OpenCharities

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

2022-12-31-accounts

Bridge Community Church Bury St Edmunds

Registered Charity No. 1192359

Trustees Annual Report for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022

BRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH

68 Queens Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3EW Telephone No. 01284 723737 Email: hello@bridgecommunitychurch.co.uk Registered Charity No. 1192359

Contents

G. Declaration ………………………………………………………………….

2

Annual report of Trustees for period ending 31[st] December 2022 for Bridge Community Church.

SECTION A – Reference and administration details

Charity name: Registered charity number: Charity’s principal address: Telephone No.: Email:

BRIDGE COMMUNITY CHURCH 1192359 68 Queens Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3EW 01284 723737 hello@bridgecommunitychurch.co.uk

Trustees

Trustee name Office Name of body entitled to
appoint trustee
Jonathan Warnock Board of Trustees
Mark Gavin Anderson Barrell Chairperson
Philip Charles Sparkes*
Graham Jack**
David William Oakley**
Emma Clare Denton
Kathryn Read

Philip Charles Sparks resigned and finished as a Trustee on 31[st] December 2022 *Graham Jack and David William Oakley continue to receive financial renumeration not for their role as Trustees but because of being employed by the CIO as paid staff workers. *** Emma Denton and Kate Read were voted on and joined the Trustee Board on 5[th] September 2022.

Staff workers

Bridge Community Church (referred to as the church in this report) retained seven staff workers in 2022 ….

The four hours of cleaning a week by an associate of the church and resulting financial renumeration finished on 31[st] December 2022. However, a contracted self-employed cleaner continues to clean the church building on a weekly basis.

3

SECTION B – Structure, governance, and management

Governing documents (legal)

Bridge Community Church is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Registered Charity Number 1192359) with the Charity Commission and governed by the following documents:

  1. The Bridge Community Church Constitution (Foundation Model CG3)

  2. The Bridge Community Church CIO handbook

Governing documents (spiritual)

Bridge Community Church has a Statement of Beliefs which are incorporated into the Bridge Community Church Partnership handbook which provides guidance on Code of Practice for Trustees, Elders, Deacons, and Staff Workers.

Bodies responsible for governance and management

Under Bridge Community Church, the Trustees manage the affairs of our church to further the purposes of it as a charity within its stated charitable purposes and legal requirements, and whilst continuing to exercise control and independent decision-making delegate specific matters to three other bodies within our church:

  1. The Elders have a pastoral brief and oversee the spiritual life of the church, and after formal and informal consultation with Trustees, staff workers, deacons, and appropriate others within the church make the major strategic and spiritual decisions, ensuring that the church fulfils its objectives.

  2. The employed Staff team meet weekly to implement the agreed strategy of the church to fulfil the objectives of the charity.

  3. The Deacons have responsibility for the fabric of the church building and many of the routine functions of the church.

The Trustees met on 4[th] January, 2[nd] February, 14[th] March, 16[th] May, 5[th] July, 6[th] September, 27[th] September, 1[st] November and 6[th] December in 2022 to finalise the transfer of assets from the former West Road Church Charity (Charity No. 1130270), discuss/oversee budget matters both for 2022 and 2023, cash flow, annual reports, review of buildings insurance, safeguarding, staff contracts (including implementation of maternity leave and the appointment of cover for the period of maternity leave) and staff pay review. Some of these meetings included church elders and staff workers.

The Elders met monthly for much of 2022 to review implementation of strategy as well as addressing issues around community support, church services, pastoral care, and small support groups. The eldership body in 2022 consisted of Graham Jack, Andrew Malcolm, David Oakley, Timothy Banks, and Ian Foreman (added to the eldership on 7[th] June 2022).

The composition of the deacon team in 2022 was Beverley Burroughs, Martin Burroughs, Emma Denton (Chair). The deacons met informally to review operating systems, provide risk assessments/guidelines on safe building use and to manage building maintenance. The deacon team was supported by partners of the church CIO on building maintenance, health and safety and annual fire and electrical checks and reviews.

Besides the formal meetings, each body uses email to exchange opinions on issues. They also communicate with the wider church using email, social media, telephone calls, church services, briefings and letters. Additionally, there is regular interaction between members of the above bodies. The church also uses the Church Suite web-based management

4

system to support those linked with the church. There is a church directory in electronic form for over 200 adults who have given their consent following GDPR standards set in 2018.

