BETHLEHEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH
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YSGUTHAN ROAD, PORT TALBOT SA12 6NE
Trustees Report April 2020 – March 2021
[1] Purposes and Aims
The purposes of the church, as set out in the constitution are:
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1) The advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Port Talbot and the surrounding neighbourhood; and
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2) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the Managing Trustees, further the work of the Church.
[2] Activities
From March 22[nd] 2020 until 7[th] November 2020 we ceased meeting in person and started to live stream our services to comply with the government lockdown due to Covid 19. The livestreamed services were watched on up to 150 devices each week, so we estimate that we reached at least 250 people. Comments we received showed that many of those were not regular attenders and some lived many miles away, even in different countries. This was an unexpected benefit of going online. We are also thankful to the Church Members who made this possible, especially our Deacon, Ben George.
From 15[th] November 2020 we resumed services in the church building observing Welsh Government Guidance regarding distancing, sanitizing, face coverings and a one-way system. We did not sing, once again due to the Guidance. The Managing Trustees (Elders and Deacons) met every two weeks to review the risk assessment. Our priorities were to maintain the worship meeting of the church and to keep the congregation as safe as possible in the pandemic.
We reluctantly took the decision to stop all weekly meetings: with teenage girls on a Monday evening, teens and twenties boys on a Friday evening, parents and toddlers on a Friday morning, and the Sunday School for children aged 3 and over on a Sunday morning. We tried to keep in contact with those who used to attend, sending books and activities to the Sunday School Children twice during the lockdown.
The church has sought to achieve its purposes by continuing to meet regularly for prayer via Zoom video calls on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We have continued to support one another through sickness, trial and bereavement. We generously supported several good causes such as: The Falconer Trust orphanage in Zambia, the Blytheswood Christmas Shoebox campaign for Central Europe, Romanian Ministries, Asia Link, and Slavic Gospel Association.
[3] Public Benefit
From November 15[th] until the end of this reporting period, the church has opened its doors to the local community in a number of ways: the worship services on Sundays are open to all; the Christmas Eve Community Carol Service was pre-recorded and broadcast on YouTube. The Pastor continues to serve as Chair of Governors in local Primary School, and our links with that school continue to be strong. We were approached by the Election Office asking if we would be willing for our Church Hall to be used as a Polling Station. We readily agreed to this, and the postponed local council by-election was held alongside the Senedd Elections in May 2021.
[4] Membership and Volunteers
None of this would have been possible without the willing service of a number of volunteers. Many are from our membership (which numbered 37 in March 2021), but others are not members of the church, yet still give their time and energy to helping. In adapting to the Pandemic, we discovered that we needed different gifts to those previously used in the church. We are particularly grateful to Aidan Fyans and Ben for their work in renewing the audio in the church and setting up the livestream. We now have broadband in the church which has been a great benefit.
[5] Building Maintenance
Taking advantage of the fact that, because of lockdown, we were not meeting in the building during Spring and Summer 2020, we were able to complete a major refurbishment of the main church. Using some of the Building Fund that had been held in the Deposit Account, we were able to employ a builder to strip the downstairs walls, plasterboard them, replaster and paint. New front doors have been fitted and a new carpet added throughout the downstairs. During the work a large hole was discovered in the roof; this has been repaired. As funds allow, we plan to refurbish upstairs to the same standard.
[6] Financial Review
During this accounting period (April 2020 – March 2021), income has been £48,112 and Expenditure has been £66,811
A Building Fund has been held in the BMM Account and this is used for Building Management and Maintenance. At March 31 2021 it stands at £13,864
It is our intention to build up reserves over time so that the church has a reasonable cushion against any unforeseen occurrences.
The accounts are set out at the end of this report in a balance sheet. The accounts have been duly checked by Patricia Layton, Independent Examiner, and the report is also attached.
[7] Holding Trustees and Managing Trustees
The Church’s property holding trustees are FIEC Practical Services 39 The Point Market Harborough LE16 7QU
The Managing Trustees are the Church Officers, currently they are: Rev Jeremy Bailey Mr Ben George Mr Jonathan Morris (Treasurer) Mr Andrew Nicholas (Secretary)
The Managing Trustees meet 11 times a year and at other times as necessary. They receive a financial report from the treasurer, report and decide on matters relating to building maintenance and discuss upcoming meetings and needs of the church. The Elders meet to pray and discuss the spiritual oversight of the church twice a month.
Approved by the Managing Trustees, Signed by Rev Jeremy Bailey on 24[th] January 2022
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Bethlehem Evangelical Church.
