**Report of the Trustees and Receipts and Payments Accounts for the Period Ended 31 December 2024**
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## **The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Reference and administration details**
Reg charity number: 1202346 Principal address: _Rehoming Centre (By appointment)_ Leicester Rd, Countesthorpe Leicester _Correspondence address:_ 42A Valley Drive Leicester LE3 3EE Contact: thenextchapterhorses@gmail.com 07828 834342 Trustees: Michelle L Page (Chairperson) Megan E Bailey (1 July 2024) Julie Miles (1 May 2023) Governing document: CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 16 Mar 2023 Bank: National Westminster. Independent examiners: Mrs Sarah A Smith MSc. BSc. (HONS) FCCA. FCIE. MNAVP. TSA (Oakham) Ltd Temple House 8 Main Street Cold Overton Leicestershire LE15 7QA
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## **Independent Examiners report to the Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO**
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on
the attached pages.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustee and Examiner.**
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider the audit requirement of s144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) does not apply, and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under s 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under s145(5)(b) 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 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 consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in 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 examiners 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 s130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met.
(2) There are no other matters to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Sarah Smitharah Smith
Mrs Sarah Smith MSc. BSc. (HONS) FCCA. FCIE. MNAVP. TSA (Oakham) Ltd Temple House
8 Main Street Cold Overton Leicestershire LE15 7QA 28 July 2025
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## **Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Trustees annual report for the period 31 December 2024.**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies as set out by charity law (Charities Act 2011) and are based on a receipts and payments format adopted by the trustees. The report includes the information given on the reference and administration page (see page 2).
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## Governing document
The charity, a corporate body is controlled by its governing document, CIO-Foundation, 16 March 2023.
The charity is governed by a board of trustees who meet monthly to oversee operations. Day-to-day management is handled by a small team of dedicated volunteers.
## Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The Committee review the risks and appropriate controls as required, but at least annually.
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## Activities to promote the objectives:
For the benefit of the public to relieve suffering of horses and ponies in need of care and attention in the Leicestershire area and in particular to provide and maintain rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals. Specifically:
To rescue horses and ponies and provide relevant veterinary care.
To prevent all types of cruelty and abuse of the horses that we have taken in our care. To relieve the suffering of horses which need care and attention and (where applicable) assist carers/owners in the provision of improved facilities at their own yards or homes. To host open days, educational visits, and fundraising events.
To offer volunteering opportunities to local people.
To provide support to other charities in the UK, animal welfare businesses and re-homers.
## Public benefit:
The trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of the activities for the year to ensure they remain focused on the CIO’s aims and objectives and also continue to deliver benefits to the public.
The trustees are satisfied that the charity's activities provide an essential service to the community of Leicestershire, including but not limited to horse and land owners and carers, volunteers, and the re-homing community who provide these animals with the next chapter in their lives.
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## **Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Trustees annual report for the period to 31 December 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
This year, despite challenges, we have made significant progress:
- 19 horses and ponies rescued, including several emergency welfare cases.
- 6 successful rehoming’s, each with follow-up checks.
- Stabilizing our new foaling stable, thanks to donor support.
- Held 5 community fundraising events, including our popular Summer Open Day.
- Welcomed over 20 active volunteers, contributing over 1,000 hours collectively.
A particular highlight was the rescue and rehabilitation of a foal which was standing in flood land, whose story inspired a surge in public donations and media attention.
Looking ahead, we aim to:
- Expand our shelter space.
- Partner with local schools for educational visits.
- Improve our website and digital fundraising.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
The trustees are pleased to confirm that the charity remains financially stable although our results serve to underline just how crucial the generosity of our donors is in order to maintain this stability in the next financial year. We raised £24,146 through donations and another £6,849 in fund raising. Total income of £30,995 was matched to total expenditure of £31,702, resulting in a deficit for the year of £707.
Veterinary fees, hay and feed and farriery are our main expenses with administration costs kept to an absolute minimum. A full breakdown is given on page 6.
Reserves carried forward are £790.
**Reserves and Investment Policy.** The reserves of the CIO are held on a current account until required. The trustees aim, over time, to build standing or permanent reserves of 3 months operating costs (around £8,000) in order to safeguard the welfare of horses on the property in the event of a financial down turn or a crisis in welfare requiring emergency rescue.
## **Sustainability of Services**
The trustees of the charity are satisfied that they will be able to pay creditors as they fall due for at least 12 months from the Balance Sheet date.
Approved by the Board of trustees on 28[th] July 2025 and signed on its behalf by
## Shelley Page
Michelle Page (Chairperson)
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## **Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Receipts and payments accounts For the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024**
|**NOTES**
**1**
**Receipts**
Fees, Grants and Donations
Other Fundraising
Received to CIO (03/23)
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
_Other Fundraising Costs_
_Direct Charitable Costs_
Consumables (Yard)
Fallen stock and transport
Farriery
Feed and Supplements
Hay and Haylage
Rent
Veterinary fees and medicines
_Support Costs_
Accountancy and Independent Examination
**2**
Administration and Office Costs
Insurance
Website and Other charges
**Total Payments**
**Net Receipts/(Payments)**
Bank and cash funds brought forward
Bank and cash funds carried forward||**TOTAL**
**2024**
**£**
24,146
6,849
0
**30,995**
**_1,064_**
2,959
843
3,080
6,679
4,195
2,600
9,036
**_29,392_**
0
667
472
107
**_1,246_**
**31,702**
**(707)**|**TOTAL**
**2023**
**£**
7,932
4,515
7,252
**19,699**
**_525_**
1,262
341
175
2,137
4,220
1,200
7,900
**_17,235_**
0
52
240
150
**_442_**
**18,202**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**1,497**|
|||||
|||**1,497**|**0**|
|||**790**||
|||||
||||**1,497**|
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## **Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Statement of assets and liabilities at 31 December 2024**
|**Cash and Bank Deposits**
Bank accounts and cash
**TOTAL**
**Assets /**
**(Liabilities)**
Independent Examination
Debtors
**TOTAL**
|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**£**
790
1,497
**790**
**1,497**|
|---|---|
||(425)
0
0
0
**(425)**
**0**|
Approved by the trustees on 28 July 2025
Signed Shelley Page Name Michelle Page CHAIRPERSON
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## **Trustees of The Next Chapter Horse Rescue CIO Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024**
## **Accounting policies**
**1 a)** These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, as adopted by trustees.
The first year is a short accounting period from 16/03/2023 to 31/12/2023 and forms the comparative figures in this report
## **b)** Fund Accounting
Unrestricted Funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds arise when the use of a donation or legacy is stipulated by the donor or funds are raised for a specific purpose. All restricted funds are used within the objects of the charity. There are no restricted funds at the year end.
## **2 Accountancy and Independent Examination**
|The liability for this financial year
Accounts preparation, from completed records
Independent Examination|**£**
**£**
**2024**
**2023**
75
0
350
0|
|---|---|
||**425**
**0**|
## **3 Payments to trustees and Related Parties.**
There are no fees, remuneration or expenses paid to trustees in the financial year, (£0 2023). There are no other related party transactions.
## **4 Winding up of the CIO.**
Under the constitution and in accordance with charity law, trustees must submit a formal declaration confirming that all debts and liabilities are provided for and remaining assets have or will be applied appropriately to organisations with similar charitable objectives.
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