2024-03-31-accounts - Pemberton Free Grace Church

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod	Trustees' Annual Report for theperiod
From	Period start date			To	Period end date
	01	04	2023		31	03	2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

Pemberton Free Grace Church, Wigan

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 1179175


Jireh Chapel,
Chapel Street, Orrell Road,
Orrell, Wigan
Postcode	WN5 0AG

Charity's principal address

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
Matthew Gray	Pastor & Elder	General Members’ Meeting
Richard Waller	Deacon & Church Secretary	General Members’ Meeting
Raymond Trainer	OverseeingElder	General Members’ Meeting
Trevor Condy	OverseeingElder	General Members’ Meeting

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Constitution

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

Charitable incorporated organisation How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

Elected by General Members’ Meeting

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;

We have a Serious Incident Reporting Policy which was updated in May 2023.

We undertook some Fire Safety training for volunteers in May 2023.

We had two incidences of break-in and minor thefts in April and May 2023, which we reported to the police. In response we also increased our physical security by installing metal grilles onto some of the concealed windows. We also applied to an eligible government scheme for help with protective security, from which we are awaiting a reply.

We regularly reviewed and renewed our Safeguarding checks and awareness with volunteers and leaders, as well as our Safeguarding policy.

trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

To advance the Christian faith in accordance with our Basis of Faith primarily within Pemberton, Wigan and the surrounding area.

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

This also can include other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the Church, put into practice the Christian faith including the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Summary of the main
activities undertaken for
the public benefit in
relation to these objects
(include within this
section the statutory
declaration that trustees
have had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit)

This year, thankfully, was one in which we were able to carry out our activities
as a church freely and without major hindrance.
As a church we continued to prioritise our efforts towards holding services of
worship in our premises, which we did for all 52 Sundays of the year, holding
services both on Sunday mornings at 10:45am and Sunday evenings at
6:00pm. This has been of benefit to a good number of people throughout the
year, and we saw a significant increase in attendance at our Sunday services
particularly from around November 2023 onwards.
We also held regular Wednesday evening Bible study and prayer meetings,
where many people who have requested for us to pray for them, are prayed for
by the church. This is something of particular importance to people who have
been in physical or emotional need.
During this year we also invested considerable effort in maintaining our regular
programme of activities, including our Oasis craft and coffee morning group on
Tuesdays, and the English Club to help asylum seekers to learn English, on
Fridays. We also held a number of regular ‘Walk and Talk’ events on Saturdays
monthly, as part of our church programme, giving people opportunity for
exercise and friendship whilst enjoying open countryside.
Also beginning in April 2023, we commenced a children’s after-school club for
children aged 4-12 years, called Friday Club. This aims to provide a safe and
happy environment in which children are able to do fun games and activities, as
well as learn interesting and important lessons from the Bible together. This has
benefitted a number of children (and parents!) from our local community. All
these activities have meant that we were able to cater more specifically for a
wider number of people in our community.
For those who are unable to easily get out and attend our meetings physically,
we have continued to provide recordings of our Sunday morning service each
week, either uploaded to our church website, or distributed locally door to door
on CDs by our pastor. This has been valuable contact and ministry to those
who are reached by it.
We have also advertised our church, its activities and worship, to the general
public via our website, as well as using social media, notice boards on the
outside of the buildings, leaflets, fliers, and word of mouth. The Church
advances Christian religion by the preaching of the Gospel, and dissemination
of literature and word of mouth conversations. On occasions throughout the
summer we held a ‘literature table’ outreach around shops in the local
community precincts.
The church has continued to provide pastoral support and practical help to
those with whom it has come into contact, who are in need. In addition, to this,
wedding services were conducted by the pastor for persons who wished to be
married in our chapel, which is licensed for weddings.
Our pastor was also able to go into a local school regularly to conduct
assemblies, in the heart of the local community.
A number of special events and occasions have also been held, along with
visiting speakers of interest travelling from further afield. Such events included
missionary presentations about work overseas in Mongolia and Albania, a
Gospel Church Day Conference with visiting speakers, as well as musical
evenings with a singer/songwriter. We also held special fellowship lunches for
our church anniversary weekend and Christmas carol service. The church has
financially supported the work of Christian organisations that work in the UK
and overseas.
Our premises at Rehoboth chapel are used regularly, and we commissioned
some contractors to undertake some considerable vital maintenance work on
the building, so that it remains safe and suitable for public use.
We have continued to play a very active role in a Lancashire regional fellowship
of churches, and have both hosted and attended combined church events and
meetings of this regional fellowship.
When planning and carrying out our activities, the trustees confirm that they
have considered the Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular
the guidance for charities which are primarily concerned with the advancement
of religion.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to Our activities are carried out by both those who are paid employees, and those include further within the church who (when they are able) act as volunteers. statements, where Our church in its covenant of membership encourages the involvement of relevant, about: members in the active support of the church in its aims and objectives, not just by giving financially but by their active personal involvement as volunteers.  policy on grantmaking; Those who are volunteers, where it is appropriate, will have had the necessary  policy programme policy programme DBS checks and suitability for their roles is assessed, according to role related investment; descriptions in our Safeguarding policy.

