**COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NI000258 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 102755**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Financial Statements**
## **31 March 2023**
Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Financial Statements**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)|**1**|
|Independent auditor's report to the members|**19**|
|Statement of financial activities (including income and||
|expenditure account)|**25**|
|Statement of financial position|**26**|
|Statement of cash flows|**27**|
|Notes to the financial statements|**28**|
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
## **Reference and administrative details**
|**Registered charity name**|The Ulster Society for Prevention|of Cruelty to Animals|
|---|---|---|
|**Charity registration number**|102755||
|**Company registration number**|NI000258||
|**Principal office and registered**|Unit 6||
|**office**|Carnbane Industrial Estate||
||Newry||
||BT35 6QH||
|**The trustees**|||
||J Wilson (Hon. Secretary)||
||J Farrell (Chair)||
||P Kearney (Hon. Treasurer)||
||G McCoubrey||
||E McCrory||
||D Thompson||
||D Wilson|(Resigned 25 April 2022)|
||G O'Hare||
|**Auditor**|Finegan Gibson Ltd||
||Chartered accountants & statutory auditor||
||Causeway Tower||
||9 James Street South||
||Belfast||
||BT2 8DN||
|**Bankers**|Danske Bank||
||Portadown Finance Centre||
||45-48 High Street||
||Portadown||
||BT62 1LB||
||Ulster Bank||
||86 Hill Street||
||Newry||
||BT34 1YB||
|**Solicitors**|Edwards and Co Solicitors||
||28 Hill Street||
||Belfast||
||BT1 2LA||
**1**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Legal Status**_
The USPCA is a Company Limited by Guarantee, not having a share capital and satisfies the criteria set out in Section 60 of the Companies Act 2006 whereby it is exempted from the use of the word "Limited" as part of the company name.
## _**Governing Document**_
The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21st November 2017. It is a membership organisation, and each member agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up.
## _**Charitable Status**_
The USPCA is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, registration number NIC 102755.
It is also recognised as a charity for taxation purposes by HMRC, registration number XN 45066.
## _**Appointment of Trustees**_
The Board consists of up to nine Trustees, the Chairperson, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary and up to six others.
When recruiting to fill vacancies, the Board will consider the skills mix and diversity of the current Board.
The recruitment process will involve a wide trawl in order that a range of candidates can be considered for the vacancy. The pool of candidates may be a combination of applicants resulting from public advertising and nominations resulting from consultations with Board members or appropriate professional bodies.
Once a suitably qualified nominee has agreed to join the Board, the Board will consider a resolution to co-opt the new member as a Trustee. Appointment is up to the next AGM at which the Trustee will retire but be eligible for re-election.
At each AGM, Trustees who have served four consecutive years or more must retire and are eligible for re-election for a further four years. A Trustee shall not serve in excess of a continuous period of eight years.
## _**Trustee Induction and Training**_
Each new Trustee receives induction training through which they are made aware of their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the governance structure and protocols as laid out in the charity's Governance Handbook, the committee and decision-making processes, the operational plan and recent financial performance of the charity.
**2**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Structure, governance and management** _**(continued)**_
## _**Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of Key Management Personnel**_
Salary levels are set having regard to pay levels in other charities of similar size. The USPCA undertakes a cost-of-living salary review annually with affordability being the principal requirement to be met prior to any award.
Salaries are bench marked every three years, subject to the cost of such an exercise not being prohibitive.
## _**Organisation Structure and how the Charity makes decisions**_
The Board of Trustees, which can have up to 9 members, has ultimate legal and financial responsibility for the affairs of the USPCA. During the year to 31[st] March 2023 the Board met on five occasions. Attendance was as follows:
John Farrell Chair 5 out of 5 John Wilson Hon Secretary 4 out of 5 Paul Kearney Hon Treasurer 5 out of 5 Gavin McCoubrey 4 out of 5 Elaine McCrory 5 out of 5 Garrett O’Hare 5 out of 5 David Thompson Lyons 4 out of 5
The Audit & Risk Committee is tasked with monitoring the integrity of the financial statements, reviewing the systems of internal financial control and reviewing the management of the risk register. The committee met on four occasions during the year. Attendance at meetings was as follows:
|Paul Kearney|Chair|4 out of 4|
|---|---|---|
|Elaine McCrory||4 out of 4|
|John Wilson||3 out of 4|
The HR and Remuneration Committee is tasked with recommending the USPCA's general remuneration policy and structure (including pension arrangements) for approval by the Board; recommending the remuneration of the Chief Executive having reviewed their performance appraisal, for approval by the Board; approving annually the remuneration of all other staff, including any general cost of living increase; keeping the level and structure of remuneration under review through regular sector benchmarking; keeping the charity's HR policies under review, ensuring they are up to date and comply with statutory obligations. The committee met on one occasion during the year. Attendance at meeting was as follows:
John Farrell Chair 1 out of 1 Paul Kearney 1 out of 1 John Wilson 1 out of 1
A Chief Executive is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity and has responsibility for operational matters including finance, employment and direct charitable activities within clear thresholds of delegated authority approved by the Trustees.
**3**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Structure, governance and management** _**(continued)**_
## _**Management structure April 2022 - March 2023**_
Brendan Mullan stepped down from his position as Chief Executive in December 2022 after eight years of service. Nora Smith was appointed as the Chief Executive in January 2023 and is responsible to the Board of Trustees for delivery of Charity’s operational objectives.
Colleen Tinnelly, Chief Operating Officer, responsible for marketing, and income generation through fundraising and the development of tradeable services.
Collette Kealy, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, responsible for the clinical leadership of the veterinary team.
Sinead Griksas, Practice Manager, responsible for the operational delivery of veterinary services.
Deirdre McArdle, Animal Care Manager, responsible for companion animal rehoming and wildlife rescues.
Ian Lyle, Head of Special Investigations Unit, responsible for directing our investigations into organised animal cruelty.
Rachel McGreevy, Charity Store Manager, responsible for the operation of our charity stores.
Anthony Fearon, Administration Manager, responsible for financial administration and premises management.
## _**Relationships with Related Parties**_
All Trustees give of their time freely and no Trustee received remuneration in the year. Details of Trustees' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in notes 17 and 29 to the accounts.
## _**Risk Management**_
The trustees have a risk management strategy that comprises:
- an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces;
- the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review; and
- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
The Board has delegated oversight responsibility for risk management to its Audit & Risk Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee reports on its work at each Board meeting.
**4**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Objectives and activities**
The objects of the charity as outlined in its Memorandum and Articles of Association are:
1. The advancement of animal welfare.
All of the work of the USPCA falls under this object, which is an approved purpose as listed in the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
2. To obtain justice for animals and to endeavour by every legitimate means to put an end to cruelty to animals and to encourage kindness and humanity in their treatment.
In furtherance of this object, the USPCA:
- Provides the secretariat to the All Party Group on Animal Welfare at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- Is an active member of the DAERA Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Forum and contributes to policy consultations.
