Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Liverpool Branch TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2024 Registered Charity Number 232254 ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS LIVERPOOL BRANCH Year ended 31 st De￿mber 2024 PATRONS: Sir James Sharples, Q.P.M. PRESIDENT: The Lord Mayor of Liverpool VICE-PRESIDENTS: The Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Kn0v￿leY The Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton A LIThLE HISTORY "The Liverpool Society For Preventing Wanton Cruelty To Brut8 Animals. was formed by a group of people who got together in the Crown & Anchor Coffee House in Bold Street Liverpool at 7pm on the 25th October 1809. Thus came into being the first animal welfare society in the wodd. 1809 was the jubilee year of H.M. George111 and 25th October was jubi18e day. England was at war with France and Napoleon had banned trade between the conquered ¢onlinental countries and England. Reports of the Society's work appeared regularly in 'Billinges Liverpool Advertiser and Marine Intelli9ence°. These reports were ill recetved by certain hauliers and carters who could see that their sick and infirm animals might te prevented from working. This resulted in members of the SOCW being waylaid after their meetings and in consequence me8tings had to be held in secret. In $u¢¢e$sion, RSPCA LIVERPOOL BRANCH was established in 1841. ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS LIVERPOOL BRANCH INDEX INDEX STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES 4-6 TRUSTEES, REPORT 7-10 REPORT OF THE AUDITORS 11 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL LIABILITIES 12 BALANCE SHEET 13-19 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS LIVERPOOL BRANCH Year ended 31st De￿mber 2024 TRUSTEES. REPORT Registered Charity No. 232254 Principal Office: 2nd Floor, Unity Building, 20 Chapel Street. Liverpool L3 9AG Phone: 0151705 9090 The Governing Documents and Constitution: RSPCA Branch Model Rules revised October 2023 and the Charty Commission Scheme 30th April 1971. The Charity is constttuted as an unincorporated association. BRANCH COMMITTEE Officern: Chaimian". Mrs F. LYE Hon. Treasurer.. Mrs C. MALTON Hon. se¢￿tary.. Mrs E BAXTER Members: Ms G. LYE Ms L. FARRAR Ms N. MCQUAID (resigned January 2024) Bankers: HSBC BANK plc 99-101 Lord Street. Liverpool L2 6PG Auditors: Malthouse & Co 8 Rumford Place, Liverpool L3 9DD {0151284 2000) Investment Managers: RATHBONE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD Port of Liverpool Building. Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1 NW (0151236 6666) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 St December 2024 The Trustees present their report and financial slalemenls of the charity for the year ended 31sI December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Slalemenl of Recommended Practice (SORPI applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance wilh the Finanual Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). LEGAL STATUS The charity is conslituled as an unincorporated assoaatK)n, its registered charity number being 232254. The principal office is now at 2Th* Floor, Unity Building, 20 Chapel Street, Liverpool, L3 9AG. Trustees are elected from Branch member5 al every Annual General Meeting lo cary on the work for the ensuing year. The members of the Committee shall consist of no less than five or rnore than fourteen elected members. The elected Committee can co-opt not more than three persons who shall be members of the Branch Commitlee until the next Annual General Meeting and who are eligible lo be appointed as officers of the Branch. Al Trustees are briefed on their responsibilities as Trustees prior lo their acceptance of the role. The Branch currently ha$ 5 Trustees. New Iruslees will undergo a period of orienlalion lo brief them on their legal obligations under charity. trust law. the Charity Guidance on public benefit., and inform them of the conlenl of the Branch governing documenlalion., the operation of the Branch Committee and decision-making processes. The RSPCA Liverpool Branch is a separate Charity {No. 232254) from the National Society bul is subject to and operates under the Rules for the National Society and the Rules for Branches as updated in 2006. OBJECTNES, FUNCTIONS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT The object of the charily is lo prevent Cruelly and to promote kindness lo animals within the Liverpool and Merseyside area as defined by the Society. The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objectives and activities for the year to ensure they remain focused on our charitable aims and continue lo deliver benefits to the public. We have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. ORGANISATION The Bran¢h operates as an autonomous Branch of the RSPCA subject lo its rules for Branches. The Branch is governed by a committee elected at the AGM who are Trustees of the Branch. The Committee is responsible for the management, financial affairs and animal welfare activities conducled by the Branch. PARTNERSHIPS The Branch operates a Welfare Voucher Scheme in partnership with Cats Protection and Care for the Paw to support their outreach work in deprived parts of Liverpool. The Branch also works closely with the Society's Inspeclorale providing financial support for animal welfare and neutering. The Branch supports the National Pet Food Partnership and supplies food on a regular basis to two Food Bank distribution points {St. Andrews Community Centre and St. Leonards in Bootlel. The Branch supports other l¢)cal Animal Charities and RSPCA Branches by accepting, for consideration, Grant Applications and funding projects, where appropriate, lo further the Branch aims and objectives. The Branch explored the possibility of setting up a clinic, but a cost benefft analysis indicated that using local vet facilities