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2025-04-05-accounts

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Contents

2 Feb 2026 Page 2 of 19

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Legal and Administrative Information

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Charity Name:

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Registered Charity Number:

1161977

Trustees:

Mr Benjamin Parsons (Chair)

Mr Julian Eames

Mr Miles Gardner

Mr Winston Tunley

Treasurer:

Mr Benjamin Parsons

Principle Address:

C/O Mr Benjamin Parsons Gullivers Orchard Hillesden Road Gawcott MK18 4JF

Independent Examiner:

Zain Thewlis 2 Borwick Court Borwick Lancaster LA6 1JX

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. 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 9 June 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 16 November 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 3 June 2015 under Charity Registration Number: 1161977

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 2025.

The Trust operates four 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 Charity maintains informal links with Trustees of similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity. The Charity also maintains particular links with Brackley Fox Lane 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.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains fourGospel 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.

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.

Following the end of the financial year, the trust had an offer accepted and received planning permission for a new Gospel Hall in Evenley, and hope to complete on this in the next financial year.

Meetings

Meetings held at the Gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 20 and 250 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 Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

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 where Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public.

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 2025 the Trust had a modest surplus of incoming resources over resources expended. This due to additional donated services to cover initial costs incurred ahead of the anticipated purchase of the Evenley site.

Total voluntary income received this year was £29,004 compared to £22,754 in the previous year.

All funds held were unrestricted funds.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are minimal. Accordingly, the Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves. 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 £10,752 ( 2024: £nil)

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

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 Benjamin Parsons (Trustee)

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

Date

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Independent Examiner

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025.

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.

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

Zain Thewlis 2 Borwick Court Borwick Lancaster LA6 1JX

2 February 2026

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Statement of Financial Activities

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Statement of Financial Activities
Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
Statement of Financial Activities
Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2025
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Congregation Support
29,004
-
-
29,004
22,754
Total Income and endowments:
29,004
-
-
29,004
22,754
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
18,784
-
-
18,784
21,245
Total Expenditure:
18,784
-
-
18,784
21,245
Net Income/(Expenditure)
10,220
-
-
10,220
1,509
Net Movement In Funds
10,220
-
-
10,220
1,509
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2025
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Reconciliation of funds (note 10)
Total Funds bought forward
1,202,167
-
-
1,202,167
1,200,658
Revaluation Reserve
150,318
-
-
150,318
150,318
Net movement in funds
10,220
-
-
10,220
1,509
Total Funds carried forward
1,362,705
-
-
1,362,705
1,352,485

The notes on page 11 - 18 form part of these financial statements.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2025

Balance Sheet
Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust
As at 5 April 2025
2025 2024
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets (note 5) 1,351,953 1,352,604
Total Fixed Assets 1,351,953 1,352,604
Current assets
Other Debtors 9,599 -
Prepayments and accrued income 1,153 1,747
Total Current assets 10,752 1,747
Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year
Accruals - 1,866
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year - 1,866
Net current assets/(liabilities) 10,752 (119)
Total assets less current liabilities 1,362,705 1,352,485
Net Assets 1,362,705 1,352,485
Funds (note 9)
Revaluation reserve 150,318 150,318
Unrestricted funds 1,212,386 1,202,167
Total Funds 1,362,705 1,352,485

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust on .........................................and were signed on its behalf by:

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

Mr Benjamin Parsons (Trustee)

The notes on pages 11 - 18 form part of these financial statements.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

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 Cherwell 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. 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:

Plant, Furniture & Fixtures

25% Reducing Balance

The Freehold properties held by the charity are carried at their valuation as at April 2024, being the most recent independent valuation obtained by the Charity. The Trustees have reviewed these valuations as at 5 April 2025 and having considered relevant market evidence and the condition of the properties, are satisfied that the latest valuation figures continue to represent a reliable measure of fair value. Accordingly, no updated valuation has been commissioned in the current year.