- Is an active member of Eurogroup for Animals, a Brussels based organisation whose remit is to promote animal health and welfare standards throughout the EU.
- Proactively investigates and makes public many criminal acts including puppy trafficking organised dog fighting, badger baiting, carted deer hunts and cock fighting.
3. To relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention and, in particular, to provide and maintain facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals.
In furtherance of this object, the USPCA:
- Operates a Veterinary Clinic in Newry. The clinic relieves the pain of suffering animals and provides other veterinary services for companion animals.
- Treats and relieves the pain of suffering wildlife.
- Suffering wildlife in other parts of NI are treated by local vets courtesy of a USPCA voucher scheme.
4. To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, injury, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.
In furtherance of this object, the USPCA:
- Treats domestic companion animals in need of veterinary care at its veterinary clinic.
- Provides temporary accommodation for companion animals whose owners become incapacitated through ill health or other personal circumstances and houses the animals until long term arrangements for their future are in place.
- Treats suffering wildlife prior to re-introduction to their natural environment.
**5**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
- In partnership with the Trussell Trust and other independent foodbanks across NI, provides food parcels for the many companion animals belonging to individuals and families in need of support.
5. To advance education for the public in animal husbandry, care for animals and responsibility for animals and the consequences of not doing so.
In furtherance of this object, the USPCA:
- Provides animal welfare talks to schools and community groups.
- Provides advice to the beneficiaries of the veterinary services on health regimes and caring for their companion pets.
The USPCA services benefit those on low incomes in Northern Ireland by ensuring continued companionship from their pets, through the provision of veterinary services and pet food parcels. Pet poverty continues to raise as households struggle in a cost-of-living crisis.
School children and community groups benefit through the education talks which deepen their understanding of pet care, encourage kindness to animals and promotes compassion. This supports our preventative work on educating and raising awareness on responsible pet care.
The public at large is also a beneficiary through the spaying and neutering service which helps control the spread of feral animals and through the care of suffering wildlife which are useful to humanity.
Any potential harms are outweighed by the service benefits and alleviated through a formal process of risk assessments alongside robust health and safety policies and procedures.
There are no private benefits to any individuals connected with the organisation other than the payment of salaries to staff or fees to third-party service providers which is a necessary requirement in order to provide our services and therefore incidental to the carrying out of the purposes.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit under section 4(b) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
**6**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance**
The USPCA is unique in Northern Ireland among animal welfare organisations and charities given our wide remit, including the vital work of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which is focused on disrupting organised animal cruelty crimes.
The rehoming and wildlife service to animals across NI, has provided a lifeline of support. We never put a healthy animal to sleep, a policy we are extremely proud of.
The cost-of-living crisis, coupled with the aftermath of covid, led to some households surrendering their pets which has led to a substantial increase in the number of animals coming into our care. This is a trend throughout all animal welfare centres and sanctuaries.
The year under review is the final year of our three-year strategy to March 2023. Over the past three years, the Board and staff team worked hard to build upon the strong foundations focused on defining and embedding our services, establishing relationships with key stakeholders, and strengthening organisational governance. These strong base places the charity in a solid position to grow and develop services and reach across NI. The USPCA's leadership role is in the advancement of animal welfare and the relief of suffering in animals. We exist to champion animal welfare across NI. The Board and Senior Leadership Team are focused on fulfilling our mission and vision, whilst staying true to our values. The wider staff and volunteer teams commitment and passion have enabled us to deliver a wide range of services to fulfil our charity objectives. Through a mix of proactive and reactive services we worked hard over the year to deliver for animals.
## _**Veterinary Services**_
The USPCA veterinary clinic is dedicated to the relief of suffering in animals and is located in our centre on the outskirts of Newry. It is open six days a week, with the team providing a full range of veterinary services to both companion animals and injured wildlife that enter our care.
The USPCA supports pet owners who find it difficult to afford essential veterinary treatment by providing discounts through our Charitable Discount Scheme for those in receipt of benefits. This scheme not only ensures the welfare of the animal but also supports continued companionship for the owner.
The Veterinary Practice has faced considerable workforce issues, with limited access to Veterinary Surgeons which in turn has affected our capacity. External challenges including Brexit, demographic changes and the corporatisation of veterinary practices have played a key role in the workforce issues facing the wider veterinary sector.
**7**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
## _**Wildlife Rescues**_
Wild animals need expert care to give them the best chance of survival, and we can all play an important part in helping to get them the best care as soon as possible. Our Wildlife Rescue Officers, Veterinary team, and Animal Care Officers share the privilege of helping some of Northern Ireland's most stunning and in some cases, rare, wildlife. From badgers, buzzards, bats, and hedgehogs, to swans, foxes, magnificent red kites, and much more. The staff and volunteer teams are incredibly busy rehabilitating injured wildlife before they can be released back into their native habitat.
Our wildlife rescue service operates throughout Northern Ireland and is greatly supported by a network of volunteers. We also operate a Veterinary Voucher Scheme to ensure that pain relief is available to injured wildlife at a local veterinary practice, close to where the animal is located.
## _**Social Rehoming**_
Our centre was at capacity for most of the year. An increase in the cost-of-living, left many owners struggling to look after their animals, coupled with the increased pet ownership during the pandemic leading to more abandonments have increased the pressures on the rehoming service. We also experienced a slowdown in the number of enquiries for rehoming which meant we were not in a position to rehome as many animals as planned.
We continued to retain our membership of the Association of Dogs and Cats Home standards accreditation.
The USPCA supports Women's Aid by providing emergency shelter for companion animals belonging to domestic abuse victims. By providing temporary crisis intervention for the animal, coupled with Women's Aid expertise in addressing the level of risk in a safe, secure, and confidential environment, we hope to hasten the recovery process for the victim, her children, and their pet. Through this service, we have relieved the pressures faced by women during an already incredibly challenging time.
**8**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
## _**Special Investigations Unit**_
The illegal puppy trade, animal fighting, badger baiting, and other horrific acts perpetrated on animals are among the serious animal welfare crimes happening across Northern Ireland every day. The USPCA's Special Investigations Unit carries out investigations into 'organised animal cruelty' - serious welfare abuses that often take place well away from public view. The Charity defines organised animal cruelty as:
"Where the USPCA has an honest belief that one or more persons are engaged in any joint activity with another and animal cruelty or a severe adverse effect on animal welfare has occurred, is likely or is expected. The animal cruelty or severe adverse effect on animal welfare may be an intended or unintended outcome of the joint activity."
Continuing the charity's investment in Special Investigations, this year saw a substantial increase in the number of reports to our online reporting function for organised animal cruelty. The online portal allows members of the public to submit anonymous and detailed reports regarding the likes of puppy farming, animal fighting and badger baiting.
In March a report on Badger Baiting in Northern Ireland was launched at Stormont. The research findings were two years of intelligence and research by the SIU, which showcased the horror and scale of badger baiting in NI. A wider range of stakeholders attended the launch including politicians, PSNI, Council and animal welfare organisations.
