Company registration number: 02634440 Charity registration number: 1004774 Scottish Charity registration number: SC039220
THE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
The Christian Institute
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 2 to 9 |
| Independent Auditors' Report | 10 to 13 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 15 |
| Balance Sheet | 16 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 17 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 18 to 34 |
The Christian Institute
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees Rev Dr R D Turnbull Mr R L Badams Rev R P Bentley-Taylor Mr J Burn OBE Rev G R Curry Rev D R J Holloway Mr T E James Mr M T S Judge Rev J H A Leggett Mr K J Nelson MBE Rev Dr W J U Philip Dr P A Robinson Key Management Personnel Mr C Hart (Chief Executive) Mr S Calvert (Deputy Director) Mr C Kelly (Deputy Director) Mr J Errington (Head of Operations) Mr D Greatorex (Head of Research) Mr S Webster (In-house Solicitor) Registered Office Wilberforce House 4 Park Road Gosforth Business Park Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8DG The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. Company Registration Number 02634440 Charity Registration Number 1004774 Scottish Charity registration SC039220 number Bankers Bank of Scotland London 33 Old Broad Street London EC2N 1HZ Auditor MHA Tait Walker Bulman House Regent Centre Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LS
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2020.
Structure, governance and management
Company and Charity Status
The Christian Institute ("The Institute") is a company limited by guarantee and is governed by its Articles of Association. It was incorporated on 1 August 1991 and registered with the Charity Commission in England on 16 October 1991. It was entered on the Scottish Charity Register on 29 January 2008. The members of The Institute have no shareholdings but in the event of a winding up each has undertaken to contribute to the payment of liabilities such an amount as may be required not exceeding a total of £1. The number of guarantees as at 31 December 2020 totalled 14. The members of the Institute include current trustees and former trustees.
Governance
The charity is governed by its Council of Management which meets at least three times a year to set strategy and oversee governance. The Chief Executive has operational responsibility.
Recruitment and appointment of the Council of Management
Other than in these paragraphs Council Members are referred to as trustees. They are appointed by the company in general meeting. They must be members of the company and will therefore have affirmed agreement to the Doctrinal Basis of The Institute. Thereafter, the aim is to have a mix of experience and skills.
Each year one-third of Council Members retire by rotation and those retiring are eligible for re-election.
The Council has appointed an Executive Committee comprising three members of The Council whose meetings are normally attended by the Chief Executive. This committee operates under specific terms of reference which delegate certain functions to it from The Council and reports its decisions fully and promptly to The Council. The Council and the Executive each meet at least three times a year.
Induction and training of trustees
New trustees are recruited from individuals who are known to support the work of The Institute. New trustees are given an induction briefing which includes: -
• The obligations of trustees including the latest guidance from the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
• The Articles of Association, and any operational documents adopted by the trustees.
• The latest trustees' report and financial statements, and information on the current financial position of the charity.
• Future plans and objectives.
- Minutes of the trustees' meetings for the twelve months preceding appointment.
New trustees with little previous experience of trusteeship are strongly encouraged to attend a course or seminar dealing with the role and responsibilities of a trustee. They, along with all trustees, are also required to complete 'Declaration of Interests' and 'Fit and Proper Person' forms. All trustees take seriously their obligations to maintain their knowledge and attend relevant courses and seminars.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
Risk Management
The trustees have identified the major risks to which they believe The Institute is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to minimise those risks. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements covering staff, volunteers, and visitors to The Institute's premises. The trustees believe that corruption, bribery and unfair actions as well as being contrary to Christian beliefs also hamper development and impede progress. The trustees insist on integrity in all aspects of The Institute's activities and expect the same from all those who work with The Institute.
Objectives and activities
The principal activity of The Institute is the furtherance and promotion of the Christian Religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and the advancement of education in accordance with the doctrines and principles set out in the Doctrinal Basis in the Articles of Association. Within this The Institute seeks to promote Christian influence in a secular world. It does so by disseminating Christian teaching relevant to current moral and ethical debates over marriage and the family, education, religious liberties, medical ethics, drugs and the constitution. It seeks to inform and educate government, the media and the public at large about such teaching; and to encourage Christian men and women in their own witness by helping to equip them for it in whatever sphere God has placed them. The principal means it uses are its own publications, website, lectures and conferences providing theological, philosophical and practical arguments in support of the biblical worldview.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Achievements and performance
The main activities undertaken to further the charitable purposes of The Institute for the public benefit are described in this section.
The Institute continues to respond to the large number of individual enquiries which come in by telephone, post and email. During 2020 The Institute recorded over 16,700 such enquiries. More complex questions are dealt with by staff qualified to explain Christian teaching across the range of areas The Institute covers.
Both the website and Annual Review, referred to below, include The Institute’s doctrinal basis and beliefs on many contemporary issues.
