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2023-12-31-accounts

Orthodox Church of The Nativity of the Mother of God

Archdiocese of Thyateira in the Ecumenical Patriarchate

BLACK COUNTRY ORTHODOX TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1082272

Black Country Orthodox Trust, in pursuit of its aim to advance the Orthodox Christian faith, operates the Orthodox parish at Palfrey in Walsall in the West Midlands, under the jurisdiction of the Greek Archdiocese of Thyateira Great Britain and Ireland, to serve the Orthodox faithful of whatever nationality who live in the Black Country and local areas, and to be an Orthodox presence in the whole community.

Contents
Report of the Trustees
Acknowledgements
Legal and Administrative Information
Report of the Independent Examiner
Receipts and Payment Account
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Notes to the Accounts		 Page
1-5
6
7
8
9
10
11-12

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF BLACK COUNTRY ORTHODOX TRUST

The Charity Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2023. The financial statements comply with both the Charity’s Constitution and the Charities Act 2011.

Objectives and Activities

The objects of the Charity are the advancement of the Orthodox Christian faith as contained in Holy Scripture, as practised in the life of the Church, as confirmed by the ecumenical and local councils and as interpreted, preserved and taught by the Great Church of Christ, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

To carry out these objects, the Charity runs the Orthodox parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Palfrey, Walsall, and works for the Orthodox Church in the wider community and for an active part in the whole local community. Within the structures of the Orthodox Church, the parish is in the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Thyateira, Great Britain and Ireland, by whom it is currently charged to conduct the services and other matters primarily in English, so as to be accessible to Orthodox of all backgrounds and to enquirers.

Public Benefit

The trustees continue to give regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit (Charities and Public Benefit) in relation to the charitable purpose of the charity. In the opinion of the trustees, the objectives of the charity as detailed above fall within the remit of ‘for public benefit’.

The purpose of BCOT is to run the affairs of the Orthodox parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Walsall, in the Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It owns the church building and the former church house next door in Dale Street, and under the Archdiocese supports the clergy and the pastoral and liturgical life of the parish. The Trustees have the first responsibility for these matters. Day-to-day practical affairs are dealt with by the Parish Committee which reports to the Trustees. The clergy take care of the pastoral and liturgical needs of the parish.

The Trustees held nine meetings in this period. The primary focus of these meetings was the ongoing need to find a successor for fr. John to enable him to fully retire.

The trustee board had the following changes in 2023: Mihaela Ispas, Brandon Scott - Omenka, Florina Clewer and Anne Perks remained members of the trust and from January 2023 the following roles were: Mihaela – Trustee, Brandon – Chair, Florina – Secretary and Anne – Treasurer. From January 2024 assumed the following roles: new Trustees - Steven Rollins and Florin Mihaila, Brandon – Chair, Florina – Treasurer, Tatiana – Secretary.

Clergy The priest in charge was Father John Nankivell, who has served the parish since it was founded in 2000. We had several cover priests visiting who covered most of the Sunday services. Those were: Father Stephen Maxfield, Father Panteleimon Maxfield, Father Nicholas Karafillides with help of newly ordained deacon David Walker. Father Ioannis Father Vasilios Koutsogiannis has kindly agreed to perform baptism services in addition to Sunday Liturgies. This all changed when the decision came that Father Theodoros Polyviou will be our new priest from November 2023. This lasted only several months due to unexpected circumstances leading to father Theodoros leaving in the beginning of 2024.

pg. 1

Church life. The main services are in English but the community comprises many ethnicities. The number of parishioners attending is steady and community is growing. During the course of the year, the parish kept contact both informally and liturgically with the local Orthodox communities of all jurisdictions.

Community life The church hall was let to local people throughout the year. This was used for various events and exercise classes. The hall rent was run by Rooki Alberts.

We held the annual party in honor of saint Nicholas at the end of year 2023 which was a great success. Many people attended and gifts were given to the children and especially to those in need.

Charity Property The Charity owns the church building in Sun Street Walsall and the church house (the former vicarage) at 63 Dale Street Walsall. It acquired the freeholds of both church and church house and their grounds from the Church of England in 2005.

The church was valued for insurance at £4,080,760 from December 2022 to December 2023 and at £4,231,129 from December 2023 to December 2024; its contents were valued at £40,746 approximately and £42,017 for those dates. The church house was valued for insurance from December 2022 to December 2023 at £598,471 and £661,043 from December 2023 to December 2024. Loss of rent from the Church House was valued for insurance from December 2023 at £73,680.

Work on the property

Church In January 2023 the new altar table was built. A new rope for the church bell has also been installed.

