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2022-12-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1192607

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Unaudited Financial Statements 31 December 2022

MR IAN THOMPSON FCA

Chartered accountants Saint & Co The Old Police Station Church Street Ambleside Cumbria LA22 0BT

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2022

Page
Trustees' annual report 1
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Statement of financial position 8
Statement of cash flows 9
Notes to the financial statements 10

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Trustees' Annual Report

Year ended 31 December 2022

The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name Coniston Mountain Rescue Team Charity registration number 1192607 CIO registration number CEO22899 Principal office Old Furness Road Coniston Cumbria LA21 8HU The trustees Mr J R Carroll Deputy Team leader Mrs J Coe Treasurer Miss J Hamilton Team Leader Mr C Walker Vice Chair Mr R Jones Deputy Team Leader Miss J E Leese Trustee Mr A Ribchester Equipment Officer Dr C Brock Medical Officer Mr M Braithwaite Training Officer Ms C Judge Chair Ms A E Edwards Secretary (Appointed 24 March 2022) Accountants Mr Ian Thompson FCA Chartered accountants Saint & Co The Old Police Station Church Street Ambleside Cumbria LA22 0BT

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

Structure, governance and management

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was founded in 1947 as an unincorporated charity governed by its constitution adopted 20th January 1976 and subsequent amendments to 28th March 2019. In October 2020 the trustees and members of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team applied to the Charity Commission to transfer from an Unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and was registered as a CIO as a new charity 1192607 on 1st December 2020. The CIO is governed by its constitution adopted on 1st December 2020. Both charities were run concurrently this year until new bank accounts are established and all promotional material is amended to reflect the new CIO, following which charity 504923 will be dissolved as approved by its trustees and members at the General Meeting held on 31st October 2020.

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team is managed by a Committee of trustees appointed by a general meeting of the charity. Trustees are elected into Committee positions that vary in term from 1 year to 5 years and at the end of each term they may seek re-election or stand down. In addition the trustees may appoint other trustees, either to replace a current trustee who has resigned or to fill a required purpose, provided the total number does not exceed 11.

This March we have two positions to be elected, The Secretary and The Treasurer, both are happy to be re-elected and already have proposals and seconds.

Objectives and activities

To relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards and to provide adequate arrangements for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any person or persons so endangered.

The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Achievements and performance

Coniston Mountain Rescue Team was the first rescue team of its kind in the UK. The first official recorded rescue for the team was on 13th April 1947.

In April 2022 we celebrated our 75th anniversary. We were joined by locals from the Coniston area along with John Dempster who handed out The Queens Platinum Jubilee medals to team members.

The number of incidents that we attended in 2022 was 54, which was 14% down on 2021's 63 incidents reported by the unincorporated charity. That year saw large numbers of visitors to the Lakes because Covid-19 restricted flying to the Mediterranean for holidays. The range of incidents this year was very wide - two fatalities on the hill, a further one later at hospital, and two dog fatalities. To date we have had 9 rescues this year.

December 2022 two Cas carers renewed and passed their Cas Care exam, making a total of seven.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

Fundraising

Team members have continued to support the local community by running stalls or providing marshalling support and the amount of funds raised has increased.

An exhibition on our 75yrs was put on display at The John Ruskin Museum in Coniston mid-January 2023 and will be kept in place until 26th March. The exhibition shows equipment, past and present, photographs going through the years and much more.

We have maintained a good relationship with our Supporters group which will enable sharing of work that is required behind the scenes to manage the team e.g. keeping the website up to date, cleaning the base, attracting donations, collecting donation boxes, and dealing with the transfer of standing orders and gift aid to the new CIO accounts and many other ad hoc requirements.

April 2023 we will be issuing many long service awards, ranging from 10yrs to 60yrs. A great achievement and shows a huge amount of commitment to Coniston Mountain Rescue Team. Our extensive experience and knowledge is a valuable asset.

Training

The Aspirant probationer program is progressing well for 3 members with regular liaison and contact with mentors. Consideration should now be given towards the next admission of probationers in the summer.

Helicopter training remains substantially only on line. Members are being reminded about the importance of keeping up to date on this.

Risk Assessments & Method Statements are being completed for the primary types of call outs in order to comply with good H&S policy.

