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2022-12-31-accounts

RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2022

Helping even more animals in 2022 thanks to Emma, our brand-new ACE! (Animal Welfare, Community Engagement and Education Officer)

RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Contents Page
Reference and administrative details of the charity, trustees and advisers 1
Branch Chairmans Statement 2
Branch Trustees’ and Staff Reports 4
Kent Inspectorate Annual Report 13
London Inspectorate Annual Report 17
Branch Annual Accounts and Balance Sheet 21

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers for the year ended 31 December 2022

Charity Registered Number; 210633

Names of charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole ofyear		 Method of
appointment
Mr B Charman Chair From 22/6/22 Elected
Mr E Grover Chair
Treasurer		 To 22/6/22
From 22/6/22		 Elected
Mr J Bowley Elected
Mrs J Allen From 22/6/22 to 1/7/22 Elected
Mr T Maddison Elected
Ms K Maycock Elected
Ms H Taylor Elected
Mrs P Wood From 22/6/22 to 27/7/22 Elected
Mr D Wordsworth Elected
Miss L Cartwright To 22/6/22 Elected
Miss K Hargreaves To 22/6/22 Elected
Mr C Ireland To 22/6/22 Elected

Independent Examiner; Jack Fryer, ACA, Hedley Dunk Ltd, Trinity House, 3 Bullace Lane, Dartford DA1 1BB

Bankers; Nat West Bank Plc, 12 High Street, Dartford DA1 1DD

HR and health and safety advisers; Acton Jennings

Charity’s principal address; 37 Gordon Road, Dartford DA1 2LG

Note; Correspondence can be addressed to the principal address or - info@rspca kentnorthwest.org.uk

Branch helpline; 01322 286720 Website; www.rspca-kentnorthwest.org.uk

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Branch Shops
Shop Managers		 2/3 Market Place
DARTFORD DA1 1EX
Voluntary Management		 161 Windmill Street
GRAVESEND DA12 1AH
Mrs V Oakman

Branch Chairman’s Statement

As I come to the end of my first year as Chairman of the RSPCA Kent North West branch, I am pleased to present our annual impact report, highlighting the significant progress we have made over the past year. In the face of numerous challenges, our dedicated team of volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to increase our charitable activities and reach even more animals in need.

My goal is to help guide us towards a prosperous future where we enjoy a significant local presence while delivering wide-reaching impact for animals and their owners within our branch area. I would like to see us become more ambitious, identifying opportunities for bigger projects, while ensuring that our growth is sustainable and financially responsible. Thanks to the careful stewardship of my predecessor, we remain in a robust financial position, with total assets exceeding £1.1million and income of more than £180,000. Over the past year, we have begun to invest more in our animal welfare work, with total spending on animal welfare activities rising by 92% from £22,323 in 2021 to £42,867 in 2022. The result has been that we have been able to help 60% more animals, a total of 535 in 2022. In the process, we have grown in confidence and we’re now eager to replicate and build on that success in the year ahead. In particular, we want to ensure that our support evolves to respond to the changing needs of our uncertain world, such as our initiatives to mitigate the effects of the cost-of-living crisis. We will also seek to identify needs which, without us, would otherwise not be met – as we have done very successfully with rabbits.

I would like to personally applaud the efforts of Becky, our branch manager, Emma, our animal welfare (ACE) officer, and John, our animal welfare administrator, without whom we would have been unable to deliver our important animal welfare services. All of the work that we do depends on being able to raise the necessary funds, and for that we owe a debt of gratitude to every one of our charity shop staff and volunteers, who I would name individually if space allowed. Special thanks also to our trustees, who over the past year, have united under a common goal which I hope to continue pursuing together. Finally, I thank Eric, our branch treasurer and former chair, for his unrivalled energy and continuing dedication to our charity.

Ben Charman, Branch Chair RSPCA – Kent North West Branch

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IN 2022 WE HAVE...

Spent £63K on helping animals (an increase of over 50% on 2021) Employed our first ever ANIMAL WELFARE OFFICER to rescue animals locally and educate children about animal welfare.

£20K spent on vet bills including helping 170 owners who were struggling

Worked with

18 VETS & 4 OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES .

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS 0300 1234 999 www.rspca.org.uk facebook.com/RSPCA twitter.com/RSPCA_official The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales.

Kent-North West Branch

Registered Charity No. 210633

Erith Crayford Ness Northumberland Heath Welling Bexleyheath Crayford Stone Swanscombe Dartford Bluewater Gravesend

Bexley

Wilmington Lane End Bean Sidcup Hextable HawleySutton at HoneGreen Street GreenDarenth Southfleet Thong Shorne South Darenth Istead Rise Swanley Horton Kirby LongfieldNew Barn Cobham Hartley Crockenhill Farningham Luddesdown Eynsford New Ash Green Meopham Culverstone Green

Last year we helped

535

animals including hamsters, fish, birds, rabbits, cats and dogs.

Rescued 185 abandoned, abused and neglected animals (up over 40% on 2021)

Started to rehome rabbits and found great homes for over OF THEM IN 50 OUR FIRST YEAR

Our Branch has neutered 61 ANIMALS

Registered charity no. 219099. The RSPCA only exists with the support of public donations. ©RSPCA 2016. All rights reserved. This material must not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the RSPCA.

rspca-kentnorthwest.org.uk

RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Trustees’ report for the year ending 31 December 2022

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the year ended 31 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 2012). In the normal course of business, Committee members are elected at every Annual General Meeting from the members of the Branch, to carry on the work for the ensuing year. Candidates must receive 50% of the votes of the members present. The elected Branch Committee can co-opt not more than three members onto the committee until the next annual general meeting. All Committee members must be Society members for a minimum of three months on appointment.

The Committee members are Trustees of the Branch and are briefed on their responsibilities as trustees prior to their acceptance of the role. The trustees hold regular meetings at which decisions are made and conveyed to the Branch Manager and other staff for action. The day-to-day running of the shops is delegated to the Shop Managers or the lead team of volunteers.

Aims and objectives, public benefit statement and principle activities

The object of the charity is to promote kindness and good care and 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. Our area of benefit is all DA postcodes plus BR8 postcodes. Any animal that can have a quality of life and can be found a home will not be abandoned by our Branch. Our activities to achieve the objectives include the following activities which are always available:

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

towards animals which involves moral benefit to humankind as a whole. The National Call Centre accepts complaints about animals in distress every day of the year and the public benefits by being able to call in for help when an animal is suffering, which can be very distressing for humans to witness and feel powerless to help.

