Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust Registered Charity 1157889
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the Year ended 31 December 2022
Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Contents
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 3 |
| Report of the trustees | 4-8 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 9 |
| Statement of financial activities | 10 |
| Balance sheet | 11 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 12-16 |
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
| Charity name | Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number | 1157889 |
| Trustees | Mr B Cowley |
| Mr S Gould | |
| Mr P Holding (chair) | |
| Mr D McMullan | |
| Treasurer | Mr D McMullan |
| Principal address | Brethren’s Gospel Hall |
| London Road | |
| Albourne | |
| Hassocks | |
| West Sussex | |
| BN6 9BL | |
| Independent examiner | Mr Keith Bellenie FCCA |
| Keith Bellenie & Co Ltd, | |
| Chartered Certified Accountants, | |
| 3 Cecilian Court, | |
| Cecilian Avenue, | |
| Worthing, | |
| BN14 8AP | |
| Bankers | Santander UK plc |
| Business Banking | |
| 301 St Vincent Street | |
| Glasgow | |
| G2 5NT | |
| Solicitors | Wace Morgan Tomleys |
| 31 Market Street | |
| Newtown | |
| Powys | |
| SY16 2PG |
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 12 - 13 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The Charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 21 April 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 28 February 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 16 July 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1157889
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The names of the Trustees who served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 3. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021: £nil).
The Trust operates two 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 similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity. The trust maintains particular links with Mid Sussex 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.
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Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
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.
Main activities and achievements
The Trust provides and maintains 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.
As mentioned below, the normal activities of the Trust have been hindered during Covid restrictions but members of the congregation maintain contact to promote their faith and participate in such outreach as is relevant and permitted by government regulation from time to time. The trust has provided Covid testing facilities to members of the congregation to assist with safe assembly.
The trustees have continued to provide limited financial assistance to households who experienced a 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 but this was phased out during the period.
In March 2022 there was an incident where a UK Power Networks transformer exploded spreading fire onto trust property which resulted in an insurance claim. Criminal activity on the site related to this incident prompted a decision to replace the CCTV equipment to enable better monitoring for enhanced security.
Plans for Future Periods
Despite the increased cost of energy, the trustees feel that these increased costs are not significantly impacting on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
The trustees plan to transfer Hickstead Gospel Hall by 31 March 2023 to Mid Sussex Gospel Hall Trust and, as a charity with congruent objectives, for no consideration.
Meetings
Meetings normally held at the Gospel halls normally 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 40 and 450 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 contact information for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.
Bibles, gospel tracts and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the main hall and are available free of charge to interested persons.
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
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.
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.
In addition to street preaching, the trust also encourages members of the congregation who operate a programme of providing food packs and gospel literature to homeless and needy persons through local charities or homeless societies. Members of the congregation also assist with the charitable work of Rapid Relief Team (RRT, a registered charity operated by members of the Brethren community). During the year members of the congregation have donated additional funds to RRT to support their work with Ukraine relief. These additional donations and work continue after the year end.
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:
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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).
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We regularly go out 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).
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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).
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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 Brethren community are expected to care.
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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).
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Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
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 31 December 2022, the Trust had a surplus of incoming resources over resources expended. Total voluntary income received this year was £115,883 compared to £112,151 in the previous year.
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 paid employees and its regular outgoings are covered by donations from the congregation. Accordingly, the Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining sufficient reserves to cover day-to-day expenditure and any other needs which may arise. 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.
The generosity of the congregation has allowed the Trust to accumulate reserves which are being held (funds are unrestricted) to provide an additional gospel hall in the area for a local congregation. Planning permission has been granted on the site owned by the trust at Warninglid, Haywards Heath for the construction of a place of worship and discharge of planning conditions is being pursued.
Free reserves at the year-end were £346,947 (2021: £288,253).
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 require 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 of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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 at least two trustees.
On behalf of the Board:
Name Peter Holding Trustee
Date: 25 September 2023
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees For the year ended 31 December 2022
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust for the year ended 31 December 2022.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
BASIS OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts 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 accounts present a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the 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 applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Keith Bellenie FCCA Independent Examiner
25 September 2023
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Statement of financial activities For the year ended 31 December 2022
| Unrestricted Funds £ Donations & legacies 115,883 Other income 272 Bank interest 224 Profit on sale of assets 6 116,379 Premises costs 59,894 Other 4,444 Congregation support 1,450 Cost of donated services 4 7,070 5 72,858 43,521 10 43,521 2,565,582 2,609,103 Notes Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Charitable activities: Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Expenditure on: Income and endowments from: Investments Other Total |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - |
Total Funds 2022 Total Funds 2021 £ £ 115,883 112,151 272 3 - 224 18 - - 116,379 112,172 59,894 59,453 4,444 3,062 1,450 7,050 7,070 8,495 72,858 78,060 43,521 34,112 43,521 34,112 2,565,582 2,531,470 2,609,103 2,565,582 |
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 12 to 16 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.
