Charity no. 205858 

# **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

**Report and Audited Financial Statements 31 December 2023** 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Reference and administrative details** 

|**For the year ended 31**|**December 2023**||
|---|---|---|
|**Charity number**|205858||
|**Registered office and**|48 Albert Road||
|**operational address**|St Philips||
||Bristol||
||BS2 0XA||
|**Trustees**|The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report||
||were as follows:||
||Christopher Cowley||
||Galina Staneva||
||Helen Paterson|resigned 1 January 2024|
||James Burge||
||Jane Snow||
||Jonathan Parker|resigned 26 June 2023|
||Linda Harper||
||Marie Aitken|resigned 11 September 2023|
||Ryan Peek|appointed 12 June 2023|
||Victoria Farrelly||
|**Bankers**|CAF|Barclays Bank Plc|
||25 Kings Hill Avenue|4-5 Southgate Street|
||West Mailing|Bath|
||Kent|BA1 1AQ|
||ME19 4JQ||
||NatWest Bank plc||
||40 Queens Road||
||Bristol||
||BS8 1RF||
|**Solicitors**|Stone King LLP||
||13 Queen Square||
||Bath||
||BA1 2HJ||
|**Auditors**|Godfrey Wilson Limited||
||Chartered accountants and statutory auditors||
||5th Floor Mariner House||
||62 Prince Street||
||Bristol||
||BS1 4QD||



1 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Trust Deed and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019). 

## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** 

## **Policies and objectives** 

The object of the national Society (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is “to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.” 

The Mission Statement of our Branch is based upon the Society’s object and is: _To ensure animals in need in our community receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve. We are committed to helping, healing and homing animals for as long as they need us._ 

The objects of our linked charity, the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home are “to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals by establishing and maintaining upon the land specified in the schedule hereto or upon other land in or near the City of Bristol a home, hospital or clinic for dogs, cats and other domestic animals in need of care or medical attention.” 

Our current strategy that covers the period from 2023-27 details the overarching goals and key activities to achieve them. 

## _**Achievements and Performance in report period**_ 

In line with our objectives for 2023 we achieved the following: 

## _**Objectives - Animals:**_ 

|**_Objectives- Animals:_**||
|---|---|
|**_Objectives_**|**_Achievements_**|
|1.<br>2.<br>3.<br>4.<br>We will take action to prevent<br>animals from experiencing poor<br>welfare in the first place;<br>The animals identified as being<br>most in need in our branch area<br>will have better access to the<br>services that they need to meet<br>their welfare needs;<br>There<br>will<br>be<br>increased<br>accessibility of services to meet<br>the needs of pet owners; and<br>Where possible, we will support<br>pets to stay in their homes.|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>We delivered 2,689 community outreach consultations,<br>a 21% increase from 2022;<br>We delivered a successful community vaccination<br>campaign for 109 dogs and 64 cats;<br>We partnered with a local rabbit charity to increase<br>access to neutering and vaccination support for rabbits;<br>We completed a community research project to find<br>out what people and their pets need, to feed into our<br>future prevention work; and<br>We shared information and advice through school<br>visits, community events and on our website and social<br>media to support pet owners. We reached over 1,200<br>people through our school and community talks.|



2 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|5.<br>6.<br>We will prioritise our support to<br>animals most in need in our<br>branch area; and<br>We will ensure animals in our<br>care receive excellent standards<br>of care and that their onward<br>journey is one that maximises<br>welfare for them.|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>We<br>developed<br>and<br>launched<br>our<br>new<br>fostering<br>scheme to ensure that animals that would benefit from<br>some in-home care as part of their rehabilitation have<br>that opportunity and to help our capacity;<br>We reviewed our clinic standards as part of the RCVS<br>Practice Standards Scheme to ensure that we are<br>providing the best standards of veterinary care;<br>Our clinic provides emergency care to sick or injured<br>wildlife before arranging for it to be released or taken<br>to a specialist wildlife rehabilitation centre. In 2023 we<br>had 231 wildlife admissions. This is less than previous<br>years, which could be due to reduced collections due<br>to the risk of Avian Influenza and also the change in<br>the<br>National<br>RSPCA’s<br>position<br>of<br>not<br>sending<br>inspectorate officers to collect small wildlife (the public<br>instead are advised to take it to the nearest vet); and<br>In 2023 our animal home and clinic cared for a wide<br>range of domestic and wild animals as shown in the<br>tables below.<br>Demand for spaces is always beyond our capacity, so<br>we worked to develop systems to help manage our<br>capacity and to prioritise those animals most in need.<br>These include lost or abandoned animals, those<br>identified as being in high welfare need by the RSPCA<br>inspectorate, and animals relinquished from the public<br>in urgent need; and<br>In 2023 we renewed our stray dog contract with Bristol<br>City Council. We accept all stray dogs (237 in 2023) to<br>provide them with a safe place to stay and any<br>immediate veterinary care, whilst we try to locate their<br>owners;|
|---|---|



## **Animal home - animals cared for in 2023** 

||**Dogs**|**Cats**|**Rabbits**|**Other**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Animals taken into care|271|245|50|55|621|
|Days care provided|10,139|7,665|2,209|3,788|23,801|
|Rehomed*|79|152|26|58|315|



*Note: The number of animals rehomed (to new homes) is only a proportion of total animals taken in as many are strays that are returned to owner or occasionally we transfer some animals to other partner organisations, if for example they would benefit from a new rehoming audience or need specific facilities that we are unable to provide. Where the number rehomed is higher than the intake number that is because we started the year with a number of animals in our care already. 

