Registered Charity No: 511072
Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Financial Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Financial Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Trustees Report Independent Examiner’s Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts Contents |
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|---|---|
| 1 - 2 3 4 5 6 - 11 |
Report of the Trustees of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team For the year ended 31 December 2023
Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team, Smelt Mill Cottages, Trough Road, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe, BB7 3BH is a charity registered with the Charity Commissioners, No. 511072. It is an unincorporated association governed by constitution adopted on the 8th October 1980 and last amended on 10th October 2012. It is a member of the Mid-Pennine Search and Rescue Organisation which is a regional body of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW).
The Charity is administered by the Executive Committee consisting of 11 Trustees elected from the membership of the Charity:
| The Charity is administered membership of the Charity: |
by the Executive Committee consisting of 11 T |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Mr D. Matthews |
| Secretary | Mr C. Myerscough |
| Treasurer | Mr C. Shelley |
| Team Leader | Mr K. Camplin (until 27th April 2023) |
| Team Leader | Mr J. Earnshaw (from 27th April 2023) |
| Deputy Team Leader | Mr J. Earnshaw (until 27th April 2023) |
| Deputy Team Leader | Mr J. Willoughby (from 27th April 2023) |
| Resources Officer | Mr J. Willoughby (until 27th April 2023) |
| Resources Officer | Mr K. Hindle BEM (from 27th April 2023) |
| Casualty Care Officer | Mr D. Suart |
| Fund Raising Officer | Mr J. Wickham (until 27th April 2023) |
| Fund Raising Officer | Ms L. Robinson (from 27th April 2023) |
| Training Officer | Mr C. Toward (until 27th April 2023) |
| Training Officer | Mr R. Gilder (from 27th April 2023) |
| Smelt Mill Officer | Mrs C. Bond |
| Team Representative | Mr K. Hindle BEM (until 27th April 2023) |
| Team Representative | Mr R. Gibbs (from 27th April 2023) |
The objects of the Charity, as specified in the constitution, are “to provide efficient search and rescue services, primarily but not exclusively on mountains and fells, for the benefit of any person or persons in need of such services and also promote public safety in this subject by whatever charitable means the Executive Committee think fit”.
In carrying out these objectives the main areas of activity are throughout a large part of Lancashire covering 875 sq. miles including the Forest of Bowland, the West Pennine Moors, Silverdale and Warton AONB, and a large area of lowland and estuaries. The Team also assists other Mountain Rescue Teams when called upon in order to provide additional resources in neighbouring areas.
During 2023 the team responded to a total of 53 incidents. The Team was placed on ‘Stand By’ on another 6 occasions. The Team call-outs involved assisting Lancashire Police in conducting searches for 14 missing, vulnerable and injured persons. The team responded to and attended incidents to assist North West Ambulance Service, stabilising and evacuating 38 casualties from inaccessible situations and involved working with the Helimed Air Ambulance and HM Coastguard Helicopters. The members of the community assisted by the Team during 2023 included mainly hill walkers and casualties where a mountain bike was involved. The team was involved in the recovery of two deceased persons.
This wide range of activities clearly demonstrates that the Trustees have taken regard of the Charities Commission guidelines in relation to providing public benefit. Almost all of these casualties were in locations where their safe and speedy rescue, treatment and evacuation could not have happened effectively and urgently without the manpower, skills and resources of the Rescue Team.
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During 2023 the Team Leader and others have interacted closely with Lancashire Constabulary, North West Ambulance Service, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Lancashire Resilience Forum. It is the Team’s intention during the coming year to continue to maintain its operational capability through these relationships and opportunities for joint training. During the year the charity has reviewed and updated a number of operational and non-operational policies and procedures.
The community has returned to a more normal pattern of life following the recent pandemic, and during 2023 the team undertook various initiatives for fund raising and opportunities for promotion in the public arena, providing talks and visits to school groups, walking clubs and other public organisations, additionally we provided events to promote public safety in the hills, and displays at public events.
