Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2022
The trustees who are also members of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
The charity was registered on 8[th] September 2020 and finances were transferred from its predecessor “Churches Together in Fleet and Church Crookham” on 1[st] April 2021. The report covers the period 1[st] January 2022 to 31[st] December 2022.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the CIO are
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The advancement of the Christian faith for the public benefit.
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To further such charitable purposes as are exclusively charitable and connected to the charitable work of the charity in particular but not exclusively the relief of need in the communities of Fleet, Church Crookham and the surrounding area for those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, financial hardship or other disadvantage.
Public benefit
The charity runs two projects for the benefit of the community (the trustees having regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit):
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Fleet Angels, a Christian nightlife initiative and outreach project, the aim of which is to reduce anti-social behaviour, to be a neutral presence whilst being a positive influence, and to provide non-judgemental and caring support to those who are 'out on the town' ,and those working in the night-time economy, in Fleet town centre, while "giving an account of the hope that is in us" when asked. Fleet Angels is a partner in the Safer North Hampshire partnership.
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Hart Foodbank, a Trussell Trust food bank operating in Fleet, Darby Green, Odiham and Hook with the aim of providing emergency food and support to people living in crisis locally.
The following comments cover the period January 2022 – December 2022.
The year began, in January 2022, with a service of Christian Unity, held at Church on the Heath. This was the first time we had been able to worship together for two years and was well attended by all of the local ministers and many members of our local congregations. The service was able to celebrate our opportunities for working together and to share a commitment to continue working closely to meet the objectives of the charity.
Later in January our Deputy Chair, Amy Barnett, stepped down leaving the post vacant until a new appointment was made at our AGM in September.
Also in January 2022 Nathan Ayrton was appointed as the employed Fleet Angels project manager and was allocated funding for 4 hours per week to make preparations to restart the project in early 2022. The project re-started on 28[th] May serving two Saturdays in each month. Nathan resigned from the project in August and during September, October, November and in early December the project ran without leadership
In February 2022, the Trustees of the charity considered the continuation of the Anna Chaplaincy project, which had been running since 2019. There were insufficient volunteers to successfully run the project, and because of Covid, local Care Homes were unwilling to welcome voluntary groups into their facilities and so reluctantly we closed the project.
The highlight of our year together, was our involvement in the town-wide celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Preparations began in February and key members of the charity worked with the local community in the planning and running of the event. We were able to partipate with volunteers in a number of the key activities that took part over the 4 day celebrations from Thursday 2[nd] June till Sunday 5[th] June. We were also given permission to organise and run a town-wide open-air Pentecost service to celebrate the Queen’s faith. The service was run jointly with all the Churches in Fleet and Crookham and was very well attended. The weather for the whole 4 days was wonderful. The Sunday service was led by Rev Steven Franklin.
Helen Everard was appointed as the URC minister in August 2022, and immediately joined in with the activities of the charity. Also in August, Father Paul Dzwieg moved on from the Catholic parish and was succeeded by Father Peter Hart.
The AGM for Christians Together was held on 22[nd] September 2022. Rev Steve Franklin was proposed, seconded and voted for by the members to become our Deputy Chair.
In late September Danny McDermid, our deputy Foodbank Manager, stepped down from employment. We did not immediately replace him as we had also been informed that our Foodbank Manager, Christine Sidall would be retiring at the end of the year.
In September the members of the charity agreed to run two Christians Together Christmas Events at the Fleet Christmas Festival. The first event was a Live Nativity walk-through experience. This was followed by a community carol singing event, making use of the staging and PA system that was installed for the Light Switching on event in Fleet town centre. The town Christmas celebrations were held in late November.
In December the Trustees began discussions about closing down the Fleet Angels project as it was suffering from a lack of volunteers and general weariness. But in mid-December, Janet Alston, an existing volunteer on the project, stepped forward and was appointed as the project leader, beginning paid-employment for 8 hours each week. The project was fully relaunched in January 2023 and continues well.
Also in December our Foodbank Manager, Christine Sidall, formally retired from the role of Foodbank Manager and Katherine Deamer was appointed as her successor.
Volunteers from the Churches throughout Fleet and Church Crookham were able to help at the Christmas day meal, that was put on jointly with the local town council. In early 2022 funds initially received in December 2019 & 2020, which were originally held to support this event, were transferred to the Town Council to support the 2022 event.
Throughout the period, Zoom-based meetings of the local Church leaders and ministers continued, with physical breakfast meetings commencing on a monthly basis in the latter half of the year. These weekly meetings are the primary mechanism for sharing information between the members of the charity.
In addition the four trustees of the charity met bi-monthly with leaders of local projects to monitor and direct the progress of the charitable activities directly associated with Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham and to communicate with other affiliated works being carried out by the FACCTS and LivingStones charities.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
In addition to the joint community and spiritual events occurring throughout the year the regular projects also proceeded in accordance with their respective objectives.
Fleet Angels
- The project recommenced in May 2022, initially led by Nathan Ayrton and then latterly by Janet Alston, following the Covid-enforced break. The project has been able to field two teams of volunteers each month since its recommencement. The value of the Project is appreciated by members of the public, door staff of night venues and local businesses. No Grants were received or applied for in the period. The covid-enforced pause in the project meant that sufficient funds were available to not require any additional fund raising.
Hart Foodbank
2. Hart Foodbank – In the 12 months of 2022
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2030 Food Parcels were given away (23% more than 2021). Feeding 4993 people (27% more than 2021).
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Hart Foodbank received and gave away 53,000 kg of food and household products.