## **Clinic activity summary for 2023** 

|**Activity**|**Total**|
|---|---|
|1.Consultations/examinations (excluding outreach)|2,496|
|2. Neutering|646|
|3.OtherSurgicalprocedures|226|
|4. Inpatients per 24hrs (All worktypes)|4,796|



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## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

|**For the year ended 31 December 2023**|**For the year ended 31 December 2023**|
|---|---|
|<br>5.OutreachClinic examinations/consultations|2,689|
|6. Microchipping|349|
|7. RSPCA Inspectorate Support (Examinations/Reports/Court), may include<br>support toPolice)- hours|7.5|
|8. WildlifeAdmissions|231|



|**Objectives: People**|**Objectives: People**|
|---|---|
|<br>**_Objectives_**|**_Achievements_**|
|7.<br>8.<br>9.<br>10.<br>11.<br>12.<br>13.<br>Our team of staff and volunteers<br>will be supported, engaged and<br>motivated;<br>We will<br>ensure our<br>activities<br>continue to benefit people as well<br>as their animals; and<br>Everyone we interact with will<br>have a positive experience.<br>We<br>will<br>ensure<br>that<br>our<br>organisation<br>is<br>diverse<br>and<br>inclusive;<br>We will maximise the support<br>provided by volunteers to our<br>organisation;<br>Our community will understand<br>what we do and why;<br>We<br>will<br>see<br>increased<br>engagement from our supporters;|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>Over 75 press articles helped us to share what we do<br>with the public;<br>We updated our onsite reception provision to improve<br>customer service.<br>We carried out resourcing reviews across a number of<br>teams to ensure we have the right staff in the right<br>places to meet operational needs;<br>We recruited our first HR Manager to develop our<br>People strategy and ensure that we are fully supporting<br>our team of volunteers and staff;<br>We ran monthly ‘cuppa and chat’ sessions across<br>departments to provide an extra opportunity for staff to<br>share issues and ideas;<br>We trialled a new recruitment approach for volunteers<br>with<br>taster<br>sessions<br>and<br>developed<br>Volunteer<br>Supervisor roles throughout the organisation, so that<br>volunteers feel better supported;<br>We continued to develop and update our website and<br>social media channels to provide helpful information to<br>the public;<br>We ran a wide range of engagement activities,<br>including a series of ‘Chain of Kindness’ community<br>events and an online ‘Mutt Gala’;<br>We were voted to be one of Bristol’s chosen charities<br>on the new Bristol Monopoly Board;<br>We launched new ways to support us, such as our new<br>charity lottery;<br>Our community research project sought feedback from<br>across the community, to ensure that we base our<br>future services on the public’s needs for their pets; and|



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## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**- Objectives Organisational and financial sustainability:** 

|<br>**_Objectives_**|<br>**_Achievements_**|
|---|---|
|14.<br>15.<br>16.<br>We will have achieved financially<br>sustainable growth and scale,<br>and balance the budget to enable<br>us to invest in the charity's core<br>services;<br>We will have developed a more<br>predictable, sustainable income<br>base; and<br>We will have increased our non<br>legacy income levels.|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>We are developing a fundraising strategy to ensure<br>that we adapt to external challenges, such as the cost<br>of living crisis;<br>We reviewed how our supporters prefer to provide<br>financial support so that we can offer the options that<br>work for them;<br>We are focussing on fundraising areas that bring the<br>best return on investment.<br>We are updating our technology to enable supporters<br>with an efficient supporting process; and|
|17.<br>We will have fit for purpose and<br>cost effective facility provision<br>that enables us to achieve the<br>other long term goals above.|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>We made improvements to our animal accommodation<br>to reduce noise and disturbance for dogs in our care;<br>Advancements in development plans around our<br>current site meant that in 2023 we undertook due<br>diligence to understand the options available to us for<br>the safe future delivery of our community services; and<br>We made the decision to end our lease on the building<br>on Victor Street, as we were not utilising the space<br>effectively, which made a significant financial saving.|
|18.<br>We will continue to operate in a<br>safe<br>manner.<br>Risks<br>will<br>be<br>effectively managed.|▪<br>▪<br>We developed an online accident, incident and near<br>miss reporting system to improve reporting; and<br>We updated our disaster response plan and carried<br>out training for disaster leads throughout the|
|19.<br>20.<br>We<br>will<br>be<br>working<br>towards<br>greater<br>environmental<br>sustainability in everything that<br>we do.<br>We<br>will<br>have<br>productive<br>partnerships<br>with<br>other<br>organisations in order to most<br>effectively achieve our mission;|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>We reviewed our vehicle provision in line with Bristol’s<br>Clean Air zones.<br>We developed a partnership with CottonTails Rescue<br>to provide subsidised neutering and vaccinations for<br>rabbits as part of our community services;<br>We worked in partnership with Bristol PAWS to run a<br>successful community vaccination drive, vaccinating<br>109 dogs and 64 cats;<br>We developed an exciting new partnership with Bristol<br>Waste to enable corporate groups to carry out litter<br>picking in our community and to raise awareness of<br>the impacts of litter on wildlife; and|
|21.<br>We<br>will<br>apply<br>an<br>innovative<br>approach, including consideration<br>of digital development needs.|▪<br>▪<br>We carried out the first stage of our review into our<br>organisational technological needs in order to identify<br>and prioritise where investment is needed to enable us<br>to operate efficiently and safely; and<br>Recommendations will be implemented in 2024.|
|22.<br>We will ensure that we comply<br>with<br>Charity<br>Commission<br>requirements and engage actively<br>with<br>the<br>national<br>RSPCA<br>Governance Framework review.|▪<br>▪<br>▪<br>As part of the National RSPCA pilot project we<br>completed our registration to become a Charitable<br>Incorporated Organisation (this will be progressed in<br>2024);<br>We developed the induction process for our new<br>trustees; and<br>We reviewed and updated our trustee subcommittees<br>for efficiency and effectiveness.|



5 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **Commitment to public benefit** 

Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our charitable aims and objectives and in preparing the new strategy. While trustees believe that all activities to prevent cruelty to and enhance the wellbeing of animals also benefit the public, they have identified the following activities in particular that demonstrate our commitment to public benefit: 

- a) Providing free and low cost veterinary provision, through our outreach clinics and neutering programmes, for those members of the public who might otherwise find it difficult to access or pay for such services; 

- b) Taking responsibility for animals whose owners are no longer able to care for them; 

- c) Providing education, information and advice to children and adults on animal welfare matters; 

- d) Working with Bristol City Council to provide care and rehoming facilities for stray dogs; 

- e) Supporting the RSPCA Inspectorate to help people and their pets in greatest need; and 

- f) Providing volunteering, corporate support, and employment opportunities. 

## **FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS** 

## **Fundraising compliance** 

We sustain our commitment to working with the Fundraising Regulator and the Fundraising Preference Service (FPS). 

