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2024-04-05-accounts

Charity registration number 1160169

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Legal and Administrative information 1
Trustees' report 2 - 5
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities 6
Independent examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10 - 15

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Marcus Johnson(Treasurer) I Cowie A James (Chair) A James R Evershed Charity number 1160169 Principal address Brethren's Meeting Hall Gypsy Lane Nunthorpe Middlesbrough TS7 0DY Accountants Azets Bede House Belmont Business Park DURHAM United Kingdom DH1 1TW Bankers HSBC 60 Albert Road Middlesbrough North Yorkshire TS1 1RS Correspondence address 12 Maltby Road Thornton Middlesbrough TS8 9BU enquiries@tght.org.uk Solicitors Watson Watson Solicitors Mercury House Shrewsbury Business Park Shrewsbury SY2 6LG Independent examiner Azets Bede House 3 Belmont Business Park Durham DH1 1TW

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by 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) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Structure, governance and management

The charity is constituted by a deed of trust dated 31st August 1982 amended by various Deeds and most recently by Deed of Variation dated 12th August 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 27th January 2015 under Charity Registration Number: 1160169.

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.

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, members of the congregation work with the RRT charity.

In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particular.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

Main activities

Meetings held at the Gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preaching’s, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 30 and 180 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 preaching’s, 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.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2024 (2023: £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 skills and experience in specialised fields and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Trust. 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 the 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 links with Nunthorpe 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.

Funding

Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.

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.

The trust regularly supports the Rapid Relief Team – a separate charity – with congregation members volunteering many hours of time to assist at public events. The main events supported during 2023-24 were:

Gospel Preachings were proclaimed every day in Middlesbrough town centre, and circa 22000 gospel tracts were distributed.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

Achievements and performance

The Trust provides and maintains two 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 Trust has continued to work with Middlesbrough Council and Nunthorpe Parish Council throughout this period to secure a suitable site for the proposed new hall facility. Heads of Terms were agreed and signed, subject to successful planning consent being granted. The Trust carried out extensive preparation work for a forthcoming planning application submission, liaising with the Council Planning Department and engaging with appropriate professional advisors and consultants.

Financial review

In the year ended 5 April 2024, the Trust had a deficit of incoming resources over resources expended of £5,778 (2023: £450,226 deficit due to a one off donation). Total voluntary income received this year was £65,500 (2023: £39,700).

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 have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves, other than a ringfenced amount of £2,500,000 which is set aside for future land purchase to build a new facility 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 £3,115,369 (2023 - £3,119,447). The reserves held are high due to the potential for a future land purchase and construction of a new gospel hall as refered to above.

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.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Marcus Johnson(Treasurer) I Cowie A James (Chair) A James R Evershed

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees.

Marcus Johnson(Treasurer) Trustee

4 February 2025

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report 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 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 of the Charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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 two Trustees.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Thornfield Gospel Hall Trust (the Charity) for the year ended 5 April 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

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:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Azets Audit Services Bede House 3 Belmonth Business Park DURHAM DH1 1TW United Kingdom

Dated: 4 February 2025

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

Current financial year

Unrestricted
funds
2024
Notes
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
65,500
Investments
3
14,090
Total income
79,590
Expenditure on:
Running meeting rooms and other charitable activities
4
85,368
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds
(5,778)
Fund balances at 6 April 2023
4,373,947
Fund balances at 5 April 2024
4,368,169		 Total
2023
£
39,700
7,278
46,978
497,204
(450,226)
4,824,173
4,373,947

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

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Prior financial year

Unrestricted Endowment
funds
funds
Designated
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
39,700
-
Investments
3
7,278
-
Total income
46,978
-
Expenditure on:
Running meeting rooms and other charitable activities
4
497,204
-
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds
(450,226)
-
Fund balances at 6 April 2022
4,822,178
1,995
Fund balances at 5 April 2023
4,371,952
1,995		 Total
2023
£
39,700
7,278
46,978
497,204
(450,226)
4,824,173
4,373,947

