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2025-12-31-accounts

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Essex Mid & North Branch CIO

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Charity no. 1211083

Table of Contents

CONTENTS PAGE
Trustees’ annual report 1
Independent Auditor’s report to the Trustees 13
Statement of fnancial actvites 17
Balance sheet 18
Statement of cashfows 19
Notes to the fnancial statements 20

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Charity no. 1211083

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisors

Registered Charity Name: Royal Society for the Preventon of Cruelty to Animals Essex
Mid & North Branch CIO
Additonal Working Charity Names: Royal Society for the Preventon of Cruelty to Animals Essex
Mid & North Branch
RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch CIO
RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch
CIO Charity Number: 1211083(Formerly unincorporated charity with registered
number 206799)
Principal Address: 116 Harwich Road,
Colchester,
Essex,
CO4 3BZ
Trustees: Ruth Jubb, Chair & Treasurer
Fiona Lawes, Secretary
Stephen Cook
Robert Ellis – joined October 2025
Meaghan Lim – joined October 2025
Susan North
Rachel Skillen
Brigite Swanton
Independent Auditor: Edmund Carr LLP,
146 New London Road,
Chelmsford,
CM2 0AW

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The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch CIO (hereafter referred to as “the Charity”/ "the Branch”) for the year ended 31st December 2025. The Trustees (hereafter referred to as “we”) confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity's governing document.

CHAIR’S REPORT

2025 has been a particularly busy and important year for the branch. Alongside other RSPCA branches, we completed the transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which became live on 1 October 2025, with our existing branch formally merged into the new structure. This complex process involved work to update our legal status, transfer banking arrangements, and undertake due diligence across all contracts, leases, and legal documents. This change puts the branch on a stronger footing for the future and helps us work even more closely with National RSPCA to support animal welfare. At the same time, we have implemented new and modern branding across our website and premises.

Clinics

Demand for our welfare services continued to grow in 2025. Despite a price increase introduced in January, the number of appointments and procedures across our clinics rose by 8%, from 4,625 in the previous year to 4,989 in 2025. Both our Chelmsford and Colchester veterinary clinics were open five days a week throughout the year to meet this increased demand and ensure animals continued to receive the care they needed. Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to further expand our services so we can help even more animals across our region

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Income

Our three core charity shops in Frinton, Maldon and Prettygate have continued to perform well despite the challenging economic climate. Income from these shops increased to approximately £73,000, an improvement of £5,000 compared with 2024. This is a particularly strong achievement given that two shop leases were renewed during the year at higher rental costs, alongside rising salary expenses. The continued support of our customers, donors and volunteers has been vital in helping our shops remain successful and generate essential funds for our welfare work.

In addition to this, our e-commerce team raised a further £5,000, and our fundraising team generated £8,000 in profit, providing valuable support for our ongoing charitable work. We were also honoured to be selected as one of the Mayor of Colchester’s Charities of the Year, which helped to raise both funds and awareness of our work within the community. As part of this programme, we held a popular dog show, “Bark in the Park,” in Colchester. Following its success, we plan to hold this event again in 2026 to further support our fundraising efforts. We have purchased a Branch van to help us with our branch and fundraising activity, and it was invaluable for the Bark in Park event.

2025 was a quieter year for legacy income. However, we were very grateful to receive a generous gift of £20,000 from the estate of Mr W. A. Payne. We understand that a further residuary amount of approximately £8,000 is expected in 2026, and we are thankful for this support, which will help us continue our welfare work.

Rehoming

Our welfare activities continued at pace throughout the year, with many animals coming into our care for rehoming through the Danaher Animal Home. In 2025, we successfully rehomed 223 animals, compared with 196 in 2024, which was a very successful outcome.

Projects – Clinic Refurbishment

One of the most significant projects this year was the major refurbishment of our Great Baddow veterinary clinic. We were very grateful to receive a grant from RSPCA Head Office covering approximately two-thirds of the costs. The improvements include a modern, larger

consulting room, along with an upgraded staircase and fire exit, creating a safer and more effective space for both animals and staff. With the upgrade now complete, we are looking to increase the number of appointments the clinic can offer, helping more animals while working to reduce any ongoing clinic deficit.

