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2020-12-31-accounts

RSPCA HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH CHARITY No 0223364

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2020

CONTENTS

1
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION.....................................................1
1.1
Status..........................................................................................................................1
1.2
Trustees And Management Committee .....................................................................1
1.3
Other Significant Information....................................................................................1
2
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT...............................................1
3
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITY.......................................................2
4
OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT........................................................2
4.1
Advancement Of Animal Welfare .............................................................................2
4.2
Charitable Activities Pursued For The Public Benefit...............................................2
5
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE ....................................................................3
6
FINANCIAL REPORT......................................................................................................4
6.1
Basis of Accounts ......................................................................................................4
6.2
Reserves Policy..........................................................................................................4
6.3
Investment Policy.......................................................................................................4
6.4
Annual Review...........................................................................................................5
6.5
Receipts and Payments for 2020................................................................................6
6.6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2020 ........................................8
7
APPROVAL ......................................................................................................................8
ANNEX A – INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT ...............................................9

RSPCA HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH – TRUSTEES’ REPORT 2020

1 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

1.1 Status

The RSPCA Herefordshire Branch is an unincorporated charitable association operating as a Branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Society), carrying out its direct animal welfare work in Herefordshire. It is separately registered with the Charity Commission, number 0223364, and is responsible for raising its own funds.

1.2 Trustees And Management Committee The Trustees form the Management Committee. The following Trustees were in office during the year.

Chair R. Turner Treasurer D. Starling Secretary L. Hurds Other Members of the Committee J. Gardner P. Gardner L. Provins K. Tillett R. Owens

1.3 Other Significant Information

Senior Staff - Administrator S. Perks Shop Manager S Morgan Principal Address 37 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AR Independent Examiners Mr A Oliver, 117 Hoarwithy Road Hereford HR2 6HD Bankers CAF Bank Ltd, 28 Kings Hill Ave. West Maling. Kent. ME19 4JG

2 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

In accordance with Branch Rules, a management committee, elected at the AGM, governs the Branch and members are Trustees of the Branch. The power of co-opting new Trustees is vested in the elected Trustees. All Trustees are briefed on their responsibilities as Trustees prior to their acceptance of the role.

The Trustees hold regular meetings at which strategic decisions are made. Day to day running of the Branch is delegated to the Administrator, and the day to day running of the shop delegated to the Shop Manager.

The Trustees actively review the risks which the charity faces through regular meetings of the Trustees that cover operational and financial aspects. The Trustees confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks, which have been identified as :

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3 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITY

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements as explained below. The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the net incoming or outgoing resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. They have general responsible for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware. Additionally the Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.

4 OBJECTS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The objects of the Branch are to promote the work and objects of the Society - which are to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means - with particular reference to the area of the Branch, in accordance with the policies of the Society.

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

4.1 Advancement Of Animal Welfare

Under the Charities Act 2006, the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a distinct statutory charitable purpose. This legislation and the Animal Welfare Act of the same year indicate an acceptance by society that treating living creatures with compassion has a moral benefit for the public as a whole. Whilst this public benefit is clear, it is sometimes difficult to quantify and must be balanced against any detriment.

The Branch’s animal welfare work, although local in nature, benefits society at large, and also aims to help people in need with the care of their animals. The next section of this report highlights the Branch's main activities and demonstrates the benefit provided to the public. All our charitable activities focus on promoting kindness and preventing or suppressing cruelty to animals and are undertaken to further these purposes for the public benefit.

4.2 Charitable Activities Pursued For The Public Benefit

We support our local RSPCA Inspectors by taking in, free of charge, mistreated or abandoned animals, including - where resources permit - pets whose owners suffer ill health or financial difficulties or pass away. The Society‘s Inspectorate (as well as providing education, information and advice) rescues animals in distress and enforces laws against the cruel

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mistreatment of animals in England and Wales by bringing prosecutions. This work is key to 'the prevention or suppression of cruelty' part of the RSPCA objects, and promotes humane sentiments towards animals which involves moral benefit to humankind as a whole.

We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals which are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We do this through a voucher scheme. This work benefits those on means-tested benefits by giving them financial help to obtain care for companion animals in need of veterinary treatment.

We provide subsidised neutering and microchipping of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low incomes. We do this by a voucher scheme. This work helps to control dog/cat populations through neutering and benefits those on means-tested benefits by giving them financial help to neuter and microchip companion animals, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, micro-chipping and are assessed for re-homing. This work helps to control the incidence and spread of disease and suffering through vaccination and neutering.