The Institute’s meetings enable it to encourage Christians across the country to be a positive Christian influence and to pray for the nation. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, from March 2020 The Institute had to stop most in-person meetings. However, despite all the restrictions, staff were still able to speak to more than 11,300 people at 207 online and, when permitted, in-person events. Every church meeting outlines biblical principles which underpin The Institute’s work, and shows how those biblical principles should affect Christian involvement in today’s society. During 2020 The Institute provided biblical teaching on a range of areas, including on human identity, the value of all human life, and work to protect religious freedom. Many supporters first learn about The Institute’s work at one of its meetings.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
Although regular meetings in churches are rarely recorded, many of The Institute’s other meetings are. The majority of these are available from The Institute’s website in the form of free downloadable audio files. There were a total of 79,749 audio downloads from The Institute’s website in 2020.
Every year The Institute holds an ‘Autumn Lectures’ series given by guest speakers. The theme for 2020 was ‘Christian leadership in times of crisis’, and the lectures took place via YouTube. Revd Dr Richard Turnbull examined the challenge the pandemic presented for church leaders and used historical examples to consider what the Christian faith has to say about leadership in such times.
The Institute’s Christian worldview DVD series, ‘Living Christianity’, was launched in March 2019 and has been well received. The youth edition is nearing completion.
During the year The Institute continued its programme of ongoing staff training which reviews the ethical, social and legal issues taken up by The Institute over the years. Sessions were held both online and in-person by social policy expert Dr Sharon James. The Institute also continued its theological seminars for staff. In addition, Institute staff were addressed by visiting speakers on a range of topics.
Of The Institute’s total mailing list of 60,186 people, more than 5,100 are church leaders or representatives at a given church. The Institute’s financial support comes from its mailing list, including from many of these churches and church leaders. Church leaders often say how much The Institute’s briefings help them in their preaching and pastoral work. Hundreds of churches use The Institute’s material in their prayer meetings and services. The Institute is also aware that thousands of individual Christians on The Institute’s mailing list use the material in their own prayers. Many use the material to promote discussion about Christian teaching in their homes and community.
The Institute is contacted almost every week by the media - local and national radio, TV and newspapers - usually to request a Christian view on an event, issue or argument upon which the media has chosen to report. In 2020 there were 68 opportunities to put forward a Christian view to the media. The Institute also responded to individual journalists’ requests for information on ethical and moral issues.
As well as being clear about Christian belief, in any consideration of contemporary moral and ethical issues it is imperative that the facts are presented in a way which enables them to be easily understood. This means a large amount of staff time and resources is spent researching and writing about an issue from a Christian perspective in order to produce a publication accessible to all. In addition The Institute publishes research into issues of religious liberty which directly affect The Institute, its supporters and other religious charities.
The Institute’s website continued to provide a valuable means of disseminating information about the application of the Christian faith to contemporary issues. During 2020 there were 5,408,231 visits to The Institute’s website. The Institute’s website stories are also posted on Facebook and Twitter, where it has a combined following of 64,284 - a four per cent increase on the previous year. There were 876,202 views of 369 Institute videos which were posted online in 2020.
The Institute produced 13 new publications in 2020, as well as four newsletters, its Annual Review and two Week of Prayer leaflets, to provide clear and accurate information on a range of issues from a Christian perspective. The publications were used by Christians, politicians, journalists and the general public.
The Institute published guides to help parents in England and Wales understand concerns about new sex and relationships education subjects. Leaflets to help Christians understand contemporary ethical and worldview issues were produced. These included publications on identity politics, gender ideology and a Christian view of history.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
The Institute also produced guides to help Christians think through moral issues facing the UK, including abortion and divorce, as well as publishing guides on the Scottish Government’s hate crime Bill and the push to ban ‘conversion therapy’.
Throughout the year The Institute’s Education Officer John Denning continued to equip Christians to be salt and light in the education system. John gave tailored practical advice to over 170 parents, teachers and school governors, helping them address practical implications raised by the Equality Act, sex education, Religious Education and how issues of sexuality and gender can be dealt with in school.
UK
In the second half of 2020 The Institute began work to protect the core work of churches from a ban on so-called conversion therapy, including obtaining a legal opinion from Jason Coppel QC. Pressure is being put on the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to ban preaching, prayer and pastoral conversations which do not endorse LGBT theology. The Institute helped supporters understand the risk to gospel freedom and encouraged them to raise concerns with their elected representatives.
The Institute also worked to challenge Westminster and the devolved legislatures over the level of restrictions on churches after the first wave of the pandemic. Supporters were urged to write to politicians urging them to reopen churches, keep them open and treat them fairly. The Institute was also able to advise church leaders on complying with the law related to holding physical worship services.
England and Wales
The Institute encouraged supporters to respond to the Law Commission’s recommendations for changes to hate crime law in England and Wales. The Commission’s plans would make it easier to commit a ‘stirring up hatred’ offence.