The USPCA continued its membership of Operation Delphin, working with its partners in the ISPCA, DSPCA, SSPCA and RSPCA; to target the illegal puppy trade.
The Special Investigations Unit also worked in partnership with Nature Watch and the League against Cruel Sports to forward intelligence to the PSNI on organised animal cruelty crimes.
Working alongside the Northern Ireland Badger Group, the USPCA also operates Operation Brockwatch, an initiative which aims to protect vulnerable badgers and their setts from callous criminal gangs who relentlessly target them through the cruel blood sport of badger baiting. This rural partnership engages with the PSNI and landowners across the region to deter badger baiters from committing this barbaric act of cruelty on the protected species. During the year in review, the initiative was extended to to cover 22 badger setts which was made possible through the development of a network of volunteers who assist the Operation Brockwatch team with sett identification and monitoring.
**9**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
## _**Animal Welfare Advocacy**_
Despite animals playing such an essential role in our society and natural environment, there are sadly individuals who are willing to inflict unthinkable suffering on them. Within an advanced society, protections are put in place to ensure abuse does not take place – it is imperative that these protections are kept under review and are regularly updated to keep pace with economic and societal changes.
Unfortunately, Northern Ireland has a substantial legislative deficit when reviewing the protections offered to animals under law. In some instances, such as the introduction of a ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs, Northern Ireland is 20 years behind when compared to neighbouring countries such as England, Scotland or Wales.
In publishing our animal welfare manifesto ‘Addressing the Deficit’, we have drawn focus to priority animal welfare areas requiring enhanced legislation such as:
- Banning hunting with dogs to end the cruelty inflicted on defenceless wildlife.
- The introduction of Lucy’s Law to curb the illegal puppy trade.
- The introduction of a Banned Offenders Register to prevent those banned from keeping animals obtaining animals.
- The review of animal business licencing to ensure appropriate welfare standards at animal shelters, grooming parlours, doggy day care and mobile animal exhibits.
- The banning of wild animals in circuses to protect these special animals from needless abuse.
- The compulsory microchipping of cats to enhance traceability and reunite lost or stolen cats with their owners.
- The introduction of seizure notices, to reduce the timeframe of animals seized by enforcement agencies to three weeks.
The USPCA provides the secretariat for the All Party Group on Animal Welfare at the Northern Ireland Assembly and we were pleased to see progress in several key policy areas through the work of the APG.
The USPCA is an active member of the DAERA Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Forum and also served on the Minister’s Advisory Group on socialisation of animals within a shelter/kennels environment.
We have also continued our work with the Northern Ireland Companion Animal Welfare Group to provide a collective voice on key companion animal welfare issues.
The charity remains an active member of Eurogroup for animals – based in Brussels, Eurogroup for Animals is a pan-European animal advocacy organisation which focuses on improving the wellbeing of animals by achieving better legislation, standards, enforcement, and societal attitudes. Key areas of focus have included the transportation, housing and slaughter of farm livestock, the testing of cosmetics on animals, the travesty of fur farming and the abuses endemic in the international trade in companion animals.
Alongside our campaigning we enhanced the public understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the work of the USPCA through the proactive placement of opinion pieces and commenting on animal welfare issues in the media. This also included being featured in the Spotlight programme on Badger Baiting - Hunting With Dogs.
**10**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
## _**Companion Animal Food Parcels.**_
Dependency on foodbanks is a growing trend here in Northern Ireland, especially due to the financial uncertainties in the wake of Covid and the cost of living crisis. Working with over 50 foodbanks operated by the Trussell Trust throughout the region, we supply pet food parcels to pet owners in need - parcels made up of pet food which has been kindly donated to the USPCA by manufacturers, local businesses, and members of the public. Last year we distributed just under 6000 pet parcels through the network of foodbanks.
With this vital support we're able to help pets remain happy, healthy, and homed, despite financial adversity and ensure continued companionship for their owners.
## _**Schools and Community Outreach Education Programme**_
Preventing cruelty is our core purpose and through our community outreach programme to schools and community groups, we inspire, encourage and educate people on the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect. This in turns develops a better understanding of responsible pet ownership, and helps cultivate a love for our native wildlife.
Together, sharing a passion for animal welfare, we can help safeguard the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
## _**Outputs/Impact**_
Over the course of the year under review the USPCA made a positive impact in the community through delivery of the following output targets.
|**Veterinary Services**|**Veterinary Services**|**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**|
|•|**Consultations undertaken**|7728|6974|5594|
|•|**Surgeries undertaken**|1008|503|807|
|•|**Neutering and Spaying**||441|432|
|•|**Care Plan Customers**|75|18|21|
|•|**Clients on discount scheme**|450|574|433|
|**Wildlife**|**Rescues**|**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**|
|•|**Veterinary vouchers issued**|1000|852|816|
|•|**Rescues**|240|427|168|
|**Social**|**Rehoming**|**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|
**Year**|
|•|**Animals rehomed**|450|298|234|
**11**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
|**Companion Animal Food Parcels**|**Companion Animal Food Parcels**|**Target**|**Actual**|
**Previous**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**Food parcels issued**|6500|5846|4831||
|•|**Food banks served**|36|50|45||
|||||||
|**Companion Animal Grooming**||**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**||
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**Animals Groomed**|2840|1672|1237||
|•|**Loyalty Scheme members**|400|327|204||
|•|**Re-bookings made**|50%|50%|48%||
|||||||
|**Pet Supplies Shop**||**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**||
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**Rehoming Customers buy goods**|90%|63%|75%||
||**from the shop.**|||||
|•|**Loyalty Scheme members**|150|373|313||
|||||||
|**School**|**and Community Presentations**|**Target**|**Actual**|
**Previous**||
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**Presentations delivered**|50|37|9||
|||||||
|**Membership**||**Target**|**Actual**|**Previous**||
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**New Members recruited**|100|74|75||
|||||||
|**Special**|**Investigations Unit**|**Target**|**Actual**|
**Previous**||
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**||
|•|**Major investigations completed and**|2|2|3||
||**passed to enforcement agencies.**|||||
|•|**Organised crime reports passed to**|||||
||**enforcement agencies.**|145|261|168||
|**Animal**|**Welfare Advocacy**|**Target**|**Actual**|
**Previous**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2023**|**Mar 23**|**Year**|
|•|**Changes in legislation.**|0|0|1|
|•|**Regional Media articles**|424|212|64|
**12**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Financial review**
The Charity had a surplus of income over expenditure in the year to 31 March 2023 of £617,170 (2022:£335,508).
## _**Income**_
Income increased in the year by £546,641 to £2,107,009. Donations and legacy funding accounted for £1,373,702
Legacies remain vital to the Charity's delivery of its animal welfare services; however, the level of such gifts is susceptible to large fluctuations each year.
Income from charitable activities accounted for £316,112 This related largely to veterinary services and also a small increase in contract income £1,200 arising from the contract with Newry, Mourne and Down Council to provide short-term holding facilities for stray dogs.
Trading Income has increased by circa £108,032. The principal contributors to this increase are the Pet Supplies Shop and the Charity Stores in Banbridge and Lurgan.
