CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of GCH Trust On accounts for the year ended Charity no lrfany) 31 August 2025 1162672 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination ol the accounts of the above charity (llhe Trusf) for the year ended 3110812025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charTty'S trusiees. you are responsible for the preparatTron of the arxounts in accordan wrth the r4uirements of the Charyties Act 2011 (Ihe 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 Charty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Ad. Independent I have completed my examination. I confim) that no malerial matters have examiner's statement Come to my attents'on in connection with the examination lolher Ihan that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Ad, or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or Ihe accounts did not compty with the applicable requirements conceming the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulth'ons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Hease delete the words in the bketS rf they do not apply. Signed: Date". 1510512026 Name: Martin Firth Relevant professional quallflcation{s) or body (if any): FCA {ICAEW) Address: Chipchase Manners 384 Linthorpe Road IER Oct 2018
Middlesbrough TS5 6HA Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity Ounts.. difections and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018
Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end dale From 2C)24 ?n?.4 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name GCH Trust Other names charity is known by Registered charity number lif any) 1162672 Charity's principal address 9 Rillston Close Hartlepool Postcode TS26 OPS Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity C>ats¥ xted if not for *thole ear Tru8t8e nam• Office {rfany) Name of rsOn lor body) entitjed oint tnBteg Michael Hall Chair Scott Thomson Ben Parker 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the chaTity. if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear IER Oct 2018
Names and addresses of advisers {Optional inforniation) of adviser Name Address Nam8 of chief executive or names of senior stsff members (Optional infomiation) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Descripts"on of the charity's trusts Constttution TyFe of governing document How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee seledion methLNJs Appointed by existing trustees Additlonal governance issues {Optional inforniation) The trustees reviewed the charity's finances each quarter and met for an AGM to evaluate performance towards the objects of the charity. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about.. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of Irustees., the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works., relationship with any relaled parties", trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Section C Ob"ectives and activities IER Oct 2018
The objects of the CIO are.. TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, BY. - ENCOURAGING AND FACILITATING THE FOUNDING AND OPERATION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES PRIMARILY, ALTHOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY. IN THE NORTH EAST AND THE REST OF THE UNITED KINGt)OM: Summary of the objects oftho charity set out in its governing document - ENCOURAGING THE SEEKING OF NEW FOLLOWERS AND ADHERENTS OF THE CHRIsTN RELIGION, AND - FACILITATING THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHRSSTIAN RELIGION. During 2024-2025 GCH Trust has continued to operate Grace Church Hartlepool. Regular activities of the church have included.. Sunday gatherings- Gra Church Hartlepool m&ts weekly on Sunday aftemoons Life Groups - Smaller groups that meet in a variety of formal and informal settings during week Events - A variety of events were hosted exploring different aspects of the Christian faith. The purpose of these gatherings has been lo facililate Ihe development of individuals in their understanding of Christianity. All the meetings, and events. were open to the general public and have seen people with a vanety of beliefs attendir•3 throughout the year. Summary ofthe main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefft} other events that have taken place this year include: Weekly lunch group Christmas events including carol service Children's holiday club Cafe for intemational people in Hartlepool All of these events have facilitated the exKloralion and discussion of Christianity and have induded people with a wide variety of beliefs. A leadership training programme is used for training and developing leaders to accommodate the increasing number of people accessing life groups and church events. GCH trust continued the operation a debt ntre in partnership wlth Chnstians Against Poverty ICAPI, employing a debt centre manager and recruiting volunteers. The building purchased by GCH Trust in August 2023 has been extensively renovated and has been used to host the majority of the events descnbed atx)ve. All these activrties Caled out by GCH have contributed to the objects of the chari Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional infonnation) IER Oct 2018
The charity made a grant towards object 1- the founding and operation of Christian churches, through a finanual contribLrtions to Covenant Hope Church Dubai. The operations of GCH Trust are supported by a large group of volunteers who perfom various roles_ The contribution of these individuals enables the church to cary out the 0"eCtS of the Trust. You may choose lo include further slalements, where relevant, about-. policy on grantmaking., policy programme relaled investment., ontribution made by volunteers. Section D Achievements and performance IER Oct 2018
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year The achievements of the chanty this year have been the ongoing operation and expansion of the adivities of Grace Church Hartlepool in line with the objeds of the charity. The activities of GCH support the charty in delivering benefit to the public. Object 1- FoundiThJ and operation of Christian Churches Operation of Grace Church Hartlepool Financial contribution to the operation of Covenant Hope Church Dubai Object 2 - Seeking new followers of the Christian religion A number of people have explored the beliefs of Christianity through the activities outlined above and some of those going on to identty as Christians Object 3- Facilitating developfflent and training in understanding of the Christian religion The activities described above have reached a large number of people throughout Ihe year, a group of 80-90 adults and children accessing most of those activities on a regular basis, facilitating the development of understanding of Christianity. IER Oct 2018
Section E Financial review The trustees have adopted a poIY to maintain reserves equal to 3 months total salary costs. Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit Furthèr financial review details {Optional inforniation) GCH Trust has raised funds through individual and church donations in order to deliver the objects of the charrty. You may choose to include additional infomiation, where relevant about.. the charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising),. how expendtture has supported the key objectives of the charity., investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. GCH trust also received a grant towards the salary of the CAP debt centre manager. GCH Trust employs BP (trusteel in a leadership role for Grace Church Hartlepool. The charity constilution states thal trustees can receive remuneration from the charity {not for carrying out their role as a trusleel as long as the majority of trustees do not receive any payment from the charity. Decisions on pay scales and structure were made by a majority of trustees without BP present to avoid conflict of interest. All experKliture has supported the obJ"ectives of the charity through the planning, oFeration and practical costs associated with the activities described in this re Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they havè approvèd the trustees, report above. IER Oct 2018
Signed on behalf of the Charity's trustees Signature(s) Full namels) osition (eg Secretary. Chair, etc ,'r Date IER Oct 2018
Annual Financial Summary 2024
| Opening Balances | |
|---|---|
| Opening Bank Balance | 47150.27 |
| Total Opening Cash Available | £47,150.27 |
| Income | |
| Gifts Eligible for Gift Aid | 39368 |
| Gifts Not Eligible for Gift Aid | 3204.44 |
| Gifts from Redeemer (not Gift Aid Eligible | 3948 |
| Gift Aid claimed this year | 9064.93 |
| Building rental income/other income | 37810.8 |
| Building Grants | 400 |
| FIEC Grants | 0 |
| CAP Grants | 250 |
| Staff Grants | 8931.96 |
| Total income | £102,978.13 |
Outgoings
| Outgoings | |
|---|---|
| Ministry expenses | 35461.64 |
| Insurance | 2881.74 |
| Equipment | 2557.76 |
| Admin | 884.82 |
| Mission giving | 3825.00 |
| Events | 5084.56 |
| Building general running costs | 11210.83 |
| Building maintainance and rennovation | 28227.47 |
| CAP | 17773.55 |
| Total outgoings | £107,907.37 |
Closing Balances
| Closing Balances | |
|---|---|
| Final Bank Balance | 42221.03 |
| Total Year End Cash Available | £42,221.03 |