One Church meeting at two sites.

The church in 2022 met weekly on Sundays at two different sites i.e., West Road Church building site and for the first 6 months at the Westbury Community Centre and then for the rest of the year at Westley Middle School. Despite different sites, there is substantial interaction between those who attend at both sites and the church shares joint leadership over both sites.

The church’s services and activities are public activities, open to all and attended by both church partners, and individuals from our local community and beyond. The church endeavours to balance this openness to all with a recognition that to be a partner, a declared acceptance of our church’s basis of faith statement and a particular commitment to be actively involved in the life of the church.

Policies

The trustees, elders and staff reviewed and updated many existing policies in 2022 and added some new policies for the new staff handbook. Trustees, elders and staff reviewed the staff handbook alongside an external source in order to complete the handbook in 2022. All church policies beyond those in the staff handbook are in an electronic form.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding team for the church is led by Emma Malcolm (Children and Family worker), and some of the staff and in the summer of 2022 Tim and Rebecca Banks joined this team to particularly oversee safeguarding practices at our Westley site. Phil Sparkes was the liaison Trustee for this team in 2022 and led the Church Safeguarding Forum made up of selected Trustees and Staff. David Oakley will replace Phil Sparkes as safeguarding liaison Trustee for 2023 and Mark Barrell as chair of Trustees will lead the Safeguarding Forum. The Finance and Administration Manager oversees DBS checks, disclosures and liaises with the staff team. Staff and volunteers completed Safeguarding training during 2022.

The church reviews its safeguarding policy annually. All Trustees, elders, staff workers or volunteers working with children, young people and adults with care and support needs are subject to our safeguarding policy, have been subject to DBS checks and safeguarding training and volunteer agreements with references started to be put in place in 2022 and will continue in 2023.

5

SECTION C – Objectives, associations, and activities

Objectives

The objectives of Bridge Community Church are as follows:

  1. The promotion and advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith

  2. Such other charitable purposes as shall put into practice the Christian faith, including but not limited to the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education. 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 vision of the church is to be a Jesus centred people longing to see lives transformed in Bury St Edmunds and beyond. This vision is to be fulfilled through a 3G strategy of Gather Grow and Go.

Gather – The aim is that on Sundays we acknowledge Jesus as Lord as an expression of love and desire to experience God’s presence through worship, prayer, communion, testifying and learning together from the Bible and each other. In this way, hundreds of people receive comfort, encouragement, and support for daily life in facing physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and relational challenges. The church also offers opportunities for people of no, little or different faiths to explore Christianity as the services are open to all in addition to the church running specialist courses such as Alpha.

Grow – The aim as life-long obedient learners of Jesus is to intentionally love one another by doing life together; building bridges to connect with others through one to ones, mentoring, small groups, serving and supporting one another pastorally to help all grow to be more like Jesus. Specialist teams provide additional pastoral support to help people in need. The promotion for all to participate, serve and volunteer is part of church life to encourage personal and corporate growth. Through this, the church releases volunteers for public benefit.

Go – The aim is that with the love of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit we will go and live out Christ’s teaching beyond our church sites by building bridges to reach out locally, nationally, and internationally. Practically this involves engagement with the local community in offering support for families struggling with broken relationships, poor physical or mental health, economic hardship, hunger, debt and addiction. The church runs a foodbank, clothes exchange and offers support for those in need. We run special initiatives at Easter, Harvest, Halloween, and Christmas to reach out. This outward looking emphasis carries over in the support of overseas mission partners and equipping church people to advance the Christian faith at home, work and in their circles of influence.

Associations

Although the church is independent, it is passionate about partnership as it co-operates and collaborates with other churches and agencies in Bury St Edmunds and beyond. In 2022, locally the church continued to support Churches Together, Bury Christian Youth and Sporting 87. Additionally, the church partners with Fair Share, local supermarkets, Suffolk Council, and the Bury St Edmunds Foodbank Association in our efforts bring poverty relief to people who are struggling on the west side of Bury St Edmunds.

