## **BETHLEHEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH** **______________________________________** YSGUTHAN ROAD, PORT TALBOT SA12 6NE ## **Trustees Report April 2022 – March 2023** ## [1] Purposes and Aims The purposes of the church, as set out in the constitution are: - 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 - 2) Such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the Managing Trustees, further the work of the Church. ## [2] Activities The Church met every Sunday throughout the period April 2022 to March 2023. Our services on Sundays were the focus of our activities. We continue to livestream our services, which are heard by up to 35 people each Sunday. Our main focus for these livestreams are those of our own church membership who are housebound, but others log into our YouTube channel regularly. The church achieved its purposes by continuing to meet regularly for prayer via Zoom video calls on Tuesdays and in-person meetings on Wednesday evenings. One new initiative is a fortnightly Coffee Morning on Wednesdays. These are open to all and provide a place to socialize and encourage one another. We have continued to support one another through sickness, trials and bereavement. We supported in prayer, and through visits from representatives, several good causes such as: The Falconer Trust orphanage in Zambia, the Blytheswood Christmas Shoebox campaign for Central Europe, Romanian Ministries, Asia Link, the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, and Slavic Gospel Association. ## [3] Public Benefit Throughout 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 held in the Church for the first time since the Covid restrictions, it was very well attended by members of the local community. The Pastor continues to serve as Chair of Governors in the local Primary School, and our links with that school continue to be strong. The school used the church for their Carol Services in December 2022. The School Family Liaison Officer used the Church Hall for parenting classes during early Spring. ## [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 32 in March 2023), but others are not members of the church, yet still give their time and energy to helping. A number of new people, both young and older, have started to regularly attend during this reporting period. ## [5] Building Maintenance The Building was maintained to a suitable standard. Gas Boilers were serviced, Fire and Intruder Alarms were checked under contract by ADT. The whole building was cleaned weekly under contract from a Swansea Cleaning Company. No major building work was necessary during the reporting period. ## [6] Financial Review During this accounting period (April 2022 – March 2023), income has been £47,520 and Expenditure has been £50.925 A Building Fund has been held in the BMM Account and this is used for Building Management and Maintenance. At March 31 2023 it stood at £4,835 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 currently Church Growth Trust Manor Farm Barns 1 Baines Lane Oakham LE15 9HP The Managing Trustees are the Church Officers, currently they are: Rev Jeremy Bailey Mr Jonathan Morris (Treasurer) Mr Andrew Nicholas (Secretary) The Managing Trustees met 11 times in this financial year and at other times as necessary. They received a financial report from the treasurer, reported and decided on matters relating to building maintenance and discussed upcoming meetings and needs of the church. The Elders met monthly to pray and discuss the spiritual oversight of the church. ## **Approved by the Managing Trustees, Signed by Rev Jeremy Bailey on 25[th] January 2024** 1111 1111 ill ll -! I￿111 ¥811¥ 555 (HARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees ETHLE 6KJAN6& LicAb cHLARck4 On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any} JI& MARCH 20-23 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {'Ihe Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the charitrfs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of thé accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 l.the Aci.). 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 Chanty Commission undef section 145{5}Ib) of the Act. Independent ￿he charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualif18d lo examlnar's statamont undertake th8 examination by being a qualified memb8r of lins8rt name of applicable listed bodyll. Delete I l if not applicable. I have compleled my examination. I confirm that no material matt8rs hav8 come lo my attention in Connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which giv8s me cause to believe that in. any material respect= the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 othèr than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a mattér considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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 délete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned,. Date: Name: PA TAICIA ANN C A YTofLI Relevant professional qualification{s) or body e S. CAoliS) Arf4AG£liIA C)MrAJiS I RA T1￿£ sfuCJiCS IER Oct 2018 8I0Z I?0 1131 '•soi?sip 01 S?4S!M JOUILUPXO oyi ie41 swol! Aup Jo sileiap ialjq aJ8y OAIg 'IsJauiwpxa Joj g?uEpin6 pue suolpajip '.siunoyJE Awpu? 10 UOlJPUlWExa iuapuadapui 'aE aas) ujajuo? Jo sjaiipuj IE!J8IELu iu6iiu6iu oi spaèu Jauiwexa awl J! aiaidwog Aiuo aJnsoi?s!a 8 UO!i)as Kjvo rv3NlE13m9AS3EI￿ *-h ssajppv (AUE J!)