3

Trustees & Staffing

In 2024, we continued to build a diverse and skilled board of trustees. Branch governance as a CIO requires a minimum of 5 trustees and not more than 14 trustees, all of whom must be elected at the AGM. If the Branch has vacancies for trustees, these are advertised on the Branch website and through other local sources. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria set out by the Charity Commission and are provided with training and support.

In selecting trustees, we look at individual specialist skills to build a diverse trustee committee with the skill required to govern a successful and efficient Branch. Potential trustees are invited to the open section of a Branch meeting where they can see what is involved and ask questions. It also provides the existing trustees with an opportunity to meet new candidates and form an opinion of their suitability.

We have two new trustees in 2025 Robert Ellis and Meaghan Lim who joined the CIO.

The Charity is organised so that the board of trustees vote in order for decisions to be made, with a quorum of three trustees or 50% whichever is greater for valid decision making. Trustees meet at least six times per year, mainly online but this is returning to monthly for 2025 with some meetings face to face. In addition, there are one or two strategy meetings each year.

We are fortunate to have approximately 50 dedicated volunteers who make an immense contribution to our clinics, shops, and fundraising efforts. Volunteers assist in all areas of our work, including home checks for rehoming, providing crucial support for our activities.

We receive many hours of input from our 50 volunteers, and this is almost equal to the number of hours worked by our staff, leading to successful outcomes for the charity.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our staff and volunteers for their unwavering commitment and hard work in 2024. The branch could not operate without their support, and we are grateful for their contribution.

Ruth Jubb

Ruth Jubb, Chair

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Objectives, Purpose and Activities

The objectives of our charity align with those of the National RSPCA and reflect our shared vision of a world where all animals are treated with kindness, respect, and compassion. Our mission is to ensure every animal has a good life, by rescuing and caring for those in need, by speaking on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect

The primary aim of our branch is to promote responsible pet ownership and to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in need, and we actively support the animal rescue work of our RSPCA inspectorate. In addition to these core functions, we support our local communities through the provision of welfare veterinary clinics. We also attend various local events and school assemblies to help educate groups such as cubs, brownies, scouts and guides on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

Public Benefit

The trustees regularly monitor our progress to ensure that our activities remain aligned with our charitable objectives and that we consistently deliver tangible benefits for the animals and to the public. Our core focus is on promoting kindness, preventing cruelty, and alleviating the suffering of animals, which directly supports the broader aims of the National RSPCA.

While our animal welfare work primarily serves our Branch area, we also collaborate with other Branches whenever possible. If we have any spare capacity in the centre for rescue animals, or there is a need for welfare veterinary treatment – for example for neutering a pet from a neighbouring branch area - we will support this. It is our intention to extend this provision in 2026

Animals taken into branch care during 2025 were boarded and rehomed through the Danaher Animal Home where they received all necessary welfare and veterinary care. All pets rehomed are vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms and neutered as a minimum. Animals come into branch care mainly through our inspectorate team but also from the public.

We take in lost animals and take steps to reunite them with their owners; this work benefits our local community, including local authorities, by preventing animals straying and posing a risk to themselves and to people through road traffic accidents. We respond to enquiries both from the public locally and via the Society’s national call centre.

Our two Welfare Veterinary Clinics play a key role in supporting individuals with lower incomes in caring for their pets. This service benefits the public by enabling those on limited budgets to access essential veterinary care, while also helping to prevent animals from becoming strays or needing to be surrendered for rehoming.

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We offer subsidised prices for the neutering of cats, dogs and rabbits to those on low incomes, which benefits the public by reducing the number of unwanted animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. In addition, this helps those people in rented accommodation where there is a requirement for pets to be neutered. We also offer a lowcost microchipping service, which reduces the number of strays where owners cannot be traced and enables individuals to be reunited with their lost pets.