Institute supporters in England and Wales were also encouraged to respond to a Law Commission consultation on changes to wedding laws, which risk undermining the dignity of marriage.
England
During 2020 The Institute continued to monitor the teaching and plans for statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in English schools. A new booklet was produced, Relationships and Sex Education, to help explain what the law does and does not require.
Parents in Warwickshire contacted The Institute about particularly inappropriate content being used already in primary schools, and The Institute helped get it withdrawn.
Wales
The Welsh Government introduced the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill to make significant changes to sex education and RE. The Institute helped supporters to contact their MSs, raising concerns about marginalising Christian teaching in schools and urging them to vote to protect children from inappropriate content. We also urged the retention of the right of withdrawal for religious education and from lessons parents thought were inappropriate within sex education. The Bill became law in March 2021.
Scotland
In Scotland The Institute held 59 online and in-person meetings which were attended by 3,091 people.
The Institute backed the ‘Free to Disagree’ campaign, helping to secure a series of important changes to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill. The Institute held a series of webinars for church leaders on the issue of hate crime, and produced briefings for supporters.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
Northern Ireland
During 2020 staff spoke at 50 church meetings in Northern Ireland, and also gave interviews to a range of Northern Ireland media outlets.
Throughout 2020 The Institute has sought to uphold the principle that all human life is precious and should be protected. In Northern Ireland, this view is strongly held in all sections of the community. Yet new abortion laws for Northern Ireland were passed by the Westminster Parliament in 2020. The regulations effectively introduce abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks and up to birth for babies with disabilities. There would be many Christian health professionals who would be affected and would not want to be involved in such procedures for reasons of conscience. The Institute urged supporters to raise concerns with their MP, and has been monitoring the implementation of the new regulations.
Throughout history, Christians have always opposed euthanasia. Under a new Bill in the Republic of Ireland’s Parliament, residents of the Province would have been able to travel to the Republic for assistance to commit suicide or to be euthanised. In the call for evidence at Committee Stage, which was open to residents of Northern Ireland, the Institute mobilised its supporters in Northern Ireland to oppose the plans.
After the Institute became involved the General Register Office in Northern Ireland withdrew its threat to deregister churches for all weddings if they did not explicitly opt out of conducting same-sex weddings.
The Institute helped supporters respond to Judge Desmond Marrinan’s review of hate crime law in Northern Ireland. The proposals would restrict free speech in Northern Ireland.
Legal Defence Fund
The Institute’s Legal Defence Fund is a restricted fund. It is used to finance the cost of legal actions and their associated campaign work in cases of national importance for religious liberty. It is available to support Christians who claim to have been unlawfully harassed or discriminated against because of their faith. During 2020 it was used, amongst other cases, to:
• Help Christian street preacher David McConnell pursue a claim for being wrongfully arrested and detained for over five hours. In May 2021, David received £3,250 plus costs from West Yorkshire Police.
• Assist Stirling Free Church and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in religious discrimination claims against a multimillion-pound trust fund. The Robertson Trust cancelled bookings by both organisations of one of its conference centres because they would involve activities promoting the Christian faith. Strong objections were also raised to the church’s beliefs about marriage. These cases could set helpful precedents for Christian religious liberty. The Institute has also been helping the Trust’s former CEO, Kenneth Ferguson, in a separate claim for unfair dismissal and religion or belief discrimination. Mr Ferguson claims that the Trust took disciplinary action against him because of his association with Stirling Free Church.
• Continue to help Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service in its legal action against Ofsted. The schools’ inspectorate downgraded Cornerstone’s fostering work and labelled its Christian ethos “discriminatory” because it only works with evangelical Christians. In July 2020 the High Court ruled that Cornerstone can continue to only recruit evangelical foster carers, although the judge also ruled that Cornerstone cannot require carers to abide by its code of conduct on living consistently with the charity’s Christian beliefs about marriage between a man and a woman. At the end of June 2021, The Institute helped Cornerstone appeal this part of the ruling, with lawyers arguing that the High Court’s interpretation of the law was flawed.
• Assist churches, Christian charities and individuals to avoid legal disputes or unnecessary situations where their religious liberty might be infringed, enabling them to know their rights and legal protections.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
Financial review
The work of The Institute is financed almost entirely by gift income. It receives no public funding. The gift income in the year under review, including gifts to the restricted funds, was £3,193,343 against £2,912,597 for the previous year.
At the end of 2020 the liquid resources available for the general work of the Institute stood at £809,995. The trustees wish to record their thanks to all The Institute's supporters, collectively and severally, for their prayers, advice, words of encouragement, and not least the generosity of their giving. The trustees are particularly encouraged by the continuing growth in committed and regular giving. This is a great help in planning and budgeting.
