Bridport Christian Fellowship
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2022
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 4-5 Kings Square East Street Bridport Dorset DT6 3QE GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated April 1991 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1002844 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Elaine Butcher MANAGING THE CHARITY Grant Butcher Jacqueline Edwards Carolyn Swadling Kelvin Weaver BANKERS Lloyds Bank plc INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 9-10 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charitable objectives of the Fellowship are the proclamation of the Christian Gospel as contained in the Holy Bible recognising Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, and bringing people to know Jesus by both public and personal witness.
These charitable objectives are realised through activities designed to build up the church. These include: Regular worship services; Prayer meetings; Clubs for all age groups, which are open to church and non-church attendees; House Groups and Bible Study groups, as a basis for mutual care and support; Outreach activities in Bridport town square and West Bay throughout the year, and especially at Christian festivals as a public witness.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
Church life
In spite of the restrictions in the first half of the past year, house-groups continue to be a key part of church life, with an increased use of technology, meetings were able to take place albeit in a limited fashion. Leaders of these groups have first responsibility for the pastoral care of those in their groups. It is however recognised that needs can arise for the provision of deeper care in ways that are beyond the scope of house-groups and their leaders. This kind of pastoral care is currently the responsibility of the Elders.
Bible Study, worship and prayer evenings are an essential part of our church life and are usually held on Sunday afternoons and evenings. In view of the restrictions these were again being held using zoom technology and have continued to enable those who still are unable to get to church to take part.
Sunday morning worship meetings were held when allowed and strict Covid regulations were applied. A full risk assessment was carried out and guidelines put in place. Normal Sunday worship meetings are taking place again now restrictions have been lifted.
The church has been open during the year, when allowed, for private prayer.
Social activities and fellowship meals are seen as an important means of building fellowship and have resumed as restrictions have been lifted.
Page 2
Review of the year 2021-22
The core activities of the Trust – meeting for worship, prayer and Bible Study, plus outreach activities and acts of public witness appropriate to the season - were severely restricted in the first part of the year but where possible, and with regulations and technology permitting, we have endeavoured to carry out the following;
Worship services in church on Sunday mornings.
-
�Prayer meetings via Zoom on Sunday evenings.
-
�Outreach (Pray & Chat) in Bucky Doo Square in Bridport Town happens regularly.
-
�House-groups meeting mid-week.
A feeding programme for the homeless started in February 2020 and serves a hot takeaway meal at the church on Mondays.
The Lord’s Larder food bank has been expanded to meet local families in need.
A Saturday morning Coffee Bar for visitors to the market has commenced. Mother and Toddler group has re-started midweek.
Christian films, open to the general public are being shown on a regular basis.
The Shed (men’s group) meets fortnightly and have breakfasts regularly. The Friday morning Art Group resumed in September and is very well attended.
We continued to receive some income from hiring our premises to local groups when allowed, again with strict Covid regulations in place and we receive a regular income from the residential letting of the flat in the “Headmaster’s House”.
In spite of loss of income from hall lettings and Sunday morning services, we have continued to enjoy a healthy financial position, with income exceeding budget for the year due to the generosity of our members and costs also being below expectations. We have also been able to complete the refurbishment of the kitchen and coffee bar areas during lockdown. Outward giving was increased to the level of 25% of income. Much thought and prayer are still being given to the proper use of surplus funds and in accordance with our agreed reserves policy an amount of £20,000 has been deposited with Kingdom Bank in a Church and Charity Reserve Account.
We continue in membership of Churches Together in Bridport (CTiB) through which we work with other Bridport churches. Unfortunately we were unable to provide the annual Christmas Lunch for needy or lonely people. We were also unable to celebrate the usual Easter activity of the walk of witness and the Christmas nativity in the Town Square.
Although at times during the past year we have had to close the church due to Covid restrictions, thanks to technology we were able to link to our associate church Ichthus Fellowship in London and hold Sunday evening meetings and house groups using Zoom technology. Thankfully we are now able to resume our previous activities and start some new ones.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Thanksgiving
The work of the Trustees would not be possible without the enthusiastic support, generous financial giving and prayer of church members, and the blessings of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the glory of Whom all our efforts are dedicated. We have also been overwhelmed by the love and provision of God our Father who has kept us safe and provided abundantly for our needs above and beyond our expectations.
