REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05156475 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1105173
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2022
FOR
THE BLESS NETWORK
D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB
THE BLESS NETWORK
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | to | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 13 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 14 |
THE BLESS NETWORK
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30th September 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and activities
The objective of The Bless Network ('Bless'), is the advancement of the Christian faith throughout Europe in accordance with the articles of faith set out in the Company's articles of association. Bless uses a range of programmes to mobilise Christian individuals and groups to engage in relevant and missional strategies in contemporary European culture. Recognising the place of the local church at the heart of Christian mission, Bless provides opportunities for individuals and groups to connect with dynamic local churches in strategic locations on mainland Europe.
Charity's Mission Statement
'The Bless Network exists to transform the lives of people in Europe by empowering Christians through prayer, personal creativity and strategic partnerships to live for the service of others.'
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The charity has continued to grow through 2021/22, with the majority of activities returning more or less to pre-covid levels and some areas seeing significant growth.
CHURCHES
In France, we have continued to support the work of the Bless Churches, planted alongside our French partner organisation L'Association Vivre Pour Les Actress (VPLA). The churches now meet in 3 locations, Caen, Livarot and Villedômer, and are seeing growth in each of these locations. This growth, along with recent changes in French legislation, will require these churches to move in the coming year to a more formal structure and the charity is supporting the Directors of VPLA through this transition.
SOS CHAI
Our work with refugees, under the name of SOS Chai, has seen steady growth in Caen, with 30 - 40 asylum seekers joining us each week for French lessons and some 50 - 80 receiving meals and other supplies. A strong volunteer team has drawn a number of local people into this work as well as attracting interns and other volunteers from further afield. We have deepened connection and relationship, this year, with other groups working with the refugee community in Caen.
BETHANIE
Bethanie has continued to receive numerous visitors, notably from partner churches and groups in the USA. We have entered into a partnership this year with Ryan and Karen Hall from the Nashville House of Prayer, and are beginning a process of transition for their team to take-on full responsibility for the running of Bethanie, which will be developed as a resource base for prayer and worship for France and for Europe more widely. The new partnership will continue to see Bethanie developed and used in continuity with the objectives of the charity, and bless will continue to make use of the facilities at Bethanie for local gatherings, courses and other needs.
Page 1
THE BLESS NETWORK
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
SEVEN STORIES
The Seven Stories Course has been run this year at Bethanie, in Caen, in Nashville and online, and continues to be well received by participants.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Our Kingdom Business Network has continued to support the work of Keys&Co in Caen, L'Orangerie de Beauregard in Villedômer and Hopefully Made in Shrewsbury, UK. All three of these business start-ups are thriving - sometimes in difficult circumstances - and are continuing to express, in a number of ways, their support for, and partnership with, the charity.
PREMISES
VPLA has continued to lease the premises at 3, Avenue de Paris in Caen, as a base for Church gatherings, SOS Chai and other team activities. The need for larger premises is now clear, and the charity is committed to supporting VPLA as they seek to establish and fund a more substantial and permanent base in the city.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The policy on reserves is to maintain funds equivalent to keeping the charity operational for 3 months before additional income is required from grants, donations or contributions from Bless programmes, i.e. approximately £6,000. Action is in hand to improve the reserves position by increasing the level of unrestricted income via donations and fund-raising, and by reducing the net operating costs of the charity.
Financial Review
Core running costs are continually kept under review; it is also acknowledged that the trustees and volunteer team often cover expenses incurred on behalf of Bless. None of the trustees or volunteers receive any remuneration.
