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← South West Gospel Partnership

2023-08-31-accounts

South West Gospel Partnership

Charity number: 1126798

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 August 2023

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 2023

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 (resigned 30-11-22) John Martin (resigned 30-11-22) Spencer Shaw Adrian Taylor-Weekes (Secretary) Jenny Singh

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

South West Gospel Partnership

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2023

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 (usually 4-5 times) a year to set policy and review the activities of the Trust.

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 2022/2023 was SWGP’s 17th year of its Ministry Training Course. As in previous years, during the year ended 31 August 2023, 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.

South West Gospel Partnership

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2023

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 £215 per term for the 2022/23 academic year. With an increase in student enrollment over the previous few years (which had been impacted by Covid 19), the Course returned to covering costs. A bursary has also been established to further widen access to the course by offsetting fees for those unable to afford them.

South West Men's Convention

The 2022 Men's Convention was an in-person conference held on Saturday 15th October 2022, with around 350 delegates attending at the St Michael's Centre in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The main speakers were Adrian Reynolds and Jonathan 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 2023 Conferences were attended by over 550 women over the Bristol and Bath events. The main speaker was Anna Putt.

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. A short course was held in Bridgwater in November 2022, with teaching on Philemon, Ecclesiastes and Church Planting. An intensive morning of training for church leaders was held in January and a morning open to all on Enjoying the Psalms in May. The intensive morning format was well-received and we intent to repeat in 2024.

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 1st 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.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31 August 2023

South West Gospel Partnership

Financial Review

The financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2023 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. In October 2022, SWGP received a one-off donation from a closing charity disbursing proceeds from a building sale (£10,000). This allowed us to replenish our reserves to match the amount stipulated in our policy, and to make a one-off purchase of a new laptop for our administrator, to replace a failing one. The Training Course, owing to increased uptake, returned to covering costs (when adjustment is made for an overdue premises hire invoice covering 2021-2 fees).

SWGP’s total receipts in the year ended 31 August 2023 were £54,553 (2022: £38,676), and its total payments were £47,425 (2022: £38,500), resulting in net receipts of £7,129 (2022: £176).

Gifts and donations received from churches and individuals during the year were £9,885 (2022: £12,378). Event income was significantly increased on 2022, owing to the successful Saturday morning events and greater attendance at the Men's and Women's Conferences.

Ministry Training Course receipts were £17,605, equivalent to around 28 students per term @ £210 per term - some students were not able to complete the whole year (2022: £9,828). Bursary funds of £165 were used to offset costs for attendees on low-incomes. Payments of £17,873 resulted in net payments of £104 (2022: £5,935) for the year. However, this includes an overdue premises hire invoice covering previous years' costs, and omits an overdue overtime invoice. In addition, costs of £1,453 were incurred in relation to SWGP's partnership meetings, and £2,053 for IT services including Payroll services and a contact management database. The Development Officer employment contract was adjusted to 2 days per week; the total cost of this over the year was £14,710 (2022: £12,051).

South West Men's Convention ticket sales of £7,706 and direct costs of £3,316 resulted in a net surplus of £4,390. This was used to contribute to SWGP general funds. Women's Conference ticket sales of £6,819 and costs of £5,043 resulted in a surplus of £1,776, some of which contributed to general SWGP funds, and some of which was retained in restricted funds for the Women's Conference (current balance: £4,956).

As at 31 August 2023 SWGP’s cash funds were £15,501, comprising unrestricted General Funds of £9,137 (2022: £2,986), restricted funds for MTC Bursaries of £1,408 (2022: £1,573) and restricted funds relating to the Women’s Conference of £4,956 (2022: £4,180). £368 PAYE overpayment repayment was owed from HMRC.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees are committed to maintaining a level of reserves for General Funds that will cover at least three months' staff costs (about £7,000 at current rates), subject to sufficient funding being available to achieve this, while not hampering the ongoing development of the SWGP's activities. As at 31 August 2023 SWGP now holds sufficient General Funds in respect of its stated Reserves Policy.

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
18th April 2024

South West Gospel Partnership

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

Unrestricted
funds
£
Receipts
Gifts and donations
19,885
Grants
0
Ministry Training Course fees
17,605
South West Men's Convention income
7,707
MTC Bursary gifts
-
Women's Conference reserve transfer
-
Women's Conference income
6,043
Other Events income
2,538
Sub total
53,778
Asset and investment sales, etc.
-
Total receipts
53,778
Payments
Ministry Training Course costs
Room hire
3,325
Speakers
741
Printing, stationary, adverts, sundries
1,241
Refreshments
334
5,641
SWGP staff costs (J Clark/C Ward)
12,233
SWGP staff costs (T Underhill)
14,710
PAYE overpayment
368
SWGP Donations
600
SWGP partnership meetings
1,453
Women's Conference costs
5,043
South West Men's Convention costs
3,317
Other Events and overheads
4,428
Sub total
47,793
Asset and investment purchases, etc.
-
Total payments
47,793
Net receipts / (payments)
5,985
Transfers between funds
0
Cash funds last year end
3,152
Cash funds this year end
9,137		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
776
-
776
-
776
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0
-
-
776
5,588
6,364		 2023
Total
£
19,885
-
17,605
7,707
-
-
6,819
2,538
54,554
-
54,554
3,325
741
1,241
334
5,641
12,233
14,710
368
600
1,453
5,043
3,317
4,428
47,793
-
47,793
6,761
-
8,740
15,501		 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

South West Gospel Partnership

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2023

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Unrestricted
funds
£
Cash funds
Lloyds Bank plc
Total cash funds
9,137
Other monetary assets
PAYE overpayment
-
Investment assets
-
Assets retained for the charity's own use
Lenovo Ideapad (written off as obsolete)
-
Liabilities
Supplier accounts not yet paid
-
-		 Restricted
funds
£
6,364
-
-
-
-
-		 As at 31
2023
Total
£
15,501
368
-
-
-
-		 August
2022
Total
£
8,740
-
-
290
-
-

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

I R Lewis
on
Ian Lewis
Chairman		 Date
18th April 2024

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 2023 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:

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:

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 Signed: Dominic Goode Independent Examiner 48 Oolite Road Date: 18th April 2024 Bath BA2 2UU