The Church of the Ascension Parish Hall Charity Hall Green, Birmingham - Charity No. 1187634 Report of the Trustees for the Period 1[st] January 2023 – 31[st] December 2023
This is the fourth Annual Report of the Church of the Ascension Parish Hall Charity which was registered by the Charity Commission in January 2020.
Structure, Government and Management
The Parochial Church Council of The Church of The Ascension, Hall Green (charity number 1133810) is the Managing Trustee of the Church of The Ascension Parish Hall Charity, Hall Green, Birmingham. The PCC manages and administers the Parish Hall Charity, making decisions about the activities of the Hall Charity in accordance with its constitution.
Objects and Activities
The object of the Charity is to further the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the parish.
In 2023, the Charity sought to benefit:
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Those in need by reason of age (elders), disability, ill health and financial hardship. For example, through the Food Bank and Benefits Advice Service for those in food poverty and/or those in financial difficulty.
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Those suffering hardships through family separation. The Child Contact Centre provided a neutral and safe venue for non-resident parents to have contact with their children.
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The community through recreation and leisure facilities; for example, for children and young people through the uniformed organisations and karate classes, for adults through Hall Green Choral Society, Hall Green Arts Society, Acocks Green Folk Dancing Society and Barn Dance Fitness.
Most of these activities are operated by volunteers and included some organisations which are charities in their own right, while the remainder are operated on a private or commercial basis for the community.
Financial Review
Income from Hall Lettings was £48,826 an increase of £2,800 from the previous year.
Major expenditure on a new boiler and other exceptional items listed elsewhere in this report, combined with usual running costs, resulted in expenditure of £77,800. The overall result is that the Hall Charity is in deficit of approximately £13,500 at year end. The deficit is underwritten by the General Funds of The Church of The Ascension, Hall Green. It is anticipated that this deficit will reduce once the effect of Major expenditure wares off in the next financial period.
Property Report
Church Hall and Coffee Lounge
The installation of the Worcester Bosch boiler, with associated flue and pipe work, was completed by Warmington Heating in September. This major work cost £23,435 so we were grateful for a grant of £2,435 from Thrive Together Birmingham. The improved efficiency energy has reduced the heating time required in the hall.
The Lincat boiler required repair and servicing in November (£227.40). In March one of the water heaters for the toilets burst causing water damage. The urgent replacement cost £400, no satisfactory alternative having been found.
All the deep guttering around this hall needs replacement, estimated to cost in excess of £12,000, the lantern windows allow water ingress in heavy rain and all areas are due for redecoration. In addition the kitchen area needs refurbishment. This expenditure was not feasible this year.
Chatterton Hall
In December the drainage from this hall was blocked, several drains and a deep inspection pit had to be cleared. (£300). The use of paper towels was reviewed.
ABRS roofing carried our repairs to the roof and parapet above Chatterton Hall porch following water ingress and damage in two areas (£2,250 including VAT).
House (93b)
Electrical works as outlined.
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Electrical works
There continued to be much work required across the halls and outdoor areas. In December an additional bulkhead light was fitted to the rear of Church Hall and a churchyard lamp upgraded to improve security around the halls. In Chatterton Hall the outdated emergency lighting and sensors in the toilets were replaced. Three ceiling units needed replacing and lights in the porch were twice affected by the water ingress.
The five yearly electrical testing and survey across the site for certification was carried out by Foden Electrical Contracting in February. ((£1,219.20 incl. VAT). It was found that 93b required a new consumer unit (distribution board), and a ring main repair. (£674.90+VAT). The Standing Committee approved this. All other areas were satisfactory.
General
Patrol Alarms carried out their routine service of the intercom and door pad entry systems in October.
Fire Safety inspections were carried out in October 2023 and April 2024. All fire extinguishers across the site were checked on 22[nd] December 2023. PAT testing was carried out by Testsafe Ltd on 1st November 2023.
The insurance for the church and halls has been renewed with Ecclesiastical Insurance (Parish Plus). The premium for 2023/4 was £6,488.03 including tax.
Sarah Barnes, PCC Secretary, on behalf of Church of the Ascension PCC (Managing Trustee)
Approved at the Church of the Ascension PCC (Managing Trustee) meeting on 18.04.2024
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THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION PARISH HALL CHARITY, HALL GREEN, BIRMINGHAM
Charity Number 1187634
Accounts For the period 1st January 2023 to 31 December 2023
| From 01 January 2023 01 January 2022 Note To 31 December 2023 31 December 2022 |
From 01 January 2023 01 January 2022 Note To 31 December 2023 31 December 2022 |
|---|---|
| Income and endowments Donations and legacies Other Donations - Restricted Non-recurring one-off grants Other trading activities Total Donations and legacies Church hall lettings Chatterton Hall & House Lettings Total Other trading activities Total income and endowments Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Parish Administrator Salary & Pension Hall Utilities - Gas Hall Utilities - Electricity Hall Utilities - Water Church Hall Cleaning Chatterton Hall & House Cleaning Church Hall Repair & Maintenance Church Hall Insurance Chatterton Hall & House Insurance Chatterton Hall Maintenance Major Repairs to Church Hall Total Expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure Excess of Income and endowments over Expenditure Transfers to/(from) Brought forward balance Total carried forward balance |
— 2,435 610 — 2,435 610 15,230 11,958 33,595 34,104 48,826 46,062 51,261 46,673 10,290 5,600 13,769 5,512 4,035 2,905 633 517 3,964 3,005 8,841 8,043 4,080 2,267 2,754 1,498 380 1,502 5,045 3,080 23,983 — 77,779 33,933 77,779 33,933 (26,518) 12,739 965 — 12,142 (596) (13,410) 12,142 |
Approved at the Church of the Ascension PCC (Managing Trustee) meeting on 18.04.2024
There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown
Independently examined as part of the examination of the Church of the Ascension (Managing Trustee) Accounts. The Independent Examiner’s opinion is below:
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PARACHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTIAL PARISH OF THE CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION HALL GREEN BIRMINGHAM
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention:
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1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
J Carty FCA FCCA
Thomas & Young Limited
Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors
Carleton House 266 - 268 Stratford Road Shirley Solihull West Midlands B90 3AD
Dated:
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