## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH BIRMINGHAM** **Registered Charity: 1186458** ## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT** ## **AND** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION REPORT** **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** **Luke Silver Accountancy & Taxation Services 25 Ellicombe Close Minehead Somerset TA24 6DQ** **Mobile: 07710 456376** **E-mail: luke-silver@puresilver.org.uk** ## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts** ## **Receipts and Payment Accounts** ## **Report to the trustees/members of The Bridge Church Birmingham** ## **Registered Charity Number 1186458** ## **On the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023** ## **Set out on the following pages** ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity¹s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - • To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act Have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## **Signed** _L A Silver_ ## **Date: 23 October 2024** Luke Silver HNC Business & Finance Accountancy Practitioner 25 Ellicombe Close, Minehead, Somerset. TA24 6DQ ## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees and Church Council** ## **Introduction** Thank you for submitting the accounts for independent examination. They have been well maintained and the treasurer and others responsible are to be commended for their hard work. I will therefore keep my comments to a minimum. ## **Charity Law and Financial Regulations** The independent examination has been carried out in accordance with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 (Statutory Instruments No 2724) and the Accounting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). ## **Signing of Accounts** I shall be obliged if you will please forward a copy of the signature page for my records after the accounts have been signed by a representative appointed by the Trustees and Church Council. A spare copy is enclosed. ## **Conclusion** There are no other matters I feel need to be brought to your attention. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further clarification or for further assistance. ## **Luke Silver** ## **Date: 23 October 2024** ## **THE BRIDGE CHURCH BIRMINGHAM** **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND CHURCH COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** ## **ACTIVITIES REVIEW** The financial results are set out in the enclosed accounts. The object of the charitable incorporated organisation is the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of faith and in such ways as the Charity Trustees may from time to time, think fit. ## **TRUSTEES** The trustees during the year were as follows: Errol Lawson Lee Button Yvonne Brooks Tobi Labeodan ## **STATEMENT** We certify that the books, vouchers and information produced to enable the independent examination of our accounts to be conducted contain a full and correct record of our financial transactions and activities to the best of our knowledge and belief. ## SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES Please print name: Date: ## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458** Summary Receipts and Payments For The Year Ended 31st December 2023 ||**2022**
**£**|**2023**
**£**||**2022**
**£**|**2023**
**£**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Giving
(see note 1)
Other Income
(see note 2)
Investment A/C
(see note 3)|47,709
41,684
0|46,281
45,112
77|Pastoral & Ministry Costs
(see note 4)
Church Family
(see note 5)
Establishment Costs
(see note 6)
Administration
(see note 7)|5,762
15,348
48,276
12,965|7,270
16,596
48,752
7,301| ||**89,393**|**91,470**||**82,351**|**79,919**| ||||||| |**Opening Balance 01.01.23**
Barclays
Account 93251403
Tangible Assets
Other Assets
**Total**||**Closing Balance @ 31.12.23**
Benevolent Fund (Women)
Building Fund Restricted
3,186 Barclays
Women's Ministry
4,447 Account 93251403
31,985 Tangible Assets
1,206 Other Assets
Creditors
**40,824 Total**|||1,477
5,135
1,357
139
4,000
32,917
667
9,606| ||||||**55,298**| LAS Summary 23/10/2024 ## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458** Receipts for the year ended 31st December 2023 |**Giving (Note 1)**
Donations Received
Gift Aid
**Other Income (Note 2)**
Gift Aid Tax Refund
Conference
Program Activities
Trading Income
Groups
Building Fund
Fundraising
Junior Church
Worship
Young Adults
Tuck Shop Sales
Sales & Services
Rent Income
Funding
Book Sales
Sundry Income
**Investment Income (Note 3)**
Interest
**Total**|**£**
**£**
**2022**|**£**
**£**
**2022**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2023**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||47,709
0|**47,709**
**41,684**
**0**|46,281
0|**46,281**
**45,112**
**77**| ||10,744
7,456
912
834
457
1,508
40
500
0
0
0
6,789
9,000
2,260
17
1,167||15,036
9,803
0
0
0
5,285
0
1,600
270
295
12
9,931
1,460
0
0
1,420|| ||0||77|| |||||| |||**89,393**||**91,470**| |||||| LAS 23/10/2024 Inc ## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458** Payments for the year ended 31st December 2023 |**Pastoral & Ministry Costs**
Pastor Ministry Expenses
Social Media Co-Ordinator
Worship Leader
Guest Speakers
Staff Supports
Follow Up Role
Travelling Expenses
**Church Family**
Leadership Development
Outreach / Missions / Evangelism
Business Group Expenses
Worship Ministry
Text Giving Fees
Conference & Crusade Cost
AOG Contribution
Benevolent Fund
Communion
Catering / Hospitality
Junior Church
Women's Ministry
Missions Giving
**Establishment Costs**
Establishment / Admin
Sound / PA
Equioment Hire
Cleaning
Insurance
Light & Heat
Rent
Repairs & Maintenance
**Administration**
Cost of Sales
