Sharon Full Gospel Church Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU Registered Charity Number 1050642 Trustees Annual Report 2022
Aims and Purposes
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church. Our main aim is to advance the Christian religion. As is set out in our governing documents, we seek to achieve this aim by proclaiming the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord through preaching and teaching of the Word of God and by maintaining a place of worship and prayer for this purpose.
In 2021, we agreed to a change to our charitable objects which was accepted by the Charity Commission. It allows for our main aim to be advanced by our providing a practical expression of our religious faith through charitable works which support our local community: by relieving poverty, providing activities for families and children, and promoting better community cohesion and mental and physical health.
Objectives and Activities
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. Each year our trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
Our aim remains to proclaim the Christian message, as expressed in our statement of faith and ethos statement, providing a facility where Christians can both worship and express their faith practically by supporting the local community.
Achievements and Performance
The church has opened throughout the week for various religious meetings for prayer, worship and Bible teaching. Membership has so far remained constant, but new families are in regular attendance.
Our mission to proclaim the gospel has continued in partnership with other churches, distributing Christian literature and holding open air services at Christmas, Easter and in the Summer. Thanks to grants from the John James Charitable Trust and the Gospel Trust we were able to employ a part-time children’s pastor, who has so far launched a kid’s Bible club for 5-11 year olds one night per week, and a parent & toddler group one morning per week, and has visited schools with the senior pastor for Christian assemblies.
This year we once again ran a competition for local shopkeepers to reintroduce nativity scenes as part of their Christmas decorations and were asked to lead the religious elements of the town’s Christmas “Cavalcade.”
We have continued to open as a community hub/café offering free hot drinks and snacks, and have opened it more often as a “warm space” in winter. It has a children’s play area , and a Fareshare community pantry offering surplus food free of charge to all (we have given out 1 tonne of donated food plus over 400 meals in 2022). Other local agencies including Gwent Police, Torfaen Voluntary Alliance, and Communities for Work
regularly use the café as a “surgery” or meeting point for their clients, and as a way of signposting residents to further support.
In November we partnered with Pontypool Community Council to host a new council-led project “Pontypool Youth” to provide secular youth sessions for 12-18 year-olds, addressing antisocial behaviour, wellbeing and mental health issues. Although the project is secular, the pastor is occasionally invited to speak with the youth about the work of the church. For example, at Christmas we cooperated to give out 30 festive hampers to pensioners on our street, and the youth project supported our annual Carol Service. Youth workers are employed by the council directly and use the church building two evenings per week.
Financial Review
The final balance sheet for 2022 is attached. The report from our independent examiner is still pending. The total income for the year was £67,187.77. £37,797.20 of which was restricted for our community project, £4,000 restricted for our children’s work, and £25,390.57 for general funds. In addition to the direct expenses from the restricted funds, an amount of £3,078.09 was transferred across during the year from restricted to general funds, covering pro-rata heat/light/building maintenance costs as agreed with donors in our grant acceptance agreements.
Reserves Policy
Sharon Full Gospel Church maintains a reserve of approx. 9 months of operating costs whenever possible to cover eventualities such as unforeseen increases in day-to-day operational costs, or when a source of income may be lost (as when a member leaves or dies). This reserve does not include restricted funds.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who are drawn both from the church membership and our local community. They work so hard to make our church the lively and vibrant community it is. Thank you also to our trustees, elders and deacons for keeping the church running.
Structure, Governance and Management
The church is administered by the Church Council, which is a team of at least three trustees (minimum of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), the appointment of whom is set out in the governing document. These are assisted in the day-to-day religious life of the church by elders and deacons the appointment of whom is also set out in the governing document. The Church Council meet six times each year.
Administrative Information
Sharon Full Gospel Church is an independent Christian church situated in Osborne Road, Pontypool NP4 6LU. It is a member of the Evangelical Alliance. The correspondence address is The Minister, Bethany, 7 Park View, Freeholdland Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool NP4 8LP.
