**Wiltshire Mid Branch Registered Charity 205295** RSPCA WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 ## Contents ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** Trustees CommiCee Contact InformaGon ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** Branch Management ## **OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES** AlleviaGng suffering PromoGng kindness and prevenGng cruelty Volunteering support ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** Joint Report of the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary CollaboraGon with the NaGonal Society CollaboraGon with the community CollaboraGon with other Branches CollaboraGon with the local Inspectors ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **FUTURE PLANS** ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES** ## **BALANCE SHEET / ACCOUNTS** As at 31[st] December 2021 ## **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2021** **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** The RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch operates in central Wiltshire, covering the four towns of Devizes, Melksham, Warminster and Westbury and the surrounding villages. It is a registered charity and its charity number is **205295** . ## **Trustees** The commiCee comprises thirteen volunteers with a broad range of life experiences and careers, all sharing a common passion for animal welfare – specifically prevenGng cruelty, alleviaGng suffering and promoGng kindness. ## **CommiOee** Mr. Andrew Sheppard (Chairman) Mr. Richard Pearce (Treasurer) Miss Jane Barton (Secretary) Mrs. Sheila Colcomb Mrs. Elizabeth Davies Mrs. Claire Maggs (Auxiliary Secretary Warminster / Westbury) Mrs. Lesley Pawlak Mrs. Jo Sheppard Mrs. Lorna Gough Mr. Duncan Thom (Regional RepresentaGve) Ms. Maddy Goodman Ms. Amber Dunham Mrs. Caroline Davy ## **Contact InformaQon** For communicaGon purposes the principal address is C/o Rangebourne Pet Care, 38 New Park Street, Devizes, SN10 1DT the business address of the Chairman Mr. Sheppard. The web site is hCps://www.rspca.org.uk/local/wiltshire-mid-branch/ This site shows details of how to get in touch for animal welfare purposes alongside current news and naGonal and local campaigns/events. The financial accounts are independently examined by Alanbrookes Group Ltd., t/a J S Weeks & Co., 10 Market Place, Devizes, SN10 1HT. Branch funds are held by Lloyds Bank PLC, Devizes. ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** The Branch is consGtuted as an unincorporated associaGon. The Branch operates as an autonomous Branch of the NaGonal RSPCA subject to its rules for Branches. A commiCee of Trustees, elected at the Annual General MeeGng governs the Branch. All Trustees are briefed on their responsibiliGes as Trustees prior to their acceptance of the role. The Branch operates within a naGonal network of organisaGons that pursue the same objecGves, known collecGvely as the Royal Society for the PrevenGon of Cruelty to Animals. The network comprises independent Branches operaGng within a defined geographical area for the purposes of fundraising and the provision of animal care faciliGes and treatments. A regional structure which is overseen on a naGonal basis, brings several Branch colleagues together with Inspectors, regional and naGonal representaGves. The purpose is to discuss regional funding, co-ordinate policies and objecGves as well as provide opportuniGes for colleagues to share knowledge and experiences. The regional representaGve for the Wiltshire Mid Branch in 2021 unGl August 2021 was Mrs. Liz Davies, Mr. Duncan Thom was elected to this role at the AGM in 2021. RepresentaGves of the Branches, regional and naGonal organisaGons meet at this forum on a regular (at least bi-annual) basis. The Branch also has links with other Branches and organisaGons commiCed to the same objecGves including among others, Cats ProtecGon, Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital and RSPCA Bath Cats and Dogs Home. ## **Branch Management** The Trustees meet every eight weeks to discuss progress on the year’s acGviGes and to agree any required acGons. The Branch finances are reviewed at each meeGng to ensure donated funds are used appropriately and to miGgate any risks. The Trustees also examine other operaGonal and business risks and confirm that they have established systems to miGgate any significant risks, such as:- 1. Loss of reputaGon through error or fraud 2. Loss of income through error or fraud 3. Insufficient funds to cover the costs of animal welfare acGviGes These meeGngs are also used to ensure that the Branch operates in accordance with any relevant NaGonal Society rules, processes and iniGaGves – guided by the Branch Partnership Manager. **OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES** The objects of the Branch are to promote the work and objecGves of the NaGonal Society of the RSPCA – to prevent animal cruelty, to promote kindness to animals and to alleviate