## RSPCA Darlington and District Branch
## Trustees’ Annual Report
For the Year Ending 31[st] December 2020
Reference and Administrative details:
Registered Charity Number: 232264 Trustees: S. Alcorn-Davenport – Website/Facebook Co-ordinator/Admin Volunteer Speaker, Regional Representative J. Evans – Resigned - Nov 2020 A. Gillborn – Treasurer K. Hunton – Admin R. King - Admin S.M. McLaren – Animal Welfare Co-ordinator, Fosterer, Home Visitor S. McTrusty – Resigned – 02.06.21 L. Moore – Secretary/Admin, Events/Fundraiser co-ordinator, Volunteer Speaker, Fosterer C. Mullen – Cat Hub Treasurer M. Nicholson - Fundraiser J. Shields – Chairperson – retired 09.06.21 Branch Partnership Manager S.Mason (BPM) Principle Address: RSPCA Darlington & District Branch PO Box 200, Richmond North Yorkshire, DL10 9DN Tel: 079723 68602 (Branch answering machine) RSPCA Emergency helpline: 0300 1234 999 Web: www.rspca-darlington.org.uk Email: admin@rspca-darlington.org.uk Independent Examiners: Momentum Taxation & Accountancy Ltd Harelands Courtyard Offices Moor Road Melsonby, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 5NY Bankers: Lloyds Bank (General & Clinic & Cat Hub accounts) PO Box 1000, Andover, BX10 1LT National Savings Investments Bank (Reserve account) Glasgow G58 1SB
## **The Branch Trustees hereby present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2020**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
The Darlington & District Branch is constituted as an unincorporated association, which operates as an autonomous branch of the National RSPCA subject to its rules for branches. The Branch operates within a national network of organisations that pursue the same objectives as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). The network comprises independent branches operating within a defined geographical area for the purposes of fundraising and the provision of animal care and treatment. A regional structure also exists on a national basis, which provides a team of specialist Inspectors and co-ordinates policies and objectives of the branches. National, regional and branches meet regularly in pursuit of their common aims.
Trustees are elected from eligible Members, at the AGM and are briefed on their responsibilities and specific roles which they may be taking on. Meetings are held at 6 weekly intervals usually, to agree the day to day running of the Branch. The Trustees are responsible for the detection and prevention of fraud and other irregular activities. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity. They actively review operational, financial and business risks and confirm they have systems to mitigate any potential risks such as:
- Loss of reputation through fraud or error
- Loss of income through fraud or error
- Insufficient funds to cover the costs of animal welfare activities
## **Recruitment of Trustees:**
A standard procedure is followed in recruiting Trustees. Nomination papers are sent to every member of the Branch area, with a date for their return. The candidates must have 2 signed members of the Branch as nominees. At the AGM there must be 7 members elected by ballot papers for the Branch to be recognised as a committee and at least 7 members should be present at the AGM.
## **Reserves Policy**
The policy of the Branch is to maintain 12 – 18 months unrestricted expenditure. As the Charity relies on donations and legacies, which can fluctuate year to year, it is felt prudent to maintain these reserves at this level so to continue the animal welfare work carried out by the Branch.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The main object of the Branch is to promote the work of the National RSPCA Society in promoting kindness and supressing cruelty to animals by all lawful means, within our Branch area and in accordance with the policies of the Society.
The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of the Branch objectives and activities for the year to ensure they remain focussed on the Charity’s aims and continue to deliver benefits to the public. The Trustees have complied with the duty under the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission which can be illustrated as follows:
- The Branch works closely with the National Society and generates its own funds to help and care for animals which need assistance within our local area.
- Subsidised veterinary treatment is provided via the Branch voucher scheme to enable animals to attend a veterinary consultation or have their animal neutered, when they are owned by Members of the Public who receive benefits. The Branch also financially supports, abused, abandoned and neglected local animals so they can receive veterinary treatment when rescued by our Inspectorate. During 2020 Branch Veterinary treatments amounted to £12,101.76p which is less than 2018 and 2019, due to the pandemic and the Cat Hub financial support amounted to £10,000,00p.
- Responsible pet ownership is promoted by the Branch, by subsidising neutering and micro-chipping of animals, for low-income earners, which helps to lessen unwanted puppies and kittens and helps lost/stolen dogs to be returned to their owners.
- As promoted and supported by the RSPCA, the Branch has recently ventured into Volunteer Speaking with groups such as Brownies, Scouts and other children’s and young people’s groups, as well as those of adults, when their leaders request a talk on animal welfare. We had several talks booked to attend this year but all those arranged for after February, were cancelled due to Covid 19 lockdowns and restrictions.