The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements for the year to ensure they remain focused on our charitable aims and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with this duty under the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Achievements and performance

The Branch Trustees have much pleasure in presenting to the Branch Membership, the Annual Report together with the Annual Accounts, Financial Report and Balance Sheet of the Branch. Members can be confident that the Branch remains in a very strong financial position. Thanks to the Trustees activities, at the end of the year the Branch assets increased from the sum of £1,121,487.22 at the conclusion of trading in 2021 to Emma has hit the ground running. £1,137,213.40 at the end of 2022. With

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

an income of £184,810.54 and expenditure of £173,589.90, we end the year with a surplus of £11,220.64.

After the restrictions on the pandemic the Branch was finally able to move forward with plans and aspirations in 2022. Our primary focus for the period was to increase our charitable activities. We smashed our target of increasing animal welfare activity by 40% and actually achieved a 60% increase. This is a testament to the hard work of a great many Branch volunteers and our small team of staff.

Number of Animals Helped in 2022

Animals
coming
into
Branch		 Animals
Rehomed		 Neuters Help
with
vet
bills		 Microchips TOTALS
2021 131 19 44 119 20 333 60%
increase
2022 185 57 61 176 56 535

We helped 60% more animals and our charitable expenditure rose accordingly

Animal Welfare
Expenditure		 2021 2022
Veterinary fees £11,318 £13,439
Branch Neutering
Scheme		 £1,166 £3,215
Drugs andMedicine £3,753 £6,037
Care of animals £5,869 £19,802
Chipping and rehoming £126 £374
TOTAL £22,323 £42,867 Up 92%

In addition to rescuing and rehoming more animals, we were also able to diversify our activities thanks to our new employee Emma Byrne (see Emma's Report below). Emma brings to the Branch twenty years’ experience working for the national RSPCA in a variety of different roles. The Trustees created this new role to rescue animals but also to educate young people and to increase engagement with the local community.

The cost-of-living increase was already starting to bite in the latter half of 2022. More pet owners needed help with vet costs and even the basics such as buying pet food. In response we started reaching out to local food banks to make sure they had pet supplies and passed on our details to pet owners needing further support such as help with vet bills.

As a Branch we always want to be ready to respond to new emerging animal welfare issues and 2022 certainly challenged us to do this in ways we had not anticipated. On New Years Eve 2021 ten rabbits were abandoned in Sandringham Drive in a

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

collection of pet carriers. All but one survived the chilly night and fireworks and were discovered and rescued by the RSPCA on New Years Day. As a Branch we had never taken in and cared for rabbits before but this was the impetus we needed to start. We soon discovered that thousands of rabbits, acquired as lockdown pets, were now being abandoned or neglected. We located a private boarding establishment with excellent experience of caring for rescue rabbits and started what has proved to be a very fruitful working relationship with Paws By the Coast private boarding establishment. Once we started, we found that the flood gates opened and to our amazement we needed to rescue fifty rabbits in 2022. These rabbits were neutered and microchipped and by the end of the year most of them had gone to lovely new homes. Demand is still high, so we are carrying on with this new area of work. We have even been able to assist a couple of our local rescues such as Spirits Rest and New Hope by taking rabbits for them. We even helped the national RSPCA with a group of rabbits they had had in their care for almost a year, finding them excellent new homes.

Brothers Eric and Ernie were two of the original group of 10 rabbits abandoned in Dartford on New Years Eve who went off to a new home together.

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Animal Welfare Officer Report – John Bowley

Our volunteer Animal Welfare Officer, John Bowley works very closely with national society staff, and we pride ourselves on being always available to assist our local RSPCA Inspectors and Animal Rescue Officers. 57% of the animals that we were involved in the rescue of in 2022 came directly from our national society colleagues. Of the 185 animals there were 121 cats, 9 dogs, 52 rabbits and there were also fish, hamsters and terrapins. Mr Bowley acts as principal liaison officer between members of the public, veterinary practices, RSPCA Inspectorate, Logistics, RSPCA Centres and very occasionally police, fire brigade etc. The public help line is fairly constant with perhaps anything between fifteen and twenty calls per day. Nature of the calls varies but would include; worries concerning mistreatment of an animal, financial assistance in respect of veterinary treatment for their pet, seeking to adopt an RSPCA animal, seeking to rehome their pet, seeking general advice in respect of a lost pet.

Animal Welfare, Community Engagement and Education Officer (ACE) Annual Report – Emma Byrne

Having been in post for 6 months now, I am starting to get a better picture of the needs of the region that we cover. As a diverse area, covering both rural and urban areas, we are called on to address a variety of animal welfare needs and I have seen our impact and reach steadily grow over the second half of 2022 since my role was created.

Direct Animal Welfare

As an ACE I have been directly involved in helping around 40 individual animals within our branch area, many of whom were cats but also assisting dogs, rabbits, hamsters and even koi carp. Some of the ways we have helped include, sign over of animals from owners who can no longer cope, stray animals either via vets or the public, abandoned animals and, encouragingly, those few that the owners want to keep but were struggling with either financially or otherwise.

I have also been involved with the adoption of our animals, conducting home visits and delivering animals to their new homes when we have been lucky enough to have applicants from outside our area.

In addition to this I have assisted Inspectors with cases and warrants and dealt with a number of wild animals. Unfortunately, people still seem unsure if we can assist with wildlife so this is an area I hope to grow for the following year.

I have now completed microchip training and, with the impending change in the law regarding the microchipping of cats, this will be a really useful tool for our branch to get as many animals compliant with the law as possible, leading to a reduction in some of the problems listed above.

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Bobby the 16-year-old Border Terrier came to us after his owner died. Like Harry he needed very expensive surgery but was otherwise in good health for his age. We got him the help he needed and now he is spending his days extremely happy in a foster home.

Harry the stray cat needed surgery on both his ears and eyes before he was ready to find his new home

Community

As a direct response to the current cost of living crisis, I have done my best to forge relationships with both potential donors of pet food and food banks.

This is a simple solution to remove one cost associated with pet care from those most in need and insure as many pets as possible can stay in loving homes. Morrisons have been very accommodating allowing us to conduct pet food drives in their stores and from that we have a regular donation of food from Sidcup store. In addition, Jollyes the pet people also make regular donations of pet food and accessories they can no longer sell and they also hold a low-cost clinic on a Tuesday afternoon that we can signpost people to. Not forgetting of course, the wonderful work of both of our shops continuing to collect pet food and accessories in their stores.

St Edmunds Church and the Dartford food bank are the most regular beneficiaries of our collections, but we have reached out to all the food banks in the area and have also supplied Bexley food bank and Riverside Community centre in Gravesend on occasion. I keep in constant contact with them in case they need more, they often have limited storage space, so it is a bit of a balancing act.

