REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1161061
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
FOR
GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
Baker Knoyle Chartered Accountants Orbit Business Centre Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
Gateway Church Merthyr Tydfil gained charitable status on the 25th March 2015. Previously the organisation carried out its activities as an organisation known as St. Luke's Church Merthyr Tydfil.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
To Advance the Christian faith for the benefit of all, promoting God's love for all, Christ's salvation for all who believe, and the Holy Spirit's enabling power. To reach out into local communities with the message of God's love in accordance with Christian Principles. To provide help, assistance, guidance and friendship freely to all regardless of their beliefs, within the community in which we serve God.
Church Operations
During 2023, Gateway Church returned to an alternating weekly rota of meeting together in the Pastor's home and a live broadcast via Facebook Live. Our weekly church services have also returned to meetings in the Pastor's house combined with a monthly church daytime meeting in Trago for coffee and chat. Members, and visitors are invited to attend both weekly and Sunday meetings. A monthly Discover course continues to be held on-line and everyone is invited to attend a lively discussion and fact-finding session hosted and led by church members on a rota basis. We continue with streaming twice-weekly reflections which are usually about 12 minutes long and hosted by the Pastor. Our Sunday services are still viewed by regular listeners from around the world as well as around Merthyr and South Wales. This method of conducting church services continues to give us a platform upon which to engage with a wider group of people who tune in to our Sunday meetings.
The financial impact continues to be minimal as lack of casual collections has been offset by not having to pay building rental.
Leadership meetings have reverted to meeting in the homes of members of the leadership team on a volunteer basis.
Our Pastor continues to be a leading member of New Wine Cymru, a group of evangelical churches that work to spread God's word in Wales.
Our Pastor, Paul Knowlson continues to be available to conduct funerals, wedding blessings and home blessings..
Significant activities
We are a Christian Church that promotes Christian beliefs as a way of life. As Christians we believe that it is our mandate to show Christ's love to all people regardless of how they live or what they believe. Our hope is that people will see the love and peace and will be interested in finding out more about God. We are a group of ordinary people who love above all else, and believe wholeheartedly in, God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.
Our organisation is beneficial to the public by offering a spiritual dimension to life. We believe that the wholeness of the person is incomplete without knowing about God, His Son, His Holy Spirit and his unending love. We offer people Christ's love through praying, helping others, and generally showing love and kindness to all people regardless of their beliefs, background or circumstances. We provide support in non-financial ways by signposting people to other charities or official bodies who can provide more expert or financial help. We teach people, who want to know, about our biblically based faith and give them the knowledge about God so that they may experience God's love for themselves. We have occasionally made one-off hardship gifts, as well as on-off ministry gifts to other Christian groups, and a regular donation to the ministry of Rob Davies towards his ministry to children at Elim Church in Dowlais..
Our church continues to be funded by members voluntary contributions. Due to how we currently operate we have not made normal Sunday collections.
Our Apostolic Oversight from Caleb ministries continued remotely, and Pastoral oversight by Pastor Paul Knowlson continued throughout the year.
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public benefit
We have complied with the duty in section 17 of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Commission in respect of our duty to provide public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
Our Facebook Live sessions on both Sundays and Tuesday Reflect sessions have continued to attract a wide audience.
Our Thursday Discover sessions on Zoom engage with members of our church and occasionally members of other churches.
We regularly make telephone calls to all members to ensure their well-being.
Our Leadership meetings take place at least monthly and wider leadership and Trustee meetings quarterly. We review:
-
How we function in relation to our finances
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Our operating structure in line with available volunteers
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Vision, Values and beliefs statements and putting them into action
-
Our (corporate) identity and vision of who we are
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal funding sources
Our main source of funding comes from members giving in the form of tithes and offerings.
Reserves policy
The charity currently holds free reserves of £20,261 (2022: £17,121). The charity aims to increase this level in order to subsidise any excess expenditure over income and enable the continuance of the charitable objectives in forthcoming years.
FUTURE PLANS
The church continues to review operations and the plan at present is to continue to operate a blended mix of home church and on-line services to ensure we continue to spread God's message with friends we have made on-line.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Gateway Church Merthyr Tydfil is an unincorporated charity with the registered charity number of 1161061. The charity is governed by their constitution, and registered in England & Wales.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
New Trustees must be interviewed by the current Board of Trustees, and if appointed are informed of their legal obligations under charity law, the decision making process and the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. The charity aims to recruit people who can offer a range of skills for example personnel, training, finance etc.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number
1161061
Principal address
C/O Mrs P Lewis 7 Monmouth Drive Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1JA
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Trustees
Mrs P Lewis Secretary/Chair R Lewis Treasurer H Langford Mrs D Langford D Tyler
Independent Examiner
R.I. KNOYLE FCCA ACA Baker Knoyle Chartered Accountants Orbit Business Centre Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
Advisers
Martin Allen - Apostolic Oversight
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 4 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Mrs P Lewis - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Gateway Church Merthyr Tydfil
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gateway Church Merthyr Tydfil (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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:
-
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.
