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2021-12-31-accounts

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1131576 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 6996356

TRANSFORM READING

Annual Report and Financial Statements

1 January - 31 December 2021

1

TRANSFORM READING

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Contents

COVER PAGE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1 CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 DIRECTORS REPORT .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TRANSFORM READING .................................................................. 10 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................................................................... 12 BALANCE SHEET ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES ................................................................................................................................... 14 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 15

2

DIRECTORS REPORT

The Directors present their report and the financial statements, which have been independently examined, for the period to 31 December 2021.

Transform Reading (the “Charity”), formerly Reading Christian Network (the name was changed on 12/09/2019), was incorporated on 20 August 2009 and registered with the Charity Commission on the same day. It inherited the assets of “Reading Christian Network” (a trust) which was registered with the Charity Commission under the number 1099915.

The registered address of the Charity is Greyfriars Church, Friar St, Reading, RG1 1EH. This is also the principal operating address of the Charity.

Advisors

The Directors are grateful to the following for their support throughout the period:

Bankers CAF Bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Mailing
Kent ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiner Mr Nigel Holloway

Structure, Governance and Management

During the period 1 January – 31 December 2021 the following were the Directors of the Company (who are also the Trustees for the purposes of the Charities Act): -

Mark Dolphin Re-elected 19 June 2019, Chair from 12 September 2018, John Ledger Re-elected 19 June 2019 Steve Prince Re-elected 14 June 2020 David Steed Re-elected 30 June 2021

The company’s governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The number of trustees may not be fewer than three and may be more. All trustees must declare their belief in and allegiance to the Statement of Beliefs set out in the Trust Deed. The appointment and removal of trustees’ vests in the existing trustees.

Prospective trustees are typically invited to observe two to three trustees’ meetings and are invited to ask questions of the existing trustees and management to familiarise themselves with the organisation. They will also have their statutory duty as a trustee explained to them. Prospective and new trustees are encouraged to get involved with the various projects which the Charity runs and to spend time with the operational leadership team to better understand the organisation. Trustees are also encouraged to undertake any personal development courses which will enable them to carry out their duties more effectively.

The trustees will typically restrict themselves to consideration of strategic matters, for example partnerships with other charities and the approval of the budget and quarterly accounts. The day to day running of the Charity is delegated by the Trustees to an operational leadership team (currently known as

3

the Interim Enabling Group), and supported by an ‘eldership’ consisting of several long serving members of Transform Reading (formerly Reading Christian Network) who can offer advice. Members of the operational leadership team may be paid by the Charity where they are not already Trustees. Members of the operational leadership team may attend Trustees meetings, but this does not make them necessarily a Director or a Trustee.

Each of the trustees is a member of the company and has guaranteed to give the company £1 on demand.

The Interim Enabling Group.

During 2021 the following people served:

Sean Green Katherine Shepherd Steve Prince* David Walker Laura Eades Alan Magness

Eldership.

During 2021 the following people served:

Steve Prince* Neville Hollands Joel Thomas Yinka Oyekan Billy Fenning

(*) indicates Directors who also serve on the Interim Enabling Group or Eldership.

Carol Gideon stepped down as Treasurer to the Charitable Company during the year 2021, and in the meantime Rod Eades stood in as Interim Treasurer. Hannah Kingston was subsequently appointed as a new treasurer but stepped down later in the year; and so Rod Eades continued as interim Treasurer for the rest of the year. The Directors would like to put on record their sincere thanks for the important contribution to the financial administration made by Rod Eades during a year of considerable changes.

Transform Reading is a network of Christian churches, organisations and individuals who have a common vision to see Reading transformed by the life, love and power of Jesus through prayer, unity and mission in all its forms, in all spheres of life. (www.transformreading.org.uk)

We are linked to and learning from a growing number of towns and cities in the UK and globally where the church is coming together like never before to be a transformative presence in personal, community and civic life at all levels. See www.gathermovement.org and www.movementday.com

4

Risk Management

The trustees have continued the ongoing exercise of identifying on a timely basis the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Each of these risks has been reviewed and where necessary systems have been or are being put in place to mitigate those risks. No system, no matter how comprehensive, can eliminate risk entirely.

