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2024-08-31-accounts

TAKING GROUND

Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st August 2024

Taking Ground, The Oakwood Centre, Cleasby Way, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0RD Email: contact@takingground.org.uk tel: 01642 781919 Website : www.takingground.org.uk Company number: 08295067 Registered Charity No: 1150029

TAKING GROUND

ANNUAL REPORT & UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

Charity number: 1150029 Company number: 08295067

Accounts – 31st August 2024

INDEX

Page 1

TAKING GROUND

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) for the year ended 31st August 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31st August 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Company Act purposes.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing documents, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, published in October 2019.

Reference and Administration Details

The charity’s name is Taking Ground.

Charity Registration Number: 1150029 Company Number: 08295067 Registered and Principal Office: The Oakwood Centre, Cleasby Way, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside, TS16 0RD Bankers: HSBC 136 High Street, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 1LR Independent Examiners: Anne Cowley FCA, Baines Jewitt Limited, Spitfire House, 19 Falcon Court, Preston Farm Industrial Estate, Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3TU

Trustees and Directors

The Trustees of the charitable company are the directors for the purposes of charity law. The trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:

Martin Dunkley Matthew Biddlecombe Steven McFarlane Neville Wright Neil Strike Jeremy Goulding

Company Secretary – David Marley

Objectives and Activities

The main objectives of the charity are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs in the North East of England or other areas as the Trustees think fit.

The main activity of the Charity is the provision of religious education and ministry.

In planning the activities of the charitable company, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.

The Charitable company’s activities of advancement of the Christian faith through education and ministry are available to the people in the North East of England and wider area to make a positive contribution to the local and wider community.

Page 2

Achievements and performance

Taking Ground is a family of seven churches across the North East of England and Yorkshire – Hexham Community Church, Birtley Community Church, Durham Community Church, Middlesbrough Community Church, Tees Valley Community Church, Easingwold Community Church and Collective Church York.

The Taking Ground family has provided support to the activities in any of the individual churches within the Taking Ground family.

Specifically, Taking Ground has provided both financial support and practical advice to the activities of the School of Applied Theology (SAT) and Taking Ground Music.

School of Applied Theology (SAT) - Taking Ground has continued to run SAT during the year providing biblical training and thinking for today’s world. SAT had over fifty students, with a diverse range of ages from seventeen to over seventy-year-olds.

Taking Ground Music – This is a group of singers and musicians from within the church families of Taking Ground, with a vision to see people’s lives changed and impacted by music as an expression of worship. During the year Taking Ground Music recorded and released new music.

Financial review

Financial Summary

The overall income for the year was £107,988 compared to £144,333 in the previous year. The reduction in income was due to the Collective Church York operating its own bank account from the start of the financial year. The biggest source of income was from performance related grants and donations and totalled £52,699.

The overall expenditure for the year was £153,742 compared to £181,847 in the previous year. The reduction in expenditure was due to the Collective Church York operating its own bank account from the start of the financial year. The biggest element of expenditure was for staff and totalled £76,254.

The net position for the year was a deficit of £45,754 compared to a deficit of £37,514 in the previous year.

Major risks facing the Charity

Risk Management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks which the Charity is exposed to. To enable the Trustees to manage risks we have systems of internal control to protect and mitigate against any reasonably foreseeable risk.

The control systems include:

We regularly review the main risks faced by the Charity and the main risks that have been identified are finance, safeguarding, health and safety, building maintenance and security.

We also use a variety of people from either within our partner TVCC or external third parties to provide advice and guidance on the relevant areas of risk. We use people with expertise in the different areas of risk to provide specialist and expert advice.

We believe that the internal financial controls comply with the relevant Charity Commission guidance.

Page 3

Cash Reserves Policy

The Trustees have set a reserves policy which requires maintaining free unrestricted cash balances in the general fund amounting to 3 months of its annual expenditure. Based on 2023/24 level of expenditure reserves should be a minimum of £38,436 and at the end of the financial year they were £56,341. At the end of the previous financial year the balance of reserves was £102,095.

