South West Gospel Partnership
Charity number: 1126798
Trustees' Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 August 2024
South West Gospel Partnership
CONTENTS
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| 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 2024
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 2024.
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 (resigned 23/06/24) Simon Dowland Tim Howlett (Treasurer) Jim Walford (22/05/24) Brian Whittaker (06/03/24) Spencer Shaw Adrian Taylor-Weekes (Secretary - resigned 22/05/24) Jenny Singh (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 2024
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 theTrustees who compriseministers and members ofevangelical churches from across theSouth 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 voteof theexisting Trustees and may serve for a period of up to fiveyears after which timethey areeligible for re-appointment. Noneof theTrustees receiveremuneration or any other benefit from their work with SWGP.
In July 2024 the Trustees appointed Adrian Taylor-Weekes as Operations Manager for one day per week. As he had been a trustee (resigning in May 2024) the trustees were required to obtain Charity Commission consent which was granted on 4[th] July 2024
Risk Management
TheTrustees examine themajor 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 thebenefit ofthe 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 staffcosts for a part-timeMinistry Training Course director, a part-timeDevelopment Officer, and a part-time administrator. SWGP also gratefully received voluntary assistance from individuals and partnership churches, without which the effectiveness of SWGP would beseverely limited. The main activities ofthe 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 2023/2024 was SWGP’s 18th year of its Ministry Training Course. As in previous years, during the year ended 31 August 2024, two year groups studied the Bible, learning how to teach it to others. Course student numbers were around 26 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 2024
Objectives and Activities (continued)
We are privileged to have many able Bible teachers in the area, and theteaching is shared by about 12-15 different speakers, including visiting national speakers from timeto time. MTC offers two afternoon workshop tracks – onefor preachers and one for helping people to lead Bible studies. There is also a short course in Biblical Hebrew added on at theend oftheday for thosewho wish to stay. Each year therearetwo tours oftheBritish Museum and British Library to study items relating to the Bible.
The MTC course was largely funded from student fees received during theyear, which were set at £225 per term for the2023/24 academic year. Thecoursemadea loss of£4,795 this year, having covered its costs in the previous year. A bursary continues to be in use to further widen access to the course by offsetting fees for those unable to afford them.
South West Men's Convention
The 2023 Men's Convention was an in-person conference held on Saturday 14th October 2023, with the title, "Finished: Men secure in the victory ofthe cross"with around 350 delegates attending at the St Michael's Centrein StokeGifford, Bristol. Themain speaker was Andrew Sach with a testimnoy slot given by Mike Cain, and feedback was very positive. The Convention covered costs as budgeted.
Other Activities
Bristol and Bath Women’s Conferences
SWGP has oversight of the Bristol and Bath Women's Conferences, an annual conferenceday for women. The2024 Conferences were attended by over 550 women over the Bristol and Bath events. The main speaker was Ellidh Cook.
Ministers' Retreat
SWGP ran a 24hr ministers' retreat in the Ammerdown Christian Retreat Centre in April. This was the first time we ran this. Around 12 ministers attended and we had talks from John Samuel. Feedback was positive and we will look to
MTC Lite
This is a mini vesion of MTC, taking place in the evenings, for those who cannot attend MTC for a day in the week and ran in November 2023
SOLID
SWGP organises fun and interactiveteaching days for children and young adults aged 11-18 and their youth leaders. TheSOLID Day event took placeon Saturday 6th July and was attended by around 90 young peoplewith 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 2024
Financial Review
The financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2024 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. Thetraining course failed to cover its costs during this year.
SWGP’s total receipts in theyear ended 31 August 2024 were£45,293 (2023: £54,554), and its total payments were£50,728 (2023: £47,793), resulting in net receipts of -£4,985 (2023: £6,761).
Gifts and donations received from churches and individuals during theyear were£7,821 (2023: £19,885). This decrease is, in part, due to our not sending out reminders to churches for their donations. SWMC income was slightly down on 2022, probably due to when the funds reach our account as the number of ticket sales was similar.
