OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 202025

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mrs R Lamb
Miss S Dade
Mr S Hallett
Mrs C Notley
Mrs N Randell (resigned May 2023)
Mrs S Sherburn
Mrs F Slaney
Charity number 202025
Branch office 44 Grindstone Crescent
Knaphill
Woking
Surrey
GU21 2RY
Independent examiner Azets
Lime Court
Pathfields Business Park
South Molton
Devon
United Kingdom
EX36 3LH
Bankers Santander
Barclays

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Statement of financial position 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 - 14

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011 and "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)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the RSPCA Woking and District (Woking Branch) are to promote the work and objectives of the RSPCA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (The Society) in the Woking and District area. The objectives of the Society are to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals and to do all such lawful acts as the Society may consider to be conducive or incidental to the attainment of those objectives.

The activities of the Woking Branch during 2023 were and continue to be in 2024:

All charities in England and Wales must have charitable aims that are for the public benefit. It is not enough that the Branch’s work benefit animals. Richard Martin, one of the founders of the Society’s nineteenth century founders, identified the Society’s prime aim as being to alter moral feelings of the country. He recognized that care of animals is an essential part of any civilization. This resonates today. Preventing cruelty to animals promotes humane sentiments in humankind towards animals which involves moral benefit to the human community as a whole. Whilst this public benefit is clear, it is difficult to quantify and must be balanced against any detriment.

The Branch’s work benefits society at large, but it provides (e.g. subsidized veterinary treatment) aimed to help people in need with care of their animals.

The following sections of this report on the achievements and performance of the Branch describe the Branch’s main activities and demonstrate the benefit provided to the public. All our charitable activities focus on promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to animals and are undertaken to further these charitable purposes for the public benefit.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance

2023 has been another very difficult year for people living in the UK with the war in the Ukraine causing a surge in energy and food prices and contributing to rampant inflation, strikes and a poor economic performance.

These issues have had a major impact on the branch. The squeeze on personal incomes and higher veterinary bills resulted in more claims for help. There was also the aftermath from Covid where many people who had taken on animals as companions during the Covid pandemic found that they could not cope with them and decided to abandon them.

The Branch has responded to these challenges but they have had a considerable impact on the resources of the branch.This matter is discussed in the Financial Review below.

In 2023 £124,686 (2022 £95,443) was expended helping people to obtain veterinary treatment. The details of animal welfare are summarized below:

Branch assisted vouchers: 528 animals (2022 – 481) Animals rehomed: 90 animals (2022 – 98) Animals neutered: 117 animals (2022 – 104) Animals microchipped: 40 animals (2022– 43) Pre-home checks for animals rehomed: 76 animals (2022 – 97)

The Trustees believe that these statistics demonstrate that the branch’s activities are making a significant difference to animal welfare in the Woking area and its core purpose is being achieved. The trustees would like to thank their Welfare Officer Megan Long for her dedication and fortitude in a very difficult year.

The branch would not function without the continued support of a large number of unpaid volunteers who help with rehoming, fostering, fundraising, serving in the branch’s charity shops and branch administration. The trustees would like to thank them for their efforts. The trustees would also like to thank the vets that support the branch and especially the staff of Kingswood veterinary surgeons.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Financial review

The total income for the year amounted to £292,397 (2022 - £293,464) and expenditure to £360,108 (2022 - £270,850) making a deficit of £67,711 (2022 surplus of £22,614) before investment deficit of £2,391 (2022 deficit £9,510).

The Branch’s response to higher expenditure on veterinary assistance and closure of its Bagshot shop on 1 October 2023 with its attendant closure costs have had a considerable impact on the Branch’s resources. To meet the shortfall it has been necessary to draw down some resources from reserves by selling some of its investments.

Post year end, the Branch has had to make the decision to draw down an additional £40,000 from the investment account to cover the funding deficit.

On 1 October 2023 the Bagshot shop was closed as the landlord wanted to redevelop the property. Not only was there a loss of income from this closure but there was also a large cost from redundancies and other closure costs of £25,150.

The surplus for the year from the retail operation was £81,862 (2022 £104,387).

A new shop is to be opened at New Haw near the eisting shop in the coming financial yeat, at which time the existing shop will close. There will be no financial cost on the closure of the old shop as both are owned by the same landlord. It is hoped that this shop will make good the loss of income arising from the closure of the bagshot shop.

The investment policy of the branch is maximizing income on its investments but with the overriding object of preserving capital invested. Because of the high rate of inflation in 2023, further investments were made during the year in high yielding equity shares via an authorized unit trust run by M&G Securities. Distributions on the investments are accumulated. The current published yield is 5.36% (2 February 2023). M&G have a good track record over the medium to long term and consequently the Trustees continue to believe that this the best way to preserve the reserves of the Branch for the future.

Funds available to the Branch are sufficient to permit the Branch to continue to promote the Branch’s objectives in the medium to long term. There are no specific welfare projects in mind for 2024 other than to continue to promote animal welfare in the Woking District.

The reserve policy of the Branch is to maintain a level of free reserves that will enable to Branch to ensure a continuity of activities and the ability to adjust, in a measured way, to any significant change in resources. At 31 December 2023 the unrestricted fund amounts to £200,038, which the trustees consider to be sufficient to cover the Branch’s reserve policy.