Investment Income has increased by £7,807
Other Income increased by circa £58,653 which is attributable largely to the sale of house at ARC Bessbrook.
## _**Expenditure**_
Expenditure in the year increased by £190,350 to £1,425,926
Trading costs increased by £87,078 reflecting the investment in resources as part of our growth and development plans. Expenditure on charitable services grew by some £110,023 reflecting the charity's commitment in the current 3-year strategy to extend and grow its charitable services. Areas of expansion in the current year were veterinary services, animal care, special investigations, and animal welfare advocacy.
## _**Net Gains/Losses on Investments**_
There was a net loss on investment valuations at the year end of £63,914 compared to a net gain £10,716 in the previous year.
## _**Financial position**_
The Charity's financial position remains healthy with total funds of £3,200,922 of which £933,090 is committed in fixed assets.
Cash ratio is strong at 7.1 with cash at bank of £1,106,387 covering current liabilities of £155,192
Long term debt of £366,625 (bank loan) is adequately covered by funds of £1,362,367 invested in a low to moderate risk mixed share portfolio.
**13**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Financial review** _**(continued)**_
## _**Investment powers and policy**_
The Charity's Articles of Association convey on the Trustees the power to invest funds.
Investment policy is a Reserved Matter for the Board. The present investment policy is to maximise the long-term total return of the Charity's investment funds subject to the risks normally associated with a cautious approach to portfolio management. The fund manager has been selected on the basis of competency and value for money, and the appointment is subject to regular review.
At the year end the Charity held investments in low to moderate risk equities to the value of £1,355,344. The Charity also held a number of shares in listed companies (previous legacies received) of £7,023.
The Charity holds investment property at Divernagh Road, Bessbrook valued at £229,3130 and has a 50% share in a house in Belfast (previous legacy received) valued at £46,250; the rental income from these properties contributes towards the costs of our Veterinary Clinic.
## _**Reserves policy and going concern**_
Each year the Trustees review the value of the reserves retained in the form of investments, cash and cash equivalents not held for restricted or designated purposes. The Trustees consider the Charity's exposure to major risks in terms of their likely impact on its income sources and planned expenditure in the short to medium term, as well as assessing the best way to mitigate such risks. This will include analysis of short-term setbacks; regular short-term fluctuations; growth plans within the Charity and risks identified within the corporate risk register. The major risk to be managed with regard to income is the significant fluctuations in legacy income on a year to year basis.
The present level of free reserves is £1,992,267 of which £1m has been designated for the development of the Charity's services across Northern Ireland. The balance of £992,267 is viewed by the Trustees as sufficient to offset any short to medium term reduction in legacy income and to ensure that the going concern assumption is appropriate.
**14**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Plans for future periods**
As the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Northern Ireland, the charity has an important leadership role in the advancement of animal welfare and the relief of suffering in animals. In furtherance of its leadership role, the charity's Trustees have set out a ten year vision for the charity to the year 2030.
## _**USPCA 2030 Strategic Vision**_
By the year 2030:
With a large, active membership, the USPCA will be recognised as the authoritative voice on animal welfare in Northern Ireland and be valued as a partner by other animal welfare organisations.
Operating from regional centres, the charity's services will be accessible across Northern Ireland.
An innovative and successful social enterprise, the USPCA will have financial security to achieve its stated aims.
In pursuit of this strategic vision, the Trustees have identified a number of key priorities:
The importance of growing the membership base, not only to have a strong pool of supporters, but also to create a strong voice for the advancement of animal welfare.
- To invest in campaigning on animal welfare issues.
- To invest in the Special Investigation Unit to disrupt the most serious offenders involved in crimes
- such as dog fighting, badger baiting and puppy trafficking.
The volatility in the charity's income stream arising from its dependency on legacy income to deliver services, dictates that a more robust financial model is required to create financial security for the charity.
Underpinning all of the above is the requirement to strengthen the USPCA's communications both online and offline, getting the charity's key messages to its target audiences, making the public aware of its concerns and its successes, garnering public and financial support.
- A commitment to service excellence underpinned by continued investment in skills development.
- A single location in Newry greatly reduces the USPCA's visibility and the public's access to its
- services, it is therefore essential to open an additional location subject to financial sustainability.
Growing the pool of volunteers to enhance current services including - shelter animal enrichment programmes, shelter animal fostering, wildlife rescues and pet food parcel distribution - therefore investment in volunteer recruitment and development should be considered.
The Trustees have set out the following strategic objectives:
- I. To take a leadership role in the advancement of animal welfare in Northern Ireland.
- II. To enhance and extend the reach of the charity's services across Northern Ireland.
**15**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
III. To strengthen the charity's financial structure through developing a social enterprise business model.
- IV. To be a valued partner of statutory and voluntary organisations.
- V. To enhance the public understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the work of the USPCA.
VI. To maintain a robust governance and operational structure to deliver the Charity's objectives effectively.
Next year 2023-24 the Charity will:
Aim for a 10% growth in the delivery of our charitable services - veterinary care for injured and suffering animals, wildlife rescues, social rehoming, cruelty investigations, pet food parcels and education talks.
- Complete the work to define the charity's social enterprise business model in preparation for the
- development of a second facility.
Continue to develop trading income streams and fundraising income which will include the opening of two new additional charity stores
- Further enhance the use of volunteers in service delivery aiming for a 10% increase in the number
- of volunteers.
Enhance our membership, by widening our membership options and appointing a Membership and Outreach Officer.
- Increase the utilisation of the premises in Newry with the further extension of our rehoming centre,
- to improve the welfare standards of animals in our care.
- We will aim to raise more income from individual giving and partnership working.
- We will maintain our commitment to our staff with a focus on retaining our silver IIP status.
The Charity has sufficient funds to deal with any short-term drop in income, and its dedicated team of trustees, staff and volunteers will ensure services are maintained during any potential challenges presented.
## **Financial instruments**
The two long term loans from Danske Bank are for a total of £300,000 each. The term of each loan is 15 years with one loan on a floating interest rate structure, and the other on a fixed rate of 4.1% per annum. Payments are made quarterly as per the Structured Term Loan Repayments Schedule. Both of these loans are secured against "Units 5 & 6, Carnbane East Industrial Estate, Cloughanrmaer, Newry, County Down".
**16**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Trustees' responsibilities statement**
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.
## **Auditor**
Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:
· so far as each trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and
· each trustee has taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.
The auditor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance with section 487 of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Small company provisions**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
**17**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
The trustees' annual report was approved on 7[th] September 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
J Farrell (Chair) Trustee
P Kearney (Hon. Treasurer) Trustee
**18**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2023 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out below, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In common with many other organisations of its size, the USPCA uses its auditors to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities and assist with the preparation of the financial statements.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
**19**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
-
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the directors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
**20**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
**21**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of the remuneration policies, key drivers for directors’ remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;
- results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks
- of irregularities;
- any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed documentation of their policies and
- procedures relating to:
- identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether management were
- aware of any instances of non-compliance;
- detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether management have knowledge of any
- actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
- the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and
- regulations.
the matters discussed among the audit engagement team including significant component audit teams and relevant internal specialists, including tax and valuations specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks in operation, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included ongoing compliance with the UK Companies Act and tax legislation.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental for their ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.