Another way we work within the community is offering educational talks to schools and other groups. So far, I have conducted 4 school talks and one to the police cadets reaching almost 2000 young people. The talks to primary schools have been focusing on the needs of our pets and improving their lives and I have taken rabbits as an example species given our branches expertise in the area. The police cadets received a bespoke talk on the ways in which the RSPCA and police work together

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

and has yielded a request for us to provide talks to other branches of the cadets and to the Kent control centre. Here I am on a school visit....

Partnership Working

I am in regular contact with up to 20 veterinary practices in our Branch area. I have forged relationships with many organisations, businesses and charities in the area, including pet food stores, supermarkets, other rescue centres, food banks and schools and this will continue to grow over time.

In 2022 we worked with the following RSPCA Rehoming Centres; Ashford Garden Cattery, Canterbury and District Animal Centre, Bluebell Ridge in Hastings and Isle of Thanet RSPCA Centre. We extend our thanks to them for assisting with our Branch animals. Our Equine Rehoming Facility which is based at Leybourne RSPCA Centre rehabilitated and rehomed 29 horses which had been rescued from appalling situations.

I hope this gives some idea of the kinds of ways we have helped local animals in the last 6 months and I look forward to reporting back in the future as our reach grows.

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

Charity Shops Report

The Trustees extend our sincere thanks to the shop staff, volunteers, customers and those who donate. Thanks to you Dartford Shop generated a profit of £17,377 and The Gravesend shop £27,080 in 2022.

SHOP PROFITS

Income Expenditure Profit
2022 Dartford 51,332 33,955 17k
Gravesend 67,828 40,748 27k
2021 Dartford 38k + COVID grant of 12k = total
50k		 28,912 £21k
Gravesend 46k + COVID grant of 16k = total
62k		 31,197 £31k
2020 Dartford 26k + COVID Grant 27k = total 54k 51,718 £2k
Gravesend 33k + COVID Grant 11k = total 44k 25,519 £20k
2019 Dartford 65,857 62,126 £4k
Gravesend 71,398 31,504 £40k
2018 Dartford 66,481 65,827 £1k
Gravesend 72,776 30,720 £42k
2017 Dartford 67,437 61,199 £6k
Gravesend 73,174 31,699 £41k

Shop totals for the last 6-year period

Over the last six years our Dartford Charity Shop has raised an average of £8,000 per annum. An upturn resulted when the current team of volunteers took over the running of the shop in 2020. Over the same period our Gravesend Shop has raised an average of £36,000 per annum (we own the freehold for this premises so that no rent is paid.)

A report on our performance in 2022 against the Branch Strategic Plan which we shared with you in our 2021 Report

ANIMAL WELFARE

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RSPCA, Kent North West Branch

(Animal Welfare, Community and Education Officer) joined us in June

FINANCIAL

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

GOVERNANCE

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Kent Annual Branch Rep

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Kent Annual Branch Report

Branch Report 2022 - Inspectorate Group Kent

Chief Inspector Nick Wheelhouse ARO Lisa Miller 16142 ARO Brian Milligan 11516 ARO Lynn White 6833 Inspector Dave Grant 173 Inspector Grace Harris-Bridge 15085 Inspector Clive Hopwood 16768 Inspector Tina Nash 10608 Inspector Kirsten Ormerod 16741 Inspector Rosie Russon 723 Inspector Rosie Wren 14023 Inspector Deborah Rutherford 15892

Welcome to the 2022 Kent Group annual branch report.

A few team changes in 2022 saw Inspector Rosie Wren join us following the conclusion of her maternity leave in the Spring of 2022, following her transfer from the London South Group. We also welcomed ARO Lisa Miller, also from London South. Lisa joined our group whilst at the beginning of her maternity leave and we look forward to welcoming her back on the road in 2023! Rosie Russon was successful in her application for the secondment to the Wilberforce team at the

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end of 2022 and will be working on this ever changing project throughout 2023. We wish her the best of luck for her 12 month secondment.

As always, the start of the year 2022 gave us the opportunity to catch up on essential Health & Safety and mandatory training to prepare us for the year ahead and officers setting their own priorities for the year, including equine training, small animal care and completing developmental courses.

2022 continued to be a year of change and we continued to battle the aftermath of Covid, seeing an increase of abandoned animals or households where owners were struggling to continue to meet the needs of pets that were gained during the coronavirus lockdowns of 2020 & 2021. Although this was predicted, it was a real challenge and towards the end of 2022 it was particularly difficult to cope with the extra intake of animals into our branch & headquarter centres - putting extra strain on our committed officers when desperately needing to remove animals from a dire situation.

The unexpected cost of living crisis which developed in 2022 also had an impact and we saw more genuine need in people who may have owned pets for a long time but then started to struggle as the year progressed and many found their circumstances had taken a downward turn. A number of branches were able to assist with veterinary care and supplying pet food to those in need, for which we are very grateful.

Throughout the year avian influenza kept a tight hold on both wild and domestic bird populations and the group had many calls for ill and stricken birds, particularly swans / geese and seabirds which fall into the highest risk category. We were particularly saddened to see first hand the way the disease decimated the wild gannet population along the coast in Kent and the swan population on lakes in the Swindon area of the group. Although the group is glad that they do carry the means to end suffering humanely - it still takes its toll when dealing with and seeing such vast numbers of suffering wildlife - and for their extra hard work and professionalism dealing with this disease, I am grateful.

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2022 also saw the roll out of the ‘Cancel out Cruelty’ Campaign in the summer -

in August our National Control centre took more neglect and cruelty complaints as a priority and signposted / diverted some wildlife collection calls to other wildlife charities.

Kent has continued to see a huge number of calls relating to puppy farming following the boom of breeding and selling during COVID. Working alongside our Police colleagues, the group has assisted with a number of Police led warrants which has been disrupting the illegal trade and the unscrupulous breeders.

Without the support of the Regional Board and Branch networks, we would simply not be as effective in rescuing animals in all sorts of predicaments. The field officers are under significant pressure and your continued patience and support is very much appreciated. Your work in supporting members of the public with funding, helping rehome unwanted animals, and caring for the sick and traumatised is to be commended. It can be a thankless task but I can assure you my team and I fully appreciate the hard work you and your teams put in.

In Kent we helped rescue, collect and rehabilitate thousands more animals from situations that would have resulted in severe injury and suffering. Within the Kent group you have officers who specialise in wildlife and care, specialist flood rescue, Inland boat rescue, and equine rescue to name but a few.