Structure, governance and management

The Branch is an unincorporated charitable association established in 1962 and operates as an autonomous branch of the Society. The Branch is a separate charity registered with the Charity Commissioners in England and Wales. The Branch is governed by a Rule Book drawn up by the Society.

The management of the Branch is entrusted to a Branch Committee who are the trustees of the Charity. Trustees are appointed by the members of the branch at its Annual General Meeting to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting. There are provisions in the Rule Book for the branch committee to co-opt additional trustees during the year.

The Committee in carrying out their duties are always seeking new trustees who could make a contribution to the branch’s activities.

Reference & administrative details

The branch is registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales under the name Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Surrey Woking and District reference 202025.The Branch is more commonly known as the RSPCA Woking and District Branch.

The details of trustees who have served during 2023 and up to the date of this report and other administrative details are set out on page one of the trustees’ report.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Risks and opportunities

The Branch has carried out a review to identify major risks and has taken steps to mitigate them. The major risks identified are:

It is the opinion of the Trustees that the Branch’s policies, procedures, and controls are adequate to mitigate financial loss and loss of reputation through error or fraud and to maintain the future financial viability of the Branch. The trustees continuously seek to maintain the quality and number of trustees and volunteers to ensure the Branch’s continued viability.

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by Mrs Ruth Lamb.

Mrs R Lamb Secretary

11 April 2024

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of RSPCA Woking & District (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2023.

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 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 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 ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Elizabeth Smith ACA FCCA CTA Azets Audit Services Lime Court Pathfields Business Park South Molton Devon EX36 3LH United Kingdom

Dated: 11 April 2024

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
Notes £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 3 33,643 31,097
Charitable activities 4 12,804 13,659
Other trading activities 5 236,251 239,457
Investments 6 9,699 9,251
Total income 292,397 293,464
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 7 161,699 139,938
Charitable activities 8 193,644 129,568
Other 11 4,765 1,344
Total expenditure 360,108 270,850
Net gains/(losses) on investments 12 (2,391) (9,511)
Net (expenditure)/income for the year/
Net movement in funds (70,102) 13,103
Fund balances at 1 January 2023 270,140 257,037
Fund balances at 31 December 2023 200,038 270,140

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
14
Current assets
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
16
Net current (liabilities)/assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Unrestricted funds		 2023
£
10,057
32,181
42,238
(42,421)		 £
200,221
(183)
200,038
200,038
200,038		 2022
£
10,112
74,014
84,126
(14,898)		 £
200,912
69,228
270,140
270,140
270,140

The financial statements were approved by the Branch Committee and signed on their behalf by

Ruth Lamb 11 April 2024

Fran Slaney 11 April 2024

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

RSPCA Woking & District is a a chairty registered with the Charities Commission, and a branch of the RSPCA, registered in England (charity number 202025).

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements 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 the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 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. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.6 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.8 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.9 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Donations and legacies

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Donations and gifts 33,264 30,684
Membership fees 379 413

4 Charitable activities

Event and Rehoming Total Event and Rehoming Total
other income Income 2023 other income Income 2022
2023 2023 2022 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Sales within
charitable activities 4,784 8,020 12,804 5,309 8,350 13,659

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5
6
7		 Other trading activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Shop income
236,251
239,457
Investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Income from unlisted investments
9,699
9,251
Raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Shop and other fundraising costs
161,699
139,938
161,699
139,938		 Other trading activities
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Shop income
236,251
239,457
Investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Income from unlisted investments
9,699
9,251
Raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Shop and other fundraising costs
161,699
139,938
161,699
139,938
139,938

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

8 Charitable activities

Charitable
expenditure
Charitable
expenditure
2023
2022
£
£
Veterinary costs
124,685
95,442
Welfare officer salaries
65,976
25,860
Regional contribution
551
551
Welfare officer expenses
2,432
7,715
193,644
129,568
193,644
129,568		 Charitable
expenditure
Charitable
expenditure
2023
2022
£
£
Veterinary costs
124,685
95,442
Welfare officer salaries
65,976
25,860
Regional contribution
551
551
Welfare officer expenses
2,432
7,715
193,644
129,568
193,644
129,568		 Charitable
expenditure
Charitable
expenditure
2023
2022
£
£
Veterinary costs
124,685
95,442
Welfare officer salaries
65,976
25,860
Regional contribution
551
551
Welfare officer expenses
2,432
7,715
193,644
129,568
193,644
129,568
2023
£
124,685
65,976
551
2,432
193,644
193,644		 2022
£
95,442
25,860
551
7,715
129,568
129,568

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

10 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Total employees
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.		 2023
Number
6		 2022
Number
8

11 Other

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Accountancy 3,100 1,034
Governance costs 1,665 310
4,765 1,344

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12 Net gains/(losses) on investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Gain/(loss) on sale of investments (2,391) (9,511)

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

14 Fixed asset investments

Unlisted
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2023 & 31 December 2023 200,912
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023 200,912
At 31 December 2022 200,912

15 Debtors

Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2023
£
132
2,773
7,152
10,057		 2022
£
158
3,241
6,713
10,112

RSPCA WOKING & DISTRICT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
£
39,574
2,847
42,421		 2022
£
13,698
1,200
14,898

During the year, the charity closed the Bagshot shop. This has susuqently given rise to claims from 2 employees, as well as associated legal and professional costs. This has increased the charities creditors significantly this year, with £19,760 relating to settlement and legal costs. A creditor relating to the remaining period on the lease for £3,600 is also included in creditors.

17 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).