**22**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
- Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
- Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
- Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.
- Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
**23**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Paul Dolan FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
7[th] September 2023
For and on behalf of Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN
**24**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||||**2023**||2022|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|||
|||funds|funds|**Total funds**|Total funds|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|£|
|**Income and endowments**||||||
|Donations and legacies|**5**|1,373,702|–|1,373,702|1,004,881|
|Charitable activities|**6**|274,972|41,140|316,112|312,784|
|Other trading income activities|**7**|301,276|–|301,276|193,244|
|Investment income|**8**|55,470|–|55,470|47,663|
|Other income|**9**|60,449|–|60,449|1,796|
|||`────────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total income**||2,065,869|41,140|2,107,009|1,560,368|
|||`════════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
|**Expenditure**||||||
|Expenditure on raising funds:||||||
|Costs of other trading activities|**10**|261,029|–|261,029|173,951|
|Investment costs|**11**|12,753|–|12,753|19,504|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|**12**|1,111,003|41,140|1,152,143|1,042,121|
|||`────────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total expenditure**||1,384,785|41,140|1,425,925|1,235,576|
|||`════════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
|Net (losses)/gains on investments|**13**|(63,914)|–|(63,914)|10,716|
|||`────────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Net income and net movement in funds**||617,170|–|617,170|335,508|
|||`════════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
|**Reconciliation of funds**||||||
|Total funds brought forward||2,583,752|–|2,583,752|2,248,244|
|||`────────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total funds carried forward**||3,200,922|–|3,200,922|2,583,752|
|||`════════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
**The notes on pages 28 to 40 form part of these financial statements.**
**25**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Statement of Financial Position**
## **31 March 2023**
|||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|£|
|**Fixed assets**||||
|Tangible fixed assets|**17**|933,090|981,008|
|Investments|**18**|1,586,381|1,728,617|
|||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|||2,519,471|2,709,625|
|**Current assets**||||
|Stocks|**19**|50,796|42,626|
|Debtors|**20**|46,085|67,205|
|Cash at bank and in hand||1,106,387|289,516|
|||`────────────`|`─────────`|
|||1,203,268|399,347|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**21**|155,192|124,729|
|||`────────────`|`─────────`|
|**Net current assets**||1,048,076|274,618|
|||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total assets less current liabilities**||3,567,547|2,984,243|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**|**22**|366,625|400,491|
|||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Net assets**||3,200,922|2,583,752|
|||`════════════`|`════════════`|
|**Funds of the charity**||||
|Unrestricted funds||3,200,922|2,583,752|
|||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total charity funds**|**23**|3,200,922
`════════════`|2,583,752
`════════════`|
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 7[th] September 2023, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
J Farrell (Chair) Trustee
P Kearney (Hon. Treasurer) Trustee
**The notes on pages 28 to 40 form part of these financial statements.**
**26**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Statement of Cash Flows**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Cash flows from operating activities**|||
|Net income|617,170|335,508|
|_Adjustments for:_|||
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|98,551|101,143|
|Net (losses)/gains on investments|63,914|(10,716)|
|Dividends, interest and rents from investments|(54,365)|(46,653)|
|Other interest receivable and similar income|(1,105)|(1,010)|
|Interest payable and similar charges|24,299|21,602|
|Gains on disposal of programme related investments|(60,000)|–|
|Accrued expenses/(income)|21,859|(9,026)|
|_Changes in:_|||
|Stocks|(8,170)|(3,905)|
|Trade and other debtors|21,120|(35,314)|
|Trade and other creditors|9,912|4,356|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|Cash generated from operations|733,185|355,985|
|Interest paid|(24,299)|(21,602)|
|Interest received|1,105|1,010|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|Net cash from operating activities|709,991|335,393|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
|**Cash flows from investing activities**|||
|Dividends, interest and rents from investments|54,365|46,653|
|Purchase of tangible assets|(50,633)|(28,767)|
|Proceeds from sale of social investments|60,000|–|
|Purchases of other investments|20,037|(405,884)|
|Proceeds from sale of other investments|58,286|10,716|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|Net cash from/(used in) investing activities|142,055|(377,282)|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
|**Cash flows from financing activities**|||
|Repayments of borrowings|(35,174)|(35,076)|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|Net cash used in financing activities|(35,174)|(35,076)|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
|**Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents**|816,872|(76,965)|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year**|289,516|366,481|
||`────────────`|`─────────`|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|1,106,388|289,516|
||`════════════`|`═════════`|
**The notes on pages 28 to 40 form part of these financial statements.**
**27**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **1. General information**
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland and a registered charity in Northern Ireland. The address of the registered office is Unit 6, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, BT35 6QH.
## **2. Statement of compliance**
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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
USPCA meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102
## **3. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
## **Going concern**
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
**28**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
- income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
- legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
- income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
- income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
- expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
- expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
- other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
## **Tangible assets**
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
**29**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Tangible assets** _**(continued)**_
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
## **Depreciation**
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
|Freehold property|-|2% straight line|
|---|---|---|
|Premises Adaptations|-|7% straight line|
|Plant and machinery|-|10% straight line|
|Fixtures, fittings and equipment|-|10% straight line|
|Computer equipment|-|20% straight line|
## **Investments**
Unlisted equity investments are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently measured at fair value. If fair value cannot be reliably measured, assets are measured at cost less impairment.
Listed investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in income or expenditure.
## **Investment property**
Investment property is initially recorded at cost, which includes purchase price and any directly attributable expenditure.
Investment property is revalued to its fair value at each reporting date and any changes in fair value are recognised in income or expenditure.
If a reliable measure of fair value is no longer available without undue cost or effort for an item of investment property, it shall be transferred to tangible assets and treated as such until it is expected that fair value will be reliably measurable on an on-going basis.
## **Impairment of fixed assets**
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
**30**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Impairment of fixed assets** _**(continued)**_
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
## **Stocks**
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the stock to its present location and condition.
## **Defined contribution plans**
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
## **4. Limited by guarantee**
Each of the members of the company has guaranteed to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up to the extent of £1.