Ministry Training Coursereceipts were£17,709, equivalent to around 26 students per term @ £225 per term. Bursary funds of £200 wereused to offset costs for oneattendee. Payments of £5,333 and staffcosts of£17,371, totalling £22,704 resulted in net payments of -£4,795 (2023: £104) for the year. In addition, costs of £1,515.10 were incurred in relation to SWGP's partnership meetings, and £1,383.52 for ITservices and subscriptions including £302.97 for a Fluro replacement project. The Development Officer cost this year was £11,187 (2023: £14,710). This decrease is due to the fact that Tom Underhill ended his employment and the replacement AD Taylor-Weekes only works 1 day and not 2.
South West Men's Convention ticket sales of £5,840 and direct costs of £2,429 resulted in a net surplus of £3,411. This was used to contribute to SWGP general funds. Women's Conference ticket sales of £10,908 and costs of £6,669 resulted in a surplus of£4,239. £1,000 was kept in general funds (£500 cross charge per conference) and the balancemoved into restricted funds for the women's conferences (now at £8,195)
As at 31 August 2024 SWGP’s cash funds were £10,316 , comprising unrestricted General Funds of £913 (2023: £9,137), restricted funds for MTC Bursaries of £1207.97 (2023: £1,408) and restricted funds relating to the Women’s Conference of £8,195 (2023: £4,956).
Reserves Policy
TheTrustees arecommitted to maintaining a level ofreserves for General Funds that will cover at least threemonths' staffcosts (about £5,200 at current rates ), subject to sufficient funding being availableto achieve this, while not hampering theongoing development oftheSWGP's activities. As at 31 August 2024 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:
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| I R Lewis | and | ~~-————~~ | on | 11th June 2025 |
| ~~-————~~ | ||||
| Ian Lewis | Jenny Singh | Date | ||
| Chairman | Secretary |
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South West Gospel Partnership
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2024
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
| Unrestricted Restricted 2024 funds funds Total £ £ Receipts Gifts and donations 7,821 - 7,821 Grants 0 - - Ministry Training Course fees 17,709 - 17,709 South West Men's Convention income 5,840 - 5,840 MTC Bursary gifts - - Women's Conference reserve transfer - - - Women's Conference income 7,669 3,239 10,908 Other Events income 3,015 - 3,015 Sub total 42,054 3,239 45,293 Asset and investment sales, etc. Total receipts 42,054 3,239 45,293 Payments Ministry Training Course costs Room hire 2,100 - Speakers 1,172 - Printing, stationary, adverts, sundries 1,471 - Refreshments 347 - Book costs 242 - 5,333 SWGP staff costs (J Clark/C Ward) 17,371 - SWGP staff costs (T Underhill & A T-W) 11,187 - PAYE overpayment SWGP Donations 300 - SWGP partnership meetings 1,834 - Women's Conference costs 6,669 - South West Men's Convention costs 2,429 - Other Events and overheads 5,155 - Sub total 50,278 0 Asset and investment purchases, etc. Total payments 50,278 - Net receipts / (payments) (8,224) 3,239 Transfers between funds (200) Cash funds last year end 9,137 6,364 15,501 Cash funds this year end 913 9,403 10,316 |
2023 Total £ 19,885 - 17,605 7,707 - - 6,819 2,538 |
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| 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 |
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South West Gospel Partnership
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 August 2024
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| Cash funds Lloyds Bank plc Total cash funds 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 |
Unrestricted funds £ 913 - - - - - |
Restricted funds £ 9,403 - - - - - |
As at 31 2024 Total £ 10,316 - - - - |
August 2023 Total £ 15,501 |
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The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
| I R Lewis on Ian Lewis Chairman |
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| Date |
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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 thefinancial statements ofSouth West Gospel Partnership for theyear ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
Thecharity's trustees areresponsiblefor thepreparation ofthe financial statements. Thecharity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 ofthe Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Charities Act;
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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
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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 theaccounting records kept by the charity and a comparison ofthe financial statements presented with thoserecords. It also includes consideration ofany unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from thetrustees concerning any such matters. Theprocedures 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:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the financial statements did not accord with the accounting records; or
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thefinancial statements did not comply with theapplicablerequirements 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 havecomeacross no other matters in connection with theexamination 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: 11th June 2025 Bath BA2 2UU
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