2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended

31 December 2021

Registered Charity Number 1176219

Principal office:

1A Llanthony Road, Gloucester, GL2 5QX

Trustees for this period

Peter Taylor, Andrew Holloway, Kieran Douglass, John Cordingley, Catherine Ashworth, Richard Evans, Steve Smith, Amy Westall, Rob Kingston, Pat Prosser

Current Trustees

John Cordingley, Steve Smith, Rob Kingston, Pat Prosser, Peter Taylor, Kieran Douglass, Catherine Ashworth, Will Lee

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1. Structure, Governance & Management

Mariners Gloucester (‘MG’) was registered as a CIO (see below) by the Charity Commission on 11 December 2017. Its constitution provides that trustees are elected for no more than 3 year terms. MG became a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) with effect from 6 April 2018. No policy has been adopted for the induction and training of trustees, but as a matter of procedure new trustees are sent a copy of the Charity Commission’s document “The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do” and they are asked to read it.

2. Objectives and Activities

The principal object of MG is the advancement of the Christian faith in the City of Gloucester according to the doctrine of the Church of England as defined in Canon A5 of the canons of the Church of England.

In seeking to achieve this object, MG engages in a range of activities either on its own or with others, including:

(a) the celebration of public worship. During the first few months of 2021, our Sunday morning celebrations took the form of online broadcasts using both Facebook and YouTube. When the Covid-19 restrictions eased in June and July, a few celebrations were held outdoors at Plock Court.

At the end of June, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) decided that the Church would participate in a programme of online celebrations called ‘United Breaks Out’ (UBO). This programme was based on a summer festival known as ‘New Wine - United’ that had previously been held at the East of England showground in Peterborough.

A small working group was set up to plan the Mariners version of UBO and produce Covid-19 risk assessments to allow in-person meetings to be held in the Mariners Hall and chapel. Following approval of these documents, a series of evening meetings took place in Mariners Hall from Thursday 29th July to Tuesday 3rd August. On Sunday 1st August, the UBO morning celebration was broadcast in the chapel and this was followed by a Church picnic in the grounds of Llanthony Priory.

The morning celebration on 1st August demonstrated that the chapel could be used for Sunday celebrations as long as the controls in the risk assessment were adhered-to. For the rest of the summer, the chapel was used alongside outdoor locations for Sunday morning celebrations. Since the autumn, the chapel has been the sole building for Sunday worship. However, the weekly prayer meeting continues to be held online.

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(b) the Teaching of the Christian faith. Throughout 2021, home-based small groups (Life Groups) have played a central role in teaching and discipleship. During the first few months, these groups met on Zoom and their members kept in touch via WhatsApp.

When the Covid-19 restrictions eased in June and July, some of the Life Groups met in outdoor spaces. After a break in the summer, the Life Groups again met in homes on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

(c) mission and evangelism. Life Groups have been encouraged to consider where they might engage with mission and evangelism. Some of the groups have done so in practical ways, such as providing food for the local Foodbank. Others have sought to invite friends and colleagues to social occasions. A very successful Youth Alpha course was run in early 2021 for secondary school age children.

(d) pastoral work including working with the sick and bereaved. This is shared across the life of the Church by many members of the congregation including the SLT and Life Group leaders. There was also a memorial service held in the chapel during the summer for someone who lived in the area that had sadly died during lockdown. The relative was supported pastorally and the service was greatly appreciated by the family of the deceased.

(e) the provision of facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community, including (but not restricted to) the elderly, the young, and other groups with particular needs.

Towards the end of 2021, MG was approached by a local ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ (AA) group which had been meeting in a hall belonging to another Church in Gloucester. The group was looking for new premises and wondered if MG would allow them to use our hall for 1 - 2 hours on a Monday evening. After some discussion, the trustees allowed the group to use the hall for a trial period, up to Easter 2022.

The trustees recognized that there might be occasions when the Church needed to use the hall on a Monday evening. If this happened, the AA group agreed to re-locate its meeting to the chapel. At the end of the trial period, the trustees accepted that the AA group had been a good tenant and agreed that they could continue using the hall for a year.