Regarding the risk of losses arising from dishonest activities or negligence on the part of officers or trustees, the trustees consider that internal check procedures already in place provide reasonable assurance. The Interim Enabling Group has been encouraged to bring new risks to the attention of the trustees as soon as they are perceived to have arisen.

Establishment and Purpose

The Charity’s objects are:

To advance the Christian Faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs in Reading and in such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit and other such purposes which are exclusively charitable according to the law of England and Wales and are connected with the charitable work of the Charity;

To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life; and

To relieve the needs of persons who are in need due to age, sickness or financial hardship in such parts of, the UK and the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit.

To achieve these objects, the main activity is to build a network of relationships between Christians across the wider Reading area through weekly prayer meetings and other events.

Activity during the period

The Trustees have had regard to the aims of the Charitable Company in planning the events and activities for this period and are mindful of the reporting requirements in relation to their public benefit.

For the second year in a row the Covid pandemic impacted considerably on the ‘normal’ operation of Transform Reading. The weekly prayer meetings were held on Zoom from January until 22[nd] September when they restarted in-person on the premises of Wycliffe Baptist Church because the Greyfriars Church site (the previous meeting venue) was undergoing a large building project. Attendance was still relatively low compared with pre-pandemic numbers.

Our activity in 2020 - 2021 in the key areas of our vision involved:

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Street Pastors and First Stop

The work of Reading Street Pastors had already switched during 2020 from serving the night time community to serving the daytime needs of the town to offer help and support to those in need. This work expanded and developed during a number of crises in communities across Reading during 2021. Street Pastors actively supported communities in the areas of Emmer Green following the tragic murder of Oliver Stephens on 3[rd] January, and again after two other fatal stabbings later in the year on the Dee Road estate and Caversham. In all instances the work of the Street Pastors was highly praised by Police and gratefully received by the communities in which they patrolled, bringing a sense of safety to the streets at a time of considerable fear and distress.

Street Pastors continued throughout the year to patrol the Oxford Rd, as well as patrolling in the Whitley community in the evenings up until July when the night time economy in the town centre restarted so that Street Pastor resources were stretched to far to maintain the Whitley patrol.

The Reading Festival went ahead over the August Bank Holiday weekend having been cancelled in 2020; the Street Pastor venues were very busy, and income from the festival meant that Street Pastor finances returned to a healthy state for the year.

The First Stop organization which provides a safe place in Reading Town Centre at night for anyone who may require help or medical attention had a slow restart after the lockdown, but numbers picked up to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the summer, and First Stop was in need of more volunteers for most of the rest of the year. Becky Hannam, who has been heading up First Stop since its inception announced at the end of the year that she would be stepping down, and so the process to find a new First Stop Coordinator was underway by year-end.

The Help Hubs

During 2020, the first year of the pandemic, Christians across Reading were involved in a vast quantity and diversity of volunteering in different ways to help those in need. Many volunteered through council initiatives like the Reading Single Hub and RVA, and it brought into focus the need for well-organised, coordinated, reliable help for those in need in the communities across Reading. Some groups of churches had already started to work together such as Whitley SALT in South Reading and subsequently churches in the South-East of Reading formed the Earley Help Hub in direct response to the pandemic, providing a range of services from food shopping to delivering prescriptions, and many other forms of practical help. Toward the end of the year, six churches on the West side of the town centre formed a new help hub called Torch which launched at the beginning of 2021.

During the year, Torch expanded its area to include the areas of Southcote and Coley and in its provision with DIY gardening, and transportation help. Through referrals from the Council and other agencies it found itself providing help and assistance to an increasingly wide geography across the town, so that by the end of 2021 a new vision began to take shape. Encouraged and assisted by the unity focus of Transform Reading, the vision of a Reading-wide Help Hub, (uniting Whitley SALT, Earley Help Hub and Torch), under the name ‘Torch’, supported by churches across the town, marrying a local focus and feel with a central governance and administration, began to take shape. This work will be taken forward in 2022.