6

Nationally, the church is part of the “Partnership” network to support other churches and initiatives and has growing relationship with the Synergy Church Network who are providing training for our disciple-making initiatives. Internationally the church forms partnerships with Christian mission agencies to help advance the Christian faith overseas and share the good news in word and deed.

Church activities In addition to the activities below at the church’s main sites, people regularly met in small groups in homes and at the West Road site.

West Road Site

Westley Site

Sunday

Morning Services with specialist programmes for children and youth

Monday

Alpha Course with Westley Mums and Toddlers

Tuesday Support Group Meetings Community Grocery (Food Bank)

Wednesday

Morning: Ladies Prayer Hour Evening: children and youth activities

Thursday

Sunday

Morning Service with specialist programmes for children.

Monday

Coffee and cake: drop-in community café

Tuesday Prayer time Fitness classes

Wednesday

Support Group Meetings

Thursday

Addiction support group

Friday Coffee and cake drop-in community café Community Grocery (Food Bank) English classes for Ukrainian Refugees.

Friday

During 2022, up to 150 adults, children and youth regularly attended in person the Church’s Sunday services and groups across both church sites whilst around 40 connected via the Church’s livestream services. 12 small groups for around 120 people met in private homes on a weekly or fortnightly basis for Bible study, prayer, and mutual pastoral support. Light parties for Halloween and Christmas and Easter activities were held. Scores were supported through visitation programmes organised by the church.

7

SECTION D – Achievements and performance

The church implements and invests heavily (in terms time, finance, expertise, staff and volunteer efforts) in its ‘Grow, Go and Gather’ strategy in five primary areas. These five areas are church ministry, youth work, families/children, community work and mission (local, national and international). Therefore, achievements, performance and public benefit emerge primarily out of these target areas:

Church Ministry (£112,171 invested in this area in 2022 compared to £83,499 in 2021. This was increase was primarily due to the development of the West Rd site basement from a storage space into a Community Grocery (Food Bank) and upgrading of smaller rooms for office and small group space.

In 2022 at both West Road and Westley sites, we gathered on Sunday mornings to meet the needs of fellowship, worship, ministry, and teaching. In a church wide survey conducted in November 2022, there was much appreciation for these gatherings.

Within our church ministry goals for 2022, we aimed to build the sense of connect within our Sunday gatherings followed the disconnect during Covid. The church relaunched small groups and community support groups (e.g., Monday Morning Coffee and Toddlers) during 2022. These steps were key to recalibrate the relational culture of the church for more resilience and to help the community around us rebuild social support structures.

Sunday gatherings across both sites typically had lively engaging worship, accessible Bible teaching, kids’ slots, community updates and warm fellowship between attendees. Our Sunday gatherings are a key part of the church’s strategy in fulfilling the vision to be a Jesus-centred people in Bury St Edmunds and beyond our town.

Both sites, operating under the same overall Bridge Community Church Vision, provided a strong sense of family and belonging to those who struggled with mental health, relational and financial breakdown, addiction, and loss. Bridge Community Church is grateful for an outstanding set of volunteer members who sacrificially give hours of compassionate support to many who are on a variety of journeys towards emotional and spiritual health. During 2022, several youth and adults were baptised.

Youth Work (£50,066 invested in this area in 2022 compared to £48,705 in 2021 as there was continued investment in staff and activities to support young people both inside and outside of the church.)

The emphasis for the church’s youth work in 2022 was:

Mental health support – The church’s youth work team supported young people by advising them and helping them to speak to professionals about their experiences and problems. Several young people experienced chronic anxiety and depression and suicidal thoughts. Practically the church helped young people to build up the courage to speak to their GP, to parents and to other professionals who are equipped to support them, including making referrals to safeguarding where necessary. One local social worker recognised our “Boizee” support group was one of only two such groups for older teenage boys that met within Suffolk.

Family Support – The church’s youth team supported families, advised parents and helped them navigate difficult situations within schools, home-life and many other areas that those connected to our Youth work were experiencing.

8

Relationship Building – Up to 30 young people attended the church’s weekly specific youth programmes. In this setting, the young people spent time building relationships, encouraging positive social experiences with their peers, and arranged external activities such as fitness activities, beach days and many more activities. The church looks to promote healthy holistic lifestyles with lots of different outdoor activities throughout the summer including campouts.