The charity’s forecasts and projections for the next twelve months show that the charity should be able to continue in operational existence for that period, taking into account reasonable possible changes in performance and the potential impact on the charity of possible future scenarios arising from the impact of COVID-19. This also considers the effectiveness of available measures to assist in mitigating the impact. The charity has a strong positive cash position and is forecasting for this to continue to be the case. The Trustees have stress tested their forecasts, taking into account various scenarios, and remain confident that the uncertainties do not cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Based on the factors set out above the trustees believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Volunteers
The trustees continue to be grateful for the unstinting efforts of the volunteers who help the work of The Institute. Many have voluntarily given their time to speak at Institute meetings, given seminars to staff and helped in the organisation of The Institute's meetings around the UK. The hospitality of Christians and congregations around the UK is a great blessing to staff as they host meetings and help such events to run smoothly. There are also those who are willing to advise The Institute, giving to The Institute their professional knowledge and expertise. During 2020 volunteers continued to help with mailings at Wilberforce House, often at short notice.
Trustees do not receive any payment or benefits for their work as a trustee.
Pay Policy for Key Management Personnel
The trustees consider that they together with the individuals listed in Note 12 comprise the Key Management Personnel (KMP) of The Institute in charge of directing and controlling the charity, and running and operating the activities on a day-to-day basis.
The pay of the KMP is reviewed annually. No trustee receives remuneration for work as a trustee. For KMP who are employees the trustees benchmark against inflation and against the pay levels of individuals in other sectors with similar roles and responsibilities. Pay levels are then set using this information together with budget and forecast information, ensuring that The Institute can afford any proposed increases. The trustees then agree any uplift to remuneration.
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The Christian Institute
Trustees' Report
Fundraising disclosures
The year-on-year fundraising activities of The Institute have been minimal. The Institute does not:
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contact its supporters by telephone in order to solicit donations;
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sell, or, in any way, share details of its own supporters with third parties;
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reveal the details of any donation unless required to do so by a lawful authority;
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use third parties, such as telephone call centres, to contact potential donors on The Institute's
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behalf;
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retain the services of a professional fundraiser or consultant.
None of the staff have a fundraising brief. In general fundraising events are not held. The Institute's mailing list is free of charge to join. All of The Institute's mailings (in common with most of the meetings) have as their primary aim the furtherance of the charitable objects by disseminating in-house literature and encouraging the recipients to pray about and/or take action on a particular issue. Many mailings do contain a reply slip inviting the recipient to make a donation, but the trustees believe the cost of isolating the expenditure attributable to this would be greater than the expenditure itself.
Policy on reserves
The trustees have examined the requirement for reserves in the light of the main risks to The Institute. The trustees adopted the policy of holding in reserve unrestricted funds, not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets, equivalent to one and a half months' expenditure. The emphasis is on affording a measure of protection against a sudden and unpredicted fall in income or an unpredicted demand on expenditure. An overdraft facility of £50,000 has been arranged with The Institute's bank. This is available in addition to the funds held in reserve. This policy is kept under review by the trustees.
Plans for future periods
The Institute shall continue the work of promoting Christian influence in a secular world, and, by means of publications, website, lectures and conferences, provide theological, philosophical and practical arguments in support of the biblical worldview.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
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:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue its activities
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The Christlan Institute Trustees. Report ststement of Tyusteos. Responsibllltles The trustees are responsible fof keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficlent to show and explain the ¢haritys transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are a150 responsible for safeguardlng the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Dlsclosure of Informatlon to audltor Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confimi that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware. Small ¢ompanles provlslon statement Thi5 report has been prepared in accordance wth the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. Reappolntment of auditor MHA Tait Walker are deemed to be reappointed under section 44(11{cl of Ihe Charities and Trustee Investment {S¢otland) 2005 and section 487121 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees, annual report was approved on 23 September 2021 and signed on behalf of the board of trustses by.. Rev Dr R D Tumbull Chairman
The Christian Institute
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Christian Institute
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The Christian Institute (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 December 2020, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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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 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.
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 were 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.
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The Christian Institute
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Christian Institute
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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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
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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 our knowledge and understanding of the company 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 where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (set out on page 8 and 9), the trustees 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.
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The Christian Institute
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Christian Institute
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:
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Enquiries with management, about any known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws
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and regulations and fraud;
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Reviewing board minutes;
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting
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estimates; and
• Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness.