Our Branch website offers valuable information, advice, and guidance for the public, ensuring that resources are accessible to anyone seeking support.

We also offer a range of volunteering opportunities for individuals interested in supporting our work. This includes opportunities in trusteeship, fostering, fundraising, and assisting in our charity shops.

Achievements and Performance

The key achievements for 2025 in addition to ongoing welfare and animal rehoming centre around

Rehoming of dogs, cats and small animals has continued throughout the year. We were very grateful to receive a

grant from RSPCA Head Office to help cover part of the costs of this work, and this support has been invaluable in enabling us to continue helping vulnerable animals. This year has seen some Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Hamsters being rehomed. All rehoming is carried out through Danaher. The net cost of rehoming for the year after the grant was £32k. The budget for rehoming in 2026 will be approximately £80k without the support of a grant

The branch was fortunate to be awarded grants from RSPCA National and from the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust to help improve the facilities in the Chelmsford clinic to provide a more modern efficient and safer environment for clients and their pets as well as

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staff. Work Commenced in July 2025 and was complete by October 2025. Going forward in 2026 our aim is to increase the number of clients now able to be seen at the veterinary clinic, so helping more pets each year and eventually making the clinics self-funding. Any future surplus would be used to buy new equipment or to fund veterinary campaigns to help animal welfare

The cost of delivering these vital welfare services rises year on year due to escalating costs in medications, equipment, and staffing. Therefore, in 2025 there was a small increase in veterinary fees, and this will be an annual increase in January each year going forward for the service to remain viable in the long term. There had been no increase in 2024.

Additionally, we have stopped the requirement for Housing Benefit as part of the qualifying criteria for clinic services, now that we have an increased capacity.

During 2025 clinic performance improved and the year

closed with a £27k deficit (£20k if including Bazaar income). It compares favourably with £98k deficit 2024.

During 2026 work will continue with the clinics to refine the operating model to decrease the clinic deficit even further and to improve sustainability whilst maintaining affordable prices for our clients. This will be supported with the recruitment of a clinic manager who will improve governance and numbers in the clinics as well as taking workload from the branch manager.

The number of neutering operations performed in 2025 was similar to the previous year at 481 with 308 of these being cats, many of which came through the Cats Protection voucher scheme. These programs have always been in high demand, particularly due to the very low cost of these services. All cats neutered were microchipped at the same time

Despite a challenging retail environment, our three shops generated a combined profit of £73,000, an increase from £68,000 in the previous year. In light of the renewal of two shop leases at higher rates, together with rising overhead costs, this represents a very positive result. Ordinarily, this profit would directly support our rehoming activities; however, during 2025 we continued to receive a partial grant from National RSPCA. As a result, only half of the shop profit was allocated to rehoming, with the remaining funds supporting our clinic and wider welfare activities.

Our partnership with Pets at Home in Ipswich has continued to flourish, generating over £3,300 in donations, in addition to the contribution of several pallets of pet food and supplies. These donations have been invaluable in supporting the welfare and rescue

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animals in our care. We are also grateful to Big Yellow Storage in Chelmsford, whose ongoing support provides much-needed storage space for seasonal stock. Further ongoing generous support was received from Master Fluid Solutions.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to all those sponsors who donated prizes to help make our Bark in the Park event and Dog Show such a success: All About Pets, Always Raw, Connors Legacy, Colchester Pride, Dear Dogs, Gabe & Co, It’s a Bark Life, Master Fluid Solutions, Prettyfields / Skylark Vineyard, Runwell Flyball, and Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree.

During the year, three fundraising events were held using GoFundMe: the El Camino Walking Challenge, the London to Southend sponsored cycle ride with Lucy Millard, and a skydiving challenge with Matt Hughes. In addition, we were delighted to receive a corporate donation of £1,500 from Barratt Redrow, which has helped to support our ongoing animal welfare work.