policy programme policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The church has provided:

A suitable place of worship for persons in our locality to physically attend, in every week of the year.
Weekly Christian worship services and teaching meetings which are also open to the public.
Services of worship and prayer, on both Sunday mornings and evening, as well as Wednesday evenings, for all who wished to attend, held at Rehoboth chapel.
For those not able to attend our regular services, we made audio recordings of our services and distributed them either via CD in the local area to those who wanted them.
We also made audio recordings of our weekly Sunday services, and uploaded audio recordings of our services each week to our church website, which is available to the general public.
Additional posts and videos were made available to the general public, such as on our Facebook page.
Regular outreach in the form of the Oasis group, a drop-in coffee morning with craft and baby-toddler facilities, for anyone in the local community to attend freely.
Commencing a regular children’s after-school activity club on Fridays, for children in the local community.
Other regular outreach activities to accommodate more particular groups, such as Ladies Meetings, or for those whose first language is not English.
Performance:  Average attendance at our worship services has increased significantly during the year in question.
At our services of worship, members of the public who are not currently members of the church have been regularly present. This we believe is important in the continuance of our work.
We have also added to our membership throughout the year, with others also expressing an interest in joining, which is encouraging.
The church has been reaching into the local community in a number of places and ways including local shopping areas and in local schools, and on its website, in addition to what is done on its own premises.
We have continued to maintain our premises to suitable standards, employing a contractor to undertake significant maintenance and repairs.
Despite the increasing utility prices, we have been able to provide a warm space for people to meet in at all of the meetings of the church throughout the year, in all weathers, using our resources and the heating systems we have available.
We have also continued to review our policies and procedures during the year, updating a number of them.
This past year the accounts showed a small deficit over the course of the year. The financial position of the charity remains one where, without significant external grants being given, we would be operating at a larger deficit. However, our resources do enable us to continue our operation – with the aim that our increased membership and ongoing efforts will see the work continue to be funded, and grow in the years to come.

Section E Financial review

Our aim as a charity is to look to keep at least six months’ general Brief statement of the income in our reserves (approx £14,000). At present, the level of our charity’s policy on reserves reserves is higher than this (circa £26,000). However, the reserves are at a reasonable level, because given the running deficit, these reserves are not being spent quickly, as they required in order to meet our projected financial obligations into the foreseeable future.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

N / A

Further financial review details (Optional information)

We received a considerable grant during the year, from the trustees of a You may choose to include former chapel in the North West of England, which had closed and was additional information, where recently sold. These monies were specifically earmarked for the relevant about: necessary repairs and maintenance of Rehoboth chapel.  the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) M. T. Gray R. M. Waller Full name(s) Matthew Tarus Gray Richard Melvyn Waller Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Secretary etc)[Chairman ] Date 18th August 2024

