RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL

The trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. 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 to provide reassurance that:
Its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition.
Proper records are maintained and financial information used within the charity and for publication is reliable.
The charity complies with relevant laws and regulations.
There have been improvements in health and safety over the last year, and it is intended that a formal risk management process will be introduced in the coming year.

RESERVES POLICY

The Trustees aim to work towards a policy during the year.

MEMBERS

There are several hundred members of DCRSC, comprising supporters, clients, organisations and volunteers, who provide support in many ways. We would like to thank them all!

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources during the year.   In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•  state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity and the group will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued in 2005. 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.

Dated:     original dated

Signed:   original dated

Mrs. Lorna M. Sewell
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support Council

On behalf of the Board of Trustees

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2008, which are set out on pages 7 to 11 below.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.   They consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

•  examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the Act;

•  to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act; and

•  to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners.   An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records.   It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.   The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

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

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

•  to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and

•  to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, with the exception of the matter referred to at (3) below:

(3 As at the date of signing off this report the charity has heard that its funding bid to Big Lottery Fund has failed.   This funding was to cover core staff salaries and overheads.   Without this money the charity will be unable to continue to operate at its current level.   The Trustees are urgently seeking alternative sources of funding.

(Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales)
Tony Jopson & Co Ltd,
Peverell Corner,
246 Peverell Park Road,
Plymouth,
PL3 4QG

INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

The NOTES form an integral part of these financial statements.

The charity is able to use its total funds for any purpose in connection with its charitable objectives.


BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2008

The Trustees consider that the charity is exempt from an audit and a report under Section 43 of the Charities Act 1993.

Members have not required the charity to obtain an audit by a registered auditor.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for;
1) ensuring the company keeps accounting records; and
2) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial period, and of its profit or loss for the period, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the charities act relating to accounts.

These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2007).

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on   (original signed and dated) 2009 and signed on its behalf by



Trustee

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and under the historical cost accounting rules.   Accruals accounting has been applied.   The accounts comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Charity Commissions Statement of Recommended Practice (revised 2005), Accounting by Charities.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption from preparing a cash flow statement conferred by Financial Reporting Standard No. 1 on the grounds that if it had been incorporated as a company under the Companies Act 1985 it would have qualified as a small company.

Incoming resources

Grants are recognised in the period to which they relate.

Resources expended

Direct charitable expenditure represents expenditure incurred directly to support the particular charitable objectives of the charity.   Costs of management and administration of the charity have been identified on the basis that they are not direct charitable expenditure.

2. INCOME

3. DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE

4. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

5. TAXATION

The Charity is a registered charity and is exempt from Corporation Tax under the provisions of Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.

6. DEBTORS

7. LIABILITIES: Amounts falling due within one year