We re-home animals in need at low cost to people willing and able to have a companion animal. Whilst we recognise that companion animals provide measurable benefits to people‘s physical and mental health, we consider the provision of pets as subsidiary to the main charitable aim of this service, which is to reduce animal suffering. Our policy to charge a reasonable adoption fee for animals aims to highlight the ongoing personal and financial commitment of pet ownership. It would not be in the best interests of animals, and therefore would fall outside our objects, to re-home to those who could not afford them.

We take steps to reunite lost animals with their owners. This work benefits our local community (including local authorities) by preventing animals straying and posing a risk to themselves and to people through road traffic accidents.

We respond to enquiries (both direct and via the Society‘s national call centre) from the public about animals locally. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.

We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including Trusteeship, fostering and fundraising. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.

5 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The Branch continues to benefit from the hard work and dedication of its Administrator.

In 2020 despite Covid 19 restrictions we re-homed dogs, cats and other animals. All these are up on 2019. Our website continues to play an important role in all our work, especially in re-homing. Our social media presence, Facebook and Twitter, has grown and plays a major role too. We are very grateful to all those Committee members and other volunteers who contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of the site and social media.

During 2020, we worked hard to deal with the ever-increasing number of requests to take unwanted animals from the public. Although we adhere to national RSPCA priorities to focus on animals rescued from cruelty and neglect, we have continued to help as broadly as possible.

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Our shop remains a highly visible focus of our work however during the pandemic we were closed for lengthy periods on three occasions. Our paid staff were furloughed at this time As ever, we remain very grateful to all our shop volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

6 FINANCIAL REPORT

6.1 Basis of Accounts

The accounts for 2020 are shown below. As previously, the Trustees have decided that the Branch accounts will not be audited but will be subject to an Independent Examination and will use the “Receipts and Payments” format allowed by the Charity Commission for charities of the size and nature of the Branch. This leads to simplicity and reduced professional fees.

The statement from the Independent Examiner is provided in Annex A.

The Branch only has Unrestricted funds, which can be used as Trustees see fit. However, certain funds are designated to cover continued operation of the Branch in 2020. These funds are those in the Branch’s annual budget and are intended for this specific purpose.

6.2 Reserves Policy

The Trustees’ reserve policy is to maintain reserves sufficient to cover at least a year’s expenditure on animal welfare. This is possible since the Branch has no long-term commitments such as an Animal Centre and can act flexibly. However, investment income from the reserves is a significant source of income, and while this dependency exists, the reserves cannot be reduced unduly.

Nevertheless, the Trustees believe that a managed reduction in reserves, when the funds are used to promote animal welfare, is legitimate.

6.3 Investment Policy

The Trustees’ investment policy is to focus on investments that achieve as high a return as possible with minimum risk. At the same time, Trustees recognise that enhanced returns can sometimes be obtained from investments with a slightly higher risk. In line with this policy, most investments are in bonds/accounts with bodies covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and within the Scheme’s limits, although where the risk/reward

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situation is considered acceptable the investment may not be within the Scheme’s limits. A relatively small amount is invested (indirectly) in equities.

6.4 Annual Review

The following sections provide detailed figures. Following the Committee’ decision to use some of its reserves to fund operating costs, the net operating deficit for the year was £17K. This was offset to some extent by a legacy of £35K and grants and fulough payments of £28K leaving £239K in reserves.

Fundraising and donations continued to fall in the year, Mainly due to the pandemic and limitations on fundraising.

Income from other sources – the Branch’s share of national activities such as door to door collections – remains a major part of the Branch’s total income but also decreased slightly in 2020. The contribution from national activities rose but legacies were very small.

Re-homing costs were up somewhat in the year, mainly due to an increase in vet costs particularly for medication.

Assistance to qualifying members of the public to treat their own animals increased somewhat in the year, again partly due to increased vets costs.

An operating deficit is also expected in 2021 as a controlled reduction in the Branch’s reserves occurs, in the cause of animal welfare. However, the general economic climate remains unhelpful and firm control of expenditure is needed. The Branch aims to minimise reliance on legacies and national activities and focus on the shop as its prime source of reliable income, while exploiting new fundraising opportunities as much as possible. In this way, it aims to maximise the funds available for animal welfare.