Our education and fundraising activities continued throughout the year, generating a profit of £7,500, in line with the previous year’s performance. Our Income Generation Manager was actively involved in the Mayor of Colchester’s Charities Appeal, creating valuable new relationships and opportunities that we expect will benefit the charity in the future.

During 2025 there have been ongoing reviews of our cost base, and the branch is looking to implement a new telephony system which should save over £1,000 per year starting in 2026 Gift Aid income increased to £12,000 in 2025, reflecting the continued generosity of our supporters and customers.

The ongoing success of the “Charity Bazaars” at our clinics has enabled us to provide pet food, bedding, and small items of equipment such as leads and harnesses. These initiatives not only help to raise funds but also play an important role in supporting clients on low incomes by offering access to low-cost pet supplies.

During 2025, donations were received that enabled the clinics to purchase new equipment, including a new set of veterinary dental instruments for each clinic.

There are plans in early 2026 to invest in a new dental machine to further enhance our clinical services.

In 2025, we successfully rehomed 223 animals which included 64 dogs, 105 cats and 5 rabbits with the remainder being various small animal including guinea pigs, hamsters and even a tortoise, with a notable increase in the number of dogs rehomed compared to the previous year. As in 2024, approximately 30% of these animals were received from the public or as strays, and 70% came to us via our inspectorate.

During 2025 one of our shop managers was awarded a management diploma and is now helping the branch with management activities including a project to procure new tills for

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our shops that will provide us with an improved method of signing up donors for gift aid so that we can hopefully increase the funds received from donations.

We welcomed two new trustees – Robert Ellis and Meaghan Lim, one of whom has a legal background and the other has an interest in veterinary nursing

We would like to thank all of our dedicated staff and volunteers, who have all worked together to make these achievements possible.

Financial Review 2025

The branch made an overall surplus in the year of £133,000 including legacies. This high value is due in part to the grant of £98,000 received from RSPCA national which has been used on a capital refurbishment project in the Chelmsford Clinic, and this will be depreciated over several years.

Stripping out the income from the legacies and grants and allowing for the future depreciation that will be charged, the underlying operating position is a small surplus.

The £50,000 for Care Contribution for Rehoming from Head Office will not be available in future years which will place a further stretch on our funds. These amounts will not be available in 2026, but the rehoming work will continue

Retail income increased in 2025 despite increasing overheads and salaries, and renewal of shop leases at a higher price. This resulted in the three remaining shops and the online sales generating a total of £78,500 profit, compared to the figure of £68,000 for the previous year. Profit from the shops is used in the first instance to cover the costs of our rescue and rehoming activities with surplus being used to support the veterinary clinics. In 2025 the branch received some grants to help with rehoming costs, so the shop profit was used in 2025 to support firstly our rehoming and wildlife activities and with the balance covering the deficit within our welfare clinics.

During 2025 clinic performance improved and the year closed with a deficit of £22,000 which compares favourably with £98,000 deficit 2024.

The branch had originally held a reserve to fund clinic deficits, but this was fully used by the end of 2024. The intention is for clinics to become self-funding in the future so that the branch can focus income upon the other welfare rehoming activities, although there may still be a need for up to £20,000 support until clinics are at maximum capacity.

Investment Policy

The policy of the Trustees is to hold most of the charity's assets as cash deposits to ensure funds are readily available to meet general running costs and other expenditure. In order to minimise risk these deposits are spread across a number of banks and building societies,

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even with the 2025 increase in FCA protection limits. The charity continues to hold longer term investments with M&G and Schroders investment managers to maximise investment income.

Depreciation policy

Our Policy allows for depreciation of short-term equipment and assets over 5 years and longer-term assets over 10 years. Depreciation begins to apply after the first complete month after purchase of the asset.

Reserves Policy 2025

Our reserves policy is set to ensure that we retain sufficient funds to cover 6 months of the previous year’s operating costs. This gives a figure of £487,000 to be held as free reserves, which exclude fixed assets and restricted and designated funds. This is to enable the branch to continue to provide its vital core services for a period of six months, in the event of a loss of income. On 31 December 2025 free reserves represented by net current assets including investments totalled £533,000 (see note 18). However, including the contingency reserve of £175,000, which is also available to cover core services, gives a total of £708,000. This is 8 months, so slightly above the 6 months as set in the policy.

