## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
## **From 01/09/23 Period start date To 31/08/24 Period end date**
## **Charity name: Dogs First**
## **Charity registration number: 1198644**
## **Objectives and Activities**
||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|To benefit the public to relieve the suffering of animals in
need of care and in particular to provide and maintain
rescue homes for the care and treatment of such animals,
and to activelyseek new homes.|
|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|We rescue, transport, feed and seek veterinary care for all
the animals that come in to our care.
We provide pet food to those min need in order for them to
keep their animals.|
|Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|Trustees have been given the appropriate
Charity Commission documentation to
read.|
## **Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
## **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|We rescued, cared for and rehomed over
one hundred and fifty animals over this
period.
Providing vet care and treatment.
We supported families through the difficult
process of rehoming their pets.
We supported over 95 families via the pet
food bank, enabling them to keep the pets.
And provided ongoing support for all the
families using either the food bank or by
adopting from us.|
## **Additional information (optional)**
## You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|
Achievements against
objectives set|
Para 1.41|
We have exceeded the targets we set
ourselves, and received recognition for our
achievements via local and national
awards.|
|---|---|---|
|Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|Major restructuring and rebuilding took
place from November 2023, and has been
ongoing through 2024, to ensure the future
for the charity, and its financial security.
We set fundraising targets to enable the
purchase of a new equipped vehicle. We
reached the target and have grants applied
for to fund a further vehicle.|
|Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|N/A|
|Other|||
## **Financial Review**
|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Balance of £23,711.47|
|Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|The reserves held are to cover outgoings
on vet bills, food, insurances and vehicle
upkeep|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£12000|
|Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|n/a|
|Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|**n/a**|
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|We have taken steps to ensure the ongoing
financial security of the charity.
Uncertainties arise due to rising bills and
rising expenditure.|
## **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|
We apply for and receive grants from grant
providers.
Supporters have set up direct debits and
make donations.
We host fundraising events and run football
cards.|
|---|---|---|
|Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|At this period of time, we do not have a
social investment policy.|
|A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|The number of animals coming in to
rescue, and the need for vet care and
neutering puts a strain on resources, as
most animals surrendered have not
received veterinary care or been neutered.|
|Other|||
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|Description of charity’s
trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Trust Deed|
|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.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Trustees are selected and appointed by the
board of trustees.|
## **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|
Safeguarding, Code of Conduct, Discipline,
Data Protection, and Health and Safety,
Whistleblowing, Child Safeguarding and
financial controls policies.|
|---|---|---|
|The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|A Board of trustees, led by the chair, and a
team of volunteers that answer to the
trustees.|
|Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51||
|Other|||
## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|Dogs First|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity uses|Dogs First Rescue|
|Registered charity number|1198644|
|Charity’s principal address|32 Falmouth Walk
Cramlington
Northumberland
NE23 1RU|
|||
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Pat Heard|Chair|||
||LyndsayHenning|Treasurer|Until November 2023||
||Heather Moran||Until Spring2024||
||Pauline Wales||||
||Andrew Wales||||
||Patrick McGovern||From November 2023||
||William Moran||From November 2023||
||Joanne Jennings||From November 2023||
||Louise Moore||From December 2023||
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## – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
## **Director name**
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
**Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year**
## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
## **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)**
## **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)** _PAHeard_
**Full name(s)** Patricia Anne Heard
**Position (eg Secretary,** Chair **Chair, etc)**
**Date**
November 2024
## **Dogs First Accounts for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024**
## **Charity Number 1198644**
Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
|Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024|||
|---|---|---|
|Direct costs
£
Donations
Veterinary fees
19,935
Adoptions
Other supplies
2,016
Fund Raising - general
Fund Raising - specific
Grants
Other costs
Vehicle running costs
7,943
Depreciation charge on vehicles
7,472
Promotional Items & Marketing
5,523
Insurance & Tax
3,160
Fund Raising costs
2,847
Storage
2,108
Workwear
888
Office Supplies & Postage
602
52,495
Surplus for the year
43,133
95,628
General Fund
Fixed Assets
Balance brought forward
14,067
Small Equipment
Surplus for the year
43,133
Vehicles
Balance carried forward
57,200
Net book value brought forward
Additions in year
less depreciation charged in year
Bank balance
57,200
Expenditure
Income
Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2024|£
21,478
37,112
17,893
19,145
95,628
100
1,000
39,861
-7,472
33,389
23,711
57,200|£
21,478
37,112
17,893
19,145|
|||95,628|
||||
|||57,200|
PA Heard Chair
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dogs First**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dogs First (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024
## Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation fo the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts 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
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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records;
In carrying out my examination I have noted that there are some deficiencies in the manner in which the accounting records have been maintained. I have also noted that the charity is still in the process of implementing some of the key financial controls required for effective running of the charity, including the setting of budgets to effectively control expenditure. The previous independent examiner’s report highlighted the deficiency in accounting records, however, given the previous review was signed off after the curent period closed and the changes in the board of trustees and new treasurer in place, it is expected that the necessary improvements will be undertaken in the coming months.
Signed:
## Name: John Alexander Lawson
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FCA member of ICAEW Address: 6 Annfield Road, Cramlington, NE23 3GY
Date:
## **Dogs First Accounts for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024**
## **Charity Number 1198644**
Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
|Income & Expenditure Account for 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024|||
|---|---|---|
|Direct costs
£
Donations
Veterinary fees
19,935
Adoptions
Other supplies
2,016
Fund Raising - general
Fund Raising - specific
Grants
Other costs
Vehicle running costs
7,943
Depreciation charge on vehicles
7,472
Promotional Items & Marketing
5,523
Insurance & Tax
3,160
Fund Raising costs
2,847
Storage
2,108
Workwear
888
Office Supplies & Postage
602
52,495
Surplus for the year
43,133
95,628
General Fund
Fixed Assets
Balance brought forward
14,067
Small Equipment
Surplus for the year
43,133
Vehicles
Balance carried forward
57,200
Net book value brought forward
Additions in year
less depreciation charged in year
Bank balance
57,200
Expenditure
Income
Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2024|£
21,478
37,112
17,893
19,145
95,628
100
1,000
39,861
-7,472
33,389
23,711
57,200|£
21,478
37,112
17,893
19,145|
|||95,628|
||||
|||57,200|
PA Heard Chair
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Dogs First**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dogs First (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2024
## Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation fo the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts 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
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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records;
In carrying out my examination I have noted that there are some deficiencies in the manner in which the accounting records have been maintained. I have also noted that the charity is still in the process of implementing some of the key financial controls required for effective running of the charity, including the setting of budgets to effectively control expenditure. The previous independent examiner’s report highlighted the deficiency in accounting records, however, given the previous review was signed off after the curent period closed and the changes in the board of trustees and new treasurer in place, it is expected that the necessary improvements will be undertaken in the coming months.
Signed:
## Name: John Alexander Lawson
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): FCA member of ICAEW Address: 6 Annfield Road, Cramlington, NE23 3GY
Date: