2024-08-31-accounts - Hope Church Goldington

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON (Registered Charity Number 1190689)

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements of Hope Church Goldington

For the year ended 31 August 2024

www.hopegoldington.org.uk

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON CONTENTS

	Page
Report of the Trustees	1-4
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities	5
Report of the Independent Examiner	6
Statement of Financial Activity	7
Balance Sheet	8
Accounting Policies	9-10
Notes to the Financial Statements	11-15

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Year ended 31 August 2024

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity Name Hope Church Goldington

Charity Registration Number 1190689 Place of Meeting Goldington Academy, Haylands, Way, Bedford, MK41 9BX Administrative Office 80 Poplar Avenue, Bedford, MK41 8BW

THE TRUSTEES

Mr JL Chewter, Dr AR Toovey and Mr GP Jones held office during all of the period and to the date of this report. Mr TA Rowell held office until 16 July 2024. Dr AR Toovey stood down from 21 September 2024.

Independent Examiner Vicky Moore FCCA, MDG Business Associates Limited, Room 73, Wrest House, Wrest Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HR Bankers HSBC Bank plc, 12 Allhallows, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 1LJ

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT AND TRANSFER

The charity was established in September 2020 under the name "Hope Church Goldington" and registration with the Charity Commission was confirmed on 3 August 2020 under the registered number 1190689. The governing document is the Constitution and the charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The doctrinal statement accompanying the Constitution is the Basis of Faith of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and affiliation with the FIEC continues.

New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees from among the members of the church, after a due period of consultation with the membership.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives

The specific charitable objects of the church as described in the Constitution are:

the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within Goldington Bedford and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;

provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the CIO from time to time.

ACTIVITIES

The church organised many activities during the period in support of its objects. These included Sunday worship, midweek Home Groups, regular Church Prayer Meetings, children’s work and lunches. Special services were held on Sundays throughout the period, including Easter, Remembrance Sunday, and a Carol Service at Christmas, attended by a number of local people who do not regularly come to church.

Page 1

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Year ended 31 August 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Work with Young People

A regular Sunday class was made available for children who attended the Sunday Church Services. Children’s activities were open to all and operated under the church’s Child Protection (Safeguarding) Policy, and all those working with young people were required to apply for a Disclosure Statement through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This procedure is carried out through “Thirtyone:eight” previously known as CCPAS (Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service) and is overseen by the church Child Protection Officer.

Work with older people

The church runs a monthly meal for older people where they meet at various restaurants.

Local Community Involvement

The Church’s weekly parent and toddler group (JelliTots) ran on Tuesday mornings in the Church Lane Community Centre, Goldington. Other church members are involved in their local communities in various voluntary capacities, including helping volunteering in school PTA's, working with a pregnancy crisis centre, and offering support to those who are bereaved.

Volunteers

In addition to the voluntary resources accounted for in financial terms, the Church depends on other voluntary efforts and resources from its members and others.

Leadership

The church is led by Elders, who are responsible for the spiritual oversight and overall direction of church life. The role of Chair of Trustees is fulfilled by one of the Trustees who is an Elder, Thomas Rowell. Thomas Rowell stepped down as an Elder and Chair of Trustees in July 2024, James Chewter took over as Chair of Trustees. Staffing

Brian Yapura joined us from Agentina in October 2022 to train alongside Gareth Jones (Senior Pastor) and to study at Cornhill, he moved on to study further at a seminary at the end of August 2024. Ernny Ho joined us to train in September 2023. Philip Grout joined us in November 2023. David Jewitt joined us in July 2024.

Training

Members involved in leading Sunday services met regularly to review and plan their work and undertake training as appropriate. Elders and Deacons met together once every three weeks to conduct business and also to pray together and consider their own spiritual lives and roles within the church.

Page 2

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Year ended 31 August 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Spreading the Gospel in Bedford

In our desire to advance the Christian Faith in Bedford, during this period the church continued to hold regular guest services and outreach meetings, both at Goldington Academy and in homes of volunteers and staff members.

Spreading the Gospel - beyond Bedford

The church supports a range of missionary work. We receive news and pray regularly for a number of missionaries working in the UK and overseas. Approximately 10% of gift income (and tax reclaimed) is given annually to support work outside Bedford. In allocating this money we seek to support specific individuals or organisations with whom we have personal links, ideally with a local connection to Hope Church Goldington. We favour long term commitments, and prefer to make a small number of gifts of relatively large value, in order that our giving makes a tangible difference to those we support. A list of organisations supported during the period can be found in the notes in the appended Financial Statements.