Advertising
Marketing
Printing, Postage & Stationery
Church Management Software
Media / Tech
Safeguarding
Legal & Professional Fees
Accountancy
Subscriptions
Telephone & Internet
Sundry
**Total**|**£**
**£**
**2022**|**£**
**£**
**2022**|**£**
**£**
**2023**|**£**
**£**
**2023**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||868
2,200
300
1,175
1,000
0
219|**5,762**
**15,348**
**48,276**
**12,965**|2,395
1,600
0
1,032
400
1,500
343|**7,270**
**16,596**
**48,752**
**7,301**| ||30
150
82
4,060
191
8,927
109
0
134
1,665
0
0
0||42
550
0
4,407
197
8,952
300
0
0
950
953
45
200|| ||246
654
0
2,382
1,877
3,687
36,000
3,430||532
3,861
3,942
797
36,000
3,620|| ||3,868
1,153
1,380
0
0
0
251
2,710
700
1,215
924
764||63
2,270
0
1,281
136
75
187
232
425
1,199
758
675|| |||||| |||**82,351**||**79,919**| |||||| LAS 23/10/2024 Exps ## **The Bridge Church Birmingham Registered Charity No: 1186458** Statement of Assets and Liabilities As At 31st December 2023 ||**£**| |---|---| |**Fixed Assets**
Furniture & Fixtures
**Total Fixed Assets**
Loan to Individuals
**Current Assets**
Bank Balances:
Benevolent Fund (Women)
Building Fund Restricted
Barclays
Account 93251403
Women's Ministry
Stock - Apostle Arome Osayi
**Total Current Assets**
**Total Assets**
**Current Liabilites**
Creditors
**Net Assets**|32,917| ||**32,917**
0
1,477
5,135
1,357
4,000
139
667| ||**12,775**| ||**45,692**| ||(9,606)| ||**55,298**| ||| LAS 23/10/2024 Assets The Bridge Church Birmingham Trustees’ Report for the Year Ended 31st December 2023 --- Administrative Information The Bridge Church Birmingham is located at 86 Watery Lane, Middleway, Birmingham, B9 HN. It is part of the Assemblies of God denomination and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (No: 1186458). Trustees during the year 2023: Pastor Errol Lawson Yvonne Brooks Tobi Labeodan Kehinde Lawson Michelle Lynch --- ## Public Benefit The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charities Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the church. --- ## Aim and Purposes The Bridge Church Birmingham is dedicated to advancing the Christian faith in Birmingham and beyond. The trustees and church leadership work in harmony to promote the mission and vision of the church, with the aim of fostering spiritual growth, community outreach, and service to others. --- ## Achievements and Performance ## Worship and Prayer In 2023, The Bridge Church continued to provide a variety of services throughout the week, offering spaces for worship, prayer, and fellowship. Our nightly prayers remain a cornerstone of spiritual life in the church, creating an intimate environment for reflection and worship. We also held baptisms and wedding blessings, and our children and young adults programmes continued to thrive. Our weekly attendance has remained consistent, with 40 to 60 adults and children participating regularly. These numbers increase significantly during baptisms, special events, and outreach efforts. ## Church Building Several maintenance projects were undertaken in 2023. Routine maintenance was conducted on the church building, with key improvements including the development of the kitchen space and external refurbishments. The environmental health team also carried out inspections to ensure the building remains a safe environment for all activities. ## Service to the Community and Pastoral Care Pastoral care within the church is primarily delivered through our small groups, where individuals and families meet for fellowship and community support. These groups are a vital part of the church’s ministry, offering a space for personal care, discipleship, and mutual encouragement. ## Mission and Outreach Our outreach and evangelism initiatives continued to expand in 2023, with regular bi-monthly outreach events. Additionally, we have continued to support local missionary work on a monthly basis, demonstrating our commitment to spreading the Gospel and serving those in need. ## Ecumenical Relationships The Bridge Church is a member of the Assemblies of God in the UK and maintains good relationships with other churches in the local area. We collaborate with neighbouring churches on various initiatives and events. --- Financial Review For the year ended 31st December 2023, the church recorded a surplus of £7,042, reflecting an improvement compared to the previous year. Total Income: £91,470 Total Expenditure: £79,919 A notable portion of our income came from donations, which contributed 53% of our total income. Additionally, we received £15,036 from Gift Aid and £1,460 from rental income. Expenditure highlights include: Pastoral and Ministry Costs: £7,270 Church Family Activities: £16,596, which includes conference expenses, worship ministry, and hospitality Establishment Costs: £48,752, which included rent (£36,000) and maintenance Administration Costs: £7,301 The year concluded with a total bank balance of £7,772. --- Reserves Policy We are working towards having a reserves policy that ensures we hold in reserve the equivalent of six months’ general running costs. This policy will be reviewed annually once fully established. --- Structure, Governance, and Management The Board of Trustees met regularly throughout the year, as is customary, to oversee the church’s governance and ensure the smooth running of its operations. --- Responsibilities of the Trustees The trustees are required by the Charities Act 1993 to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the church’s financial activities and position. The trustees are responsible for ensuring that accounting records are kept accurately and that the financial statements comply with applicable laws and regulations. By order, Errol Lawson Trustee