## RSPCA Darlington and District Branch 

## Trustees’ Annual Report 

For the Year Ending 31[st] December 2021 

Reference and Administrative details: Registered Charity Number:      232264 Trustees:                                             S. Alcorn-Davenport – Website/Facebook Co-ordinator/Admin Volunteer Speaker, Regional Representative A. Gillborn – Treasurer K. Hunton – Admin R. King - Admin S.M. McLaren – Animal Welfare Co-ordinator, Fosterer, Home Visitor L. Moore – Secretary/Admin, Events/Fundraiser co-ordinator, Volunteer Speaker, Fosterer/Bookkeeper C. Mullen – Cat Hub Treasurer M. Nicholson - Fundraiser J. Shields – Fundraiser/Home Visitor (resigned/retired 9.5.21) 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 24 hour 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 accounts) PO Box 1000, Andover, BX10 1LT National Savings Investments Bank (Reserve account) Glasgow G58 1SB Redwood Bank Ltd (reserves transferred from NSIB) Nexus Building Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3TA 




## **The Branch Trustees hereby present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2021** 

## **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 be neutered, or microchipped, 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 2021 Branch Veterinary treatments amounted to £12,677.80p, which covered Inspectorate animals and those members of the public assisted via the Branch animal welfare scheme.  The Cat Hub financial support amounted to £10,000,00p and Great Ayton Animal Centre and Felledge Animal Centre financial support amounted to £4,142.28p 

- Responsible pet ownership is promoted by the Branch, by subsidising neutering and micro-chipping of animals, for low-income earners, which helps to lessen the number of unwanted puppies and kittens and helps lost/stolen dogs to be returned to their owners. 

- As promoted and supported by the RSPCA, the Branch ventured into Volunteer Speaking in 2019 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. All talks were cancelled in 2020 and no talks were requested during 2021 due to the Corona Virus restrictions but the Branch does hope to get back to speaking about animal welfare hopefully in 2022. 

- 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 usually carry out home visits within our 




area, for other Branches and Animal centres, situated in other areas of the country but this was put on hold during 2020 and again in 2021 due to the pandemic restrictions. Animal centres are carrying out their home visits mainly online and as a Branch we do home visits over the phone with adopters we usually already know. 

- 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. The activities mentioned benefit local people by providing voluntary work, which is compassionate and rewarding, in helping the Branch and our local needy animals. However, during 2021 most of these activities were put on hold due to the pandemic.  Tesco at Catterick Garrison very kindly put out an animal food dumper for us from August – December collecting 262kg of animal food which was given to our Inspectorate to give out to needy animals which they were called out to attend to them and the Cat Hub foster carers also received part of the 262 kg. 



- The Branch usually raises funds monthly, to enable it to carry out it’s work and raise the profile of the RSPCA, the Branch and the Cat Hub but unfortunately due to Covid 19, lockdowns and restrictions, there were no events and no fundraising activities until the Autumn of 2021 when we then attended the Wensleydale show and raised 






- £307.  Hurworth fair was scaled back but we raised £250 and also raised £56 at Paddock Farm Nursery and Water Garden Christmas event. The Cat Hub were invited along to these events and raised a similar amount of money to that of the Branch. Richmond District Council allowed the Branch to hold a street collection in Richmond marketplace. The weather was very cold day that day but we managed to raise £161.97p 

- It has been another difficult year for the National Society and the Branch because of Covid 19.  Our Inspectorate have worked through the difficulties which 2021 has thrown at them but they have still managed to help many animals in difficult situations, such as being cruelly treated, abandoned, neglected or injured. 


- We would like to thank all the members of the public and small business who donated to our Branch. Our regular donations totalled £954.00p from, E. Shaw, B. Stairmand, G. Crawford and D Pentland.  The late D. Robinson left a legacy of £15,000, which is hugely appreciated and we plan to hold a dog welfare event in memory of Miss Robinson.  Lynn and Mike from Brompton very kindly donated £700 




to the Branch and S. Stanyer from Brompton generously gave £3,000. Durham TVCR (Probation Service) gave £1,000. Howdens Joinery donated £100.00 and V & K Dickinson gave £100.   Chiltern Trust donated £253.42p, Chris & Margaret £40.00p and a collection from the late JR Nesbitt’s funeral amounted to £277.00p and The Animal Welfare Trust Telford donated £353.91p.  Meynells Pet Food shop, Jeffersons Grocers, Brompton shop/Post Office and Vets 4 Pets Darlington together raised £190.75p which were collection box donations from their customers.  Wensleydale show, Hurworth show and Richmond street collection raised 897.39p. 

Many thanks go to the individuals and businesses who generously donated to help us continue with our animal welfare locally.  Pets at Home kindly gave £700 worth of vouchers to spend in store which was an additional amount due to our BPM kindly nominating the Branch for the extra amount.  Pets at Home has also given a £1,760 voucher which is being shared between the Inspectorate, the Cat Hub and the Branch, and is being spent on flea and worm treatments, cat litter, animal food, bedding and dog leads. 



