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2021-04-05-accounts

Charity Registration No: 1157887

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2021

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Contents

Pages

1. Reference and administrative details
2.-5. Report of the trustees
6 Independent examiner's report
7 Statement of financial activities
8 Balance sheet
9.-12. Notes to the financial statements

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Reference and administrative details for the year ended 5th April 2021

Charity name: Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust
Registered charity number: 1157887
Trustees: Mr Philip G Anderson (Resigned 15th December 2020)
Mr Christopher R Brock
Mr Marcus Brock (Appointed 15th December 2020)
Mr Peter Gilder (Appointed 15th December 2020)
Mr Alan Rowles (Appointed 15th December 2020)
Mr David G Smith (Resigned 15th December 2020)
Mr Richard C Smith (Chair)
Mr Jonathan Worrod (Resigned 15th December 2020)
Treasurer: Mr Richard C Smith
Principal address: The Lodge
Howlett End
Wimbish
Saffron Walden
CB10 2XW
Independent examiner: 4cast
Heritage House
Woodside Lane
Bell Bar
Herts.
AL9 6DE
Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc
12a Market Place
Saffron Walden
Essex, CB10 1HR

Page 1

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2021

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5th April 2021. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 9 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust is an unincorporated trust constituted by Deed of Trust dated 27th January 1983, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 14th February 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 16th July 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1157887.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The names of the Trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2021 (2020: £nil).

The Trust operates Gospel halls and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the halls. New Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution of the congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Charity. Checks are made to ensure the Trustees’ eligibility to act and incoming Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance.

Wider network

The Trustees maintain informal links with Trustees of similar Trusts with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Trust.

The charity also maintains particular links with the Walden Road Gospel Hall Trust with which it shares members of its congregation.

Risk management

The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems or procedures to manage and mitigate those risks.

Objectives and activities

Objectives and aims

The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit, including by the carrying on of the service of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part of the world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (the “Brethren”) and any other charitable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance to charities on public benefit.

Page 2

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2021

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains three Gospel halls where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life of the Brethren can be found on the website - www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed.

The trustees have also established an Emergency Needs fund for the duration of the current pandemic and any resultant economic downturn. This is providing limited financial assistance by the way of grocery vouchers to households, who have experienced a recent and significant decrease in income due to the pandemic, such that it is likely to impact on the health and/or welfare of members of the household. The trust has appointed a Local Welfare Panel to manage the application process and to administer the vouchers to qualifying applicants.

Plans for future periods

The Trust plans to continue all the current activities to include reviving the initiative of distributing food packs and gospel literature to homeless charities and to persons in need.

From 18th March 2020, Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust ceased using the gospel halls, which it operates. This was as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the general lockdown imposed by the government on 23rd March 2020. The Trust aims to use these Gospel Halls again once the general lockdown is lifted and it is deemed safe to do so. The trustees do not consider that the Covid19 pandemic will have any effect on the ability of the trust to continue as a going concern.

Meetings

Meetings held at the gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 50 and 500 people normally attend these occasions.

The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Hall welcomes visitors and displays the times of Gospel preachings, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.

Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the halls and visitors are free to help themselves.

Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian

The Gospel halls are a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed.

In normal times members of the congregation participate in a programme of street preaching and Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public. The Covid-19 pandemic put a temporary hold on this activity.

Members of the congregation have also carried out several outreach projects including the following:

· Donation of a new park bench for the village green at Cutlers Green Essex. · Provision of blankets and bibles to the Saffron Walden Homeless Centre. · Use of the car park at one of our Thaxted rooms for the local GP surgery while they had new new broadband installed.

In addition to the activities explained in the above section the trust actively supports the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), a separate trust, in their support of local charities and people in need. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, some examples of recent events include:

Page 3

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2021

Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian contd.

In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life:

  1. We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethren), in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture (1 Tim 2:2)

  2. We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community (including former Brethren) in order to present eternal salvation, available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 4:2).

  3. We seek as members of the public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives, parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3:22-25, Col 4:1).

  4. The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5). The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom both their family and the wider community are expected to care.

  5. Holy Scripture commands us to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principles, we should give our time, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).

Funding

Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.

Financial review

Financial position

In the year ended 5 April 2021 the Trust had a deficit of incoming resources over resources expended. This was mainly due to a high depreciation charge i.e. non cash item. Total voluntary income received this year was £58,729 compared to £47,963 in the previous year.