Charity Fundraising – In February 2022, our young people helped with the Bridge Big Breakfast to raise funds to support people suffering because of the war in Ukraine.

Spiritual Growth - Over the course of the year, young people were baptised and publicly shared their faith with others. Many of the church’s young people invited their non-church going friends to the church and its events, to introduce others to Jesus. Additionally young leaders developed and grew in confidence with others in talking about faith and leading small groups for young people. This has resulted in us seeing strong spiritual development in the church’s young leaders.

Children and Families (£42,450 invested in this area in 2022 compared to £44,369 in 2021 as there was continued investment in staff and activities to support family and children both inside and outside of the church.)

The emphasis for the church’s children and family work in 2022 was:

Toddler Family Support – This group continued to meet weekly within the Church’s West Road building or using the enclosed on-site car park depending on the weather. A strong team and an excellent reputation have emerged that supports up to 30 families a week through this initiative. The toddler group continues to develop as it provides a safe space including sensory play and soft play spaces. Further developments are planned from this initiative for 2023 of new mums’ groups and family care.

Spiritual Growth - During 2022, there has been continued weekly investment in the lives of kids and in trying to develop family based spiritual growth to support families in their faith journeys beyond Sunday input from the kid’s team. Our kids and family worker took a Sabbatical to research ideas on developing spiritual growth in families and lessons learnt will be applied to our approach in the future.

Community Kids support – The church has continued its midweek after-school support club for kids/parents in the local area to provide food, care, and activities for kids up to the age of 11 and their parents. Up to 25 families have benefitted from this regular support.

Family Hub – Our current aim is to develop our building, people, and programmes so that we become a community hub for the west side of Bury St Edmonds. However, with the impact of our kids and youth work and increasing support of parents, we have started to explore if we can become a specialist recognised family hub for our area in 2023.

Community Work (£50,064 invested in this area in 2022 compared to £51,614 in 2021 and the 2022 Community Work investment includes £19,477 for West Rd site building investment listed previously.)

As things opened in 2022 following Covid, the church had more opportunities to connect with people located on the west side of Bury St Edmunds who were struggling. Increasingly as restrictions eased the church provided a range of services, activities, and events to meet local needs including coffee mornings, food, and family support. The coffee

9

mornings provided a sense of community and a safe place for new friendships to develop particularly for those who are isolated and feeling lonely after the pandemic lock down season. In addition to running ongoing community focused activities, the church ran events to provide relief for those who are vulnerable, struggling with isolation and mental health e.g., clothing giveaway, Bridge Big Breakfast for Ukraine, hosting connection meetings for agencies who want to make a difference such as refugee support, homes for the homeless and the formation of resident’s groups.

There were 2 major developments in our community work in 2022 …

A/ The Community Grocery – Up until October 2022 we ran a twice-weekly delivery-based foodbank (including fresh vegetables, fruit, tins, and cereals) averaged 148 food parcels a month to benefit 420 people. Also, we have provided up to 10 emergency food boxes (These boxes can feed a family in crisis for a week as well as providing toiletries and cleaning products) a month with 350 people have benefitting in the last year. Additionally, we have topped up gas & electric for families costing the church £3220 in the last year. We also provided some furniture & white goods support when families have a breakage.

However, because of the cost-of-living crisis and resulting increase in demand on church resources versus anticipated reduced giving because of inflation our foodbank model needed to change as it was not sustainable. We needed a model of help for beneficiaries to not become handout dependent but to move into independent living. Therefore, in October 2022 we launched our community grocery from within our West Road site building on a 6-month trial. Rather than deliver, beneficiaries come, shop with dignity and choice to get what they need and then receive further help (e.g., budgeting, benefits form filling etc) within the building from trained volunteers to have a pathway to move out of dependency. 30 members representing 90 people are trialling this scheme.

B/ Ukrainian Refugee Support – Following the breakout of war in Ukraine and the arrival of refugees to our area, we as a church started to host meetings to see what could be done to offer support in this crisis. As a result of these meetings and partnership with other agencies and churches, we discovered our role as a church community could be to care through English language classes, befriending activities, support families and offer social events. Therefore, every Friday 2 English classes have run for up to 15 Ukrainian refugees and then this has been a catalyst for friendships to develop, support in getting jobs, family help and film evenings for up to 60 people to enjoy.

