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← Birtley Community Church

2024-12-31-accounts

Birtley Community Church

Trustees Report and Financial Statements

For the period ended 31 December 2024

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Contents

Item Page No.
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Trustees’ Annual Report 4 - 9
Independent Examiner’s Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 11
Balance Sheet
 12
Signature on behalf of Trustees 12
Notes to the Accounts 13 - 15

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Legal and Administrative Information

Name: Birtley Community Church

Charity No: 1133513

Address:

Edward Road Birtley Chester-le-Street Co Durham DH3 1HG

Trustees:

Prof Patrick Roy Briddon BSc PhD (Chair) Mr Rowan Marsh Phillimore Mrs Joanna Rachel Snaith (Administrator) Mr Joseph James Clifford.

Document Prepared by:

Prof Patrick Briddon (Chair)

Governing Document:

The Charity is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 6 November 2009

Bankers:

Lloyds TSB Blaydon-on-Tyne Branch 3 Wesley Court Blaydon-on-Tyne NE21 5BY

Independent Examiner:

Mark Thompson 42 Lesbury Road Newcastle NE6 5LB

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Birtley Community Church Trustees’ Annual report 2024

Objects:

The objects of the Birtley Community Church Trust (referred to as “the Trust” below) are as follows:

  1. To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit.

  2. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time-to-time think fit

  3. To advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council from time to time may think fit

Summary

The year 2024 has marked stability or growth in all areas of church life and ministry with Sunday attendance increasing and significant numbers of children from the local community attending our Royal Rangers. In summary, the Trustees believe that the Charity is continuing to thrive and to fulfil its objectives and its financial position remains stable.

Leadership and Oversight

The leadership of Birtley Community Church is unchanged in 2024.

The trustees (in alphabetic order) are: Patrick Briddon (Chairman), Joe Clifford, Phil Phillimore and Rachel Snaith (Administrator).

The elders responsible for spiritual leadership remain Patrick Briddon and Phil Phillimore. John and Meme Cama continue to participate in leadership decision making. We continue to receive support and oversight from Taking Ground.

Dawn Wolfington has taken over from Joe Clifford as treasurer in 2024.

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Church Worship and Teaching

Our Sunday meetings have continued throughout the year. It is particularly encouraging that attendance at these is significantly higher than our position prior to Covid, with Sunday attendance typically being 60 people throughout most of the year although some meetings have had above 80 people present. This represents an increase of above 100%. As a church family we have also continued to evolve to a church more closely representing the makeup of our part of Gateshead with families from Fiji, Nigeria, Russia and China now being part of our church family. This has also introduced more younger people with children into the church helping to balance our age demographic.

Christian teaching and its application has continued through Sunday ministry, but also in mid-week housegroups. A weekend away was held at Minsteracres, 21-23 June 2024. A total of 58 people attended (45 adults, 13 children), 50 of whom stayed overnight and a further 8 attended in the daytime only. This is our largest number to date – for comparison, pre-covid in 2019, only 26 people attended including 2 children. Claire and Warren Harrison ministered to us, and this was also a good time for the church to spend together, given the large percentage of newer church members. The children’s activities were run throughout the weekend by Denise, Patrick and Feifei. This weekend involved a significant investment of approximately £5000 by the church, but this was nevertheless believed by the trustees to beneficial in terms of achieving our first object.

It is part of the church’s ethos that we encourage members to grow in gifting and confidence. We also have rotas of people sharing and leading communion, worship, Sunday school and a stewarding team, so that more than half the church members are actively serving in some capacity. It is particularly pleasing that the newer members are now serving and leading alongside others.

Ladies Breakfasts take place on Saturday mornings. These are open to ladies from the church plus friends, family and others from the local community. They have been well attended, by up to 70 ladies. In addition to this, we have continued a biweekly meeting for ladies, which remains popular. This is to give a further opportunity for support and fellowship, especially important given the make-up of the church.

The Trustees consider that in these ways, we have continued to make progress with the first object of our Trust.

Pastoral Care and Housegroups

Pastoral care remans especially important to us. In arranging this, particular attention is given to people who are vulnerable and home or hospital visits by leaders have also taken place where this was needed.

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We continue to run three housegroups led by the Briddons, the Camas and the Phillimores. These are provided so that members have the opportunity to share and pray with each other as well as to study the Bible and develop confidence to lead. Approximately 30 adults are involved with one of these.