There is no single level, or even a range of, reserves that is right for all charities. The level agreed by our trustees for the level of reserves to be held reflects our particular circumstances. As trustees we are aware of our responsibilities to the Charity and consider these prior to making financial decisions that may or may not have an impact on the Charity’s financial position. Our financial position and our reserves policy are regularly reviewed.

Structure, Governance and Management

RSPCA Essex Mid & North is now a charitable incorporated organisation and a separately registered Branch of the national RSPCA body (the Society); and we are governed a new Branch Constitution dated October 2025.

The constitution is supported by a Partnership Agreement which clarifies branch and national roles and responsibilities and how we work together

The new framework plays an important part in fulfilling the need to comply with the Charity Commission’s instruction to the RSPCA to modernise the governance of branches.

The Branch receives support and advice from the National RSPCA and, in many years, an annual donation of “door to door” money. Apart from this, all other funds are selfgenerated, or via the Branch Legacy Scheme. In 2025 the merged Branches received £61,448 door to door money.

We would also like to express our gratitude for the generous legacies we have received. These contributions play a vital role in supporting our work and enable us to continue

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making a positive impact on the animals we rescue and care for. The legacy income for 2025 was £20,000 interim payment from the estate of William Albert Payne with a final residuary legacy payment from the same estate of approximately £8,100 expected in 2026

Risk Statement

The Trustees confirm that major risks were reviewed and systems and procedures established to manage these risks. The RAID log completed each month brings greater focus to Risks and the monitoring of Actions.

Trustees' Responsibilities Statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual 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 & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial 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:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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 accounts (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 in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following

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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 (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

This report was approved by the Trustees on ……………………………and signed on their behalf 5 May 2026 by:

.................................. ....................................... Ruth Jubb, Chair Brigitte Swanton, Trustee

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Essex Mid & North Branch CIO for the year ended 31 December 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 December 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 363,672 62,201 statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitiy's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees' annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Other Matter

The comparative figures of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 have not been audited.

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• the information given in the Trustees' Annual Report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (set out on page 11), the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made or having effect thereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows;

•The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

•We focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations for the company, including the Charities Act 2011, tax legislation and employment legislation.

•We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management.

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur by;

•Making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud.

•Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate the risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to;

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we;

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

................................... Edmund Carr LLP Statutory Auditor

146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0AW

......................... 5 May 2026

Edmund Carr LLP is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as an auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Other trading activities
4
Investments
5
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Net income before investment
movements
Net gains on investments
13
NET INCOME
Transfer between funds
16
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Reconciliation of funds:
Total Funds brought forward
Total Funds carried forward
Unrestricted
Funds
£
137,052
440,446
386,474
21,415
985,387
327,374
648,286
975,660
9,727
26,895
36,622
96,428
133,050
1,077,400
1,210,450
Restricted
Funds
£
116,428
-
-
-
Total Funds
2025
£
253,480
440,446
386,474
21,415
1,101,815
327,374
668,286
995,660
106,155
26,895
133,050
-
133,050
1,077,400
1,210,450
Total Funds
2024
£
221,763
352,218
385,550
20,001
116,428 979,532
-
20,000
358,763
564,018
20,000 922,781
96,428
-
56,751
5,225
96,428
(96,428)
61,976
-
-
-
61,976
1,015,424
- 1,077,400

In 2024 all income and expenditure was unrestricted.

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the period as set out above.