The numbers attending the classes has gradually declined over the year due to either relocations or through Ukrainians obtaining paid employment because of their improved English skills. Friendships have continued and it was thrilling that as part of our Christmas Carol service, we had a section of Ukrainian songs and carols. Additionally, there has been contact with refugees of other ethnic groups as we seek to care and support those who have come to our area from desperate circumstances.

Increasingly during 2022, we have felt the responsibility to support our community during the cost of living and utility bill crisis as we have used our building during the week to be a warm and a safe space for people to meet and connect. This is increasingly being recognised by our local councils and we will continue to explore partnerships with them and other potential funders to help those in need during this difficult time.

Mission Partnerships (£14,700 invested in this area in 2022 compared to £19,576 in 2021.This decrease has reflected a drop in donations due to the cost-of-living crisis and a change of approach in the breadth of mission partnerships to focus on the few to build deeper relationships and connection).

10

As a church in 2022 we continued to support overseas mission work. In Italy, our home grow mission partner based in Torino gave reports on how she has helped students from around the world, separated from family and without support. Additionally, another mission partner in Austria were able to support local initiatives there, including ministry amongst refugees. There were also other investments made to back literacy projects in Africa, Bible projects in our country and stand alongside the pastoral support of sea fishermen.

Closer to home, the church has been active in its support of local organisations such as Sporting 87 in their connection with over 600 children and 100 adults through football. They continue to care for the general and spiritual welfare of people connected to the club and provide practical help to those who need it. We continue to help BCY as they connect with hundreds of children in both primary and secondary schools in our town through providing spiritual, mental, and social support to children of school age.

Governance

In terms of governance , 2022 has seen the need for agility in what has been a challenging year as we emerged with caution out of Covid lockdowns and restrictions. The deacons and staff hugely assisted the Trustees in making sure that activities in both buildings and the community have been properly secure and fully considered. The health and safety of our church family and community will continue to remain a high priority. The move to a CIO in 2021 has also bedded in during this year and remained a priority for the Trustees including the recruitment of two new Trustees both with extensive experience in HR and Charitable organisations.

The Future?

The 3-year plan for our church for the end of 2024 is that we are a re-connected people under our new name, gathering with a sense of joy on Sundays and going out in a spirit of compassion and adventure that endears us to our community. A new disciple making culture is emerging, embodied, and typified by love for one another. This discipleship culture is emerging through the intentional equipping of our core people, leaders and next generation to create outward looking reproducible Bridge Community Mission Groups.

Our end of December 2023 Goals is to …

  1. Reconnect as a church around our new name and our Sunday gatherings 2. Create a shared, unified sustainable community work across both of our sites

  2. Train a small core of people to help others in their disciple making

  3. Complete the trialling of new outward looking community activities.

As we explore the vision for 2023, the Trustees have agreed to budget cuts to make the work of Bridge Community Church sustainable by running a balanced budget to keep within the reserves policy of our charity. This will lead to reduced paid staff hours and a greater dependency on volunteers to deliver our goals for the year. The renovation of the church building basement to create a ‘farm-shop’ style community grocery is complete and this will be the driver of our Community Hub for the west side of Bury St Edmunds.

Public benefit

The charity believes that Christianity and the church are good news for society, and this is evidenced very much in the objectives, activities, associations, achievements, and performance highlighted in this report. Hundreds directly and thousands indirectly have

11

been positively impacted by the holistic approach of Bridge Community Church to serve people of faith, other faiths or of no faith at all.

The foundation of this ‘good news’ approach to public benefit around the advancement of the Christian faith is still as follows:

  1. A relationship with God through Jesus Christ engenders spiritual, psychological and emotional well-being, which has a positive impact on individuals or families in their approach to physical health and their contribution to the welfare of the broader society of which they are a part.

  2. The Bible offers wisdom for humanity, which enables people to cope constructively with the challenges of everyday life and makes them better citizens, as the ethical framework found in the Bible underpins civilised behaviour.

  3. The greater the number of people who come into a relationship with God and under the influence of Biblical life principles, the greater the benefit to their family, their social unit and the nation as a whole as the church nationally continues to be the biggest source of volunteers.