Church Ministries: Children and Community

Royal Rangers (https://www.royalrangers.co.uk/) ran throughout the year, meeting regularly on Saturday afternoons with a team of helpers from the church. Approx. 30 children are associated with this with an average attendance of about 20. These are mainly drawn from outside our Sunday attenders, with most of the children coming from the local community. It has been a very positive development to see leaders in this growing in confidence and attending training events. We now have a team of 6 helpers and leaders who have the confidence to lead many different types of activities.

In 2024, we took a group of older children from our outpost to the European Rangers Camp in Hungary, attended by approximately 8000 Rangers from all European countries. In total 10 children and 6 adults registered for this from our outpost and the trip lasted 10 days and created huge excitement among the children and excellent feedback from parents. It was especially good to see our children mixing with the children from different countries. We already have requests for the next camp, to be held in Spain in 2028.

The budget for this was £7330 which was met by fees paid by participants, a flight subsidy by Rangers UK, two earmarked gifts, external funding raised (£1750), and the outstanding balance (£1390) was covered by the church. Overall, the church invested approximately £1300 into Royal Rangers in 2024.

The Messy Church ministry (https://www.messychurch.org.uk/) met monthly on Saturday afternoons and ran successfully through the first half of the year. It was led by Pauline and was well received by all children who came. It was however decided to cease running this as we struggled to develop a regular group of children attending (the average attendance was about 5), and most of these attended Rangers in any case. The final messy church was in July 2024.

Sunday school has also grown with the arrival of new families in the church, and usually has 12 children, although we have had up to 20 children. There is certainly a greater engagement with children than before.

These activities promote the first object of the Trust, with the Rangers ministry also contributing to education and to growth in social and leadership skills of young children from the wider community in Birtley. We were awarded the High Sherriff Award for our work with these children.

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Birtley Churches Together

Birtley Community Church remains an active member of Birtley Churches together and we have hosted two meetings on behalf of this organisation in 2024. We have also participated in the leading of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Birtley Cenotaph.

Church Staff

Our church administrator, Rachel Snaith, is now in her sixth year with the church, working 10 hours per week. The main projects she has worked on during 2024 are:

These activities are crucial to our efficient and legal operation as a trust.

Estates and Furnishings

We have not undertaken significant projects investing in our estate during 2024. Items of significant expenditure included a new piano/keyboard and the cleaning of the upholstery of our chairs. It should be noted that our properties are generally in a reasonable condition.

Gifts

Birtley Community Church has continued to support a number of external organisations and people, giving a total of £3360. All these gifts were within the scope of our objectives as a charitable trust.

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Financial Review:

The income from Sunday morning offerings, standing orders and Gift Aid Income from HMRC was £34,775 compared to £32,828 in 2023. This is an increase in giving of £1,947. Overall income amounted to £45,419 compared to £47,500 in 2023. Gift aid provision, based on donations in 2023, was £2,313. Interest earned was £2,969; in 2023 this was £2396.

The overall expenditure in 2024 was £45,364 compared to £43,476 in 2023. This is an increase of £1,888 reflecting additional expenditure on the church retreat and the Royal Rangers young people’s work.

Salaries and expenses amounted to £6,763 in 2024 compared to £6,984 in 2023.

The hardship loan, authorised in 2019, has continued, but only 1 payment was made in 2024. The amount outstanding is £656.32 and it has been agreed that this be removed from the balance sheet.

The Church’s finances were thus in surplus of £54 in 2024. This compares to a surplus of £4,024 in 2023.

The total of our bank balances in deposit and current accounts was £290,162 at the end of December 2024.

The value of our land and buildings was continued to be estimated at £230,000 as at the end of December 2024.

The Trustees consider the financial position of the charity to be stable.

Risk Management:

The Trustees continue to monitor for major risks, which the charity faces in relation to external factors, governance and management, internal operations and business, giving consideration to the likelihood and the impact of risks, and review what systems should be in place to control and reduce those risks. The systems are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material loss or misstatement of loss.

Reserves Policy:

It is the policy of the charity to try to build up unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity, to a level that equates to approximately 6 months unrestricted expenditure. This will provide sufficient funds to cover management and administration support costs and any emergencies that may arise from time to time.