the suffering of animals through all lawful means – with parGcular reference to the Branch area and in accordance with the policies of the Society. The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of the Branch’s objecGves and acGviGes for the year to ensure they remain focused on the charity’s aims and conGnue to deliver benefits to the public. The Trustees have complied with the duty under the ChariGes Act 1993 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission which can be illustrated as follows: - ## **AlleviaQng Suffering** A priority for the Branch is to ensure appropriate veterinary care is available for animals whose owners are on benefits or a low income and may be reluctant or anxious about the costs of seeing a vet. The Branch provides donaGons towards veterinary treatment for sick or injured animals owned by local people on low incomes through a voucher scheme. During 2021 vouchers to the total value of £52,874.62 were issued in the Branch area this was a colossal increase almost doubling from that issued the previous year (£35,898.75). The neutering campaign amounted to a further £18,274.71 a separate issue from the voucher system. For a greater understanding of this issue please find detailed below an analysis of veterinary charges incurred in 2021:- |Cats|Female Spay|15809||20.78%|| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Cats|Male neuter|8416||11.06%|| |Cats|Medical/Surgical|22258||29.25%|| |Cats|Microchipping|2427||3.19%|| |**Cats Total**|||48910||64%| ||||||| |Dogs|Female Spay|3054||4.01%|| |Dogs|Male Neuter|875||1.15%|| |Dogs|Medical/Surgical|20910||27.48%|| |**Dogs Total**|||24839||33%| ||||||| |Others|Neutering|672||0.88%|| |Others|Medical/Surgical|1671||2.19%|| |**Others Total**|||2343||3%| ||||||| |**Grand Total**|||**76092**||**100%**| The Branch has had a conGnuing involvement in feral cat colonies where a number have been trapped and either returned to site or rehomed, veterinary expenses and associated costs amounted to £8,805.15. ## **PromoQng kindness and prevenQng cruelty** We use our Community AcGon Days to encourage owners to take responsibility for rouGne care such as flea treatments and worming to avoid issues developing into acute or chronic situaGons, causing the animal greater distress. We provide free treatments, which are administered on the spot by the Wiltshire Council Dog Wardens and local vets, who kindly support us at these events. The Branch also offers subsidised neutering of companion animals for owners on low incomes, this helps to control dog and cat populaGons and promotes responsible pet ownership. ## **Volunteering Support** RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch provide volunteering opportuniGes for those who wish to support our work including Trusteeship, fundraising and event parGcipaGon. The Branch conGnues to make efforts to aCract new Trustees. **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** ## **Joint Report of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for 2021** Another year has passed us by since our last report and as usual before we begin a record of our endeavours for 2021, our thanks must in the first instance be directed to the conGnued support and dedicaGon provided by the members of the commiCee and to our helpers and supporters who conGnue to assist when needed. With the conGnuing Covid pandemic, we have again been very limited as to the type of acGviGes which we have been able to carry out and have again directed our efforts towards neutering and welfare assistance. As will be recollected from previous reports, the Branch conGnues to financially support the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital at Newton Tony, Salisbury, following a financial crisis a few years back. The financial assistance takes the form of a percentage of the running costs of the Hospital, based upon the numbers of animals / birds which originate from the Mid Wilts Branch area. All payments are open to debate and approval by the commiCee. In line with that arrangement, in February 2021 an invoice was duly received and based upon the figures provided, it was agreed that the sum of £11,547.86 should be donated to the Hospital; this figure would represent our total financial support for 2020 up to and including the 1[st] January 2021. Details of our contribuGon to cover 2021 was not available at close of play of this year and will be included in our report to cover 2022. The CommiCee are very happy to conGnue supporGng the Hospital which provide dedicated care of injured and rehabilitaGng wildlife originaGng from our community area, this in turn has the knock-on effect of helping to reduce the workload of our Inspectors, who, without the Hospital’s intervenGon would be required to aCend and deal with many of these casualGes. In line with World Spay Day and as in previous years, the Branch Treasurer Mr. Pearce expressed a desire to carry out a neutering campaign in support of this event which would be run in