Public Benefit

The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities Hope Church Goldington should undertake. In fulfilling our charitable aims for the public benefit we have undertaken the following activities:

(i) the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within Goldington Bedford and the surrounding neighbourhood;

Our regular Sunday Services, midweek Home Groups and Church Prayer Meetings are open to all members of the public regardless of background and belief. Special Guest Services such as our annual Easter Sunday or Community Carol Service are publicised widely in the area. There is no charge for attendance at these meetings.

(ii) such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;

The financial support given to local charities each Christmas, harvest food donated to the Food Bank and Jellitots. Information about all these activities is readily available on our church website.

Risk Management

The Trustees of Hope Church Goldington recognise the need for appropriate policies and procedures to manage risk (including Health & Safety), across all areas of activities and events for which the church is responsible. The Trustees regularly review these policies and procedures and the church’s Health and Safety Officer has responsibility for the implementation of the agreed procedures to ensure that the major health and safety risks are mitigated.

The major risks to which the Church is exposed have been reviewed by the Trustees and procedures have been established to reduce and manage those risks.

Page 3

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (continued) Year ended 31 August 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Income for the year was £99,701 (Year ended 31 August 2023: £65,437) and expenditure was £95,892 (Year ended 31 August 2023: £68,476).

The church recorded a surplus of £3,809 in total on its funds during the period.

The Trustees receive bi-monthly management accounts to review as part of their appreciation of achieving objectives in the neighbourhood and on developing support for other projects in the medium term.

We continue to give thanks that God has provided for us, and we continue to look to Him to provide, through the sacrificial giving of the whole church. All members are encouraged regularly to review their financial commitment to the church as part of their devotion to God and to one another.

RESERVES POLICY

The Trustees agreed to keep approx 2 months costs as a reserves policy: total £17,000.

FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES ON BEHALF OF OTHERS

Hope Church Goldington held assets for a missionary partner in Cuba called the Cuban Gospel Newtork. We passed on funds that had been donated specifically to that partner.

DECLARATIONS

The Trustees declared that they have approved the Trustees' Report as above. Signed on behalf of the charity Trustees on

Mr JL Chewter (Chair of Trustees and Elder)

Page 4

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102);
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They 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.

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON

I report to the trustees on our examination of the accounts of the Hope Church Goldington for the year ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 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 our examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts 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) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice as issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn. We understand this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed our examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination giving us cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

Apart from the above, I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

MDG Business Associates Limited

Room 73, Wrest House, Wrest Park Silsoe MK45 4HR

Page 6

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY Year ended 31 August 2024

Note Incoming resources 4 Income from Donations and legacies Investments Other *Total* Resources expended 5 Expenditure on Charitable activities Governance costs Other *Total* *Net Income and Total Comprehensive Income for the year* *Reconciliation of funds:* Total funds at 1 September 2023 Transfers between funds *Total funds at 31 August 2024*	Unrestricted funds Designated fund Restricted income funds Total 2024 £ £ £ £ 16,922 - - 16,922 82,619 - - 82,619 794 - - 794 1,061 - - 1,061 101,395 - - 101,395 90,243 - - 90,243 2,411 - - 2,411 3,238 - - 3,238 95,892 - - 95,892 5,503 - - 5,503 105,144 3,429 - 108,573 - - - - 110,647 3,429 - 114,076	Total 2023 £ - 62,717 289 7,050 70,055 63,419 2,167 2,890 68,476 1,579 111,612 - 113,191

Page 7

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 BALANCE SHEET At 31 August 2024

Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 Current assets Debtors 10 Cash at bank and in hand *Total current assets* Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 *Net current assets* *Net assets* Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds Designated fund 12 Restricted income funds 13 *Total funds*	-1695.00 -1695.00 Unrestricted funds Designated fund Restricted income 31 Aug 2024 £ £ £ £ 552 - - 552 5,403 - - 5,403 105,392 3,429 - 108,821 110,795 3,429 - 114,224 2,395 - - 2,395 108,400 3,429 - 111,829 108,952 3,429 - 112,381 110,647 - - 110,647 - 3,429 - 3,429 - - - - 110,647 3,429 - 114,076	31 Aug 2023 £ 900 1,523 108,274 109,797 2,124 107,673 108,573 105,144 3,429 - 108,573

Approved and signed by the Trustees on ……………………………………………………

Mr JL Chewter (Trustee and Elder)

Mr GP Jones (Trustee and Pastor)

Page 8

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 August 2024

1. CHARITY INFORMATION

Hope Church Goldington is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

The registered office is 16 Sturmer Road, Bedford, MK41 7FJ

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION

Basis of Accounting and Changes

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts and in accordance with the Charity SORP (FRS), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017 were the first financial statements prepared in accordance with FRS 102.

