Bethany Faith Ministries
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2020
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
| Address for correspondence | Bethany House | |
|---|---|---|
| Park Avenue | ||
| Southall | ||
| UB1 3AJ | ||
| Governing Document | Declaration of Trust dated 26 February 2002 | |
| Trustees | Dr J M Christy | |
| Ms J Bastiansz | ||
| Mr P Lawrence | ||
| Rev T M I Sathiyaraj | (resigned September 2021) | |
| Mrs C Sathiyaraj | (resigned May 2020) | |
| Ms E Suresh | ||
| Mr J Suthesh | ||
| Mr T Thanaratnasabapathy | ||
| Other Key Staff | Rev Suthesh Kularajasingam | |
| Charity Number | 1092297 | |
| Bankers | NatWest Bank plc | |
| Barclays Bank plc | ||
| Independent Examiner | Ajay Rajani FCIE | |
| Stewardship | ||
| 1 Lambs Passage | ||
| London | ||
| EC1Y 8AB |
INDEX
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details |
|---|---|
| Pages 2-3 | Trustees' Report |
| Page 4 | Independent Examiner's Report |
| Page 5 | Receipts and Payments Account |
| Page 6 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities |
| Page 7 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
The trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
Objects of the charity
The charity's principal charitable objective is to advance the Christian faith. To this end it seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by being a church in the communities of Southall, Kenton, Radlett, Norwich and Ipswich.
Government
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Charity. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees, by majority vote.
Review of Activities
The Church is not a building, but a gathering of ordinary people of different ages and backgrounds, whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The New Testament reveals the Church as a community of people, properly taught and cared for, who by loving and serving Jesus Christ, were also committed to love and care for each other and to bring a blessing to the area in which they live. Bethany Church of God; its trustees, elders and members are committed to the restoration of those New Testament principles. It is not alone in this, it is one of many Churches in this country and all over the world that is re-discovering the excitement of knowing Jesus Christ. The vision is to see the people come into this experience of knowing Jesus as their Lord, Saviour and friend.
As a result of Covid-19 and the control measures put into place by the UK government, the church had to adjust to act in accordance with the restrictions. This meant that Sunday services were broadcasted online, and other weekday meetings were also held through zoom as opposed to in person/face-to-face.
During the year, some restrictions were relaxed, and small gatherings were permitted but the church continued to operate online for the greater part of the year.
During the year there has been a demonstration of the Christian faith in action by serving the community in which it operates in the following principal ways:
a) the church organised daily meetings online where individuals can meet, share challenges of living their faith, worship, pray and disciple one another.
b) classes and online meetings have been held to help those new to the area to integrate and be part of their communities, particularly those that are socially or economically disadvantaged.
c) the church has supported those in other countries (particularly in India and Sri Lanka) to teach and preach the Christian faith and help those in need.
d) the church and its members has also aided families in other parts of the world (particularly in India and Sri Lanka) who had been severely impacted by the effects of the pandemic.
e) the members of the church have served in their communities in countless ways, out of the limelight, supporting those less well-off and expressing the love of Christ.
In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial Review
Income decreased by £67,753 to £106,085 and expenditure decreased by £57,808 to £170,050. As a result the charity has reported a deficit this year of £63,964 (2019: £54,019). The charity's cash balances fell by £63,964 and the charity ended the year with cash of £75,661, which includes unrestricted cash of £58,942.
The panedmic has had a significant financial impact on the charity, with voluntary income and rental income falling by £43,341 and £10,723 respectively. This reduction in income was mitigated by a reduction in expenditure on charitable activities, which fell by £67,292. The charity was also able to reduce its mortgage repayments temporarily and this saved £11,784. There were two exceptional items of expenditure this year. In the previous year, the charity received loans of £12,268 from supporters and these loans were repaid during the year. The charity also made a loan of £9,000 to one its church leaders to help them purchase a motor car, which they largely use for church ministry.
The trustees note that the charity has reported significant deficits in both 2020 and 2019. They are monitoring income and expenditure closely are taking steps to halt the net out flow of cash.
Page 2
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES continued
Reserves Policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should hold unrestricted cash of no less than £30,000 so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. The charity ended the year with unrestricted cash of £58,942 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy. The trustees believe that the unrestricted cash held by the charity at the year-end will be sufficient to weather the pandemic and return to a sustainable financial footing.
Risk Statement
The trustees have reviewed the risks to which a small charity operating with few employees is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis.
