Trustees’ report For the year ended December 2023
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Reference and administrative details of charity and its trustees.
Churches Together in Bedfordshire was registered in England and Wales as a charity (Number 1151495) on the 3[rd] April 2013.
The registered office of the charity is:
Willington Methodist Church Station Road Willington Bedford MK44 3QH
The trustees under charity law who served during the period and up to the date of this report were
Trustees names for this period
Jeffrey William Hugh Bulled Alan Dansey Steven Gary Dolby Rev John Sean Healy George Watt (Chair)
Structure, Governance, and management
Churches Together in Bedfordshire (CTB) is a constituent part of Churches Together in England and both bodies work in tandem to foster ecumenical links and good practice across the County of Bedfordshire. The group meets usually three times s a year with an Annual General Meeting open to all in the county interested in the work of ecumenism. CTB is supported by the following denominations:
Church of England Methodist Church United Reformed Church Roman Catholic Church Baptist Union Salvation Army Society of Friends Congregational Federation
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Registered Charity Number 1151495 www.churchestogether.org/bedfordshire
Trustees’ report
For the year ended December 2023
Bedfordshire Ecumenical Committee (BEC) is governed by a constitution that was adopted on the 23rd January 2013 and registered with the Charity Commission on 3rd April 2013 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
The trustees meet at least 4 times per year with other members of Churches together in Bedfordshire to discuss the strategic direction of the charity and to monitor progress both financially and in terms of successful delivery of its activities.
The day-to-day management is undertaken by the trustees and members.
Objectives and Activities
As stated in the trust deed:
To Advance the Christian religion and education by
(a)participating in the life and works of Churches together in England (CTE) as an intermediate body
(b) Sponsoring Local Ecumenical Partnerships
(c) Encouraging those bodies and individuals in the churches who share a similar remit or concern to work together.
(d) Taking any further actions which may encourage the development of the Ecumenical Agenda
To relieve financial hardship anywhere in the World by making grants from funds raised directly or coordinated fundraising efforts by member churches.
Achievements and Performance
The Forum was able to meet in person in April at Howard Memorial Church in Cardington, Bedford, the first time since the pandemic. The event was well attended with representation from across the area and member churches. Doral Hayes, Principal Officer for Ecumenical Development and Relations for Churches Together in England talked about “Living Ecumenically: Christian unity present and future”.
We held 3 Trustee Meetings and 4 general including the Forum (AGM). It was possible to pay off the outstanding pension debt. Consequently, the Trustees were able to begin planning to employ a County Ecumenical Officer agreeing to work collaboratively with Churches Together in Hertfordshire in making a joint appointment. It is hoped this will happen in 2024, providing support to local Churches Together groups and expanding our activities.
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Registered Charity Number 1151495 www.churchestogether.org/bedfordshire
Trustees’ report For the year ended December 2023
Financial Review
The trustee’s records of the financial transactions undertaken by the charity from which the annual statements of accounts are prepared have been maintained as required by Part 6 of the Charities Act 1993, as amended by the Charities Act 2006.
Income during the year did not reach the threshold requiring an independent auditor.
At the time of writing the charity does not have a reserves policy.
The charity does not hold any fixed assets.
Duty of prudence – the trustees are aware that the charity should remain solvent, and assets should only be used to further the purposes and interests of the charity
This report was approved by the Trustees on……………………………….2024
And signed on their behalf by……………………………………………………………….
George Watt – Chairman
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Registered Charity Number 1151495 www.churchestogether.org/bedfordshire
Churches Together in Bedfordshire Financial Activilies January- December 2023 TOTAL Income Donations Totailncom 9,593.60 £9A9&60 9&60 TOTAL Expenditures AGM Costs Bank ehargès Due5 and Subscriptions Insurances OfficelGeneral Administrative Expenses Secrètarial Services Website 200.56 69.20 350.00 196.00 6.00 1,197.50 120.00 INET OPERATING INCOME £7,4X34 Other Income Interest earnèd 46.50 NET OTHER INCOME NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI £7,5084 EX kL - ZOL* Accrual Basis Tuesday, 2 Januaiy 2024 03..50 pm GMT+OO=OO 111
Churches Together in Bedfordshire Balance Sheet As of December 31. 2023 TOTAL Fixed Asset Tolai FLxedA6set Cash al bank and in hand HS8C- 538 HSBC- 672 HSBC-912 Total Cash at bank ar Inthand Debtors Debtors 10,199.64 6.OS4.41 221.34 £16.47639 0.00 £0.00 NET CURRENT ASSETS £16.47529 Creditors.. afflounls falling du8 withln onè yaar rad9 Credllors Creditors Trade Cre¢llior8 0.00 £0.00 Accruals PAYE Pension Liabilities Tot Current Uabmiies 0.00 0.00 0.00 £0.00 TO1 Credllors: amounts InI duo ono year NET CURRENT ASSETS ILIA81LITIESI TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL NET ASSETS ILIABILITIESI Charity lunds Opening 88lance Equity Aelained Earnings urplusllDeficill .tal Charlty lund8 £0.00 E16,47629 £16.475a9 t16,475.39 -8,472.89 17.447.44 7,500.84 t16,475.39 chKIES Accrual Basis Tuesday. 2 January 2024 03..53 pili GMT+OO..00