The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in notes 3. No changes to accounting policies and accounting estimates have taken place during the year. No material prior year errors have been identified in the year. The charity is a public benefit charity.

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to function. All amounts shown in the financial statements are stated in Sterling which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statement are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a true and fair view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Ireland (FRS 102) issues on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charities ability to continue as a going concern.

3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

INCOME

Recognition of Incoming Resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activity (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measure with sufficient reliability.

Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS 102.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met.

Legacies

Legacies are included in the SoFA when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been grant of probate, the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate and any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been met.

Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.

Contractual income and performance related grants

This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions.

Donated goods

Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SoFA as income from donations when receivable.

Income from interest

This is included in the accounts when receipt is probable and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.

Page 9

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 August 2024

3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

EXPENDITURE AND LIABILITIES

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Governance costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Grants with performance conditions

Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SoFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output.

Grants payable without performance conditions

Where there are no conditions attaching to the grant that enables the donor charity to realistically avoid the commitment, a liability for the full funding obligation is recognised.

Deferred income

No material item of deferred income has been included in the accounts.

Creditors

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

Provision for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

ASSETS

Tangible fixed assets for use by charity

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. Depreciation is provided at a rate calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life. The rate used is 33% on a straight line basis.

Investments (where held)

Fixed asset investments in quoted shares, traded bonds and similar investments are valued at initially at cost and subsequently at fair value (their market value) at the year end. The same treatment is applied to unlisted investments unless fair value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment.

Investments held for resale or pending their sale and cash and cash equivalents with a maturity date of less than one year are treated as current asset investments.

Debtors

Debtors (including trade debtors) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

Page 10

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31 August 2024

4. ANALYSIS OF INCOME

ANALYSIS OF INCOME
	Year ended	Year ended
Income (unrestricted funds)	31 Aug 2024	31 Aug 2023
Donations and Legacies	£	£
Planned giving	21,720	28,179
Collections and other giving	21,720	28,179
Income tax recoverable	22,256	6,359
Legacy income	16,922	-
	82,619	62,717
Income from Investments
Interest income	794	289
Other incoming resources
Sundry income	0	0
Jellitots	1,061	1,050
Grant income	0	6,000
Youth work including subs	0	0
	1,061	7,050

Total of Income (unrestricted funds)	84,473	70,055
Income (restricted income funds)	Year ended	Year ended
Donations and Legacies	31 Aug 2024 £	31 Aug 2023 £
Other	0	0
Income tax recoverable	0	0
Sundry income	0	0

5. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE

Expenditure (unrestricted funds)	Year ended Year ended	Year ended Year ended
31 Aug 2024 31 Aug 2023
Charitable Activities		£ £
Ministers and other employment costs		11,300 13,150
Ministers pension costs		3,141 1,980
Salaries and other employment costs		36,701 24,966
Trustees and Staff expenses (books, telephone, travel etc.)		6,472 1,595
Travel costs		1,171 3,297
Hire of premises		3,105 2,678
Communion bread and wine		50 50
Insurance		707 654
Sound and music		287 269
Visiting speakers		90 100
Training		0 0
Youth work		0 0
Holiday club		0 11
Jellitots		2,416 2,010
Summer Fair, cost of event		0 0
Summer Fair, amount passed on to Families First Bedfordsh		0 0
Sunday and other refreshments		409 359
Books		0 0
Events		1,814 1,368
Publicity and outreach		101 0
Social Fund		0 0
Sundry expenditure		7,782 1,921
Missionary giving (see note 8)		14,694 9,009
		90,240 63,417
Governance costs
Independent Examination and payroll		2,411 2,168
Solicitors fees		0 0
		2,411 2,168
Other resources expended
Photocopier, printing, postage and stationery		456 468
Subscriptions (including FIEC)		1,885 1,389
Web service		216 216
Costs of new website		0 0
Sundry expenses		335 285
Depreciation		349 145
Equipment purchase		0 388
		3,241 2,891

Total Expenditure (unrestricted funds)		95,892 68,476

Page 11

HOPE CHURCH GOLDINGTON, Registered Charity Number 1190689 Notes to the Financial Statements Year ended 31 August 2024

6 DETAILS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF EXPENDITURE

6.1 TRUSTEE EXPENSES

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |TRUSTEE EXPENSES|Year ended|Year ended| |31 Aug 2024|31 Aug 2023| |Number of Trustees who were paid expenses|£567|£2,173| |Total amount paid|£21,507|£13,274|