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2022-06-30-accounts

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 30 June 2022 Charity registration number: 280784

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Reference and administrative information

Registered charity name The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary
Charity registration number 280784
Governing Instrument Declaration of Trust dated 1 July 1980 (amended 3 April
2010)
Registered address The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary
The Old Barn
Southcott
Manaton
Devon
TQ13 9UW
Trustees Mr R E Phillips (Chairman)
Ms A J Stokes (Secretary)
Ms L C Pinno
Ms L Henwood
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
45 Fore Street
Bovey Tracey
Devon
TQ13 9BP
Credit Agricole Charente Perigord
Brantome
Bp 15 Brantome
24310 Brantome En Perigord
France
CAF Bank Limited
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Independent examiner Francis Clark LLP
Chartered Accountants
Sigma House
Oak View Close
Edginswell Park
Torquay
TQ2 7FF
Charity solicitors Foot Anstey
Senate Court
Southernhay Gardens
Exeter
EX1 1NT

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 30 June 2022

Contents Page
Trustees’ Report 1
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 8
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the Financial Statements 12

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Annual Report and Financial Statements

Year ended 30 June 2022

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2022.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document of the charity is its trust deed dated 1 July 1980, as amended on 3 April 2010.

The number of trustees is limited to seven and meetings will be quorate when three trustees are present.

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary (“DHAP”) is a member of The National Equine Company.

All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits.

Objects and Activities of the Charity and Achievements for the Year

The charity’s objects are:

Public Benefit

The trustees are mindful of the expectation placed on charities to provide a public benefit. All decisions and future plans are made with due regard to the current Charity Commission’s Guidelines.

History in brief

The Devon Horse and Pony sanctuary has been in existence since 1976 and became a registered charity in 1981. Sylvia and Terry Phillips the original founders and trustees worked tirelessly to ensure that the ponies, horses and donkeys that came to the sanctuary received the best possible care. We continue that commitment and since 1981 to present day the numbers of animals that have a home with DHAPS have remained fairly constant at between forty and fifty which includes animals out on loan.

1

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

The Charity has continued to support and care for unwanted sick and neglected animals. Despite age related problems and various long term infirmities, which the animals had when they came to the sanctuary, all are in remarkable health and appear very happy with their circumstances. This can be attributed to the dedication and professional care given to these animals by the staff and volunteers at the sanctuaries.

This reporting period has seen the end of covid restrictions and has made our operation far easier. Not only in the movement of animals and welfare checks but also, we have been able to welcome new volunteers who are greatly appreciated.

During this reporting year we have continued to build on our good work with local community organisations dedicated to helping young people with mental health issues. We have found that visits by small groups, normally two to four including carers has been the most effective.

We have continued building upon these relationships and have also been asked to provide a a space for one to one therapy sessions for mental health professionals and their patients. The office has been used in this way to great effect.

A combination of time spent with our wonderful animals and the remote and peaceful location has continued to be of great benefit. Not only to our visitors but also to the horses, ponies and donkeys in our care. We pay great attention to the animals needs and at no time do we allow then to be subjected to ant stress. As the restrictions have now been lifted, we can focus on our primary work of helping equines and people in need.

The trustees recognise that as a modern charitable organisation we must be flexible enough to match current conditions which can not only adapt to animal welfare issues but also meet the changing needs and be of benefit to the local community.

The location is unsuitable to attract large numbers of visitors to help fund the charity. The access is very difficult, hard standing is limited for parking and to disturb the peace of this wonderful environment would be a great shame. To this end we will continue to improve the sanctuary for wildlife and other conservation projects. Because of these conservation efforts the sanctuary is now teeming with birdlife and other wild animals.

We have not and do not expect any increase in visitor numbers or any increase in traffic. Many locals are completely unaware of our existence such is the lack of impact to the local environment. We continue to keep the sanctuary as quiet and as peaceful as we can not only for the benefit of our young people with mental health difficulties but also to help the equines that have suffered trauma.