Trustees' Responsibilities
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Date: 19 December 2021
Dr J M Christy
Date: 19 December 2021
Ms J Bastiansz
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020 set out on pages 5 to 7 which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on page 7.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: 20 December 2021
Page 4
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| Notes Receipts Voluntary income Offerings and gifts Gift aid receipts Other income Rental income Other income Interest received Loan from supporters Total Receipts Payments 2 Total Payments Transfers between funds Net Movement in Funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end C Net (payments) / receipts before transfers Loans to staff Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken by charity Mortgage payments Loans repaid to supporters |
Unrestricted General 82,846 6,059 88,905 13,850 225 567 - 103,547 124,415 11,274 12,268 9,000 156,956 (53,409) (4,251) (57,660) 116,603 58,942 |
Restricted Funds 2,538 - 2,538 - - - - 2,538 13,094 - - - 13,094 (10,555) 4,251 (6,304) 23,023 16,719 |
2020 £ 85,385 6,059 91,443 13,850 225 567 - 106,085 137,508 11,274 12,268 9,000 170,050 (63,964) - (63,964) 139,626 75,661 |
2019 £ 126,448 8,336 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134,784 24,573 1,757 457 12,268 |
||||
| 173,838 | ||||
| 204,800 23,058 - - |
||||
| 227,858 | ||||
| (54,019) - |
||||
| (54,019) 193,645 |
||||
| 139,626 |
The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES
STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
A. Fixed Assets
| d Assets | |
|---|---|
| Freehold property, namely Bethany House Equipment |
Current Value £ 595,000 15,000 |
| 610,000 |
The freehold building was valued professionally in May 2019 at £595,000 on a 'vacant possession' basis. The trustees have estimated the current value of the charity's equipment.
B. Mortgage owed
| Capital balance due | 2020 £ 72,647 |
2019 £ 81,043 |
|---|---|---|
The mortgage loan is secured on the freehold property referred to in note A 'Fixed Assets'. Based on current monthly payments, the mortgage will repaid fully by the end of July 2024.
C. Bank & Cash Balances
| Cash at bank Credit card her Assets & Liabilities Assets Gift aid claimed since year end on donations received in 2018/19 Estimate of gift aid recoverable on subsequent donations Staff loan Rent Liabilities (due within one year) Loans repayable to supporters Accounts and Examination 2018 Accounts and Examination 2019 Accounts and Examination 2020 Professional fees Accrual for ministry expenses Accrual for premises hire |
2020 £ 76,296 (635) 75,661 2020 £ 6,231 6,769 13,000 9,000 1,150 22,000 - - 1,560 1,560 500 1,000 - 4,620 |
2019 £ 141,525 (1,899) |
|---|---|---|
| 139,626 | ||
| 2019 £ 6,059 6,941 |
||
| 13,000 - - |
||
| 13,000 | ||
| 12,268 1,560 1,560 - - 1,000 2,500 |
||
| 18,888 |
D. Other Assets & Liabilities
Except for Bank and Cash balances (see page 5), the assets and liabilities listed above are all attributable to unrestricted funds.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Dr J M Christy
Ms J Bastiansz
Date: 19 December 2021 Date: 19 December 2021
The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts
Page 6
BETHANY FAITH MINISTRIES NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
1. Accounting Policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
2. Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
| Note Employment costs 3 Rent and hall hire Evangelism and hospitality Travel Equipment Communications Utilities and routine maintenance Building refurbishment Visiting speakers Administrative expenses Training Insurance Professional and legal fees Media and website Gifts and grants Senior Citizens |
General Funds £ 58,098 17,606 3,346 4,552 7,957 9,407 9,592 - 1,250 3,456 383 1,683 3,133 3,953 - - 124,415 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - 10,795 - - - - - - 2,222 77 13,094 |
Total 2020 £ 58,098 17,606 3,346 4,552 7,957 9,407 9,592 10,795 1,250 3,456 383 1,683 3,133 3,953 2,222 77 137,508 |
Total 2019 £ 65,889 40,474 11,130 8,714 9,937 10,586 9,818 18,495 6,050 5,578 4,141 1,594 5,082 2,052 4,410 850 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204,800 |
During the year the charity paid £1,560 (2019: £1,320) to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts.
3. Transactions with related parties
During the year Mrs C Sathiyaraj and Rev T M I Sathiyaraj (who were trustees) received salaries (and related benefits) totalling £23,206 (2019: £34,691) for their roles in furthering the work of the church, not for serving as a trustee. These payments are included in the employment costs disclosed in note 2.
In addition during the year the charity lent £9,000 to Rev T M I Sathiyaraj to help him purchase a car, which he mostly uses for church business. This loan is being repaid in monthly instalments.
The trustees have been advised that the clauses in the charity's governing document dealing with the remuneration of trustees are (from a charity law perspective) ambiguous and the trustees are in correspondence with the the Charity Commission to check that trustees (and those closely connected to them) can be employed as church workers. Until any related formalities have been dealt with, Pastor Sathiyaraj has recently stepped down as a trustee but continues to be employed as the church's spiritual leader. Mrs C Sathiyaraj's employment with the charity ended in 2020 and she resigned as a trustee in May 2020.
4. Movements On Restricted Funds
The restricted funds represent amounts received for specific purposes and the movements in the year are as follows:
| Building fund Overseas mission and relief fund Senior Citizens fund Community outreach fund |
Balance at 1 Jan 2020 £ 5,514 11,419 3,590 2,500 23,023 |
Receipts £ 1,030 1,473 36 - 2,538 |
Payments £ (10,795) (2,222) (77) - (13,094) |
Transfers £ 4,251 - - - 4,251 |
Balance at 31 Dec 2020 £ - 10,669 3,549 2,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16,719 |
Page 7