## **5. Donations and legacies**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|**Donations**|||||
|Donations|102,716|102,716|118,030|118,030|
|Gift Aid|7,000|7,000|3,394|3,394|
|**Legacies**|||||
|Legacies|1,257,544|1,257,544|878,837|878,837|
|**Subscriptions**|||||
|Subscriptions|6,442|6,442|4,620|4,620|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
||1,373,702|1,373,702|1,004,881|1,004,881|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
**31**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **6. Charitable activities**
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Funds|Funds|**2023**|
|||£|£|**£**|
|Veterinary services||271,202|–|271,202|
|Contract Income||3,770|–|3,770|
|DFC||–|41,140|41,140|
|||`─────────`|`────────`|`─────────`|
|||274,972|41,140|316,112|
|||`═════════`|`════════`|`═════════`|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|
|||Funds|Funds|2022|
|||£|£|£|
|Veterinary services||310,173|–|310,173|
|Contract Income||2,611|–|2,611|
|DFC||–|–|–|
|||`─────────`|`────`|`─────────`|
|||312,784|–|312,784|
|||`═════════`|`════`|`═════════`|
|**Other trading income activities**|||||
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Fundraising events|8,873|8,873|6,302|6,302|
|Pet supplies shop sales|51,200|51,200|50,185|50,185|
|Grooming|42,634|42,634|28,883|28,883|
|Charity store|198,569|198,569|107,874|107,874|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|`─────────`|`─────────`|
||301,276|301,276|193,244|193,244|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`═════════`|`═════════`|
## **7. Other trading income activities**
## **8. Investment income**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Income from investment properties|37,043|37,043|36,831|36,831|
|Income from listed investments|17,322|17,322|9,822|9,822|
|Bank interest and dividends|1,105|1,105|1,010|1,010|
||`────────`|`────────`|`────────`|`────────`|
||55,470|55,470|47,663|47,663|
||`════════`|`════════`|`════════`|`════════`|
**32**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **9. Other income**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Gain on disposal of programme related|||||
|investments|60,000|60,000|–|–|
|Other income|449|449|16|16|
|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme|–|–|1,780|1,780|
||`────────`|`────────`|`───────`|`───────`|
||60,449|60,449|1,796|1,796|
||`════════`|`════════`|`═══════`|`═══════`|
## **10. Costs of other trading activities**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Shop costs|56,270|56,270|42,826|42,826|
|Grooming|43,945|43,945|23,878|23,878|
|Fundraising events|1,269|1,269|1,020|1,020|
|Charity Store - Banbridge|81,742|81,742|79,182|79,182|
|Charity Store - Lurgan|77,803|77,803|27,045|27,045|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|`─────────`|`─────────`|
||261,029|261,029|173,951|173,951|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`═════════`|`═════════`|
|**Investment costs**|||||
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Premises expenses - Bessbrook|8,253|8,253|15,927|15,927|
|Stockbroker Fees|4,500|4,500|3,577|3,577|
||`────────`|`────────`|`────────`|`────────`|
||12,753|12,753|19,504|19,504|
||`════════`|`════════`|`════════`|`════════`|
## **11. Investment costs**
## **12. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type**
||Activities||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||undertaken||**Total funds**|Total fund|
||directly|Support costs|**2023**|2022|
||£|£|**£**|£|
|Prevention of cruelty and relief of|||||
|suffering|374,442|
132,241|506,683|428,930|
|Veterinary|281,733|
–|281,733|310,014|
|Wildlife Rescue|53,657|
–|53,657|49,736|
|Animal Care|119,740|
–|119,740|110,236|
|Special Investigations|95,702|
–|95,702|71,594|
|Animal Welfare Advocacy|35,244|
–|35,244|25,175|
|Governance costs|–|
59,384|59,384|46,436|
||`─────────`|
`─────────`|`────────────`|`────────────`|
||960,518|
191,625|1,152,143|1,042,121|
||`═════════`|
`═════════`|`════════════`|`════════════`|
**33**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Expenditure on charitable activities**|||
|**Prevention of cruelty and relief of suffering**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages & salaries|162,585|150,689|
|Employer's NIC|44,574|37,328|
|Employer Pension|12,442|10,440|
|Rent & rates|171|651|
|Light & heat|20,556|13,070|
|Staff recruitment|4,707|–|
|Bad Debt|764|742|
|Telephone|21,158|13,823|
|Other office costs|451|–|
|Depreciation|85,577|88,279|
|Other staff costs|2,808|–|
|Publicity, fundraising and support|11,680|6,446|
|Subscriptions|1,433|1,491|
|General expenses|1,641|1,363|
|Staff Travel & Subsistence|3,895|1,538|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||374,442|325,860|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|Veterinary Services|281,733|310,014|
|Wildlife Rescues|53,657|49,736|
|Rehoming Animal Care|119,740|110,236|
|Special Investigations Unit|95,702|71,594|
|Animal Welfare Advocacy|35,244|25,175|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||586,076|566,755|
|**_Support costs_**|||
|Wages & salaries|32,103|30,831|
|Rent & rates|–|39|
|Light & heat|1,082|683|
|Repairs & maintenance|23,004|18,446|
|Insurance|26,182|18,324|
|Cleaning materials & consumables|5,481|4,029|
|Health Insurance|3,392|3,868|
|Telephone|1,114|407|
|Printing, postage & stationery|14,514|10,451|
|Sundry expenditure|7,656|3,650|
|Staff training|17,713|12,342|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||132,241|103,070|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Governance costs**|||
|Accountancy fees|1,729|1,627|
|Audit fees|7,911|7,884|
|Legal and other professional fees|23,834|14,276|
|Costs of trustees' meetings|1,611|1,047|
|Bank interest and charges|24,299|21,602|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||59,384|46,436|
**34**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **13. Net (losses)/gains on investments**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|Funds|2022|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Gains/(losses) on listed investments|(63,914)
`════════`|
(63,914)
`════════`|10,716
`════════`|10,716
`════════`|
## **14. Net income**
|Net income is stated after charging/(crediting):|||
|---|---|---|
||**2023**|2022|
||**£**|£|
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|98,551|101,143|
|Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements|7,911
`════════`|7,884
`═════════`|
## **15. Staff costs**
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Wages and salaries|599,781|511,593|
|Social security costs|44,574|37,328|
|Employer contributions to pension plans|19,390|15,817|
|Other employee benefits|2,279|2,997|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||666,024|567,735|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
|The average head count of employees during the year was 34 (2022: 25). The average number|||
|of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:|||
||**2023**|2022|
||**No.**|No.|
|Number of staff - type 1|34|25|
||`════`|`════`|
The average head count of employees during the year was 34 (2022: 25). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2022: Nil).
## **Key Management Personnel**
Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £121,973 (2022:£115,668).
## **16. Trustee remuneration and expenses**
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the Charity in the year (2022:£nil).
They were reimbursed travel expenses during the year totalling £24 (2022: £Nil).