Page 3
Financial review
During the year income increased by £1,350, to £55,650, and expenditure decreased by £5,400, to £46,700. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £38,800, to £47,750, of which £45,900 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Outward giving
We recognise a responsibility to support other Christian and charitable works worldwide, and therefore it is a policy of the Trust to provide financial support to causes that are judged as deserving by an appointed Giving Committee, the work of which is overseen by the Trustees. We aim to give away twenty five percent of our total income received from offerings and tax reclaimed on those offerings plus rental income from the flat and hall lettings. Approximately fifty per cent of our outward giving is applied to UK based charities that work overseas; the balance is applied within the UK particularly focussing on local needs. We also operate a food bank supplying local families in need, as well as offering a hot meal weekly to the homeless and people in need.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £20,000 (which equates to one year’s salary for our pastor, 3 months of general costs and £5,000 for emergency unbudgeted building repairs) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £45,900 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Governance
Responsibility for policy setting and the financial and legal decisions of the Charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to direct and monitor the activities of the Trust. In spite of Covid 19 restraints in the earlier part of the year, we were still able to meet using the Zoom platform. We have been able to resume all activities in the second half of the year when Covid restrictions were lifted.
Responsibility for the spiritual direction of the church rests with the Eldership Team. New Trustees are appointed by the Elders and approved by the existing Trustees.
At the commencement of the year the Trustees were Mr Grant Butcher (Chairman), Mrs Carrie Swaddling, Mrs Jackie Edwards, Mrs Elaine Butcher & Mr Kelvin Weaver
At the commencement of the year the Eldership Team comprised of: Leading Elders David & Janice Collins, Ray & Carole Dobson as “Founding Elders”, assisted by Elders Theresa Gordon and Kevin and Sue Hillier.
Mr Dave Collins has continued in his paid part-time position as ‘Leading Elder’.
Page 4
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Grant Butcher
Date: 21 July 2022
Page 5
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bridport Christian Fellowship ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2022 on pages 7 to 10 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 22 July 2022
Page 6
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| Notes Income receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Rental income Charitable activities Other Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 40,422 - 6,396 - 8,299 - 62 - 67 - 55,247 - 34,483 - 11,867 - 46,350 - 8,897 - (94) - 8,803 - 37,116 - 45,919 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 119 - - 288 - 407 298 69 367 40 94 134 1,708 1,843 |
Total 2022 £ 40,541 6,396 8,299 350 67 55,654 34,781 11,936 46,717 8,937 - 8,937 38,825 47,761 |
Total 2021 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 40,422 6,396 8,299 62 67 55,247 34,483 11,867 46,350 8,897 (94) 8,803 37,116 45,919 |
|||||
| 38,082 7,627 8,083 255 261 |
|||||
| 54,308 | |||||
| 41,932 10,186 |
|||||
| 52,117 | |||||
| 2,191 - |
|||||
| 2,191 36,634 |
|||||
| 38,825 |
The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year: Fee for Independent Examination D Assets retained for charity's own use Freehold buildings Contents |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 25,919 - 20,000 - 45,919 - 2,781 - 295 - 3,076 - 900 - 900 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 1,843 - 1,843 - - - - - |
Total 2022 £ 27,761 20,000 47,761 2,781 295 3,076 900 900 Value 2022 £ 837,180 108,585 945,765 |
Total 2021 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,825 - |
||||
| 38,825 | ||||
| 1,798 - |
||||
| 1,798 | ||||
| 900 | ||||
| 900 | ||||
| Value 2021 £ |
||||
| 789,792 103,414 |
||||
| 893,206 |
The trustees have used insurance values as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by date Grant Butcher 21 July 2022
The notes on pages 9-10 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Utilities and telephone Property maintenance Building project Service charges and insurance Speakers Advertisements, leaflets & books Events and outreach Work among the young Equipment Administration and support Governance costs Other costs 3 Grants and gifts paid to others Organisations: Disasters Emergency Committee Organisations under £1,000 Individuals |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - 298 - - - - - 298 - 69 - 69 |
Total 2022 £ 8,506 6,299 8,933 - 2,164 325 585 856 32 3,378 2,203 840 661 34,781 1,200 8,869 1,867 11,936 |
Total 2021 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 8,506 6,299 8,933 - 2,164 325 585 558 32 3,378 2,203 840 661 34,483 1,200 8,800 1,867 11,867 |
||||||
| 8,494 4,922 7,976 8,947 2,470 - 760 113 - 5,299 1,882 900 168 |
||||||
| 41,932 | ||||||
| - 9,480 706 |
||||||
| 10,186 |
Transactions with related parties
Other than reimbursement for expenses purchased on behalf of the charity, no payments were made to any trustees or persons connected to them.
Page 9
BRIDPORT CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Restricted funds Friday Art Group Bible Society Feeding programme Total funds |
Opening balance £ 37,116 37,116 1,258 - 450 1,708 38,825 |
Receipts £ 55,247 55,247 288 89 30 407 55,654 |
Payments £ (46,350) (46,350) (298) (69) - (367) (46,717) |
Transfers £ (94) (94) 94 - - 94 - |
Closing balance £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45,919 | |||||
| 45,919 | |||||
| 1,343 20 480 |
|||||
| 1,843 | |||||
| 47,761 |
The Feeding programme funds relates to the provision of hot meals to the homeless and those in need.
Page 10