conjuncGon with the Cats ProtecGon (Frome and District Branch). The CommiCee members were supporGve of this suggesGon, and it was agreed that the campaign should take the form previously used, by uGlising computer-based applicaGon forms which have proved very successful in the past. The event was to run from the 23[rd] February unGl 31[st] May 2021 Mr. Pearce was ably assisted by members of the commiCee in monitoring and processing the applicaGons. In March 2021 a new commiCee member was co-opted onto the Branch, Mr. Duncan Thom. Mr. Thom had previously had a lot of experience with the Cats ProtecGon parGcularly with regard to trapping and neutering of feral cat colonies, his experGse in this area would be very welcome. In May 2021 the Branch welcomed a new Branch Partnership Manager from the NaGonal Society, Mrs. Donna Rogers who was taking over from the previous incumbent, Mrs. Vicky Robson who had moved on to another area. A tentaGve booking had been made to hold a Community AcGon Event in Devizes, but due to the conGnuing uncertainty with regard to Covid, this was cancelled, and the future of these events has been leo in abeyance unGl things have seCled down. During the course of the year, we again had to concentrate on what we could do, within the confines of lockdowns and restricted public access. This really centred around the neutering campaign and to providing much needed veterinary financial assistance and welfare advice, due to an increase in the number of people suffering financial distress. At the end of May, at the conclusion of the neutering campaign, 468 applicaGons had been received to neuter 724 cats of which 452 were covered by the Branch, 223 by Cats ProtecGon (Frome Branch) and the remainder being from outside of the area covered by the campaign, by other organisaGons. In respect of neutering, during the year a large number of feral cats were trapped and returned to various sites, one parGcularly large colony took several months of hard diligent work by Mr. Thom and Ms. Goodman, but hopefully the situaGon is now in hand. The number of feral cats coming to the Branch’s aCenGon appears to have increased considerably. In 2020 Mr. Pearce (Treasurer) had received noGficaGon from a Trust based in Florida (America) that a bequest had been made to the Branch alongside with some other animal related chariGes in the UK. From the limited informaGon available, it would appear that the lady to whom the Trust applies had some interest in the Melksham area of Wiltshire. The process of transferring monies from abroad has been laborious, and at the close of 2020 the amount to be alloCed to the Branch from the Trust Fund had not been received. In 2021 the sum of £62,860.67 was successfully transferred into the Branch’s account. Also during 2021 the sum of £2,037. 80 was received being a legacy from the estate of the late Mr. Rawlings. In 2020 we were unable to hold our Annual General meeGng due to the pandemic restricGons and dispensaGon had been given to hold a joint 2019 / 2020 meeGng during 2021 Covid permiqng. In 2021 as restricGons were gradually being lioed it enabled us to hold a face-toface meeGng, and an Annual General MeeGng was duly arranged and held on Wednesday 25[th] August 2021. Chief Inspector Lewis Taylor, Manager of the Dorset / Wiltshire group of the RSPCA Inspectorate very kindly aCended and gave a breakdown of various aspects of the work that the Inspectors undertake on a day-to-day basis, and the difficulGes they ooen encounter, he concluded by thanking the Branch for their conGnued support, parGcularly during the last couple of difficult years. Towards the laCer part of the year we were fortunate to have three people interested in becoming trustees Miss Maddy Goodman, Ms. Amber Dunham and Mrs. Caroline Davy, all three were duly co-opted onto the Branch as Trustees, Mrs. Davy was previously a trustee some years ago and Ms. Dunham is a veterinary nurse whose knowledge and skills will be useful to the Branch. At close of play for 2021, no specific plans for events / acGviGes to be held in 2022 had been made awaiGng on governmental decisions with regard to public access to sites / venues, etc., however at the Gme of wriGng this report I am able to report that the Branch will be holding an Animal Event / Fun Dog Show on The Green in Devizes on Sunday 4[th] September 2022, this is usually a very popular event with lots of educaGonal / interacGve animal welfare stands and the Dog Show is great fun, please put the date in your diaries and we will look forward to seeing you there. As an aside, if there are any members or supporters who could assist with any of our events (as and when / if they happen!) in the future, it would be greatly appreciated, the commiCee are small in number, many with a number of addiGonal responsibiliGes and limited free Gme and any offers of assistance would be greatly appreciated. That brings us to the end of another year, we were again unfortunately unable to carry out many of the things