Annual Report 2023
Registered Charity 232233
RSPCA Scarborough & District Branch, The Old Stable, Albemarle Back Road Scarborough, YO11 1YA www.rspca.org.uk/local/scarborough-and-district-branch info@rspca-scarborough.org.uk
At the AGM in June the branch said a fond farewell to Lesley Waters who had been a member and trustee for the branch for almost 20 years. The trustees would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication to Scarborough and district RSPCA during her time as a trustee. We wish her well in her retirement.
The trustees of Scarborough and District RSPCA would also like to thank all volunteers and supporters who have continued to give their time and donations to enable the branch to carry on with its work in supporting local animals and owners.
Like many charities RSPCA Scarborough and district appreciates the difficulties that the rise in the cost of living has had on many households, which has meant that donations were down slightly We are extremely grateful to all those who have continued to help.
In response to falling revenues and increased costs the trustees analysed outgoings and decided on two dramatic changes to the way the branch used its funds.
Despite intensive and lengthy support from trustees, the shop was no longer covering outgoings, with no prospect of a future improvement in revenue. In July the trustees finally agreed the necessity to make the staff redundant and then close the shop at the end of 2023. We would like to thank Karen, her staff and the shop volunteers for all their hard work and wish them well in their future endeavours.
Four trustees and one volunteer ran the shop from August to December on a three day a week basis. We would like to commend all those who helped during this period, particularly Jan Sheppard who heroically volunteered for three days a week until our closure.
We would also like to thank all our lovely supporters who visited the shop. particularly in its last 5 months. The trustees, who did not take this closure decision lightly, were extremely encouraged by the number of customers who praised our efforts, commented on the welcoming atmosphere in the shop and hoped we would open other premises in 2024.
The trustees made every effort to keep the public informed on the shop closure through social media, and personal contact in the shop. Particular emphasis was placed on the branch continuing to offer vouchers and support pet owners once the shop had closed.
Our window displays attracted many admiring comments and we received a Gold Award for the best Xmas window display.
The trustees would like to thank and praise trustees, Janice Kirby, assisted by Jenny Kirby, for their hard work in continuing the high standard of window display set in previous years.
The trustees also made the difficult decision to stop rehoming dogs from September 2023, as the kennelling costs had escalated and fewer owners were requesting this support in the branch area. The trustees felt that these funds would be better targeted at owners who wished to keep their pets. The trustees would like to thank the staff at the RSPCA York Animal Home for all their help and support over the years.
During 2023 the branch provided support for pet owners through £45 vouchers towards veterinary care and help in rehoming cats and dogs (until September 2023), where families were no longer able to keep them, with costs amounting to £62,858.19 for the year. Pet owners have continued to see increasing costs when applying for veterinary treatment, so the trustees decided to continue with additional financial support of up to £200 for owners who were facing extremely high bills when their animals were injured or seriously ill. This was in line with National guidelines. £2.512.19 was allocated for this additional support
The branch is taking part in the RSPCA nationwide initiative to establish links to foodbanks and is currently providing pet food donations to the Rainbow Centre Food Bank.
The donations made by the public during this year and over previous years has allowed us to give vouchers to owners of 84 cats, 62 dogs, 10 rabbits and 2 birds to enable them to access veterinary care for neutering or medical treatment. We took in 63 cats and 16 dogs, with 59 cats and all the dogs kennelled at York Animal Home finding their forever homes in 2023. We would like to express our appreciation to the York Animal Home and Snugglepuss cattery for their care for these animals whilst they waited to be rehomed.
Here is just one rehoming success story.
Dolly was rehomed in March 2023 after being in our cattery for 8 months. She came to us through an inspector and was extremely traumatised by her previous experiences, which meant she was exceptionally timid and distrustful of humans.
After a year in her forever home, her delighted owner reports that “she is now a totally different cat and no longer hides. She loves being fussed and rolls over so I can tickle her belly. She is a right little chatterer since she found her voice and waffles on until I wake up and take notice. She certainly has got me wrapped around her paws.”
The trustees report that the number of long stay cats has increased, with a significant number of those surrendered being older and having medical issues. There was an increase in pregnant females and kittens taken in during 2023.