Attendance at training continues to be recorded on our OneDrive, and is intended to be supplemented by the year end completion of the excel spreadsheet by individual members. This will also help inform training plans for future months.

Financial review

In October 2020 the trustees and members of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team applied to the Charity Commission to transfer from an Unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). In the year the assets, liabilities and undertakings of the unincorporated charity were transferred to the CIO.

The CIO’s net income for the year was £696,304 (2021: £Nil). Included within this income is the donation of £616,658 from Coniston Mountain Rescue Team representing the transfer of assets, liabilities and undertakings of the unincorporated charity to the CIO, which took place at the close of 2022. Also included is £9,000 (2021: £Nil) from various donations and legacies received via the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.

Total expenditure in 2022 on charitable activities was £38,976 (2021: £Nil).

Reserves and Investment policies

Coniston MRT’s policy is to endeavour to hold a minimum of two year’s operating costs as financial reserves. Funds are invested in such a way as to provide a reasonable return on investment and having enough readily-accessible capital available if large expenses arise.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

Some of the ways of investing that were available to an unincorporated charity are not available to a CIO, so some changes of investment have been necessary. Money is now being invested in various different funds via the Flagstone investment platform, which organisations such as Coniston MRT can access via CAF (Charities Aid Foundation). In each case an investment of £85,000 is made for one year only in case the funds need to be accessed.

On 31st December 2022 total reserves were £657,328 of which, £84,323 were restricted and £280,384 were designated, which leaves remaining unrestricted reserves on 31 December 2021 of £292,621. The reserves are greater than those required to be in line with the charity's reserve policy.

Funds held have been designated for additional insurance cover and savings towards a new Mountain Rescue Team base. Two restricted funds are held to finance the purchase of new rescue vehicles and provide training about trauma counselling.

Plans for future periods

Alongside our ongoing objectives (as outlined under Objectives and activities), we are working towards redeveloping our team base. This is an expensive endeavour, and we are currently in the early stages of planning and fundraising, which will continue over the next few years.

The base redevelopment will result in modernised facilities, including improved storage space and garaging for our vehicles. This will enable us to improve our operational efficiency both when responding to incidents and in the day-to-day running of the base.

The new base will also accommodate a family room, providing casualties, their families and friends with privacy and a degree of comfort, which is currently lacking. In addition, as part of the new base there will be a village resilience store containing equipment and supplies to help in case of future storms or other emergencies.

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the 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 these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Trustees' Annual Report (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and 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 hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 16 March 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Ms A E Edwards Secretary Trustee

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Year ended 31 December 2022

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

  3. the financial statements 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.

Ian Thompson FCA Independent Examiner Saint & Co The Old Police Station Church Street Ambleside Cumbria LA22 0BT

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 31 December 2022

2022
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds
Note £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 4 77,080 – 77,080
Charitable activities 5 532,335 84,323 616,658
Investment income 6 2,566 – 2,566
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Total income 611,981 84,323 696,304
================================== ============================= ==================================
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 7 38,976 – 38,976
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Total expenditure 38,976 – 38,976
================================== ============================= ==================================
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Net income 573,005 84,323 657,328
================================== ============================= ==================================
Transfers between funds (29,422) 29,423 –
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Net movement in funds 543,583 113,746 657,328
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward – – –
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 543,583 113,746 657,328
================================== ================================== ==================================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 10 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Statement of Financial Position

31 December 2022

2022
Note £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 10 178,519
Current assets
Debtors 11 24,691
Cash at bank and in hand 456,168
----------------------------------
480,859
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 2,050
----------------------------------
Net current assets 478,809
----------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 657,328
----------------------------------
Net assets 657,328
==================================
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds 84,323
Unrestricted funds 573,005
----------------------------------
Total charity funds 13 657,328
==================================

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 16 March 2023, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Ms A E Edwards Secretary Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 December 2022

2022
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income 657,328
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 298
Other interest receivable and similar income (2,566)
Accrued income (10,346)
Changes in:
Trade and other debtors (12,295)
----------------------------------
Cash generated from operations 632,419
Interest received 2,566
----------------------------------
Net cash from operating activities 634,985
==================================
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible assets (178,817)
----------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (178,817)
==================================
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 456,168
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year –
----------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 456,168
==================================

The notes on pages 10 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 December 2022

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is Old Furness Road, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8HU.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Tangible assets (continued)

