GTS – Gateway Theology School (formerly Gloucestershire Theology School)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, for the year ended 31[st] March 2024
The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Our charity's purposes as set out in the objects contained in the charity’s articles of association are to: advance the Christian religion by practically demonstrating the Christian faith in particular, but not exclusively by:
(1) providing accessible biblical and theological teaching and training to churches and other Christian groups.
(2) promoting theological understanding through dialogue and engagement across denominational lines
(3) providing grants and subsidies to churches or individuals who might not otherwise be able to benefit
Public Benefit:
The trustees are aware of, have regard to and take into account the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit in decision making, operational and strategic. This means that in every decision we make as a board, we ensure that the outcome does not have any personal benefit for anyone in or connected to the charity; delivers the objectives of our charity; makes good use of the funds that we have been trusted with.
Who we are
GTS is a ministry to churches and congregations that provides a forum for Christian biblical and theological education accessible to everyone. Our vision is to help Christians and congregations to grow together in their faith, gain confidence in the Bible, and discover how to think and engage in meaningful theological discourse as the people of God. The aim is to bring theology out of its academic preserve and into the hands of ordinary Christians, giving congregations and small groups the tools and confidence to ‘do theology together’.
We offer courses and events that challenge participants to think, discuss, learn and reflect together. Courses are engaging, interactive, accessible and affordable. The courses are adapted to each group, and can vary in length, level, or content, depending on the needs of the church. Many are now being offered by Zoom or online. Our courses are innovative and bring a fresh expression to theological teaching, affirming the Christian faith. Because we want our courses to be open to all we offer most courses on a donation basis, and provide a bursary scheme for churches or individuals for whom cost may be a potential barrier for fee-based courses. These bursaries are not paid directly to the individuals or churches, but rather absorbed by GTS in the sense that donations received by friends of GTS cover those unable to give.
We generally bring courses to churches or groups that already have a relationship with one another. Courses are designed to build more confident disciples – through discussion and engagement – not merely to provide content for individual growth. Based on a peripatetic model, we enable congregations to study together, which will deepen existing relationships and forge new fellowship.
This report covers the financial period 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. We are so grateful to everyone who has attended a course, supported us and/or become a friend of GTS. Thank you! We could not exist without your support and prayers.
Financial Review
Income
Our income for this financial period was £33,146.
Individual Donations (both monthly and for courses) provided £21,316. Gift Aid provided an additional £3719.
Course fees provided income of £2412. One grant was awarded for £2500. The remaining £3200 came from church donations.
Expenditure
Expenditure was £33,621, consisting primarily of resources and costs for the delivery of courses, together with costs of insurance, new equipment, and smaller sundry expenses.
Summary
At the end of the year we had a net loss of £475. This was primarily due to new equipment purchases right at the end of the year. We anticipate a continued gradual increase of income over the next financial period as GTS builds on its reputation for excellence, accessibility and enjoyment of its courses. Personnel expenses may also rise somewhat as new facilitators continue to join to teach specialist subjects.
Reserves
The Trustees regularly review the financial situation of the charity including Risk and the need to hold reserves. With no committed expenditure at this period in time, we do not hold any designated or committed reserves, although current non-designated reserves are approx. £25,000.
Financial management
GTS is still a relatively young charity at seven years, operating primarily in the Gloucestershire region, but growing more diverse with online participation and additional specialist teachers.
GTS take the importance of maintaining financial systems and controls very seriously and follow all Charity Commission and other statutory guidance. We submit our accounts and Annual Reports to the Charity Commission and comply with all their guidelines, accounting regulations and reporting requirements. We have robust procedures in place to prevent fraud and all funds are allocated for the purpose for which they are given. As a board, we believe the charity is managing its resources appropriately.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the charity’s ‘Constitution for a Foundation Model CIO’ (whose only voting members are its charity trustees). The Constitution is dated 10 September 2018.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
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(1) GTS is led by the Board of Trustees which oversee and monitor the governance and work of the charity. Under the requirements of the Constitution every trustee must be appointed for a term of three [3] years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
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(2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
The charity trustees set rotating terms to ensure there will always be a sufficient number for quoracy. All the trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity would be set out in the accounts.
We believe that the current board of trustees provides strong leadership to the charity, recognising that a diverse and highly skilled board of trustees is essential if the charity is to be effective in achieving its objects. Therefore, we continue to actively recruit trustees and have dedicated time and thought to the ‘onboarding’ of potential and new trustees to ensure a thorough understanding of not only the charity, but also all legal and statutory obligations.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number
1181897
Registered Office
113, Denmark Rd, Gloucester, Glos. GL1 3JW
Trustees
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trustee name | Office(if any) | Relevant term dates |
| John Bentley | Resigned 6.09.23 | |
| Jeremy Taylor | Secretary | Renewed 08.02.24 |
| Dr Emma Hartwell | ||
| Claire Power-Browne | Grants liaison | |
| David Hannah | Resigned 23.05.23 | |
| Colin Edwards | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Diana Mattos | 23.05.23 (3 years) | |
| Cindy Childers | 23.05.23 (3 years) |
Independent examiner
Lindsay Wyles 32 Padin Close Chalford, Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 8FB
Bankers
Barclays Bank, Leicester, LE87 2BB
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2024 GTS
Surplus Equipment Website & IT Hospitality Insurance Staff costs Expenditure Other Grants Gift aid Fees income Corp Gifts Ind Gifts Income Financial statements
Financial Fees Travel & Mileage Printing & Copying
12 month Period ended 31 Mar
Teaching Resources Services (Personnel) Income & Expenditure Statement
(52) (210) (92) (1,194) (432) (241) (539) (7,155) (23,339) 0 2,500 3,719 2,412 3,200 21,316 £ 2024 31-Mar
(367)
12 months to
(475) (33,621) 33,146 £ 2024 31-Mar
forward Funds Assets
Total funds
Retained surplus Fund balances brought Total liabilities Total assets Cash on hand Balance sheet
(475) 25,255 24,780 £ 2024 31-Mar
24,780 24,780 0 24,780 £ 2024 31-Mar
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