Church Council Members (Trustees): Reverend Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees), Mrs Barbara Yvonne Owens (Treasurer), Mrs Frankie Andreou (Secretary) Elder: Mr David Hinwood
Deacons: Mr John Andreou; Mr David Vaughan
Approved by the Church Council on 13/02/2023 and signed on their behalf by Mathew Bartlett (Chair of Trustees)
Sharon Full Gospel Church Balance Sheet 2022
INCOME
BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD FROM 2021
£35688.17
| GENERAL FUNDS | |
|---|---|
| GIFT AID DONATIONS | £9,708.00 |
| CASH DONATIONS | £7858.50 |
| GIFT AID CLAIM | £5047.85 |
| REFUNDS | £150.74 |
| AMAZON SMILE | £16.86 |
| BUILDING RENTAL | £122.00 |
| NON-GIFT AID DIRECT DEBITS | £1,060.00 |
| EASYFUNDING | £55.55 |
| SALE OF FRIDGE | £200.00 |
| DEREK WILLIAMS WILL | £1,171.07 |
TOTAL GENERAL FUND INCOME: £25,390.57
| RESTRICTED FUNDS INCOME | |
|---|---|
| CHILDRENS DEPT | |
| JOHN JAMES TRUST | £2,000 |
| GOSPEL TRUST | £2,000 |
| TOTAL CHILDRENS DEPT: | £4,000 |
| HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY | |
| PALC DONATION | £145.00 |
| TVA (HELP2HEAT) | £4,095.00 |
| TVA (HOPE) | £5,959.00 |
| ICF WALES | £2,034.00 |
| MELIN HOMES | £250.00 |
| TVA (HOPE) | £7398.00 |
| WESTERN POWER (FOOD) | £2,500.00 |
| BRON AFON | £500.00 |
| COMMUNITY FUND | £7498.00 |
| TORFAEN CBC | £3834.50 |
| GARFIELD WESTON | £2,500.00 |
| MAGIC LITTLE GRANTS | £500.00 |
| SSP GRANT | £192.70 |
| EVENT TAKINGS | £391.00 |
| TOTAL HFTC INCOME: | £37,797.20 |
| TOTAL INCOME 2022: | £67,187.77 |
| EXPENSES (GENERAL) | |
| SALARIES PASTOR | £18,460.00 |
| CLEANER | £630.00 |
| ELECTRIC | £1,694.65 |
| WATER RATES | £253.14 |
| FIRE SAFETY | £401.34 |
| HELP2HEAT | £1,995.00 |
| BUILDING REPAIRS | £779.22 |
| INSURANCE | £946.29 |
| MISSIONS/MINISTRY | £725.64 |
| BROADBAND & PHONE | £366.59 |
| TV & FITTING | £645.35 |
| LAPTOP | £179.99 |
| CLEANING ITEMS | £145.07 |
| CCLI & SONGSELECT | £325.00 |
| 31:8 MEMBERSHIP | £145.00 |
| EA MEMBERSHIP | £90.00 |
| SSL CERT | £72.00 |
| ICE WALES | £200.00 |
| TV LICENSE | £95.40 |
| STATIONERY | £17.61 |
| EVANGELISM | £528.02 |
| WASTE DISPOSAL | £120.00 |
| POOR FUND | £94.99 |
| MISC | £423.43 |
|---|---|
| SUBTOTAL | 29,333.73 |
| EXPENSES (CHILD DEPT) | |
| SALARY: CHILDRENS PASTOR | £1,442.00 |
| TAX/NI | £72.11 |
| CRAFTS/ACTIVITIES | £370.80 |
| ADVERTISING | £89.64 |
| RECRUITMENT | £50.25 |
| SUBTOTAL: | £2,024.80 |
| EXPENSES (HOPE) | |
| SALARY: COMMUNITY WORKER | £8,800.05 |
| NEW KITCHEN | £8,997.91 |
| SALARY: HOPE MANAGER | £5,000 |
| LICENSING | £309.60 |
| ADVERTISING | £735.10 |
| EQUIPMENT | £2,819.13 |
| WESTERN POWER FOOD | £2,500.00 |
| OTHER FOOD | £1,027.70 |
| EVENTS | £222.52 |
| VOLUNTEER EXPENSES | £124.30 |
| SUBTOTAL | £ 30,536.31 |
| PLUS PRO RATA COSTS MOVED | (£3,078.09) |
| TO GENERAL FUND | |
| TOTAL EXPENSES | £61,894.84 |
| NEW BALANCE TO CARRY | £40,981.10 |
| FORWARD TO 2023 |
BALANCES – CHILDRENS £3,605.39 RESTRICTED: HOPE FOR THE COMMUNITY £18,208.39 GENERAL FUNDS £19,167.32
Registered Charity Number 1050642
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SHARON FULL GOSPEL CHURCH YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022 The report relates to financial statements set out on page 1 & 2 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report 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 those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention to indicate that: (1) Accounts have not been kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 (2) The accounts do not accord with such records. (3) Where accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, whether they fail to comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006, or are not consistent with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (4) Any matter which the examiner believes should be drawn to the attention of the reader to gain a proper understanding of the accounts. s,Susan Lewis FCCA 106a Commercial Street Risca Newport. NP116EE Date: 7th August 2023
Sharon Full Gos el Church NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the financial statements. Accountin Convention The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005) and the Charities Act 1993. Incomin Resources Income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in incoming resources. Resources Ex ended Resources expended are included in the Profit and Loss on an accruals basis, inclusive of any Value Added Tax which cannot be recovered. Taxation As a registered-charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates Fund Accountin Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable objectives. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular puposes. Restricted funds are funds which have been given for particlar purposes.The restriction being placed by the donor. The restricted funds are individually identified on the face of the profit and loss account.