Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
Contents
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3 Legal and Administrative Information
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4 Report of the Trustees
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8 Report of the Independent Examiner
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9 Statement of Financial Activities
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10 Balance Sheet
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11 Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
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14 Resources Expended
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15 Analysis of Net Assets - Current year
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16 Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year
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17 Movement in Funds - Current Year
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18 Movement in Funds - Prior Year
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19 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Legal and Administrative Information
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
Charity Name:
The Blackgate Trust
Registered Charity Number:
1170200
Trustees:
Mr J Simpson (Chair)
Mr D Fishwick
Mr R Hamilton
Treasurer: Mr D Fishwick
Principle Address:
Haverbreck House Bilsborrow Lane Bilsborrow Preston PR3 0RP
Independent Examiner:
Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW
Accountant:
Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW
Bankers:
Royal Bank of Scotland Preston Fulwood Branch 2 Lytham Road Fulwood Preston PR2 8JB
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Report of the Trustees
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2024. 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 5 April 1979, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 14 August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 16 November 2016 under Charity Registration Number: 1170200
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 2024.
The Trust operates one Gospel hall and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the hall. 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 Egerton 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.
Main activities and achievements
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Report of the Trustees
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.
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 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 30 and 200 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.
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 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:
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We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethren), in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture (1 Tim 2:2).
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We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community (including former Brethren) in order to present eternal salvation, available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 4:2).
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We seek as members of the public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives, parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3:22-25, Col 4:1).
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The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5). The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom both their family and the wider community are expected to care.
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Holy Scripture commands us to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principles, we should give our time, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).
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 2024 the Trust had a surplus of incoming resources over resources expended.
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Report of the Trustees
Total voluntary income received this year was £31,420 compared to £34,213 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 £nil (2023: £nil)
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate 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:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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 D Fishwick (Trustee)
..............................................................
Date
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Report of the Independent Examiner
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the The Blackgate Trust for the year ended 5 April 2024.
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:
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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.
...................................................................................................
Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP Santis House Curriers Close Coventry CV4 8AW
18 October 2024
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
The Blackgate Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2024
| Statement of Financial Activities The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 |
Statement of Financial Activities The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2024 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 |
|
| Income and endowments: | |
| Donations and Legacies: | |
| Donated Services (note 4) 31,420 - - 31,420 34,213 |
|
| Total Income and endowments: 31,420 - - 31,420 34,213 Expenditure: |
|
| Running Meeting Rooms (note 8) 26,282 - - 26,282 17,355 |
|
| Total Expenditure: 26,282 - - 26,282 17,355 |
|
| Net Income/(Expenditure) 5,138 - - 5,138 16,857 |
|
| Net Movement In Funds 5,138 - - 5,138 16,857 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2024 TOTAL FUNDS 2023 |
|
| Reconciliation of funds (note 10) | |
| Total Funds bought forward 585,408 - - 585,408 568,550 |
|
| Net movement in funds 5,138 - - 5,138 16,857 |
|
| Total Funds carried forward 590,546 - - 590,546 585,408 |
The notes on page 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Balance Sheet
The Blackgate Trust As at 5 April 2024
| Balance Sheet The Blackgate Trust As at 5 April 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Tangible assets (note 5) | 591,103 | 586,353 |
| Total Fixed Assets | 591,103 | 586,353 |
| Current assets | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 442 | - |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 100 | 100 |
| Total Current assets | 542 | 100 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year | ||
| Accruals and deferred income | 1,098 | 1,045 |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 1,098 | 1,045 |
| Net current assets/(liabilities) | (556) | (945) |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 590,546 | 585,408 |
| Net Assets | 590,546 | 585,408 |
| Funds (note 9) | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 590,546 | 585,408 |
| Total Funds | 590,546 | 585,408 |
The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of The Blackgate Trust on .........................................and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................................................................