Visits by the general public are not encouraged unless they are long term supporters and only then as individuals or small groups. We also welcome people from the local community to assure them that we have no intention to expand or cause a disturbance.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, many people are suffering long term from anxiety, depression and mental illness brought about by loneliness, grief and the trauma of fighting Covid on the front line and from isolation brought about by the lockdowns.

From our experiences we know that our therapy horses can help and just spending quiet time in the beautiful environment and enjoying nature can be of great benefit.

2

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

During this financial year it can be seen that the marketing campaign focused on solicitors which was put into place several years ago has continued to bring in funds allowing the charity to improve facilities at the sanctuary. The cost of feed and hay has remained stable and has been in plentiful supply. We continue to provide the very best care for our animals and only use the highest quality feeds and forage.

Rehabilitation and Re-Homing

A great deal of time, effort and resources is spent on the rehabilitation of sick or problem animals in order that they can be put out on loan, to free up space for other needy animals.

During 2021/22 we continued to re-home suitable equines to approved loan homes. These homes are subjected to a rigorous inspection before an animal is put out on loan and only with the security of a BHS agreement.

The animal is visited initially at least three times in the first year and at least once a year thereafter, this is of course subject to covid restrictions.

We always make sure that animals receive all necessary health care and in particular ensure that their vaccinations are up to date, that they are properly wormed and their hooves are kept in good condition. Despite the restrictions, we have kept in contact with the loan homes by email and telephone to ensure the safety of our equines.

In the case of moorland ponies on loan, particular attention is paid to the problem of laminitis.

Some of our animals are unsuitable for loan or are in the process of rehabilitation and are kept on sanctuary premises.

Every animal in the care of the sanctuary is assessed and every effort is made to meet each individual’s needs. We will only use the best husbandry and veterinary care and where necessary animals will be sent to veterinary Hospital for treatment. We will put down an animal only on the advice of our vet and after all other avenues have been tried. We will never destroy a healthy animal.

In addition to Blackdown Equine Vets we have also taken on the services of ‘Tor Equine’ Both have provided an excellent service, they have helped to ensure that we maintain a programme of inoculation and that all vaccinations are kept up to date. They are called out by staff immediately if a problem has arisen and one or the other are always available in an emergency. During this reporting period they have attended quickly and have treated the animals with great care and professionalism.

Advice and Assistance

We provide advice and assistance to people with problems involving their horses, ponies and donkeys.

This advice is mainly given as a result of enquiries on our website and over the telephone. In the past we have visited animals on behalf of other animal welfare organisations to check on an animal, this has been suspended during the various lockdowns.

Community Partnerships

We continue to work with our partners within the local community.

3

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

Register of Loan Homes and Animals in need of a home

We have maintained this service to animals that are not the property of the charity. We are inundated with pleas from an increasing number of people who are facing financial hardship and can no longer afford to keep their equines.

In addition, many people who for other reasons find themselves in the same position and it would be impossible for us to take all these animals without a huge investment and expansion, which is simply not feasible.

In addition, we receive requests from people from all over the country who would like to offer a loan home to a needy animal.

Through the register we act as a central point of contact where we can find an appropriate home and carer. All possible safeguards are put in place to protect the interests of the animal. Obviously not all homes are suitable and a stringent inspection needs to be carried out.

This requires a small investment in time and travelling costs but is a cost-effective way for the charity to help many more needy animals and enhance the reputation of the sanctuary.

Working Horses

Priority is always given to cruelty and emergency cases and moorland rescues. On occasions a foal or pony may be found injured or suffering from hyperthermia on the moor and is either brought to us or we will go out to the animal in distress with the charity horse trailer and rescue the animal. We will then trace the owner and after the appropriate emergency care will return the animal to the owner. A new mobile shelter has been fitted out to help us in this work and to provide a sick bay.

