2024-12-31-accounts - The Sussex Cattle Society (Formerly The Sussex Herd Book Society)

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The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

The Sussex Cattle Society

(A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Index to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Legal and Administrative Information 1 Report of the Council of Management 2 Report of the Independent Examiners 4 Statement of Financial Activities 5 Balance Sheet 6 Notes to the Financial Statements 7 Profit and Loss Account 10

Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Legal and Administrative Information for the year ended 31 December 2024

Constitution:

The Sussex Cattle Society is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Charity Number: 238662. Company Number: 0031031.

Members of Council:

These are appointed in accordance with the Articles of Association of the company and such members are directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006 and trustees of the charity

The Members of Council during the year under review were:

Mr W Hurley President Mr D Stevens Deputy President Co-opted 2022-2026 Mr R Dunn Past President Ms J Howard Chairman Elected 2023-2027 Mr J Harmer Vice Chairman Co-opted 2021-2025 Mr E Harmer Elected 2024-2028 Mr J Hickman Mr MG Hickman Co-opted 2024-2028 Mrs B Hide Mr PJ Holdstock Co-opted 2024-2028 Mr R Horsman Mr D Masters Elected 2023-2027 Mr W Peters Mr L Snelgrove Elected 2022-2026 Mr D Spanton Mr S Wright Co-opted 2021-2025

Co-opted 2024-2028 Co-opted 2022-2026 Co-opted 2021-2025 Co-opted 2022-2026 Co-opted 2021-2025

Secretary: Miss SG Kennedy

Registered Office: Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Bankers: National Westminster Bank, Hastings (A) Branch, Havelock Road, Hastings, TN34 IGW

Independent Examiners: McCabe Ford Williams, Statutory Auditors & Chartered Accountants, Bank Chambers, 61 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent

Solicitors: Linklaters & Paines, Barrington House, 59-67 Gresham Street, London

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Report of the Council of Management for the Year ended 31 December 2024

Your Council is pleased to present their report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 2024. The financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, The Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Effective 1 January 2015).

Charitable Objectives : The Memorandum and Articles of Association sets out the charitable objectives for which The Sussex Cattle Society is established. They can be summarised as follows: To maintain the purity and improve the breed.

Policies to Achieve the Objectives : The Council of The Sussex Cattle Society uses two main initiatives to pursue the main objectives:

The publication of The Sussex Herd book. The book is published annually and Volume 128 was published in 2024. 2. Promoting the breed by exhibiting at various shows and events and advertising.

Organisation of the Charity : The Charity is organised as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The control of its affairs is in the hands of a Council and Members of Council are appointed in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Miss Kennedy, being the only person on the payroll, carries out the day-to-day running of the Charity.

Review of 2024 Finances : The Society continues to remain stable with general administration costs kept to a minimum. Fees will generally be increased annually in line with inflation dependent on the Society's financial status. The Society's monetary assets are now all invested in COIF Charity Investments as appropriate. Sufficient assets are held to maintain the Society for several years and to publish the Herd Book and promote the breed, it is felt that plentiful reserves should be maintained to re-establish the breed if there should be a significant loss of breeding cattle outside the Society's control. The Council continually assesses the financial status of the Society and strives to ensure that the promotions and publicity levels are maintained or increased.

Membership : At the end of the year there were 126 full, 30 associate and 25 life and honorary members.

Herds : During the year 6 new breeders joined the Society. Changes of Ownerships were made, the majority to recently established herds. It is pleasing to note that new herds being established tend to have greater herd sizes than those being dispersed. The national herd of registered Sussex Cattle is now in excess of 2,500 breeding cows, with the number of female registrations per annum being in excess of twelve hundred.

The registration database "Breed Matters" (Renamed from "Pedigree Plus") has continued to improve the process of registrations as breeders are able to make birth returns online via the Society's website or directly from those with Farm Matters farm management programme.

Shows and Sales : 2024 saw the Society's first on-line sale in conjunction with South East Marts and MartEye. This was very successful and a breed auction record price for a bull was achieved. The majority of lots sold well including breeding heifers. The sale will be repeated in 2025.