(f) the support of other charities working in the UK and overseas. MG provides financial support for mission work in Malawi, Spain and Israel. Locally, it provides volunteers and financial support to Listening Post, Gloucester City Mission, Street Pastors, Gloucester Foodbank, the Diocese of Gloucester, and the Church Society.

Most of these activities are delivered by one full-time ministry staff member, a part-time administrator, the SLT and a large number of volunteers. In addition, all of this is overseen and supported by an excellent team of trustees.

As stated in section 2(a), MG used two buildings for its work in 2021:

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1. Mariners Hall comprising a small hall, commercial kitchen, ancillary rooms, offices and a three bedroom flat (rented out to young adults connecting with MG).

2. Mariners Chapel. A ‘re-ordering’ project has been underway to renovate and modernize this building. So far the work has been in the design, specification, and approval phase. Outline ‘Faculty’ approval from the relevant Anglican Church authorities was given in September 2018 for the installation of a disabled toilet and kitchenette, new flooring, heating and lighting, new seating (replacing the pews) and a general redecoration of the building. We have been seeking grants for this project, and are currently reviewing what is required to start the work.

3. Achievements and Performance

Rev Kieran Douglass moved to Gloucester in April 2021 to take up the role of Senior Leader of Mariners Church. Under Kieran’s leadership, the Church has emerged from Covid-19 restrictions with in-person meetings being held in both the Church and the Hall from August 2021 onwards.

Following Kieran’s arrival, the SLT affirmed that the overriding purpose of Mariners Church is: ‘ To be a beacon of God’s light in Gloucester and beyond so that lives and communities are transformed by the love of Jesus ’. The SLT also stated that the Church should be Biblically based and Spirit led. These values coincide with those of New Wine, a movement with which MG is closely associated.

The Church’s vision, goals and priorities were discussed with the wider leadership during an ‘away-day’ in October 2021. Following this consultation, the SLT introduced monthly ‘Encounter’ meetings on a Sunday evening. These meetings provide an opportunity for Church members to encounter God in an atmosphere of praise and worship. The SLT also introduced the concept of ‘Pause and Pray’ at midday on Thursdays. This provides an opportunity for Church members to take a short break from the hustle and bustle of life to pray about current issues.

Numerous areas of Church life involving in-person gatherings have been restarted, most notably the children’s ministry which meets in the hall during the Sunday worship and currently uses ‘Energize’ as a resource which is working well for those leading sessions.

Life Groups have continued to be invaluable during the year, especially when the Covid-19 restrictions were in place. They continue to provide fellowship and support to members. There are currently 6 Life Groups, with a total membership across all groups of about 70 adults.

1. Financial Review

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See separate report.

5. Public Benefit Statement

The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.

6. Plans for Future Periods

Following Kieran’s arrival, the Douglass family has gone through a period of huge disruption with various delays and cancellations before their son’s open-heart surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the long recovery post-surgery. The result of this is that some things have been on hold for longer than planned.

As we come through Covid-19, a key focus for 2022 is to establish vital areas of Mariners life, such as our gatherings, prayer meetings, men’s and women’s ministry, children’s ministry and youth work, whilst at the same time rebuilding teams and areas of ministry so that they are sustainable and flourishing. Alongside this there is a focus on building connections and relationships with wider charities and organizations to best fulfil the plans God has for Gloucester.

Following Kieran’s return and settling back into his leadership role, the Church’s goal for the remainder of 2022 is to be moving into what we feel God has called Mariners to. This has begun with discerning the big vision for Mariners: ‘ To be a beacon of God’s light in Gloucester and beyond so that lives and communities are transformed by the love of Jesus ’. Further discernment will occur between the Senior Leader, the SLT and others within the church as this vision is clarified with the plan for this to then be communicated to the wider congregation during the autumn. The sense is that God is calling Mariners to encounter more of God’s presence, grow deeper together in faith and share the light of Jesus more widely.