Specific assurances in response to current SORP requirements are provided as follows: 

1. Our fundraising approach is based on the budgeted needs identified and approved by the board of trustees at the beginning of the financial year. We employ a small team of professional fundraisers to deliver the targets and initiatives set each year. Each member of the team receives regular training in compliance requirements and fundraising standards. We pursue a variety of fundraising activities throughout each twelve month period and seek to involve suitably trained volunteers in many activities. We undertake public collections, run events, place collection tins in local retail outlets as well as running appeals and challenge activities to raise funds and awareness for our cause. The majority of our funds are received as legacies but we are seeking to increase the proportion of non legacy income; 

2. We do not employ any third party fundraising agencies or have activities carried out on our behalf by commercial participators; 

3. We are not aware of any failures to comply with fundraising standards or related schemes of regulation by us or others acting on our behalf; 

4. We monitor fundraising activities by others in aid of our cause by ensuring that everyone volunteering to fundraise for us does so ‘in aid’ of us. Such fundraisers are also given guidance on best fundraising practice, and supplied with a specific logo stating that they are fundraising ‘in aid of Bristol A.R.C.’ to use with any materials that they create. During street or bucket collections, all volunteers are informed of the expected fundraising behaviour and policies; 

5. We received no complaints about our fundraising activities during 2023. We received 2 suppression requests through the Fundraising Preference Service. None of the requests were on any of our systems but all checks were carried out promptly across site; and 

6. In order to protect vulnerable people with regard to our fundraising activities all members of our Fundraising and Communications Team understand the requirements of the Institute of Fundraising Guidelines on ‘Treating Donors Fairly’ and this forms part of new staff inductions. This information has also been used to inform our policy on vulnerable donors, and we are monitoring the availability of further training opportunities. 

6 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

Trustees continue to keep a close eye on our supporter engagement activities and ensure we meet the expectations of the public in terms of our use and accountability for the information they choose to provide to us in compliance with data protection requirements. 

## **Financial review** 

Total income for the year was £1.57 million, a 31% decrease compared to 2022 income (£2.26 million). The decrease was mainly due to decreased legacy income, £1.1 million, compared to £1.7 million in 2022. Donation income decreased by £66k and grant income decreased by £33k. However, in an economically challenging year, this decrease in income was expected and in line with external environment trends. 

Expenditure increased by 3% to £1.67 million (£1.62 million – 2022). The increase was partly in relation to staff costs due to the commitment to the real living wage to support staff during the cost of living crisis. Premises and maintenance costs also account for the increase due to the rising costs in energy. All other running costs increased slightly to also account for the overall increase. 

Our overall portfolio market value at the year-end had grown in value before drawdowns, due to the slight economic market recovery post covid. The performance of the portfolio generated an overall profit for the year of £79k  (£256k loss - 2022). 

Overall, the net position for the year was £29k deficit (2022 £384k surplus) which was a £70k improvement on the reforecast deficit budget. 

## **Reserves policy** 

The aim of the policy is to reflect the trustees’ objective of maintaining a sound financial base for the charity that enables both stability and growth. To achieve this, the trustees seek to manage the charity’s financial reserves in accordance with the policy and the requirements of the charity’s risk management strategy. 

The charity will hold financial reserves in accordance with the following structure: 

1. A sum equal to six months operating costs will be held in case of any urgent and/or unforeseen impacts on our ability to operate, such as a major decline in income. Due to the nature of our service provision, six months operating costs would be essential to meet welfare needs if we ever needed to amend or cease our operating model. **As at December 2023 this equates to £1.13m.** 

2. A sum that is held to provide for significant capital projects. Over the last year we have been progressing work to identify the feasibility of a relocation due to pressures on our current site from development in the area. The amount required for relocation is still to be confirmed but as an interim measure we are retaining the current significant capital projects fund. Costs will potentially relate to professional services, site purchase, and centre build. **As at December 2023 this amounts to £1.70m held in designated funds.** 

3. A sum that will be held to mitigate up to 2 years’ poor performance on income generation, including legacies, due to influences beyond our control. Legacies currently make up over 70% of the charity’s income and a low level of receipts in any one year would present a significant risk to the operation of the charity. Legacy processing and fundraising have been impacted by Covid and the Cost of Living crisis and it is important to maintain this safety net in order that we can sustain our animal welfare provision. 

**As at December 2023 this amounts to £400k held in designated funds.** 

7 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

4. Buildings and equipment used to provide our core rehoming and clinic services are classified as designated funds and represented in fixed assets. 

   - **As at December 2023 this amounts to £2.15m held in designated funds.** 

The specific sums held will be quantified annually together with any changes to the charity’s risk management profile and represented in the accounts in accordance with the structure noted above. 

The trustees intend to sustain the level of reserves to ensure that they can meet all these contingencies with the aim of continuing the commitments to animal welfare the charity has taken responsibility for. It is the intention of the trustees to review this policy and agree any revisions annually. 

## **Risk management** 

The trustees are responsible for identifying and managing the major risks facing the charity that might significantly alter or undermine the capacity of the charity to fulfil its objectives. Risks are classified in the headings below in a risk management register that is regularly reviewed. 

The major risks to which the charity is exposed, as identified by the trustees is summarised under six headings in the risk register as follows: 

- **Governance** e.g. oversight of strategy, trustee recruitment, retention and expertise, management of conflicts of interest; 

- ▪ **Operational** e.g. Animal welfare, commercial contracts, asset security, health & safety, IT systems; 

- ▪ **People/ HR** e.g. recruitment and retention, safeguarding, compliance with HR legal requirements; 

- **Financial** e.g. investments, cash, debtors, fraud, fund raising, budgetary controls, legacies; 

- ▪ **Reputation and external factors** e.g. online profile, media interest, relations with supporters / funders / clients / other animal welfare charities / professional bodies and the effect of changes in e.g. government policies; and 

- **Compliance** e.g. legal obligations, licence conditions, charity regulations, Data Protection and fundraising regulations, RSPCA rules. 

Risks were reviewed on a regular basis throughout the year at trustee subcommittee meetings and reported back to the board on a regular basis, with an updated risk register being presented and approved by trustees at least annually. 

As a result of the reviews, trustees confirmed that they are satisfied with arrangements for managing the risks identified and are currently satisfied with the risk scores for each area. 

## **Remuneration and expenses** 

The board of trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring the charity delivers its objectives in full compliance with relevant legislation and related guidance from the Charity Commission. The board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the charity to the CEO and senior management team. All trustees give of their time freely and no trustee received remuneration in the year. Details of trustees’ expenses are disclosed in note 9 to the accounts. 

A remuneration committee reviews the pay of all staff annually. 

8 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **Related party relationships** 

Each trustee completes a register of interests and related party transactions; this register is updated annually and whenever any relevant changes occur. 

