**Charity no: 1190423**
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
**Trustees Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
|**Contents**||
|---|---|
||**Page**|
|Legal and administrative information|**1**|
|Report of the trustees|**2-4**|
|Report of the independent examiner|**5**|
|Statement of financial activities|**6**|
|Balance sheet|**7**|
|Notes forming part of the financial statements|**8-12**|
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Legal and Administrative Information**
**Trustees** C. Lomas Chair M. Banks Treasurer All trustees for the Charity are listed on the Charity Commission records and available online at: - The Charity Commission GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) **Postal address** Bolton Mountain Rescue Team Ladybridge Hall 399 Chorley New Road Bolton. BL1 5DD **Principle location** North West Ambulance Service HQ Ladybridge Hall 399 Chorley New Road Bolton. BL1 5DD **Independent examiner** HML Davies Limited Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors 9 Riverside Waters Meeting Road Bolton. BL1 8TU
Page | 1
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023**
The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 7 - 9 and comply with the charity's trust deed and applicable law.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team is an incorporated charitable organisation (CIO), which was incorporated on 16[th] July 2020 (reg. 1190423) and is the legal entity for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, established in 1968 and previously registered as charity 517454.
## **Constitution and objects**
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team was founded in 1968 and constituted under a trust deed and was a registered charity no 517454 and is now registered as 1190423.
The objects of the team are:
- to relieve suffering and distress among persons endangered by accident or natural hazards and to provide adequate arrangement for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any such person or persons so endangered.
- to educate and inform the public about the dangers of mountaineering and of other related outdoor pursuits and to undertake preventive publicity.
In furtherance of the above objects but not further or otherwise:-
- to raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons by way of subscription donations or otherwise.
- to do all things as are lawfully necessary for the attainment of the above objects.
## **Organisation**
The principle trustees who have served in the year are set out on page 1, with a full list of the trustees held by the Charity Commission records and available via the Charity Commissions website. The trustees are volunteers who offer a wide range of attributes to the charity and are appointed at an Annual General Meeting in March, as per the constitution. They initially serve a term of three years. Trustees have the power to make any major investment decisions. The trustees held virtual and in person meetings during the year, whereby decisions were voted upon.
The conversion of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (Bolton MRT) to a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) creates a form of legal entity designed for non-profit organisations based in the United Kingdom. The main intended benefits to this new entity are that it has legal personality and the ability to conduct business in its own name.
Page | 2
## **2023 Overview**
The Team attended 60 calls for assistance during 2023, including searches, rescues and flood standbys; supporting the Emergency Services in our operating area.
During 2023 we built on the 5-year strategy Bolton Mountain Rescue Team@60. There are four pillars of the strategy covering, Governance, Capability, Education and Perception.
_By 2028 we will provide public education and emergency response through a well-organised, highly trained, inclusive team of expert volunteers. This will be underpinned by sound governance, a structure which supports our operations and a strong public profile which promotes our objectives_ .
At the 2023 AGM a new Management and Governance structure was presented which separated the management of the Teams operations and activities and provided clearer governance structure. During 2023 we sought to populate the management structure appointing to many of the roles available.
The Team had one key strategic purchasing priority in 2023, a review of our base locations. This review continued with the formation of a project team who conducted a needs analysis and scoping exercise.
At the 31[st] December 2023 there were 53 operational members and 13 support group/non-operational members.
## **Financial and investment review**
There are no restrictions on the trust’s power to invest. The investment strategy is set by the trustees and is to invest any funds of the trust in any investment authorised by law for the investment of trust property or any investments which may be deemed advisable. The income of the trust is all generated by various events and subscriptions, but mainly by donations, bequests/legacies and grants. The funds raised are spent on maintaining and upgrading premises, vehicles, and equipment necessary for the trust to carry out its objectives and also the management and administrative costs incurred. The Team operates a Financial Reserves policy, reviewed bi-annually in April and October, which remained at £50,000 during 2023.
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures 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 accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements
Page | 3
comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees on 28 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
## **M. Banks**
## **Treasurer**
Page | 4
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 12.
## **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.
The charity’s gross income is less than £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
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) of the 2011 Act); and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiners 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.
## **Andrew Davies**
**HML Davies Limited Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors 9 Riverside Waters Meeting Road Bolton BL1 8TU**
## **Date: 28 February 2024**
Page | 5
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**2&3**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
**4**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Transfer of realised
revaluation profits
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
73,593
73,593
-
54,525
54,525
19,068
-
19,068
174,457
-
193,525|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Total**
**Funds**
**2023**
**£**
73,593
73,593
-
54,525
54,525
19,068
-
19,068
174,457
-
193,525|**Total**
**2022**
**£**
62,494|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||62,494|
|||||28
68,116|
|||||68,144|
|||||(5,650)
-
(5,650)
175,107
5,000|
|||||174,457|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activites.