- When possible, the Branch supports the local Inspectors by fostering, dogs and cats/kittens. The animals are cared for by our foster carers then, neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and given flea and worm treatments, in readiness for adoption when potential adopters come along. The Branch carries out home visit checks to ensure the animal is adopted into an environment where the animal and the adopter are suitably matched. Our Home Visitors also carry out home visits in our area as well as for other Branches and Animal centres, situated in other areas of the country but this was put on hold during 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions.
- RSPCA Darlington & District Branch provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work which involves; trusteeship, fundraising, helping at events, fostering animals, volunteer speaking, social media and online fundraising. Those activities benefit local people by providing voluntary work, which is compassionate and rewarding, in helping the Branch and our local needy animals. Due to Covid 19 this year, all the fundraising activities were put on hold with the exception of the Tesco collections in January.
However, we did manage to recruit 2 Trustees online. One to help with Admin and one to help with Accounts. We also recruited 2 more volunteers to help with fundraising once restrictions are lifted. Our new Trustee accountant then became our Treasurer for the Cat Hub as we are now the Employing Branch for the Hub and deal with their admin and finances. Having a Treasurer for the Branch and one for the Cat Hub keeps the work separated.
- Usually, the Branch raises funds to enable it to carry out its work and raise the profile of the RSPCA, the Branch and the Cat Hub but unfortunately due to Covid 19 less money was raised during 2020. Veterinary surgeries were restricted to emergency treatments only in the spring and summer and these were still in place to some extent when restrictions were lifted a little in the autumn before we had lockdown again during the winter. Our Trustees did what they could from home to keep the Branch functioning and members of the public made some donations online or by cheque
- It has been a difficult year for the National Society and the Inspectorate because of Covid 19 and animal movement was restricted too so making re-homing more difficult for the animals. Our Inspectorate needed to adopt a different way of working as the animals were still being referred through to them.
Our local Inspectorate figures throughout 2020
- Tesco superstore, in Catterick Garrison collected animal foods in store and their customers were very generous in donating 343 kg of animal food over the year. Regular donations made directly into the Branch bank account by Members of the Public amounted to £1,852.50p, for which we are most grateful.
- The Branch needed to find other ways of raising funds and engaging members of the public in our work and we achieved this to some extent by fundraising online and promoting the Branch, the Cat Hub and National RSPCA on social media platforms.
Time given by our Trustees was accrued across the year by
- Attending Trustee meetings, Cat Hub meetings and Regional meetings, online.
- Selling some books online, which usually we sell at events.
- Fostering the kittens and dogs we had in our care at the time.
- Social media and website work, advertising volunteer posts, promoting our Branch and what we do in a normal year. Promoting good animal husbandry. Promoting the Cat Hub and any cats/kittens which might be ready for adoption.
- Taking reports and questions from the public about animals not being cared for properly, which we passed on to our National Control Centre to attend to.
- Taking phone calls/emails from members of the public requesting financial help towards a Veterinary consultation or towards having their animal neutered.
- Animal food deliveries to our Inspectorate, so they could help the animals which they were called to.
- Admin which covers many duties, such as phone calls, letters and emails, to and from the general public and veterinary establishments, as well as RSPCA offices and our National Control Centre. Keeping accounts up to date, checking volunteer applications forms and obtaining references, keeping necessary official paperwork up to date to comply with RSPCA and Branch policies and Charity Commission guidance.
Many thanks go to Sheila, Anita, Celia, Stacy, Ruth, Joan and Linda who helped with admin, finances, social media and fostering.
## **Fostering**
During 2020 we cared for 1 dog and 6 kittens all of whom were adopted when restrictions were lifted.
## **RSPCA Cat Rehoming Hub**
The pandemic added pressure to the way in which our Inspectors were able to work but cats and kittens were still being rescued and Darlington Branch area had the biggest intake of our 5 local Branches which support the Cat Hub financially.