We wish to offer our thanks to Kent Police for their invaluable assistance in exercising their powers of entry, search, seizure and occasionally arrest of people who mistreat their animals. Our thanks also goes to Kent Fire and Rescue Service for the many occasions that they have helped with rescues of animals that have got themselves trapped or in difficulty and we have needed their equipment and manpower to resolve the situation.

We are also supported by Veterinary Practices from all across Kent. The support they provide helps us bring justice for animals, and support for the sick & injured. We work with other charities such as World Horse Welfare, The British Horse Society, Folly Wildlife Hospital and numerous more. We are most grateful to them all.

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Finally, on behalf of everyone in the Kent group, a big thank you to all of the Branches, members and volunteers for making us feel so welcome at your meetings and for all the difficult and invaluable work you have done throughout 2022. Without you dedicating your time and efforts we would not be able to achieve all that we do.

In North West Kent we have rescued wildlife including swans, snakes, foxes and owls. Farm animals including lambs and chickens as well as rescuing horses, cats, ferrets and dogs with the support of Kent North West Branch as well as providing financial aid to a number of domestic animals and neutering

We rescued Milo the cat from a fox hole in Greenhithe, having been seen running down there following being hit by a car. Kent Fire and Rescue assisted with the rescued and he was reunited with his owner.

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2022

Chief Inspector’s Annual Report - 2022 London South Group

Chief Inspector Mark Miles 468

Personnel:

DCI Lynn Serrano Inspector Harriet Dalliday Inspector Emily Buckett ARO Mat Hawkins ARO Rodney Kenny ARO Emma Haines ARO Portia Mearns ARO Sidonie Smith ARO Chloe Sutton ARO Latia Pennant

Branches covered :

London South East Branch South London Branch Bromley & District Branch Purley, Caterham & District Branch Kent North West Branch Wimbledon, Wandsworth & Sutton District Branch

Welcome to the 2022 Chief Inspector’s report for London South group

2022 proved yet again to be a difficult year for the Group but we were finally starting to see an improvement in the staffing levels this year which had an obvious knock on effect to the animal welfare service we were able to provide as well as the morale of all the officers. I would like to thank the group once more for rising to all challenges that faced us and their motivation, resilience and dedication to all the animals they dealt with throughout the year.

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In terms of staff changes, we once more said goodbye to a couple of officers. Inspector Natasha Wallis our 2nd most experienced officer and my Deputy moved to new pastures in Hampshire after 14 years loyal service. ARO Lisa Miller also moved to Kent group prior to maternity.

In April our new recruits from the previous year started their time out on their own. I am pleased to say they are all doing well. Emily Buckett returned from Maternity in June. We also recruited 3 new Animal Rescue officers; Chloe Sutton, Latia Pennant and Sidonie Smith. They completed the training course and are also now out on their own having hit the ground running in October. So for the first year in a long time we ended the year with more staff than we started which is very very welcome.

In addition to the paid staff we have recruited a number of Animal Rescue Volunteers (ARV) who we are currently in the process of giving all the necessary training and equipment needed to support the frontline work, collecting and transferring animals . As time progresses it is hoped that these volunteers will become more and more beneficial.

Once again we wish to offer our thanks to the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police and Surrey Police for their invaluable assistance in exercising their powers of entry, search, seizure and occasionally arrest of people who mistreat their animals. Our thanks also goes to London Fire Brigade and Kent Fire and Rescue Service for the many occasions that they have helped with rescues of animals that have got themselves trapped or in difficulty and we have needed their equipment and manpower to resolve the situation (as evidenced in the stories that follow below!).

Of course we have not forgotten the RSPCA animal centres that take in our animals, care for them and eventually re-home them. Our sincere thanks to the Branch catteries and kennels that board, care for and rehome our animals, usually at very short notice and at the most inconvenient times, and to the experts who care for our sick and injured wildlife until they have been rehabilitated and are able to be released back into the wild.

Finally, on behalf of everyone in the London South Group, a big thank you to all of the London and Kent Branches, members and volunteers for making us feel so welcome at your meetings and for all the difficult and invaluable work you have done throughout 2022 and into this year already. Without you dedicating your time and efforts we would not be able to achieve all that we do.

In terms of stats to give you an idea of the volume of work carried out by officers in London South during 2022, we:

Attended 7931 Incidents

London South Chief Inspector’s Annual Report - 2022

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Gave out 228 Welfare notices advising on improvements needed and Warning notices which are recommendations of a more serious nature

Picked up 13 cases that were sent in to the prosecutions department with a view to a possible cruelty conviction.

We hope you enjoy this Annual Report where we’ve put together our best selection of collections, rescues and complaints from your branch areas. Apologies in advance for all the puns!!

Sincerely,

London South Team

Inspector Lynn Serrano was called to a rescue of a duckling stuck under a Jetty in Sidcup. She was unable to get it by herself so called LFB to assist. Between them they were able to rescue the duckling. It was checked over by a vet and then released.

Inspector Lynn Serrano was called to an address where it was alleged a puppy had been subject to a road traffic collision. She found a poor dog with a broken back leg which was clearly suffering having not been taken to a vet…

London South Chief Inspector’s Annual Report - 2022

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The owner was prosecuted, found guilty and given a 12 months community order with 200 hrs unpaid work and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

The dog made a full recovery and is pictured here very happy in its loving new forever home:

London South Chief Inspector’s Annual Report - 2022

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THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS KENT NORTH - WEST BRANCH (Registered Charfftty No. 210633) ANNUAL ACCOUNTS and BALANCE SHEET for the year ended - 31st DECEIVIBER 2022 Page 21