The Charity is guided by national policy as stated by the national RSPCA. In the furtherance of its aims, it also has relationships with other animal welfare charities, professional bodies, local authorities and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Through its clinic, the Charity occasionally works with the other private vet practices within the branch area concerning developments in animal welfare practice and in the provision of out of hours veterinary cover. Through its Animal Home, the Charity works with Bristol City Council to manage the welfare and care of stray dogs in Bristol and liaises with RSPCA and other animal welfare centres to locate appropriate rehoming opportunities for animals in its care. Through its fundraising and communications team, the Charity works with a range of corporate, charity and media stakeholders to further the objectives of the charity. 

## **Principal funding** 

The Charity’s two main areas of funding are legacies and donations. In 2023 the total amount of legacies received was £1.1m (2022: £1.7m). Donations received totalled £251k (2022: £303k). Income from charitable activities totalled £145k (2022: £183k). The trustees recognise that legacy income is unpredictable and are therefore committed to increasing the proportion of non legacy income over the next 5 years. 

## **Material investment policy** 

The trustees wish to pursue an investment strategy of diversified assets predominately including Government bonds and other fixed interest securities, UK and overseas shares, property and cash deposits, but not excluding alternative investments that may use derivatives for hedging purposes, private equity, commodities and foreign currencies. 

Providing an income from the designated investments is a primary objective for supplementing the charity’s other sources of income. The capital value of the investment portfolio should be maintained in real terms, after allowing for the effects of inflation, over the medium to long term, commensurate with the level of risk the trustees deem necessary in achieving these objectives. 

The Investment Manager is required to provide half yearly reports to include, portfolio valuation of all investments held, detailed transaction and income statements, investment review and commentary. Each year, statements provide accounting information of all tax deducted from income received. Additionally, each year the Investment Manager presents their investment portfolio review to the trustees and ad hoc valuations are available upon request with electronic versions online. 

The trustees are required to review the Investment Policy Statement each year. Any change in policy or the investment objectives is conveyed to and agreed with the Investment Manager on a timely basis. The current policy includes strict guidelines on the type of investments the trustees believe to be compatible with the ethical position of the charity, including avoidance of investments in companies involved in animal testing. 

9 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

## **Constitution** 

The Bristol and District Branch (charity number: 205858) was originally formed under the title of The Bristol and Clifton Branch in 1842 as an unincorporated body. The Charity Commissioners granted a certificate of incorporation of the trustees of the charity by the name of “The Incorporated Trustees of the RSPCA – Bristol and District Branch”. The certificate was issued on 13 April 2006. The branch is governed in accordance with the rules set by the national charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

Bristol Dogs and Cats Home is governed by a Scheme set up on 4 December 1953 by an order of the Charity Commission. On 27 June 2012 a resolution was passed that “The Bristol Dogs and Cats Home Trust” (“the Trust”) be constituted as the managing trustee of Bristol Dogs and Cats Home (“the Home”). 

The Branch and the Home are registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as linked charities sharing the same number. 

In January 2018, the two charities adopted the working names of Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (Bristol A.R.C.) to enable them to promote their charitable activities on behalf of Bristol’s animals more effectively to the public. 

## **Governance** 

The trustees will continue to closely monitor the financial operations of the charity with the CEO and Senior Management Team and seek the professional guidance of the charity’s professional financial and investment advisors. Ongoing monitoring will also continue to ensure compliance for our fundraising and communication activities. Trustees undertake training courses on governance and other relevant subjects that are provided at little or no charge by our professional advisors and Bristol charity support organisations. 

## **Recruitment and training of trustees** 

The managing trustees are the Incorporated Trustees of the RSPCA Bristol and District Branch. The board of trustees is elected every year from the members of the RSPCA Bristol Branch at the Annual General Meeting of the Branch. The board must consist of not less than five or more than fourteen elected by the members, plus 3 co-opted trustees are allowed at any one time. It is a requirement that trustees have been members of the Branch for 3 months or more. 

Each year, trustees review the skills and experience the board requires. Role descriptions for new trustees are drafted with reference to the results of this review and advertised widely online. Supporters of the charity who express an interest in the trusteeship are initially offered the opportunity to visit the charity and meet with the Chair, other trustees and/or the CEO to discuss the role and responsibilities of the trusteeship in relation to the charity’s activities. If appropriate, they are then invited to attend a number of board meetings as observers. 

The directors of the Trust are the Branch Trustees. 

10 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Report of the trustees** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

An information pack containing Charity Commission CC3, RSPCA Animal Welfare Policies, and Guidelines for Branch Trustees and other relevant information is provided for each trustee. In addition, all new trustees spend time at the Charity’s Albert Road HQ meeting with the CEO and senior managers, touring the site and being introduced to staff. Trustees are also provided with full copies of the current Strategy Plan, Annual Report and Accounts and meeting minutes. Information is provided about trustee training days organised both internally and by external providers. 

## **STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES** 

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 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). 

The 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 state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material 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 proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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 trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

## **Auditors** 

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as auditors to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity. 

Approved by the trustees on 20 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by 

## Jane Snow 

Jane Snow - Trustee 

11 



## **Independent auditors' report** 

## **To the members of** 

## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Opinion** 

We have audited the financial statements of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and 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 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; 

- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. 

## **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 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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

12 



## **Independent auditors' report** 

## **To the members of** 

## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

- sufficient accounting records have not been kept; 

- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

- we have not obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit. 

## **Responsibilities of the trustees** 

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out in the trustees’ report, 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 they 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. 

## **Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements** 

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. 

13 



## **Independent auditors' report** 

## **To the members of** 

## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

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 procedures we carried out and the extent to which they are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below: 

(1) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, and assessed the risk of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Throughout the audit, we remained alert to possible indications of non-compliance. 

(2) We reviewed the charity’s policies and procedures in relation to: 

- Identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations, and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; 

- Detecting and responding to the risk of fraud, and whether they were aware of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and 

- Designing and implementing internal controls to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud. 

(3) We inspected the minutes of trustee meetings. 

(4) We enquired about any non-routine communication with regulators and reviewed any reports made to them. 

(5) We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and assessed their compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 

(6) We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions or balances that may indicate a risk of material fraud or error. 

(7) We assessed the risk of fraud through management override of controls and carried out procedures to address this risk. Our procedures included: 

- Testing the appropriateness of journal entries; 

- Assessing judgements and accounting estimates for potential bias; 

- Reviewing related party transactions; and 

- Testing transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business. 

