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2023-04-05-accounts

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

Contents

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

8 Dec 2023 Page 2 of 19

Legal and Administrative Information

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

Charity Name:

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

Registered Charity Number:

1159076

Trustees:

E Picton (Chair)

T Britchford

R Reeves

AS Fryer

B Parkes

Treasurer:

T Britchford

Principle Address: 38 Barkers Lane, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 9SL

Independent Examiner:

Arron Groombridge Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW

Accountant:

Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW

Bankers:

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Report of the Trustees

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11 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 14 May 1991, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 08 August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 05 November 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1159076

Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees

The Trustees who have 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 5 April 2023.

The Trust operates one Gospel hall 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 Charity also maintains particular links with Goldington 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 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.

Members of the Bedford Gospel Hall Trust congregation volunteered at several RRT events throughout the year as part of their public outreach activities:

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Report of the Trustees

12th May 2022 - volunteers from the congregation supported a proactive RRT event at the Bedford Hospital and provided 950 meals and care kits to hospital staff in support of International Nurses Day.

25th May 2022 - volunteers again supported the RRT in providing around 80 lunches to emergency personnel attending to a fire in Cardington.

15th June 2022 - members of the congregation provided 300-400 burger lunches to hospital staff at the Bedford Hospital in supporting the RRT.

4th July 2022 - the RRT was supported by volunteers of the Bedford Gospel Hall Trust in providing lunch to emergency personnel attending an explosion on Redwood Grove.

20th August 2022 - members of the congregation supported the RRT in serving refreshments at Bedford Fire Station open day.

5th September 2022 - volunteers provided support for the RRT at Unison Day at Bedford Hospital.

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains one Gospel hall 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 operated an Emergency Needs fund for the duration of the coronavirus 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

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.

Meetings

Meetings held at the Gospel hall 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 20 and 600 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.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Report of the Trustees

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.

Members of the congregation participated in 82 street preaching's throughout 2022-23, and 498 tracts were distributed.

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:

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

In the year ended 5 April 2023 the Trust had a deficit of incoming resources over resources expended. This is mostly due to non-monetary items such as depreciation.

Total voluntary income received this year was £36,828 compared to £50,217 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. The Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining enough reserves to cover day to day expenditure and any capital expenditure needs that 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.

Free Reserves at the year end were £346,395 ( 2022: £375,124)

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Report of the Trustees

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, 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 T Britchford (Trustee)

10/01/2024

..............................................................

Date

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Report of the Independent Examiner

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Bedford Gospel Hall Trust for the year ended 5 April 2023.

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 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 of explanations from you as 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:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

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

  3. 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.

...................................................................................................

Arron Groombridge Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW

05 December 2023

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Statement of Financial Activities

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2023
TOTAL FUNDS
2022
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Contributions from the Congregation
14,509
-
-
14,509
17,192
Gift Aid Donations
17,855
-
-
17,855
24,460
Income Tax refunds
4,464
-
-
4,464
6,115
Congregation Support
-
-
-
-
2,450
Other Income
Other income
-
-
-
-
137
Total Other Income
-
-
-
-
137
Investments
Interest Received
1,597
-
-
1,597
34
Total Income and endowments:
38,425
-
-
38,425
50,388
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
54,650
-
-
54,650
35,219
Congregation Support (note 8)
-
-
-
-
2,400
Cost of donated services (note 4)
14,170
-
-
14,170
13,391
Total Expenditure:
68,820
-
-
68,820
51,011
Net Income/(Expenditure)
(30,395)
-
-
(30,395)
(623)
Other Movements
Transfers between funds
150
(150)
-
-
-
Net Movement In Funds
(30,245)
(150)
-
(30,395)
(623)
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2023
TOTAL FUNDS
2022
Reconciliation of funds (note 10)
Total Funds bought forward
514,251
150
-
514,401
515,024
Net movement in funds
(30,245)
(150)
-
(30,395)
(623)
Total Funds carried forward
484,007
-
-
484,007
514,401

The notes on page 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Balance Sheet

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2023

Balance Sheet
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
As at 5 April 2023
2023 2022
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets (note 5) 137,612 139,278
Total Fixed Assets 137,612 139,278
Current assets
Prepayments and accrued income 5,723 7,287
Cash at bank and in hand 345,643 371,029
Total Current assets 351,365 378,316
Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year
Trade creditors 3,925 2,436
Accruals and deferred income 1,045 756
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 4,970 3,192
Net current assets/(liabilities) 346,395 375,124
Total assets less current liabilities 484,007 514,401
Net Assets 484,007 514,401
Funds (note 9)
Unrestricted funds 484,007 514,401
Total Funds 484,007 514,401

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Bedford Gospel Hall Trust on 10/01/2024 .........................................and were signed on its behalf by: .............................................................................................