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Use of Volunteers

In order to fulfil the above objectives, the Charity benefits from around 100 hours per week of time donated by 100 volunteers. The trustees estimate that the financial benefit to the charity of the contribution of volunteers is £65,000 each year.

Volunteers will be involved in the following areas of the charity’s work:

The Members of the Transform Reading Enabling Team, Trustees and Elders Group are mainly volunteers; Most Street Pastors are volunteers;

Events involve volunteers in a wide range of support roles; and General office administration.

The Trustees would like to express our thanks to all of those who volunteer and give their time freely to the Charity – the Charity could not maintain its current level of activity without them.

Financial Performance

Results for the period are set out on Pages 12 to 18.

The net movement in funds for 2021 was £6,382. The Trustees are aware that they need to make concerted efforts to encourage both churches and individuals to give regularly to the charity. The Charity is reliant on donations from individuals, churches and other organisations and we take this opportunity to thank each of our donors for their continued support.

At the end of 2021 the net assets of the Charity stood at £104,594 of which cash represented £99,363.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to company’s subject to the small companies’ regime and with the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), (effective 1st January 2015).

Reserves policy

The Directors have considered the level of reserves appropriate to the needs of the Charity to be equivalent to approximately three months worth of expenditure which equates to approximately £19,000 at the levels of activity experienced in 2021. This level is sufficient to cover the Directors’ responsibilities to staff and to satisfy other current liabilities in the short term. At present General Funds are more than sufficient to cover this reserve.

Sources of funding

The Charity has several sources of funding:

Local Churches are one of the Charity’s sources of funding raising £6,700 for general funds and £1,600 and towards Street Pastors during 2021.

The Street Pastors initiative had funding from various community groups, Thames Valley Police, Reading Borough Council, Trusts and companies. The volunteer Street Pastors often donate the cost of their uniforms. Other funding comes from individuals, 25 who give on a regular basis.

7

The Charity also benefits from the Gift Aid scheme and was able to reclaim tax from individual’s donations during 2021.

Future plans

Other projects and activities will arise during the year which we will review in the light of our Aim and Vision, and our prayer is that we will continue to see transformation of individuals’ lives and communities of people as we serve and proclaim the Good News of Jesus.

Related party transactions

There were no transactions with related parties during the period.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

Company Law and Charity Law require the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the financial activities of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company maintains

8

an adequate system of internal control designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss or unauthorised use and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Appointment of Independent Examiner

The previous Independent Examiner for many years, Nigel Gough, stood down and has been replaced by Mr Nigel Holloway who is the Independent Examiner for Trinity Earley Church one of Transform Reading’s member churches. This appointment was accepted by the trustees.

Small company exemptions

The Directors Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ exemption.

This Report has been approved by the trustees.

Signed date 01/04/2022

Mark Patrick Dolphin (Chair of Trustees)

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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Transform Reading

ISSUE 1

TRANSFORM READING

Accounts for Accounting Year January 2021 to December 2021

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

Summary

The accounts are in good order. Scrutiny of the payments showed that all were appropriate to the activities of the charity and in line with any expressed wishes of donors.

The income was more than sufficient to meet the expenditure and the large end of year balance provided an excellent buffer against an economic downturn.

I have found no reportable matter of material significance[1] .

Recommendations

None.

Observations[2]

The large balance is fortunate in view of the economic difficulties likely to affect the UK as a whole during Winter 2022/3.

Examination Method

The method is based on that of Ref.2, used in recent years to examine the finances of Trinity Church, Earley, a charity with a somewhat larger turnover and a similar profile of many volunteers and a few employed staff.

My examination included a review of the accounting records and a comparison with the accounts presented in the Transform Reading ‘Annual Report and Financial Statements Jan-Dec 2021’. It also included looking for any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, none of which was found. Clarifications were sought from the Trustees on some items and all resulted in satisfactory answers.