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. Irregularities that arise due to fraud can be even harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

14 



## **Independent auditors' report** 

## **To the members of** 

## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charityʼs trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and the regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charityʼs trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs 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 charityʼs trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

## Godfrey Wilson Limited 

Date: 20 May 2024 

## **GODFREY WILSON LIMITED** 

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD 

15 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Statement of financial activities** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|Restricted<br>Notes<br>£<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>3<br>800<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>15,185<br>Other trading activities<br>5<br>-<br>Investments<br>6<br>-<br>**Total income**<br>15,985<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>22,733<br>**Total expenditure**<br>8<br>22,733<br>Net gains / (losses) on investments<br>-<br>**Net income / (expenditure)**<br>(6,748)<br>Transfers between funds<br>(755)<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>9<br>(7,503)<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>12,235<br>**Total funds carried forward**<br>4,732|Unrestricted<br>£<br>1,352,279<br>129,800<br>27,218<br>42,782<br>1,552,079<br>279,134<br>1,373,518<br>1,652,652<br>78,583<br>(21,990)<br>755<br>(21,235)<br>5,394,564<br>5,373,329|**2023**<br>2022<br>**Total**<br>Total<br>**£**<br>£<br>**1,353,079**<br>2,011,924<br>**144,985**<br>182,663<br>**27,218**<br>25,876<br>**42,782**<br>42,723<br>**1,568,064**<br>2,263,186<br>**279,134**<br>267,606<br>**1,396,251**<br>1,355,508<br>**1,675,385**<br>1,623,114<br>**78,583**<br>(255,968)<br>**(28,738)**<br>384,104<br>**-**<br>-<br>**(28,738)**<br>384,104<br>**5,406,799**<br>5,022,695<br>**5,378,061**<br>5,406,799|
|---|---|---|



All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 18 to the accounts. 

16 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Balance sheet** 

## **As at 31 December 2023** 

|Note<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>12<br>Investments<br>13<br>**Current assets**<br>Stock<br>14<br>Debtors<br>15<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>**Liabilities**<br>Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year<br>16<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>17<br>**Funds**<br>18<br>Restricted funds<br>Unrestricted funds<br>Designated funds<br>General funds<br>**Total charity funds**|**£**<br>**19,191**<br>**1,234,948**<br>**606,106**<br>**1,860,245**<br>**(112,261)**|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**2,148,210**<br>**1,481,867**<br>**3,630,077**<br>**1,747,984**<br>**5,378,061**<br>**4,732**<br>**4,248,210**<br>**1,125,119**<br>**5,378,061**|2022<br>£<br>2,232,065<br>1,617,943|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,850,008<br>19,191<br>1,346,384<br>327,860|
||||1,693,435<br>(136,644)|
||||1,556,791|
||||5,406,799|
||||12,235<br>4,232,065<br>1,162,499|
||||5,406,799|



Approved by the trustees on 20 May 2024 and signed on their behalf by 

## Jane Snow 

Jane Snow - Trustee 

17 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Statement of cash flows** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|**Cash used in operating activities:**<br>Net movement in funds<br>_Adjustments for:_<br>Depreciation charges<br>(Gains) / losses on investments<br>Dividends, interest and rents from investments<br>Investment management fees<br>Decrease in stock<br>Decrease / (increase) in debtors<br>Increase / (decrease) in creditors<br>**Net cash used in operating activities**<br>**Cash flows from investing activities:**<br>Dividends, interest and rents from investments<br>Investment management fees<br>Purchase of tangible fixed assets<br>Proceeds from the sale of investments<br>Purchase of investments<br>**Net cash provided by investing activities**<br>**Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year**<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year*<br>**Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year***<br>* Cash and cash equivalents comprises:<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>Cash held in investments<br>Total cash|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**(28,738)**<br>**83,855**<br>**(78,583)**<br>**(42,782)**<br>**14,658**<br>**-**<br>**111,436**<br>**(24,383)**<br>**35,463**<br>**42,782**<br>**(14,658)**<br>**-**<br>**575,199**<br>**(384,213)**<br>**219,110**<br>**254,573**<br>**356,240**<br>**610,813**<br>**606,106**<br>**4,707**<br>**610,813**|2022<br>£<br>384,104<br>87,169<br>255,968<br>(42,723)<br>14,916<br>1,200<br>(512,820)<br>36,400|
|---|---|---|
|||224,214|
|||42,723<br>(14,916)<br>(26,615)<br>446,812<br>(724,907)|
|||(276,903)|
|||(52,689)<br>408,929|
|||356,240|
|||327,860<br>28,380|
|||356,240|



The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements. 

18 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**1. Accounting policies** 

## **a) Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). 

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note. 

These financial statements consolidate the results of the Bristol and District Branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and those of the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home which are linked charities. 

## **b) Going concern basis of accounting** 

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. 

## **c) Income** 

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. 

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. 

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. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. 

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under gift aid is recognised at the time of the donation. 

19 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **c) Income (continued)** 

Charitable activities income generated through clinic and rehoming fees are recognised at point of sale. Retail shop and rental income is also recognised at point of sale with general fundraising income being recognised at point of receipt. 

## **d) Donated services and facilities** 

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income 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 by the charity of the item, is probable and the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised. 

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. 

Donated goods are recognised at the point of donation where the value is measurable, otherwise they are recognised at the point of sale and at the actual value realised for the sale of 

## **e) Interest receivable** 

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. 

## **f) Funds accounting** 

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. Investment income and gains and losses are allocated to unrestricted funds. 

## **g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 

The charity is partially exempt and irrecoverable VAT is allocated across cost categories using the support cost allocation basis set out in note 1h. 

20 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **h) Allocation of support and governance costs** 

- Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the following basis, being the proportion of staff costs: 

||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
|Raising funds|**17.9%**|18.4%|
|Charitable activities|**82.1%**|81.6%|



The cost of raising funds includes investment management fees. 

## **i) Tangible fixed assets** 

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows: 

Freehold building straight line over expected useful life (50 years) Motor vans and equipment straight line over 4 - 5 years Freehold land not depreciated 

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £2,000. 

## **j) Listed investments** 

Investments in quoted shares, traded bonds and similar investments are measured initially at cost and subsequently at fair value (their market value). The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year. 

## **k) Stock** 

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Donated items of stock are recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market. 

