting the sanctuary.

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

In April 2023 we were awarded with a £5,000 grant from Movement for Good, after our wonderful supporters nominated us, and we used these funds to kickstart a total renovation of our cat area, including a huge new catio, and developed their large indoor space, complete with lots of enrichment to keep them stimulated.

In September 2023 we announced an exciting partnership between the sanctuary an Ecoflix, the first not-for-profit streaming channel entirely dedicated to animal conservation, the planet and the environment, and by signing up for the service via the Hopefield link we in turn receive 100% of your subscription fee!

When Ecoflix was first put on our radar thanks to our wonderful Trustee, Leona Lewis, we instantly knew that this was a company that fully aligned with our own ethos and beliefs. As well as the animal rescue and welfare side of what we do here at Hopefield, we also strive to help educate people on how to make better choices when it comes to all animals, birds and reptiles, as well as the environment as a whole.

The animal re-homing requests continued to come in thick and fast, with over 400 enquiries throughout the year. Sadly, with limited space and funding, we are unable to help every animal, as much as we wish we could, but here’s just some of the one we could welcome into our Hopefield family:

Blu, the XL bully, who was tied to a park bench and incredibly malnourished and scared of people. On arrival, she was absolutely petrified, tail between her legs, and you could see just how tiny she was. Our General Manager, Lianne, worked tirelessly with her, and formed a beautiful connection, and the improvement in Blu is unbelievable. She’s such a loving, sweet-natured girl who keeps Lianne on her toes! Due to the laws surrounding XL bullies, she was unable to be re-homed by the time we’d rehabilitated her, but she has a custombuilt home at the sanctuary, and she’ll be safe and loved for the rest of her life.

Blue on arrival

Blu with Lianne

Blu now, living her best life

Bonnie and Pumpkin, the Highland Cows, arrived in October 2023, after their previous owner could no longer care for them. They now live with the rest of our cow herd and are enjoying their new lives at the sanctuary.
Tino the horse arrived in March 2023 at the age of 30, after the riding school he was previously residing at had to retire him due to problems with his tendons.
After a 4-hour round trip, Mildred and Simone the cows made it to the sanctuary safely. They were originally rescued by a kind person who tragically passed away in a car accident 6 months prior to us taking them. These poor girls were left in a barn ever since the accident

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

and were due to be shot the day after we agreed to take them, and we couldn’t bear the thought of that happening.

Oreo and Cookie, the two pigs we saved towards the end of 2022, were (unknowingly to us!) pregnant on arrival, and gave birth to two litters at the beginning of 2023. We were completely taken back by this, and the last thing we needed was more pigs, but they’ve now grown into sweet little pigs and will live out their lives at the sanctuary.

Cookie and her babies

Oreo and her babies

Doris, Dolly, and Bob the donkeys came to us after their previous owner could no longer care for them, so we offered them a forever home at the sanctuary. Doris had a wound on her neck on arrival, which we started treating straight away and she made a full recovery, and Dolly’s coat was very matted, and needed many hours of brushing to get it back to good condition.

Bob

Dolly & Doris

Hopefield land at risk.

Conversations are still ongoing between TESCO (Matthew Price) and Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. We are trying to agree terms in the situation that TESCO get granted permission to sell the land. Hopefield’s lawyer, Zareen, along with Dave, Lianne, and Nicola, have all been on calls / emails trying to push towards finalised paperwork. There is now a working agreement that both lawyers are working through comments on.

Financial review.

We encountered some huge financial setbacks during this financial year:

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

Firstly, our electricity supplier served us with a backdated invoice as our bills were being based on estimates – which we were unaware of and were under the impression that the company were regularly coming out to take meter readings – they originally billed us for £94,804.77, however, after many discussions with the company, we mutually agreed a discounted total to pay of £35,145.48.
In a bid to cut costs and make the sanctuary “greener” and more self-sufficient, we had several solar panels installed on site. This work, whilst expensive (£45,250 in total), is a brilliant investment for the sanctuary and will, in turn, pay for themselves.
Later in the year, we then had issues with our sewage system, which is something that we, and our landlords, have been aware of for a length of time, but unfortunately the whole system collapsed, leaving us without running toilets on-site, needing to hire portaloos, and having a suitable plant installed on site, which the deposit payment of £20,000 came out during this period.