The net loss for the year contrasts with the relatively large surplus in the previous year (2020-2021). This is due to the receipt of donations, allocated to the repair and maintenance of Bethanie, in the earlier year, but which were spent during the current financial year. Note that around £5,200 remains to be spent on projects and expenses associated with the likely transition of Bethanie to new managers.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Organisational structure
Bless, established as a charitable company in June 2004, is overseen by a board of trustees, who delegate operational tasks to a core team of volunteers. The core team, living mainly in community in France, include trustees Gerard and Chrissie Kelly, who lead this team and operate as the link between it and the trustees. Additionally there continues to be volunteer 'reps' operating in the UK and the Netherlands, as well as France, assisting in the development, in both working practices and values, of a Europe wide Bless network.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
05156475 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1105173
Registered office
c/o Rising Brook Baptist Church Burton Square Stafford Staffordshire ST17 9LT
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THE BLESS NETWORK
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
Trustees
Mrs C E Kelly G J Kelly T D Gwilliam M J Young - Board Chairman Prof J M Saker Mrs C L Gwilliam Mrs S C Harrington
Company Secretary T M Herriott
Independent Examiner
D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB
Bankers
The Co-operative Bank Plc PO Box 250 Delf House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26th June 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
M J Young - Trustee
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLESS NETWORK
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Bless Network ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30th September 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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.
Russell Ball
D E Ball & Co Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Bridge Road Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1EB
26th June 2023
Page 4
THE BLESS NETWORK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 16,247 Charitable activities Go2Bless 7,699 Year2Bless 1,814 Bethanie 15,208 Management & administration 6,713 Total 47,681 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 1,254 Charitable activities Go2Bless 4,478 Year2Bless 317 Bethanie 28,025 Management & administration 19,655 SOS Caen 1,538 Total 55,267 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (7,586) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 92,196 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 84,610 |
Restricted fund £ 153 - - - - 153 - - - - - - - 153 177,285 177,438 |
30.9.22 Total funds £ 16,400 7,699 1,814 15,208 6,713 47,834 1,254 4,478 317 28,025 19,655 1,538 55,267 (7,433) 269,481 262,048 |
30.9.21 Total funds £ 38,381 960 814 5,319 8,801 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54,275 | |||
| 518 368 48 20,484 10,374 3,565 |
|||
| 35,357 | |||
| 18,918 250,563 |
|||
| 269,481 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
THE BLESS NETWORK
BALANCE SHEET
30th September 2022
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 5 197,231 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 6 5,856 Cash at bank 6,779 12,635 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (10,717) NET CURRENT ASSETS 1,918 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 199,149 CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year 8 (114,539) NET ASSETS 84,610 FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ 177,438 - - - - - 177,438 - 177,438 |
30.9.22 Total funds £ 374,669 5,856 6,779 12,635 (10,717) 1,918 376,587 (114,539) 262,048 84,610 177,438 262,048 |
30.9.21 Total funds £ 375,962 22,110 10,901 33,011 (6,653) 26,358 402,320 (132,839) 269,481 92,196 177,285 269,481 |
|---|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th September 2022.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2022 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
-
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
continued...
THE BLESS NETWORK
BALANCE SHEET - continued
30th September 2022
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26th June 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:
M J Young - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 33% on cost
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
| 30.9.22 | 30.9.21 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation - owned assets | 1,293 | 908 |
continued...
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THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30th September 2022 nor for the year ended 30th September 2021.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30th September 2022 nor for the year ended 30th September 2021.
4. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 37,486 Charitable activities Go2Bless 960 Year2Bless 814 Bethanie 5,319 Management & administration 8,801 Total 53,380 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 518 Charitable activities Go2Bless 368 Year2Bless 48 Bethanie 20,484 Management & administration 10,374 SOS Caen 3,565 Total 35,357 NET INCOME 18,023 Transfers between funds (3,500) Net movement in funds 14,523 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 77,673 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 92,196 |
Restricted fund £ 895 - - - - 895 - - - - - - - 895 3,500 4,395 172,890 177,285 |
Total funds £ 38,381 960 814 5,319 8,801 |
|---|---|---|
| 54,275 | ||
| 518 368 48 20,484 10,374 3,565 |
||
| 35,357 | ||
| 18,918 - |
||
| 18,918 250,563 |
||
| 269,481 |
continued...