Bethlehem Evangelical Church. Notes To Income & Expenditure
Income & Expenditure For The Year Ended 31 March 2021
For The Year Ended 31 March 2021 2020/21
Notes Income Expenditure
2020/21 2019/20 £ £ £
Notes £ £ £ £ 1 Missionary Gifts
INCOME EMF 400.00
Weekly Offerings: Asia Link 1,000.00
Gift Aid 25,470.00 29,330.88 OMF 0.00
Tax Rebate 15,083.52 0.00 Slavic Gospel 1,000.00
Other Weekly Offerings 5,489.70 6,764.34 Romanian Ministries 1,600.00
Creation Ministries 0.00
Gifts 285.00 2,130.00 0.00
0.00
46,328.22 38,225.22
Missionary Collections:
Missionary Gifts 1 0.00 0.00 Home Missions
0.00 0.00
Miscellaneous Income:
Special Collections 2 0.00 668.80 0.00 4,000.00
Miscellaneous Income 3 1,784.28 1,004.14
1,784.28 1,672.94 2 Special Collections
TOTAL INCOME: 48,112.50 39,898.16
Asia Link 0.00 0.00
Romainian Ministries 0.00 0.00
Falcolner Homes 0.00 0.00
EXPENDITURE: MERF 0.00 0.00
Pulpit & Pastoral Expenses 4 29,806.32 31,842.66 0.00 0.00
Gas, Electric, Water & Telephone 5 1,955.88 4,841.61
Repairs & Renovations 6 22,359.66 4,045.26 3 Miscellaneous Income
Local Outreach 7 622.81 2,237.98 Other Offerings 60.00
Missionary Support 1 4,000.00 4,280.00 Bank Interest (Community A/C) 0.00
Special Causes 2 0.00 145.00 Banking Error 107.65
Gifts 8 1,000.00 2,085.00 CVS Covid-19 Grant 1016.63
Miscellaneous 9 7065.93 7,655.48 Pension Contribution from Employee 600.00
1,784.28
TOTAL EXPENDITURE: 66,810.60 57,132.99
4 Pulpit & Pastoral Expenses
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR YEAR -18,698.10 -17,234.83 Pastor
Gross Salary 24,230.16
TRANFERS IN FROM BCC: -22,500.00 Pension/Conf.Fees/Books/Life Assurance 890.76
Fuel Allowance 279.60 25,400.52
ACTUAL DEFICIT 3,801.90 Employers NIC 4,285.80
External Preachers 120.00
29,806.32
5 Gas, Electric, Water & Telephone
ADDITIONAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR BCC ACCOUNT Internet 161.61
Electricity 756.00
Balance as at 1st April 2020 34,347.35 Gas 753.59
Telephone 126.72
Income Expenditure Water Rates 157.96
- Gifts 2,000.00 1,955.88
- Interest 17.36
- Returned from Current Acct 0.00 6 Repairs & Renovations
- Transferred to Current Acct -22,500.00 Miscellaneous 0.00
Kitchen Equipment Repairs 0.00
2,017.36 -22,500.00 Organ & Piano Tuning 0.00
Alarm Repairs 0.00
Balance as at 1st April 2021 13,864.71 Service of Fire Extinguishers 261.76
Alarms 1507.92
Builder 18050.00
Carpets 2400.00
Plumber 108.00
Reimbursements - Light Bulbs 31.98
22,359.66
7 Local Outreach
Girls Craft 0.00
Sunday School 203.15
Tiny Tots 0.00
Evangelism 419.66
Tracts 57.60
Signs 80.40
Covid Expenses 0.00
Other 281.66
622.81
8 Gifts
Auditor 0.00
EMW camps fund 0.00
Sundry Gifts :
Membership 1,000.00
1000.00
9 Miscellaneous
Stationery -Copy Charge 64.28
-Toner 0.00
-Other 0.00
64.28
Refreshments 0.00
Safeguarding 129.00
Christian Copyright Licence 122.00
Cleaning Costs 3,088.81
Web Hosting 50.00
Holding Trust 240.00
Covid-19 Misc 831.37
Insurance 1976.67
End of Year Creditors 563.80
0.00
0.00
7,065.93
1784.28 66810.60
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Treasurer Bank Account 2020-21- CM.xlsx
Income & Expenditure
24/01/2022
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLMAD AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts ISection?A Report to the trusteesl members of Ctr.artr4 Namo £ i HIE CuApJ &LfLI UL CH UlLCt4 On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) IlTrl bL¥2 Set out on pages (rEMrbEr IG kiclude its numts.rS d aGrtIinal stteelsl I report to the trustees on rny examination of the accounts of the aly)va charity ("the Trusf) for the year ended Sb. i ,q3: . £0'1'. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chartvs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Acr). I report in resped of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carrying out niy exarnination. I have followed all the appticable Directions given by the Charity Commission under secti¢Jn 145(5Xb) of the Ad. Independent tThe charitys gross inccxne exceeded £250.000 and l arn qualified to examinerfs statemgnt undertake th_e ew. in&tion.by_knoln aua[[fien3ernbEr of [Inse.rt rjame of applicable listed bodyll. Delete [ ] rfnot applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below") which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities ACL or the accounts dTrd not accx)rd with the accounting records", or the accounts did not cornply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirernent that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a Matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no (xjncems 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. ° Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not app. Slgned: Date: .1.2olL Name: PRTAIci P Relevant professional qualifi¢ation{s) or body B.£.fjH 14ANg<&£liLP4L IN¢STRA I I VE SIL41£5 IER Oct 2018
(rfany): Address: - YRI oIiAtSTortl S LL -Disclosur&.k..-:- Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examinalion of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef details of any item5 that the examinerwishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018