Reserves should be maintained at this level which ensures that the charity’s core activity could continue during a period of unforeseen difficulty. The reserves should be maintained in an easily accessible form.

The calculation of the required level of reserves is an integral part of the organisation's annual planning, budget and forecast cycle.

It takes into account risks associated with each stream of income and expenditure being different from that budgeted, planned activity level, the Church’s commitments to its stakeholders, future spending plans and expected liabilities and anticipated building costs. It also reflects as far as possible the current economic climate and trends.

In addition, the Trustees are also considering the establishment of future church plants which involves significant financial support, plus employment of 1 or 2 members of staff. For this reason, the Trustees aim to increase free cash reserves modestly in the short to medium term.

The reserves policy will be reviewed by the Trustees every 12 months.

Plans for future periods

Taking Ground is about to launch a new training academy called Taking Ground Academy in the next academic year. This is to strengthen the network of churches by developing and training future leaders.

Taking Ground is currently considering whether to plant any new churches to build and grow the network. Across the North East of England, we are currently assessing various locations for viability for future church plants.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Taking Ground is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 15th November 2012. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute amounts not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of winding up.

Appointment of Trustees/Directors

The Trustees keep the composition of the board under review and will seek to appoint additional members with appropriate skills and expertise should the need arise. Interested parties are given details of the background of the charitable company in order to make them aware of current activities.

The methods of appointment of Trustees are set out in the Articles of Association.

Members may propose the appointment of a person as a Trustee at any general meeting by following the notice and other requirements set out in the Articles. The charity may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act as a Trustee.

Persons willing to be appointed as Trustees must subscribe to the Statement of Faith attached to the Articles.

In selecting individuals for appointment, the Trustees are required to have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience required for the effective administration of the charity.

Decision making and management

The Trustees meet bi-monthly to discuss finances, strategic and operational issues and the Trustees have responsibility for all legal decision making.

Page 4 Related artles and collaborations In pursuit of its objective5, the Charity supports and collaborates with a number of other charitable organisatlons and local thurches In addition to the churches and charitie5 that join together to form Takin8 Ground. Three13 Trainin and Enter rise Limite formerl known as TVCP Three13 Training and Enterprlse Limited is a local charity that works on a variety of projects, mainly vmrking with people from sociallv deprived backgrounds, providing training and job opportunities to help people gain employment. Three13 Tralning and Enterpflse Limited is a close partner of the Charlty, and we have been working together to see people's lives and prospects changedi providing fom)al training and individual mentoring for the learners working with Three13 Training and Enterprise Limited. The Messa e Trust The Message Trust Is a Christlan charity working to improve the Ilves ofyoun8 people in the UK and beyond through work in schools. prisons and communitie5. Workin8 In partnership with churche5 and other or8anls3tlons, The Message Trust Is In contact wlth around ICQ,000 young people each year, The Me55age Trust have set up a North East hub based in our centre, and we are workin8 in partnership to help people from the most soclally deprlved areas of the Tee5 Valley. We work closely with The Message Trust to run a Community Grocers to provide affordable food to local communitles and also to run Eden Project5, which are almed at brln8ln8 transformation to local communities. Junction 42 works in prisons and communities across north east En8land and central Scotland, supportlng people throughout the joumey of custody and rehabilitation. Thelr vlslon Is to see the lives of offender5 and thelr communities visibly transformed through support, empowerrnent and opportunity. This report has been prepared in accordance wlth the speclal provlslons relatin8to companie5 subject tothe Small Companies Reglme within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, Thls Report was approved by the 8oard on .... 2025 Si8ned on Its behalf by: Matthew Biddlecombe - Trustee and Director

Page 5

TAKING GROUND

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st August 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31st August 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 13.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity 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 company’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 that in any material respect:

  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.

