RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity number:
Charity number: 205759 Trustees: Ms L Cormell (Chair) Mrs A Bowdley (Secretary) Mrs R Thomas (Treasurer) Mrs M Edwards Ms H Cain Mrs J Jones Mrs V Dodson Mrs D Roberts Ms D Bateman Ms L Shaffer
Principal address: RSPCA Stourbridge & District Branch PO Box 7381 DY8 9GX
Auditors: DSE Accountants 2, Croft Court, Croft Lane, Temple Grafton, Alcester. B49 6PW Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd. 25, Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent. ME19 4JQ
RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is constituted as an unincorporated association. The charity operates as an autonomous branch of the National RSPCA subject to its rules for branches (as updated in 2006). A Committee, elected at the AGM governs the branches, who are Trustees of the branch. All trustees are briefed on their responsibilities as trustees prior to their acceptance of the role. The trustees hold regular meetings at which decisions are made.
The trustees actively review the risks, which the charity faces on a regular basis through regular meetings of the trustees that cover operational and financial reviews. The trustees also examine other operational and business risks which the branch face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks, which have been identified as:
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Having sufficient funds to cover the costs of animal welfare activities.
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Having a sufficient number of foster carers
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● Having a sufficient number of trustees
OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The RSPCA Stourbridge and District Branch is an unincorporated charitable association and a separately registered branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Society), carrying out its direct animal welfare work in Stourbridge, Hagley and surrounding areas.
The objectives of the Branch are to promote the work and objectives of the Society - to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means - with particular reference to the area of the Branch, in accordance with the policies of the Society.
The trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objectives and activities for the year, to ensure they remain focused on our charitable aims, and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.
ADVANCEMENT OF ANIMAL WELFARE
Under the Charities Act 2006, the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a distinct statutory charitable purpose. This legislation and the Animal Welfare Act of the same year indicate an acceptance by society that treating living creatures with compassion has a moral benefit for the public as a whole. Whilst this public benefit is clear, it is sometimes difficult to quantify and must be balanced against any detriment.
The Branch’s animal welfare work, although local in nature, benefits society at large, and also aims to help people in need with the care of their animals. The next section of this report highlights the Branch’s main activities and demonstrates the benefit provided to the public. All our charitable activities, as described in more detail in the following pages of this report, focus on promoting kindness and preventing or suppressing cruelty to animals and are undertaken to further these purposes for the public benefit.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES PURSUED FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
We support our local Inspectors by taking in mistreated or abandoned animals. The Society’s Inspectorate (as well as providing education, information and
RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
advice) rescues animals in distress and enforces laws against the cruel mistreatment of animals in England and Wales by bringing prosecutions.
We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals that are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We do this through liaison with vets.
We participate in a joint neutering scheme, with Cats Protection, run throughout the West Midlands and Wales. We also provide vouchers for free neutering for companion dogs on a case-by-case basis. This work helps to control cat/dog populations through neutering and benefits those on means tested benefits by giving them financial help to neuter and microchip companion animals, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.
Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, microchipping and are assessed for rehoming. This work helps to control the incidence and spread of disease and suffering through vaccination and neutering.
We rehome animals in need at low cost to people willing and able to have a companion animal . Our policy to charge a reasonable adoption fee for animals aims to highlight the ongoing personal and financial commitment of pet ownership. It would not be in the best interests of animals, and therefore would fall outside our objectives, to rehome to those who could not afford them .
We take in, free of charge, lost animals and take steps to reunite them with owners. This work benefits our local community by preventing animals straying and posing a risk to themselves and to people through road traffic accidents.
We respond to enquiries (both direct and via the Society’s national call centre) from the public about animals locally. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.
We offer free animal care advice by telephone, internet or referral to professionals e.g. veterinary surgeons. The public benefits through the promotion of responsible pet ownership .
We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fostering and fundraising. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work that is compassionate and rewarding.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Stourbridge and District Branch’s animal welfare work during 2022 has included rescuing and rehoming various unwanted animals, advice and financial help with veterinary costs. We have a dedicated group of fosterers who enable us to continue with our vital rehoming work. In 2022 we rehomed 45 cats and 1 rabbit. This is more than 2021 (23)
During 2022 we have continued to work hard at our social media presence. We have seen our followers on Facebook, twitter and Instagram sites continue to increase. We also have a YouTube Channel where the public can see videos of
RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
animals available for adoption. Through these sites, we continue to create a greater awareness of the branch, giving out regular advice on animal welfare issues, promoting the animals in our care who need homes, advertising lost and found pets and answering lots of messages on animal related issues.
In 2022, we started up a pet food bank to assist those people on benefits who would otherwise need to surrender their pets, due to the on-going cost of living crisis. This food bank will run for as long as required and caters for cats, dogs and small furries.
We have continued to nurture the relationship we have with the online Pet retailer who makes regular pallet donations of food and litter, this allows us to ensure our own fosterers are always well stocked with dry food and litter.
