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2022-03-31-accounts

HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Charity Number 1184061 Hope Chapel, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UG

HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Registered Charity Number 1184061 Principal Address Hope Chapel High Street Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8UG Trustees Paul Gaskin (Chair) Neil Rees Pat Woodman (until 13th May 2021) Clive Williams Heidi Jacobsen (until 25th February 2022) Bookkeepers Your Business Hub Services Ltd Ty Menter Navigation Park Abercynon CF45 4SN Bankers Barclays Bank PLC 47 High Street Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DL

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2022

CONSTITUTION & LEGAL STATUS

Hope Church Merthyr is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation

The first meeting of the Trustees of the CIO was held on 21 February 2019. The CIO is governed by a constitution that was drawn up on 21 February 2019. The CIO was registered with the Charity Commission on 26 June 2019 and the Charity Registration Number is 1184061.

OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY

The Objects of the CIO is/are:

Advancement of Religion

  1. The advancement of the Christian Faith in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit including through providing services for prayer and worship and pastoral care and outreach into the community.

Relief of Poverty and Financial Hardship

  1. The prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship in Merthyr Tydfil by providing: grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.

  2. The prevention or relief of poverty or financial hardship anywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient.

TRUSTEES

The method of appointment of trustees is set out in the CIO Constitution.

There is one Elder who is also a member of the Trustee team; Paul Gaskin, who is not remunerated. In addition we have four trustees who are not part of the Eldership team and not remunerated; Neil Rees, Pat Woodman (until 13th May 2021), Clive Williams and Heidi Jacobsen (until 25th February 2022).

During the year ended 31 March 2022 the following people acted as trustees:

Dr Paul Gaskin Mr Neil Rees Mrs Pat Woodman (until 13th May 2021) Mr Clive Williams Miss Heidi Jacobsen (until 25th February 2022).

Pat Woodman resigned as trustee early in the year when she left the area to live, to be closer to family and we sought a replacement for her from among the fellowship.

The need for new trustees is reviewed regularly and when appropriate possible names are presented at a trustee meeting for consideration. The existing trustees make any new appointments. The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment a copy of the current version of this constitution, a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts, a copy of the previous 12 month of Trustee meeting minutes.

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

RISK REVIEW

The management committee regularly reviews the major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems are established to mitigate these risks. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.

RESERVES POLICY

The trustees are aware that there may be some substantial expenditure in the next few years with relation to the upkeep of the church building. Therefore, it is felt that a financial reserve should be retained to make any repairs affordable. However, this was decided with a caveat that if a pressing financial need arises within the church family, and the CIO has the ability to meet this out of the reserve, then this should be done, in accordance with the aims and objectives of the CIO.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

In Luke 4 Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 stating that this is the mission to which He has been sent:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set to liberty those who ore oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.”

As the church is charged with extending and continuing Jesus' kingdom the achievements and performance of the trust and in essence the church family can be weighed against the above scripture. As a trust and as a church family we acknowledge that everything we have achieved is down to the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

Weekly Meeting

After the first COVID lock down restrictions we resumed regular meetings but bearing in mind that COVID was still active we limited the amount of Physical attendance of meetings by inviting people who wanted to attend to book into services using an online booking service. Physical Risk Assessments where carried out to ensure that Health and Safety of those who attended was taken care of. Services continued to be on-line via Zoom to allow participation by all and Facebook for those who were unable to join in. We continued to meet on a weekly basis but through this new medium, which was a challenge to a lot of our attendees.

Community Care Groups

During the week there are opportunities for people to meet in smaller community groups, where people can care for one another, encourage one another and grow in their faith. The community groups also look for opportunities to meet the needs of the wider community both spiritually and practically. We continued to meet through the medium of Zoom.

H4K

Hope for Kids, although suspended and during this period and held online, provides infant and Junior School aged children with a forum to learn more about Jesus and his gospel in a fun environment. Primarily this ministry has involved children from families within the church, but is also open to children from the wider community of Merthyr Tydfil. However, like all our services, we continued on-line.