Mrs A Cowley FCA Baines Jewitt Limited Chartered Accountants Spitfire House 19 Falcon Court Preston Farm Industrial Estate STOCKTON ON TEES TS18 3TU

21 May 2025

Page 6

TAKING GROUND

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31st August 2024

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Total incoming resources
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
7
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
16
Total funds carried forward
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
43,393
3,152
46,545
61,070
-
61,070
373
-
373
104,836
3,152
107,988
116,543
37,199
153,742
116,543
37,199
153,742
(11,707)
(34,047)
(45,754)
(11,707)
(34,047)
(45,754)
68,048
34,047
102,095
56,341
-
56,341
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
2023
2023
Restated
Restated
Restated
£
£
£
49,209
40,835
90,044
52,238
-
52,238
2,051
-
2,051
103,498
40,835
144,333
128,835
53,012
181,847
128,835
53,012
181,847
(25,337)
(12,177)
(37,514)
(25,337)
(12,177)
(37,514)
93,385
46,224
139,609
68,048
34,047
102,095

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

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements

Page 7 TAKING GROUND BALANCE SHEET As of 315t August 2024 Note 2024 1023 Flxed assets Tangible assets Totsl fixed assets 12 545 545 Cufrent assets Debtors fallln8 due within one year Cash at bank and in hand 13 2,448 62,371 64,819 7,984 117,910 125,894 Total current a￿et5 Llabllltl•s Credltors fallin8 due within one year N•t Current assets 14 8,478 56,341 56,341 24,344 101,550 102,095 Total assets less current Ilabllltle$ Total net assets 16 56,341 102,095 The funds of the ¢harltv Restricted income funds Unrestrlcted Income funds Total charlty funds 16 34,047 68.048 102,095 16 56,341 56,341 For the year ended 31st August 2024 the company was entltled to exemption from audit under sectlon 477 of the Companie5 Act 21XJ6 relatin8 to small companles. Dlrectors, Responslbllitles The mÈrnbÈrs have not requlred the company to obtain an audit of it5 accounts for the year in questlon in accordance with section 476,. and The directors acknowledge thelr responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the act wlth respect to the accountin8 records and the preparation of accounts. These attounts have been prepared in accordance wlth the Special provi5ion5 relating to companies subject to the Small Companies Regime within part 15 of the Companles Act 2006. These accounts were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 20 May 2025 and are signed on their behalf by.. Matthew Biddlecombe- Director and Trustee The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements

Page 8

TAKING GROUND

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st August 2024

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

a) Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

The charitable company constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

b) Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income Recognition Policies

Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:

the control of the charity.

For legacies entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date:

Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably, and the Charity has been notified of the Executors intention to make a distribution.

Where legacies have been notified to the Charity, or the Charity is aware of the granting of the probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

d) Donated Services and Facilities

In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the general time of volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

e) Interest Receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Page 9

f) Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.

g) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

• Expenditure on Charitable activities include the cost of running the church, café and associated projects.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

h) Tangible Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £5,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight-line basis as follows:

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.

j) Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

k) Creditors and Provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Grants

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, and any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

2. Legal Status of the Charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

Page 10

3. Income from donations & legacies

Income from donations & legacies
Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
Restated Restated Restated
£ £ £ £ £ £
Donations, Legacies, Gifts & Grants 43,393 3,152 46,545 49,209 40,835 90,044

The charity benefits greatly from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

4. Income earned from charitable activities

Course Fees
Music Sales
Performance related grants &
donations
Other Income
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
2023
2023
Restated
Restated
Restated
£
£
£
£
£
£
8,229
-
8,229
8,625
-
8,625
102
-
102
4,037
-
4,037
52,699
-
52,699
39,576
-
39,576
40
-
40
-
-
-
61,070
-
61,070
52,238
-
52,238

5. Income earned from other trading activity

Unrestricted Restricted Total Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds
2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Other Income 373 - 373 2,051 - 2,051

6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Buildings Costs
Other Direct Costs
Overheads
Missions / Gifts
Depreciation
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Ministry
Work
Education &
Training
Total
Church
Establishment
Total
Total
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
£
£
£
71
172
243
-
-
243
101,537
5,516
107,053
-
-
107,053
6,836
338
7,174
133
133
7,307
1,528
-
1,528
37,066
37,066
38,594
545
-
545
-
-
545
110,517
6,026
116,543
37,199
37,199
153,742

