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South Central Gospel Partnership
Report and Accounts
year ended 31 July 2023
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
COMPANY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Directors/Trustees
Directors/Trustees Philip Butcher Peter Comont (until 7th October 2022) Elisabeth Ling James Muldoon Thomas Putt Company Secretary Andrew Menary Director of Training Andrew Robinson Governing Document Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 31 July 2012 Company Registration Number 8163369 Charity Registration Number 1149625 Principal Address 2 Roger Bacon Lane Oxford OX1 1QE Registered Office 2 Roger Bacon Lane Oxford OX1 1QE Independent Examiner Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Contents Page Company Information 1 Trustees' Annual Report 2-5 Independent Examiner's Report 6 Statement of Financial Activities 7 Balance Sheet 8 Notes to the Accounts 9-11
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
The trustees, who are the charity's directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
Objects of the charity
Our Vision Statement:
The South Central Gospel Partnership is a group of evangelical churches in the south central region of England working together to promote the gospel of Christ. This includes strengthening and planting churches and training leaders.
Our purpose as set out in the objects contained within the company’s memorandum of association is, "To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public, and in accordance with our doctrinal basis, predominately but not exclusively within the loosely defined area of the South Central region of England. This includes:
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Strengthening and planting churches,
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Training and supporting existing and potential leaders,
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All other things that might promote the gospel of Christ."
Our current primary means of achieving this purpose is through running bible training courses and conferences that enable people to better understand, apply and teach the bible. These courses and conferences are open to all who wish to attend and are promoted widely across churches in the South Central region.
Provision of our conferences and training relies heavily upon the sacrificial contribution of volunteers to teach and lead, for which we remain hugely grateful. It also depends upon the enthusiastic participation of all those attending.
The trustees have reviewed all their activities for the past year and those planned. They consider, in regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, that they continue to offer public benefit, both through their wide availability and the impact on society of those attending our training through their growth in Christian maturity and being able to pass on biblical truth.
During the past year the charity has not made any grants, but such may be considered by the trustees in the future provided they are in furtherance of our objectives.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
The past year for the Ministry Training Course (MTC) was encouraging, though with a significant drop in numbers from previous years, from 94 to 56. The largest reason for this was encouraging- a similar course has been established in Southampton, which had been traditionally been part of the catchment area for MTC. Nevertheless there continued to be a wide cross section of churches represented on the course (around 25), with a number sending students to the course for the first time. The variety of people attending remained- including those who have just left school, recent graduates working with churches or Christian organisations and those who have recently retired and are enthusiastic to serve in a variety of contexts. There was an even balance of men and women attending. We were delighted to welcome Andy Robinson as our new Director of Training at the start of the academic year.
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Most of the ingredients of the course continued from previous years. As before, one of the chief goals was to equip students to communicate the glories of Jesus from the Scriptures to a variety of context. To that end, different speakers presented six books of the Bible (Exodus, Ecclesiastes, Hosea, Matthew, Ephesians and 2 Timothy) covering different literary genres. The range of speakers also sought to model a variety of styles in speaking to students.
There were three new elements to the course this year, however. There was a new five week block given over to character in ministry to mirror the traditional five weeks given to Bible Handing skills. This was a deliberate attempt to make the point that developing godliness, humility and prayerfulness in ministry was at least as important as passing on Biblical truth. In addition, a whole half term was given to considering issues around pastoral care looking at issues such as depression- and we were grateful for a variety of speakers who addressed this topic. Furthermore, there was a series on the Doctrine of Humanity, considering how a Biblical anthropology gives us an understanding of the world as we see it and a basis for treating all humans with respect as those made in the image of God.
The year ended with a commissioning service looking at John 21- where Peter is sent to feed Jesus’ sheep despite his past failure. Our hope is that the year equipped over 50 people to do that across the region- and ultimately beyond in years to come.
Whilst MTC is the main activity of the Gospel Partnership, training was delivered in a variety of forms across different churches in the region. We aim to grow this sort of work in the future. To that end, a consultation of church leaders took place in July 2023, seeking to grow the work on the partnership in years to come. We also held a Teaching Day for Women in June, considering how to teach the epistles, which was attended by 38 women from across our region.
We are indebted to and hugely grateful for the many who have given of their time to speak on our courses and to lead small groups over the past year, without whom we could not operate. We estimate that roughly 30 people have served us in this way over the past year.
Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England on 31st July 2012 and registered as a charity on 6th November 2012. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association and is governed by its Articles of Association, which together established the objects, powers and governance of the charitable company. These articles have not been amended since incorporation. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 each.
In addition to the founding nine subscribers, membership of the charitable company is open to other individuals and organisations who apply, signify their assent to the doctrinal basis (as established with the governing documents), and are approved by the directors. There is only one class of membership.
During the year one of our founding directors, Peter Comont, resigned. We remain exceedingly grateful for his vision and commitment in establishing the work of the charity and are delighted that he will continue to support the work of the Gospel Partnership as a member.
On a day to day basis the charitable company normally operates through its Training Director, who is not a trustee. He oversees the training programmes and development of the charity according to the guidance of the trustees and the annual meeting of the members.
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
(INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
The charity is supported in prayer and action by a network of evangelical churches, ministers and individuals, many of whom are members, who hold to our doctrinal basis and wish to work together to promote the gospel of Christ.
Financial review
As was expected in last year's report, the numbers attending MTC dropped further in 2022/23, resulting in a small deficit on our General Fund of £2,881 (2022 surplus £14,217). MTC income fell to £32,150 (2022 £49,930) resulting in total undesignated General Fund income reducing to £38,739 (2022 £62,744) after including generous donations from churches and individuals for which we are exceedingly grateful. Expenditure settled down following the appointment of a new Training Director from August 2022, and fell to £41,620 (2022 £48,527).
During the year we received a legacy of £10,000 for which we are extremely grateful. The Directors have determined that for at least the time being this amount should be set aside as a Designated Fund to be drawn upon to pay course fees for individuals who would not otherwise be able to attend.
Reserves policy
The Board of Directors have established a policy whereby free reserves (which the directors define as being unrestricted net current assets but excluding any designated funds) held by the charity should be somewhere between £12,000 and £25,000 (i.e. between three to six months of expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate if income falls short of expectations. At the year end the charity’s free reserves stood at £48,457 (2022 £51,338). Numbers attending MTC have dropped further for the year 2023/24 and we are forecasting a further reduction in reserves for the coming year as a result. The Directors are carefully considering how to respond to this reduction in attendees at our main course and consider this a prudent level of reserves to maintain for the time-being.
Key risks and uncertainties
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Plans for the future
Our main service will continue to be the weekly Ministry Training Course (MTC), where we hope to further broaden the recruiting base of churches that encourage attendance. Many churches are finding it more difficult to recruit ministry trainees etc. and this has a knock on effect on the numbers attending. Following the appointment of a new Training Director in August 2022 our training is evolving and the Directors are considering how to make the course (or something similar) available to a wider audience (e.g. who can't commit to a day per week).
In July 2023 we met with representatives from many of the churches that support us, partly to gain a better understanding of their needs and how the charity may help them. This affirmed the continuing relevance and need for MTC, but also ideas of what they might find helpful from us.
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT
(INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
Responsibilities of trustees under company law
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
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 the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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 Companies Act 2006. They 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.
Approval
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
James Muldoon
Date: 20 February 2024
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 July 2023 on pages 7 to 11 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on page 9.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and 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 accounts to be reached.
Ajay Rajani FCIE Date: 21 February 2024 Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Bank Interest Income Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 5 Other Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
General Designated £ £ 6,222 10,000 32,388 - 129 - 38,739 10,000 41,620 - - - 41,620 - (2,881) 10,000 - - (2,881) 10,000 51,338 - 48,457 10,000 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2023 £ 16,222 32,388 129 48,739 41,620 - 41,620 7,119 - 7,119 51,338 58,457 |
Total Funds 2022 £ 10,555 52,183 6 62,744 48,527 - 48,527 14,217 - 14,217 37,121 51,338 |
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All of the charity’s income and expenditure in 2022 and 2023 was unrestricted and there are no brought forward, or carried forward, restricted fund balances.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.
The notes on pages 9-11 form part of these accounts.