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. KENT, NORTH.WEST BRANCH {Reglstered Charity No: 2106331 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31Si DECEMBER 2022 The Royal Soaety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Anim81s is incorporated under an Act of Parliamènt and each Branch is govemed by the rules of the Society. The KÈnt, North-west Branch is an incorporated and a registered Charity No. 210633.The Administfdlive offi￿ of the Branch is 8137, Gordon Road Dartfotd Kent DAI 2LG. Thè day to day affaits olthe Branch arè manageLI by a Branch Committee. During 2022 the mèmbers ol the Branch Committee were.. MrB. Charman Mr B. Chatman Mr. E.J. Grover. Mr E.J. Grover. Mis J. Allen Mr. J. A Bowley. MI￿ L. A. Cartwright Miss K. Hargreaves Mr C. Ireland Mr T. Maddison Mrs K. Maycock Mrs H.Tayloi Miss K. Ward Mr D. Wordsworth BrAnch Trustee (To 22nd June 20221 Branch Chairmanlwef 22tQ June 20221 Branch Chairman. (To 23rJ Marth 20221 Branch T￿asUrer. Iwe123nl March 2022 Branch Trustee l From 22- June to 1st July 2D221 Branch Anitnal Welfare Administrator. Branch Trustse l To 22no June 20221 Branch Trustee l To 22nll June 20221 Branch Trustee l To 22Th1 June 20221 Branch Trustee Branch Trustee Iwef22M June 20221 Branch Tiuslee (wer22￿ Junè 20221 BianGh Trustee l To 22Th1 June 20221 Branch Trust During the year, thÉ Br8nch operated Charity Shtws. Al Dartford thè Charity Shop, with effect from 1st OGtober 2020 the shop has been under the Management of a Voluntary Management Cofflmittee of four volunteers approved by thè Branch Trustees. A Full Time Manager and Part Time Deputy Manager (who retired on 3ts￿ JLJne 20221 we employed at the Branch Charity Shop at 161, Windmill Street, Gravesend The Manager has been supported by c8sual part b.me ¢Jeputy managers Sin￿ 1¥1 August 2022 Also, during the year. the Branch empltyed a part time Branch Manager. The rolè of Branch Treasurer filled during the year and the role of Branch Secretsry is being held in abeyarKe until such tirnes as a Sultable eandidale can be appointed. The average number of persons employed by the charity durin9 the yearwas )Ive. The object of the Charty is to prornote kindness and prevent or suppress crudty to anima15, and to do all such lawtvl acts as thÈ Society may wnsider to b& CA￿d￿C1ve or inddental to the attainment of those objectives. The Charity is dèpendent on ¢Jonations and fijnd ￿sing to pay foi tts activities. Tl* Blanch also reGeives part of the subscriptions p8id by member8. The Branch eA)nstilution 15 approved by the Nation81 RSPCA umbrella body, Charty Mo.219099. which is cmsidered a related paty for accounting purposes. Duiing the financi81 year, the Branch T￿lved a totsl of £23,218.ODp (Door lo Door Carnpwgnl grant funding from the National RSPCA for the Branth's Purposes. and also retsived grants of £1.000 in support of Rabbit afe and a sum of £3.098 lor the provision of additional Rabbit Accommodab"on. The Branch also receives a number of umbrella body services. including legaey administration under the Branch Legacy Scheme, tlle(nbership administration and practical guidanTr and assistance from a Branch Partnership Manager Iformerfy Blanch Support Speaalistl effiployed by thè National Society. The charity operates a defined ontribution pension schewe. The assets of the scheme arè held separately frorn those of the charity in an indepèndentty administered fvnd_ The pension cost charge paid by the charity during the year was £1431.24p. Details of the Charity's activities are disch)sed In the accounis. There have been no significant activib.es during the year requiring 8 report to thè Cherity Comrnissioners. Legacies and In Metnoriam donations lo the value of £407.SOp werè le￿ived during the year. Detsils of assets held by the Branch disclosed in the accounts. Therè have been no material post balance sheet events. E.J_ Grover, Branch Chairman. 20th March 2023. Page 22

ROYALSOCIETY FOR ThE VENTICbN OFCRUELTYTOAXIMA KENT NOR7H.WÉST 8RANCH BALANCE SHEEfASAT31$t DECEMBER2022 2022 1,121NB7.22 2021 1.07B,631AO PtWROv￿u8V0nSknYEzr 5fwth8Y8ar 15.725.L 42.55S.74 1.13Y31&ao 1,fj21,487.22 e￿NcH RESIRIC7¥0 FUNDS.. LC.CTuuthstewf0rE9Ui￿. .167.01 23,22L66 33,167.Of BRAI4¢TrIGENEPAL FUNOS.. FixedAÉsÈt&l Ntslafl Pmpeny158.PanwkSlr99lGravgsgrhl. Pi¢wy37.Gordon Rva¢.DHrttvrd FroFeNy10Msth Ro4d.D?rtford Property I61.W￿MMSI￿eEt.Gr0VeW Brdrth V£thide p￿tand Erythpmoit{R￿I1c￿Md?￿￿} 263.CmTrl 205.￿). 196.87Q.33 168.7A9.5Q 5.096.00 3221.86 2VJ.OW.00 2￿.¢￿.00 19S.87ts.33 IEB.749 M4.937Ag 833.61gAX Curr8ntAssBts Naiweslcapit￿Rè￿f¥èActQthi DEbt￿ts&P￿aYrn￿ Br4nthPsYPalAcc NètCmntAssets YorAt BRANCH GENEPALFUNOS 289.05l95 1,113.990.64 25I.70U.38 1.W8,32O.21 TOTALAC¢UMULATeo FUNDS 1,117,213.3D 1,121,487.22 E.J.(>over. BRANCH TRUSURER BRAtr4CH TRUSTEE Page 23