All funds held were unrestricted funds.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are minimal. Accordingly, the Trustees generally have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves. However due to the likelihood of needing funds for a further new hall the trust is accumulating reserves to this end. The congregation is kept regularly informed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensure that the Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, by raising a funds appeal to the congregation.

Page 4

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2021

Reserves policy contd.

Free reserves at the year end were £ 296,275. The trustees designate six month's expenditure as being what is needed as a current reserve. The remainder being earmarked for future capital projects.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

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 law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. 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. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees.

On behalf of the board:

Mr Richard C Smith

Date

Page 5

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report to the trustees of Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust on the financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2021 set out on pages 7 to 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such 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 financial statements present 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

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act

have not been met; or

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date:

Name: Julian Remmington

4cast, Heritage House, Woodside Lane, Bell Bar, Herts., AL9 6DE

Page 6

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 5th April 2021

NOTES
Incoming and endowments from:
Donations and legacies:
Contributions from the congregation
Gift Aid donations
Other donations
Income tax refundable
Donated services
4.
Payroll giving
Legacies received
Investment income and interest
Bank interest
Other income
Transfers from affiliated trusts
5.
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Running of meeting halls
6.
Wider community outreach
Congregation support
Cost of donated services
4.
Transfers to affiliated trusts
Other costs
Governance
Computer costs
Postage, print and stationery
Legal & professional costs
Independent Examiner's fee
Repairs and maintenance
Bank charges
Depreciation- Office equipment
Profit/Loss on sale of assets
Total
Net income/(expenditure)
Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Funds at 6th April 2020
Total funds at 5th April 2021
8.
Unrestricted
Funds
£
30,000
1,860
1,400
-
454
-
198
8,321
-
-
39,433
49,726
419
-
2,327
-
-
573
91
3,249
1,404
-
-
73
-
57,862
18,429
-
-
18,429
-
1,551,424
1,532,995
Unrestricted
Designated
Funds
£
19,296
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,296
-
-
16,125
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16,125
3,171
-
3,171
-
3,171
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total Funds
2021
£
49,296
1,860
1,400
-
454
-
198
8,321
-
-
58,729
49,726
419
16,125
2,327
-
-
573
91
3,249
1,404
-
-
73
-
73,987
15,258
-
-
15,258
-
1,551,424
1,536,166
Total Funds
2020
£
34,000
7,845
3,600
1,961
-
557
-
-
-
47,963
58,771
289
-
2,891
-
-
1,209
7
1,959
1,134
-
-
73
-
66,333
18,370
-
-
18,370
-
1,569,794
1,551,424

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements. All of the above activities are classed as continuing and there are no gains and losses other than those included above.

Page 7

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Balance sheet As at 5th April 2021

NOTES
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
7.
Current assets
Debtors:
Prepayments & accrued income
Rosebay Construction loan
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year:
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Loans
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted income fund
Restricted funds
Total Funds
9.
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year:
£
£
1,239,891
1,239,891
1,141
-
297,086
298,227
-
1,952
1,952
296,275
1,536,166
-
1,536,166
1,536,166
-
1,536,166
2021
£
£
1,267,443
1,267,443
2,824
444
329,878
333,146
46,600
2,565
49,165
283,981
1,551,424
-
£
1,551,424
1,551,424
-
£
1,551,424
2020
£
£
1,267,443
1,267,443
2,824
444
329,878
333,146
46,600
2,565
49,165
283,981
1,551,424
-
£
1,551,424
1,551,424
-
£
1,551,424
2020
1,267,443
283,981
1,551,424
-
1,551,424
1,551,424
-
1,551,424

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustee of Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust on / / and signed on their behalf by

Mr Richard C Smith Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements

Page 8

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2021

1. Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of financial statements

The 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) issued on 16 July 2014, and incorporating update bulletins 1 and 2, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The functional currency of the charity is sterling (£).

The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

1.2 Income

Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. 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 year. Gift aid is added to the value of the donation to which it relates.

Donated services are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer their services and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by other trusts.

Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fulfilment of the charitable objects.

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. As there are no staff or offices the Trustees have agreed to allocate all such costs to Governance costs.

Tangible fixed assets (costing more than £150) are stated at cost less depreciation. Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

Building refurbishments 15%- Reducing balance method Equipment 20%- Straight line method

The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemptions and is spent on charitable purposes.

1.7 Funds

The general unrestricted fund is free for the Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust’s charitable objects.

Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose for which funds were given.

The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary and there is no requirement to prepare consolidated accounts.