1.6 Taxation

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

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 (2024: none)

3. WAGES AND SALARIES

There are no employees (2024: none)

4. Donated Services

2025
2024
2025
2024
Donated Services
Received From:
Donated services from Brackley Fox Lane Gospel Hall Trust
29,004
22,754
Total Received:
29,004
22,754

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

5. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost Freehold Property
- Beargarden Road
Freehold
Property -
Manor Road
Freehold
Property -
Western
Avenue
Freehold
Property -
Ellesmere
Avenue
Plant,
Furniture &
Fixtures
Total
At6 April 2024 375,000 400,000 300,000 275,000 22,819 1,372,819
Additions - - - - - -
Disposals - - - - - -
At 5 April 2025 375,000 400,000 300,000 275,000 22,819 1,372,819
Depreciation
At6 April 2024 - - - - 20,215 20,215
Current Year
Depreciation
- - - - 651 651
Eliminated on
disposals
- - - - - -
At5 April 2025 - - - - 20,866 20,866
Net Book Value
At 5 April 2025 375,000 400,000 300,000 275,000 1,953 1,351,953
At 5 April 2024 375,000 400,000 300,000 275,000 2,604 1,352,604

Land registry titles of the above property held are ON307654, BM372911, NN245217 & NN14603.

6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

During the financial year, there were no transactions that required disclosure.

7. VOLUNTEERS

Cherwell 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

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Resources Expended

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

8. Resources Expended

RUNNING MEETING
ROOMS
OTHER
CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES
TOTAL COSTS
2025
TOTAL COSTS
2024
RUNNING MEETING
ROOMS
OTHER
CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES
TOTAL COSTS
2025
TOTAL COSTS
2024
Direct Costs
Other Expenses
Accountancy, Audit and Independent Examination Fees
-
-
-
795
Depreciation - Plant, Furniture and Fixtures
651
-
651
868
Electricity, Gas & Water
4,278
-
4,278
5,439
Insurance
2,147
-
2,147
1,817
Landscaping & Waste
462
-
462
658
Legal & professional Fees
320
-
320
1,951
Repairs & Maintenance
10,909
-
10,909
9,703
Washroom Supplies
17
-
17
15
Total Other Expenses
18,784
-
18,784
21,245
Total Direct Costs
18,784
-
18,784
21,245

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Analysis of Net Assets - Current year

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

9.1 Current Year
UNRESTRICTED REVALUATION DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS RESERVE FUNDS FUNDS 2025
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 1,201,635 150,318 - - 1,351,953
Current Assets 10,752 - - - 10,752
Total Funds 1,212,386 150,318 - - 1,362,705

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

9.2 Prior Year

UNRESTRICTED REVALUATION DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS RESERVE FUNDS FUNDS 2024
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 1,202,286 150,318 - - 1,352,604
Current Assets 1,747 - - - 1,747
Current Liabilities (1,866) - - - (1,866)
Total Funds 1,202,167 150,318 - - 1,352,485

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Movement in Funds - Current Year

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

10. Movement in Funds

10.1 Movement in funds - current year

UNRESTRICTED REVALUATION DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS RESERVE FUNDS FUNDS 2025
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 1,202,167 150,318 - - 1,352,485
Incoming resources 29,004 - - - 29,004
Resources expended (18,784) - - - (18,784)
Total funds carried forward 1,212,386 150,318 - - 1,362,705

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Movement in Funds - Prior Year

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

10. Movement in Funds

10.2 Movement in funds - Prior year

UNRESTRICTED REVALUATION DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS RESERVE FUNDS FUNDS 2024
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 1,200,658 600,318 - - 1,800,976
Incoming resources 22,754 - - - 22,754
Resources expended (21,245) - - - (21,245)
Revaluation Losses - (450,000) - - (450,000)
Total funds carried forward 1,202,167 150,318 - - 1,352,485

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities

Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Congregation Support
22,754
-
-
22,754
Total Income and endowments:
22,754
-
-
22,754
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
21,245
-
-
21,245
Total Expenditure:
21,245
-
-
21,245
Net Income/(Expenditure)
1,509
-
-
1,509
Net Movement In Funds
1,509
-
-
1,509
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Reconciliation of funds (note 10)
Total Funds bought forward
1,200,658
-
-
1,200,658
Revaluation Reserve
150,318
-
-
150,318
Net movement in funds
1,509
-
-
1,509
Total Funds carried forward
1,352,485
-
-
1,352,485

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Cherwell Gospel Hall Trust