**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: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 1 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 2 **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: - 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 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. ## **J Carty FCA FCCA** Thomas & Young Limited Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Carleton House 266 - 268 Stratford Road Shirley Solihull West Midlands B90 3AD Dated: Page 4