Trustees’ responsibilities:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them

Page 8 of 15

to ascertain the financial position of the company and which enable them to comply with applicable law. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Name Prof. P R Briddon Position: Chair Trustees Signature Date 10/03/2025 PRE adn —

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Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/members of Birtley Community Church on Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 11-15.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under s.144 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’), and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts 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 accounts 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 the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that

  2. proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act); and

  3. accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mark Thompson MAAT 42 Lesbury Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5LB

Date: 8/03/2025

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BIRTLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

01/01/24-31/12/24

Income and Endowments from:
Donations and Legacies
Charitable Activities
Other Trading Activities
Investments
Other
Total Incoming Resources
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities
Other
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Total Funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
£
£		 Total
Funds 2024
£		 Total
Funds 2023
£
34,775
0
34,775
7,674
0
7,674
0
0
0
2,969
0
2,969
0
0
0		 32,828
11,676
0
2,396
600
45,419
0
45,419		 47,500
0
0
44,663
0
44,663
701
701		 0
43,476
0
45,364
0
45,364		 43,476
54
0
54		 4,024
0
0
0
0
0		 4,024
522,584
522,584		 518,560
522,638
0
522,638		 **522,584 **

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BIRTLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH BALANCE SHEET

31/12/2024

Total
Total Funds Funds
NOTES 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed Assets
Land and Buildings 230,000 230,000
230,000 230,000
Current Assets
Hardship
Debtors Loan 0 701
HMRC 2,476 2,731
Cash at Bank and In Hand *1 290,162 289,152
Total Current Assets 292,638 292,584
Total Assets 522,638 522,584
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 0 0
Hardship Payment 0 0
Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year 0 0
Total Assets less Total Liabilities 522,638 522,584
The Funds of the Charity:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS		 0
0
522,638
522,584
522,638
522,584
~~——~~

*1 Cash at bank includes uncleared year end items

Print Name Prof. P R Briddon

Signature

PRE adn

Date of Approval 10/03/2025

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the period 1/1/24 to 31/12/24

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

There has been no change to the accounting policies, valuation rules and methods of accounting since last year.

No changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification. Investment Income is included in the accounts when receivable

The value of volunteer help is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees Annual Report.

Expenditure and Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Governance costs include costs of Trustee meetings and relevant travel expenses. Grants are recognised in the accounts as they are paid to the charity.

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2. FUNDS

The Charity has one fund: An unrestricted general fund.

3. DETAILED INCOME & EXPENDITURE

Income

Income
Donations and legacies
External Donations 1,013.62
Gift Aided Income 9,904.00
HMRC Gift Aid 2,058.44
Loan Repayment 45.00
Offerings 14,708.72
Offerings SO 7,045.00
Total Donations and legacies 34,774.78
Income from charitable activities 105.00
Church Retreat Income 2,335.00
Ladies Breakfast income 879.00
Royal Rangers Income 4,355.49
Total Income from charitable activities 7,674.49
Income from Investment (interest) 2,969.32
Total Income 45,418.59
Total 45,418.59

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Expenditures
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Buildings and estates 1,083.47
Furnishings and fittings 76.14
IT/PA/Worship 4,023.25
Maintenance 2,627.87
Total Buildings and estates 7,810.73
Charitable gifts 2,310.00
Consumables 22.13
Consumables - admin 418.21
Consumables - cleaning 142.48
Consumables - kitchen 855.42
Consumables - other 546.88
Total Consumables 1,985.12
Dues and Subscriptions 22.00
Insurances 1,057.99
Memberships & Licences 840.51
Ministry 519.15
Church Retreat 7,462.50
General Church Activity 320.80
Gift to visiting speakers 1,050.00
Ladies Breakfasts 681.24
Messy Church 573.35
Royal Rangers 5,668.52
Total Ministry 16,275.56
Other Professional Services 400.00
Salaries 6,763.81
Taxes Paid 65.20
Utilities 0.00
Broadband 793.05
Heating/Gas 4,203.52
TV licence 159.00
Water 1,736.68
Website Hosting 240.00
Total Utilities 7,132.25
Total Expenditure on Charitable Activities 44,663.17
Other Expenditure 701.32
Total Expenditures 45,364.49
Net Income/(Expenditure) 54.10

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