As well as supporting on-going search and rescue operations, the Charity was able to carry out its aim of a complete refurbishment of replacement of ageing waterproof clothing and rescue kit, and to extend the Team’s radio coverage in the North of Lancashire. All 2023 expenditure was on Search and Rescue costs and the expense of maintaining operational property.
The Charity ended 2023 in a sound financial position. BPMRT was the recipient of a large legacy of £201K in the year, which has enabled the Trustees to plan for the charity’s longer term operational needs, addressing future needs of vehicles, equipment and the three operational bases. The Trustees reviewed the reserves policy in light of the financial situation, maintaining the aspiration to maintain no less than 18 months of free reserves. This protects the charity from future covid-type events, income downturns and unforeseen major expenditure.
The Charity’s free reserves at December 31st 2023 stood at £101,331 representing approximately 20 months operating expenses. As at December 31st 2023, the Charity also held restricted and allocated funds totaling £407,222. This sum has been allocated to various projects to maintain the Charity’s longer term operational capacity.
During 2023 the Executive Committee initiated the process of transferring the charity to that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and plans to continue that process in the coming year.
The Charity is entirely reliant on voluntary contributions and our current finance levels allow the charity to confidently safeguard the medium to long-term operability of the Rescue Team. Bowland Pennine MRT is hugely grateful to all who contribute to the Charity. It is our aim to thank every donation we receive, but the move away from cheques towards on-line donation platforms means we receive an increasing number of anonymous donations. We take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE!
For and on behalf of the Trustees,
Mr D. Matthews (Chairman of the Trustees)
Date: 14th April 2024
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
We report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2022 which are set out on pages 4 to 11.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity’s Trustees 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 independent examination is needed. The Charity’s gross income exceeded £25,000 and we are qualified to undertake the examination by being qualified members of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
It is our responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
Our 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 statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention:-
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:-
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act: and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirement of the 2011 Act have not been met and with the methods and principals of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met, or:-
- to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Robin Oatridge & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants Black Bull House 353-355 Station Road Bamber Bridge Preston, PR5 6EE Date: 15th April 2024
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Incoming resources Fund Raising Fell Races and Team Events Donations Other Income Smelt Mill Interest received Total incoming resources Resources Expended Team Operational Expenses Vehicle Expenses Smelt Mill Expenses Total Resources Expended Net Incomings For The Year Funds Balance Brought Forward As at 1 January 2023 Balance Carried Forward As at 31 December 2023 |
Note 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