All associated animal costs increased significantly and the increase in energy costs meant that despite an income of £112,239 our expenditure rose to £189,293 with a resulting deficit of £77,054 (which included statutory redundancy costs for our five staff members).
During the year the trustees revised the Reserves Policy and introduced an updated Code of Conduct Policy in the shop. The change to the Xero accounting system, to support the focus of current and future expenditure, greatly helped trustees when faced with difficult financial decisions. We would like to thank trustee Pauline Bryars for all her hard work with the new system.
In 2024 the trustees will be focussing on attracting new volunteers and will be looking at employing a fundraiser/ volunteer co-ordinator. The trustees will be looking at ways to increase awareness of the work of the branch, which hopefully will then translate into increasing donations to enable us to carry on the work of supporting animals and owners.
Trustees of the Branch:
Hon Treasurer: Mrs Pauline Bryars Hon Secretary: Mrs Kathryn Tait Ms Julie Thorpe-Willett, Mr Paul Riley, Miss Christine Johnson, Mrs Janice Kirby, Miss Jenny Kirby, Ms Karen Kathro Branch Administrator: Mrs Nicola Byrne
Looking Back and Thank You
THANK YOU to everyone; our branch members, adopters, customers, volunteers and staff. Also, thank you to everyone who has donated goods to our shop or funds to our branch via fundraising events, or as part of a family member legacy. Thanks go to our Auxiliary Secretary June Hagger in Filey. Thanks also go to York Animal Home & Snugglepuss - without all of you we could not do what we do! As well as all of the local vets who subscribe to our welfare voucher scheme and deserve our sincere thanks.
Accountants and Independent Examiners
Ashby Berry Coulsons Ltd, 48-49 Albemarle Crescent, Scarborough, YO11 1XU The Branch holds accounts with the Virgin Money and Skipton Building Society.
Cats
Our cats are advertised on the RSPCA Scarborough website and if anyone is looking to adopt a cat in our area, should contact the cat coordinator on 07926 364633 and a home visit will be arranged.
Objectives and Public Benefit Statement
RSPCA Scarborough & District Branch is an unincorporated charitable association and a separately registered branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, carrying out its direct animal welfare work in North Yorkshire including Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Pickering, Helmsley and all areas between. The objectives of the Branch are to promote the work and objectives of the Society, to promote kindness and to prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means, with particular reference to the area of the Branch, in accordance with the policies of the Society. The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objectives and activities for the year, to ensure that they remain focused on our charitable aims and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2006; to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
Advancement of Animal Welfare
Under the Charities Act 2006, the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a distinct statutory charitable purpose. The Animal Welfare Act indicates acceptance by the Society that treating all living creatures with compassion has a moral benefit for the public as a whole. While the 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.
Charitable Activities Pursued for the Public Benefit We support our local Inspector and Animal Welfare Officers to the best of our abilities.
We provide subsidised veterinary treatment for animals that are sick or injured and belong to local people on low incomes. We provide this through the assisted voucher scheme. We provide subsidised neutering and micro-chipping of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low income. Animals in our care receive veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, micro-chipping and are assessed for re-homing. We re-home animals in need to people willing and able to adopt an animal after a home visit.
We take in lost animals and attempt to re-unite them with their owners. We respond to enquiries and requests for advice about local animals. We provide volunteering opportunities to those who are able to support our work.
Members
We have 54 members in the Scarborough and District Area.
Risk Management
Any risks the charity was exposed to in 2023 were reviewed and risk assessments were undertaken where required. The charity trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks.
We look forward to working with you all in 2024 to promote positive animal well-being and welfare.