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6.5 Receipts and Payments for 2020

INCOME
Adoption Fees
Fund Raising
Boxes
Store Collections
Donations
Events/Stall
Sponsorship
Total Fund Raising
Gift Aid
Shop
Cash Donations
Total Gift Aid
Investment Income
Other
Legacies
National Collection
Pet Insurance
Subscriptions
Total Other
Shop Takings
Grants & Furlough
Total Operating Income
EXPENDITURE
Re-homing
Accommodation
Vets Fees
Total Re-homing
Operating Costs
Shop Costs
VAT - Recoverable
Welfare Vouchers
Total Operating Expenditure
NET OPERATING RECEIPTS		 2020 (£)
2019 (£)
NOTES
2,235
870
126
564
512
7,455
725
3
2,747
8,747
1,266
16
1,282
903
3,394
35,671
2,080
24,367
26,188
60,038
28,268
11,501
55,318
28,982
104,171
98,005
11,890
6,410
29,203
16,588
41,093
22,997
23,737
21,134
52,615
52,881
3,318
4,358
5,883
121,803
106,212
-17,632
-8,207

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Operating Costs
Auditing & Banking
Branch Contribution
Admin Expenses
Events/Promotion
Equipment
Hire of Room, etc
Insurance
Miscellaneous
Postage/Stationery
Salaries
Total Operating Costs		 2020 (£)
2019 (£)
1,020 1,049
3,795
2,394
2,013 2,320
186
531
461
264
13
15,985
14,840
23,737
21,134
Shop Costs
CC Handling
Cleaning
Electricity
Till Expenses
Goods for Resale
Maintenance
Miscellaneous
Rates
Rent
Salaries
Telephone
Water Rates
Total Shop Costs		 2020 (£)
2010 (£)
540
285
534
1,746
1,998
1,224
1,208
4,577
1,333
450
593
476
998 1,118
17,058
17,148
25,439
24,712
294
217
72
384
52,615
47,622

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6.6 Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2020

MONETARY ASSETS
WORKING ACCOUNTS
CAF Cash A/c
Barclays Current A/c
Total Working Accounts
Movement
DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
Redwood
INVESTMENTS
CCLA Charities Investment Fund
Movement
TOTAL MONETARY ASSETS
Movement
NON-MONETARY ASSETS
Cat Pens
Miscellaneous small cages
Miscellaneous small shop fittings
2020 (£)
2019 (£)
51,928 74,124
4,974 3,261
58,902
77,385
-18,484
42,109
56,614
56,097
123,249 115,580
7,669
238,765
294,062
-10,297

I

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ANNEX A - INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlner's report on the accounts 8•cVon A Ind•p•nd•nt Examln•V$ R•port R•pgrtto the tNstewl d tsfJ7rffj /LÉfcA On ac¢ountsfertho year Ch•rJty Iir •nyl 8•t Out p•g•s I to the trustsos cn my examlnatkn ol thB 8¢xounls01 ￿￿￿ty(￿h6 Tru4l forthg year 8nded R8wwlblllll•s ABtho rtsritytru6ts ol thp TruK forth•prnp¥4I0ft bas1% of r•port cl Iha arxokrts ￿ acoJrdanc lth Ihor•]UWf4TKnls ofthp 11 fth¢ Ad'l. r8F¥Ji ln my dth• Tntsf$ carried l￿der 5ectM 145 clthe 2011 Act and in carying oul my •xami￿1￿0n, I h•¥t Idl(M9d ￿ apF4calae Dtrethons by Ihe Charity Cornrni5S vJeTsxIiLn 145(5Mbl Ad, Ind•p•nd•nt I have completed my exArniMI￿. I corf•rn that llo mattèrs h •xamln•fs 8tat•m•nt ime to my Idh•r.IhaFF6dlsdDwttbelw'.I %•ith Épo¢L' acc￿￿￿ iKtyd8 not W k) a¢¢orda￿ Wlh 8ocfkn 130 rf I have arKI h&ye c¥JTne gEXDS8 no thr mètters In oytrnecl Ihè èxamtrAiioTh to 7hlL atwntth sluld t* in kyder lo ￿8b1￿& ¥CP8r uTrJ8r8tanthng ofthe gc£ourt5 to be reachèd. ' Plo•so thg thg brxk6tsrft￿Y￿ t￿14￿. 2o40,2DJ/ qua14fi¢4tionl¥l or bDd Imanyl: 11 14 October 2018 Page 9