we had planned, but together with the neutering campaign and the extensive financial veterinary assistance we have provided, we have, we hope, helped to make people’s lives and financial situaGons more bearable. In conclusion, as always, our grateful thanks are extended to everyone who has supported us in whatever way during the past year either financially or by the generous gio of their Gme. Our thanks go to our Branch Partnership Manager, Mrs. Rogers, local authoriGes and Veterinary PracGces and our dedicated Inspectors and their colleagues. ## D **etailed below are bullet points in support of the following topics: -** ## **CollaboraQon with the NaQonal Society** It is a given that we always support the NaGonal Society objecGves, where appropriate, and within our capability. Guided by our Branch Partnership Manager we use the regular Branch CommunicaGon circulaGons to idenGfy opportuniGes to get involved. As part of our commitment to running a properly regulated charity we have established several Branch policies and have adopted the principle of a Branch Annual Review through which we may reflect on past work and to plan future acGviGes. ## **CollaboraQon with the Community** This is a core objecGve for the Branch, however due to the Governmental restricGons imposed during the Covid pandemic we have been unable to hold any community-based events, however with the lioing of restricGons, this will we hope, be addressed during the course of 2022. ## **CollaboraQon with other Branches and ChariQes** As will have been seen from previous reports the Branch agreed to North Wilts Branch siGng an RSPCA shop in Warminster, under the terms of the arrangement the Branch receives a percentage of the profits which this year amounted to £588,40 and £2,337.92 being donaGons made at the shop to benefit the Mid Wilts Branch. It will be noted that these figures are almost the reverse of last years due to the fact that for a large proporGon of 2021 due to Covid restricGons the shop had been unable to open, but this was offset by some very generous monetary donaGons. Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital conGnues to receive monetary support from the Branch resulGng in a payment of £11,547. 86 being awarded to them in January 2021 covering the period up unGl the close of 2020. ## **CollaboraQon with the Local Inspectors** The RSPCA Inspectors provide knowledge and experience to the Branch which is invaluable, the wide range of issues and problems they face can be seen from the Chief Inspector’s Report included within this Report. ## **Fundraising** Over the years we have been fortunate to receive several legacies which have enabled us to fund our current range of acGviGes. During 2020 , we received noGficaGon of a legacy from a Trust based in Florida, USA, at the Gme of wriGng the report for 2020 were sGll in the course of transference, an amount of £62,860.67 was ulGmately received (please see Joint Report for further informaGon). The sum of £2,037.80 was also received from the estate of a Mr. Rawlings. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** The total incoming resources for the year amounted to £98,073.04 – in 2021 we received legacies amounGng to £64,898.47. Expenditure for the year amounted to £98,073.04 this reflects the high level of veterinary welfare assistance provided (see accounts). The surplus at the end of the year 2021 is £133,571.93. It is the policy of the Branch to maintain free reserves for the Branch at a level equal to approximately five years’ unrestricted expenditure, to allow for fluctuaGons in donaGons and legacies on which the Branch relies. Our Trustees are keen that money should not be retained unnecessarily simply to ensure sustainability. Free reserves are defined as unrestricted reserves (funds donated for a specific purpose which cannot be used for anything other than the purpose for which they were donated). In line with the Branch Rules, an annual donaGon is made to the NaGonal Society, this amount is calculated as a percentage of our free reserves. This donaGon is deducted at source from our share of the Door-to-Door collecGon that we receive annually from the NaGonal Society. With regard to the Door to Door CollecGon Fund, in 2020 Branches were asked to donate monies to a Branch Emergency Fund to assist Branches who were experiencing financial difficulGes during the covid pandemic, when the Fund was closed in 2021 unused monies were refunded to individual Branches which resulted in the branch receiving a refund of £5,252, 89. The investment policy, taken on advice following receipt of legacies, takes into account our cauGous aqtude to risk, with investment funds stored in NaGonal Savings Income Bonds. The Trustees have no designated funds for expenditure in the next twelve months, apart from an amount in the region of £11,000 which will be donated to the Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital during 2022. ## **FUTURE PLANS** Together with our regular and conGnuing support provided to those in need of financial veterinary assistance, our plans include a neutering campaign in support of World Spay Day 2022 and hopefully now restricGons have lioed some Community AcGon Events. We conGnue to look to increase our Volunteer / Trustee base with a view to bringing fresh ideas into the group. We will conGnue to work with our local Inspectors, supporGng them on specific animal welfare projects as idenGfied by them. ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and their financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and regulaGons. Law applicable to chariGes in England and Wales require the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the net incoming and outgoing resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, Trustees are required to: - 1. Select suitable policies and then apply them consistently; 2. Make judgements and esGmates that are reasonable and prudent; and 3. Prepare financial statements on a going-concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Branch will conGnue in operaGon. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounGng records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any Gme the financial posiGon of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the ChariGes Act 1993. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open, to safeguard the assets of the Charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregulariGes. So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit informaGon of which the Charity’s auditors are unaware. AddiGonally, the Trustees have taken all the steps needed in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit informaGon and to establish that the Charity’s auditors are aware of that informaGon. **BRANCH ACCOUNTS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021** ## **ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF** ## **CRUELTY TO ANIMALS** ## **WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** ## **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 205295** ## **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS** **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** 2 ## **ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS – WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** ## **Report of the Independent Examiner** ## **To The Officers and Committee of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Wiltshire Mid Branch** I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are set out on pages 3 to 5. ## **Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** The charity!s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity!s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:- - examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act); - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of Independent Examiner** ! **s 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 seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. ## **Independent Examiner** ! **s 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 section 130 of the 2011 Act, and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act, have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ……………………………… Mrs A M Cross FCCA The Alanbrookes Group Ltd t/a J S Weeks & Co 10 Market Place Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1HT 30 April 2022 3 ## **ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021** |**2020**||**2021**| |---|---|---| |**£**||**£**| ||**Accumulated Fund**|| |184,484.29|Balance Brought Forward|130,157.61| ||Add Surplus of Income|| |-|Over Expenditure|3,414.32| ||Deduct Excess of Expenditure|| |(54,326.68)|Over Income|(-)| |---------------||---------------| |130,157.61||133,571.93| |=========||=========| ||**Represented By:**|| ||**Investments**|| |130,000.00|National Savings Income Bonds|120,000.00| |13,002.68|Bank Deposit Account|22,000.19| ||**Current Assets**|| |1,663.83|Bank Current Account|9,795.60| |---------------||---------------| |144,666.51||151,795.79| |(14,508.90)|Less:- Creditors|(18,223.86)| |---------------||---------------| |130,157.61||133,571.93| |=========||=========| 4 ## **ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** |**2020**|**INCOME**|**2021**| |---|---|---| |**£**||**£**| |580.80|Subscriptions and Donations|837.17| |2,290.00|Warminster Shop – Share of Profit|588.40| |813.00|Warminster Shop – Donations|2,337.92| |-|Collecting Boxes|-| |7,377.58|Cat Cage Costs Refunded|-| |79.42|VAT Refund|-| |-|Legacies|64,898.47| |-|BEF Donation Refunded|5,252.89| |25,173.00|Door to Door Collection|24,134.00| |---------------||---------------| |36,313.80||98,048.85| ||**Investment Income**|| |1,776.54|Interest Received|24.19| |---------------||---------------| |38,090.34||98,073.04| |=========||=========| 5 ## **ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021** |**2020**|**EXPENDITURE**|**2021**|**2021**| |---|---|---|---| |**£**
**£**||**£**|**£**| |1,378.00|Branch Contribution to