The church endeavours to work out these principles in the practical ways, as outlined above thus engaging, either through personal initiative or by donating money, with the relief of sickness, hardship, and poverty. The church’s small groups and specialist pastoral teams and systems offer much support for many people from different sectors of society. Additionally, some of the money donated to overseas causes is to support poverty relief, refugee integration and social projects.

A small group of Trustees have the overall responsibility for the oversight and governance of Bridge Community Church. These Trustees recognise and are extremely grateful for all that happens on a day-to-day basis due to the wonderful dedication of our Staff and a vast number of volunteers connected to the church. These volunteers include Elders and Deacons, alongside children’s and youth leaders, and community engagement leaders who generously contribute innumerable hours and through sacrificial financial giving. It is because of them that the church can have so much public benefit to communities.

The motivation behind the sacrificial giving and serving of so many is that we as a church want to share the amazing, good news of Jesus Christ in Bury St Edmunds and beyond. Therefore, the Trustees want to thank everyone involved in maintaining such a massively impactful witness to the love of Jesus through the outreach of the church, and for the faithfulness of God in every way imaginable.

12

SECTION E – Financial review

Capital Assets.

The Church property in terms of land and building consists of the following:

These buildings registered are as three separate properties, namely.

Bank accounts

Barclays Bank Plc, Bury St Edmunds

Accounting procedures

The Trustees, with the support of the church’s Administration and Finance Manager, have fulfilled their responsibility to prepare accounts for the year ending 31[st] December 2022. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees have observed the requirements to:

The Trustees have kept the financial position of the church under review during 2022. We are both thankful to God and grateful to supporters for the strength of financial support we continue to receive. The Trustees are though taking active steps to strengthen our financial base through setting a balanced budget for 2023. Our current forecast financial outturn for year ended 31 December 2022 highlights that as we approach our reserves threshold, budgeting for an annual loss will no longer be viable and our budget for 2023 reflects this assessment. After careful review, the Trustees do not consider that any significant cutback in ministry for 2023 is necessary, but there were necessary budgetary reductions and staff hour changes required which together with the active steps to recruit more partnerships, volunteers, and funding sources we plan to strengthen our financial base as we pray that the work will continue to flourish.

Accordingly, proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the church's financial position have been kept and a summary presented each month to the Elders and Trustees (and staff members), who are satisfied that the accounts have been prepared in accordance with Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 for FRS 102. They have fulfilled their responsibility to safeguard the church's assets and to take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

13

Financial summary and Reserves Policy

Incoming total resources in 2022, £238,219 and resources expended £269,452 reflected a better performance than expected against budget. However, the charity will not continue to spend down on savings in the 2023 budget to ensure that we operate above our £100,000 reserve. This reserve is in place to cover a minimum of between three to six months of budgeted and foreseen expenditure, which follows best practice recommendations appropriate for a charity of this size.

The church has a policy of making gifts and offerings from unrestricted as well as restricted funds to aid Christian-based activities in accord with our objectives. The Trustees are aware that this policy may affect funds available to meet ongoing expenditure. Due to the voluntary nature of income, the Trustees’ aspiration is to maintain a balance between wise stewardship of existing finances and faith-driven courage in maintaining the vision and mission whilst launching new initiatives or supporting third parties in line with the objectives.

We continue to be most grateful to all the donors who continue faithfully to support the Church’s operations and activity.

Financial activity and Accounts in 2022 – See separate filed report with the Charity Commission.

Independent Examiner’s Report – See separate filed report with the Charity Commission

Conclusion

All the Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission's General Guidance for the conduct of a charitable organisation, as published on the Charity Commission's website. They keep this guidance in mind in their deliberations and are committed to complying with it in every way that their conscience allows. The Elders and Staff, for their part, have considered the specific guidance on the advancement of religion.

This return and report have endeavoured to have due regard to the guidance and legal requirements.

SECTION F – Declaration

Approved by the Trustees on 5[th] September 2023. and signed on their behalf by

Mr Mark Barrell, Trustee

Miss Emma Denton, Trustee

14

Bridge Community Church Bury St Edmunds

Registered Charity No. 1192359

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

CONTENTS

Pages
Independent examiner’s report 3
Statement of financial activities 4
Balance sheet 5
Notes to the financial statements 6-15

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 2 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church)

Independent Examiner's Report - 31 December 2022

Report to the Trustees of Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds on the financial statements of Bridge Community Church for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022 set out on pages 4 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above Charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2022.

