2024-12-31-accounts - Whitfield Tabernacle Trust

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From January 1[st] 2024 To December 31[st] 2024

Charity name: Whitfield Tabernacle Trust CIO

Charity registration number: 1175034

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document

The objects of the charity are to conserve, preserve and improve the Whitfield Tabernacle for public benefit as a building of historic interest, and to educate the public about the history and heritage of the building. During the period of this report, the charity has:

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	The objects of the charity are to conserve, preserve and improve the Whitfield Tabernacle for public benefit as a building of historic interest, and to educate the public about the historyand heritage of the building.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	During the period of this report, the charity has:  Worked with an external consultant to prepare a Business Plan to provide a financially sustainable future for the Tabernacle  Sought grant funding from various bodies to support specific items of work in relation to the Tabernacle  Worked in co-operation with the local authority to include the preservation and development of the Tabernacle in schemes for the regeneration of the wider area  Worked with the local authority and architects to prepare a Tender document for the proposed Phase II work on the building; monitored and responded to Tender submissions from contractors and selected the approved contractor for the work.  Maintained contact with members and the wider public to inform onprogress
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	The Trustees acknowledge that their project will only succeed with the support of the local community, and our objective is not just to preserve a Grade I listed building, but to engage the local community so as to give them a better understanding and pride in their local area. We have therefore established links with other local groups and taken many opportunities through the local press and various local forums, to explain what we are doing and encourage others to assist us in theproject.

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document

The objects of the charity are to conserve, preserve and
improve the Whitfield Tabernacle for public benefit as a
building of historic interest, and to educate the public about
the historyand heritage of the building.

Summary of the main activities
in relation to those purposes for
the public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.

During the period of this report, the charity has:

Worked with an external consultant to prepare a
Business Plan to provide a financially sustainable
future for the Tabernacle

Sought grant funding from various bodies to support
specific items of work in relation to the Tabernacle

Worked in co-operation with the local authority to
include the preservation and development of the
Tabernacle in schemes for the regeneration of the
wider area

Worked with the local authority and architects to
prepare a Tender document for the proposed Phase
II work on the building; monitored and responded to
Tender submissions from contractors and selected
the approved contractor for the work.

Maintained contact with members and the wider
public to inform onprogress

Statement confirming whether
the trustees have had regard to
the guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on public
benefit

The Trustees acknowledge that their project will only
succeed with the support of the local community, and our
objective is not just to preserve a Grade I listed building, but
to engage the local community so as to give them a better
understanding and pride in their local area. We have
therefore established links with other local groups and taken
many opportunities through the local press and various local
forums, to explain what we are doing and encourage others
to assist us in theproject.

Additional information

Policyongrant making	The charitydoes not makegrants
Policy on social investment including program related investment	The charity does not invest in other projects. However, social investment was an important factor in our choice of contractors to carry out Phase I (the stabilisation work) and we will be a consideration when appointing a contractor to complete Phase II
Contribution made by volunteers	The Trustees and members are all voluntary. The condition of the Tabernacle means there is little opportunity for volunteers to be engaged in any practical activity on site. (The building was open once during the year for the public to see the space, when trustees were available to show the public round) However, there have been regular engagement activities away from the site to tell the story and explain the aims of theproject to the local community.
Other	The Trust continues to view the development of the Tabernacle as a key element in the regeneration of this part of Kingswood (in the Kingswood Masterplan it is known as the Cultural Quarter). In the Conservation Area, the neighbouring Grade II listed church ruin has been converted into apartments and the adjacent burial ground is to be a local authority pocket park that will compliment the development oftheTabernacle.

Achievements and Performance

	Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Given the complexity of bringing an ancient building in a very poor condition back into community use; the Trustees recognise that their project is a long term one. Having secured funding for extensive stabilisation work, we achieved our first objective of carrying out the work necessary to save the building from further deterioration by the end of 2022. This has turned an eyesore of a building in a corner of the town that has suffered from neglect for many years into a beacon of hope. Many local residents are pleased that it is no longer an embarrassment, and no longer a source of antisocial behaviour. Much of our work in 2024 was focussed on preparing plans and funding for next Phase that will result in an asset for the wider area and will bring more visitors to Kingswood. The local community will have gained little direct benefit from our 2024 activities other than the opportunity to see inside the Tabernacle and see and hear our plans for its future use. Difficulties over land transfer issues have delayed the commencement of Phase II of the work.