At the beginning of 2023, we made the following announcement to the public:

“Following a meeting with our local council towards the end of last year, we have made the decision to not apply for our license. We feel as though it hugely contradicts our morals and ethics, and as a sanctuary that rescues animals, there are many elements that we just couldn’t agree to, such as having to remove “imperfect” animals from public display, euthanizing any animals dumped at the gate, breeding as part as conservation, and so much more. We were told we would have to be a zoo first and foremost, with the rescue element being pushed aside.

It seems absurd to us that you can go online and buy these exotics animals, but a rescue whose sole purpose is to ensure these animals are safe and cared for isn’t able to without facing restrictions that will hugely affect us. Perhaps if these animals weren’t able to enter the country in the first place, there wouldn’t be a need for exotic animal rescues.

With this being said, it does mean that there are going to be some significant changes that you’ll notice – with the main one being our exotic animals will no longer be on public display, except for 6 days a year (which is all we’re allowed without the zoo license) where we’ll hold full “open days” – more details about these will be announced over the coming weeks.”

We’ve been fortunate that, so far, it hasn’t impacted our visitor numbers, but we do feel that over time, as more people become aware that they can’t see as many animals when visiting as they previously could, we’ll find that less people will visit – it’s something we will need to monitor closely as it could have a detrimental impact on the future of the sanctuary.

Investment powers and policy.

Hopefield has no plans to invest at this time.

Reserves policy.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary aims to have 6 months’ reserves to be kept in a separate bank account – this is based on an expensive month and is a total of £360,000. This will be reviewed at 3-month intervals and the reviews will be at each trustee meeting, and can be topped up or decreased depending on the trustee’s decision. This will only be used in an emergency and if the current account is running low, and for no other purpose. The figure that

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

we have in the current account must be £70,000 before we can start using the reserves. All possible avenues must be used to ensure the current account does not reach £0. We feel that this is the safest way to manage our funds and to ensure the security of the funds continues.

Risk management.

The main risks to the charity at this moment in time is the climate of the economy, with prices of many items and services increasing significantly, and the uncertain situation with our land / TESCO. We will continue to work closely with our solicitors and TESCO and achieve the best possible outcome for the sanctuary.

PSA Statement.

The goal of the PSA’s pay policy is to offer fair pay to attract and keep appropriately qualified staff to lead, manage, support and / or deliver the organisation’s aims.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements.

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law, and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity, and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

Approved by the trustees on 23[rd] September 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Trustee

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

I report on the accounts of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary for the year ended 24 November 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 14.

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 Act) but that an independent examination is needed. The charities gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Association of Accounting Technicians. It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 considerations 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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.
the charity received an exemption from charity commission to not undetake an audit this year.

I 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.

Shelley-Marie Rudling FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360

Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex

Date 24/09/2024

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

Notes Incoming Resources Donations and legacies 2 Income from investment Other trading activities 4 Charitable activities 3 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities 5 Expenditure on raising funds 6 Total resources expended Net Incoming (Outgoing) Resources Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	2023 Total £ 487,308 3,619 181,718 256,629 929,274 1,111,048 133,416 1,244,464 (315,191) 1,177,635 862,444	2022 Total £ 1,023,682 491 129,961 195,109 1,349,242 590,886 109,075 699,961 649,281 528,354 1,177,635

The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these financial statements

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 24 NOVEMBER 2023

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2023 2022
Notes £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8 32,881 41,356
Current assets
Stock 5,313 5,313
Debtors and prepayments 10 1,950 1,950
Cash at bank and in hand 11 823,550 1,129,736
830,813 1,136,999
Creditors: amounts falling 9 (1,250) (720)
due within one year
Net current assets/(liabilities) 829,563 1,136,279
Total assets less current liabilities 862,444 1,177,635
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 862,444 1,177,635
Total funds 862,444 1,177,635
Approved by the Trustees on the 20th September 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee
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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

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Notes Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities a (309,804) 658,832
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest 3,619 491
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment 9 - (163)
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities 3,619 328
Change in cash and cash
equivalents in reporting period (306,186) 659,160
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period b 1,129,736 470,575
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the reporting period 823,550 1,129,736
(a) RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Notes Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the
reporting period (as per SOFA) (318,809) 648,790
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation charges 8 8,475 10,042
Loss/(profit) on disposal of fixed assets 8 - -
(increase)/decrease in debtors 10 - -
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 9 530 -
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities (309,804) 658,832
b) ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Notes Total Total
2023 2022
£ £
Cash in hand 823,550 1,129,736
- -
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
Total cash and cash equivalents 823,550 1,129,736
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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

1.1 The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

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. Donations, are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

1.3 Expenditure recognition

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 settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings.