and working with Rescue Me. a local animal charity with on-site clinic, would make better use of available funds. On going support for RSPCA Soulhport and RSPCA Lancs East established a working partnership which could offer the Branch support with rehoming dogs if necessary. Increasing the number of local vets who are willing lo accept RSPCA Liverpool Branch vouchers, will make it easier for more people access health care and neutering for their pets. The Trustees recognise that, in order to expand Branch operations in future. they may need to employ an Administrator." FINANCIAL REVIEW Total income for 2024 rose from £136.743 in 2023 to £293,274. This can largely be accounled for due lo an exceptional legacy of £150,000 received in the year. Total expenditure fell from £177.555 in 2023 to £154.548 this year. The biggest difference was grants paid to other charities which fell by £68.000. this was somewhat offset by the branch contribution levied by RSPCA HQ of£22.050 up from £551 in 2023. An additional £11.059 was spent on other charitable activities subsidising vet costs and buying pet fo(KJ for food banks. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS There were no related party transactions in 2024. and no trustee received any ￿mUneratIon or expenses. RISK ANALYSIS In previous years the trustees had identtfied several factors which would pose a risk to the Branch. With the decision taken to close the centre and cease operatin9 in 2019 the main risk was for insufficient trustees to be recruited to continue the Branch work. The other risk identified previously was the loss of legacy income which had continued al a very low18vel compared with previous years. The Iruslees were satisfied that there were sufficiently robust procedures in place along with the the recruitment of volunteers of suitable qualification and experience to minimise the risk error or fraud. RESERVES POLICY Reserves are necessary lo safeguard the branches, future. Following the closure and subsequent sale of the animal centre in 2021, the trustees needed lo address how the charity would continue to operate. The Iruslees are Wofking on building relationships wlh other local animal welfare organisations and collaborating with them to pursue the charity s aims and objectives. The majority of the chafrty's funds are invested to produce an income whilst the Iruslees consider the best way lo apply accumulated ￿serveS going fo￿ard. The Iruslees have considered varioijs activities such as investing in a new animal centre or a new veterinary centre or working with other organisalions who are providing facilities already. They are also considering staff recruitment lo facilitate increased activity and are looking for new Iruslees who can bring new skills lo strengthen the charily 5 board. These discussions are ongoing into 2025. INVESTMENT POLICY Following the sale of the Branch's land at Halewood. substantial funds were available for Investment. The Trustees met with our portfolio management consultants. and a strategy was discussed and agreed. T￿.e Branch portfolio is managed by Rathbones Investment Management on a discretionary basis. The portfolio value al 31$1 December 2024 was £3,592,634, which includes £243.105 cash on deposit and at 31M December 2023 was £3,386,199. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSI8ILrriES The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial slalemenls in accordance wth applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards {Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclice). The law applicable to charities in IEngland and WaleslScotlandlNorthem Irelandl requires the trustees to prepare financial slalements for each financial year which give a Irue and fair view of the 8lale of affia1￿ o'i the c￿arity and of the incoming reSoUr￿S and application of resources gf the charitg f-r that yeriod. In prepa,":ng these final￿1c-.1 stalemenLS. the.truetees are required lo.. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and Prepare the accounts on a going COn￿M basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charty V￿11 continue in business. The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting reGords which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charrties Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2¢)08 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for takn'ng reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other i￿egUlaritIes. FUTURE PLANS Going forward the trustees plan to Continue to support the outreach work of the Cals Protection and Care for the Paw and to provide financial support for animal welfare and neutering. Where appropriate. the charity will continue to support other animal charities through grant funding and through collaboration on projects as appropnate GOING CONCERN These financial statements have been prepared on the going concem basis. INFORMATION TO AUDITORS At the time the report is approved, the trustees are not aware of any relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware. and they have taken all steps that they each ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit infom)ation and to establish thal the auditor is aware of that information. Approved by tho Commltte• on 2J .Y.￿￿. 2025 Mrs F. Lyo Mrs E. Baxter TRUSTEES ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS LIVERPOOL BRANCH REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Oplnion We have audited the financial statements of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Liverpool Branch Ithe'charity.) