Northern Gospel Project Report and Aeeounts Year ended August 2024
Northern Gospel Project
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Central Buildings Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JQ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution dated: 8th July 2019
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1189459 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Dr Paul Rettie MANAGING THE CHARITY Rachel Senior Timothy Simmonds Matt Waldock INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Pages 2-4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Pages 8
Legal & Administrative Details Trustees' Report Independent Examiner's Report Receipts and Payments Account Statement of Assets & Liabilities Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
Northern Gospel Project
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
The trustees have the pleasure of submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Objects of the Charity
The charity is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity’s principal objectives, as set out in its governing document are: (1) the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith exclusively by facilitating the charitable activities of the Northern Gospel Project. (2) such other charitable objects as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, further the work of the Northern Gospel Project.
A broad range of churches across the region, united in our desire to see the North transformed. We need more healthy, thriving churches so we provide Training, Funding and Care to make that happen.
Summary of the charity’s main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity’s main activities and achievements were as follows:
Training
We had Krish Kandiah, Tim Chester and Richard Coekin lead Pastor’s Days. These were well-attended (14-17) pastors from across tribes and denominations) and covered Welcoming the Stranger, Augustine’s Confessions and teachings on Leadership and Pathway Analysis.
The second cohort of church planters started the Incubator Course in January of 2024. We have eight planters in the cohort planting in Leeds, Manchester, Warrington, Keighley, Derby and Larbert. There are three instructors: Pete Evans, Eric Duong and Andy Weatherley (seconded from Grace Church Stirchley). Andy has been training Eric and Pete this year and will step back next year. The planters are enjoying Incubator. In future years, we would like to have more Manchester based planters.
Funding
We did not receive any applications to the fund. We plan to publicise the fund again next year with applications closing in May 2025. We anticipate applications from those currently in the Incubator course who intend to plant in the next few years. We’re also planning a Planter Launchpad event for those interested in planting in Manchester in early 2025 which may see applicants.
Page 2
Care
Gospel Coaching was provided for planters enrolled on the City to City Incubator using coaches trained and accredited by Church Multiplication Ministries. A number of other church planters throughout the UK were also coached by coaches working through the Northern Gospel Project and Jon Cawsey is now our Coaching Coordinator.
Prayer for Church Planting was hosted by our Prayer Coordinator Duncan Bell 3 times within the year. It’s an opportunity to pray specifically for more churches to be planted in Manchester with church and movement leaders from across the denominational/church-style spectrum. We saw an increase in attendance and engagement over the course of the year.
We saw 20-50 Christians gathering daily to pray for our city from 12.00pm-1.00pm each weekday throughout January. Noon-time prayer was birthed out of prayer meetings last year and it was such a thrill to see believers from across tribes and denominations come together to pray that God would save 100,000 in Manchester and enable gospel churches to be planted across our great city.
The Manchester Planters Collective continued to meet in person. The Planters Collective continues to be a great source of support for the seven planters who attend. It has been running for five years now. The hope is to launch a second Collective led by Ralph and Colin Baron in 2025.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial Review
During the year income decreased by £52,222 to £26,983 and expenditure increased by £10,517 to £21,607. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £5,376 to £73,636, of which £37,275 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £3,071 (which equates to about 3 months’ of unrestricted expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and/or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £37,275 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Trustees’ Responsibilities
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
Page 3
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Jun 13, 2025
Approved by the Trustees on ………….…….…….……………
T Simmonds
Signed on behalf by Trustee ………………………………………….. T Simmonds (Jun 13, 2025 13:58 GMT+1)
Printed Name: Timothy Simmonds
Page 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
Northern Gospel Project
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Northern Gospel Project ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2024 on pages 6 to 8 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Jun 18, 2025 14:27 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Jun 18, 2025
Page 5
Northern Gospel Project
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Notes Income receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Bank Interest Income from courses, events and training Income from Churches US Income from Churches UK and Europe Transfer from Partner Church Total receipts Payments 2 Total payments Transfers between funds 3 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
Unrestrict | Designated Funds £ - - - 1,166 9,302 - - 10,468 11,436 11,436 (968) 14 (953) 17,052 16,099 ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - 361 - - - - 361 - - 361 - 361 36,000 36,361 |
2024 £ 144 325 361 1,166 9,302 12,286 3,400 26,983 21,607 21,607 5,376 - 5,376 68,260 73,636 |
2023 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Funds £ 144 325 - - - 12,286 3,400 16,155 10,171 10,171 5,983 (14) 5,969 15,208 21,177 |
||||||
| 1,117 - 3,010 21,000 54,078 |
||||||
| 79,205 | ||||||
| 11,090 | ||||||
| 11,090 | ||||||
| 68,115 - |
||||||
| 68,115 145 |
||||||
| 68,260 |
The notes on pages 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
Northern Gospel Project
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Falling due within one year Taxes due Fee for Independent Examination Total |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 21,177 16,099 21,177 16,099 - - - - 180 - 180 - 180 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 36,361 36,361 - - - - - |
2024 £ 73,636 73,636 - - 180 - 180 180 |
2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68,260 | ||||
| 68,260 | ||||
| 274 | ||||
| 274 | ||||
| 79 600 |
||||
| 679 | ||||
| 679 |
D Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
T Simmonds T Simmonds (Jun 13, 2025 13:58 GMT+1) _____Timothy Simmonds Date:_____ Jun 13, 2025
The notes on pages 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
Northern Gospel Project
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Secondment to City Church Legal and Professional Fees Staff and Volunteers Hospitality Speakers Fees Administrative Costs Accommodation and Travel Expenses Advertising and Promotional Event Space Hire Conference materials e.g. name tags, banners |
Unrestricted Funds General Designated funds funds £ £ 5,493 - - 9,087 1,740 - 450 349 600 2,000 851 - 623 - 14 - 400 - - - 10,171 11,436 |
Restricted Funds £ |
Total 2024 £ 5,493 9,087 1,740 799 2,600 851 623 14 400 - 21,607 |
Total 2023 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,493 - 1,740 450 600 851 623 14 400 - |
- - - - - - - - - - |
4,400 1,000 1,214 1,125 1,370 437 459 - 1,085 |
||
| 10,171 | - | 11,090 |
3 Movement of funds
| General funds Designated funds Incubator Fund Conference Fund Director Fund Restricted funds City Renewal Fund Total funds |
Opening balance £ 15,208 7,479 (14) 9,587 |
Receipts £ 16,155 1,166 - 9,302 10,468 361 361 26,983 |
Payments £ (10,171) (2,349) - (9,087) |
Transfers £ (14) 14 14 - - - |
Closing balance £ 21,177 6,297 - 9,802 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17,052 | (11,436) | 16,099 | |||
| 36,000 | - | 36,361 | |||
| 36,000 | - | 36,361 | |||
| 68,260 | (21,607) | 73,636 |
Designated Funds
Incubator Fund - expenses related to Incubator training course Conference Fund - expenses related to annual conferences Director Fund - expenses related to Director Role and general payroll
Restricted Funds
City Renewal Fund - restricted to funds for new church plants
Page 8