Annual General Meeting : The AGM was held on 24 April 2024 as a Zoom Meeting. The agenda and voting papers were sent out to members and votes were counted and the resolutions passed. Mr W Hurley was elected President and Mr D Stevens elected Deputy President.

Members of Council : The Members of Council are appointed in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association. At a meeting immediately following the Annual General Meeting, Ms J Howard was elected Chairman and Mr J Harmer elected Vice Chairman. Council continued to meet throughout the year in person and via Zoom.

Reserves Policy : It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level that equates to approximately one year of unrestricted expenditure. This ought to provide sufficient funds to cover the day-to-day running costs in addition to ensuring the publication of the herd book in progress.

Breed Promotion : This year the Society had a promotional stand at Heathfield and South of England shows following an evaluation by Council on the cost effectiveness of attending such events. Literature and information was sent in response to enquiries by telephone and email throughout the year. The website is updated as required. A presence is maintained on Facebook. A Breeders' Directory was produced. Additionally there was advertising in the farming press as part of an ongoing campaign to promote the breed. The Breed Sale online was advertised in the farming press. The Bull Sale Catalogue on the website has continued giving an online presence for breeders to market bulls privately, Females for sale are also listed on the website.

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Risk Management : The Council has examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirms that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. Generally the greatest risk to which the Society is exposed is beyond its control and linked to Government and/or EU policy and regulations.

Public Benefit : The directors, as trustees of the company have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. To this end the Society made information on the breed, its history and its place in modern agriculture freely available to the general public through postal, online and telephone queries, in addition to the website and at various events during the year. Additionally, the Society had information stands including live examples of the breed at educational events at South of England Showground where several thousand children had the opportunity to be given information and to ask questions. Free information packs were also sent to any students making enquiries. The Society continues to ensure that the appropriate organisations are also aware of using the breed as a contributor to the maintenance of environmentally sensitive areas. A publication is also ayailable to give guidance on the management of the breed, exhibiting and breeding practice in addition to providing local instructional sessions as requested. The website now includes a section on the purchase and cooking of beef for the consumer in addition to a list of outlets where Sussex beef may be purchased direct from the producers. Training and information days will continue to be held offering advice and instruction on the breed and ways in which the breed can be advanced. The Society will continue to strongly promote the use of data collection through Signet Beefbreeder to assist in breed improvement. A group specific to younger members "Sussex Cattle Next Generation" are holding meetings and training events.

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities:

The directors are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year.

Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied they give a true and fair view of the state of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement as the Disclosure of Information to Independent Examiners:

So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's independent examiners are unaware and each director has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the company's independent examiners are aware of that information.

Independent Examiners:

The independent examiners, McCabe Ford Williams, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

On Behalf of the Board:

S Kennedy Secretary: Date: 19 March 2025

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Report of the Independent Examiners to the Members of The Sussex Cattle Society

I report on the accounts of the Company for the Year Ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 ("the 2011 Act") and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility:

to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011;
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of Sections 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) have not been met; or

2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

DNA Boobbyer FCA McCabe Ford Williams 20 March 2025 Statutory Auditors and Chartered Accountants

Bank Chambers 61 High Street CRANBROOK Kent TN 17 3EG

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Statement of Financial Activities/ Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Note Income and Endowments from: Subscriptions and Donations Other Income 3 Investment Income Total Income and Endowments Expenditure on: Charitable Expenditure 4 Management & Administrationof the Charity Total Expenditure Net income/expenditure before gains oninvestments Net gains/(losses) on investments Realised(Loss)on Investment Asset Unrealised Gain/(Losses)on Investment Assets Net income/expenditure Transfers between funds Transfer to NigelVenthamLegacy Educational Fund Net Movement in Funds Reconciliation offunds Total funds brought forward Totalfunds carried forward	General Fund Nigel Ventham Legacy Educational Fund Contingency Promotional Fund Life Members’ Fund Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 13,010 13,010 13,417 50,065 50,065 43,946 6,620 6,620 6,405
	69,695 0 0 0 69,695 63,768 48,404 48,404 58,813 18,085 18,085 18,272
	66,489 0 0 0 66,489 77,085
	3,206 0 0 0 3,206 (13,317) 0 0 4,751 4,751 14,229
	7,957 0 0 0 7,957 912 (1,000) 1,000
	6,957 1,000 0 0 7,957 912 233,250 0 4,500 3,917 241,667 240,775 240,207 1,000 4,500 3,917 249,624 241,687