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Adivities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting PraGtice). In our opinion the financial sL*ements: give a true and fair view of the slate of the Charity's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources. for the year then ended., have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice: and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basis for opinlon We ¢onducted our audit in accordance with Intemational Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK}) and applicable law. Our responsibilrties under those slandards ar8 further described in th8 Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethirAI requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK. including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilrties in accordance with these requirements. We believe that Ihe audit evidence we have obtained is suffiaent and appropriale to provide a basis for our opinion. Other matter The figures included in the financial statements in respect of the prior period are unaudited. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have conduded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have perfomed, we have not identrfied any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that. individually or collectively, may cast signrficant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concem for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authonsed for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going con¢em are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other infomiatlon The trustees are responsible for the other infomation. The other infomiation Gomprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other infomiation and. ex￿pt to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report. V￿ do not express any fomi of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other infomiation and, in doing so. consider whether the other infomation is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identrfy such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to detem)ine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If. based on the work have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other infomiation. we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard Matters on whlch we are r8qulrnd to report by exceptlon We have nothing to report in respect of the foll¢Jwing matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you rf. in our opinion: the infomation given in the Report of the Trustees is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements- or sufficient accounting records have not been kept., or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and retums., or we have not received all the infomiation and explanations we require for our audit. Rosponslbllltles of trustees As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees. R8sponsibiliti88. the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal Control as the trustees detemine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement. whether due to fraud or error. In p￿paring the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for as$essing the charitws ability to ¢ontinue as a going concem. disclosing. as applicable, matters related to going ¢oncem and using the going concem basis of a￿UntIng unless the trustaes either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cea88 operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do 80. Our re8pon8lbllftle8 for the audlt of the financlal statements We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assuran￿ about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but 18 not a guarantee that an audtt conducted in accordance with ISAS {UK} will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate. they could reasonably be expected to irffluence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAS (UKI, we exercise professional judgement and rnainlain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also.. identify and assess the risks of material misstalement of the charity's financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. design and perfom audrt procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit eviden￿ that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of nol detecting a material misstatement resutting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from e￿or, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery. intentional omissions. misrepresentations, or the override of intemal control. obtain an understanding of intemal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit prO￿dureS that are appropnate in the circumstances. but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charity's intemal control. evaluate the appropTiateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees. conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees. use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained. whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or condttions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to conlinue as a going concem. If V￿ conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditorfs report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or. rf such disclosures are inadeqtjate. to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditorfs report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concem. evaluate the overall presentation, strudure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underfying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation {i.8. gives a true and fair view). We Gommunitste with those Charged with govemance regarding. among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audtt and signffjicant audit findings, including any significant defi¢ien¢ies in intemal Control that we identify during our audit. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud 1$ detailed below.. Our approach to identifying and assessing the nsks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-¢ompliance with laws and regulations, was as follows.. the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence. capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non