As the Charity's Trustees, 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 Trust’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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

Signed: David A Eaton

5 September 2023

David A Eaton FCA

Eaton & Co

Chartered Accountants and Consultants

The Cedars, School Lane, Great Barton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2RQ

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 3 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds

Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 December 2022

Note
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2
Specific donations
3
Investments
Other
Total income and endowments
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Reconcilation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
62,154
-
-
62,154
56,048
56,048
6,106
538,893
544,999		 2022 Total
2021 Total
Funds
Funds
£
174,437
-
464
1,164
176,065
213,404
213,404
(37,339)
954,888
917,549		 £
£
174,437
153,724
62,154
42,801
464
1,668
1,164
2,884
238,219
201,077
269,452
247,713
269,452
247,713
(31,233)
(46,636)
1,493,781
1,540,417
1,462,548
1,493,781

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 4 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Balance sheet as at 31 December 2022

Note
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
9
Social investments
11
Current Assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
13
Net Current Assets
Net Assets
The Funds of the Charity
Revaluation reserve
10
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
15
Total Charity Funds
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year		 Registered Charity no: 1192359
2022
2021
£
£
£
1,294,427
1,294,427
15,000
15,000
1,309,427
1,309,427
-
190,298
190,298
5,944
153,121
184,354
1,462,548
1,493,781
650,616
650,616
544,999
538,893
266,933
304,272
1,462,548
1,493,781		 Registered Charity no: 1192359
2022
2021
£
£
£
1,294,427
1,294,427
15,000
15,000
1,309,427
1,309,427
-
190,298
190,298
5,944
153,121
184,354
1,462,548
1,493,781
650,616
650,616
544,999
538,893
266,933
304,272
1,462,548
1,493,781
£
-
155,607
155,607
2,486		 £
1,294,427
15,000
1,309,427
184,354
1,493,781
650,616
538,893
304,272
1,493,781

Approved by: Mr Mark Barrell

Miss Emma Denton

on behalf of the Trustees of Bridge Community Church 5 September 2023

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 5 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

1. Accounting policies

Merger of West Road Church and Bridge Community Church

Bridge Community Church was established for the purpose of transferring the activities of West Road Church (an unincorporated charity) into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to take forward the work of the charity and in accordance with best practice in the charity sector.

On 16 November 2020 Bridge Community Church was registered with the Charity Commission (Number - 1192359). Bridge Community Church was dormant from 16 November 2020 to 30 June 2021. In August and September 2021 funds were received by Bridge Community Church from West Road Church (Number - 1130270). The vesting declaration was made on 19 August 2021. On 31 August 2021, the freehold property owned by West Road Church (and the West Road Property Trust) was transferred to Bridge Community Church. At 31 December 2021 West Road Church had no remaining assets or liabilities. The merger was registered by the Charity Commission on 30 May 2022 when West Road Church was removed from the Charity Commisson register of charities.

1.1 Basis of preparation

In accordance with section 27.14 of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice 2015 for FRS 102 (the Charities SORP), the creation of Bridge Community Church (and the closure of West Road Church as a legal charitable unincorporated entity, and the underlying rationale of the Trustees), required that the reconstruction be treated as a merger and not an acquisition. Accordingly merged accounts of the two entities were prepared for the twelve months to 31 December 2021.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102 (the Charities SORP). The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

1.2 Going concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, ie whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast a significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. The Trustees have concluded that it is appropraite to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

1.3 Funds

General funds represent the funds of the Charity that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the Trustees. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the Trustees are also unrestricted.

Restricted funds represent the funds of the Charity that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular purposes.

The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Trustees are responsible in law. They do not include the financial statements of church groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of church members.

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 6 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

1.4 Income and endowments

Collections are recognised when received by or on behalf of the Charity. Planned giving receivable and other donations under Gift Aid are recognised only when received. Income Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is ordinarily recognised when the Income Tax is received. Grants and legacies to the Charity are accounted for as soon as the Charity is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the Charity is reasonably certain. The Charity is not registered for VAT.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure. Payroll costs are attributed to the respective categories of charitable expenditure on the basis of approximate time spent. Other direct costs are apportioned directly to the charitable activity where possible. Support costs are allocated using the same proportions as the allocation of payroll costs. The Trustees believe this allocation fairly represents the costs of running the respective charitable activities.