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 5 APRIL 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
Programme related investments
9
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
11
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Designated Funds
General unrestricted funds		 2024
£
£
752,800
500,000
1,252,800
421,272
2,702,158
3,123,430
(8,061)
3,115,369
4,368,169
-
4,368,169
4,368,169		 2023
£
£
754,500
500,000
1,254,500
273,052
2,858,705
3,131,757
(12,310)
3,119,447
4,373,947
1,995
4,371,952
4,373,947		 2023
£
£
754,500
500,000
1,254,500
273,052
2,858,705
3,131,757
(12,310)
3,119,447
4,373,947
1,995
4,371,952
4,373,947
1,254,500
3,119,447
4,373,947
1,995
4,371,952
4,373,947

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 4 February 2025

Marcus Johnson(Treasurer) Trustee

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Thornfield Gospel Hall Trust is governed by a trust deed dated the 12th August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 27th January 2015 under Charity Registration Number : 1160169.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by 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)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.2 Charitable 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.

1.3 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.

Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.4 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.

Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements.

1.5 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Land and buildings Nil depreciation Plant and machinery 20% reducing balance

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

Land is not depreciated. The buildings are not depreciated as the residual value is estimated to be higher than the cost.

1.6 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.8 Financial instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.9 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.

1.10 Concessionary loans

Concessionary loans are initially recognised and measured at the amount received or paid out, with the carrying amount adjusted in subsequent years to reflect repayments and any accrued interest and adjusted if necessary for any impairment.

2 Donations and legacies

Donations and gifts
Investments
Interest receivable
All unrestricted in both 2024 and 2023.		 2024
£
65,500
2024
£
14,090		 2023
£
39,700
2023
£
7,278

3 Investments

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

4
Running meeting rooms and other charitable activities
Unrestricted Designated
2024
2024
£
£
Running meeting rooms:
Depreciation and impairment
1,700
-
Thornfield upkeep
17,280
-
Utilities
21,843
-
Insurance
1,969
-
IT and data software
1,005
-
Telephone
1,368
-
Bank charges
60
-
Congregation support
5,462
Hosting costs
-
Cleaning
1,843
Legal and professional fees
4,965
-
Other charitable activities:
Donations made
2,742
-
Cost of donated services
22,203
-
Governance costs
2,928
-
85,368
-		 Total
2024
£
1,700
17,280
21,843
1,969
1,005
1,368
60
5,462
-
1,843
4,965
2,742
22,203
2,928
85,368		 Total
2023
£
2,125
16,548
15,820
1,737
1,025
1,142
60
8,024
2,574
2,072
1,779
2,400
439,606
2,292
497,204

All unrestricted costs in both 2024 and 2023.

Included in governance costs are Independent examination fees of £1,000 (2023 - £825)

5 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.

6 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024 2023
Number Number
Total - -

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

7 Taxation

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

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

8 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 6 April 2023
At 5 April 2024
Depreciation and impairment
At 6 April 2023
Depreciation charged in the year
At 5 April 2024
Carrying amount
At 5 April 2024
At 5 April 2023		 Land and
buildings
Plant and
machinery
£
£
746,000
37,068
746,000
37,068
-
28,568
-
1,700
-
30,268
746,000
6,800
746,000
8,500		 Total
£
783,068
783,068
28,568
1,700
30,268
752,800
754,500

Land registry titles of the above property held are CE25009, CE100557 and CE158920.

9 Programme related investments

9 Programme related investments
Concessionary
Loan
£
At 6 April 2023 and at 5 April 2024 500,000
During the 2018 year end a concessionary loan was made to Springwell Gospel Hall Trust for £500,000.
This was used to purchase a hall which is to be used to spread the gospel message to the wider community.
10 Debtors
2024 2023
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Other debtors 200,000 200,000
Prepayments and accrued income 221,272 73,052
421,272 273,052

THORNFIELD GOSPEL HALL TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2024
£
2,118
5,943
8,061		 2023
£
6,326
5,984
12,310

12 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Unrestricted
funds
Designated
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
Fund balances at 5 April 2024 are represented by:
Tangible assets
752,800
754,500
-
Programme related assets
500,000
500,000
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
3,115,369
3,117,452
1,995
4,368,169
4,371,952
1,995		 Total
2023
£
754,500
500,000
3,119,447
4,373,947

13 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).