Charity no. 1097591
## **St Mary & St George Coptic Orthodox Church Plymouth**
## **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS**
For the year ended **31 December 2023**
Charity no. 1097591
St Mary & St George Coptic Orthodox Church
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their annual report for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023.
The principal address of the charity is Blunts Lane, Plymouth PL6 8BE.
## **Trustees**
The charitable Trust is constituted by Trust Deed.
The trustees who managed the charity were: His Grace Bishop Antony Dr HFM Mekhael (treasurer); Dr BZ George Dr Mina Adel Basta.
Appointment of trustees is governed by the Trust Deed of the Charity. The board of trustees is authorised to select and appoint new trustees to fill vacancies arising through resignation or death of an existing trustee.
## **Investment powers**
The Trust Deed authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the general funds of the charity.
## **Objectives, activities and performance**
The objectives of the charity are to provide worship for believers of the Coptic Orthodox Faith.
The charity provided opportunities for members of the Coptic Orthodox Church to worship from its base in Plymouth. The trustees are grateful for the generosity and support of the congregation and other donors for enabling the church to continue and expand its activities.
The reserves are held for maintaining and expanding the charity’s activities.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Dr H F M Mekhael Treasurer and acting Secretary
21 October 2024
[1]
Charity no. 1097591
## St Mary & St George Coptic Orthodox Church Plymouth
## Receipts and Payments Account For the period from 1 January to 31 December 2023
|**Receipts**
Donations
Gift Aid tax reclaimed
Interest received
Property and other donations
**Payments**
Remuneration of priest & wife
Church, services and priests
Management and administration
Charitable donations
Loan interest
Purchase & maintenance of car
Priests’ residence: fittings, utilities
Net receipts for the year
Loans (repaid)/received
Cash funds at 31 December 2022
Cash funds at 31 December 2023|Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
2023
Total funds
2022
£
£
£
£
45,860
-
45,860
37,745
9,325
-
9,325
10,852
358
-
358
78
10,796
-
10,796
9,718
66,339
66,339
58,393
15,102
15,102
15,181
31,127
-
31,127
10,129
4,964
-
4,964
4,544
2,300
-
2,300
3,000
-
-
-
1,696
217
-
217
1,495
5,121
-
5,121
4,263
58,831
-
58,831
40,308
7,508
-
7,508
18,085
-
-
-
(40,111)
34,421
-
34,421
56,447
41,929
-
41,929
34,421|
|---|---|
## Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 December 2023
|Unrestricted funds
Cash funds
Assets retained for the charity’s own use
Liabilities|details
bank accounts
freehold
properties
Loans|2023
2022
£
£
41,92
9
34,421
655,744
655,744
-
-|
|---|---|---|
A house for the priests’ residence was purchased during 2017 at a cost (including fees) of £190,079. The church premises were purchased freehold and are shown at cost. Refurbishments costing £94,665 (£nil paid during the year) are included in the cost of the building (total £464,665). Depreciation has not been provided on the buildings because they are judged to have a very long useful life with their estimated residual values not materially different from their carrying value.
The priests’ residence was part-financed by a secured loan from the Nat West bank of £58,500 over 15 years at 4.8% interest. The loan was repaid in full during the year ended 31 December 2022.
The car (Vauxhall Antara, reg. LV13 HZL) purchased at a cost of £7,299 during 2021 and had not been capitalised, was written off by the insurance company following an accident.
Signed on behalf of all the trustees by
Dr H F M Mekhael, Treasurer 21 October 2024
[2]
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
ST MARY AND ST GEORGE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH PLYMOUTH
CHARITY NUMBER 1097591
ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 SET OUT ON PAGE 2
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
• 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 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 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 next statement.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Signed: Date: 21 October 2024
Name: SJ Blades, Blades Business Consulting Ltd Relevant professional qualifications: FCA Address: 314 Tavistock Road, Plymouth PL6 8AL