Page 11

Buildings Costs
Other Direct Costs
Overheads
Missions / Gifts
Depreciation
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
Restricted
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
Ministry
Work
Education &
Training
Total
Church
Establishment
Total
Total
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
Restated
Restated
Restated
Restated
Restated
Restated
£
£
£
£
£
£
590
-
590
5,925
5,925
6,515
96,574
7,614
104,188
41,151
41,151
145,339
5,001
636
5,637
3,905
3,905
9,542
17,960
-
17,960
1,430
1,430
19,390
460
-
460
601
601
1,061
120,585
8,250
128,835
53,012
53,012
181,847

7. Net income/(expenditure) for the year

This stated after charging:
Depreciation
Independent Examiner Fees
2024
2023
£
£
545
1,061
2,080
2,000

8. Analysis of Staff Costs and Trustee Remuneration, expenses and related transactions

Trustee remuneration

During the year, the trustees received remuneration from the charity as permitted by the Memorandum and Articles of Association and expenses as follows.

2024 2023
Martin & Lynda Dunkley £ £
Fees paid to trustees and their family members in the year amounted to: 66,932 65,105
66,932 65,105
2024 2023
£ £
Expenses paid to trustees and their family members in the year amounted to: 8,050 3,885
Expenses reimbursed covered IT Equipment, Other Equipment, Travel & Subsistence and Food for events.
Three trustees and two family members received reimbursements.
2024 2023
£ £
Donations to the charity from trustees, family members & key management staff: 8,290 12,278

Page 12

9. Staff numbers

Taking Ground does not have any employees.

10. Related Party Transactions

Martin Dunkley, Matthew Biddlecombe and Steven Mcfarlane are trustees of both Taking Ground and Tees Valley Community Church, a charitable company that operates in the Tees Valley area.

Details of transactions during the year and balances at the year-end date are as follows:

Details of transactions during the year and balances at the year-end date are as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Expenditure:
Contributions to Tees Valley Community Church for employees on its payroll 3,322 38,348
Included in debtors:
Owed by Taking Ground - 754
Included in creditors:
Owed to Taking Ground - 15,083

11. Corporation Tax

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

12. Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost as at 01.09.23
Additions in year
Disposals in year
Cost as at 31.08.2024
Depreciation as at 01.09.2023
Disposals in year
Charge for year
Depreciation as at 31.08.2024
Net book value as at 01.09.2023
Net book value as at 31.08.2024
IT
Total
Equipment
£
£
2,374
2,374
-
-
(995)
(995)
1,379
1,379
1,829
1,829
(995)
(995)
545
545
1,379
1,379
545
545
-
-

Page 13

13. Debtors

Prepayments
Accrued Income
Other debtors
2024
2023
£
£
-
957
2,431
6,273
17
754
2,448
7,984

14. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors
Income in advance
Accrued Costs
Other creditors
2024
2023
£
£
625
1,343
5,866
5,556
1,987
2,362
-
15,083
8,478
24,344

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible fixed assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Other net current assets/(liabilities)
Total
Analysis of charitable funds
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Collective Church York
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Collective Church York
Opening
Incoming
Resources
Balance
Resources
Expended
2024
2024
2024
£
£
£
68,048
104,836
(116,543)
34,047
3,152
(37,199)
General
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
-
-
-
56,348
6,023
62,371
(7)
(6,023)
(6,030)
56,341
-
56,341
Closing
Transfers
Balance
2024
2024
£
£
-
56,341
-
-
-
56,341
Closing
Transfers
Balance
2023
2023
£
£
-
68,048
-
34,047
-
102,095
102,095
107,988
(153,742)
Opening
Incoming
Resources
Balance
Resources
Expended
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
93,385
103,498
(128,835)
46,224
40,835
(53,012)
139,609
144,333
(181,847)

16. Analysis of charitable funds

Name of fund

Description, nature and purposes of the fund

General Fund The 'free reserves' are after allowing for all designated funds. Collective Church York The restricted funds are for the setting up of a new church in York.