Page | 6
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **as at 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**5**
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors
**6**
**Creditors: Amounts falling due**
**within one year**
**7**
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Funds of the Charity**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Revaluation reserve
**Total charity funds**
**8**|**£**
**£**
**62,160**
183,737
1,235
**184,972**
800
**184,172**
**246,332**
193,525
-
52,807
**246,332**
**31-Dec-23**|**£**
**£**
**81,909**
143,910
2,245
**146,155**
800
**145,355**
**227,264**
174,457
-
52,807
**227,264**
**31-Dec-22**|**£**
**£**
**81,909**
143,910
2,245
**146,155**
800
**145,355**
**227,264**
174,457
-
52,807
**227,264**
**31-Dec-22**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||800||
|||||
||||**227,264**|
||||174,457
-
52,807|
||||**227,264**|
Approved by the trustees on 28 February 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
**M. Banks Treasurer**
Page | 7
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
**for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team is a charitable Incorporated Organisation registered on 16th July 2019. The principal office is noted within the reference and administrative details in the trustees report.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes 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 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011.
Bolton Mountain Rescue Team constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis.
## **1.3 Incoming Resources**
All income is recognised once the trust has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income can be measured reliably.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised on receipt.
Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Capital grants are released to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of receipt. Fixed assets relating to capital grants are capitalised, and depreciation charged is offset against grant income, in a restricted fund until grant condition is met and the amounts are then transferred to unrestricted funds.
The trust has not received government grants in the period.
Page | 8
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **1.4 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefits committing the trust to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured.
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs in relation to generating income such as fundraising expenses.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
|Motor vehicles|-|25% reducing balance|
|---|---|---|
|Boats|-|15% reducing balance|
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of an asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
## **1.6 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Page | 9
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **2 Income from donations and legacies**
||||**Total**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donations and gifts|68,982|-|68,982|42,398|
|Gift Aid|2,728|-|2,728|3,226|
|Profit on disposal|-|-|-|12,813|
|Other|1,884|-|1,884|4,056|
||73,593|-|73,593|62,494|
|**3**|**Analysis of grants**|||**Total**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2023**||**2022**||
|||**£**|**£**|**£**||**£**||
||Department of Transport|-|-||-||-|
|||-|-||-||-|
## **4 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|**Expenditure on charitable activities**||
|---|---|
|Premises costs
Support costs
Management and administration
Accountancy fees
Depreciation and loss on disposal|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
16,507
12,615
15,897
41,696
973
2,098
1,400
550
19,748
11,156|
||54,525
68,116|
Page | 10
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
## **5 Tangible assets**
|**5**
**Tangible assets**
**Cost**
At 1 January 2023
Revaluation
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2023
Revaluation adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
**Net book values**
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
**6**
**Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year**
VAT recoverable|**Motor**
**vehicles**
**Boats**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
89,890
11,259
101,149
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||89,890
11,259
101,149|
||15,263
3,977
19,240
-
-
-
18,657
1,092
19,749
-
-
-|
||33,920
5,069
38,989|
||55,970
6,190
62,160|
||74,627
7,282
81,908|
||**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
2,245
2,245|
Page | 11
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023**
- **7 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2023**|**2022**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Accruals and deferred income|800|800|
## **8 Funds**
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objects.
Restricted funds comprise those funds which the trustee must use in accordance with grant providers or benefactors stated requirements to achieve the charitable objects.
There were no restricted funds in the period.
Page | 12
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **The following page does not form part of the statutory accounts**
Page | 13
## **Bolton Mountain Rescue Team**
## **Detailed statement of financial activities**
||**Dec-23**||**Dec-22**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income**||73,593||62,494|
|Fuel|4,098||3,938||
|Vehicle maintenance|3,717||5,623||
|Rent|4,500||4,525||
|Insurance|4,170||2,180||
|Utilities|2,585||2,252||
|Base repairs & maintenance|5,252||3,658||
|Clothing costs|1,017||18,601||
|Water recovery|2,081||6,176||
|Ropes|1,293||717||
|Training costs|2,517||1,666||
|Team dinner & socials|0||0||
|Catering|473||800||
|Medical expenses|700||3,792||
|Admin costs|974||1,006||
|Communications|30||1,121||
|Foundations course costs|-||384||
|Accountancy fees|1,400||550||
|Bank charges|10||-||
|Depreciation on motor vehicles|19,749||11,157||
|||54,567||68,144|
|Net (outgoing)/incoming resources||19,027||(5,650)|
Page | 14