The strategic position of the chapel is key to the outreach and mission of Mariners and it allows us to engage with various events in the docks such as the Tall Ships Festival. Engagement with such events is being planned alongside a more long term outreach project.

7. Fundraising Practices

This does not apply as we only raise money from our members and receive grants from grant making bodies (for refurbishment work).

Trustees of Mariners CIO. August 2022

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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2021

Statement of Financial Activities y/e 31/12/21

Receipts	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total y/e 31.12.21	Total y/e 31.12.20	Notes
Voluntary Income:
Monthly Giving	69730		69730	83054
Weekly Celebration Collections	317		317	3009
Gift Aid	14961		14961	28561
Additional Donations	441		441	54
Visitor Giving	916		916	565
Project Income
Re-ordering Project donations		0	0	0
Hall project Grant		0	0	51718	6
Income from Charitable Activities
Ministry (Contributions, fees etc.)	0		0	107
Occasional Offices	320		320	0
Activities for generating funds
Income from properties	6730		6730	9135
Investment Income:
Interest	5		5	26
Other incoming resources:
Ministry Grants	130		130	4000	6
Events				1276
Other income	91		91	63
Total Income Resources	93,641	0	93,641	181,569

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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2021 continued

Payments	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total y/e 31.12.21	Total y/e 31.12.20	Notes
	£	£	£	£
Staffing costs:
Salary (incl Employers NI)	26611		26611	61424	7
Staff Expenses	269		269	760
Pension	5002		5002	14354
HR & recruitment costs	4577		4577	11107
Other Charitable Expenditure
Ministry & Outreach Expenses	2,161		2,161	5,320
Rent	11,970		11,970
Council tax and water charges	4,033		4,033	2,276
Buildings Power & maintenance)	6901		6901	5,588
Support Costs (Office, Kitchen, AV etc)	5027		5027	4,708
Advertising, Printing & Publicity	132		132	228
Events	170		170	0
Other Expenditure	0		0	119
Giving to other causes:
Mission/Evangelism/ Ministry	10,260		10,260	12,545	5
Discretionary fund	200		200	543
Project expenditure:
Hall project costs	0	0	0	65,090	9
Reordering professional fees	0	3,000	3,000
Governance costs				70
Total resources expended	77,313	3,000	80,313	184,131
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources	16328	(3,000)	13328	(2,562)

Statement of Funds & Assets

Funds	Opening Balance	Income	Expenditure	Closing balance	Notes
	at 01/01/2021			at 31/12/2021
	£	£	£	£
Unrestricted	68,133	93,641	77,313	84,461
Restricted	13,279	0	3,000	10,279	6, 8
Total Funds	81,412	93,641	80,313	94,740

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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2021 continued

Assets (see Note 10)	Opening balance at 01/01/2021	Closing Balance at 31/12/2021
Bank balances
Mariners Main Current Account	28,832	25,155
Reserves Account	39,301	59,306
Project Account	13,279	10,279
Total	81,412	94,740
Total Assets	81,412	94,740

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the United Kingdom statement of recommended practice, SORP2015 and the Church of England accounting regulations. The receipts and payments basis for accounting were used in 2021. The principal accounting policies have been applied co nsistently.

2. LEGAL ENTITY

Mariners Gloucester became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 6th April 2018.

3. FUNDS

(a) Unrestricted Funds– e.g. Main bank account, Reserves These are general funds which can be used for ordinary purposes

(b) Restricted Funds– e.g. Re-ordering Project Account, Grants received for specific purposes. These are gifts and receipts other receipts raised for specific purpose where the donor has restricted their use.

(c) Designated Funds –These are funds set aside out of general funds for designated purposes.

4. RESERVES POLICY

In setting the level of the reserves the Trustees take account of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. Mariners Gloucester provides services to its members and the community and the Trustees wish to hold reserves at a level sufficient to maintain its services in the event of a reduction in income. The present policy is to have reserves of at least 3 months of operational costs. The Trustees may hold further amounts in reserves as a general contingency or for expected capital expenditure.