Time given by our Trustees was accrued across the year by 

- Attending Trustee meetings, Cat Hub meetings and RSPCA Regional meetings, online. 

- Selling some books online, which we would normally sell at events. 

- Fostering kittens which we took into our care during 2021. 

- Social media and website work, advertising volunteer posts, promoting our Branch and activities as well as good animal husbandry. The Cat Hub is also promoted on our Facebook page and any cats/kittens they have which are 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 Veterinary consultations or having their animal neutered. 

- Taking animal food deliveries to our Inspectorate, so they could help animals they were called to and also delivering cat food to the Cat Hub to help their foster carers look after the fostered cats and kittens. 

- Attending 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 Karen, Sheila, Anita, Celia, Stacy, Ruth, Joan, Lisa, Aimee and Linda who have helped with admin, finances, social media, fostering, events and selling books online. 



## • **Fostering** 

During 2021 we cared for 19 kittens and rehomed 11 of them. 



The Branch took in 2 litters of tiny kittens, just a few days old, but they had little chance of survival at such a young age. 

The first litter of 5 were found in a recycling centre in Middlesbrough.  They were in very poor condition and although our foster carer looked after them constantly, they unfortunately, sadly, all passed away within the week. 




The second littler of 5 were found in a skip in Northallerton Industrial Centre.  They were just a few days old, soaking wet and in poor condition and although constant care was given, 3 of them passed away within the week.  Luckily for the other 2 kittens, they were a little stronger and with much care and attention and veterinary treatments, they managed to survive and were rehomed to loving new families. 

Having cats neutered is really important, especially when they are allowed to roam outdoors.  Neutering is beneficial for the mother’s welfare but also for all these kittens who are born outdoors, in obscure places with little chance of survival.  When owners don’t want to keep the kittens, they are sometimes left in parks or skips and other places where there is no chance of survival without their mother.  Neutering would help to stop some of the suffering and our Branch promotes neutering and making a financial contribution towards helping owners on low income/benefits, so they can have their cats neutered. 

## **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 the 4 local Branches, which support the Cat Hub financially. 

## **2021 Branch Animal Welfare** 

Dogs               Cats               Rabbits               Other               Total Welfare Assistance                  48                    90                                                1                     139 Welfare Neutering                   52                  208                    7                         3                     270 Feral Cats Micro-chipping                                                116                                                                      116 Home Visits                                                      127                                                                      127 

## **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 our 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 

- Treasurers – advertise for a Cat Hub Treasurer and a Branch Treasurer as the current Cat Hub treasurer is retiring in March 2022 

- Continue to support the good work of the Cat Hub Re-homing centre and our Inspectorate. 




## **Financial Review** : 

Branch income for 2021           -     £52,563.00p  (includes £24,024.00p door to door collection figure from RSPCA National) Branch expenditure for 2021  -     £14,176.00p 

Cat Hub Income for 2021         -    £88,658.00p Cat Hub Expenditure for 2021 -    £91,110.00p 

## **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** 

Thanks as always, goes to Mark Gent our Chief Inspector and his busy team for the incredible work that they do, on a daily basis.  Thanks also go to our BPM Sarah Mason who has worked consistently throughout the year to help the Branch move forward.  We’d also like to thank all Veterinary Surgeries who work alongside us within our Branch area, for the benefit of animal welfare.  Many thanks also go to all the Members of the Public and Businesses who have donated to the Branch and last but not least, thanks to all our Trustees and Volunteers who have put in many hours of their unpaid time to assist with animal welfare in one way or another throughout 2021.  Without all the help and donations given, the Branch would not exist, so a very BIG THANK YOU to everyone. 

## **Volunteer Enquiries** 

Please contact us at: 

Email: admin@rspca-darlington.org.uk            Facebook:  RSPCA Darlington & District Branch 

Many thanks on behalf of the Trustees of RSPCA Darlington & District Branch Linda Moore (Branch Secretary) 



## 

## 

||||||2021|2020|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||General<br>g|Clinic<br>f||CatHub<br>€E|Total|Total<br>s|
|ASSETS|||||||
|lnvestmentsNational Savings Bank|||||||
|lncome Bonds||||||40000|
|Redwood Bank|40000||||40000||
|Cashat Bank|64782||6680|51532|12299444138||
|VAT||||3497|3497||
|Sundry Greditors|-12A||||-120|<br>-120|
||144662||6680|55028|166370&4018||



## 

|REPRESENTEDBY:||
|---|---|
|Accumulated Surplus brought forward|8401888824|
|Add Transfers from Sunderland Eranch|46417|
|Add:Surplus/(Defieit) forYear|35935-4806|
||16637084018|