R()YAL S TIIE PftEVENrIoN oiiciii ELTYTOAIYIMAiS KE￿"r￿oRT]I-IvFSr BIOINCII IRF. ACCOUM'FOR ND EIIR ENDED31st Dr. BPANCH GENERAL FUNDS 2022 TOTALS BE SHOPS BRANCW IN¢OME: 2021 TOTALS BRANCH SHOPS 246.62 1,3aJ.32 Collecung Boxes Cgro)avtrus G￿nts 851.57 Donatlons &Grants So￿0 DoDatlons vla ACE 23,218.w DoortoDoor Campaign 493.26 Dtvld?nd$ and Int¢rESt Goods Sold 2,947.50 Mi¢ro¢hipp5ng & Roh)mlTrg Rags Recycling 36.658N) Rent Recelvpd Shops Gravesend & Dartfor 129.V4 Spe¢lal Evefits 514.50 SLsbs¢riptlon$ J2.21 Sundry Income 1W9.74 27.487A3 12090 27.4B7A3 569.01 tAfjS.65 50.•ts 23.215.IJD 49J.2S 3319D 2.547.5D 1,744.31 J6,65B.OD ItSA25.11 712.35 24.f24.00 19.65 133.42 847A7 24134.DD 19tsS 332.yj 13142 1.744AI 4Q.40 37.451 ,D04.20 37W1.00 82.122AI 1.315.8T 5S&lJO 45Ag 115,J25.11 37727 82,12181 305J4 1,070.13 555 514.50 32.21 118,615.29 66.28329 TOTAL BRANCH INCOME 184923.51 177,695.73 56.OYI.3Z lff1,618A1 17T,695.73 EXPENDITURE: Bran¢h CHARtrABLE EXPENDITURE 3.4D3.27 Braneh N8uLS¢hÈtne 19,80%.Bg Care olAnlmals 5,849.02 DNg$ and MedlclRe$ 374.55 Mlero¢hlpping & RehomlDg 618.12 Printing and Sfationery 10,722.41 stav Co¥ts:Branch Mdnage 4,078.18 Stalf Costs=Br&nch ACE 1,191_72 Telophoneser¥i£es 2.J2Q.80 Vehiclo CO$tsAIWeltarg 12.428.59 Veterinary FPFS 1,35149 IrrttoverableVAT TOTAL CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE E4140.82 Sho 2022 2021 BPANCH $Hops 1.27237 9,22229 369.79 1.272.37 9.Z23.ZY <369.7 126AB 247￿0 9,299A 19MDI.69 374.33 6Y8.12 10.722AI 4,O7$.1 24T.OQ 5.299.98 gn.05 978.09 13ZQ.8 13828.59 1352A9 12.621.14 2504.16 s48￿0 12.627.74 250<16 40.548.80 63.140.82 Sho s Braftch NON CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE 2.7Q4.46 DèpfEclaUM 8 Writ•Off$ 557.95 HeaL Ltght&Wator 147467 4n¥urancBISK￿rfty Goods lorRosalg 4,631.11 NfaintenancB and RFpalrs. 171A7 Meeiings 61310 MototVohlcTe &Trav•lll4g 3￿.￿2 motorv¢hi￿• Costs 119.36 Postsgt andTelopkon0 1A95.40 and Ststio￿ry 6.118.61 Qanka Pr¢¢ÈyJionalFw• Rent& Rates Shop Eq￿1PM•￿t stattC05￿$hQp¥ 10.722A2 StsItCogts'.Br8neh Mina8•r 2.039.09 s1affc05￿&rnnchACE 1,8BB.18 S￿n￿ry Expe￿¢￿ WastèOl$posai 81750 IrrotoverablgVAT 704A6 5,995J6 3.641.52 160AO 12A45.22 SfjQA2 SQ4.30 340.92 1￿c￿e1)sT¥ 5438.01 1f86.85 3.574.85 1713.11 212a f1,47fj.¥0 29DA3 392.5$ 1,996.51 2,492.30 71E.60 212.30 5.289.56 7T14.11 329.35 290.50 6,181.12 290A3 7020 ln.ao 15N.23 203.14 2241.02 24080.00 673Ag Z8,555.72 IM45 6M37 ¥.74191 21.Y4S.92 756.th) 22.567.35 616.93 667.17 7,523.79 6.83 l.lJ27.$2 27.20 f21S.12 .739.29 756.00 24S87.26 1,69B.54 .359.53 24,￿0.￿0 673A9 ,555.72 10,722.42 Z,D39.U9 3,208.92 2.07S.38 877.50 9,2Y9.B8 JSifGRANT 370.ss 4310.58 7￿.fjl 2&1B.8B 1320.74 2076A8 z8o.00 2.618.88 1,156.89 1156 TOTAL IION ¢HARITABLE EXPENDITURE 110A49.18 92.9ts2.63 25.4723J 157Ya4 II•A49.B TOTAL EXPENDITURE 173.5￿.00 133,S51A3 Surplusl(DEflGIt) bofor• Lqgaclg$ 44,144.30 13.1Q2.66 1103.70 ¥EFiWBSF 407.SD Add REGIONALG￿A￿fF0R RABBITSUPPORT Add REGIc1ALGRA￿FCRR￿B6r￿AC¢OMmoDATI9N 2,88&00 S￿￿lUsa￿tIr Le9a¢￿S & othwlllts

5,721.OB

42,855.74 Page 24

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTYTO ANIMALS KENT NORTH-WEST BRANCH IReJi¥tgr8d Charity No.. 2106331 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS. ACCOUNTING POLICIES. The principal accounting policies of the Branch are set out below. The policies have remained unchanged from the previous year. (a) Basis of Accounting. The financial statements have been prepared under historical cost conventions and in accordance with applicab5e accounting stsndards. (b) Income. Income is accounted for when received. (c) Depreciation of Tangib￿ assets. During 2005 the Branch Trustees conducted a review of the methods used to depreciate Capital Expendtture. 11 was concluded that the use of a 100/0 reducing balance gave an unrealistic value of the items over a long term. In future all tangible capital assets would be written off over a determined period with each case of expenditure to be determined at the time of purchase. Details of the period of wrrte off would be recorded in the Branch Asset Register. As a result of the trustees revised policies the following items were written off at the following rates: Freehold Buildings. Nil. During 2013 the Trustees arranged for the revaluation of some of the Branch Property. During 2018 a further revaluation of the property at 158, Parrock Street, Gravesend. was carried out. The results of that revaluations are shown in the Balance Sheet. The valuations were prepared on an open market basis by Mcconnells, Chartered Surveyors. Shop Fixtures and Fittings. All of the original assets hekl at the Branch Shops have now been written off. Page 25

The conversion costs for the development of the Dartford Shop Premises are to be written off over the ten year period of the lease, and were finally depreciated during 2020. Fumiture, PlantandEquipment. The use of a 10% reducing balance was reviewed during the year and it was agreed that the Branch Vehicle and Rabbit Accommodation, purchased during the year should be written off over a five year period. All previous items under this heading have now been written (d) Irrecoverable VAT It is the Branch's policy to write off irrecoverable VAT through the Income & Expenditure account when incurred. FIXED ASSETS. Freehold Property. Branch Shops Furniture Fix &Fitt. Plant and TOTAL Equipment. Balan￿ at 1st Jan. 2022. 833,619.83 Additions Add Revaluation in year. Less Depreciation and Write offs for year. Nil 833.619.83 13,666.32 13,666.32 000.00 Nil (2.704.46) (2,704.46} Balance at 31st Dec 2022 833,619.83 833.619.83 00.00 10961.86 844,581.69 Made up of". Original cost. Less Accumulated Depreciation 836.242.71 51,045.13 18,181.78 905.469.62 {2,622.88) {51,045.13) {7,219.92) (60,887.93) 833,619.83 00.00 10,961.86 844.581.69 BRANCH (formerly the REGIONAL) NEUTERING SCHEME. During 2022 the Branch continued to offer all of its established SeNi￿S including the well-established Branch Neutering Scheme. The expendilure on this service increased by 153%, occasioned by the tremendous impact of the number of Page 26