## **l) Debtors** 

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 

## **m) Cash at bank and in hand** 

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 

21 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **1. Accounting policies (continued)** 

## **n) Creditors** 

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 

## **o) 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 with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## **p) Pension costs** 

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA. 

## **q) Operating leases** 

Rentals under operating leases are charged to the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term. 

## **r) Accounting estimates and key judgements** 

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying 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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. 

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below. 

## **Depreciation** 

As described in note 1i to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. 

## **Accrued legacy income** 

As described in note 1c to the financial statements, legacy income is accrued when receipt is considered probable, when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. 

22 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**2. Prior period comparative: statement of financial activities** 

|**Income from:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>Charitable activities<br>Other trading activities<br>Investments<br>**Total income**<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Raising funds<br>Charitable activities<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Net losses on investments<br>**Net income**<br>Transfers between funds<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>**3.**<br>**Income from donations and legacies**<br>Legacies<br>Donations<br>Gift aid<br>**Total donations and legacies**<br>**Prior period comparative**<br>Legacies<br>Donations<br>Gift aid<br>**Total donations and legacies**|Restricted Unrestricted<br>£<br>£<br>31,958<br>1,979,966<br>34,993<br>147,670<br>-<br>25,876<br>-<br>42,723<br>66,951<br>2,196,235<br>-<br>267,606<br>44,243<br>1,311,265<br>44,243<br>1,578,871<br>-<br>(255,968)<br>22,708<br>361,396<br>(24,853)<br>24,853<br>(2,145)<br>386,249<br>Restricted<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>1,102,124<br>800<br>220,046<br>-<br>30,109<br>800<br>1,352,279<br>Restricted<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>1,709,159<br>31,958<br>254,491<br>-<br>16,316<br>31,958<br>1,979,966<br>Unrestricted<br>Unrestricted|**2022**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**2,011,924**<br>**182,663**<br>**25,876**<br>**42,723**|
|---|---|---|
|||**2,263,186**|
|||**267,606**<br>**1,355,508**|
|||**1,623,114**|
|||**(255,968)**|
|||**384,104**<br>**-**|
|||**384,104**|
|||**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**1,102,124**<br>**220,846**<br>**30,109**|
|||**1,353,079**|
|||2022<br>Total<br>£<br>1,709,159<br>286,449<br>16,316|
|||2,011,924|



23 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **4. Income from charitable activities** 

|Dog warden income<br>Grants<br>RSPCA income<br>Adoptions<br>Subsidised vet fees<br>**Total charitable activities**<br>**Prior period comparative**<br>Dog warden income<br>Grants<br>RSPCA income<br>Adoptions<br>Subsidised vet fees<br>**Total charitable activities**|Restricted<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>56,669<br>15,185<br>1,550<br>-<br>13,107<br>-<br>37,285<br>-<br>21,189<br>15,185<br>129,800<br>Restricted<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>55,551<br>34,993<br>14,500<br>-<br>20,033<br>-<br>32,014<br>-<br>25,572<br>34,993<br>147,670<br>Unrestricted<br>Unrestricted|**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**56,669**<br>**16,735**<br>**13,107**<br>**37,285**<br>**21,189**|
|---|---|---|
|||**144,985**|
|||2022<br>Total<br>£<br>55,551<br>49,493<br>20,033<br>32,014<br>25,572|
|||182,663|



## **5. Income from other trading activities** 

|**Income from other trading activities**|||
|---|---|---|
|Sundry rental income<br>Shop income<br>Other fundraising income<br>**Total other trading activities**|**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**24,587**<br>**2,599**<br>**32**<br>**27,218**|2022<br>Total<br>£<br>22,311<br>3,347<br>218|
|||25,876|



All income from other trading activities in the current and prior year was unrestricted. 

24 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **6. Investment income** 

|**Investment income**|||
|---|---|---|
|Dividends received<br>Interest received<br>**Total investment income**|**2023**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**41,033**<br>**1,749**<br>**42,782**|2022<br>Total<br>£<br>42,378<br>345|
|||42,723|



All investment income in the current and prior year was unrestricted. 

## **7. Government grants** 

The charity received no government grants in the current or prior year. 

25 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **8. Total expenditure** 

|**Total expenditure**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Staff costs (note 10)<br>Rehoming centre costs<br>Clinic costs<br>Printing and design<br>Communications<br>Subscriptions, licences and charges<br>Travel and subsistence<br>Room hire and event costs<br>Fundraising costs<br>Premises and maintenance costs<br>Website and database development<br>Investment management costs<br>Insurance<br>Audit and accountancy<br>Legal and professional<br>Depreciation<br>HR, training and development costs<br>Irrecoverable VAT<br>Miscellaneous costs<br>**Sub-total**<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Allocation of support and<br>governance costs|Raising<br>funds<br>£<br>164,210<br>-<br>-<br>9,573<br>-<br>1,592<br>3,231<br>4,004<br>4,772<br>8,690<br>-<br>14,658<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>210,730<br>68,404<br>**279,134**|Charitable<br>activities<br>£<br>754,639<br>142,237<br>121,420<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>63,602<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,081,898<br>314,353<br>**1,396,251**|Support<br>and<br>governance<br>costs<br>£<br>260,551<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,885<br>2,023<br>5,913<br>-<br>-<br>44,283<br>3,740<br>-<br>9,051<br>8,500<br>500<br>20,253<br>3,453<br>9,558<br>47<br>382,757<br>(382,757)<br>**-**|**2023 Total**<br>**£**<br>**1,179,400**<br>**142,237**<br>**121,420**<br>**9,573**<br>**14,885**<br>**3,615**<br>**9,144**<br>**4,004**<br>**4,772**<br>**52,973**<br>**3,740**<br>**14,658**<br>**9,051**<br>**8,500**<br>**500**<br>**83,855**<br>**3,453**<br>**9,558**<br>**47**|
|||||**1,675,385**<br>**-**|
|||||**1,675,385**|



Total governance costs were £24,765 (2022: £18,260), which includes audit fees, governancerelated legal and professional fees and staff salaries related to governance activities. 