## 



## 

## 

||||2A21|2020|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|rNcoME|General<br>g<br>Clinic<br>g||Total<br>€<br>Total<br>f||
|CollectionBoxes<br>DonationsGeneral<br>DoorGrant<br>SubscriPtions<br>Events<br>Miscellaneouslncome(including giftaidtax)|134<br>11132<br>24A24<br>1073<br>897<br>3|105|134<br>11237<br>24024<br>fi73<br>897<br>3|161<br> 2490<br>25173<br>655<br>333<br>563|
|lnvestmenttncome<br>Adoption<br>Legacy|195<br>15000||195<br>15000|995|
||524s8|105||30370|
|EXPENDITURE|||||
|||||123|
|HeadquartersPurchases<br>Vet'sCharges<br>Committee Meetings-RoomHire||8536|8536|<br>9734<br>62<br>525|
|lnsurance<br>Audit&AccountancY<br>GreatAyton<br>Felledge|124|925<br>3218|120<br>925<br>3218|124<br>717<br> <br>1020<br>1.0000|
|Boarding<br>Office costs<br>Donations|1A77<br>300||1077<br>300|<br>845<br>13480|
|DoortoDoor|||||
||1497|126791417636626|||
|SURPLU${DEFICIT)FORYEAR||-38387||-6256|





## 

||||2021|2420|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Cat Hub<br>Total||Total|
|lNcoI$E||€|g|€|
|Donations|General|11198|111gB|14S0|
||Branch|50160|50160||
|Lottery<br>Boarding<br>Adoption||1674<br>5820<br>19806|1674<br>5820<br>19806||
||||88658|1450|
|EXPENDITURE|||||
|Purchases<br>Vet'sCharges<br>Vouchers<br>\lVages<br>Boarding<br>Office costs<br>ProfessionalFees||536<br>19737<br>1583<br>15251<br>50867<br>943<br>2194|536<br> 19737<br>1583<br> 15251<br> 50867<br>943<br> <br>2194||
|||91110|91110||
|SURPLUSI(DEFICIT)FORYEAR|||-2452|1450|





## 



## 

## 

## 



## 

## 

|||||2021|2420|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||General|Clinic|Cat Hub|Total|Total|
||t|€f||E|s|
|ASSETS||||||
|lnvestmentsNational SavingsBank||||||
|lncome Bonds|||||40000|
|Redwood Bank|40000|||40000||
|Cashat Bank|64782|6680|s1532|12299444138||
|VAT|||3497|3r'.97||
|Sundry Creditors|-120|||-120|<br>-120|
||104662|6680|55028|16637084018||
|REPRESENTEDBY:||||||
|Accumulated Surplus brought forward||||84018|88824|
|Add Transfers from Sunderland Branch||||46417||
|Add:Surplus/{Defieit} forYear||||35935|-4806|
|||||16637084018||



## 



Chaimian
Treasurer

## 

## 

## 

|||||28121|2A2g|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|INCOME|General<br>€|CIinic<br>t||Total<br>{<br>Total<br>f||
|Collection Boxes|134|||134|161|
|DonationsGeneral|11132||105|11237|2494|
|DoorGrant|24024|||24024|25173|
|Subseriptions|r073|||1073|655|
|Events|897|||897|333|
|Miscellaneous lncome(includinggiftaidtax)|3|||3||
|lnvestment lncome|||||563|
|Adoption|195|||19s|995|
|Legacy|15000|||15000||
||52458||105|52563|30370|
|EXPENDTTpRE||||||
|Headquarters Purchases<br>Vet'sCharges||8536||8536|123<br>9734|
|Committee Meetings-RoomHire|||||62|
|lnsurance<br>Audit&Accountancy<br>GreatAyton<br>Felledge|120|925<br>3218||12A<br>925<br>3218|525<br>120<br>717<br> <br>1020|
|Boarding<br>Office costs|1077|||1077|10000<br> <br>845|
|Donations|300|||300||
|DoortoDoor|||||13480|
||1457|12679||14176|36626|
|SURPLUS/(DEFTCTT)FORYEAR||||38387|-6256|





## 

## 

|||||2021|2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|INCOME||Cat Hub<br>g|Total<br>€||Totalt|
|Donations|General|11198||11198|1450|
||Branch|50160||50160||
|Lottery||1674||1674||
|Boarding||5820||5820||
|Adoption||19806||19806||
|||88658||886s8|1450|
|EXPENDITURE||||||
|Purchases||536||536||
|Vet'sCharges<br>Vouchers||19737<br>1583||19737<br> <br>1583||
|llVages<br>Boarding<br>Office costs<br>Professional|Fees|15251<br>50867<br>943<br>2194||15251<br> 50867<br>943<br> <br>2194||
|||91110||91110||
|SURPLUSI(DEFICTT) FORYEAR||||-2452|1450|