R.I. KNOYLE FCCA ACA
Baker Knoyle Chartered Accountants Orbit Business Centre Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL
4 September 2024
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 28,327 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 3 Religious activities 25,187 NET INCOME 3,140 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 17,121 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 20,261 |
2022 Total funds £ 28,740 24,289 4,451 12,670 17,121 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 8 1,255 Cash at bank 19,696 20,951 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 9 (690) NET CURRENT ASSETS 20,261 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 20,261 NET ASSETS 20,261 FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds 20,261 TOTAL FUNDS 20,261 |
2022 Total funds £ 1,698 16,119 17,817 (696) 17,121 17,121 17,121 17,121 17,121 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 4 September 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:
R Lewis - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
Legal form
Gateway Church Merthyr Tydfil is an un-incorporated charity, registered in England & Wales,
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Gifts in Kind
Gifts in kind are included in the income and expenditure account where they are applied in carrying out charitable activities, where the charity would otherwise have to purchase the donated facility and the benefit is both quantifiable and material. The quantifiable benefit is shown as both incoming and expended resources within the appropriate funds. Where the gift is an asset it is treated as income and taken to stock or fixed assets as appropriate.
The value of services provided by volunteers is not quantified.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price.
Going concern
continued...
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Donations Gift aid |
2023 £ 23,567 4,760 28,327 |
2022 £ 23,811 4,929 28,740 |
|---|---|---|
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
| Religious activities SUPPORT COSTS Religious activities Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: Independent examiners fees and accountancy |
Support Direct costs (see Costs note 4) Totals £ £ £ 24,503 684 25,187 Governance costs £ 684 2023 2022 Religious Total activities activities £ £ 684 718 |
|---|---|
4. SUPPORT COSTS
5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the year ended 31 December 2022.
continued...
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
6. GIFTS IN KIND
The value of volunteer time is not quantified in terms of money but the time contributed by volunteers is an invaluable resource in terms of the outstanding contribution made by them.
The number of hours contributed by volunteers in the year was 250 (2022: 250).
7. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REMUNERATION
| Amounts payable to Independent examiners include: 2023 2022 £ £ Independent examination 684 718 684 718 8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2023 2022 £ £ Other debtors 1,255 1,698 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2023 2022 £ £ Other creditors 690 696 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At At 1/1/23 in funds 31/12/23 £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 17,121 3,140 20,261 TOTAL FUNDS 17,121 3,140 20,261 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources Movement resources expended in funds £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 28,327 (25,187) 3,140 TOTAL FUNDS 28,327 (25,187) 3,140 |
2023 £ 684 684 |
2022 £ 718 718 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
continued...
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1/1/22 | in funds | 31/12/22 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 12,670 | 4,451 | 17,121 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 12,670 | 4,451 | 17,121 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||
| Unrestricted funds | Incoming resources £ |
Resources expended £ |
Movement in funds £ |
| General fund | 28,740 | (24,289) | 4,451 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 28,740 | (24,289) | 4,451 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: | |||
| Unrestricted funds | At 1/1/22 £ |
Net movement in funds £ |
At 31/12/23 £ |
| General fund | 12,670 | 7,591 | 20,261 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 12,670 | 7,591 | 20,261 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds | Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ |
Movement in funds £ |
|---|---|---|
| General fund | 57,067 (49,476) |
7,591 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 57,067 (49,476) |
7,591 |
continued...
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023.
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GATEWAY CHURCH MERTHYR TYDFIL
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations | 23,567 | 23,811 |
| Gift aid | 4,760 | 4,929 |
| 28,327 | 28,740 | |
| Total incoming resources | 28,327 | 28,740 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Insurance | 338 | 332 |
| Light and heat | 120 | - |
| Sundries | 458 | 442 |
| Sundry equipment | 603 | 1,363 |
| Outreach/Mission expenses | 1,551 | 1,580 |
| Teaching and training expenses | 673 | 504 |
| Apostolic oversight | 600 | 600 |
| Gifts & Donations | 360 | 150 |
| Pastor fees | 19,800 | 18,600 |
| Support costs | 24,503 | 23,571 |
| Governance costs | ||
| Independent examiners fees and accountancy | 684 | 718 |
| Total resources expended | 25,187 | 24,289 |
| Net income | 3,140 | 4,451 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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