## **South West Gospel Partnership**
**Charity number: 1126798**
## **Trustees' Report and Financial Statements**
**for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **South West Gospel Partnership**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 - 4|
|Receipts and Payments Accounts|5-6|
|Report of the Independent Examiner|7|
## **South West Gospel Partnership**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2022**
The Trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of South West Gospel Partnership ("SWGP" or "the Trust") for the year ended 31 August 2022.
## **Reference and Administrative Information**
|**_Charity name_**|South West Gospel Partnership|
|---|---|
|**_Charity registered number_**|1126798|
|**_Status_**|Trust|
||Registered as a charity with effect from 19 November 2008|
|**_Registered office_**|SWGP|
||c/o St Bartholomew's Church|
||1 King Edward Road|
||Oldfield Park|
||Bath BA2 3PB|
## **Trustees**
The names of the Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out below:
Ian Lewis (Chairman) Mike Cain Simon Dowland Tim Howlett (Treasurer) Paul Mallard John Martin Spencer Shaw Adrian Taylor-Weekes (Secretary)
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the Trust and all served without remuneration in their capacity as Trustees.
**Bankers** Lloyds Bank 20 Badminton Road Downend Bristol BS16 6BW **Independent Examiner** D Goode 48 Oolite Road Bath BA2 2UU
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## _**Governing Document**_
SWGP is a registered charity governed in accordance with its Declaration of Trust made on 7 November 2008.
The Charity Commission granted SWGP registered charity status on 19 November 2008.
## _**Organisational structure**_
SWGP is governed by the Trustees who comprise ministers and members of evangelical churches from across the South West region of England. The Trustees meet at least twice a year to set policy and review the activities of the Trust. The annual general meeting of the Trustees was held on 16 March 2022.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of Trustees**_
Trustees are nominated and appointed by a vote of the existing Trustees and may serve for a period of up to five years after which time they are eligible for re-appointment. None of the Trustees receive remuneration or any other benefit from their work with SWGP.
## _**Risk Management**_
The Trustees examine the major strategic and operational risks which SWGP faces at each of their meetings. They seek to manage and mitigate these risks within acceptable levels wherever possible.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The objective of SWGP is to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public, in particular but not exclusively through evangelism, ministry, theological education and the planting and restoration of church fellowships in accordance with its statements of belief.
During the year SWGP incurred staff costs for a part-time Ministry Training Course director, a part-time Development Officer, and a part-time administrator. SWGP also gratefully received voluntary assistance from individuals and partnership churches, without which the effectiveness of SWGP would be severely limited. The main activities of the Trust during the year are summarised below.
## _**Partnership Meetings**_
SWGP organises quarterly partnership meetings for minsters and Gospel workers from partnering churches, to encourage them through sharing, praying, welcoming visiting speakers and planning activities together.
## _**Ministry Training Course (“MTC”)**_
The academic year 2021/2022 was SWGP’s 16th year of its Ministry Training Course. As in previous years, during the year ended 31 August 2022, two year groups studied the Bible, learning how to teach it to others. Course student numbers were around twenty for the year. Students attended the MTC from many different churches spread across the South West with some travelling each week during term time. Students included pastors, church workers, apprentices, student workers, home group leaders, as well as church members who were able to take time off from work to come on the course, or who are retired.
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Objectives and Activities (continued)**
We are privileged to have many able Bible teachers in the area, and the teaching is shared by about 12-15 different speakers, including visiting national speakers from time to time. MTC offers three afternoon workshop tracks – one for experienced preachers, one for those who are less experienced at giving Bible talks, and one helping people to lead Bible studies. There is also a short course in Biblical Hebrew added on at the end of the day for those who wish to stay. Each year there are two tours of the British Museum and British Library to study items relating to the Bible.
The MTC course was largely funded from student fees received during the year, which were set at £210 per term for the 2021/22 academic year. Owing to the reduced number of students compared to previous years, the course made a loss, which was covered by SWGP general funds and a small number of grants from charitable trusts, individuals and churches. The MTC uptake was impacted by ongoing effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, but trends for future enrollment are positive.