1.4 Exemption for Audit in 2022

Hopefield applied for an expention for audit with the charity commission as the income reached over 1 million but this was a one off due to multiple large legacies all received at the same time.

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

1.5 Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected life as follows: Buildings 10% straight line Vehicles 20% straight line Equipment 20% straight line

1.6 Fund accounting

Funds held by the Charity are: Unrestricted general funds These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.

2. Donations and legacies

Donations Legacies Adoption fees Raising funds Grants 3. Charitable activities Visitor income 4. Other trading activities Gift shop Tea room	2023 £ 178,342 119,153 17,056 156,258 16,500 487,308 2023 £ 256,629 256,629 2023 £ 58,429 123,289 181,718	2022 £ 208,567 653,295 19,769 124,026 18,026 1,023,682 2022 £ 195,109 195,109 2022 £ 36,852 93,109 129,961

HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

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5. Costs of charitable activities 2023 2022
£ £
Costs directly allocated to activities:
Wages 383,169 234,296
Animal disposals 1,068 3,886
Vet fees & associated costs 67,167 61,173
Purchases (feed) 61,250 53,784
Farrier's fees 6,240 4,959
Building & fencing maintenance 390,950 104,770
909,843 462,868
Support costs:
Rent & rates 6,903 5,331
Postage & stationery 10,607 7,413
Travel 7,442 5,494
I.T costs 2,715 1,835
Light, heat & telephone 10,106 5,717
Professional charges 15,262 22,071
Insurance 5,563 4,134
Sundries 110,304 56,623
Equpment consumables 2,734 1,888
Staff training and clothing 3,092 739
Vehicle expense 16,754 6,013
Depreciation 8,475 10,042
199,955 127,299
Governance costs:
Audit and accountancy 1,250 720
1,250 720
1,111,048 590,886
6. Expenditure on raising funds 2023 2022
£ £
Tea room costs 72,214 53,903
Gift shop merchandise 38,063 27,154
Promotion 23,139 28,018
133,416 109,075
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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

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7. Staff costs and emoluments 2023 2022
£ £
The average number of employees by head count
35 30
paid monthly during the period was:
The aggregate staff costs for the period were: 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 362,944 225,660
Social security costs 20,225 8,636
383,169 234,296
No employee earned more than £60,000 per annum.
None of the Trustees (or any person connected with them) were reimbursed for expenses
during the year.
8. Tangible fixed assets Buildings Equip Total
Cost £ £ £
As at 24 November 2022 69,117 15,631 84,748
Additions - - -
As at 24 November 2023 69,117 15,631 84,748
Depreciation
As at 24 November 2022 34,307 9,085 43,392
Charge for the year 6,912 1,563 8,475
As at 24 November 2023 41,219 10,648 51,867
Net book value
As at 24 November 2023 27,898 4,983 32,881
As at 24 November 2022 34,810 6,546 41,356
9. Creditors; amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Accruals 1,250 720
1,250 720
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HOPEFIELD ANIMAL SANCTUARY

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 24 NOVEMBER 2023

10. Debtors Loans 11. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and in hand	2023 £ 1,950 1,950 2023 £ 823,550 823,550	2022 £ 1,950 1,950 2022 £ 1,129,736 1,129,736

12. Related Parties

There were no related parties within the year.

13. Key management personnel

During the year total remuneration of 2023 £63,639 (2022: £37,385) was paid to key management personnel. The remuneration of key management personnel is decided upon and authorised by the trustees.

14. Going concern

The charity is operating on a going concern basis.

15. Trustees remuneration

No trustees recived any remuneration during the year.