The sanctuary continues to provide a home for retired Police horses and other working animals that have served the community. The Police have neither the funds nor facilities to keep those no longer fit for duty. We, like the Police and public, feel they deserve a happy retirement after years of service on hard roads, coping with traffic fumes and performing a stressful and sometimes dangerous job.

Despite the expense of feeding so many large animals, plus all the other resident horses, ponies and donkeys, the Trustees are resolved, wherever possible, never to refuse a suitable working horse and in particular a Police horse that needs a retirement home.

Retired Police horses are valuable animals and there is a long waiting list of people willing to give them a home, if they can ride them.

If they cannot be ridden then they are often unwanted as they are large and expensive to keep. The Police often struggle to find them a suitable placement.

We have found that in most instances they make wonderful therapy horses, having great empathy with people suffering from trauma especially PTSD and autism. We only take the horses that cannot be rehomed elsewhere and face a bleak future.

As long-term members of the respected National Equine Council we have lent our support over the years to equine related welfare issues and although a small charity we have been able to have a larger than expected influence.

4

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

DHAPS will continue to campaign on our own behalf and give our support to larger organisations, we will challenge welfare issues within the equine world and alert others to developing problems.

DHAPS although retaining its qualities of individual care to the needs of the animals that it saves will give personal attention to the small number of visitors that will come to see and interact with them. These goals have been made more achievable by improving the facilities at the sanctuary.

We pay particular attention to the following:

Increasing public awareness of the plight of many equines abandoned and neglected in the UK, and increasing public awareness of the contribution made by Police Horses to public safety and the violence and injury that they can face during the course of their duties and what can happen to them after their services are no longer needed.

Also, by providing facilities that bring people in need into direct contact with our equines which not only benefits those people but also creates a stimulating environment for the animals and in particular the Police Horses.

It has long been established as fact that people get great benefit from contact with animals, but we are increasingly becoming aware through anecdotal and scientific evidence of the enormous benefit to visiting children and adults with mental health and other emotional problems.

Activities in France

At present we have 15 equines in France which are the property of DHAPS, some of these are kept at the premises and are cared for in the same way as they would be in Devon. Most of these animals are elderly or cannot be transported. We also have animals out on short term loan and they are also inspected on a regular basis.

Reserves and Investment Policies

The trustees are very pleased to report that the value of the charity investments have remained secure and increased in value.

The Trustees strive to make our work cost effective, administrative costs are kept to the minimum and a very high percentage of every penny donated was used directly in the care of the equines and to making improvements to their already comfortable living conditions. Very little money has been spent on administration.

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 at least six months of charitable expenditure devoted to the upkeep of the animals.

In the past, when on very rare occasions reserves have dropped below a safe level, the Phillips family have made personal funds available without interest, to keep the charity free from debt and in most instances these funds are then donated to the charity.

With the exception of inherited shares in Barclays Bank the trustees have no direct dealings with the Stock Exchange. The Trustees prefer to purchase property with any cash over and above the Reserve Fund, a prudent decision made when the Stock Market has crashed unexpectedly, as it did in 2008 and many charities experienced huge losses in their funds.

5

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

The Charity owns the sanctuary land and buildings at Southcott. ‘The Old Barn’ has been renovated to a high standard and the office is now modern and well equipped which meets with current employment laws and greatly increases the value of the charity investment.

All fund raising and administrative work is now computer based and we are able to raise our profile through social media, the office which is vital to this work has been future proofed and should not need any further investment for many years.

It is incumbent on the trustee to ensure that the charity assets maintain and increase in value and we are pleased to report that the value of the charity land has quadrupled. There are certainly no plans to sell the charity assets, but it is important that we keep a check on their value and this is reported to the CC.

Stables and field shelter have been repaired and improved access and movement across the sanctuary has also been improved.

We have erected a temporary security gate, this will be changed for something more attractive as soon as we are able, the restrictions have made some of our works difficult. CCTV monitoring has been installed to improve security.

Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular, those related to the operations and finance of the Trust and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

Income is derived from donations and legacies, and from fund raising activities previously mentioned in this report. The charity maintains two web sites and other social media platforms.

The Sanctuary’s income for the year was £55,496.

The ability to maintain all the animals is due to the help of kind and loyal supporters, who send regular donations and remember the animals when making a Will. Also, to the Trustees of various Trusts who kindly make grants to assist with specific projects.

These grants, legacies and donations have enabled the Charity Trustees over the years to purchase land and buildings, and the machinery necessary to keep its land and it’s fencing in good condition. It is the Trustees’ policy to invest monies to provide on-going income and future security, also to maintain the maximum number of animals possible without detriment to those already in residence.

The overall deficit for the year amounted to £79,550 providing a total fund balance of £686,982 at the end of the year.

This is more fully reflected on pages 10 and 11 of the financial statements.

Charity assets are held in respect of the provisions of the sanctuary, fundraising and governance purposes. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity’s assets are available and adequate to enable it to fulfil its obligations.

The trustees feel that the position at the end of the year is satisfactory and puts us in a position to continue meeting the needs and commitment laid out in the charity constitution.

6

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Trustees’ Report (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

Declaration

The trustees declare that they approve the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the trustees:

………………………….

Mr R E Phillips Chair Date

26 April 2023

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The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Year ended 30 June 2022

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurance that:

8

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees

Year ended 30 June 2022

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary for the year ended 30 June 2022, which are set out on pages 10 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commissioner under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

JOHN ROWE FCA CTA Francis Clark LLP

Chartered Accountants Sigma House Oak View Close Torquay

29 April 2023

9

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Statement of Financial Activities

Year ended 30 June 2022

Year ended Year ended
30 June 2022 30 June 2021
£ £
Notes
Incoming from:
Voluntary Income:
Donations 3 32,204 39,385
Legacies and gifts 23,292 88,559
Activities of generating funds - -
Investment income 4 - -
––––—— ––––——
55,496 127,944
Expenditure on:
Costs of goods sold and other costs - -
Costs of charitable activities 5 133,994 139,345
Governance costs 7 990 900
––––—— ––––——
134,984 140,245
––––—— ––––——
Net Deficit (79,488) (12,301)
Exchange rate movements 62 194
––––—— ––––——
Net Movement in Funds (79,550) (12,495)
Total Funds Brought Forward 766,532 779,027
––––—— ––––——
Total Funds Carried Forward 686,982 766,532
––––—— ––––——

10

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Balance Sheet

Year ended 30 June 2022

Year ended Year ended Year ended
30 June 2022 30 June 2021
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets 8 663,305 701,753
Investments
Investments listed on a recognised
stock exchange 9 845 845
––––—— ––––——
664,150 702,598
Current Assets
Debtors 10 - -
CAF Bank account 7 7
NatWest account 22,956 67,304
Euro bank account 9 1,187
PayPal accounts 2,038 1,007
Cash in hand - -
––––—— ––––——
25,010 69,505
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 11 (2,178) (5,571)
––––—— ––––——
Net Current Assets 22,832 63,934
––––—— ––––——
Net Assets 686,982 766,532
––––—— ––––——
––––—— ––––——
Unrestricted Funds 686,982 766,532
––––—— ––––——

Approved on behalf of the Trustees on 29 April 2023

Mr R E Phillips Chairman

11

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 30 June 2022

1 Accounting Policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis and under the historical cost convention.

b) Fund accounting

Unrestricted Funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of its charitable objectives.

c) Incoming recognition

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

d) Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on the accruals basis and includes any irrecoverable VAT.

e) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are recorded at cost.

Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost of fixed assets over their estimated lives, as follows:

Buildings – 10% reducing balance Fixtures, fittings and equipment – 20% reducing balance Vehicles and machinery – 10% to 20% reducing balance

No depreciation is charged on land.

f) Stock market investments

Stock market investments are shown as market value.