The notes on pages 20 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

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RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025

Note
£
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
12
462,054
Investments
13
174,063
636,117
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks
20,216
Debtors
14
26,492
Cash at bank and in hand
625,247
671,955
CREDITORS: Amounts falling
due within one year
15
(97,622)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
574,333
NET ASSETS
1,210,450
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Restricted funds
16
-
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
17
319,262
General unrestricted funds
17
891,188
Total unrestricted funds
1,210,450
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
1,210,450
2025
£
£
354,821
147,168
501,989
19,781
23,491
579,162
622,434
(47,023)
575,411
1,077,400
-
274,000
803,400
1,077,400
1,077,400
2024
£
£
354,821
147,168
501,989
19,781
23,491
579,162
622,434
(47,023)
575,411
1,077,400
-
274,000
803,400
1,077,400
1,077,400
2024
501,989
575,411
1,077,400
-
274,000
803,400
1,077,400
1,077,400

5 May 2026 These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on …............................... and are signed on their behalf by:

……..................................

Ruth Jubb Chair

…................................

Brigitte Swanton Trustee

The notes on pages 20 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

18

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

Notes
Net movement in funds for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
12
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Dividends, interest and rent from investments
5
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
14
Increase / (decrease) in creditors
15
(Increase) / decrease in stock
(Gains)/losses on investments
13
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
5
Fixed asset additions
12
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward
Total
2025
£
133,050
23,649
5,207
(21,415)
(3,001)
50,599
(435)
(26,895)
160,759
21,415
(136,089)
(114,674)
46,085
579,162
625,247
Total
2024
£
61,976
19,201
1,128
(20,001)
(6,557)
(6,436)
3,225
(5,225)
47,311
20,001
(14,787)
5,214
52,525
526,637
579,162

The notes on pages 20 to 30 form part of these financial statements.

19

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Statement of compliance

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) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice.

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following 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 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Basis of preparation

RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch CIO constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Merger Accounting

The charity has accounted for the transfer of activities, assets and liabilities from the former charity (registered charity number 206799) to the CIO (registered charity number 1211083) using the merger accounting method, in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) requirements for reconstructions of entities under common control.

Using merger accounting, the combination is treated as a continuation of the existing charitable activities. Accordingly, the assets, liabilities, reserves and transactions of the predecessor charity have been included at their existing book values, as if the combination had taken place at the start of the earliest comparative period presented. No goodwill has arisen on the transfer.

Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

20

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Income

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.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate.

Donated services or facilities are recognised when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

Tax status

RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch is a registered charity and is not subject to corporation tax on its charitable activities.

21

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets, other than freehold property, are shown at cost or, if donated, at their value on the date of the gift, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off their cost or value, less their estimated residual value over their estimated useful lives on the following basis.

Freehold property improvements - 10 years straight line Leasehold improvements - 3 to 15 years straight line depending on lease requirements length of lease and useful economic life of improvements Motor vehicles - 4 years straight line Equipment - 5 years straight line

Freehold property is recorded in the accounts at cost. No depreciation is provided on freehold property as the charity has a policy and practice of regular maintenance and refurbishment which maintains the value.

Investments

Investments are stated at market value. Realised gains and losses on disposals and unrealised gains or losses when the investments are revalued at the year end are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities.

Stock

Stock purchased for sale in the shops or use at the clinic is valued at cost.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash at Bank and in hand

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and deposits.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

22

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Defined contribution pension plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided.

Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted general funds – these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds – these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

23

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Donations and subscriptions
Shop gift aid and donations
Legacies
Grants
Unrestricted
Funds
£
104,124
12,728
20,000
200
137,052
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
116,428
116,428
Total Funds
2025
£
104,124
12,728
20,000
116,628
253,480
Total Funds
2024
£
98,470
15,852
107,441
-
221,763

The estimated value of legacies notified but neither received nor accrued into income (as they do not meet the SORP recognition criteria) at 31 December 2025 is £2,000 (2024 - £30,000).