Findings

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the Transform Reading accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year by company law or under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. After reviewing the accounts I agree.

The accounts are in good order. They provide evidence that income intended for a specific activity (e.g. Street Pastors) is correctly allocated, and enquiries are made if donors have not clarified their intentions.

Scrutiny of the payments showed that all were appropriate to the activities of the charity. Reasonable economy of expenditure was evident.

The income moderately exceeded the expenditure, with a corresponding modest increase in the end of year balance. There is relatively little ‘secure’ income (such as might come from a long term donating

1 See Reference 1 for an official interpretation of this statement.

2 Observations do not need any formal response and may include positive comments.

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ISSUE 1

membership), but the large balance (approx. 1.5 times annual expenditure) provides reasonable security against a possible severe economic downturn in 2022-23.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I cannot formally state that the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’. However, from what I have considered, I believe that a more detailed examination would find these accounts a true and fair view.

Further details of the examination are available in Ref.3.

Matters of Material Significance Reportable to UK Charity Regulators

In the course of my independent examination I have found no matter of material significance reportable to UK charity regulators. {See Reference 1 Section 5 for the relevant criteria}.

References

Nigel Holloway 34, Radstock Lane Earley Reading RG6 5QL

3 September 2022.

11

Statement Of Financial Activities

TRANSFORM READING Statement Of Financial Activities

(including the Income and Expenditure account) For the year ending 31 December 2021

Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from
generated funds
Voluntary income
Donations and grants
Activities for generating
funds
Street Pastors
First Stop
RFC Pastoral fund
10 Days of Prayer
Home for Good
Covid 19 Appeal
Total incoming resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Costs of generating funds
Charitable activities
General fund
Street Pastors
First Stop
RFC Chaplaincy
10 Days of Prayer
Home for Good
Covid 19 Appeal
Admin and Governance
Total resources expended
Net Incoming resources
(Net income for the year)
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
9,335
55,791
14,159
100
2,949
-
-
9,335
72,999
-
-
-
2,351
52,039
14,856
100
1,927
-
-
4,678		 Total
Total
2021
2020
£
£
9,335
17,368
55,791
34,343
14,159
20,796
100
-
2,949
-
-
-
12,390
82,334
84,897
2,351
3,236
52,039
32,830
14,856
14,621
100
-
1,927
-
-
-
12,390
4,678
9,536
75,952
72,614
6,382
(106)
6,382
12,284
98,211
85,927
104,594
98,211
7,029
-
68,923
2,306
-
4,076
2,306
-
4,076
40,784
-
57,427
43,090
-
61,504

12

Balance Sheet

TRANSFORM READING Balance Sheet As at 31st December 2021

Notes
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
2
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within
one year
3
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
Restricted funds
7,8
Designated
8
Unrestricted funds
8
Total funds
8		 2021
£
£
-
8,043
99,363
107,407
2,813
104,594
104,594
61,504
43,090
104,594		 2020 2020
£
8,043
99,363		 £
2,103
98,103		 £
-




98,211
107,407 100,205
2,813 1,994
98,211
57,427
40,784
98,211

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 THE COMPANY WAS ENTITLED TO EXEMPTION FROM AUDIT UNDER SECTION 477 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 RELATING TO SMALL COMPANIES.

DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES:

THESE ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED AND DELIVERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COMPANIES SUBJECT TO THE SMALL COMPANIES REGIME

COMPANIES REGISTRATION NO 6996356 (ENGLAND AND WALES)

Signed: Pads Dolphin (Chair)

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Statement of accounting policies

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to company’s subject to the small companies regime and with the financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), (effective 1[st] January 2015). The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and income and expenditure are included as they are earned or incurred.

Funds

Restricted funds are separately identified and appropriately described. General funds are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the Charity.

Incoming resources

Grant income from institutions is recognised on the date of invoice. Where grants are received for specific purposes in advance of the performance of those services grants are not deferred unless there are specific pre-conditions for use.