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 JULY 2023
| Note FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Debtors & income accruals 7 Cash at bank and in hand 8 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets / (liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities TOTAL NET ASSETS FUND BALANCES Unrestricted Funds General funds Designated funds 11 Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ - - 547 60,872 61,420 (2,962) 58,457 58,457 58,457 48,457 10,000 58,457 - 58,457 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2023 £ - - 547 60,872 61,420 (2,962) 58,457 58,457 58,457 48,457 10,000 58,457 - 58,457 |
Total Funds 2022 £ - - - 53,295 53,295 (1,957) 51,338 51,338 51,338 51,338 - 51,338 - 51,338 |
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The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2023.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.
The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities for:
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(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its net income or expenditure for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 20 February 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
James Muldoon
Company number: 8163369
The notes on page 9-11 form part of these accounts.
Charity number: 1149625
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
1 Statutory Information
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.
2 Accounting Policies
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
a) Going concern
The trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
b) Income
Income including any investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
c) Expenditure
Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
d) Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes and during the year we established a new Legacy designated fund. There are no other designated funds nor any restricted funds (being donations that must be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; this includes donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects).
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e) Tangible fixed assets
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Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £1,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To date no expenditure has been incurred that needs to be capitalised.
f) Taxation The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
g) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
h) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
| 3 Donations Donations of cash and similar Legacies receivable - Designated Fund Income tax recoverable 4 Income from charitable activities Ministry Training Course Conferences Other Other Charitable Activities 5 Charitable expenditure a Costs incurred directly on specific activities Ministry Training Course Conferences Training Director b Costs incurred on support & administration Governance costs Independent examiner's fee Other Administrative Support Total expenditure |
General Designated £ £ 6,222 - - 10,000 - - 6,222 10,000 Unrestricted Funds |
Total 2023 £ 6,222 10,000 - 16,222 2023 £ 32,150 238 - - 32,388 2023 £ 996 202 30,800 31,998 960 - 960 8,662 9,622 41,620 |
Total 2022 £ 10,555 - - 10,555 2022 £ 49,930 2,253 - - 52,183 2022 £ 2,101 2,227 34,331 38,659 920 - 920 8,948 9,868 48,527 |
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6 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration and expenses
The charity’s key management comprise the trustees and the Director of Training. The cost to the charity in 2023 for employing the Director of Training was £30,800 (including pension contribution). Prior to 2022, St Ebbe's PCC employed the Director of Training and the charity reimbursed St Ebbe’s PCC for the cost of their employment (£30,796 in 2022). Between April and July 2022 we were served by interim Training Directors whose reimbursement was made directly by the charity, (£3,535). In addition, we directly employ a part-time administrator at a cost of £4,274 (2022 £3,542). No employment benefits were paid to the trustees, nor to any person closely connected to them, in either the current or preceding year. Except for the reimbursement of expenses incurred when acting as agent for the charity, no expenses were paid to (or for) the trustees.
Many of the charity’s activities are undertaken by volunteers however, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be measured reliably.
7 Debtors
| Falling due within one year: Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Total debtors |
2023 £ 500 47 547 |
2022 £ - - - |
|---|---|---|
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
8 Cash at Bank and in Hand
| Cash at bank with immediate access itors: liabilities falling due within one year St Ebbe's PCC - Accruals Other Accruals |
2023 £ 60,872 60,872 2023 £ 1,567 1,395 2,962 |
2022 £ 53,295 53,295 2022 £ 985 973 1,957 |
|---|---|---|
9 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year
10 Pension commitments
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £2,800 (2022: £nil) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. No pension contributions were owing at the balance sheet date (2022: £nil).
11 Funds
Analysis of net assets by fund
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
| assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets Debtors & Accruals Cash at bank and in hand Creditors falling due within one year |
General Designated funds funds £ £ - 547 - 50,872 10,000 (2,962) - 48,457 10,000 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ - - - - |
2023 £ - 547 60,872 (2,962) 58,457 |
|
| General funds £ - 547 50,872 (2,962) 48,457 |
During 2023 the charity received a legacy of £10,000, without any restrictions, for which we are extremely grateful. The trustees have determined that for the time-being this amount should be set aside in a designated fund to be used to contribute to the MTC course fees for individuals who would not otherwise be able to attend. This designation will be kept under review and may be altered by the trustees.
In prior years the charity only held a general unrestricted fund, with no designated funds nor restricted funds, and therefore the comparative table for 2022 is not shown above.
12 Events since the year end
None
13 Members
Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £10.
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