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Plant and equipment - 15% reducing balance Motor Vehicles - 25 % reducing balance

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs, unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where it is recognised at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

4. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2022
£ £
Donations
Collecting boxes 4,700 4,700
Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association 9,000 9,000
Other donations 26,088 26,088
Gift Aid tax 3,535 3,535
Legacies
Legacies 33,757 33,757
----------------------------- -----------------------------
77,080 77,080
============================= =============================

5. Charitable activities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Donation of net assets from Coniston Mountain Rescue
Team 532,335 84,323 616,658
================================== ============================= ==================================

In October 2020 the trustees and members of Coniston Mountain Rescue Team applied to the Charity Commission to transfer from an Unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and was registered as a CIO as a new charity 1192607 on 1st December 2020. The donation from Coniston Mountain Rescue Team shown above reflects the transfer of assets, liabilities and undertakings of the unincorporated charity to the CIO.

6. Investment income

Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2022
£ £
Bank and building society interest 2,566 2,566
======================== ========================

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

2022
£
Provision of Mountain Rescue
Training 5,067
Water 1,046
Insurance 2,532
Light and heat 978
Repairs and renewals 6,698
Medical supplies 4,623
Computer and stationery 3,617
Telephone and internet 1,929
Motor expenses 5,041
Other charity expenses 2,067
Sundry expenses 3,256
Depreciation 298
Bank charges and fees 234
────────
37,386
Support costs
Independent examination and accountancy fees payable
to Independent Examiner 1,250
Legal and professional fees 340
────────
Total costs of activities 38,976
════════
Unrestricted funds 38,976
Restricted funds -
────────
Total funds 38,976
════════

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

8. Net income

Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):

2022
£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 298
===============

9. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

10. Tangible fixed assets

Freehold Plant and
property equipment Motor vehicles Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 January 2022 – – – –
Additions 148,004 25,327 5,486 178,817
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
At 31 December 2022 148,004 25,327 5,486 178,817
================================== ============================= ======================== ==================================
Depreciation
At 1 January 2022 – – – –
Charge for the year – 298 – 298
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------------------
At 31 December 2022 – 298 – 298
================================== ============================= ======================== ==================================
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2022 148,004 25,029 5,486 178,519
================================== ============================= ======================== ==================================

11. Debtors

2022
£
Prepayments and accrued income 14,882
Gift aid tax receivable 3,535
Other debtors 6,274
-----------------------------
24,691
=============================

12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

2022
£
Accruals and deferred income 2,050
========================

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

13. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At
At 31 December
1 January 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2022
£ £ £ £ £
General funds – 361,019 (38,976) (29,422) 292,621
Mountain Rescue Team
Base Fund – 220,962 – 29,422 250,384
Insurance Fund – 30,000 – – 30,000
--------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
– 611,981 (38,976) – 573,005
=============== ================================== ============================= ============================= ==================================

The Mountain Team Rescue Base Fund represents savings designated by the trustees towards a new Mountain Rescue Team base.

The Insurance Fund originated from an appeal in 1987/1988 for a garage extension, two new landrovers and additional insurance cover for Team members' personal accident. The garage extension was completed and the two landrovers purchased; £30,000 was held in reserve for the additional insurance cover.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds
At
At 31 December
1 January 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers 2022
£ £ £ £ £
Wheels Fund – 81,323 – – 81,323
Trauma Counselling – 3,000 – – 3,000
--------------- ----------------------------- --------------- --------------- -----------------------------
– 84,323 – – 84,323
=============== ============================= =============== =============== =============================

The Wheels Fund comprises of the balance of the Wheels Appeal in 2009 (£782 after purchasing and converting three landrovers in the period to 2012), plus periodic top-ups from the Team's unrestricted general funds, and is held to finance the purchase of new rescue vehicles.

The Trauma Counselling Fund has been donated to provide training about trauma counselling.

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2022
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 178,519 – 178,519
Current assets 396,536 84,323 480,859
Creditors less than 1 year (2,050) – (2,050)
---------------------------------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Net assets 573,005 84,323 657,328
================================== ============================= ==================================

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Coniston Mountain Rescue Team

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 31 December 2022

15. Analysis of changes in net debt

At
At 1 Jan 2022 Cash flows 31 Dec 2022
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand – 456,168 456,168
=============== ================================== ==================================

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