Church House Flat 7 was let since February 2023. This means that all seven flats were let from this point.

Finance

During this period income received was £85,009 (£117,717 in 2022), payments were £76,741 (£145,523 in 2022). The closing balance at the end of this financial period had increased to £20,615 compared to £12,347 at the end of the previous period.

The year-end accounts show an outstanding liability of £17,000 due to the private loans (£65,000 in total) taken in 2020, respectively 2021 to enable BCOT to finish the development of the church house. Regular monthly payments to clear this pending debt have been set-up since the beginning of 2022.

The six flats in in the church house provided continuous income throughout the year with adding the flat 7 later.

£1,625 was donated to Acorns Children’s charity.

Reserves Policy

The trustees continue to review the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risk to the organisation, a reduction of income. At the end of December 2023, the total reserves were £20,615, all of which were unrestricted.

pg. 2

The long-term financial strategy of the trustees remains their intention to increase the level of the reserves by continually reviewing overheads and increasing income not only through rent from the property but by securing charitable donations and increasing fundraising activities.

Update January to July 2024

The trusteed have held 7 meetings in 2024 so far.

The focus this year has been on finding a successor for Father John who has officially decided to retire from the role of priest in charge in our parish. The trustees have managed the handover of Father John’s ‘domestic’ responsibilities and will continue to support the transition of the new priest. In February 2024 the new priest Father Samuel Christoforou was appointed as a new priest in charge in our parish. Since he started the church services and activities increased. We started the Bible class which takes places every Friday evening. We welcome more members Orthodox and non – Orthodox on a regular base.

Easter was held in the normal way - at midnight - with very good attendance. The stewarding volunteers did an amazing job of managing the crowds.

The ‘bring and share’ parish meal was organized and managed this year so far by the volunteers.

They have also arranged hospitality for Bishop Maximos’s visit, which came to see our parish in May 2024.

At the end of June 2024 our volunteers organized a goodbye tea party for our beloved father John and Georgine where over 120 attended.

All flats are let and are providing stable regular income which supports the salary of the new priest.

The work room on the side of the office has been cleared and repainted. This has been done by few volunteers and the result is beautiful. This room might be useful in the future as a place for committee meetings and Sunday school lessons.

Conclusion

2023 has been a challenging year for the trust both from a financial perspective as well as the instability of the priests cover situation. The trustees have worked hard to ensure that the Sunday services were always covered and that the guest priests were happy. The Archdiocese finally delivered on their promise to find us a replacement priest in November 2023. This brought the trust much hope and reassurance.

The income has been made up primarily by donations, baptisms and the rents from the Church House. The number of people attending church is increasing and we have more volunteers.

The trustees are fully dedicated to the further development of our parish and remain continuously aware of all its needs in serving its objects and are eternally grateful to all who contribute towards this goal and thankful to Almighty God for all His blessings.

pg. 3

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Black Country Orthodox Trust is an unincorporated registered charity based in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in the West Midlands. It is governed by a Constitution approved on 7[th] May 2000 and was entered on the Register of Charities by the Charity Commission of England and Wales on 4[th] September 2000.

Organisational Structure

The charity has a committee consisting of at least three but no more than thirteen individuals. The committee may consist of a chair, up to nine elected committee members and three members co-opted by the committee members to hold office until the next AGM. The charity trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity.

Recruitment and Appointment of Committee Members

All committee members are required to be members of the Church prior to being recruited as a charity trustee. One third (or a number nearest one third) of the elected committee members must retire at each Annual General Meeting (AGM) and new committee members are elected to replace those retiring from office. Every committee member must sign a declaration of willingness to act as a charity trustee before they are eligible to vote at any meeting of the committee. The board of committee members is well represented by a wide range of individuals from various aspects of the church community.

Trustee Induction and Training

Whilst there was no formal induction process in 2023, there was an induction process in place introduced in 2024. All new committee members are invited and encouraged to visit the offices of Black Country Orthodox Trust in order to familiarise themselves with the organisation and the context within which it operates. The trustee will discuss the following aspects of the organisation with the new committee member and answer any questions arising.

In addition to the above, a copy of the latest Annual Report is given to all new committee members along with a charity trustee role description, a copy of the constitution, the Charity Commission’s Trustee Handbook, the organisation’s main policy documents and the latest financial statement

Risk Management

The trustees continue to monitor any potential financial and/or governance challenges that they may face. Whilst the trustee body has not formally conducted its own review of other major risks to which the charity may be exposed to, systems have been established to mitigate any identified risks.

pg. 4

The risk of not being able to adequately fund the charity is the biggest risk, which is why the trustees are keen to increase their money unrestricted reserves as a contingency for any emergencies. As and when required, trustees review, amend and update working procedures to help eliminate risks.

Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with Health and Safety for all visitors whilst on charity property. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity. Disclosure and barring checks are made on all members of staff and potential new volunteers where appropriate. General Data Protection Regulations are adhered to as well as Safeguarding Adults and Child Protection policies regarding all work with children and families.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

The trustees must hold a minimum of six meeting a year, there must be a quorum of three trustees present at each. Nine meetings have been held during 2023; out of which four were virtually. The Annual General Meeting was held in church on Sunday, 19[th] November 2023.

At each meeting trustees receive regular reports from the clergy and other groups. The ‘Parish Committee’ was dissolved and the trustees committee has taken responsibility of all the activity. The trustees reviewed and updated procedures and attended as necessary to regulatory matters and oversaw the management of the activities of the Charity as described above.

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its financial position at the end of that year.

In preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on the September 2024 and was signed on their behalf by

…………………..………………… ……..………………………………

Brandon Scott-Omenka Chair

Tatiana Vasiliou, Secretary

pg. 5

Acknowledgements

Black Country Orthodox Trust would like to thank all the faithful who support the parish with their donations, both great and small: and, to thank our Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateiraand Great Britain (together with his staff) for his pastoral care and oversight of our parish and to ask for his continued prayers.

Those directly involved in parish and community work were:

Father John Nankivell, retired priest

Father Samuel Christoforou, priest in charge

Father Stephen Maxfied, cover priest

Father Panteleimon Maxfield, cover priest

Father Vasilios Koutsogiannis, cover priest Father Nicholas Karafillides, cover priest

Georgina Nankivell, choir leader

Tatiana Vasiliou, Sunday school teacher

Oxana Costin, contracted to clean the church

Irina and Steven Rollins, managing housekeeping of the parish

Farook and Rukayya Albertus, contracted to manage the church hall bookings in the community

Boria Malazona and his team, who completed the building work on the church house

Thanks are due to all of these. Thanks also go to servers, singers, doorkeepers, workers in the office and the premises and many other volunteers and supporters for the skills, commitment, time, and prayers that they have contributed throughout the year, and to those who give financial support.

Special thanks go to the Trustees and their team for all the hard work put into managing the housekeeping of the parish.

pg. 6

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity Name: Black Country Orthodox Trust Charity Status: Unincorporated

Registered Charity Number: 1082272 Registered Office and 1a Sun Street Operational Address: Walsall West Midlands WS1 4AL Telephone Number: 01922 633451 Email Address: blackcountryorthodoxtrust@gmail.com Website: www.orthodoxwalsall.org.uk

Charity Trustees:

Chair Treasurer

Secretary

Trustees

Brandon Scott-Omenka

Anne Perks (stepped down Dec 2023) Florina Clewer (appointed Dec 2023)

Florina Clewer (role change Dec 2023) Tatiana Vasiliou (appointed Dec 2023)

Tatiana Vasiliou (role change Dec 2023) Irina Rollins Mihaela Ispas Gregory Wittwer Florin Mihaila (appointed Nov 2023) Steven Rollins (appointed Nov 2023)

Independent Examiner:

Bev Richardson M.A.A.T. Charity AID Accountancy Services Woodland Lodge, Dunston Business Village Stafford Road, Dunston, Staffordshire, ST18 9AB

Banks:

HSBC Bank The Bridge, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1LN

Co-operative Bank P.O. Box 250, Southway, Skelmersdale, Yorkshire, WN8 6WT

pg. 7

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

BLACK COUNTRY ORTHODOX TRUST

I report on the financial statements of Black Country Orthodox Trust for the year ended 31[st ] December 2023 which are set out on pages 9 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’) and that an independent examination is required.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 the 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:

have not been met; or

Bev Richardson M.A.A.T.

Date: September 2024

On Behalf of Charity AID Accountancy Services Woodland Lodge, Dunston Business Village Stafford Road, Dunston, Staffordshire, ST18 9AB

pg. 8

BLACK COUNTRY ORTHODOX TRUST

Receipts and Payments Account for the period 1[st] January 2021 – 31[st] December 2023