Because of the field in which the client operates, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have a material impact on the financial statements: Health and Safety; anti-bribery and corruption; and, compliance with both the UK Companies Act and UK Charities Act.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to recognise the non-compliance.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
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The Chrlstian Institute Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of The Christian Institute Use of our report This report is made solely lo the charitable ¢ompanVs trustees, as a body, In accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken $0 that we might stste to the charity's trustees those matters we are required lo state lo Ihem in an auditorfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility Ic anyone other than the ¢haritable company and ils trustees as a body, for our audit work. for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Simon Brown BA ACA DChA {Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of MHA Tait Walker Chartered Accountsnts Statutory Auditor Bulman House Regent Centre Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LS MHA Tait Walker is a trading name of Tait Walker LLP. 13
The Christian Institute
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2020 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Investment income 4 Other income 5 Total Income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Other expenditure 8 Total Expenditure Gains/losses on investment assets 16 Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 23 |
Unrestricted £ 3,030,740 4,760 5,901 3,041,401 (23,194) (2,523,330) (2,296) (2,548,820) 3,268 495,849 495,849 2,253,594 2,749,443 |
Restricted £ 162,603 2,841 - 165,444 (3,481) (431,625) - (435,106) - (269,662) (269,662) 451,927 182,265 |
Total 2020 £ 3,193,343 7,601 5,901 3,206,845 (26,675) (2,954,955) (2,296) (2,983,926) 3,268 226,187 226,187 2,705,521 2,931,708 |
Total 2019 £ 2,912,597 5,685 17,338 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,935,620 | ||||
| (22,429) (2,710,297) (9,194) |
||||
| (2,741,920) 869 |
||||
| 194,569 | ||||
| 194,569 2,510,952 |
||||
| 2,705,521 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The funds breakdown for 2020 is shown in note 23.
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The Christian Institute
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2019 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Investment income 4 Other income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Other expenditure 8 Total expenditure Gains/losses on investment assets Net income Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 23 |
Unrestricted £ 2,759,666 3,098 17,338 2,780,102 (19,601) (2,567,384) (9,194) (2,596,179) 869 184,792 184,792 2,068,802 2,253,594 |
Restricted £ 152,931 2,587 - 155,518 (2,828) (142,913) - (145,741) - 9,777 9,777 442,150 451,927 |
Total 2019 £ 2,912,597 5,685 17,338 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,935,620 | |||
| (22,429) (2,710,297) (9,194) |
|||
| (2,741,920) 869 |
|||
| 194,569 | |||
| 194,569 2,510,952 |
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| 2,705,521 |
15
The Christian Institute (Registration number: 02634440) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020 2020 2019 Note Flxed assets Tan9ible assets Investments 15 16 1,682,563 54,137 1,736.700 1,757,300 50,869 1.808,169 Current asgets Sloeks Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 17 18 5,536 240,949 1.371,451 1,617.936 1250,7311 1,367,205 6.866 51.764 1,308.719 1,365.349 1217,641) 1,147,708 Cr•dltors: Amounts falling due wfthln ono year Net current assets 19 Total assets less Currènt Ilabllities Crodllors: Amounts falllng due aft•r mor• than one year 20 Not assets 3,103,905 172,197} 2.931,708 2,955,877 250.3S61 2,705,521 Funds of tho charity: Restri¢tod 182,265 451.927 Unrestri¢tod income funds Unrestricted 2,749,443 2,931,708 2,253,594 2,705,521 Total funds 23 The financial statements on pagas 14 to 34 were approved by the trustees, and aulhorised for issue on 23 September 2021 and signed on their behalf by.. Mr T E James Trustee 16
The Christian Institute
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash income Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items Depreciation 10, 15 Investment income 4 Revaluation of investments 16 Working capital adjustments Decrease/(increase) in stocks 17 (Increase)/decrease in debtors 18 Increase/(decrease) in creditors 19 Net cash flows from operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest receivable and similar income 4 Purchase of tangible fixed assets 15 Sale of tangible fixed assets Purchase of investments 16 Net cash flows from investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of loans and borrowings 19, 20 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December |
2020 £ 226,187 60,470 (7,601) (3,268) 275,788 1,330 (189,185) 11,696 99,629 7,601 (15,613) 29,880 - 21,868 (56,765) 64,732 1,306,719 1,371,451 |
2019 £ 194,569 61,120 (5,685) (869) |
|---|---|---|
| 249,135 (5,159) 154,837 (9,214) |
||
| 389,599 | ||
| 5,685 (13,135) - (50,000) |
||
| (57,450) (88,675) |
||
| 243,474 1,063,245 |
||
| 1,306,719 |
All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.
17
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
1 Charity status
The charity is a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. It is also a registered charity in England and Wales, and in Scotland.
The address of its registered office is: Wilberforce House, 4 Park Road, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8DG.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
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 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charity Accounts (Scotland) regulations 2006 (as amended). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.
Basis of preparation
The Christian Institute meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
The charity’s forecasts and projections for the next twelve months show that the charity should be able to continue in operational existence for that period, taking into account reasonable possible changes in performance and the potential impact on the charity of possible future scenarios arising from the impact of COVID-19. This also considers the effectiveness of available measures to assist in mitigating the impact. The charity has a strong positive cash position and is forecasting for this to continue to be the case. The Trustees have stress tested their forecasts, taking into account various scenarios, and remain confident that the uncertainties do not cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Based on the factors set out above the trustees believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
18
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Estimation uncertainty and judgements
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 based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The main estimates are in relation to the calculation of prepayments and accrued income and accruals. Included within accrued income are legacies notified to the charity prior to the year end in accordance with the legacy accounting policy.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income.