RSPCA Scarborough @RSPCAScarboro
www.rspca.org.uk/local/scarborough-and-district-branch
| Animals(Scarborough And District Branch) Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To |
Animals(Scarborough And District Branch) Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To |
Animals(Scarborough And District Branch) Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To |
232233 | 232233 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01/01/2023 | To | 31/12/2023 | |||
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 10,220 23,094 38 6,529 69,907 2,255 196 112,239 0 0 0 112,239 103,077 0 551 65,803 15,038 132 233 4,145 314 189,293 0 0 0 189,293 (77,054) 0 302,144 225,090 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ 10,220 23,094 38 6,529 69,907 2,255 196 0 0 112,239 0 0 0 112,239 103,077 0 551 65,803 15,038 132 233 4,145 314 189,293 0 0 0 189,293 (77,054) |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| Legacies & Donations | 10,220 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
10,220 | 7,290 | ||
| Door 2 Door | 23,094 | 23,094 | 23,218 | |||
| Pet Insurance | 38 | 38 | 45 | |||
| Animals Rehoused | 6,529 | 6,529 | 7,507 | |||
| ShopIncome | 69,907 | 69,907 | 102,320 | |||
| Bank Interest | 2,255 | 2,255 | 1,372 | |||
| Grants & Subs From HQ | 196 | 196 | 142 | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
0 | |||||
| 0 | ||||||
| 112,239 | 112,239 | 141,894 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| 0 | 0 0 0 |
0 | 0 | |||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Sub total | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 0 | 112,239 | 141,894 | ||||
| ShopExpenses | 103,077 | 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
103,077 | 101,715 | ||
| FundraisingPurchases | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Branch Contributions To HQ | 551 | 551 | 1,378 | |||
| Animal Expenses | 65,803 | 65,803 | 68,051 | |||
| Wages & Pensions | 15,038 | 15,038 | 22,439 | |||
| Repairs & Maintenance | 132 | 132 | 90 | |||
| Insurance & Utilities | 233 | 233 | 2,041 | |||
| Professional Fees | 4,145 | 4,145 | 2,281 | |||
| Other Expenses | 314 | 314 | 4,607 | |||
| Sub total | 189,293 | 189,293 | 202,602 | |||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| 0 | 0 0 0 |
0 | 0 | |||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Sub total | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 0 | 189,293 | 202,602 | ||||
| (77,054) | 0 | 0 | (77,054) | (60,708) | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 0 |
0 | 0 | ||
| 302,144 | 0 | 302,144 | 362,852 | |||
| 225,090 | 0 | 0 | 225,090 | 302,144 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
09/04/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Bank Current Account Savings Accounts Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 34,782 0 190,308 0 0 0 225,090 0 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 0 0 0 0 0 Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) 0 0 0 0 Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) 0 0 0 0 0 Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 0 | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
09/04/2024
2
Ashby Berry Coulsons Chartered Accountants 2 Belgrave Crescent Scarborough North Yorkshire YO11 1UB
Dear Sirs
The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate and are sufficient to satisfy ourselves that we can make each of the following representations. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.
GENERAL
1. We acknowledge that the work performed by you is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and that you do not express an audit opinion.
2. We confirm that the charity was entitled to exemption under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 the requirement to have its financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2023 audited.
3. We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees as set out in the terms of your engagement letter dated 21 May 2021 under the Charities Act 2011 for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you.
4. All the transactions undertaken by the charity have been properly reflected and recorded in the accounting records.
5. All the accounting records have been made available to you for the purpose of your independent examination. We have provided you with unrestricted access to all appropriate persons within the charity and with all other records and related financial information requested, including minutes of all management and trustee meetings and correspondence with The Charity Commission.
6. The financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions.
7. We are not aware of any uncorrected misstatements.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
8. The charity has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the charity’s assets, except for those that are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the financial statements.
9. All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as applicable.
10. We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and where relevant the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
11. The methods, data and significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates, and their related disclosures, are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement and disclosure that is reasonable in the context of the applicable financial reporting framework.
12. LEGAL CLAIMS
We are not aware of any claims in connection with litigation that have been, or are expected to be, received.
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
13. We are not aware of any instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements.
RELATED PARTIES
14. Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed as applicable in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with legislative and accounting standards requirements..
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
15. All events subsequent to the date of the financial statements which require adjustment or disclosure have been properly accounted for and disclosed as applicable.
GOING CONCERN
16. We believe that the charity’s financial statements should be prepared on a going concern basis on the grounds that current and future sources of funding or support will be more than adequate for the charity’s needs. We have considered a period of twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. We believe that no further disclosures relating to the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern need to me made in the financial statements.
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
- There have been no grants, donations and other income, the receipt of which is subject to specific terms or conditions.
Yours faithfully
..............................................................................................................................
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees
Date……………………………………….