Help @ Hope

A new service was launched to provide support to the community by collecting prescriptions, shopping, befriending etc. and this grew into Pantry

Food Pantry

Hope Pantry officially launched at the end of May 2021. Franchised to Your Local Pantry (YLP) the purpose of pantry being to support people who reside in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil with affordable nutritious food at

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

a reasonable cost. This being recognised following the Covid response Hope Church provided the local community with during the pandemic.

Being franchised to YLP provides us with accountability, support and a technical package to support reporting and recording of all relevant information.

Local environmental health office are advised of our pantry, and following inspection we have retained the 5 food hygiene rating.

External funding has been provided from a number of sources, with the set up fee to YLP being fully funded, along with the white goods, shelving and uniforms for pantry volunteers. Additionally, funding has been granted for the relevant DBS Checks, food hygiene, first aid and Safeguarding training required.

We are very grateful for the support of the local community, businesses, statutory and 3rd sector in assisting with the setting up of Hope Pantry, and we continue to be part of the Food Prosperity Network in Merthyr Tydfil, working together in regard to food inequality. We attended a community information day in February 2022, this led to new members applying for pantry.

We have information leaflets in English, Welsh and Polish. As required we will translate into other languages.

Pantry opens twice a week, with approx. 100 members visiting each week. We have a cafe style area where members can sit and chat. We work proactively with other local agencies. CAB, DWR Cymru, Credit Union to name three who visit to offer advice and support to members.

Heidi Jacobson & Lisa Edwards coordinate pantry, Lisa being seconded from her substantive role within Hope Church to assist Heidi with the day to day running of pantry. 60% of pantry volunteers are members, supporting the ethos of pantry being run for and by members.

A number of local businesses use their volunteer hours to support their staff to work in pantry on a regular basis, and we’re actively involved in our pre-Christmas campaign. We were able to provide 80 members with Christmas meat, vegetables, sweet treats and some gifts as a blessing to each member.

Members tell us pantry is “more than food, it’s a community” we strive to create a welcoming environment for all, providing dignity, choice and hope to members, allowing their budgets to stretch a little further, avoiding members being swept into debt.

It is planned Heidi will begin to work full time for Hope Church in April 2022, running pantry, and also starting two friendship cafes within the building. This will allow Lisa to return to her substantive post within Hope Church.

Pantry remains very grateful for the support of the eldership and trustees of Hope Church, as well as DP who diligently manages the pantry finances.

Help@hope has continued to support the local community with a Covid response, although this has reduced in numbers as people have returned to pre pandemic life.

We support a small number of housebound people with weekly shopping and telephone befriending, as well as face to face befriending.

Telephone befriending continues to take place, approx. 8 people are contacted weekly by volunteers, to ease loneliness and isolation.

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

Dog walking and praying for people when requested has also continued.

We have continued to provide free food parcels to those in financial hardship, and have also provided finances for gas and electric top up to those in extreme financial difficulty. These aspects are in conjunction with trusted third sector partners to ensure the most in need receive.

ALPHA

We have continued to run Alpha courses on–line this year and have run successfully. Led by Stephanie Leech who took over the leadership. Stephanie is assisted by a number of volunteers from within the church. An international course, Alpha is an introduction to the gospel for non-believers, seekers and for those who are new to faith. Each session is a non-formal opportunity to share the gospel. As a result, several people have made commitments to the Lord and although we have been unable to hold baptism sessions by water, baptism in the Holy Spirit has been evident. The course was promoted in the community and in the church and its groups and has been attended by people who have had no previous contact with the church.

Teens

Like the rest of our meetings, this group has continued via Zoom. Meeting on Sunday afternoons and on various evenings we run a teens meeting where 11 to 18 year olds can come and learn about Jesus and are taught life skills. This group is led by a team of people who have been part of this group and have been trained as future leaders.