1.9 Going concern

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

From 18th March 2020, Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust ceased using the gospel halls, which it operates, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the general lockdown imposed by the government. The trustees do not consider that the Covid-19 pandemic will have any effect on the ability of the trust to continue as a going concern.

Page 9

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2021

2 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2020: none).

3 Wages and salaries

There are no employees (2020: none).

4 Donated services

Income

Income 2021 2020 £ £ - - - - Expenditure 2021 2020 £ £ Walden Road Gospel Hall Trust 2,327 2,891 2,327 2,891 Transfers from affiliated trusts 2021 2020 £ £ - - - -

5 Transfers from affiliated trusts

Resources expended
Repairs and maintenance of halls
see below
Maintenance- Recording equipment
see below
Light and heat
see below
Rental of land
see below
Water rates
see below
Telephone & broadband at hall(s)
see below
Conference costs
Insurance- Public liability
see below
Legal & professional- specific to halls
see below
Cleaning
see below
Sundry
see below
Depreciation- Freehold property
Depreciation- Equipment
Summary of expenses per hall:
Repairs and maintenance of buildings
Maintenance- Recording equipment
Light and heat
Rental of land
Water rates
Telephone & broadband
Insurance
Legal and professional
Cleaning
Sundry
Meeting
rooms
£
10,749
242
3,878
500
288
775
-
972
4,603
240
-
25,042
2,437
49,726
Rowney View
£
6,410
242
2,530
500
100
775
476
4,603
240
-
15,876
Other
charitable
activities
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Copthall
£
4,053
-
731
-
245
-
238
-
-
-
5,267
2021
£
10,749
242
3,878
500
288
775
-
972
4,603
240
-
25,042
2,437
49,726
London Road
£
286
-
617
-
57
-
-
258
-
-
-
1,104
2020
£
9,029
-
4,807
-
497
572
-
757
10,282
928
-
29,462
2,437
58,771
Total
£
10,749
242
3,878
500
288
775
972
4,603
240
-
22,247

6 Resources expended

Page 10

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2021

7 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold
Property* and
Refurbishment
£
Cost
At 6th April 2020
1,427,719
Disposals
-
Additions
-
At 5th April 2021
1,427,719
Depreciation
At 6th April 2020
164,597
Disposals
-
Charge for the year
25,042
At 5th April 2021
189,639
Net Book Value
At 5th April 2021
1,238,080
At 6th April 2020
1,263,122
Plant &
Equipment
£
44,031
-
-
44,031
39,710
-
2,510
42,220
1,811
4,321
Total
£
1,471,750
-
-
1,471,750
204,307
-
27,552
231,859
1,239,891
1,267,443
8
Analysis of net assets between funds
8.1 Current year
Tangible fixed assets
Currents assets
Current liabilities
Total funds
8.2 Prior year
Tangible fixed assets
Currents assets
Current liabilities
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
1,239,891
-
295,056
3,171
1,952
-
1,532,995
3,171
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
1,267,443
-
333,146
-
49,165
-
1,551,424
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
Total
funds
£
1,239,891
298,227
1,952
1,536,166
Total
funds
£
1,267,443
333,146
49,165
1,551,424

Total funds

9 Movement in funds

Restricted funds
Fund
Designated funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
Balance at
6 April
2020
£
-
-
-
1,551,424
1,551,424
Incoming
resources
£
-
-
19,296
39,433
58,729
Resources
expended
£
-
-
16,125
57,862
73,987
Realised/
unrealised
gain and
losses
£
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at 5
April 2021
£
-
-
3,171
1,532,995
1,536,166

Page 11

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2021

9 Movement in funds contd.

9.2 Prior year
Restricted funds
Fund
Designated funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
Balance at
6 April
2019
£
-
-
-
1,569,794
1,569,794
Incoming
resources
£
-
-
-
47,963
47,963
Resources
expended
£
-
-
-
66,333
66,333
Realised/
unrealised
gain and
losses
£
-
-
-
-
-
Balance at 5
April 2020
£
-
-
-
1,551,424
1,551,424

10 Independent examiner's fees

Governance costs include £1,404 (2020 : £1,134) in respect of independent examiner's fees.

11 Transactions with related parties

Total donations received from connected persons was £0 (2020 £6,200). The Trust received monies as loans from trustees totalling £0 (2020 £25,000). Costs were incurred from Rosebay Construction Limited and Planteria Group Limited, both of which Mr Phil Anderson, trustee, is a director of, for building services and materials for £1,032.50 (2020 £ 0).

12 Volunteers

Bridgefoot Gospel Hall Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees.

Page 12