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of the amount and settlement is foreseeable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing the amount and settlement is foreseeable. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Grants receivable
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
Investment income
Investment income consists of bank interest and returns from investments held. Bank interest is recognised on a received basis.
Other income
Other income relates to the sale of teaching materials related to the work of The Institute, such as theological books and CDs. It is recognised on receipt of the money from the sale.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
19
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Raising funds
Expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees' meetings and reimbursed expenses.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Freehold Property 2% straight line Fixture and Fittings 25% to 40% reducing balance
Fixed asset investments
Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
Stock
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Trade debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
20
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Borrowings
Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing. Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.
Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Pensions and other post retirement obligations
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.
21
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Legacies Grants 4 Investment income Interest receivable on bank deposits 5 Other income Sale of books and CDs |
Unrestricted General £ 2,599,111 365,629 66,000 3,030,740 Unrestricted General £ 4,760 |
Restricted £ 162,603 - - 162,603 Restricted £ 2,841 Unrestricted General £ 5,901 |
Total 2020 £ 2,761,714 365,629 66,000 3,193,343 Total 2020 £ 7,601 Total 2020 £ 5,901 |
Total 2019 £ 2,551,486 291,111 70,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,912,597 | ||||
| Total 2019 £ 5,685 |
||||
| Total 2019 £ 17,338 |
22
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
6 Expenditure on raising funds
Unrestricted
| Unrestricted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff - wages and salaries Staff - Social Security costs Staff - Pension costs Office - Printing, postage and stationery Bank and financial charges General expenses |
General £ 195 19 31 10,625 12,293 31 23,194 |
Restricted £ - - - - 3,481 - 3,481 |
Total 2020 £ 195 19 31 10,625 15,774 31 26,675 |
Total 2019 £ 217 20 34 9,094 13,025 39 |
| 22,429 |
23
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note The furtherance and promotion of the Christian religion in the UK and elsewhere Staff costs Governance costs 9 The furtherance and promotion of the Christian religion in the UK and elsewhere Governance costs |
Unrestricted General £ 948,132 1,562,932 12,266 2,523,330 Activity undertaken directly £ 2,942,689 - 2,942,689 |
Restricted £ 309,652 121,973 - 431,625 Activity support costs £ - 12,266 12,266 |
Total 2020 £ 1,257,784 1,684,905 12,266 2,954,955 2020 £ 2,942,689 12,266 2,954,955 |
Total 2019 £ 1,133,116 1,559,974 17,207 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,710,297 | ||||
| 2019 £ 2,693,090 17,207 |
||||
| 2,710,297 |
£2,523,330 (2019 - £2,567,384) of the above expenditure was attributable to unrestricted funds and £431,625 (2019 - £142,913) to restricted funds.
8 Other expenditure
| Purchase cost of books and CDs | Unrestricted General £ 2,296 2,296 |
Total 2020 £ 2,296 2,296 |
Total 2019 £ 9,194 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,194 |
24
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
9 Analysis of direct, governance and support costs
Charitable activities expenditure
| Charitable activities expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff - Wages and Salaries Staff - Social Security costs Staff - Pension costs Rent and rates Light and heat Repairs and maintenance Insurance Computer costs Travel costs Professional fees Office - Telephone Office - Printing, postage and stationery Office - Equipment Depreciation Reference materials Bank and financial charges Conference and meeting costs General expenses Mortgage Interest Fixed asset disposal |
Unrestricted General £ 1,246,288 120,638 196,005 35,459 15,558 36,886 8,710 33,777 50,710 106,573 24,182 419,621 46,672 60,470 63,868 3,724 4,766 997 8,055 28,105 2,511,064 |
Restricted £ 97,318 9,347 15,308 2,759 1,189 2,846 4,574 2,178 1,259 286,461 1,882 1,801 3,100 - 1,294 289 - 20 - - 431,625 |
Total 2020 £ 1,343,606 129,985 211,313 38,218 16,747 39,732 13,284 35,955 51,969 393,034 26,064 421,422 49,772 60,470 65,162 4,013 4,766 1,017 8,055 28,105 2,942,689 |
Total 2019 £ 1,244,371 120,372 195,231 41,542 18,028 46,087 13,064 31,056 144,908 124,838 28,348 467,322 47,944 61,120 64,579 3,948 27,803 947 11,582 - |
| 2,693,090 |
25
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Governance costs
| Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Audit fees Audit of the financial statements Other governance costs |
Unrestricted funds General £ 1,929 183 312 4,440 5,402 12,266 |
Total 2020 £ 1,929 183 312 4,440 5,402 12,266 |
Total 2019 £ 1,782 175 290 4,300 10,660 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17,207 |
The charitable company allocates costs directly to activities as far as possible, then identifies the remaining costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Having identified its governance costs, the remaining support costs are apportioned between the key charitable activities undertaken during the year. Timesheet data forms the basis for apportionment of these remaining support costs.