Mr D Fishwick (Trustee)
The notes on pages 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
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 The Blackgate 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:
| Property improvements | 2% straight line |
|---|---|
| Fixtures and Fittings | 25% reducing balance |
1.6 Taxation
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate 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 (2023: none)
3. WAGES AND SALARIES
There are no employees (2023: none)
4. Donated Services
| 2024 2023 |
2024 2023 |
|---|---|
| Donated Services | |
| Received From: | |
| Donated services from Egerton Gospel Hall Trust 31,420 34,213 |
|
| Total Received: 31,420 34,213 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
5. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost | Freehold land & Buildings | Property Improvements | Fixtures & Fittings | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 5 April 2023 | 224,980 | 434,942 | 5,390 | 665,312 |
| Additions | - | 13,896 | - | 13,896 |
| Disposals | - | - | - | - |
| At | 224,980 | 434,942 | 5,390 | 665,312 |
| Depreciation | ||||
| At 5 April 2023 | - | 74,479 | 4,481 | 78,959 |
| Current Year Depreciation | - | 8,919 | 227 | 9,146 |
| Eliminated on disposals | - | - | - | - |
| At | - | 83,398 | 4,708 | 88,106 |
| Net Book Value | ||||
| At | 224,980 | 365,440 | 682 | 591,103 |
| At 5 April 2023 | 224,980 | 360,463 | 910 | 586,353 |
Land registry titles of the above property held are LAN54214, LA713368, and LAN142389.
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
During the financial year, no transactions occurred with related parties of the trustees.
7. VOLUNTEERS
The Blackgate 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 The Blackgate Trust
Resources Expended
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
8. Resources Expended
| MEETING ROOMS OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES TOTAL COSTS 2024 TOTAL COSTS 2023 |
MEETING ROOMS OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES TOTAL COSTS 2024 TOTAL COSTS 2023 |
|---|---|
| Direct Costs | |
| Other Expenses | |
| Accountancy, Audit and Independent Examination Fees 1,098 - 1,098 1,045 |
|
| Depreciation - Capitalised Development costs 8,919 - 8,919 8,660 |
|
| Depreciation - Plant, Furniture and Fixtures 227 - 227 303 |
|
| Electricity, Gas & Water 13,518 - 13,518 5,641 |
|
| Health & Safety - - - 90 |
|
| Insurance 221 - 221 438 |
|
| Legal & professional Fees 723 - 723 - |
|
| Repairs & Maintenance 1,576 - 1,576 1,178 |
|
| Total Other Expenses 26,282 - 26,282 17,355 |
|
| Total Direct Costs 26,282 - 26,282 17,355 |
Governance costs include £180 (prior year: £180) in respect of independent examiners fees.
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Analysis of Net Assets - Current year
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| 9.1 Current Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2024 | |
| Funds | ||||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 591,103 | - | - | 591,103 |
| Current Assets | 542 | - | - | 542 |
| Current Liabilities | (1,098) | - | - | (1,098) |
| Total Funds | 590,546 | - | - | 590,546 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
9.2 Prior Year
| 2023 ALL FUNDS | DESIGNATED FUNDS |
RESTRICTED FUNDS |
TOTAL FUNDS 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | ||||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 586,353 | - | - | 586,353 |
| Current Assets | 100 | - | - | 100 |
| Current Liabilities | (1,045) | - | - | (1,045) |
| Total Funds | 585,408 | - | - | 585,408 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Movement in Funds - Current Year
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
10. Movement in Funds
10.1 Movement in funds - current year
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2024 | |
| Movement in Funds | ||||
| Total funds bought forward | 585,408 | - | - | 585,408 |
| Incoming resources | 31,420 | - | - | 31,420 |
| Resources expended | (26,282) | - | - | (26,282) |
| Total funds carried forward | 590,546 | - | - | 590,546 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Movement in Funds - Prior Year
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
10. Movement in Funds
10.2 Movement in funds - Prior year
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2023 | |
| Movement in Funds | ||||
| Total funds bought forward | 568,550 | - | - | 568,550 |
| Incoming resources | 34,213 | - | - | 34,213 |
| Resources expended | (17,355) | - | - | (17,355) |
| Total funds carried forward | 585,408 | - | - | 585,408 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024
| Comparative Statement of Financial Activities The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 |
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities The Blackgate Trust For the year ended 5 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2023 |
|
| Income and endowments: | |
| Donations and Legacies: | |
| Donated Services (note 4) 34,213 - - 34,213 |
|
| Total Income and endowments: 34,213 - - 34,213 Expenditure: |
|
| Running Meeting Rooms (note 8) 17,355 - - 17,355 |
|
| Total Expenditure: 17,355 - - 17,355 |
|
| Net Income/(Expenditure) 16,857 - - 16,857 |
|
| Net Movement In Funds 16,857 - - 16,857 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2023 |
|
| Reconciliation of funds (note 10) | |
| Total Funds bought forward 568,550 - - 568,550 |
|
| Net movement in funds 16,857 - - 16,857 |
|
| Total Funds carried forward 585,408 - - 585,408 |
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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements The Blackgate Trust