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THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Freehold Motor Computer property vehicles equipment £ £ £ COST At 1st October 2021 and 30th September 2022 370,792 9,118 904 DEPRECIATION At 1st October 2021 - 3,948 904 Charge for year - 1,293 - At 30th September 2022 - 5,241 904 NET BOOK VALUE At 30th September 2022 370,792 3,877 - At 30th September 2021 370,792 5,170 - 6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 30.9.22 £ Inter-Charity account 4,948 Other debtor 908 5,856 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 30.9.22 £ Other loans (see note 9) 5,000 Accrued expenses 5,717 10,717 8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR 30.9.22 £ Other loans (see note 9) 114,539 9. LOANS An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: 30.9.22 £ Amounts falling due within one year on demand: Other loans 5,000 Amounts falling due between two and five years: Other loans - 2-5 years 114,539 |
Totals £ 380,814 |
|---|---|
| 4,852 1,293 |
|
| 6,145 | |
| 374,669 | |
| 375,962 | |
| 30.9.21 £ 21,834 276 22,110 30.9.21 £ 5,000 1,653 6,653 30.9.21 £ 132,839 |
|
| 30.9.21 £ 5,000 |
|
| 132,839 |
continued...
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THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted Fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted Fund TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted Fund TOTAL FUNDS |
follows: At 1.10.20 £ 77,673 172,890 250,563 |
At 1.10.21 £ 92,196 177,285 269,481 Incoming resources £ 47,681 153 47,834 Net movement in funds £ 18,023 895 18,918 |
Net movement At in funds 30.9.22 £ £ (7,586) 84,610 153 177,438 (7,433) 262,048 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (55,267) (7,586) - 153 (55,267) (7,433) Transfers between At funds 30.9.21 £ £ (3,500) 92,196 3,500 177,285 - 269,481 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 53,380 Restricted funds Restricted Fund 895 TOTAL FUNDS 54,275 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: Net At movement 1.10.20 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 77,673 10,437 Restricted funds Restricted Fund 172,890 1,048 TOTAL FUNDS 250,563 11,485 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (35,357) 18,023 - 895 (35,357) 18,918 Transfers between At funds 30.9.22 £ £ (3,500) 84,610 3,500 177,438 - 262,048 |
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 101,061 | (90,624) | 10,437 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Restricted Fund | 1,048 | - | 1,048 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 102,109 | (90,624) | 11,485 |
Unrestricted funds
These represent funds held to meet the reserves policy. Any surplus funds will be used to fulfil the charitable objectives. Details of both are provided in the Report of the Trustees.
Restricted funds
These relate to the funds donated towards the purchase of the property "Bethanie" at Heurtevent, France.
continued...
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THE BLESS NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30th September 2022.
Page 13
THE BLESS NETWORK
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 30th September 2022
| for the Year Ended 30th | September 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30.9.22 | 30.9.21 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Gifts | 2,360 | - |
| Donations - general | 6,112 | 5,836 |
| Donations - Bethanie | 5,203 | 28,584 |
| SOS Caen | 2,725 | 3,961 |
| 16,400 | 38,381 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Go2Bless | 7,699 | 960 |
| Year/Time2Bless | 1,814 | 814 |
| Bethanie facilities | 15,208 | 5,319 |
| Management fees | 6,713 | 8,801 |
| 31,434 | 15,894 | |
| Total incoming resources | 47,834 | 54,275 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| Publicity and promotion | 1,038 | 292 |
| Platform fees | 216 | 226 |
| 1,254 | 518 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Insurance | 2,629 | 1,645 |
| Motor and travel expenses | 6,902 | 4,684 |
| Gifts passed to third parties | 2,360 | - |
| Mission costs - Bethanie | 28,025 | 20,484 |
| Mission costs - Go2Bless | 4,478 | 368 |
| Mission costs - Year/Time2Bless | 317 | 48 |
| Mission costs - SOS Caen | 1,538 | 3,565 |
| Sundry expenses | 2,058 | 2,344 |
| Accountancy and legal costs | 4,413 | 651 |
| Bank charges | - | 142 |
| Depreciation of vehicle | 1,293 | 908 |
| 54,013 | 34,839 | |
| Total resources expended | 55,267 | 35,357 |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (7,433) | 18,918 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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