10 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net incoming resources for the year include:
| Audit fees Other services Depreciation of fixed assets |
2020 £ 4,440 2,220 60,470 |
2019 £ 4,300 2,180 61,120 |
|---|---|---|
11 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration or any other benefits from the charity during the year for work as a trustee.
Directly incurred expenses of the trustees borne by the charity or paid to or on behalf of the trustees totalled £3,613 (2019: £9,028). All claims for expenses are subject to the charity's normal internal control procedures.
26
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
12 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
2020 £ 1,345,731 130,187 211,656 1,687,574 |
2019 £ 1,246,370 120,567 195,555 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,562,492 |
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management team) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
| Charitable staff The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following £60,001 - £70,000 |
2020 No 50 bands was: 2020 No 1 |
2019 No 48 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 No 1 |
The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was:
The key management personnel (KMP) of the charity comprise the trustees and the following six staff; Mr C Hart, Mr S Calvert, Mr J Errington, Mr D Greatorex, Mr C Kelly and Mr S Webster. The total employee benefits (including social security and pension costs) of the six key management members of staff of the charity were £427,758 (2019 - £405,273).
13 Auditors' remuneration
| Audit of the financial statements Other fees to auditors All other non-audit services |
2020 £ 4,440 2,220 |
2019 £ 4,300 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,180 |
27
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
14 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from direct taxation on its income and gains used for charitable purposes.
15 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2020 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2020 Depreciation At 1 January 2020 Charge for the year At 31 December 2020 Net book value At 31 December 2020 At 31 December 2019 |
Land and buildings £ 2,134,072 - - 2,134,072 440,747 42,681 483,428 1,650,644 1,693,325 |
Furniture and equipment £ 271,153 15,613 (29,880) 256,886 207,178 17,789 224,967 31,919 63,975 |
Total £ 2,405,225 15,613 (29,880) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,390,958 | |||
| 647,925 60,470 |
|||
| 708,395 | |||
| 1,682,563 | |||
| 1,757,300 |
28
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
16 Fixed asset investments
| 16 Fixed asset investments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment - COIF Charities Investment Fund Investments Cost or Valuation At 1 January 2020 Revaluation gain At 31 December 2020 Net book value At 31 December 2020 At 31 December 2019 The historical cost of the investment is £50,000. 17 Stock Resources, including books and CD's 18 Debtors Gift Aid tax refunds Legacies Other debtors |
2020 £ 54,137 Listed investments £ 50,869 3,268 |
2019 £ 50,869 |
||
| Total £ 50,869 3,268 54,137 54,137 50,869 2019 £ 6,866 |
||||
| 54,137 | ||||
| 54,137 | ||||
| 50,869 | ||||
| 2020 £ 5,536 2020 £ 44,829 180,662 15,458 240,949 |
||||
| 2019 £ 30,290 12,738 8,736 |
||||
| 51,764 |
29
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
19 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Bank loans Trade creditors Accruals |
2020 £ 86,098 157,433 7,200 250,731 |
2019 £ 64,704 139,831 13,106 |
|---|---|---|
| 217,641 |
20 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
| 2020 £ Bank loans 172,197 Included in the creditors are the following amounts due after more than five years: 2020 £ After more than five years by instalments 15,147 |
2019 £ 250,356 |
|---|---|
| 2019 £ 104,433 |
In 2015 The Institute financed the purchase of 6 Park Road by a commercial mortgage arranged with its bankers, the Bank of Scotland. The sum borrowed is repayable over 15 years. The Institute now owns 4 Park Road (Wilberforce House) 5 and 6 Park Road (The John Newton Centre). The mortgage is secured on these properties. The rate of interest payable is 2.56% above the Bank of England base rate.
21 Pension and other schemes
Defined contribution pension scheme
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £211,656 (2019 - £195,555).
22 Commitments
Operating lease commitments
The total amount of other financial commitments not provided in the financial statements was £159,880 (2019 - £123,904).
30
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
23 Funds
| Unrestricted General Unrestricted Operating Fund Designated Unrestricted Fixed Asset Fund Legacy Fund Total Unrestricted Restricted Legal Defence Fund Growth Fund Total restricted Total funds |
Balance at 1 January 2020 £ 545,683 1,442,240 265,671 1,707,911 2,253,594 446,646 5,281 451,927 2,705,521 |
Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ 2,821,772 (2,488,350) - (60,470) 219,629 - 219,629 (60,470) 3,041,401 (2,548,820) 164,124 (429,055) 1,320 (6,051) 165,444 (435,106) 3,206,845 (2,983,926) |
Transfers £ Other recognised gains/(losses) £ (72,378) 3,268 72,378 - - - 72,378 - - 3,268 - - - - - - - 3,268 |
Balance at 31 December 2020 £ 809,995 1,454,148 485,300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,939,448 | ||||
| 2,749,443 | ||||
| 181,715 550 |
||||
| 182,265 | ||||
| 2,931,708 |
31
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
The Unrestricted Operating Fund represents the cash resources freely available to further the general aims and objectives of the charity.