Note
RECEIPTS
Donations
1
Charitable Activities
2
Fundraising
3
Investments
4
Other Receipts
5
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Raising Funds
6
Charity Running Costs
7
Church & Hall Costs
8
Church House Costs
9
Activities & Events
10
Governance
11
Other Payments
12
ASSETS & INVESTMENTS
Fixed Assets
Investment
TOTAL PAYMENTS
Net incoming resources
Transfer between funds
Cash funds from last year
TOTAL CASH FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
40,304
0
40,304
85,482
35,144
0
35,144
28,691
3,105
0
3,105
1,502
19
0
19
2
6,437
0
6,437
2040
85,009
0
85,009
117,717
872
0
872
365
20,783
0
20,783
17,429
18,275
0
18,275
26,584
9,492
0
9,492
60,339
2,504
0
2,504
13,509
815
0
815
3,297
24,000
0
24,000
24,000
76,741
0
76,741
145,523
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
76,741
0
76,741
145,523
8,268
0
8,268
(27,806)
0
0
0
0
12,347
0
12,347
40,153
20,615
0
20,615
12,347

pg. 9

BLACK COUNTRY ORTHODOX TRUST

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31[st] December 2023

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Unrestricted Restricted Total
CASH FUNDS
HSBC Business Account 9,599 0 9,599
HSBC Saver Account 1,255 0 1,255
Co-op Community Account 9,596 0 9,596
Petty Cash 165 0 165
OTHER MONETARY ASSETS 0 0 0
INVESTMENT ASSETS 0 0 0
ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE
CHARITY'S OWN USE
Church 4,231,129
Church Contents 42,017
Church House 661,043
LIABILITIES
Independent Examination 480
Loan 17,000

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on September 2024 and were signed on their behalf by

……………………………………….……

..….………..………………………………

Brandon Scott-Omenka Chair

Florina Clewer, Treasurer

pg. 10

Notes to the Accounts

Notes to the Accounts
1
Donations
Grants & Donations
Gift Aid Offerings
General Offerings
Gift Aid Inland Revenue
Eon Feed in Tariff
Charitable Donations
2
Charitable Activities
Contracts
Membership
Church House Rent
Hall Lettings
Church Worship Goods
Baptism / Marriages
3
Fundraising
Sale of Purchased Goods
Special Events
Community Food
Community Giving
Family Giving
General Fundraising
4
Investments
Bank Interest
5
Other Receipts
Refunds
Miscellaneous
6
Raising Funds
Purchase of Goods for resale
Community Food & Events
General Fundraising		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
0
0
0
0
19,160
0
19,160
50,421
12,380
0
12,380
20,386
4,133
0
4,133
9,340
4,631
0
4,631
5,335
0
0
0
0
40,304
0
40,304
85,482
0
0
0
0
240
0
240
0
31,729
0
31,729
25,601
2,120
0
2,120
2,785
0
0
0
145
1,055
0
1,055
160
35,144
0
35,144
28,691
2,048
0
2,048
1,385
0
0
0
0
92
0
92
0
965
0
965
0
0
0
0
117
0
0
0
0
3,105
0
3,105
1,502
19
0
19
2
19
0
19
2
6,437
0
6,437
2,040
0
0
0
0
6,437
0
6,437
2,040
872
0
872
365
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
872
0
872
365

pg. 11

Notes to the Accounts continued


7
Charity Running Costs
Priest Fees
Priest Expenses
Insurance
Health & Safety
Bank Charges
IT & Telephone
Stationery, Printing, Postage
Travel
8
Church & Hall Costs
Utility Costs
Church Maintenance
Hall Maintenance
Capital Works
Apse, Icons & Nartex
Church Worship Goods
Cleaning Costs & Materials
Grounds Maintenance
9
Church House Costs
Utility Costs
Maintenance
Capital Works
Cleaning Costs & Materials
10
Activities & Events
Worship Requisites
Community Offerings
Sunday Food
Community Giving
Family Giving
11
Governance
Governance Costs
Independent Examination
Professional Fees
12
Other Payments
Loan Repayment		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2023
2022
£
£
£
£
11,920
0
11,920
13,879
154
0
154
160
7,487
0
7,487
1,673
102
0
102
243
195
0
195
389
393
0
393
137
532
0
532
309
0
0
0
639
20,783
0
20,783
17,429
7,460
0
7,460
7,022
306
0
306
5,922
536
0
536
715
0
0
0
1,996
100
0
100
775
4,052
0
4,052
2,645
3,017
0
3,017
2,536
2,804
0
2,804
4,973
18,275
0
18,275
26,584
1,096
0
1,096
3,412
144
0
144
121
7,842
0
7,842
56,406
410
0
410
400
9,492
0
9,492
60,339
120
0
120
11,941
319
0
319
46
40
0
40
177
1,625
0
1,625
0
400
0
400
1,345
2,504
0
2,504
13,509
0
0
0
35
480
0
480
480
335
0
335
2,782
815
0
815
3,297
24,000
0
24,000
0
24,000
0
24,000
0

pg. 12