£ £ 3,324.08 2,844.00 48,536.40 229,275.01 9,362.67 3,592.83 296,934.99 65,395.22 24,496.11 14,361.89 104,253.22 192,681.77 1,083,966.30 1,276,648.07 2023 |
£ £ 3,472.56 6,392.00 24,891.17 27,599.28 14,075.86 469.84 76,900.71 35,842.81 50,454.14 35,284.99 121,581.94 -44,681.23 1,128,647.52 1,083,966.29 2022 |
£ £ 3,472.56 6,392.00 24,891.17 27,599.28 14,075.86 469.84 76,900.71 35,842.81 50,454.14 35,284.99 121,581.94 -44,681.23 1,128,647.52 1,083,966.29 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76,900.71 121,581.94 |
||||
| -44,681.23 | ||||
| 1,128,647.52 | ||||
| 1,083,966.29 |
The notes on pages 8 to 11 form part of these accounts
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Balance Sheet 31 December 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 10 | 769,294.74 | 779,041.73 |
| Current Assets | |||
| Cash at Bank and in Hand | 11 | 508,553.33 | 306,124.56 |
| 1,277,848.07 | 1,085,166.29 | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| Amounts Falling Due Within One Year | 1,200.00 | 1,200.00 | |
| 1,276,648.07 | 976,550.08 | ||
| Funds | |||
| Surplus / (Deficit) for the Year | 192,681.77 | -44,681.23 | |
| Balance Brought Forward | |||
| As at 1 January 2023 | 1,083,966.30 | 1,128,647.52 | |
| 1,276,648.07 | 1,083,966.29 |
Approved by the Committee and signed on its behalf
C. Myerscough Secretary
Approved by the committee on 14th April 2024
The notes on pages 6 to 11 form part of these accounts
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note 1 - Fund Raising Flag Days: Chorley Garstang Clitheroe Lancaster Blackpool Ormskirk Collecting Boxes Note 2 - Fell Races and Team Events Borrowdale Fell Race (Scafell Hotel) Bowland Fell Runners MTB Races Fell Race Team Events Pennine Trails 3 Peaks Cycle Cross Note 3 - Donations to the Team Donations Received |
2023 £ 315.06 1,213.75 701.49 717.43 0.00 0.00 2,947.73 376.35 3,324.08 1,150.00 425.00 350.00 302.00 0.00 600.00 17.00 2,844.00 48,536.40 48,536.40 |
2022 £ 0.00 1,227.98 1,092.87 666.98 0.00 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,987.83 484.73 |
||
| 3,472.56 | ||
| 1,100.00 0.00 800.00 300.00 0.00 500.00 3,692.00 |
||
| 6,392.00 | ||
| 24,891.17 | ||
| 24,891.17 |
We aim to thank each doner individually at the point of donation, however this is becoming increasingly difficult due to anonymous donations via social media and online. We are extremely grateful for all donations received and would like to thank everybody that has donated to the team.
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note 4 - Other Income Subscriptions Gift Aid Tax refund - VAT reclaim Sales of Personal and Safety Equipment Lectures Grants Legacies Local Council's 100 Club Donations Note 5 - Smelt Mill Income Donations Anonymous Donations Other Income Use of Smelt Mill COVID Related Council Grant Note 6 - Interest Received Royal Bank of Scotland (Team Deposit Account) Scottish Widows (Team Deposit) Virgin (Smelt Mill) |
2023 375.00 2,905.93 13,142.51 386.02 886.45 5,500.00 200,724.10 5,355.00 0.00 229,275.01 2023 683.67 683.67 8,679.00 0.00 9,362.67 2023 2,910.73 376.94 305.16 3,592.83 |
2022 330.00 2,661.19 6,005.68 1,168.05 1,328.40 5,000.00 3,454.11 5,880.00 1,771.85 |
|---|---|---|
| 27,599.28 | ||
| 2022 500.00 |
||
| 500.00 13,452.50 123.36 |
||
| 14,075.86 | ||
| 2022 306.76 48.25 114.83 |
||
| 469.84 |
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note 7 - Team Operational Expenses Water rates Rates Service charges Rent - Cop Lane Electric and gas Repairs - Cop Lane Insurance Telephones, radio licence & message line Postage (fund raising mail shot) Printing, copying and stationery Equipment repairs Radio parts and equipment Equipment Consumables Consumables and medical stores Training & exercise courses SMS Texting Protective clothing and attire Legal Web Design Misc D4H Subscription Catering Depreciation Just Giving Note 8 - Vehicle Expenses Fuel Maintenance Vehicle Insurance Depreciation (Note 10) |
2023 357.50 1,005.00 174.42 240.00 1,660.38 1,284.28 4,034.02 2,041.73 107.49 390.69 0.00 7,255.45 0.00 6,064.16 2,704.24 1,551.82 29,479.98 0.00 180.00 1,025.37 865.00 1,522.69 3,235.00 216.00 65,395.22 2023 4,098.20 10,967.37 2,918.54 6,512.00 24,496.11 |
2022 325.36 524.60 158.08 0.00 1,499.95 3,187.37 4,264.81 2,210.84 201.95 1,178.13 0.00 3,917.74 3,129.48 3,821.16 1,597.00 1,706.58 2,360.28 0.00 0.00 200.00 420.00 1,116.48 3,807.00 216.00 |
|---|---|---|
| 35,842.81 | ||
| 2022 4,843.85 34,146.73 2,779.56 8,684.00 |
||
| 50,454.14 |
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
| Note 9 - Smelt Mill Electricity Telephone Rates Insurance Coal and logs Catering and consumable stores Activities and domestic equipment Repairs and renewals Propane Heating oil TV licence Accountancy Postage, printing and stationery Fire safety checks Electrical testing and repairs Boiler service and repairs Refurbishment costs Depreciation - Note 10 Course Fees |
2023 2022 2,460.86 902.00 236.04 280.81 248.48 164.36 1,315.20 1,768.25 383.25 0.00 489.22 902.05 1,695.34 2,776.95 2,681.15 814.00 796.39 768.37 1,459.22 159.00 159.00 1,200.00 1,200.00 0.00 0.00 639.69 1,162.67 1,936.58 588.60 544.19 1,711.67 0.00 19,353.48 0.00 0.00 320.00 460.00 14,291.83 35,284.99 |
|---|---|
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2023
Note 10 - Tangible Fixed Assets
| Motor vehicles Mercedes Sprinter (MK05VDA) Land Rover (X417XBV) Land Rover (RX59FEG) Minibus (YJ61NHM) Land Rover Defender (YX63JZD) Bike Trailer Landrover (PN65 GAA) Ifor Williams Trailer Navara Pick-up (PN20TEU) Total Motor Vehicles Properties Smelt Mill Training Centre Unit 3 Creamery Industrial Estate Total for Properties Other Fittings New Radios Plant and Equipment Fire Alarm Total for Other Fittings Total Fixed Assets |
Value As At 01/01/23 Addition Depreciation Disposal 482.62 121.00 88.28 22.00 412.56 103.00 599.26 150.00 1,837.45 459.00 46.30 12.00 3,965.64 991.00 1,222.34 306.00 17,392.38 4,348.00 26,046.82 0.00 6,512.00 0.00 501,971.99 229,451.14 731,423.13 0.00 0.00 0.00 14,793.25 2,219.00 6,715.86 1,007.00 62.68 9.00 21,571.78 0.00 3,235.00 0.00 779,041.74 0.00 9,747.00 0.00 |
Value As At 31/12/23 |
|---|---|---|
| 361.62 66.28 309.56 449.26 1,378.45 34.30 2,974.64 916.34 13,044.38 |
||
| 19,534.82 | ||
| 501,971.99 229,451.14 |
||
| 731,423.13 | ||
| 12,574.25 5,708.86 53.68 |
||
| 18,336.78 | ||
| 769,294.74 |
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Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team
Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2023
Note 11 - Cash at Bank and in Hand
| Team RBS Current Account RBS Deposit Account Scottish Widows Smelt Mill Virgin Current Virgin Deposits Cash in Hand Note 12 - Reserves Free Reserves Allocated Reserves |
£ £ £ £ 15,633.86 39,024.00 336,567.81 137,626.22 131,046.26 130,621.07 483,247.93 307,271.29 83.52 13.41 25,221.88 34,028.89 0.00 0.00 25,305.40 34,042.30 508,553.33 341,313.59 2023 2022 101,331.82 114,067.79 407,221.51 192,056.77 508,553.33 306,124.56 2023 2022 |
£ £ £ £ 15,633.86 39,024.00 336,567.81 137,626.22 131,046.26 130,621.07 483,247.93 307,271.29 83.52 13.41 25,221.88 34,028.89 0.00 0.00 25,305.40 34,042.30 508,553.33 341,313.59 2023 2022 101,331.82 114,067.79 407,221.51 192,056.77 508,553.33 306,124.56 2023 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 341,313.59 | ||
| 2022 114,067.79 192,056.77 |
||
| 306,124.56 |
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