The Unrestricted Fixed Asset Fund represents the fixed assets, such as land and buildings, purchased for the use in furthering the general aims and objectives of the charity.
The value of the fund at 31 December 2020 is represented by the net book value of The Institute's fixed assets at that date less the balance due on the commercial mortgage taken out to finance the purchase of 6 Park Road in March 2015. The transfer into the fixed asset fund represents the capital element of the mortgage payments throughout 2020 and the amount paid to purchase fixed assets during the year.
The Legacy Fund provides a measure of stability against the fluctuation in this source of income. When legacy income exceeds expected levels set in the budget approved by the trustees for the year, the excess is placed in the fund. Such funds are then released at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
A restricted fund identifies money donated for a particular purpose and expenditure of those funds for that purpose.
The Legal Defence Fund is used to finance the cost of legal actions and the associated campaign work in cases of national importance for religious liberty. It is available to support Christians who claim to have been unlawfully harassed or discriminated against because of their faith.
The Growth Fund is used to support the growth of the Institute's work, including the development of three centres of excellence; for legal work, media work and supporting Christians.
24 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors over 1 year Total net assets |
Unrestricted General £ Designated £ - 1,682,563 - 54,137 809,995 374,945 - (172,197) 809,995 1,939,448 |
Restricted £ - - 182,265 - 182,265 |
Total funds £ 1,682,563 54,137 1,367,205 (172,197) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,931,708 |
32
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
Unrestricted
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors over 1 year Total net assets |
General £ - - 545,683 - 545,683 |
Designated £ 1,757,300 50,869 150,098 (250,356) 1,707,911 |
Restricted £ - - 451,927 - 451,927 |
Total funds at 31 December 2019 £ 1,757,300 50,869 1,147,708 (250,356) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,705,521 |
25 Analysis of net funds
| Cash at bank and in hand Mortgage due within one year Mortgage due after more than one year Net debt Cash at bank and in hand Mortgage due within one year Mortgage due after more than one year Net debt |
At 1 January 2020 £ 1,306,719 (64,704) (250,356) 991,659 At 1 January 2019 £ 1,063,245 (92,977) (310,758) 659,510 |
Cash flow £ 64,732 (21,394) 78,159 121,497 Cash flow £ 243,474 28,273 60,402 332,149 |
At 31 December 2020 £ 1,371,451 (86,098) (172,197) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,113,156 | |||
| At 31 December 2019 £ 1,306,719 (64,704) (250,356) |
|||
| 991,659 |
33
The Christian Institute
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2020
26 Related party transactions
During the year the charity made the following related party transactions:
Coalition for Marriage Limited
The Coalition for Marriage Limited (company number 07880604) is an umbrella group of individuals and organisations in the UK that support traditional marriage. Mr C Hart, The Institute's Chief Executive, is an unpaid Director of Coalition for Marriage Limited. Mr R Badams, a Trustee of The Institute is an unpaid Director of Coalition for Marriage Limited. Expenses incurred by The Institute on behalf of Coalition for Marriage Limited and reimbursed were £4,671 (2019: £25,599). During the year the CI made an unsecured £10,000 loan to C4M. This was repaid during the year. At the balance sheet date the amount due from Coalition for Marriage Limited was £892 (2019 - £3,911).
Scotland for Marriage Limited
Scotland for Marriage Limited (company number SC411348) is a campaign to support marriage as the union of one man and one woman in Scotland. Mr C Hart is an unpaid Director of Scotland for Marriage Limited. During the year a contribution was made by The Institute to Scotland for Marriage Limited of £600 (2019: £1,600).
The Bible Teaching Trust
The Bible Teaching Trust (charity number 1156102) provides teaching and training to Christian organisations and individuals. Rev Rupert Bentley-Taylor, who is not a trustee of the Bible Teaching Trust, provides teaching services on behalf of the Trust. The Institute paid the Trust £1,515 (2019: £4,645) for the provision of teaching and training in the year. No expenses relating to the provision of this teaching and training (2019: £873) were incurred.
Richard Turnbull
Richard Turnbull, Trustee of The Institute, provides teaching and training to The Institute. The Institute paid £3,900 (2019: £1,500) for the provision of teaching and training in the year. In addition expenses relating to the provision of this teaching and training of £1,078 (2019: £1,129) were reimbursed.
34