The notes form part of the financial statements

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

31.12.24 648 9,344 35,007	12,506 195,827	31.12.23 772 4,989 36,919	13,379 191,076
	41,291		37,212
44,999 3,708		42,680 5,468

	249,624		241,667
	1,000 4,500 3,917 240,207		4,500 3,917 233,250
	249,624		241,667

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The financial statements were approved by Council on 19th March 2025 and signed on its behalf by

Chairman

Jane Howard

John Justin Harmer

Vice Chairman

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1. Statutory Information

The Sussex Cattle Society is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page. The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).

2. Accounting Policies

Accounting convention

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Section I A "Small Entities" of Financial Reporting Standard I 02 "The Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland", the Charities SORP (FRS I 02) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS I 02) (effective I October 2019), and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified for the valuation of investments at market value.

Income

Income is recognised in the financial statements on an accruals basis, apart from investment income, which is recognised in the financial statements when received. Expenditure and cost allocation

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Items of expenditure that involve more than one cost category are apportioned on a just and reasonable basis.

Investments

The investments have been included in the financial statements at market value. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes current and deposit accounts held at banks and COIF Charities Investment Fund. Taxation The company has charitable status and is not liable for taxation.

Directors

No member of Council received any remuneration during the year. Gift Aid It is the policy of the Society to recognise the income tax recovery once the claim has been submitted. Tangible fixed assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Freehold property Equipment : not provided Equipment : 15% on a reducing balance Computer equipment : 3 years on a straight-line basis Freehold property The Society's freehold building is not depreciated. Its expected residual value at the end of its useful life is considered to be substantially in excess of its book value of £9,977. The property is currently insured for £235,996. Stocks Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. Contingency promotion fund The contingency promotion fund represents sufficient funds set aside to promote the breed at major shows in the event of insufficient monies being raised in any year. Life Members' fund

The life members' fund represents sufficient funds set aside to provide benefits to life members in the event of insufficient monies being raised in the year to do so. Life membership subscriptions are included in the total in the financial statements in the year of receipt.

Nigel Ventham Legacy Educational Support Fund

£1,000 was transferred into this fund on its incorporation in 2024 after a legacy donation received in 2023. This fund will be used to help pay for training courses for young farmers. There was no movement in this fund in the year. Fund restriction All of the funds are unrestricted. Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the company's pension scheme are charged to profit or loss in the period to which they relate.

Significant estimates and judgements

In the application of the Trust's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant.

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period to which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are the depreciation rate and residual values of fixed assets. The Trustees consider that the depreciation rate and residual values are appropriate.

Going Concern

The Trustees consider that the Trust will be in a position to meet its financial obligations for the foreseeable future and that there are no material uncertainties relating to going concern.