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Balance sheet As at 31 December 2022
| Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets 7 Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Current liabilities Creditors due within one year 8 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Liabilities Creditors due after more than one year Net assets Funds Unrestricted Restricted Total funds 9 |
2022 2021 £ £ 2,262,156 2,277,329 13,924 11,753 339,708 282,821 353,632 294,574 6,685 6,321 346,947 288,253 2,609,103 2,565,582 2,609,103 2,565,582 2,609,103 2,565,582 2,609,103 2,565,582 |
|---|---|
The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust on 25[th] September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Name Peter Holding Trustee
The notes on pages 12 to 16 form part of these financial statements
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Second edition of the 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, 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 Sussex Vale 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.
1.3 Expenditure
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.
1.4 Governance and support costs
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. Governance and support costs are allocated to charitable activities on the basis of capacity used.
1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets (costing more than £1,000) 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:
Freehold buildings 2% straight line Fixtures and Fittings 15% reducing balance
1.6 Taxation
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.
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
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 trust does not have any restricted funds.
1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements
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.
1.10 Significant estimates and judgements
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.
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 (2021: None).
3. Wages and salaries
There are no paid employees (2021: none).
4. Donated services
No donated services received
| Donated to: Fairfield Gospel Hall Trust Mid Sussex Gospel Hall Trust |
2022 £ 375 6,695 7,070 |
2021 £ 821 7,674 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,495 |
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
5. Resources expended
| Charitable activities Premises expenses Repairs & maintenance Health & safety, security Consumables Utilities Insurance Depreciation Rates & taxes Congregation Support Events & outreach Donated services Administration Governance Total |
2022 2021 £ £ 1,702 9,131 1,592 1,166 4,663 9,230 6,881 2,772 2,169 39,935 40,106 1,450 7,050 7,070 8,495 92 57 4,352 3,005 72,858 78,060 |
|---|---|
Governance costs include £780 (2021: £780) in respect of independent examiner’s fees.
6. Analysis of income
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Donations gift aidable | 44,880 | 36,905 |
| Donations not gift aidable | 21,875 | 22,700 |
| Payroll giving | 8,507 | 9,045 |
| Allocated from congregation | 29,400 | 34,275 |
| Tax refund for gift aid | 11,221 | 9,226 |
| Legacies | ||
| Bank interest | 224 | 18 |
| Other | 272 | 3 |
| 116,379 | 112,172 |
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
7. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost B/f 1 January 2022 Additions (Disposals) At 31 December 2022 Depreciation B/f 1 January 2022 Charge for the year Impairment Disposals At 31 December 2022 Net book value At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021 |
Freehold Property and Refurbishment £ 3,068,101 24,762 3,092,863 797,220 38,968 836,188 2,256,675 2,270,881 |
Furniture, fixtures and fittings Total £ £ 34,206 3,102,307 24,762 - 34,206 3,127,069 27,758 824,978 967 39,935 28,725 864,913 5,481 2,262,156 6,448 2,277,329 |
|---|---|---|
Property Details:
Land Registry titles of the above property held are WSX328733, WSX396242 and WSX398079 WSX328733 contains a restrictive covenant for use only as community meeting hall within Use Class D1 which may impact on the carrying value in the accounts. Trustees’ land valuation £650,000. No depreciation is being charged on land WSX398079 pending future development.
8. Debtors and creditors
8.1 Debtors and prepayments
| Gift Aid due Prepayments Total debtors itors and accruals Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Total creditors |
2022 2021 £ £ 11,220 9,226 2,704 2,527 |
|---|---|
| 13,924 11,753 |
|
| 2022 2021 £ £ 5,305 4,941 1,380 1,380 |
|
| 6,685 6,321 |
8.2 Creditors and accruals
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Sussex Vale Gospel Hall Trust
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
9. Analysis of net assets between funds
| 9.1 Current year 2022 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Liabilities Total funds 9.2 Prior year 2021 Tangible fixed assets Current assets Liabilities Total funds 10. Movement in funds 10.1 Current year 2022 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds 10.2 Prior year 2021 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
Balance 1 January £ - 2,565,582 2,565,582 2,531,470 2,531,470 |
Unrestricted funds £ 2,262,156 353,632 (6,685) 2,609,103 |
Restricted funds £ |
Total funds £ 2,262,156 353,632 (6,685) 2,609,103 2,277,329 294,574 (6,321) 2,565,582 Realised/ unrealised gains/loss Balance 31 December £ £ - 2,609,103 - 2,609,103 - 2,565,582 - 2,565,582 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,277,329 294,574 (6,321) 2,565,582 |
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| Incoming resources £ 116,379 116,379 112,172 112,172 |
Resources expended £ (72,858) (72,858) (78,060) (78,060) |
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11. Transactions with related parties
The related-party transactions in the period that require disclosure are donations of £39,000 (2021; £30,765)
12. Volunteers
Sussex Vale 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.
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