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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2021 continued

5. GIVING

Mariners supports local and national organisations which have similar aims and objectives as Mariners Gloucester. The table shows the payments which were made to third parties (charities, mission partners etc.) as part of the church giving.

Giving to Third Parties	£
Christians Against Poverty	1400
Church Society	500
Gloucester City Mission	500
Gloucester Diocese	750
Gloucester Food Bank	1000
Gloucester Historic Churches Trust	250
Gloucester Street Pastors	500
Hope for Justice	600
Joseph Storehouse	600
Listening Post	500
Pioneers	2100
Salt Malawi	1060
Tear Fund	500
Total	10260

6. GRANTS RECEIVED

2020 Grant Income Received	2020
	£
Diocesan Development Fund - Grant towards the salary costs of Asst minister	£4,000.00
Heritage Lottery Fund - from Southgate street scheme towards Hall repair costs	£51,718.00
TOTAL	£55,718.00

All grant funds received in 2020 were spent in the year. No grant income was received in 2021

7. STAFF

Mariners employed 1 person at 01/01/2021 and 2 people at 31/12/2021. A new Senior leader was appointed in April 2021. The average number of staff during the year corresponded to 1.1 FTE.

No member of staff received remuneration and benefits exceeding £60,000

8. CHURCH RE-ORDERING PROJECT

During 2021 little progress was made on reordering due to the impact of Covid and staff changes.

Church Re-Ordering Project	2021
Receipts	0
Expenses	3000
Opening Balance	13279
Closing Balance	10279

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Mariners Gloucester CIO - Accounts for y/e – 31/12/2021 continued

9. HALL RENOVATION PROJECT

In 2020 Mariners completed repair work at the Mariners Hall which started in 2019. The work involved repairs to the stonework and windows

Hall Renovation Project	2020
	£
Receipts - grant	51,718
Expenses	65,090
Net cost from general reserves	13,372

10. ASSETS

In addition to the financial assets listed, Mariners Gloucester has the use of Mariners Chapel and Mariners Hall, assets held in trust by the Church Society as successor to the original trusts set up for the Church in the 19th century.

R D Kingston, Treasurer

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0B Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the period Set out on pages Responsibilities and basis of report

Mariners Gloucester CIO 01/01/2021 to 31/12/2021 Charity no (if any) N/A 1 to 5 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended31/12/2021. As the charity's trustees, you 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.

1B Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination 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 Act; or

• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• the accounts did 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.

Signed: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:		10/04/2022
	Mr Stephen Youngs FCCA
	Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
	Bibstone House, Bibstone, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 8AD.

(HARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES .Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustee members of Mariners GI￿teSter CIO On accounts for the period 0110112021 to 3111212021 Charity no lif any) NIA Set out on pages 1to5 I report to the trustees on my examinatKJn ofthe aC￿Unts of the above chartty llhe Trust I for the period ended 3111212021. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chartty's trustees. you are respon￿ble for the preparation of the accounts in acc(￿dance ￿th the requirements of the Charrties Ad 2011 (Xhe Acfl I reFX)rt in respect of my examination of the Ttust's accounts carried out under sectson 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examinalK)n, I have followed all the applicable DIrect￿n9 given by the Charity Commissic undei section 145(5llbl of the Act. .Independent I have completed my examination. l confirm that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection with the examination hthich gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance wrth section 130 of the CharIt￿S Act or the accounts not accord with the accounts.ng rec£srds', or the accounts not cunply with the applicable requirements neeming the fomi and Content of accounts set out in the Charities IAco)unts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have c(me across no other matters in connects.on qth the examInat￿n to vthich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a pyoper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 1010412022 Signed: Name: Mr Stephen Youngs FCCA Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body Irf anyl- Fellow of the Asswation of chart￿ed Certified Accountants Address: Bibstone House. Bibslone. wottOr￿Under-Edge, GL12 8AD.