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← South Central Gospel Partnership

2024-07-31-accounts

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South Central Gospel Partnership
Report and Accounts
year ended 31 July 2024
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SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

COMPANY INFORMATION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Directors/Trustees

Richard Baxter (from March 2024) Philip Butcher Elisabeth Ling James Muldoon (until April 2024) Thomas Putt

Andrew Menary

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

Page 1

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

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:

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 main ministry of the South Central Gospel Partnership continues to be the Ministry Training Course that meets each week during term time. It continues to seek to equip people for a variety of service in churches and Christian organisations across the region. Numbers were slightly down this year with around 50 attending. Over the last two years there has been a dwindling number interested in the online version of the course with the result that this will be discontinued. However, there has been a growing diversity in those attending, particularly amongst an older age group complementing the younger contingent who often attend MTC as part of church internships. Around twenty churches sent people to MTC- some for the first time.

The course continues to benefit from the contributions of local church leaders who generously give time to serve the students. This is seen in the variety of speakers who give expositions on different books of the Bible. This year students had the opportunity to engage with 1 Peter, Zechariah, Ruth, Acts, Psalms and Hosea. For many, though, the highlight of the course is the workshop groups where experienced leaders seek to help those on the course with their teaching of the Bible. A new initiative this year was in providing a workshop group aimed specifically at interactive Bible Study leading. We are hugely grateful to the twenty or so volunteers who taught sessions or led small groups. End of year feedback from those attending was overwhelmingly positive.

Page 2

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

The Gospel Partnership hosted two conferences. There was a successful Women’s Conference that took place in the summer term. For the first time in a few years we were able to hold an annual conference, which was designed to encourage leaders and function as an “open day” for people to see MTC. Andy Robinson (our Training Director) and Vaughan Roberts spoke from Jeremiah and various trustees were involved in leading a prayer time for churches across the region. Andy has also been involved in trying to grow a sense of partnership by preaching or leading training sessions in around twelve churches across the region during the year.

Plans for September 2024 onwards include a new Saturday course. This is in response to requests from those in employment who are unable to attend a midweek course.

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.

Across the year we are thankful for all that has enabled a sense of partnership across Gospel churches in the region.

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 and recent chairman, James Muldoon, resigned upon taking up a new position outside our region. We are particularly appreciative of his wise and careful guidance of the charity over recent years, in particular in times of changing Director and during the COVID pandemic. We are very pleased to welcome Richard Baxter as a new trustee and the trustees are delighted that Tom Putt has become chairman.

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.

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.

Page 3

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

Financial review

As was expected in last year's report, the numbers attending MTC dropped further in 2023/24, resulting in a significant deficit on our General Fund of £12,309 (2023 deficit £2,881). MTC income fell to £23,556 (2023 £32,150), resulting in total undesignated General Fund income reducing to £34,959 (2023 £38,739) after including the income from the bi-annual woman's conference and a small uplift in generous donations from churches and individuals for which we are exceedingly grateful. Expenditure rose to £47,268 (2023 £41,620) but once the costs of the women's conference are excluded (which by itself achieved a surplus) underlying cost growth was contained to the levels of wage inflation and staffing maintained at previous levels.

During the year there was no call to draw on the newly established designated bursary fund, though we have since agreed some bursaries for individuals attending MTC in 2024/5. This fund was established by a legacy for £10,000 received in the previous year; none of this was spent in the previous year and so the whole amount contributed to last year's overall surplus of £7,119.

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 £36,148 (2023 £48,457). Numbers attending MTC have improved for the year 2024/25, and also boosted by income from the new Saturday MTC and we are forecasting close to break even for the coming year. The Directors 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. We have seen a slight rise in bookings for the coming year.

To meet a need to help train those who are unable to attend our training during the midweek we are establishing a Saturday MTC, meeting once a month and spread over a 3 year cycle. The initial response to this initiative is encouraging.

It is likely that we will need to continue to rely on generous donations, from churches and individuals, to balance our books. We remain hugely grateful for their support, encouragement and prayers.

Page 4

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

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:

  1. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

  2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

  3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  4. state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

  5. 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:

Tom Putt

Tom Putt (Mar 14, 2025 21:36 GMT)

Thomas Putt

Date: Mar 14, 2025

Page 5

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 2024 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:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. 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

  4. 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

Ajay Rajani (Mar 21, 2025 11:31 GMT)

Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB

Date: Mar 21, 2025

Page 6

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

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
£
£
7,050
-
27,786
-
123
-
34,959
-
47,268
-
-
-
47,268
-
(12,309)
-
-
-
(12,309)
-
48,457
10,000
36,148
10,000
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2024
£
7,050
27,786
123
34,959
47,268
-
47,268
(12,309)
-
(12,309)
58,457
46,148		 Total
Funds
2023
£
16,222
32,388
129
48,739
41,620
-
41,620
7,119
-
7,119
51,338
58,457

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All of the charity’s income and expenditure in 2024 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.

Page 7

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 JULY 2024

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
£
-
-
22
49,632
49,654
(3,506)
46,148
46,148
46,148
36,148
10,000
46,148
-
46,148		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
Funds
2024
£
-
-
22
49,632
49,654
(3,506)
46,148
46,148
46,148
36,148
10,000
46,148
-
46,148		 Total
Funds
2023
£
-
-
547
60,872
61,419
(2,962)
58,457
58,457
58,457
48,457
10,000
58,457
-
58,457

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2024 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:

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 and were signed on its behalf by:

Tom Putt Tom Putt (Mar 14, 2025 21:36 GMT)

Thomas Putt

Date: Mar 14, 2025 Company number: 8163369

Charity number: 1149625

The notes on pages 9-11 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

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.

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 a designated bursary fund was established in 2023 from the receipt of a legacy. 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).

e) Tangible fixed assets

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.

Page 9

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

3 Donations

Donations of cash and similar
Legacies receivable - Designated Fund
Gift aid recoverable
4
Income from charitable activities
Ministry Training Course
Conferences
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
£
£
7,050
-
-
-
-
-
7,050
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Total
2024
£
7,050
-
-
7,050
2024
£
23,556
4,230
-
27,786
2024
£
1,524
3,708
33,220
38,453
980
-
980
7,836
8,816
47,268		 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

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 2024 for employing the Director of Training was £33,220 (including pension contribution) (2023 £33,800). In addition, we directly employ a part-time administrator at a cost of £4,515 (2023 £4,274). 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.

Page 10

SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024

7 Debtors

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
SOUTH CENTRAL GOSPEL PARTNERSHIP
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024
ors
Falling due within one year:
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Total debtors
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		 2024
£
22
-
22
2024
£
49,632
49,632
2024
£
2,030
1,476
3,506		 2023
£
500
47
547
2023
£
60,872
60,872
2023
£
1,567
1,395
2,962

8 Cash at Bank and in Hand

9 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year

10 Pension commitments

During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £3,020 (2022: £2,800) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. No pension contributions were owing at the balance sheet date (2023: £nil).

11 Funds

Analysis of net assets by fund

The 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
£
£
-
-
22
-
39,632
10,000
(3,506)
-
36,148
10,000
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
2024
£
£
-
-
-
22
-
49,632
-
(3,506)
-
46,148
General
funds
£
-
22
39,632
(3,506)
36,148

In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:

Tangible fixed assets
Debtors
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.

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.

Page 11