During 2022 we have continued to update our website to make it more accessible and current. We have 2 volunteers who now maintain it regularly.
In 2022 we have also continued to use the main RSPCA website for advertising animals in our care needing homes and are still finding that a good resource.
One of our aims is always to recruit more fosterers. This remains a focus as its difficult to find good foster homes, although one of our existing fosterers very kindly offered even more space in her back garden for pens. These pens we bought and had erected and have paid dividends by increasing our capacity.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The total incoming resources for the year amounted to £72,995 (2021 £22,418) Expenditure in the year amounted to £67,325 (2021 £58,610) The profit for the year was £5,670.
We have been very lucky to have received a number of large legacies this year along with numerous, frequent donations via social media. This has enabled us to actually be in profit this year.
RESERVES POLICY
The Branch Trustees regularly monitor financial balances and recognise from time to time they need to cut back on expenditure as necessary until sufficient funds have been raised to supplement these balances.
However due to the legacies received we are in the fortunate position that we now have reserves in the bank to cover us for at least the next 2 years. The Branch however are aware that even though they are in a fortunate position currently, they cannot rest on their laurels and must continue to promote awareness of the branch and the work it does, to ensure funding opportunities present themselves again when necessary.
INVESTMENT POLICY
Money not required is deposited in a higher interest building society account (specifically for charities) with immediate access.
FUTURE PLANS
We intend to continue to make full use of the website, and social media, to inform local residents about the work the branch carries out but more importantly promote the animals we have available for rehoming. Every year we look to make improvements and in 2023 we will continue to look at ways we can improve.
RSPCA STOURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT BRANCH TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2022
During 2023 we will also continue to raise branch awareness and important animal related issues using social media as this continues to be the most reliable and cost-effective method of communication. We will also begin increasing the amount of fundraising that we do, both online and in person. We have maintained our link with local press and radio and have been featured in both media.
We will continue to support the local community with the pet food bank as long as it is required.
We would still benefit from recruiting a few more fosterers, as this continues to be the limiting factor as to how many animals we are able to help.
We have plans to increase fundraising activities and will make use of both online and in-person events to do this.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of
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recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
● Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity and which will enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law, regulations and 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 Board of Trustees approved this report on 9[th] May 2023.
Mrs Liz Cormell Chair
RSPCA Stourbridge Branch Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
DSE Accountants 2 Croft Court Temple Grafton Alcester
B49 6PW
RSPCA Stourbridge Branch
Contents
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Accountants' report 1
Profit and loss account 2
Balance sheet 3
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Accountants' Report to R Thomas on the Preparation of the Unaudited Financial Information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch
We have prepared for your approval the financial information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch for the year ended 31 December 2022 which comprises the Profit and Loss Account and the Balance Sheetfrom the entity's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.
This report is made solely to you. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial information of RSPCA Stourbridge Branch. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than R Thomas for our work or for this report.
You have approved the financial information for the year and have acknowledged your responsibility for it, for the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.
We have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial information.
......................................... DSE Accountants
2 Croft Court Temple Grafton Alcester B49 6PW
17 April 2023
Page 1
RSPCA Stourbridge Branch
Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
| Turnover Donations Fundraising Head Office Adoption Fees Other income Other Income Interest Received Total income Cost of sales Cats Vets Fees Facilities for Pets Gross profit/(loss) Expenses Rent Light, heat and power Telephone and fax Printing, postage and stationery Sundry expenses Mileage Expenses Accountancy fees Legal and professional fees Bank charges Net profit/(loss) |
2022 £ £ 11,112 545 54,875 3,947 1,935 72,414 249 332 581 72,995 11,178 40,041 9,885 (61,104) 11,891 240 2,080 - 440 1,793 867 660 40 101 (6,221) 5,670 |
2021 £ £ 3,735 3,073 11,647 2,176 1,280 21,911 - 507 507 22,418 30,284 16,570 8,804 (55,658) (33,240) - - 37 589 1,472 166 648 40 - (2,952) (36,192) |
2021 £ £ 3,735 3,073 11,647 2,176 1,280 21,911 - 507 507 22,418 30,284 16,570 8,804 (55,658) (33,240) - - 37 589 1,472 166 648 40 - (2,952) (36,192) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22,418 (55,658) |
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| (33,240) (2,952) |
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| (36,192) |
Page 2
RSPCA Stourbridge Branch
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2022
| Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Net assets Financed by: Capital account As at 1 January 2022 |
2022 £ £ 2,715 316,810 319,525 - 319,525 350,047 350,047 |
2021 £ £ 2,715 322,379 325,094 (11,239) 313,855 350,047 350,047 |
2021 £ £ 2,715 322,379 325,094 (11,239) 313,855 350,047 350,047 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350,047 | |||
| 350,047 |
Page 3
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