Charity number: 1138996
Taunton Family Church
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2022
Taunton Family Church Contents Page
For the year ended 31 August 2022
| Report of the Trustees | 3 to 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees | 6 | |
| .; | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 to 9 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 |
Taunton Family Church Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 31 August 2022
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the church for the year ended 31 August 2022.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Charity registration number 1138996 Principal address The Willows, Regent Street Bradford on Tone Taunton TA4 1HB Trustees Mr C Tancock (Chair) Mr P Collings Mr R Shaw Independant examiners Simon A Martin Accountants Wessex House, 66 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1PD
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The Trustees are required 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 incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommend practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that this basis applies.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
3 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Report of the Trustees Continued
For the year ended 31 August 2022
Governing document
Taunton Family Church is constituted by Deed of Trust dated 31st August 2010 and was formally registered as a charity by the Charity Commission on 12th November 2010.
Organisational structure
The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial incentives.
The trustees meet regularly during the year, at least on two occasions, but more often as the needs of the charity demand. In doing so the trustees conduct the legal obligations with due regard to the spiritual direction of the church, which is determined by the spiritual leadership. At present the spiritual leadership rests upon Richard Shaw, Paul Collings and Chris Tancock, the former being employed by the trust on a full time basis as a Pastor and thereby oversees the church and its activities. This includes the holding of meetings, the appointment of volunteers and the pastoral care of both church and non-church members.
The church's trust deed allows for the employment of a trustee where it is in the interests of the church to do so and where the terms of employment are reasonable and subject to objective review. In keeping with the responsiblities which fall upon the trustees regular communication between the church leadership and the board of trustees is maintained to ensure that activities remain within the remit of the Deed of Trust.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The existing trustees, along with the church leadership, are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees from within the church membership. In doing so the trustees believe that any new trustees are respected members of faith and ensures that good relations are maintained with the local church the charity seeks to serve.
In selecting new trustees, the spiritual leadership seeks to identify people who regularly attend meetings and events organised by the church and are willing to volunteer to help in our broader community work. Potential trustees are invited to attend trustees' meetings as observers and are given more details of the charity's aims and activities and, if all agree, they are then proposed as new trustees at the subsequent trustees meeting. This process allows due consideration of the persons eligibility, personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills.
Risk Management
The trustees have undertaken an assessment of the risks the charity faces through its regular activities. A risk matrix has been constructed which identifies the major risks by area of activity, the nature of those risks, the likelihood of this risk occuring and the measures taken to manage them. The trustees regularly review this matrix and are duly satisfied that systems and practices are in place to manage all identified risks. Risk assessments are consistently reviewed as practices change.
Disclosure and Barring Services checks are carried out on individuals who work with children and other vulnerable groups within the church.
The church has purchased insurance cover for all activities and the finance of the charity is reviewed on a monthly basis to ensure the charity is spending within its means.
Objectives and activites
Our aims
The oblects of the charity are set out in the charity's trust deed and are summarised as follows:
To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public, through education and discerning scripture, worship and prayer.
To relieve sickness and hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods and services including through the provision of counselling and support where support exists within the church membership.
Our objective
Our objective is to enable as many people as possible to worship at our meetings, providing teaching which enables them to develop their knowledge and trust in Jesus. Our meetings, held weekly on Sunday mornings and throughout the week in our members homes, put faith into practice through worship, prayer and scripture.
It is intended that in each subsequent year the trustees intend to review our objectives and activities to ensure that they continue to reflect our aims. In performing this duty the trustees will consider the Charity Commissions general guidance relating to public benefit and in particular its supplementary guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
4 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Report of the Trustees Continued
For the year ended 31 August 2022
Objectives and activities continued Activites and achievements
Richard Shaw continues to lead the church with the support of a leadership team comprised of Trustees: Chris Tancock and Paul Collings; with the support of Howard Mathers.
This has been a challenging year due to Covid but with the support of Life Group Leaders and church members, we have been been able to utilise the internet and good, old fashioned telephone calls to support and encourage, not only our own congregation, but others in our community.
Part of the effects of Covid was a food shortage, not only in Taunton, but in the different countries our network has churches in. We were able to continue supporting the local Foodbank financially and through one of our members being the Chairman. We were also able to offer financial support to local individuals in hardship and, through our Catalyst network of churches, to help alleviate food shortages in other nations.
Our online church services and our Zoom small group meetings have been successful in gathering and supporting our members spiritually and emotionally through this very difficult time. We have also run Alpha Online, which has been a great support for people in our community who responded to our Facebook adverts as they were seeking spiritual encouragement and guidance. Some of them have since become a regular part of our church community.
Even though there have been opportunities to meet in-between lockdowns, we have leaned on the cautious side and have not met much in person during this period.