3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Fees and receipts at clinic
Rehoming fees
Unrestricted
Funds
£
390,419
50,027
440,446
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
Total Funds
2025
£
390,419
50,027
440,446
Total Funds
2024
£
284,616
67,602
352,218

4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Shop trading income Unrestricted
Funds
£
386,474
386,474
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
Total Funds
2025
£
386,474
386,474
Total Funds
2024
£
385,550
385,550

5. INVESTMENT INCOME

Bank interest
Income from UK listed investments
Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,190
11,225
21,415
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
Total Funds
2025
£
10,190
11,225
21,415
Total Funds
2024
£
11,887
8,114
20,001

24

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

6. COSTS OF RAISING FUNDS

Shop and fundraising costs Unrestricted
Funds
£
327,374
Restricted
Funds
£
-
Total Funds
2025
£
327,374
Total Funds
2024
£
358,763

7. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Branch and clinic expenditure
Total 2024
Activities
undertaken
directly
£
538,880
538,880
482,088
Support &
governance
costs
(Note 8)
£
129,406
129,406
81,930
Total Funds
2025
£
668,286
668,286
564,018
Total Funds
2024
£
564,018
564,018

8. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT COSTS

Premises
Telephone, postage and stationery
Miscellaneous expenses
Depreciation
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Governance costs
(Note 9)
Unrestricted
Funds
£
27,278
16,333
15,862
20,960
5,025
23,948
109,406
Restricted
Funds
£
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
20,000
Total Funds
2025
£
47,278
16,333
15,862
20,960
5,025
23,948
129,406
Total Funds
2024
£
28,796
11,460
8,489
16,391
-
16,794
81,930

25

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

9. GOVERNANCE COSTS

Independent examination
Audit fee
Fees payable to examiner/auditor
Bookkeeping and payroll fees
Legal fees
Consultancy
HR support and advice
Total governance costs
Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
12,350
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
Total Funds
2025
£
-
12,350
Total Funds
2024
£
3,150
-
12,350
-
1,419
6,523
3,656
-
-
-
-
-
12,350
-
1,419
6,523
3,656
3,150
400
4,041
4,597
4,606
23,948 - 23,948 16,794

10. ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS

ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
2025
£
477,984
31,204
12,005
2024
£
460,249
31,138
11,873
521,193 503,260

None of the employees' emoluments exceeded £60,000.

The average number of employees during the year, by head count was 21 (2024: 24)

The remuneration benefits of key management personnel in the year totalled £45,557 (2024 - £43,106).

11. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION

No trustee or any person connected with them received any remuneration for their services during the current or preceding year.

No trustees received expenses in the current year (2024 - Nil).

26

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost
At 1 January 2025
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2025
Depreciation
At 1 January 2025
Charge for year
On disposals
At 31 December 2025
Net book value
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024
Freehold
property and
improvements
£
331,212
105,015
(6,145)
Leasehold
improvements
£
29,960
-
-
Equipment
£
110,238
18,075
(1,313)
Motor
Vehicles
£
-
12,999
-
Total
£
471,410
136,089
(7,458)
430,082 29,960 127,000 12,999 600,041
18,515
6,710
(1,413)
28,513
142
-
69,561
14,897
(838)
-
1,900
-
116,589
23,649
(2,251)
23,812 28,655 83,620 1,900 137,987
406,270 1,305 43,380 11,099 462,054
312,697 1,447 40,677 - 354,821

Freehold property is recorded in the accounts at cost. This includes the Harwich clinic with a historic cost of £171,434. The most recent valuation of this property, carried out on 4 February 2020, was £200,000 on a market value basis. Also included is the Great Baddow clinic which has a historic cost of £98,289, as transferred from RSPCA Mid Essex on conversion. The trustees' estimate this has a market value in excess of £250,000. The historic cost of the freehold land and buildings is not depreciated.

The remaining balance relates to improvements to the two properties. These amounts are depreciated over their useful life.

13. INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS
Listed investments:
Market value at 1 January
Net gains/(losses) on revaluation
Market value at 31 December
Historical cost
2025
£
147,168
26,895
2024
£
141,943
5,225
174,063 147,168
97,041 97,041

27

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

14. DEBTORS
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Other debtors
15. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Taxation and social security
Other creditors
2025
£
2,036
20,140
4,316
2024
£
8,356
9,109
6,026
26,492 23,491
2025
£
30,857
37,565
29,200
-
2024
£
22,294
7,253
14,661
2,815
97,622 47,023

At the balance sheet date, the charity had deferred income of £21,000 (2024: £Nil). The deferred amounts relate to grant income received for which the conditions of the grant have not yet been met and receipts for procedures to be performed at clinics in the following year.