12

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

2 Trustees’ remuneration

No remuneration was paid to the trustees.

3 Donations 2022 2021
£ £
Trustee donations - -
Other donations 23,292 39,385
––––—— ––––——
23,292 39,385
––––—— ––––——
4 Investment income 2022 2021
£ £
Gite rental income - -
––––—— ––––——
- -
––––—— ––––——
5 Costs of charitable activities 2022 2021
£ £
Wages and volunteer expenses 43,123 22,317
Staff welfare 172 458
Marketing, advertising and social media 1,751 4,832
Veterinary charges, farrier and fodder 17,799 52,450
Telephone 1,405 1,340
Water charges and storage 3,340 2,651
Property repairs 12,561 11,908
Travel, transport and fuel 9,791 5,431
Building and general insurance 1,305 2,399
Light and heat 922 4,254
Postage and stationery 206 245
Bank charges and interest 439 620
Sundry expenses 2,472 1,046
Legal and professional expenses 1,211 1,289
Depreciation 22,558 27,657
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 14,939 448
––––—— ––––——
133,994 139,345
––––—— ––––——

13

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

6 Employees

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was three:

2022 2021
Number Number
Charitable activities 4 3
––––—— ––––——
7 Governance costs 2022 2021
£ £
Independent examiner’s fee 990 900
––––—— ––––——
990 900
––––—— ––––——

8 Tangible fixed assets

Fixtures
Vehicles fittings
Land and and and
buildings machinery equipment Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 July 2021 821,779 203,929 39,259 1,064,967
Additions - - 1,049 1,049
Disposals (3,909) (32,130) (24,964) (59,012)
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——
At 30 June 2022 817,870 171,799 15,344 1,007,004
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——
Depreciation
At 1 July 2021 213,968 115,220 34,026 363,214
Charge for the year 11,582 10,092 884 22,558
Eliminated on disposal (1,654) (19,296) (23,114) (43,744)
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——
At 30 June 2022 223,896 106,016 11,780 342,028
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——
Net book value
At 30 June 2021 607,811 88,709 5,233 701,753
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——
At 30 June 2022 593,974 65,783 3,548 663,305
––––—— ––––—— ––––—— ––––——

14

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

9 Fixed asset investments
UK stock market investments
£
Market value at 1 July 2021 845
Additions -
Profit on revaluation -
––––——
Market value at 30 June 2022 845
––––——
10 Debtors
2022 2021
£ £
Prepayments and accrued income - -
––––—— ––––——
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2022 2021
£ £
Accruals 1,740 2,484
Other creditors 438 3,087
––––—— ––––——
2,178 5,571
––––—— ––––——

15

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)

Year ended 30 June 2022

12 Related party transactions

La Grange is a fifty-acre farm set in France which is co-owned by Mr and Mrs Phillips (Mr Phillips is a trustee).

The Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary make use of the land and buildings. Mr and Mrs Phillips reside in the house. The charity settles the majority of expenditure on the property that relates to its charitable activities.

The property enables the Sanctuary to assist unwanted and ill-treated horses, ponies and donkeys and in particular retired police horses from the UK. It also provides direct benefit to a large number of UK residents visiting France.

Events, functions and open days are held in the house and on the property to raise funds for the direct benefit of the charity animals.

Two rooms are put aside as offices in the house and a gift shop built in the grounds at Mr and Mrs Phillips’ expense, this could also be used as an office if necessary. The kitchen is used to provide food for the various functions.

The house is used to entertain a constant stream of visitors, supporters and other charity related benefactors.

The house is also used to provide residential accommodation for work experience places and work away labour.

Mr and Mrs Phillips are permanently on site and work long hours without remuneration on behalf of the charity and are always on hand in case of emergency or other need. This greatly reduces the cost of day-to-day labour.

16