**35**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **17. Tangible fixed assets**
|||Long|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Freehold|leasehold|Plant and|
Fixtures and|||
||property|property|machinery|
fittings|Equipment|**Total**|
||£|£|£|£|£|**£**|
|**Cost**|||||||
|At 1 Apr 2022|766,913|571,788|62,372|
418,891|61,569|1,881,533|
|Additions|–|24,785|–|
20,506|5,342|50,633|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|`────────`|
`─────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|
|**At 31 Mar 2023**|766,913|596,573|62,372|
439,397|66,911|1,932,166|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`════════`|
`═════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|
|**Depreciation**|||||||
|At 1 Apr 2022|76,690|391,718|59,071|
328,795|44,251|900,525|
|Charge for the|||||||
|year|15,338|41,761|2,264|
30,467|8,721|98,551|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|`────────`|
`─────────`|`────────`|`────────────`|
|**At 31 Mar 2023**|92,028|433,479|61,335|
359,262|52,972|999,076|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`════════`|
`═════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|
|**Carrying amount**|||||||
|**At 31 Mar 2023**|674,885|163,094|1,037|
80,135|13,939|933,090|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`════════`|
`═════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|
|At 31 Mar 2022|690,223|180,070|3,301|
90,096|17,318|981,008|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|`════════`|
`═════════`|`════════`|`════════════`|
## **18. Investments**
||Listed|Investment||
|---|---|---|---|
||investments|properties|**Total**|
||£|£|**£**|
|**Cost or valuation**||||
|At 1 April 2022|1,362,367|366,250|1,728,617|
|Additions|14,565|29,313|43,878|
|Disposals|(2,200)|(120,000)|(122,200)|
|Fair value movements|(63,914)|–|(63,914)|
||`────────────`|`─────────`|`────────────`|
|**At 31 March 2023**|1,310,818|275,563|1,586,381|
||`════════════`|`═════════`|`════════════`|
|**Impairment**||||
|**At 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023**|||–|
||||`════════════`|
|**Carrying amount**||||
|**At 31 March 2023**|1,310,818|275,563|1,586,381|
||`════════════`|`═════════`|`════════════`|
|At 31 March 2022|1,362,367|366,250|1,728,617|
||`════════════`|`═════════`|`════════════`|
All investments shown above are held at valuation.
## **Investment properties**
The investment properties at Divernagh Road, Bessbrook and Oldpark Road, Belfast are held at fair value. The fair value of these properties are reviewed annually by trustees.
## **Financial assets held at fair value**
The listed investments are valued by Davy Private Clients UK, Belfast and held at market value.
**36**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **19. Stocks**
|||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
||Raw materials and consumables|50,796|42,626|
|||`════════`|`════════`|
|**20.**|**Debtors**|||
|||**2023**|2022|
|||**£**|£|
||Trade debtors|2,523|2,691|
||Prepayments and accrued income|41,362|19,746|
||Other debtors|2,200|44,768|
|||`────────`|`────────`|
|||46,085|67,205|
|||`════════`|`════════`|
|**21.**|**Creditors:** **amounts falling due within one year**|||
|||**2023**|2022|
|||**£**|£|
||Bank loans and overdrafts|50,315|51,623|
||Trade creditors|53,165|34,626|
||Accruals and deferred income|36,055|14,196|
||Social security and other taxes|8,354|17,572|
||Net wages|929|–|
||Pension|6,374|6,712|
|||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|||155,192|124,729|
|||`═════════`|`═════════`|
|**22.**|**Creditors:** **amounts falling due after more than one year**|||
|||**2023**|2022|
|||**£**|£|
||Bank loans and overdrafts|366,625|400,491|
|||`═════════`|`═════════`|
Included within creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year is an amount of £212,694 (2022: £257,774) in respect of liabilities payable or repayable by instalments which fall due for payment after more than five years from the reporting date.
## **23. Pensions and other post retirement benefits**
## **Defined contribution plans**
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £19,390 (2022: £15,817).
**37**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **24. Analysis of charitable funds**
## **Unrestricted funds**
||At||||Gains and||**At**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1 Apr 2022|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|losses|
**31**|**Mar 2023**|
||£|£|£|£|£||£|
|General funds|1,994,496|2,065,869|(1,384,785)|(410,744)|(63,914)||2,200,922|
|Development||||||||
|Fund|589,256|–|
–|410,744|–||1,000,000|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
`────────────`|`─────────`|`────────`||`────────────`|
||2,583,752|2,065,869|(1,384,785)|–|(63,914)||3,200,922|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|
`════════════`|`═════════`|`════════`||`════════════`|
||At||||Gains and||At|
||1 Apr 2021|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|losses|
31|Mar 2022|
||£|£|£|£|£||£|
|General funds|1,777,651|1,560,368|(1,204,239)|(150,000)|10,716||1,994,496|
|Development||||||||
|Fund|470,593|–|
(31,337)|150,000|–||589,256|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
`────────────`|`─────────`|`────────`||`────────────`|
||2,248,244
`════════════`|1,560,368
`════════════`|(1,235,576)
`════════════`|–
`═════════`|10,716
`════════`|
|2,583,752
`════════════`|
The Trustees have set aside £1m to a designated fund for the development of the Charity's services across Northern Ireland, of which no spend was allocated in the 22/23 year with £60,744 to date, to expand the Special Investigations Unit, enhance our work in animal welfare advocacy and improve our kennelling facilities.
## **Restricted funds**
||||At||||Gains and|
**At**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||1|Apr|2022|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|losses|
**31 Mar 2023**|
||||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|DFC -Jobstart|||–|41,140|
(41,140)|–|–|
–|
||||`════`|`════════`|
`════════`|`════`|`════`|
`════`|
||||At||||Gains and|
At|
||1|Apr|2021|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|losses|
31 Mar 2022|
||||£|£|£|£|£|£|
|DFC -Jobstart|||–|–|
–|–|–|
–|
||||`════`|`════`|
`════`|`════`|`════`|
`════`|
**38**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **25. Analysis of net assets between funds**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2023**|
||£|**£**|
|Tangible fixed assets|933,090|933,090|
|Investments|1,586,381|1,586,381|
|Current assets|1,203,268|1,203,268|
|Creditors less than 1 year|(155,192)|
(155,192)|
|Creditors greater than 1 year|(366,625)|
(366,625)|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Net assets**|3,200,922|3,200,922|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|
||Unrestricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|2022|
||£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|981,008|981,008|
|Investments|1,728,617|1,728,617|
|Current assets|399,347|399,347|
|Creditors less than 1 year|(124,729)|
(124,729)|
|Creditors greater than 1 year|(400,491)|
(400,491)|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Net assets**|2,583,752|2,583,752|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|
## **26. Financial instruments**
The carrying amount for each category of financial instrument is as follows:
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost**|||
|Loan payable falling due within 1 year|50,315|36,339|
|Loan payable falling due in more than 1 year but less than 5 years|153,931|158,001|
|Loan payable falling due after 5 years|212,694|247,774|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||416,940|442,114|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
The two long term loans from Danske Bank are for a total of £300,000 each. The term of each loan is 15 years with one loan on a floating interest rate structure, and the other on a fixed rate of 4.1% per annum. Payments are made quarterly as per the Structured Term Loan Repayments Schedule. Both of these loans are secured against "Units 5 & 6, Carnbane East Industrial Estate, Newry, County Down".
**39**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
## **27. Analysis of changes in net debt**
||||**At**|
|---|---|---|---|
||At 1 Apr 2022|Cash flows|**31 Mar 2023**|
||£|£|**£**|
|Cash at bank and in hand|289,516|816,871|1,106,387|
|Debt due within one year|(51,623)|1,308|(50,315)|
|Debt due after one year|(400,491)|33,866|(366,625)|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
`────────────`|
||(162,598)|852,045|689,447|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
`════════════`|
## **28. Related parties**
There were no related party transactions in the year.