16. RESTRICTED FUNDS

a) Branch Development
b) Rebranding Grant
Balance at
01/01/2025
£
-
-
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
98,429
(20,000)
(78,429)
17,999
-
(17,999)
116,428
(20,000)
(96,428)
Movement in funds
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
98,429
(20,000)
(78,429)
17,999
-
(17,999)
116,428
(20,000)
(96,428)
Movement in funds
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
98,429
(20,000)
(78,429)
17,999
-
(17,999)
116,428
(20,000)
(96,428)
Movement in funds
Balance at
31/12/2025
£
-
-
- 116,428 (20,000) (96,428) -

a) Branch Development: This was a specific grant received from the RSPCA for the purpose of upgrading and modernising of the charity's veterinary clinics.

b) Rebranding: This was a grand received from the RSPCA for the purpose of upgrading the signage of the charity's clinics and shops.

During the period, these grants were utilised by purchasing fixed assets. The fixed assets are held within the charity's unrestricted funds and therefore the amounts were transferred to the unrestricted reserves.

Prior year restricted funds movement:

a) Branch Development
b) Rebranding Grant
Balance at
01/01/2024
£
-
-
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Movement in funds
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Movement in funds
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Movement in funds
Balance at
31/12/2024
£
-
-
- - - - -

28

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

17. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Designated funds
a)
Contingency reserve
b)
Mobile veterinary clinic
c)
Branch van
d)
Clinic refurbishment
e)
Clinic maintenance
f)
CIO costs
General funds
Balance at
01/01/2025
£
191,000
20,000
20,000
16,000
17,000
10,000
274,000
803,400
1,077,400
Gains, losses
Income
Expenditure
& transfers
£
£
£
-
-
(16,000)
-
-
-
-
-
(14,878)
-
(875)
89,015
-
(7,000)
-
-
-
(5,000)
-
(7,875)
53,137
985,387
(967,785)
70,186
985,387
(975,660)
123,323
Movement in funds
Balance at
31/12/2025
£
175,000
20,000
5,122
104,140
10,000
5,000
319,262
891,188
1,210,450

The Trustees have designated funds for the following purposes:

Prior year unrestricted funds movement:

Designated funds
Contingency reserve
Mobile veterinary clinic
Branch van
Clinic refurbishment
Clinic maintenance
CIO costs
General funds
Balance at
01/01/2024
£
250,000
20,000
20,000
8,000
-
-
298,000
717,424
1,015,424
Gains, losses
Income
Expenditure
& transfers
£
£
£
-
-
(59,000)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,000
-
-
17,000
-
-
10,000
-
-
(24,000)
979,532
(922,781)
29,225
979,532
(922,781)
5,225
Movement in funds
Balance at
31/12/2024
£
191,000
20,000
20,000
16,000
17,000
10,000
274,000
803,400
1,077,400

29

RSPCA ESSEX MID & NORTH BRANCH CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

18. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS (between restricted and unrestricted funds)

Current year:

Current year:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Unrestricted
funds
£
357,914
174,063
359,211
891,188
Designated
funds
£
104,140
-
215,122
319,262
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Total
2025
£
462,054
174,063
574,333
1,210,450

Prior year:

Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets
Unrestricted
funds
£
354,821
147,168
301,411
803,400
Designated
funds
£
-
-
274,000
274,000
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Total
2024
£
354,821
147,168
575,411
1,077,400

19. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions that require disclosure.

20. OPERATING LEASES

Total rental payments due under operating leases in respect of land and buildings are as follows:

Within 1 year
Within 2 to 5 years
2025
£
38,773
73,654
112,427
2024
£
2,475
-
2,475

30