Mr T Britchford (Trustee)

The notes on pages 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

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 Bedford 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 £100) 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 land Not depreciated
Freehold buildings 2.5% straight line
Property improvements 2.5% straight line
Fixtures and Fittings 20% reducing balance

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Bedford Gospel Hall Trust

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Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

Computer Equipment 20% 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.

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.

1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements

The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary.

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 (2022: none)

3. WAGES AND SALARIES

There are no employees (2022: none)

4. Donated Services

2023
2022
2023
2022
Donated Services
Donated To:
Donated Services to Goldington Gospel Hall Trust
14,170
13,391
Total Donated Services:
14,170
13,391

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

5. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost Freehold Land &
Buildings - Barkers
Lane
Property and land
improvements - Barkers
Lane
Fixtures, Fittings &
Equipment
Computer
Equipment
Total
At 6 April 2022 264,268 33,913 52,580 - 350,760
Additions - - 4,539 2,464 7,003
Disposals - - - - -
At 5 April 2023 264,268 33,913 57,118 2,464 357,763
Depreciation
At 6 April 2022 158,821 4,119 48,543 - 211,483
Current Year
Depreciation
6,069 848 1,481 271 8,669
Eliminated on
disposals
- - - - -
At 5 April 2023 164,890 4,967 50,023 271 220,152
Net Book Value
At 5 April 2023 99,378 28,946 7,095 2,193 137,612
At 5 April 2022 105,447 29,793 4,037 - 139,278

Land registry title of the above property held is BD109258.

6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

During the financial year, aggregated donations of £14,735 (2022: £17,650) were received.

7. VOLUNTEERS

Bedford 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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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Resources Expended

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

8. Resources Expended

MEETING ROOMS OTHER
CHARITABLE
ACTIVITES
TOTAL COSTS
2023
TOTAL COSTS
2022
Direct Costs
Premises costs - repairs and maintenance 17,085 - 17,085 17,180
Premises costs - heat, light and power 11,444 - 11,444 4,528
Telephone 338 - 338 191
Health and Safety 9,459 - 9,459 1,433
Legal and professional 3,733 - 3,733 1,505
Bank charges 72 - 72 96
Congregation Support - - - 2,400
Special meeting costs 809 - 809 -
Depreciation 8,669 - 8,669 7,926
Insurance 1,801 - 1,801 1,497
Governance 1,240 - 1,240 864
Total Direct Costs 54,650 - 54,650 37,619

Governance costs include £180 (prior year: £180) in respect of independent examiners fees.

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Analysis of Net Assets - Current year

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

9.1 Current Year
UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2023
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 137,612 - - 137,612
Current Assets 351,315 50 - 351,365
Current Liabilities (4,920) (50) - (4,970)
Total Funds 484,007 - - 484,007

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Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

9.2 Prior Year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2022
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 139,278 - - 139,278
Current Assets 378,316 - - 378,316
Current Liabilities (3,192) - - (3,192)
Total Funds 514,401 - - 514,401

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Movement in Funds - Current Year

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

10. Movement in Funds

10.1 Movement in funds - current year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2023
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 514,251 150 - 514,401
Incoming resources 38,425 - - 38,425
Resources expended (68,820) - - (68,820)
Transfers between funds 150 (150) - -
Total funds carried forward 484,007 - - 484,007

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Movement in Funds - Prior Year

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

10. Movement in Funds

10.2 Movement in funds - Prior year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2022
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 514,924 100 - 515,024
Incoming resources 47,938 2,450 - 50,388
Resources expended (48,611) (2,400) - (51,011)
Total funds carried forward 514,251 150 - 514,401

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Comparative Statement of Financial Activities

Bedford Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2023

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Bedford Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2023
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2022
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Contributions from the Congregation
17,192
-
-
17,192
Gift Aid Donations
24,460
-
-
24,460
Income Tax refunds
6,115
-
-
6,115
Congregation Support
-
2,450
-
2,450
Other Income
Other income
137
-
-
137
Total Other Income
137
-
-
137
Investments
Interest Received
34
-
-
34
Total Income and endowments:
47,938
2,450
-
50,388
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
35,219
-
-
35,219
Congregation Support (note 8)
-
2,400
-
2,400
Cost of donated services (note 4)
13,391
-
-
13,391
Total Expenditure:
48,611
2,400
-
51,011
Net Income/(Expenditure)
(673)
50
-
(623)
Net Movement In Funds
(673)
50
-
(623)
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2022
Reconciliation of funds (note 10)
Total Funds bought forward
514,924
100
-
515,024
Net movement in funds
(673)
50
-
(623)
Total Funds carried forward
514,251
150
-
514,401

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