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Hart Foodbank was supported by 70 volunteers.
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Hart Foodbank received referrals from 34 referral agencies referring clients to us for help.
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There have been 92 different groups organizing collections for the Foodbank and 30 permanent collection points.
In September 2022 a mobile Food Larder was established that visits our Darby Green Foodbank every Thursday. The Food Larder is open to all and provides a source of highly subsidised food to Foodbank clients as they transition out of the need for Emergency Food. The mobile larder is funded and run as a partnership between Hart Foodbank and
Fareshare. Hart Foodbank is looking to launch additional larders and pantries at each of its Foodbank locations.
Donations of food and funds received by Foodbank were very generous reflecting the value placed on the work by all in the community.
Angel Bombing 2022
- Angel Bombing, initiated by Fleet Methodist Church and supported by others, drew a large number of favourable responses on Facebook again this year. The team changed the way that knitted angels were distributed, as in previous years a few members of the public had abused the generosity of the team and taken large numbers of knitted angels depriving others of the opportunity of finding one.
Christmas Day Hamper 2022
- The Christmas Day Hamper, run in partnership with Fleet Town Council for those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day, went well. A luxury hamper was delivered by volunteers from the council and Christians Together.
Additional Events
- As a part of the town-wide Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham organised an open-air Pentecost Service, in the heart of Fleet Town Centre that was organised by, and involved participation of all Churches in Fleet and Crookham. Using the Gurkha Square car park, the service was one of the highlights of the towns celebrations.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The results for the year are as set out in the annexed Statement of Financial Activities.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The affairs of the CIO have been directed by a board of Trustees, which meets regularly for this purpose. The Trustees meet bi-monthly to review and direct the ministries supported by the charity.
Trustees are appointed by the members.
1) At every annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one-third of the charity trustees shall retire from office. If the number of charity trustees is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to one-third shall retire from office, but if there is only one charity trustee, he or she shall retire;
- The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. If any trustees were last
appointed or reappointed on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree among themselves) be determined by lot;
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The vacancies so arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the annual general meeting; any vacancies not filled at the annual general meeting may be filled as provided in sub-clause (4) of this clause;
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The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed in accordance with clause 15 (Retirement and removal of charity trustees), or as an additional charity trustee, provided that the limit specified in clause 12(3) on the number of charity trustees would not as a result be exceeded
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A person so appointed by the members of the CIO shall retire in accordance with the provisions of sub-clauses (2) and (3) of this clause. A person so appointed by the charity trustees shall retire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting after the date of his or her appointment, and shall not be counted for the purpose of determining which of the charity trustees is to retire by rotation at that meeting.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity number 1191200 Registered office c/o LivingStones 277 Fleet Road Fleet Hampshire GU51 3BT
Trustees Rev Patrick Butler William Parker Amy Barnett (Stepped Down 02/06/2022) Rev Steven Franklin (Appointed 22/09/2022) Mark Mabin
Independent Examiner Simon Mansell
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5[th] October 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Patrick Butler
| Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham | Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham | Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham | Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham | Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham | 1191200 | 1191200 | 1191200 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from | 01/01/2022 | To | 31/12/2022 | ||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
Transfers from Churches Together in Fleet and Crookham |
- | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Donations | 6,491 | 40,935 | - | 47,426 | - | ||||
| Gift Aid | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Grants | - | 10,000 | - | 10,000 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 6,491 | 50,935 | - | 57,426 | - | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
Project Leader Salaries |
- | 26,259 | - | 26,259 | - | ||||
| Expenses | - | 3,456 | - | 3,456 | - | ||||
| Food Bank OperatingExpenses | - | 4,487 | - | 4,487 | - | ||||
| Rental of Space | - | 5,000 | - | 5,000 | - | ||||
| Insurance | 943 | - | 943 | - | |||||
| FareShare/Store Refurbishment | - | 16,405 | - | 16,405 | - | ||||
| Outreach Events | 7,069 | 1,072 | - | 8,141 | - | ||||
| OperatingExpenses | 50 | 347 | - | 397 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 7,119 | 57,969 | - | 65,088 | - | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - 628 | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| 1,991 | - | ||||||||
| 1,363 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
Details Hart Food Bank Fleet Town Centre Project Anna Chaplaincy General |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - - - 1,991 - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 63,624 21,014 186 - 1,364 - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hart Food Bank | - | 63,624 | - | |
| Fleet Town Centre Project | - | 21,014 | - | |
| Anna Chaplaincy | - | 186 | - | |
| - | - | - | ||
| General | 1,991 | 1,364 | - | |
| - | - | - |
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Details Nil Details Hart Food Bank had 5032.5kg of donated items in storage awaiting distribution. This is valued at a total of £6,290 at £1.25 per kg per the Trussell Trust's guidelines and is equivalent to 12 months supply. Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Nil Details Details Signature Nil |
1,991 |
|---|---|---|
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of Christians Together in Fleet and Church Crookham On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 Charity no (If any) 1191200 Set out on pages See attached I report to the trustees on my examination of the a¢counts of the atove charity {'Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 3111212022. Responslbillties and As the charity trustees ofthe Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confiryn that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were r)ot kept in accordance with section 130 of the Acl or the accounts do not a¢xord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have me across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enabl8 a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ase delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 14 August 2023 Name: Simon Mansell Relevant professlonal qualification(s) or body (If any): ACCA Address: 22 Harrow Road Fleet GU51 IJD IER Octobor 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight matters of Cornm (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts- directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brl8f detalls of any Items that the examiner wlshes to dlsclose. Nol applicable IER October 2018