Pemberton Free Grace Church Receipts and Payments Accounts April 1st 2023 - March 31st 2024

A1 RECEIPTS
General Offering
Donations
Donation for Renovation Project
Bank Interest
Ladies Bible Study Books
Gift Aid Claim (2022-23)
Donations to Fellowship Fund
Grace Baptist Mission
Harvest Offering
Gifts for Earthquake Relief
Lancashire Reformed Baptist Fellowship
Total Earmarked Income
Total receipts
A3 PAYMENTS
Salaries & pension
Office Expenses
Travelling Expenses
Conference Expenses
Other preachers
Miscellaneous expenses
Total Ministry
Utilities
Repairs and Maintenance
Total Jireh Building
Utilities
Repairs and Maintenance
Total Rehoboth Building
Rehoboth Renovation Project
Building Supplies
Evangelism
Insurance
Other
Total Other Expenses
Gifts to Missions
Harvest gift
Gift to Barnabus Aid for Earthquake relief
Fellowship Fund
Grace Baptist Mission
Lancashire Reformed Baptist Fellowship
Total Earmarked Expenditure
Total Payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between Funds
A6 Fund balances last year end
Cash funds this year end

Total
to the nearest £
23,360
23,360
21,797
14,790
14,790
26,517
56,000
56,000
507
425
933
153
36
36
43
5,236
5,236
4,119
186
5
371
300
120
186
186
796
43,929
56,611
100,540
53,426
Total
to the nearest £
27,293
25,893
450
460
286
364
213
413
875
770
29,117
29,117
27,899
4,456
3,813
483
339
4,939
4,939
4,152
6,561
5,324
349
2,462
6,910
6,910
7,787
53,737
53,737
5,972
90
90
54
293
293
580
1,515
1,359
2,348
1,454
3,863
3,863
2,813
2,600
2,600
1,940
371
300
60
5
96
15
96
96
751
47,812
53,833
101,645
51,948
-3,883
2,778
-1,105
1,477
25,028
2,148
27,176
21,145
4,926
26,071
Last year
to the nearest £
Last year
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
to the nearest £
to the nearest £

Pemberton Free Grace Church Statement of Assets and Liabilities at the end of the period

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds
B1 Cash Funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £
General Fund 21,146 0
Fellowship Fund 0 428
Building Fund 0 459
Renovation Fund 0 3,644
LRBF holding Fund (Formerly WLRBF) 0 395
Total Cash Funds 21,146 4,926
----- End of picture text -----

B4 Assets retained for the charities own use
	Fund to which asset
	belongs
Fixtures and fittings	General
Office equipment	General
Kitchen equipment	General
Hymn books and bibles	General

The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to relevant trusts) of the following properties, the legal title to which is held by the Church’s custodian trustee -

Grace Baptist Trust Corporation and The Trustees of Rehoboth Chapel, Pemberton.

Jireh Chapel £ 65,000 on 18/06/18 Rehoboth Chapel £ 120,000 on 29/10/18

The above valuations represent market value as assessed by Parkinson Real Estate on the dates shown

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

		Signature	Print Name	Date of approval
M.	Gray		Matthew Gray	18 / 08 / 2024
R.	M. Waller		Richard Waller	18 / 08 / 2024

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of Pemberton Free Grace Church CIO

On accounts for the year Charity no ended 31[st] March 2024 (if any) 1179175 Set out on pages 7 and 8

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 03 / 2024.

Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: W.A. Harrison

Date: 02 / 09 / 2024

Name: William Archie Harrison

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address: Apartment 37 Brunlees Court 19-23 Cambridge Road Southport Merseyside PR9 9DH

Section B Disclosure

[No matters of concern. ]

October 2018

IER