## _**South West Men's Convention**_
The 2021 Men's Convention was an in-person conference, having not been able to take place in person the previous year owing to Covid 19 restrictions. It was held on 9th October 2021, with around 300 delegates attending at the St Michael's Centre in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The main speakers Julian Hardyman and Santhosh Thomas, and feedback was very positive. The Convention covered costs as budgeted.
## _**Other Activities**_
## _**Bristol and Bath Women’s Conferences**_
SWGP organises the Bristol and Bath Women's Conferences, an annual conference day for women. The 2022 Conferences also returned in-person and were attended by over 500 women over the Bristol and Bath events. The main speaker was Charlotte Cornes.
## _**Study Days and Short Courses**_
SWGP organises a number of Study Days and Short Courses at which content from the Ministry Training Course is delivered in alternative formats for those not able to attend the Thursday course. An online course on Biblical principles for a Technological age was held online in January 22, and an in-person Study Day in April 22 entitled "12 Things God Can't Do" with author Nick Tucker. A new series of short online sessions entitled "ThinkFor50" was organised during 2021-22, with the Youtube videos having been viewed around 1000 times.
## _**SOLID**_
SWGP organises fun and interactive teaching days for children and young adults aged 11-18 and their youth leaders. The SOLID Day event took place on Saturday 2nd July and was attended by around 50 young people with their youth leaders. The price (£5) is intentionally set to be affordable to all.
## **Public Benefit**
In setting objectives and planning activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit. As set out in our objectives, the Trust exists for the benefit of individuals primarily in the South West region of England through the promotion and advancement of the evangelical protestant Christian religion. Working closely with its partner churches, SWGP seeks to make its courses and events affordable to ensure that they are accessible to all.
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Financial Review**
The financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2022 have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and should be reviewed in conjunction with this Trustee Report.
Income is derived primarily from charges for events and training courses, and also through donations from partner churches and individuals. Expenditure includes staff costs and costs associated with running events and training courses. SWGP's financial position was acceptable, in that a deficit from its Ministry Training Course was offset by increased receipts from church partner donations and a small number of one-off grants sought to cover this loss. The MTC intake for 22-3 registered during the year indicated that the Training course would return to a surplus next year.
SWGP’s total receipts in the year ended 31 August 2022 were £38,676 (2021: £25,074), and its total payments were £38,500 (2021: £27,167), resulting in net receipts of £176 (2021: £2,093 payments).
Gifts and donations received from churches and individuals during the year increased to £12,378 compared with £10,313 in the previous year. SWGP made a one off donation to the Sussex Gospel Partnership, a similar charity operating in Sussex. A one-off gift was received to set up a bursary to enable access to the Training Course for those unable to afford the fees, which is held in restricted funds.
Ministry Training Course receipts were £9,828 (equivalent to around 16 students per term @ £210 per term - some students were not able to complete the whole year). Payments of £15,763 resulted in net payments of £5,935 (2020: £2,740) for the year. However, this was offset by one-off grant funding of £5,000 to cover the shortfall caused by the impact of Covid 19 on MTC enrollment. In addition, costs of £814 were incurred in relation to SWGP's partnership meetings, and £1,291 for IT services including Zoom software, Payroll services and a contact management database. The Development Officer completed a whole year on part-time employment (previously contract basis), and the total cost of this over the year was £12,051.
South West Men's Convention ticket sales of £4,533 and direct costs of £2,453 resulted in a net surplus of £2,080. This was used to contribute to SWGP general funds. Women's Conference ticket sales of £6,299 and costs of £4,093 resulted in a surplus of £2,206, some of which contributed to general SWGP funds, and some of which was retained in restricted funds for the Women's Conference.
As at 31 August 2022 SWGP’s cash funds were £8,740, comprising unrestricted General Funds of £2,986 (2021: £2,647), restricted funds for MTC Bursaries of £1,573 (2021: £0) and restricted funds relating to the Women’s Conference of £4,180 (2021: £0). Additional restricted funds of £3,773 for the Women's Conferences were transferred in from a separate bank account which has been closed.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Trustees are committed to maintaining a level of reserves for General Funds that will cover at least three months' staff costs, subject to sufficient funding being available to achieve this, while not hampering the ongoing development of the SWGP's activities. As at 31 August 2022 SWGP still did not hold sufficient General Funds in respect of its stated Reserves Policy, but the situation had improved slightly since last year. The Trustees intend that further action should be taken over the 2022-3 year to increase the reserves, primarily retention of surplus intended to be generated by 2022-3 events and the Training Course, enrollment for which suggests will be cash-positive in 22-23.
## **Declaration**
The Trustees’ Report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
|**_I R Lewis_**
and
Ian Lewis
Chairman|**_A M Taylor-Weekes_**
on
Adrian Taylor-Weekes
Secretary|Date
**_18/09/2023_**|
|---|---|---|
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Receipts**
Gifts and donations
12,378
Grants
5,000
Ministry Training Course fees
9,828
South West Men's Convention income
4,533
MTC Bursary gifts
-
Women's Conference reserve transfer
-
Women's Conference income
5,893
Other Events income
1,044
**_Sub total_**
**38,676**
**Asset and investment sales, etc.**
**-**
**_Total receipts_**
**38,676**
**Payments**
Ministry Training Course costs
Room hire
106
Speakers
1,045
Printing, stationary, adverts, sundries
629
Refreshments
369
2,149
SWGP staff costs (J Clark/C Ward)
13,614
SWGP staff costs (T Underhill)
11,833
SWGP Donations
500
SWGP partnership meetings
814
Women's Conference costs
4,093
South West Men's Convention costs
3,581
Other Events and overheads
1,916
**_Sub total_**
**38,500**
**Asset and investment purchases, etc.**
**-**
**_Total payments_**
**38,500**
**Net receipts / (payments)**
**176**
Transfers between funds
0
Cash funds last year end
2,811
**Cash funds this year end**
**2,987**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
1,573
3,773
407
-
**5,753**
**-**
**5,753**
-
-
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
-
**0**
**-**
**-**
**5,753**
0
**5,753**|**2022**
**Total**
**£**
12,378
5,000
9,828
4,533
1,573
3,773
6,300
1,044
**44,429**
**-**
**44,429**
106
1,045
629
369
2,149
13,614
11,833
500
814
4,093
3,581
1,916
**38,500**
**-**
**38,500**
**5,929**
-
2,811
**8,740**|**2021**
**Total**
**£**
10,313
-
13,380
431
-
-
-
950
**25,074**
**-**
**25,074**
767
600
974
27
2,368
13,752
8,897
1,000
319
-
486
345
**27,167**
**-**
**27,167**
**(2,093)**
-
4,958
**2,811**|
|---|---|---|---|
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
**RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2022**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
**Cash funds**
Lloyds Bank plc
**_Total cash funds_**
**2,987**
**Other monetary assets**
PAYE overpayment
-
**Investment assets**
-
**Assets retained for the charity's own use**
Lenovo Ideapad
290
**Liabilities**
Supplier accounts not yet paid
-
-|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**5,753**
-
-
-
-
-|**As at 31**
**2021**
**Total**
**£**
**8,740**
-
-
290
-
-|**August**
**2020**
**Total**
**£**
**2,811**
-
-
290
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
|**_I R Lewis_**
on
Ian Lewis
Chairman|Date
**_18/09/2023_**|
|---|---|
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## **South West Gospel Partnership**
## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH WEST GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP**
I report on the financial statements of South West Gospel Partnership for the year ended 31 August 2022 which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
## **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 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Charities Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of the independent examiner's statement**
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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from 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 financial statements 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 material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the financial statements did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the financial statements did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (financial statements and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I 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 financial statements to be reached.
Dominic Goode Independent Examiner 48 Oolite Road Bath BA2 2UU
Signed: _**Dominic Goode**_ Date: _**18/09/2023**_
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