RSPCA|1,378.00|| |35,898.75|Veterinary Fees – General|52,874.62|| |19,009.35|Neutering Campaigns|18,274.71|| |-|Feral Neutering/Rehoming|4,942.23|| |-|Feral TNR Expenses|3,862.92|| |15.00|Goods Purchased|403.13|| |-|Bank Charges|7.00|| |360.00|Independent Examiner!s Fees|360.00|| |200.18|Telephone|275.72|| |11,201.63|Wildlife Hospital|11,547.86|| |23,795.00|Donation to RSPCA Emergency Fund|-|| |-|VAT Repayment|79.42|| |-|Room Hire|94.00|| |35.00|ICO Fees|35.00|| |524.11|Insurance|524.11|| |--------------- 92,417.02||---------------|94,658.72| ||Surplus of Income over Expenditure||| |-|Carried to Accumulated Fund||3,414.32| ||Excess of Expenditure over Income||| |(54,326.68)|Carried to Accumulated Fund||(-)| |---------------||---------------|| |38,090.34|||98,073.04| |=========||=========|| 6 ## **MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR YEAR ENDING 2021** ## **RSPCA WILTSHIRE MID BRANCH** # **ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING** # **HELD ON WEDNESDAY 25[TH] AUGUST 2021** ## **IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM, TOWN HALL, DEVIZES** ## **IntroducQon** The Chairman, Mr. Sheppard opened the meeGng and welcomed everyone asking those present to introduce themselves to the meeGng. ## **Apologies for Absence** Mrs. Lesley Pawlak Mrs. Sheila Colcomb ## **Approval of Minutes of Last MeeQng** The minutes of the last Annual General MeeGng (26/06/19 there having been no meeGng in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic) were approved and signed. ## **MaOers Arising** There were no maCers arising from the minutes ## **Joint Report of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer** The Chairman drew the meeGngs aCenGon to the Annual Reports for 2019 and 2020 there having been no Annual General MeeGng in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, the Joint Reports from the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer were highlighted which were fairly self-explanatory and members present were asked whether there were any comments / quesGons in relaGon to the report – none were forthcoming. The Chairman thanked the Secretary for compilaGon of the Report. ## **AdopQon of the Accounts / ElecQon of the Auditors** The Chairman drew the meeGngs aCenGon to the financial accounts as detailed in the Annual Reports requesGng any comments be directed to Mr. Pearce (Treasurer). No issues were raised and the Chairman requested a proposer and seconder for adopGon of the accounts – Mrs. Lorna Gough proposed and Mrs. Liz Davies seconded, the accounts were duly adopted. The Chairman requested the commiCee’s approval of the re-elecGon of JS Weeks & Co., of Devizes as Auditors, Mr. Richard Pearce proposed and Mrs. Claire Maggs seconded the proposal, JS Weeks and & Co., were duly elected. 7 ## **ElecQon of the CommiOee** Mrs. Donna Rogers, Branch Partnership Manager drew the meeGngs aCenGon to the ballot papers which had been circulated with ten nominees standing for elecGon. Having counted the papers Mrs. Rogers announced that all nominees had received 100% of the votes and were duly elected as CommiCee Members for 2021/2022. ## **Chief Inspector’s Report** The Chairman introduced and welcomed Chief Inspector Lewis Taylor, being the Manager responsible for the new re-structured Dorset / Wiltshire group of the Inspectorate. Mr. Taylor thanked the Branch for the invitaGon to aCend the meeGng, it being an excellent opportunity to meet everyone. Mr. Taylor currently works with eleven officers who cover the enGre area, this will be increased in the New Year by one further officer, a newly recruited Animal Rescue officer who will be a welcome addiGon to their number. Recruitment for new Inspectors will recommence in 2022. Mr. Taylor spoke of the worrying increase in the number of non-accidental injuries being reported by vets. He thanked the Branch for all their support to the Inspectorate over the past couple of years. ## **Any Other Business** There being no other business, the meeGng was concluded and was followed by light refreshments. 8 Please help us to continue our work by becoming a member. Details on how to join the different options provided are shown on the main RSPCA website: ## **https://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/becomeamember** You can find out about and donate to your local Branch (RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch) through our web pages: - ## **https://www.rspca.org.uk/local/wiltsire-mid-branch** If you live in our Branch area and need support with your companion pets please email us on:- ## **rspcawiltsmid@gmail.com** For local welfare / financial assistance please call us on: - ## **07395 560639 or** ## **07748 468355** To report incidents of cruelty or an animal in distress call the National Society 24 hour cruelty line:- ## **0300 1234 999** You can also use the secure online reporting facility on the National Society’s web page: - ## **https://rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty**