BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 517732
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
| STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 | |
|---|---|
| CONTENTS | Page |
| Charity information | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31st March 2023 | 4 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) for the year ended 31st March 2023 | 8 |
| Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2023 | 9 |
| Notes to the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023 | 10 |
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
CHARITY INFORMATION
Trustees of the charity as at 31st March 2023
Trustees of the charity as at 31st March 2023 D Forbes - Chairman R Powell - Team Leader M Jones - Deputy Team Leader D Turpin - Deputy Team Leader C Key - Secretary D Turpin - Treasurer A Stamford-Plows - Member W Gold - Member M Gregory - Member R Preece - Member Correspondent C Key Treasurer D Turpin Independent Examiner R D K Roche-Saunders Chartered Accountant 34 The Watton Brecon Powys LD3 7EF Bankers National Westminster Bank plc 9 High Street Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 5SA Charity registration number 517732
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
Constitution, principal activity and public benefit
Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (the ‘Team’) is a charity, registered with the Charity Commissioners under number 517732 and affiliated to the Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales. It was registered on 3rd July 1986 and is governed by its constitution. The charitable purposes for which it was formed are to relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards within the area of South Wales and to provide adequate arrangements for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any person or persons so endangered. The Trustees consider that these purposes are for the public benefit; they are provided to any member of the public, without charge.
Management
The charity is administered by a management committee comprised of individuals with responsibilities for various aspects of the charity’s operations. Since the last Annual General Meeting the chairman was Duncan Forbes, the team leader was Robert Powell, the secretary was Claire Key and the treasurer was Dominic Turpin.
Review of the year
The team responds to calls from the police and ambulance services, and offers its services to members of the public who find themselves in difficulties, whether in the mountains, on open land, in lowland or urban areas, and assists other teams, the armed forces and other search and rescue organisations.
With almost all of the coronavirus pandemic restrictions lifted, members of the public were once again able to enjoy the pleasures of the hills, countryside and mountains. and the Team continued to respond to callouts from those in difficulties. Team member training continues, both on a regular basis and in certain specialised areas with outside providers. In terms of fundraising, the Team, whilst recognising the need to keep general purpose funds flowing inwards, concentrated its focus on raising funds for the construction of the new Headquarters building. The Black Dragon Challenge walk was the major fundraiser for unrestricted funds, raising almost £14000; whilst the drive for restricted funds raised £302271, with some magnificent donations as shown on page 13.
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2023 on page 7 show that income amounted to £100950 (compared with £92069 in the previous year), and that expenditure totalled £60766 (£61192). As a result, receipts exceeded payments by £40184 (£30877).
Prospects for the year ahead and general development plans
As ever, the Team members are always ready to offer their services to members of the public as and when required, and will always be ready to come to their assistance if they should get into difficulties.
………………….continued on page 3
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
Prospects for the year ahead and general development plans (continued)
The major redevelopment of the Team’s Headquarters is now under way, and the Trustees are hopeful that the work will be completed by the end of 2023. It will enable the Team to respond quicker to emergency calls for help, to provide a free venue for local community organisations, to store the equipment and medical supplies safely, to garage the vehicles indoors, to train all together as a team and to be able to increase the educational outreach work and save lives through learning.
Conclusion
As ever, the Team depends largely for its income on donations and fundraising; we remain most grateful to the trustees of the grant making charities and the members of the general public who continue to support us so faithfully and trust that this support will continue through these difficult times. In addition to the financial assistance which the Team enjoys, we also receive support and understanding from our members’ employers, family and friends when we receive our emergency calls: this assistance is priceless and we are very grateful. We are confident that we can continue to depend upon this support, so that we can continue to provide our service to those who call upon us.
Reserves and expenses
The Trustees have reviewed their policy in relation to the level of the team’s reserves. They have decided that, on a temporary basis and while fundraising for the new headquarters continues, the policy should be to endeavour to maintain the team’s reserves at one year’s estimated unrestricted expenditure, rather than the three years’ level which has been the policy up until now. The team’s budget plans are based on that intention, which is designed to ensure that the charity continues to have sufficient available resources to ensure that its primary objective will not be hampered by a short-term imbalance between income and expenditure. The Trustees consider that this level of reserves can be met during the forthcoming period of redevelopment and despite the challenges which have presented in recent years.
The charity provides a vital emergency service and requires certainty of funding. To that end, funds will be sought beyond the minimum level of reserves where possible in order to increase the proportion of income generated from the charity’s own assets, to reduce the dependency on short term fundraising and to avoid spending unrestricted funds on capital purchases.
Funds are invested in pursuit of income from low-risk investments. During the year, apart from monies held in National Westminster Bank, funds are invested with the Leeds Building Society and with Virgin Money.
No trustee receives remuneration or expenses, other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses for expenditure incurred on behalf of the team. Where certain conditions are met, members are reimbursed with their travelling costs on a non-profit pence per mile basis; this scheme is available to any member who wishes to claim, including the trustees, and the amounts paid out are shown in total in the vehicles expenses section of note 3.
….continued
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
The Trustees have approved the Trustees’ Report above.
……………………………………… Chairman of the Trustees
………………………..……………2023
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (the charity) for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the independent examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. They consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:-
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner’s statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principle effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2015.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:-
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements 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.
………………………………………
18th May 2023
R D K Roche-Saunders Chartered Accountant 34 The Watton Brecon
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (Referred to as SOFA)
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming resources (note 2) | funds | income funds | funds | funds* | |
| Donations and legacies | 58772 | 302271 | 361043 | 113568 | |
| Other trading activities | 36131 | - | 36131 | 14105 | |
| Bank interest | 1053 | - | 1053 | 403 | |
| Other items | 4994 | - | 4994 | 5906 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total | 100950 | 302271 | 403221 | 133982 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Resources expended (note | 3) | ||||
| Raising funds | 12107 | - | 12107 | 10985 | |
| Charitable activities | 48659 | - | 48659 | 50207 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| 60766 | - | 60766 | 61192 | ||
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Net income, and | |||||
| net movement in funds | 40184 | 302271 | 342455 | 72790 | |
| Total funds brought forward | 331897 | 292913 | 624810 | 552020 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total funds carried forward | £372081 | £595184 | £967265 | £624810 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
* All income in the prior year was unrestricted except for donations of £41913 towards the cost of building the new base.
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets | funds | income funds | funds | funds |
| Tangible assets (note 4) | 21652 | 21442 | 43094 | 30201 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Current assets | ||||
| Stocks on hand | 8000 | - | 8000 | 8000 |
| Debtors (note 5) | 689 | - | 689 | 629 |
| Balance at bank and in hand | 342740 | 573742 | 916482 | 586630 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Total current assets | 351429 | 573742 | 925171 | 595259 |
| Creditors: amounts falling | due | |||
| within one year (note 6) | 1000 | - | 1000 | 650 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Net current assets | 350429 | 573742 | 924171 | 594609 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Total assets | ||||
| less current liabilities | £372081 | £595184 | £967265 | £624810 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Funds of the Charity | ||||
| Restricted income funds (note 7) | 595184 | 595184 | 292913 | |
| Unrestricted funds (note 7) | 372081 | 372081 | 331897 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| Total funds | £372081 | £595184 | £967265 | £624810 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023
1 Accounting policies
Basis of accounting, and change in accounting policy
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value (unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts), in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and with the Charities Act 2011.
As a change in accounting policy, these accounts are prepared for the first time on the accruals basis, rather than as a receipts and payment account. Although this is necessitated by the turnover thresholds in the Charity Commission’s charity and reporting regulations, the change also ensures that the accounts present a true and fair view of the accounts of the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (the ‘Team’). As a result of this change in policy, adjustments have been made to the Team’s accounts which are set out in note xx to these accounts. included the introduction into the accounts of the Team’s vehicles at a cost of £131,287 at 31st March 2023 (previous year £131,287), accumulated depreciation of £109,635 at 31st March 2023 (previous year £104,222),
The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the Team, and are rounded to the nearest £1.
Public benefit
The Trustees consider that the aims and objectives of the Team are such that it constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Going concern
The Trustees are satisfied that the Team should continue to be regarded as a going concern and that these accounts are properly prepared on that basis.
Stock
Stocks of merchandise are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:-
Motor vehicles
20% of cost per annum
Recognition of income and expenditure
Income is included in the SOFA when the Team becomes entitled to the resources, when it is more likely than not that the Trustees will receive the resources and when the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Legacies are rare, but similar parameters of certainty would be applied.
The team is operated entirely by volunteers, and the value of this help is not included in the accounts.
Expenditure is recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal obligation committing the charity to pay.
Assets
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and costing at least £1000.
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
| 2 | Analysis of income | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Unrestricted donations and gifts | |||
| Boxes | 3782 | 2811 | |
| SWSARA grant | 575 | 1306 | |
| General donations | 50573 | 40306 | |
| Donations in memory | 1972 | 580 | |
| Margaret Owen | 1000 | - | |
| Pobl y Llyn | 1373 | - | |
| Morrisons | 2275 | - | |
| West Midlands Wealth Management | 2500 | ||
| HF Holidays | - | 7000 | |
| NFU Mutual | - | 6452 | |
| Diane Reynolds | - | 5000 | |
| Christ College | - | 3500 | |
| BVG Group | - | 2000 | |
| _ | _ | ||
| 64050 | 66144 | ||
| _ | _ | ||
| Gift aid | 3231 | - | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Membership subscriptions | 1332 | 1392 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Total of donations and legacies | 68613 | 67536 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Sales of merchandise | 7804 | 8135 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| Fundraising | |||
| General fundraising | 1595 | 387 | |
| Black Dragon | 13796 | - | |
| Collections at Royal Welsh Show | 1595 | 83 | |
| 200 Club | 1500 | - | |
| Newport Outdoor Group | - | 1096 | |
| Charity Ball | - | 1550 | |
| WAAT4 Challenge | - | 2854 | |
| ______ | ______ | ||
| 18486 | 5970 | ||
| _ | _ |
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
2 Fundraising
| General fundraising | 1595 | 387 |
|---|---|---|
| Black Dragon | 13796 | - |
| Collections at Royal Welsh Show | 1595 | 83 |
| 200 Club | 1500 | - |
| Newport Outdoor Group | - | 1096 |
| Charity Ball | - | 1550 |
| WAAT4 Challenge | - | 2854 |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 18486 | 5970 | |
| _ | _ | |
| Interest | ||
| National Westminster Bank | 127 | 2 |
| Leeds Building Society | 74 | 74 |
| Virgin Money | 852 | 327 |
| _ | _ | |
| 1053 | 403 | |
| _ | _ | |
| Sundry income | ||
| Refunds of VAT | 4994 | 5906 |
| _ | _ |
Restricted donations
Donations in excess of £10000 each within the figure of £302271 for restricted donations were received from Bernard Sunley £75000, Moondance Foundation £50000, Estate of Margaret Evans £32000, Garfield Weston £25000, Postcoed £25000, Gofundme £11185, Estate of Ashton £10000, Brecknock Masons £10000 and Foyle Foundation £10000. The Trustees are most grateful for the support of all donors to the fund.
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
3 Analysis of expenditure
| Expenditure on raising funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Staging fundraising events | 2654 | - |
| Fees payable to donation schemes | 658 | 549 |
| Purchase of merchandising items | 6591 | 10133 |
| Advertising and marketing | 2204 | 303 |
| _ | _ | |
| 12107 | 10985 | |
| _ | _ | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Vehicles and drone running expenses | ||
| Fuel | 5060 | 2766 |
| Mileage reimbursement | 2557 | 2053 |
| Repairs and maintenance | 6781 | 4003 |
| Road fund licences | 220 | 210 |
| Insurance for the drone | 786 | 786 |
| Driver testing | 453 | 628 |
| Drone expenses | 291 | - |
| Insurance on Gator | - | 300 |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 16148 | 10746 | |
| ______ | ______ | |
| Communications | ||
| Roving broadband | - | 20 |
| Worldtext | 2100 | 1947 |
| Radios, headsets, batteries, aerials, repairs etc | 433 | 3732 |
| Data SIM | 863 | 253 |
| Spot Tracker contracts | 3264 | 4752 |
| EE | 255 | - |
| _ | _ | |
| 6915 | 10704 | |
| _ | _ |
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
3 Training
| Sundry course fees, conferences, etc, | 1671 | 2226 |
|---|---|---|
| _ | _ | |
| Headquarters | ||
| Telephone, internet and subscriptions | 533 | 671 |
| Postage and stationery | 10 | 161 |
| Insurance | 2165 | 1886 |
| Electricity | 2052 | 1048 |
| Water charges | 166 | 211 |
| Sundry maintenance and stores | 648 | 1174 |
| Alarm annual maintenance fee | 508 | 473 |
| Information Commissioner fees | 35 | 70 |
| Sundry items | 241 | 100 |
| CBMRT | 792 | - |
| Website improvements | 458 | - |
| _ | _ | |
| 7608 | 5794 | |
| _ | _ | |
| Team clothing and equipment | ||
| Total payments | 8751 | 16327 |
| _ | _ |
This heading comprises the purchase, repair and replacement of items of clothing and rescue, specialised climbing and safety equipment necessary for the efficient running of the team.
Medical requisites
Total payments
3011 1548 _ _
This total comprises expenditure on consumable items and on stocks of controlled drugs, which have to be kept ‘in-date’.
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
| 3 | Administration costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent examiner’s fees | 650 | 600 | ||
| Other fees paid to the independent | examiner | 350 | - | |
| Legal insurance | 392 | 377 | ||
| Costs associated with the Queen’s | Award | - | 422 | |
| _ | _ | |||
| 1392 | 1399 | |||
| ______ | ______ | |||
| 4 | Tangible fixed assets | |||
| Freehold land | Motor | Total | ||
| and buildings | vehicles | |||
| At cost, 31st March 2022 | 3136 | 131287 | 134423 | |
| Additions during the year | 18306 | - | 18306 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| At cost, 31st March 2023 | 21442 | 131287 | 152729 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Depreciation | ||||
| As at 31st March 2022 | - | 104222 | 104222 | |
| Provided during the year | - | 5413 | 5413 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| As at 31st March 2023 | - | 109635 | 109635 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Net book values:- | ||||
| 31st March 2022 | 3136 | 27065 | 30201 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| 31st March 2023 | 21442 | 21652 | 43094 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ |
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
| 5 | Debtors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Prepayments | 689 | 629 | |||
| ______ | ______ | ||||
| 6 | Creditors: amounts | falling due within one year | |||
| Accrued charges | 1800 | 1800 | |||
| ______ | ______ | ||||
| 7 | Summary of movement of funds (see also note 8) | ||||
| Balance at | Movement in funds | Balance at | |||
| 31.3.22 | Incoming | Payments | 31.3.23 | ||
| resources | |||||
| Restricted fund - new base | 292913 |
302271 | - | 595184 | |
| Unrestricted fund | 331897 | 100950 | 60766 | 372081 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | ||
| £624810 | £403221 | £60766 | £967265 | ||
| _ | _ | _ | _ |
The restricted fund hold funds for the construction of a new operating base for the charity. Incoming resources to this fund comprised donations towards this cost.
The unrestricted fund holds funds for the general operational running costs of the charity.
These details are also shown for the previous year.
| Balance at | Movement | in funds | Balance at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.3.21 | Incoming | Payments | 31.3.22 | |
| resources | ||||
| Restricted fund - new base | 251000 | 41913 | - | 292913 |
| Unrestricted fund | 301020 | 92069 | 61192 | 331897 |
| _ | _ | _ | _ | |
| £552020 | £133982 | £61192 | £624810 | |
| _ | _ | _ | _ |
….continued
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BRECON MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023 (continued)
7 Summary of movement of funds (see also note 8)
The Trustees have decided that the balance on the Designated Fund at 31st March 2021 should now be regarded as Restricted for the purposes of developing the new base, and has accordingly been transferred to the Restricted fund - new base.
8 Adjustments and reconciliations consequent upon the change in accounting policy
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction of the Team’s vehicles | dr 131287 | dr 131287 |
| Accumulated depreciation | cr 109635 | cr 101222 |
| Merchandise | dr 8000 | dr 8000 |
| Expenditure on the new base (restricted fund) | dr 3136 | dr 3136 |
| Other non-material adjustments | cr 21 | cr 21 |
Reconciliation of these adjustments with the opening balances as per the previous accounts is as follows:-
| ows:- | ||
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | |
| Fund balances, 31st March 2021, | ||
| as per accounts previously prepared | 265976 | 1000 |
| Introduction of the Team’s vehicles | +131287 | |
| Accumulated depreciation thereon | -104222 | |
| Stock of merchandise | +8000 | |
| Minor adjustments | -21 | |
| ______ | ______ | |
| 301020 | 1000 | |
| Transfer the Designated Fund balance | - | +250000 |
| ______ | ______ | |
| Balances brought forward, 31st March 2021, | ||
| as per note 7 above | 301020 | 251000 |
| ______ | ______ |
9 Additional disclosures
The Team is embarking on a major redevelopment of the Team’s Headquarters at Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon. The freehold title to this property is recorded as being vested in the names of Ronald Lynn Brown, John Stuart Inns and Ellen Petrina Park Guinan, who hold it on trust for mountain rescue purposes. Mr Inns died in 2006 and Mr Brown died in 2020, and it is understood that the necessary steps are being taken to appoint Mr Ewan Thomas and Mr Dominic Turpin as trustees in their places. This land is not at present included as an asset in these accounts.
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