Hope 4 Tots

We run a parent and toddler group at the church building on Friday morning (Hope4tots). The aim of this group is to serve parents of young children within the area, offering them a place to go and find friendship. Altough this group was unable to meet because of restrictions placed on us by Covid.

Safeguarding

The trustees take responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children at the fore and this year held on line training for those involved in volunteering in the groups and appointed a Safeguarding Officer and Deputy, whose names and contact numbers are displayed prominently within the building and regularly meet with group leaders.

The church has committed finances to all the projects mentioned above.

Because of Covid restrictions, we have not been able to welcome the groups that have used our premises each week.

The trustees wish to place on record their grateful thanks to all volunteers who work so hard to make our church the active and vibrant community that it is.

In conclusion, the good news of the gospel is being proclaimed, the poor and disadvantaged in our community are being helped and the building has been altered to better serve the community.

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure for the financial year.

In preparing those financial statements the trustees should follow best practice and

The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with charity legislation. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees on 25 January 2023 and signed on their behalf

……………………………………………………………….

Dr Paul Gaskin (Chair) Trustee

………………………………………………………………. Mr Neil Rees Trustee

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

I report on the accounts of Hope Church for the year ended 31 March 2022 set out on pages 3 to 14.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

……………………………………………………………….

Mr Paul Burnell C Management Services Ltd Independent Examiner 69 Velindre Road Cardiff CF14 2TF

Date: 27 January 2023

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Notes
Incoming resources
Voluntary Income
2
Activities for Generating Funds
3
Grants
4
Other
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Charitable Activities
5
Support of Missionaries &
Organisations
Church Ministries
Operating & Administration
Premises & Maintenance
Challenge Valleys
Employment Costs
6
Total resources expended
Net incoming/(outgoing)
resources before transfers
Transfer between funds
Net incoming/(outgoing)
resources for the year
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2020-21
Total
£
£
£
£
208,303
3,471
0
211,774
2,968
0
0
2,968
0
0
22,239
22,239
3,906
0
0
3,906
215,177
3,471
22,239
240,887
11,214
0
0
11,214
0
0
31,713
31,713
11,463
0
0
11,463
7,159
0
0
7,159
0
0
0
0
35,125
0
0
35,125
64,961
0
31,713
96,673
150,216
3,471
(9,474)
144,213
0
0
0
0
150,216
3,471
(9,474)
144,213
33,252
18,225
2,947
54,424
183,469
21,696
(6,527)
198,638		 2019-20
Total
£
131,866
1,875
17,848
151,590
23,122
14,201
12,192
11,368
3,667
38,889
103,440
48,150
0
48,150
0
48,150

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared.

All the above amounts relate to continuing services

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2022

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
7
Current Assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors
Total Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Creditor amounts falling due within one year
Net Current Assets
Total Assets less Current Liabilities
Non-Current Liabilities
Creditor amounts falling due after more
than one year
Net assets
Funds
Restricted Funds
8
Designated Funds
9
Unrestricted Funds
10
Total funds		 2021-22
£
149,042
95,697
1,951
97,648
1,048
96,600
245,642
(47,004)
198,638
(6,527)
21,696
183,469
198,638		 2020-21
£
0
45,846
8,981
54,828
403
54,424
54,424
0
54,424
2,947
18,225
33,252
54,424

Notes in pages 10 to 14 form part of these accounts

Approved by the Trustees on 25 January 2023 and signed on their behalf

………………………………………………………………. Dr Paul Gaskin (Chair) Trustee

………………………………………………………………. Mr Neil Rees Trustee

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the year preceding.

1.1. Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102); and the Charities Act 2011.

The accounts have been prepared on an accrual’s basis.

1.2. Cashflow

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small charity.

1.3. Fund Accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

  1. Unrestricted Funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charity's objectives, at the discretion of the trustees.

  2. Designated Funds - these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for a specific future purpose or projects

  3. Restricted Funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4. Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific polices are applied to particular categories of income:

  1. Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable.

  2. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.

  3. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Other grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are receivable.