## **2020 Branch Animal Welfare**
Neutering Welfare Microchipping Home Visits Rehoming Animals helped 184 98 50 38 76 446
## **Future Plans**
- Education – be able to give talks again to promote good animal welfare practices
- Promotions – to raise the profile of the Branch, Cat Hub and RSPCA National Society
- Fostering – to give more animals an alternative caring place to stay whilst in RSPCA care
- Events/Fundraising – advertise for an Events Organiser to enable us to hold events again, to raise more funds to help local animals and our Inspectorate
- Continue to support the good work of the Cat Hub Re-homing centre
## **Financial Review** :
Total income for the year 2020 - £ 31,820p - (2019 - £34,479.38p) Total expenditure for the year 2020 - £36,626p - (2019 - £32,071.00p)
Included in the income is the RSPCA “Door to Door” collection figure for 2020 of £25,173.00p – (2019 - £19,021.00p). The Branch holds NS & IB income bonds in reserve, to the value of £40,000.00p. This interest rate will drop next year so we are looking for an account which will pay better interest rates.
## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities**
The law in England and Wales require, the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which gives a true and fair record of the affairs of the Charity, the incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and consistently apply them
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
- state whether application accounting standards have been followed
- disclose and explain the financial statements
- prepare the financial statement on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation
- copies of the Branch accounts are available upon request from the Branch Secretary
## **Thank you**
The Trustees would like to thank John Main our previous Branch Support Specialist for all the valuable advice and guidance he gave over many years, as well as all the work he carried out on behalf of the Branch and the Cat Hub. We wish him well and are sorry to see him go.
We welcome our new Branch Partnership Manager Sarah Mason and look forward to the new 2021 – 2030 RSPCA Strategy which will be introduced in 2021.
Thanks as always, go to Mark Gent our Chief Inspector and his busy team and the Veterinary Surgeries who work alongside us within our Branch area, for the benefit of animal welfare.
Thanks go to all our Trustees and volunteers who have assisted the Branch in one way or another throughout this difficult year 2020 and all the members of the public who have supported us financially as well as with animal foods collections.
We would like to give our thanks to the shops which have collection boxes on their counters (although most of them have been closed throughout this year). Without public and business support, our Branch and the RSPCA generally, would not be able to carry out all the animal welfare and promotional/educational work which they do.
Thanks also go to Joanne Evans, Joan Shields and Sara McTrusty for the work they have done as Branch Trustees over the years. Joan and Sara will continue to volunteer for the Branch from time to time and we wish them all well.
## **Volunteer Enquiries**
Please contact us at: Email: admin@rspca-darlington.org.uk Facebook: RSPCA Darlington & District Branch
Thank you on behalf of the Trustees of RSPCA Darlington & District Branch Linda Moore Branch Secretary
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|lNcgrlE|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|2020
Total
f,|2019
Total
E|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Collec$onBoxes
DonatiareGener*l
Door Grant
Subscriptions
Evanta
Miscellanaous lncorne(inctuding giftaid tax)
lnvestment lncome
Adoption|161
2432
25173
655
333
503
995|
59|1450|161
427
394,01665
2517319021
655
118
333
1535
,t26
563
684
995
940||
||30312|59|1450|31820|24496|
|EXPEIiIDITURE||||||
|Headquartors Purchaeee
VefsCharges
Commtttee lltaetings-Room Hire
lnsurance
Audit&Accountancy
GreatAyton
Felledge
Bearding
Officecos&
Volunteerexpen*es
DoortoDoor|123
62
525
124
10000
845
13480|973r'!
717
1020||123
9734
62
525
120
717
1020
10000
845
13480|
698
13274
285
525
1?A
721
1S4
15000
't075
230|
||25155|11471||36$26|32071|
|SURPLUST(DEFIC|T)FORYEAR||||-4806|-7575|
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
|lNcgrlE|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|GoneralClinicSat Hub
f.€f|2020
Total
f,|2019
Total
E|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Collec$onBoxes
DonatiareGener*l
Door Grant
Subscriptions
Evanta
Miscellanaous lncorne(inctuding giftaid tax)
lnvestment lncome
Adoption|161
2432
25173
655
333
503
995|
59|1450|161
427
394,01665
2517319021
655
118
333
1535
,t26
563
684
995
940||
||30312|59|1450|31820|24496|
|EXPEIiIDITURE||||||
|Headquartors Purchaeee
VefsCharges
Commtttee lltaetings-Room Hire
lnsurance
Audit&Accountancy
GreatAyton
Felledge
Bearding
Officecos&
Volunteerexpen*es
DoortoDoor|123
62
525
124
10000
845
13480|973r'!
717
1020||123
9734
62
525
120
717
1020
10000
845
13480|
698
13274
285
525
1?A
721
1S4
15000
't075
230|
||25155|11471||36$26|32071|
|SURPLUST(DEFIC|T)FORYEAR||||-4806|-7575|
##