Additional information

To prepare the Trust for the opening of the Tabernacle, the Trustees have been aware that they need to strengthen the Achievements against membership of the Board in order to improve our external objectives set communication and use of social media. We also need to improve our fundraising activities and prepare to set up a trading subsidiary to take on the day-to-day running of the Tabernacle once it is open to the public. One new Trustee was appointed in 2024 The charity has continued to raise some funds from Members during 2024, and small donations have been Performance of fundraising received from the public. There have been no specific public activities against objectives set fundraising events during the year. The charity continues to rely on grant funding.

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial positionat the end ofthe period
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they areheld	Reserves are retained based on three month’ operating costs.
Amount of reserves held	£3966
Reasons for holding zero reserves
Details of fund materially in deficit
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	No concerns

Additional information Until the development of the Tabernacle has been completed, the Trust will rely on grant funding and public donations to A description of the principal support its activities. When the building is in a suitable risks facing the charity condition, the Trusts activities will be partially funded by income from events held at the Tabernacle. The principle risk to the Trust is that grant applications are unsuccessful or that public funds become less available as a result of other funding pressures. Cost increases since our major grant support was approved have led to the risk that the Tabernacle will not be able to open with the extent of fit-out envisaged for a full range of activities to take place. Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type ofgoverningdocument	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	The charity is Charitable Incorporated Organization manged by a Board of Trustees that is accountable to the Trust’s membership.
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Founding Trustees volunteered to set up the charity and were reappointed by Members at first Annual General Meeting. At each subsequent AGM, Trustees retire in rotation and can be reappointed in addition to new Trustees. Members and Trustees actively seek to encourage Trustees with particular skills to join the Trust. The Chair of Trustees is appointed by the Trustees at the Board’s first meeting following the Annual General Meeting.

Additional information

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	The Secretary has the responsibility for ensuring that new Trustees have the information they need to carry out their duties. A welcome pack is being developed.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	The charity is managed by a Board of 6 Trustees assisted by a Project Manager. The Chair of Trustees is appointed by the Trustees at their first meeting after the AGM. Other functional posts such as Secretary and Treasurer are appointed by the Trustees. The charity works closely with South Gloucestershire Council and is a Member organisation of CVS South Gloucestershire
Relationship with any related parties	Only informally

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Whitfield Tabernacle Trust CIO
Other name the charity uses	None used
Registered charitynumber	1175034
Charity’s principal address	20 Verwood Drive Bitton Bristol BS30 6JP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
AnthonyHick	Chair
Robert Chapman
Kim Scudamore	Secretary/Treasurer
April Begley
Patricia Rooney
Alyson McKeown
Adam Rees		09/04/2024 – 31/12/2024

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name Does not apply

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name

Does not apply

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this None held capacity

Name and objects of the charity on Does not apply whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe Does not apply custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Names and addresses of advisers

Type of adviser	Name	Address
Business Plan Consultant	Joh Nicholls: Arts Quarter LLP	35 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5BF

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature Full name Anthony Michael Hick Position Chair Date October 24th 2025

Whitfield Tabernacle Trust	Whitfield Tabernacle Trust	Whitfield Tabernacle Trust	Whitfield Tabernacle Trust
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS foryear ending 31 December 2024

RECEIPTS		PAYMENTS
Detail	£ P	Detail	£ P

Donations from Trustees and Members	1030	Internet(email + website)	126.00
Financial support from SGC	7549.00	Insurance	9655.79
Kingswood Town Council Grant	5000.00	Events	1046.09
Kingswood Rotary	300.00	Audit and Accounting	539.36
Gift Aid rebate	457.53	Room Hire	108.00
Income from events	132.56	Power and Water	554.28
		Security	405.00






TOTAL RECEIPTS	14469.09	TOTAL PAYMENTS	12434.52

*Excess of Receipts over Payments in 2024*	2034.57

BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 2024

Brought forward on 1st January2024	1930.94	WTT Bank account on 31st December 2024	3965.51
*Plus*
Excess of Receipts over Payments in 2024	2034.57

Balance	3965.51	Carried forward on 1st January2025	3965.51

Signed by Chair
Name AnthonyHick
Date 20.04.2025
Signature
Following acceptance by Members of the Trust at the Annual General Meeting held on March 20th 2025