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2023-12-31-accounts

objects
t out in
ocument.
Summary
ofthe
ofthe charity se
its governing
d
To advance the Christian
religion
in the Elstow / Bedford area, for the benefit of
the public; and maintain
links with the wider Congregational
Federation.
objects
t out in
ocument.
Summary
ofthe
ofthe charity se
its governing
d
To advance the Christian
religion
in the Elstow / Bedford area, for the benefit of
the public; and maintain
links with the wider Congregational
Federation.
objects
t out in
ocument.
Summary
ofthe
ofthe charity se
its governing
d
To advance the Christian
religion
in the Elstow / Bedford area, for the benefit of
the public; and maintain
links with the wider Congregational
Federation.
objects
t out in
ocument.
Summary
ofthe
ofthe charity se
its governing
d
To advance the Christian
religion
in the Elstow / Bedford area, for the benefit of
the public; and maintain
links with the wider Congregational
Federation.
objects
t out in
ocument.
Summary
ofthe
ofthe charity se
its governing
d
To advance the Christian
religion
in the Elstow / Bedford area, for the benefit of
the public; and maintain
links with the wider Congregational
Federation.
To meet the objectives ofthe charity:
We hold weekly services on a Sunday
in the building.
Qur Sunday Services are
followed
by a time offellowship.
All of our meetings
are open to anyone who would
like to attend.
During 2023 we
welcomed
some new people to our meetings.
Throughout
2023 we continued
to offer some ofour meetings
via Zoom, for those
unable to attend
'in person'.
Those joining
via Zoom have
in the past benefited
from
meeting
in the building,
but for a variety of reasons cannot currently
meet with us on
a Sunday
morning
or Thursday
afternoon.
The Zoom link is available to anyone who
would
like to attend.
Qur Qffice Holders met regularly
throughout
the year, to monitor our Ongoing
work;
Summary
the main
of and make the necessary
arrangements
regarding
all the issues that need our
atteAt! GA.
activities Qn a fortnightly
basis on a Thursday
in Term Time, we run either Bible study and
undertaken
for the public
benefit in
Fellowship
or Coffee morning.
These are open to anyone who would
like to attend.
A number
from the local community
join us for Coffee Mornings.
relation to ~ A number
of local community
groups —including
Ladybirds
(Preschool); Brownies;
these objects
(include
within this
section the
and Slimming
World use the premises,
Along with the events we run, these groups
aclci to the pos!t!Ve beflef!Ito the conlnlun! ty ofthe ex!SteACB Gfthe Cha!!ty we
manage.
statutory ~ From time totime (usually a Saturday)
we have 'one off' bookings to use the
declaration
that trustees
have had
pfenl!ses fo!8 vaAety offa!T!!lygathe!'!Ags —b!fthclay parties, etc .. .
At our Qffice Holder meetings,
some agenda
items may be ofa confidential
nature,
and
!'Bga!"clto the not open to non-Office
Holders.
gu!ciance
issued by the
Charity
Commission
There is no charge made to attend any, or all, ofour events.
Attendees
are given the
opportunity
to make a financial
donation
to support the work ofEBCF. Some support our
work with a regular Bank Transfer of money to the Fellowship*s
account, or a cheque,
on public payable to the Fellowship,
others prefer to make a cash donation each time they visit. the
benefit) building.
2023 had its set ofchallenges.
However,
most,
ifnot all ofour contacts can testify to the
benefit they obtain by being pari ofEBCFand sharing
fellowship
with others.
As part of our oversight
and engagement
with our contacts, the Trustees keep in mind
and seek to pay due regard to the issue of public benefit guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission.
We are also aware ofthe need to protect people, (especially
from any infectious disease),
our property
and the environment.
Indeed,
many would say that these are a natural
outworking
ofthe Christian
Faith which shapes our actions.
Ladybirds,
Slimming
World and Brownies are not run by EBCF, but are a tangible
expression
of how our building
is used for the public benefit ofthe local community.
The
Leaders ofthese groups have signed that they will adhere to our Safeguarding
Policy and
other relevant
regulations,
during
their use of our premises.
Additional
details ofobjectives and activities (Qptional
information)
You may choose to
We are greatly blessed by the contribution
made by all our
include further statements,
volunteers,
who give freely oftheir time, talents, and money, to
where relevant,
about:
support the ongoing
work ofEBCF, without
any financial
reward.
policy on grantmaking;
VVe are not a grant-making
body.
policy programme
related investment;
Ifwe have surplus
to current expenditure
funds, we seek to hold
contribution
made by
some ofthem
in an easy access interest-bearing
account.
volunteers.
Summary ln accordance
with our objectives, some of the money raised
in 2023was given to
ofthe outside causes to alleviate
poverty and need; and some ofour income is given to
achieve-
ments of
organisations
which promote the Christian
faith; our greatest expenditure
relates to
keeping the property
in a good condition.
the charity Some off-site gatherings
like Fellowship
breakfasts
and a Christmas
meal took place
in
during
the year
2023. All who attended these gatherings
greatly enjoyed not only the food, but also
being with fellow minded
people.
Throughout
the year the Trustees
reguiarly
monitored
our financial
position and
continued
to give due diligence to the funds being used
in accordance
with our
Charitable
purposes;
and ensure assets were available
when
required,
The Trustees consider that all known
risks around
any potential
reduced
income and
anticipated
expenditure
were given due consideration.
Brief statement
We aim to hold a minimum
of approximately
6 months
expenditure
in our
ofthe charity"s
account to pay ongoing
regular
bills.
In addition to this, we consider
itwise to
policy on hold in the region ofa further F15,000 in hand, to pay for any unplanned
expenditure
which may arise at short notice on our building
which is over 110
years old.
Any funds not required
in the near future are held
in an interest-bearing
account.
VVe ended the financial year with a healthy
balance
in hand.
Details of any
funds materially
None ofour funds were in deficit at any stage during the year in question.
in deficit
Further financial review details (Qptional
information)
You may Income.
In 2023 our voluntary
donations,
amounted
to 614,828 - 35which shows
the
choose to
include
commitment
of our givers, and the public benefit they believe is delivered
through
EBCF.
additional Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme Tax refund amounted
to E5,296 —46
information,
where
relevant
The groups who use the building
contributed
E16,709 —50.which helps us maintain
the
about: building,
keeping
itas a valuable asset for the local community.
All other income amounted
to F2,446 - 22.
BCFTrustees Annual
Report for 2023
page 4of5

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