26 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|**8.**<br>**Total expenditure**<br>**Prior year comparative**<br>Staff costs (note 10)<br>Rehoming centre costs<br>Clinic costs<br>Printing and design<br>Communications<br>Subscriptions, licences and charges<br>Travel and subsistence<br>Room hire and event costs<br>Goods for resale costs<br>Fundraising costs<br>Premises and maintenance costs<br>Website and database development<br>Investment management costs<br>Insurance<br>Audit and accountancy<br>Professional and legal<br>Depreciation<br>HR, training and development costs<br>Irrecoverable VAT<br>Miscellaneous costs<br>**Sub-total**<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Allocation of support and<br>governance costs|Raising<br>funds<br>£<br>160,882<br>-<br>-<br>9,395<br>-<br>3,000<br>1,477<br>6,393<br>262<br>2,423<br>9,680<br>-<br>14,916<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>208,428<br>59,178<br>267,606|Charitable<br>activities<br>£<br>714,764<br>183,300<br>132,846<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>61,682<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,092,592<br>262,916<br>1,355,508|Support<br>and<br>governance<br>costs<br>£<br>188,718<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,209<br>1,816<br>6,725<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>36,791<br>13,533<br>-<br>5,753<br>7,505<br>1,054<br>25,487<br>14,223<br>6,245<br>35<br>322,094<br>(322,094)<br>**-**|2022 Total<br>£<br>1,064,364<br>183,300<br>132,846<br>9,395<br>14,209<br>4,816<br>8,202<br>6,393<br>262<br>2,423<br>46,471<br>13,533<br>14,916<br>5,753<br>7,505<br>1,054<br>87,169<br>14,223<br>6,245<br>35|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,623,114<br>-|
|||||1,623,114|



27 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

**9. Net movement in funds** 

This is stated after charging: 

|Depreciation<br>Operating lease payments<br>Trustees' remuneration<br>Trustees' reimbursed expenses<br>Auditors' remuneration (ex VAT):<br>▪Statutory audit|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**83,855**<br>**20,400**<br>**Nil**<br>**Nil**<br>**8,500**|2022<br>£<br>87,169<br>37,731<br>Nil<br>Nil<br>7,500|
|---|---|---|



## **10. Staff costs and numbers** 

Staff costs were as follows: 

|Salaries and wages<br>Social security costs<br>Pension costs|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**1,056,739**<br>**83,557**<br>**39,104**<br>**1,179,400**|2022<br>£<br>954,952<br>75,927<br>33,485|
|---|---|---|
|||1,064,364|



One employee earned between £60,000 - £70,000 within the year (2022: nil). 

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, the Finance Manager, the Fundraising & Communications Manager, the Facilities, Health & Safety, and Administration Manager, the Animal Home Manager, and the Principal Veterinary Surgeon. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £309,378 (2022: £247,854). 

|Average head count:<br>Charitable<br>Fundraising<br>Support|**2023**<br>2022<br>**No.**<br>No.<br>**40**<br>40<br>**6**<br>5<br>**6**<br>7<br>**52**<br>52|
|---|---|



28 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **11. Taxation** 

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes. 

## **12. Tangible fixed assets** 

|**Tangible fixed assets**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Cost**<br>At 1 January 2023 and at 31 December 2023<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 January 2023<br>Charge for the year<br>At 31 December 2023<br>**Net book value**<br>**At 31 December 2023**<br>At 31 December 2022|Freehold<br>property<br>£<br>4,266,982<br>2,061,888<br>76,159<br>2,138,047<br>**2,128,935**<br>2,205,094|Motor vans<br>and<br>equipment<br>£<br>333,703<br>306,732<br>7,696<br>314,428<br>**19,275**<br>26,971|**Total**<br>**£**<br>**4,600,685**|
||||**2,368,620**<br>**83,855**|
||||**2,452,475**|
||||**2,148,210**|
||||2,232,065|



Included in freehold property is freehold land at a cost of £459,020 (2022: £459,020) which is not depreciated. 

29 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **13. Investments** 

|Listed<br>securities<br>£<br>At 1 January 2023<br>1,589,563<br>Additions<br>384,213<br>Disposals proceeds<br>(575,199)<br>Gains / (losses)<br>78,583<br>Cash movement<br>-<br>**Market value at**<br>**31 December 2023**<br>**1,477,160**<br>Historical cost:<br>**At 31 December 2023**<br>Investments at market value comprise:<br>Listed investments<br>Cash held by brokers<br>**14. Stock**<br>Medical supplies and goods for resale<br>**15. Debtors**<br>Trade debtors<br>Prepayments<br>Accrued legacies<br>Accrued income<br>VAT<br>Other debtors|Cash<br>£<br>28,380<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(23,673)<br>**4,707**|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**1,617,943**<br>**384,213**<br>**(575,199)**<br>**78,583**<br>**(23,673)**<br>**1,481,867**<br>**1,401,207**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**1,477,160**<br>**4,707**<br>**1,481,867**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**19,191**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**18,051**<br>**14,580**<br>**1,136,312**<br>**23,410**<br>**12,932**<br>**29,663**<br>**1,234,948**|2022<br>£<br>1,588,761<br>724,907<br>(446,812)<br>(255,968)<br>7,055|
|---|---|---|---|
||||1,617,943|
||||1,575,736|
||||2022<br>£<br>1,589,563<br>28,380|
||||1,617,943|
||||2022<br>£<br>19,191|
||||2022<br>£<br>36,367<br>19,363<br>1,233,914<br>4,074<br>14,005<br>38,661|
||||1,346,384|



30 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **16. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year** 

|Trade creditors<br>Accruals<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Other creditors|**2023**<br>2022<br>**£**<br>£<br>**35,939**<br>70,886<br>**21,759**<br>27,965<br>**40,508**<br>32,700<br>**14,055**<br>5,093<br>**112,261**<br>136,644|
|---|---|



## **17. Analysis of net assets between funds** 

|Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>**Net assets at 31 December 2023**<br>**Prior year comparative**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Net assets at 31 December 2022|£<br>-<br>-<br>4,732<br>-<br>**4,732**<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>12,235<br>-<br>12,235<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds|£<br>2,148,210<br>1,481,867<br>618,133<br>-<br>**4,248,210**<br>£<br>2,232,065<br>1,700,000<br>300,000<br>-<br>4,232,065<br>Designated<br>funds<br>Designated<br>funds|£<br>-<br>-<br>1,237,380<br>(112,261)<br>**1,125,119**<br>£<br>-<br>(82,057)<br>1,381,200<br>(136,644)<br>1,162,499<br>General<br>funds<br>General<br>funds|**Total**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>**2,148,210**<br>**1,481,867**<br>**1,860,245**<br>**(112,261)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**5,378,061**|
|||||Total<br>funds<br>£<br>2,232,065<br>1,617,943<br>1,693,435<br>(136,644)|
|||||5,406,799|