3. Other Income Herd book entries Prefixes Herd Book & Sundry Sales Transfer fees Herd capitation Show & Sale Commissions Semen Project Gift Aid Herd competition 4. Charitable Expenditure : General Fund Salaries Travelling expenses Promotions and publicity Herd Book printing Semen project Signet Subsidy DNA testing Herd database Depreciation Loss on disposal 5. Management and Administration of the Charity Salaries Office costs General office costs Accountancy and audit Bad debts 6. Income and Expenditure The income and surplusareattributabletothecharitable activitiesof the company after charging: Depreciation-ownedassets Loss on disposal Accountant/Auditor's remuneration 7. Tangible Fixed Assets Totals Freehold Property Equipment Medals Cost: At 1 January2024 28,834 9,977 18,657 200 Additions Disposals (703) (703) At 31 December 2024 28,131 9,977 17,954 200 Depreciation: At1January2024 15,455 15,455 Charge for year (811) 811 Eliminated on disposal (641) (641) At 31 December 2024 15,625 15,625 Net Book Value: 31 December 2024 12,506 9,977 2,329 200 3 I December 2023 13,379 9,977 3,202 200	3. Other Income Herd book entries Prefixes Herd Book & Sundry Sales Transfer fees Herd capitation Show & Sale Commissions Semen Project Gift Aid Herd competition 4. Charitable Expenditure : General Fund Salaries Travelling expenses Promotions and publicity Herd Book printing Semen project Signet Subsidy DNA testing Herd database Depreciation Loss on disposal 5. Management and Administration of the Charity Salaries Office costs General office costs Accountancy and audit Bad debts 6. Income and Expenditure The income and surplusareattributabletothecharitable activitiesof the company after charging: Depreciation-ownedassets Loss on disposal Accountant/Auditor's remuneration 7. Tangible Fixed Assets Totals Freehold Property Equipment Medals Cost: At 1 January2024 28,834 9,977 18,657 200 Additions Disposals (703) (703) At 31 December 2024 28,131 9,977 17,954 200 Depreciation: At1January2024 15,455 15,455 Charge for year (811) 811 Eliminated on disposal (641) (641) At 31 December 2024 15,625 15,625 Net Book Value: 31 December 2024 12,506 9,977 2,329 200 3 I December 2023 13,379 9,977 3,202 200	31.12.24 31.12.23 11,117 8,175 50 80 (57) (214) 7,016 4,140 30,387 30,338 (703) 864 1,602 1,543 (211) (196)
		50,065 43,946
		31.12.24 31.12.23 26,541 24,898 174 163 10,617 24,425 1,002 1,144 2,781 1,878 3,000 3,000 2,416 1,801 1,000 1,000 811 504 62 0
		48,404 58,813
		31.12.24 31.12.23 2,949 2,767 4,100 3,406 8,786 9,700 2,100 2,000 150 399
		18,085 18,272
		31.12.24 31.12.23 811 504 62 0 2,100 2,000

	28,131 9,977 17,954 200
	15,455 15,455 (811) 811 (641) (641)
	15,625 15,625
	12,506 9,977 2,329 200 13,379 9,977 3,202 200

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

The freehold property owned by the Charity was valued at£ 195,670 by Lambert & Foster in December 2023 and is currently insured for £235,996.

8. Fixed Asset Investments Cost or Valuation: At 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals Gain on revaluation Loss on disposal At 31 December 2024 Net Book Value: 31 December 2024 31 December 2023 Market value of Investments listed on recognised stock exchange The original cost of the investments was £140,000 (31 December 2023 £140,000) 9. Stocks Stock of promotionalitems 10. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year Prepayments Trade debtors 11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors 12. Employee Costs Salariesandwages Nationalinsurance Pension	191,076 0 0 4,751 0 195,827 195,827 191,076 31.12.24 31.12.23 195,827 191,076 31.12.24 31.12.23 648 772
	31.12.24 31.12.23 2,133 2,144 7,211 2,845 9,344 4,989
	31.12.24 31.12.23 3,708 5,468
	31.12.24 31.12.23 28,631 26,862 0 0 859 803 29,490 27,665

The average number of employees during the year was 1.

13. Trustees Remuneration

The trustees are not remunerated and have had no payments for expenses.

14. Related Party Transactions

There are no related party transactions during the year.

15. Pension Commitments

The company reached its staging date for Auto Enrolment on 1 February 2017. Contributions by the company were £859 (2023 £803). At the year end employer contributions of £nil (2023 £nil) had not been paid across to the scheme.

16. Limited Liability

The company is Limited by Guarantee. The word "Limited" is omitted by Licence of the Board of Trade. The company has no share capital and the liability of the members is limited. In the event of the company being wound up the liability for each member shall not exceed £I.

The Sussex Cattle Society (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Company Number 0031031 Charity Number 238662

Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

31.12.24 13,010 11,117 50 (57) 7,016 30,387 (703) 864 1,602 (211)	63,075 6,620	31.12.23 13,417 8,175 80 (214) 4,140 30,338 80 1,543 (196)	57,363 6,405
5,210 1,410		4,997 1,408
28,631 859 174 4,100 8,786 2,100 150 10,617 1,002 2,781 3,000 2,416 1,000		26,862 803 163 3,406 9,700 2,000 399 24,425 1,144 1,878 3,000 1,801 1,000
	69,695 65,616		63,768 76,581
811 62		504 0
	4,079 873		(12,813) 504

	3,206		(13,317)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements Page 16