needs of these and other rabbits in a similar plight, was able to establish a specialty in the system of acceptance, fostering and care, the Branch soon became adept in the acceptance fostering care and rehoming in the care of these most maligned animals. Since the inception Df the Staffie Neutering Scheme the Branch dealt wilh 233 animals. in 2022 no call was made on the retained fund. The Servi￿ will remain available during 2023. During the year, the Branch continued to offer to spay female cats from the age of four months and originally conducted jointly frorn 2015 w%th Cat Protectton however from 2020 the Branch has continued to offer the se￿iCe bearing the whole of the cost. as the funding from Cats Protection ceased in 2018. During 2022 only kno cats were treated under this project. No application was rnade for support to this service from the Regional Joint Funding funds held for this purpose. The funds will be available in 2022 should the need arise. A summary of the total expenditure in respect of the three services is as follows.. Branch Neuterin Scheme: Cats Rabbits Dogs (14) (29) (5) £ 540.28p £1860.98p £ 625.57p Total: £3026.83p Female Cat s in Pro ect: Expenditure in respect of Cat Spaying £ 188.06 {3) Total: £ 188.06p Total as er accounts: £3214.89p DONATIONSIGRANTS. Vvhere appropriate included in the heading DonationlGrants for 2022 would be the contribution made to the Branch in the form of Regional Matched Funding Grants. No Matched funding Grants were applied in 2022 The figure in the Accounts is therefore summarised as follows= General Donations. Donations via Branch ACE £1,465.65p £ 50.OOp TOTAL.£1,515.65p SPECIAL EVENTS. The Branch Trustees are pleased to report that in 2022 several events were held raising a sum of £ 507.20p. and the Trustees are truly grateful for the efforts made in raising such an impressive sum. Details of these events is as follows- Danson Park Stall Pets at Horne Week: Dartford Shop Tombola (Easter) £ 90.OOp £ 39.93p £ 114.10p Page 27

Dartford Shop Tombola (Easter) Dartford Shop Fashion Show Dartford Shop Tombola (Jubilee) Donated Hand Made Poppies. Dartford Shop Tombola (Christmas) £ 114.10p £ 23.17p £ 75.sop £ 13.OOp £ 151.50 £ 507.20 Total HEAT, LIGHT, WATER & RATES. Paymenls made in resFect of the items induded within this heading are summarised as folli)ws'. Electric . L. Water. as Dartford Shop £ 3389.59p £ 429.03p £3,818.62p Gravesend Shop £ 873.43p £508.86p £2237.10p £1,619.39p Branch. £ 142.14p £ 225.05p £ 190.76p £ 557.95p TOTAL £5 995.96 PROFESSIONAL FEES Professional fees include the following amounts for the Independent Examination of the Branch's Accounts". 2022. 2021 £650. £650. 8. CREDITORS. 2022 2021 Trade. £5,271.20p AcGfuals £1.200.OOp £ 6,984.83p £ 765.oop £ 6.471.20p £ 7.749.83p TRUSTEES REMUNERATION & EXPENSES. No Trustee or connected person received any remuneration during the year. 10. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS. The Branch had no Capital Commitsnents at the end of the year. Page 28

STAfÉiw4T OF FINANCIALAenVITIES IPAGE l of 21 INCOMING R Ir￿0￿rffj re80urc•8 ftom 9oneTJted fvnds I I l Donations. leg•cleB and oth•r InGoming resourc4s: Get￿￿1 Donabthi8 waACE CO￿bnO Box 1.440.85 971.22 1.634.94 23.218.00 407.so 4.096.00 1,509.74 24,134.00 13,102.66 0.00 27.487.43 43.49 G￿ts r￿M HMRC Cthxnavins 32.21 80.081.30 87.248.54 I W IAGttvWe5for g?n•ratlng fundB. Sal8 ufdonaiéd itffo D￿f0rd SP sa￿ oldwaled items Gr8vos8nd Shop sa￿ otRags D2rtfDyd Shop Sak ofRags GrawThJ 5 lr¥x¥tEfr￿n Rqcydi S8 ofRSPCA LL¥oed tt8m8 orr￿n RSPCA L(w*J 48,703.70 66.621.41 976.57 767.74 36.776.46 45.344.35 496.60 7.fy) 7.40 133.42 1947.50 507.20 120,857.02 847.$0 1.375.97 85.524.30 I IN I Inv•¥trnpntlrtom• I￿)me trom reniino ol Grave￿4 Propsrty Income from ￿tin9 01 Dartrord Properyos Inlwe5t 8wkAlr 14,eao.00 21.778.00 493.20 14.700.(ty) 22.751.fX) 19.$5 37.151.28 37.470.55 426x1 426.50 1103.78 18S8,70 Tot•1 Inoomlng R06Ou￿•$- 188,31&08 191,902.17 Page 29

STATEMENT OF FMNCIALACTivmES IPAGE Z 0121 OLeES EXP l i I Costs of gpngAting Fund¥ Staff Cosis oi Sfv¢p5 isGr$ ￿ slaff rJ)Sts IJRSI StallCo$19 Branrh Mwr s￿ff Cosls ACÉ 28.555 72 22.567.3S 4.370.SB 1a.559.76 o.oD 7%.00 21.494.26 24S.03 863 212.30 14,784.81 21.444.83 6.117.27 21￿.00 Res37 Ro CoslofGc(l$fy Ros￿0 0.00 180.80 22,828.37 102,988.99 .oa8.52 111 l eharitsblp a¢tlvits•S l a I fèsou￿gr3nLed in ftJrthuwt• olthe PAS￿￿'S obiethes C8tyofAnrrnd$ 19.e01.19 $51.00 37&33 92ZY.29 I f5.LTrJ 126.48 15.495.OD 1.272.37 Cr￿ti1p￿g 321U 23.942.11 26,232.14 I blc4Jstsot¥lMbe5 nfu￿¥￿cl olthB Braryth'tsobpcbves Vrinary Fees Dartrryd Clhl¢ VeleriDry Fee5 Graveeend Cllnlc Veterinary Fees Emergqnry ond ¢h8r c8889 Drugs8rnd Med￿￿&8 0.00 o.oo 13,425.59 037JO 11627.74 4.369.79 I9.46S.￿a 1¢9&7.$3 I c I suFpJrt Jrla I I b l. Tra￿￿r￿j EX￿85 1.IW2.69 127193 2.113.$2 1.311.08 557.9 2.474.67 4.631.11 O.OD Shw o￿ad¥ 2.704.48 S.5￿.53 I.￿7.13 2.169.99 14.17 1595.02 382.55 1998.51 6181.12 Ewrnity Gas andwater sur￿2 8rKI se(￿￿ty CostB Ktsin1erAn￿S Ryirs W85te Diswsal C0518 Dek￿lation of FixedNss0ts PiofessionBI fees IPropertias18gnkl Sundry Exrenditure 17￿0ver8￿•vAT 175. 3861.05 •098.09 21,839.41 STr).82 $95.OD 1,09S.¥ 290.83 850.00 940.83 Toial lts*our¢qs Exp•n(led: 1n,589.90 149.040.43 Page 30