31 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **18. Movements in funds** 

|**Movements in funds**|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Restricted funds**<br>Wellbeing suite improvements<br>Kennel improvements<br>Regular giving<br>RSPCA Regional Grant - cat neutering<br>Rehoming staff room<br>Dog sensory garden<br>**Total restricted funds**<br>_Designated funds:_<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Capital projects<br>Legacy contingency fund<br>_Total designated funds_<br>General funds<br>**Total unrestricted funds**<br>**Total funds**<br>**Unrestricted funds**|£<br>755<br>3,103<br>-<br>-<br>305<br>8,072<br>12,235<br>2,232,065<br>1,700,000<br>300,000<br>4,232,065<br>1,162,499<br>5,394,564<br>5,406,799<br>At 1<br>January<br>2023|Income<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>800<br>15,185<br>-<br>-<br>15,985<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,552,079<br>1,552,079<br>1,568,064|£<br>-<br>(1,875)<br>(800)<br>(15,185)<br>(59)<br>(4,814)<br>Expenditure|£<br>(755)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(755)<br>-<br>-<br>100,000<br>100,000<br>(99,245)<br>755<br>-<br>Transfers<br>between<br>funds|Investment<br>gains<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>78,583<br>78,583<br>78,583|**£**<br>**-**<br>**1,228**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**246**<br>**3,258**<br>**At 31**<br>**December**<br>**2023**|
||||(22,733)|||**4,732**|
||||(83,855)<br>-<br>-|||**2,148,210**<br>**1,700,000**<br>**400,000**|
||||(83,855)|||**4,248,210**|
||||(1,568,797)|||**1,125,119**|
||||(1,652,652)|||**5,373,329**|
||||(1,675,385)|||**5,378,061**|



32 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **18. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds** 

Wellbeing suite Appeal funds were allocated to make improvements in the Wellbeing Suite. improvements 

Kennel improvements A grant from Animal Friends and an individual donation has been allocated to make improvements to kennel accommodation for the dogs in the Rehoming Centre. 

Regular giving 

Regular givers have requested that their contributions be allocated specifically to either dogs or cats upkeep. 

RSPCA Regional Grant RSPCA South West Regional Board awarded us a grant to carry out cat neutering. X-ray equipment Grant from the RSPCA Regional Board fund to purchase x-ray equipment. Rehoming staff room Restricted grant income for improvements to the animal home staff room. 

Dog sensory garden Public appeal to fund a new sensory garden for the dogs onsite. 

## **Purposes of designated funds** 

As set out in the reserves policy, designated funds represent the net book value of tangible fixed assets and other funds ringfenced for future capital projects and to mitigate poor performance on legacies. 

## **Transfers between funds** 

Transfers between funds represent the transfer of restricted funds to unrestricted funds on the completion of a project and the increase of the legacy contingency reserve in the year. 

33 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

|**18. Movements in funds (continued)**<br>**Prior year comparative**<br>**Restricted funds**<br>Wellbeing suite improvements<br>Kennel improvements<br>Social media appeals<br>Regular giving<br>RSPCA Regional Grant - cat neutering<br>X-ray equipment<br>Rehoming staff room<br>Outreach programme<br>Dog sensory garden<br>**Total restricted funds**|At 1<br>January<br>2022<br>£<br>1,868<br>9,506<br>3,006<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>14,380|Income<br>£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>220<br>7,250<br>25,747<br>1,000<br>11,000<br>21,734<br>66,951|£<br>(1,113)<br>(6,403)<br>(3,006)<br>(220)<br>(7,250)<br>(894)<br>(695)<br>(11,000)<br>(13,662)<br>(44,243)<br>Expenditure|£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(24,853)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(24,853)<br>Transfers<br>between<br>funds|Investment<br>gains<br>£<br>£<br>-<br>755<br>-<br>3,103<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>305<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>8,072<br>-<br>12,235<br>At 31<br>December<br>2022|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|



34 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **18. Movements in funds (continued)** 

|**Total restricted funds brought down**<br>_Designated funds:_<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Capital projects<br>Legacy contingency fund<br>_Total designated funds_<br>General funds<br>**Total unrestricted funds**<br>**Total funds**<br>**Unrestricted funds**|£<br>14,380<br>2,292,619<br>1,500,000<br>300,000<br>4,092,619<br>915,696<br>5,008,315<br>5,022,695<br>At 1<br>January<br>2022|£<br>66,951<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,196,235<br>2,196,235<br>2,263,186<br>Income|£<br>(44,243)<br>(87,169)<br>-<br>-<br>(87,169)<br>(1,491,702)<br>(1,578,871)<br>Expenditure|£<br>(24,853)<br>26,615<br>200,000<br>-<br>226,615<br>(201,762)<br>24,853<br>-<br>Transfers<br>between<br>funds|£<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>(255,968)<br>(255,968)<br>(255,968)<br>Investment<br>gains|£<br>12,235<br>At 31<br>December<br>2021|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||2,232,065<br>1,700,000<br>300,000|
|||||||4,232,065|
|||||||1,162,499|
|||||||5,394,564|
||||(1,623,114)|||5,406,799|



35 



## **Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bristol and District Branch** 

## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **For the year ended 31 December 2023** 

## **19. Financial instruments** 

|Financial assets measured at fair value|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**1,477,160**|2022<br>£<br>1,589,563|
|---|---|---|



Financial assets measured at fair value comprise listed investments. 

## **20. Operating lease commitments** 

The charity had operating leases at the year end with total future minimum lease payments as follows: 

|Amount falling due:<br>Within 1 year<br>Within 1 - 5 years|**2023**<br>**£**<br>**6,660**<br>**2,500**<br>**9,160**|2022<br>£<br>13,353<br>9,160|
|---|---|---|
|||22,513|



## **21. Related party transactions** 

In addition to their time, the trustees often provide support to the charity in the form of monetary donations. During the year the trustees, in aggregate, made donations of £766 (2022: £653). 

## **22. Contingent assets** 

At 31 December 2023 the charity had been notified of two legacies with a combined value of approximately £420,000. Receipt of funds is contingent on the granting of probate and/or the sale of properties, therefore income recognition criteria has not been met. Consequently no accrual has been made in the financial statements.There were no contingent assets in the prior year. 

36 