Despite what could have been a very negative year, with both the threat of Covid for our members and the restrictions that go with the whole lockdown process, the church has bonded and continued to function as a united body in Christ. Financially God has been so good to us, our giving has remained stable and still the congregation have given generously from their hearts, and our bank balance has been sustained.
In summary, this has been a challenging year where we have had to adapt to continue supporting and encouraging as many people as possible in our town. It has also been a time of great opportunity to show the love of God to those around us. The church community has been exceptional in looking after each other and their neighbours.
Financial review
In the year the church made a surplus of £5,097 (deficit £42 - 2021). Total income and expenses were lower but were broadly similar for the year.
Reserves policy
There has been no change to the reserves policy in the year. The unrestricted cash balances carried forward totalling £41,539 are the reserves. These are sufficient to cover employment costs and venue hire for between 8 and 9 months. The trustees would wish to see further funds added to provide a stronger reserve which would facilitate the many opportunities to serve the community in the coming year.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Trustee
Date
5 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees
For the year ended 31 August 2022
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 section 145 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my respomsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioner under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and
-
to state whether particulart matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison on the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you the trustees concerning any 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 oresent 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 matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material aspect, the requirements;
-
a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act: and
-
b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr D Barrow Simon A Martin Accountants Wessex House, 66 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1PD
Date
6 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 31 August 2022
Receipts
| Note Ministries 1 Employment Costs 2 Purchase of Assets 3 NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS BALANCES AT 01/09/2021 BALANCES AT 31/08/2022 Loans Received Gvivng and Support PAYMENTS Running Costs Total Receipts Gift Aid Tax Refunds Offerings and Donations |
0 0 0 0 0 0 Restricted Funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 |
85,897 0 0 28,629 16,218 90,994 18,367 72,627 £ Unrestricted Funds 5,097 0 36,442 41,539 39,705 1,345 |
85,897 0 0 39,705 1,345 28,629 16,218 90,994 18,367 £ 72,627 Total Funds 2022 5,097 36,442 41,539 0 |
0 38,715 1,776 -42 69,142 11,563 0 17,088 69,100 11,545 £ 57,555 Total Funds 2021 0 36,484 36,442 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7 of 10
Taunton Family Church Notes to Receipts and Payments Account
For the year ended 31 August 2022
| Note 1 (Running Costs) Administration/General Expenses Communications (incl website) Licences/CCPAS Independent Exam Fee Fellowship Travel, Food and Accommodation Publicity and Advertising Venue Hire Note 2 (Giving and Support) Oversees Support Catalyst/Newfrontiers Support Visiting Preachers Persons within TFC Persons and Ministries outside TFC Special Ministries within TFC (Cry) Conference and Training Note 3 (Assets) Computers and Software Office and other equipment PA/Music Equipment Insurance Repairs and Renewals |
2022 8,860 400 6,689 16,218 246 3,324 2,033 742 3,538 £ 517 600 905 7,079 385 1,901 2,544 82 539 28,629 828 1,345 4,980 |
2021 176 11,663 3,045 3,660 250 528 17,088 1,411 325 828 600 968 0 1,776 £ 1,117 0 11,563 699 1,077 0 534 2,062 1,484 |
|---|---|---|
8 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
For the year ended 31 August 2022
| CASH FUNDS Other Monetary Assets Gift Aid Tax Repayments Total Other Monetary Assets LIABILITIES Ministries Giving and Support Office Equipment PA Equipment Independent Examination Fee TOTAL LIABILITIES Assets Retained for own use Bank Current Account Employment Running Costs Loan Repayments Petty Cash Total Cash Funds |
£ Restricted Funds |
33,539 £ Unrestricted Funds 0 0 33,539 8,000 8,000 |
33,539 £ Total Funds 2022 0 8,000 33,539 8,000 0 |
0 32,442 £ Total Funds 2021 4,000 4,000 0 32,442 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The charity holds PA, computer and office equipment.
Trustee
Date
9 of 10
Taunton Family Church
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 August 2022
1. Accounting Policies
Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared under the receipts and payments basis and comply with the Charities Act 2011. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice 2005 and the 2008 regulations.
2. Trustee remuneration and expenses
Richard Shaw, a trustee, is employed by the church as pastor. The chruch's trust deed allows for the employment of a trustee where it is in the interests of the church to do so and where the terms of emplotment are reasonable and subject to review. The church's trust deed also determines that where a trustee has a personal interest in a matter, they need to withdraw from any relevant meeting where this is being discussed.
3. Restricted funds
We continue to support the work of the Good News Church in Goa, India and all monies received for this work was given to them in the year and no balance was carried forward.
10 of 10