ANNUALACCOUNTS 2 SYATEMENTOF CASH FLOWS t￿￿￿TrEYER 14100 PLv¢haSec4pwwty￿￿rtanrteWPffiErd 14100 RewmÈrtsafLThThing NotC&shPmvld•dby(ustdh) IlTh•rtdnyacllvllles ChngeAn Cashand￿Sh cquwAl•nts thfh•Thpartthgpwlod 22 24U32 oltheywithgp•rtod 227.17$ 3•2.497 TAHLEThQ.' RECONCILL4TIONON NETIN¢ohWexPEND￿uRE) ro AthIITll 16. 42fy56 IdJyskneTrts knr: 2.701 Tr4nslèrul F￿nd1 IlnGreawvdcueoyei*S•t 7.172 Its)7 4202 N94 C•Bh H￿d 227.171 Page 31

STATEMENT OF THE BRANCH COMMITTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES. Rule 3.3 of the R.S.P.C.A. Branch Ru18s (January 2003 edition) empowers the Branch, subject lo certain conditions. to raise funds in the name of the Branch for the General or any special purposes of the Branch or for any purpose of the Sociely or another Branch but all fundraising must be authorised by and reported promoiy to the Branch Comrnittee. Rule 7.1 provides that the Branch Committee as charity trustees have responsibility for the Branch and its propety and funds. Rule 11.1 requires that the Branch Committee must comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 as to the keeping of financial records. the audit or independenl examination of accounts and the preparation and transmission to the Charibes Commission of.. annual reports. annual returns- and annual ststements of account. STATEMENT OF BRANCH RISKS MANAGEMENT POLICY The Branch has identffied the major risks to which it is exposed and h28 T￿t into place system5 and procedures to minimise the rtsks, as follow5.. {1) Misa ro riation of funds. To prevent peculation of the Branch's assets, it has set up an internal control system which requires authorisation of all transactions by a person independent of the Branch Treasurer. Income at the Branch's Shops is monitored by the recording of receipts by an electronic till and a check of retsipts is made at the end of each working day by the Duty Manager. The Branch also maintain5 an asset register for all Capital assets. Monitorin of income to ensure that there are sufficient resources to meet commitments. The Branch Officers regulady monitor reSoUr￿S to ensure that there are funds available to meet its commitments. Reliance on Sources of income. The Branch has in recent years, opened o Charity Shops to improve the income that is required to meet the demands on it services. In 2012 The Branch purchased a property with the purpose of renting to a tenant and producing additional income. During 2013 the Branch Trustees agreed to lease the ground floor of 158, Parrock Street Gravesend on a commercial basis. The lease was completed in 2014. A new lease in respect of the propety was granted in 2017 for a period of 10 years. Also, during the year 2013 the Branch purchased the property 161 Windmill Street, Gravesend and this will in the longer term eliminate the liability to pay rent on the property. The Branch now rents a total of four properties which ¢ontinue to produce additional income for the Branch. liv) A Comrnitment to fund Ca ital Pro ects. The Branch has adopted a number Df objectives to meet its seNice provision in the Tnedium and long tem. It has agreed that no progress can be made on these projects until Page 32

sufficient resources are in place to fund any project to arise from those objectives. (v) Loss of Ke Volunteers. The Branch has adopted a policy of recruiting and training, where possible. additional volunteers to undertake various duties that participate in running a Branch of the size and character of the Kent, North West Branch of the RSPCA (vi) Securi of Sho s. The Branch Trustees have improved the security of Shop Assets by the installation of CCTV units al each of Ihe Branch Charsty Shops. In addition, each Shop has arrangements wtth the Local Authority Shopping Security force and has radio contact with the Centre should Ihe need arise. Branch STATEMENT OF BRANCH RESERVES POLICY. The Branch Committee has reviewed the Branch Reserves Policy during the year and has considered that the steps taken to ensure a Sour￿ of regular income are now adequate to be confident that the resources within the Branch are sufficient to meet its current commitments throughout the coming year and beyond rf commitments are continued at the current rate of expenditure. It further considers that a Current Account balance in the range of £10,000.00 to £20,000.00 would be sufficient to meet all arising commitments. It resolved that the Branch reconsider the need for a Branch Development Fund, to accrue a reseNe to meet the policy objectives set by the BranGh in De￿mbe1 2001. The Branch Committee agreed to review its long-term objectives in the light of estimated requirements of the Branch in respect of the Branch Clinics and animal home facilities. During 2016 the Trustees agreed that the target for the Development Fund should remain at the figure of £1,000, 000.OOp.and this would be reviewed in the light of any changing circumstances. During 2017 the Branch Trustees re- considered the retention of a Development Fund in the light of current financial conditions. The Trustees concluded that Ihe aspirations of the Branch developing an Animal Centre in the light of the numbers of animals that come into its care and considering the continuing escalating costs of such a venture, the objective would be unsustainable and therefore concluded that the Development Fund should be dissolved, and the Funds recorded in the General Funds of the Branch. During 2006, the Branch re￿iVed a legacy from the estate of the late L.C. Croucher. The legacy has a stipulation that the money should only be expended on equipment to be used in the treatment of animals. The Branch Trustees have therefore agreed that the legacy should be maintained in a separately identifiable account within the Branch Funds and recorded as a Restricted Fund and should be available, only for the purchase of equipment required in connection with the meeting of the Branch's revised objectives. During 2018 the Branch Trustees agreed that some of the equipment costs of the Kent North West Branch, Equine Rehoming Centre could properly be appropriated to this account. Consequently. a sum of £12.545.00 of this fund has been expended on the said Branch Equine Rehoming Centre Page 33

OtyOOaU)fDfJrtyu)InNo 11 (¥ 88& ieowejar IÈ ro ¢p ¢ri c? rti fo N o ( ) In ¢￿tn￿o0 •ry LD oufL&[Lkn￿& ¢r loo oooxroco oco ooooNooo oooro(QTr- - ￿) LL1LLLO￿&JOo 000￿￿0<10 LUWUJ ¢£<OO<(LO )coouwv)u_ Page 34

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS, UNQUALIFIED REPORT. Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kent, North - INest Branch. I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 st December 2022 as set out on pages 23 to 31. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner. As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). I report in respect af my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 {5} Ibl of the Act. Independent examiners, statemenL I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any mateiial respect.. 1. Accounting records were no kept in respecl of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act., or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records., or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and contenl of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Fzegulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attenlion should be drawn in th is report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Jack Fryer ACA., Hedley Dunk Limited. Trinity House, 3, Bullace Lane, DARTFORD, Kent DA1 1 BB. 31 May 2023 Page 35