Income received

Income from gifts and donations is credited to revenue in the year in which it is received.

As a registered charity the Company is entitled to reclaim income tax on certain donations. This is credited to revenue when the donations are credited.

Interest income on investments is accrued to the General Fund.

14

Notes To The Financial Statements

TRANSFORM READING Year Ended 31st December 2021

1. Total Resources Expended

Costs of generating funds

Costs of
Costs directly
allocated to activities
Staff salary costs
Premises
donations
Office and other
costs
Legal fees
Support costs
allocated to activities
Staff salary costs
Other staff related
costs
Premises
Office and other
costs
generating
funds
Charitable activities
Voluntary
income
RFC
Chaplaincy
Home
for
Good
Street
Pastors
First
Stop
10 days
of
prayer
Covid
19
Appeal
TR
Admin
Events
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
26,505
11,698
-
-
679
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
-
-
-
1,927
-
2,351
-
-
-
-
25,535
3,158
-
-
-
210
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
340
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,449
-		 Gover-
nance
2021
total
£
£

38,882

-

4,378

28,903

-
-
-

340

0

-

3,449
-
75,952
2020
total
£
38,931
-
12,626
12,519
-
-
-
469
0
-
8,069
-
-
100
-
52,380
14,856
1,927
-
6,479
210		 72,614

15

Notes To The Financial Statements

TRANSFORM READING Year Ended 31st December 2021

2. Debtors

Debtors and prepayments
3. Creditors
Ascension Trust Com
Tax & NI for Q4
Paycoll Payroll Dec
Pension
Ascension Trust licence fee Q4
Companies House		 2021
£
8,043
8,043
2021
£
250
1,348
40
172
253
750
2,813		 2020
£
2,103
2,103
2020
£
1,233
28
200
534
1,994

16

Notes To The Financial Statements TRANSFORM READING

Year Ended 31st December 2021

4. Net incoming resources 2021 2020
These are shown after charging £ £
Fee paid to Independent Examiner -
-
Depreciation -
-
5. Transactions with Trustees
-

6. Staff Costs

6. Staff Costs
Salaries
National Insurance
Pension
Staff costs		 2021
Average
Amount
Number
£
37,520
1,237
38,757
3		 2020
Average
Amount
Number
£
37,728
1,202
38,931
2

No staff member was paid remuneration in excess of £60,000 in the year.

Pension costs represent employer contributions to a defined contributions pension scheme held with The People's Pension. The pension scheme was started during 2015 in line with auto enrolment. Contributions totalling £172 were payable to the fund at year end and are included in creditors.

17

Notes To The Financial Statements TRANSFORM READING Year Ended 31st December 2021

7. Restricted Funds

Reading Street Pastors
First Stop
RFC Chaplaincy
10 Days of prayer		 1 January
Incoming
Outgoing
Transfers
31 December
2021
resources
resources
2021
£
£
£
£
£
31,831
55,791
(52,039)
-
35,583
25,185
14,159
(14,856)
24,489
411
100
(100)
411
-
2,949
(1,927)
1,021
57,427
72,999
(68,923)
-
61,504

"Reading Street Pastors" is a fund which supports the work of Street Pastors who operate in Reading.

"First Stop" offers help to those needing support in the town centre at night.

"RFC Chaplaincy" provides spiritual support to Reading Football Club players, staff, and supporters.

"10 Days of prayer" provides practical, inspirational resources for the family, church and community.

"Home for Good" and "COVID 19 Appeal" funds have seen no activities in 2021 and have zero balance. The trustees agreed to remove these from the accounts.

8. Funds Analysis

Unrestricted general funds
Designated general funds
Restricted funds
Total funds		 Fixed
assets
£
-
-
-
-		 Current
Assets
£
43,090
61,504
104,594		 Current
Liabilities
£
-
-
-
-		 31 December
2021
£
43,090
61,504
104,594		 31 December
2020
£
40,784
57,427
98,211

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