**40**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Management Information**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
**The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.**
**41**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Income and endowments**|||
|**Donations and legacies**|||
|Donations|102,716|118,030|
|Gift Aid|7,000|3,394|
|Legacies|1,257,544|878,837|
|Subscriptions|6,442|4,620|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
||1,373,702|1,004,881|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Charitable activities**|||
|Veterinary services|271,202|310,173|
|Contract Income|3,770|2,611|
|DFC|41,140|–|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||316,112|312,784|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Other trading income activities**|||
|Fundraising events|8,873|6,302|
|Pet supplies shop sales|51,200|50,185|
|Grooming|42,634|28,883|
|Charity store|198,569|107,874|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||301,276|193,244|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Investment income**|||
|Income from investment properties|37,043|36,831|
|Income from listed investments|17,322|9,822|
|Bank interest and dividends|1,105|1,010|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||55,470|47,663|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Other income**|||
|Gain on disposal of programme related investments|60,000|–|
|Other income|449|16|
|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme|–|1,780|
||`────────`|`───────`|
||60,449|1,796|
||`────────`|`───────`|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Total income**|2,107,009|1,560,368|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|
**42**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Costs of other trading activities**|||
|**Shop costs**|||
|Wages and salaries|18,704|9,298|
|Pension costs|309|106|
|Light & heat|1,377|855|
|Shop costs - repairs & maintenance|–|56|
|Marketing and advertising|485|136|
|Shop costs - other office costs|–|106|
|Shop expenditure|35,395|32,269|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||56,270|42,826|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Grooming**|||
|Wages and salaries|38,165|22,072|
|Pension costs|455|338|
|Light & heat|669|416|
|Consumables|4,656|1,052|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||43,945|23,878|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Fundraising events**|||
|Fundraising events|1,269|1,020|
||`───────`|`───────`|
|**Charity Store - Banbridge**|||
|Wages & salaries|31,596|31,123|
|Pension costs|506|418|
|Rent|22,092|21,834|
|Rates & water|78|–|
|Light & heat|7,722|5,231|
|Repairs & maintenance|20|1,273|
|Motor vehicle expenses|3,328|5,435|
|Telephone|448|510|
|Other costs|5,289|3,189|
|Depreciation|9,328|9,326|
Carried forward
`──────── ────────` 80,407 78,339
**43**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Brought forward|80,407|78,339|
|Stationery costs|1,335|843|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||81,742|79,182|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Charity Store - Lurgan**|||
|Salaries- Gross|44,820|13,229|
|Salaries- Pension|675|235|
|Rent|13,750|2,500|
|Light and Heat|7,877|4,522|
|Repairs & maintenance|1,723|480|
|Motor Expenses|3,930|1,312|
|Telephone|551|128|
|Advertising and Promotion of Events|211|917|
|Depreciation|3,646|3,538|
|Stationery|620|184|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||77,803|27,045|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Costs of other trading activities**|261,029|173,951|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
**44**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**Expenditure on charitable activities**|||
|**Prevention of cruelty and relief of suffering**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages & salaries|162,585|150,689|
|Employer's NIC|44,574|37,328|
|Employer Pension|12,442|10,440|
|Rent & rates|171|651|
|Light & heat|20,556|13,070|
|Staff recruitment|4,707|–|
|Bad Debt|764|742|
|Telephone|21,158|13,823|
|Other office costs|451|–|
|Depreciation|85,577|88,279|
|Other staff costs|2,808|–|
|Publicity, fundraising and support|11,680|6,446|
|Subscriptions|1,433|1,491|
|General expenses|1,641|1,363|
|Staff Travel & Subsistence|3,895|1,538|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||374,442|325,860|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**_Support costs_**|||
|Wages & salaries|32,103|30,831|
|Rent & rates|–|39|
|Light & heat|1,082|683|
|Repairs & maintenance|23,004|18,446|
|Insurance|26,182|18,324|
|Cleaning materials & consumables|5,481|4,029|
|Health Insurance|3,392|3,868|
|Telephone|1,114|407|
|Printing, postage & stationery|14,514|10,451|
|Sundry expenditure|7,656|3,650|
|Staff training|17,713|12,342|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||132,241|103,070|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Veterinary**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages and salaries|152,130|146,399|
|Pension costs|2,803|2,364|
|Prescription food|2,279|2,997|
|Subscriptions|2,381|1,352|
|Repairs and maintenance|5,548|–|
|Insurance|815|815|
|Drugs|52,583|61,266|
|Marketing and advertising|–|154|
|Consumables|15,883|16,392|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|---|---|---|
|Carried forward|234,422|231,739|
**45**
**The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Brought forward|234,422|231,739|
|Software costs|3,354|3,145|
|Locum costs|25,710|51,155|
|Microchipping|764|1,428|
|Cremation|6,178|6,288|
|Fees & Medicines|11,305|16,259|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||281,733|310,014|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Wildlife Rescue**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages/Salaries|28,647|30,325|
|Pension costs|460|519|
|Veterinary Care - wildlife rescue|8,257|3,457|
|Motor Vehicle Expenses|10,956|7,674|
|Other office costs|2,107|967|
|Veterinary Vouchers|3,230|6,794|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||53,657|49,736|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Animal Care**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages/Salaries|67,306|58,055|
|Pension costs|1,193|984|
|Veterinary Care - rehoming animals|51,241|51,159|
|General|–|38|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
||119,740|110,236|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Special Investigations**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Wages/Salaries|23,725|19,572|
|Pension costs|547|413|
|Repairs & maintenance|199|–|
|Insurance|71|–|
|Third Party Contractor|57,672|43,784|
|Motor Expenses|11,080|5,636|
|Telephone|634|455|
|General costs|1,774|1,734|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||95,702|71,594|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Animal Welfare Advocacy**|||
|**_Activities undertaken directly_**|||
|Printing|5,046|951|
|Professional Fees|15,996|434|
|Professional Subscriptions|11,526|14,402|
|Marketing and Advertising|2,676|9,388|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|Carried forward|35,244|25,175|
**46**
## **The Ulster Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 March 2023**
||**2023**|2022|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Brought forward|35,244|25,175|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||35,244|25,175|
||`────────`|`────────`|
|**Governance costs**|||
|Accountancy fees|1,729|1,627|
|Audit fees|7,911|7,884|
|Legal and other professional fees|23,834|14,276|
|Costs of trustees' meetings|1,611|1,047|
|Bank interest and charges|24,299|21,602|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||59,384|46,436|
||`────────`|`────────`|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
|**Expenditure on charitable activities**|1,152,143|1,042,121|
||`════════════`|`════════════`|
|**Net (losses)/gains on investments**|||
|Gains/(losses) on listed investments|(63,914)|10,716|
||`────────────`|`────────────`|
||`─────────`|`─────────`|
|**Net income**|617,170|335,508|
||`═════════`|`═════════`|
**47**