  4. Legacies are included when the charity is advised by the personal representative of an estate that payment will be made or property transferred and the amount involved can be quantified

1.5. Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income.

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of as indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs include those associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include accountancy fees, costs relating to the strategic development of the charity, management of assets and organisational administration.

1.6. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Computer Equipment - 25% straight line

2. Voluntary Income

General Donations & Offerings
Transfer from Hope Church
Merthyr
Challenge Valleys
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2021-22
Total
£
£
£
103,382
3,471
0
106,853
104,922
0
0
104,922
0
0
0
0
208,303
3,471
0
211,774		 2020-21
Total
£
128,641
0
3,225
131,866

The remaining funds of Hope Church Merthyr (prior to CIO) were novated to this charity.

3. Activities for Generating Income

.
Activities for Generating Income
Rental Income
Total		 Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2020-21
Total
£
£
£
£
2,968
0
0
2,968
2,968
0
0
2,968		 2019-20
Total
£
1,866
1,866

4. Grants

.
Grants
Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2021-22 2020-21
Funds Funds Funds Total Total
£ £ £ £ £
A465 Grant 0 0 1435 1435 0
ASDA 0 0 900 900 0
Comic Relief 0 0 0 0 2,550
Merthyr Valleys homes 0 0 0 0 4,220
MTCBC Food Poverty Grant 0 0 5,390 5,390 0
MTCBC Household Poverty Emergency
Grant 0 0 2,042 2,042 0
Postcode Lottery 0 0 500 500 0
Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil 0 0 6,837 6,837 10,378
VAMT - Winter Pressures Grant 0 0 3,134 3,134 0

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO
VSEF
WAG Food Poverty Grant
Welsh Water
Total
5.
Costs of Charitable Activities
Support of Missionaries &
Organisations
Church Ministries
Operating & Administration
Premises & Maintenance
Total
6.
Employment Costs
Wages, Pension & NI
Leadership Development &
Expenses
Total		 0
0
0
0
0
0
2,000
2,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
22,239
22,239
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2021-22
Total
£
£
£
11,214
0
0
11,214
0
0
31,713
31,713
11,463
0
0
11,463
7,159
0
0
7,159
29,835
0
31,713
61,548
Unrestricted
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2021-22
Total
£
£
£
35,125
0
0
35,125
0
0
0
0		 500
0
200
17,848
2020-21
Total
£
23,122
14,201
12,192
11,368
60,884
2020-21
Total
£
38,889
0





35,125
0
0
35,125		 38,889

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2019: none)

7. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost
At 1 April 2021
Additions
At 31 March 2022
Depreciation
At 1 April 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2022
Net book values
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2022		 Freehold
Land and
Buildings
£
0
149,042
149,042
0
0
0
0
149,042		 Total
£
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

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HOPE CHURCH MERTHYR CIO

8. Restricted Funds

A465 Grant
ASDA
Merthyr Valleys homes		 At 1st
April
2021
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
£
£
£
£
0
1435
(962)
0
0
900
(900)
0
2220
0
(2,220)
0
0
5,390
(5,390)
0
0
2,042
(2,042)
0
0
500
(500)
0
0
3,134
(3,134)
0
727
6,837
(7,564)
0
0
2,000
(2,000)
0
0
0
(7,000)
0
2,947
22,239
(31,713)
0
At 1st
April
2021
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
£
£
£
£
18,225
3,471
0
0
18,225
3,471
0
0
At 1st
April
2021
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Transfers
£
£
£
£
33,252
215,177
(64,961)
0
33,252
215,177
(64,961)
0		 At 31st
March
2022
£
473
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
(7,000)
(6,527)
At 31st
March
2022
£
21,696
21,696
At 31st
March
2022
£
183,469
MTCBC Food PovertyGrant
MTCBC Household Poverty
Emergency
Postcode Lottery
VAMT - Winter Pressures Grant
Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil
WAG Food Poverty Grant
Welsh Church Act Grant
Total
9. Designated Funds
Building Fund
Total
10. Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total
183,469

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