1.6 Fixed assets

Freehold properties comprise:

All the freehold properties noted above were transferred to Bridge Community Church on 31 August 2021.

The Trustees consider the current historical approach to valuation of the church building and the land on which it sits to be appropriate at 31 December 2022. This current policy is to value the church building at its historical cost of construction and to value the land on which it sits at its deemed cost which is the cost at which the Charity acquired the land which is £Nil. This policy is in accordance with the transition provisions on adoption of FRS 102.

33 West Road, 68 Queens Road and 69 Queens Road are shown at fair value in accordance with FRS 102. The net book value of these properties was restated at 1 January 2018 in accordance with the transition provisions on adoption of FRS 102. A reconcilation on restatement is shown in note 10 to the accounts.

Fixtures, fittings and office equipment:

Depreciation is provided using the straight line method at rates calculated to write off the assets over their useful economic lives.

The rate used is 33% per annum apart from for specific assets whose useful life is considered to be longer, whereby the appropriate rate is used to a minimum of 20%. Amounts are capitalised where they exceed £1,000 and where the life of the assets is not less than three years.

1.7 Operating Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the lease term.

1.8 Pensions

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 7 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church)

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

1.9 Stock

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

1.10 Ethical standards

In common with many other organisations of similar size and nature, the Charity uses their independent examiner to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.

1.11 Judgements and estimation uncertainty

The Trustees make estimates and assumptions concerning the future. There are no estimates or assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

1.12 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

1.13 Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due in the ordinary course of the activities of the Charity. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. All trade debtors are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted cost of cash expected to be received. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the Charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the debtors.

1.14 Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations for pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of the activities of the Charity. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, in which case they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and are repayable within one year and hence are included at the undiscounted amount of cash expected to be paid.

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 8 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

2. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Funds
£
Donations and gifts
129,143
Gift Aid received
40,487
Legacies
4,807
Total 2022
174,437
Total 2021
153,724
3. Specific donations
Community fund donations
-
Missionary appeals
-
"New Hearts" ministry
-
Toddlers
-
Vision day income
-
Men's fellowship
-
Ladies fellowship
-
Community grocery store
-
Community hub
-
Ukraine refugee help
-
Youth work appeal
-
Total 2022
-
Total 2021
-		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
18,097
4,049
200
-
19,214
3,138
531
343
10,500
5,517
565
62,154
42,801		 2022
2021
Total
Total
£
£
129,143
127,989
40,487
24,182
4,807
1,553
174,437
153,724
153,724
18,097
21,773
4,049
13,118
200
3,310
-
4,600
19,214
-
3,138
-
531
-
343
-
10,500
-
5,517
-
565
-
62,154
42,801
42,801

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 9 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

4. Charitable activities

Note
Church ministry
Staff costs
Church repairs
Cleaning
General maintenance
Events
Westley School hire
Visiting speakers
Vision day expenditure
Men's fellowship
Ladies ministry
Ukraine refugee support
Support costs
5
Youth work
Staff costs
Youth work activities
Outreach events
Support costs
5
Families & children
Staff costs
Children's work
Toddlers
Outreach events
Support costs
5
Community work
Staff costs
Community fund spending
Support costs
5
Mission giving
Mission giving
Total cost of activities
undertaken - 2022
Total cost of activities
undertaken - 2021		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
61,012
3,891
2,984
4,238
529
2,800
685
-
-
-
-
14,162
90,301
37,980
3,271
-
8,815
50,066
30,761
4,549
-
-
7,140
42,450
24,825
-
5,762
30,587
-
-
213,404
205,899		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
18,773
2,098
326
674
-
21,871
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,477
-
19,477
14,700
14,700
56,048
41,814		 2022 Total
Funds
£
61,012
3,891
2,984
4,238
529
2,800
685
18,773
2,098
326
674
14,162
112,172
37,980
3,271
-
8,815
50,066
30,761
4,549
-
-
7,140
42,450
24,825
19,477
5,762
50,064
14,700
14,700
269,452		 2021 Total
Funds
£
57,461
1,317
2,387
3,636
2,949
101
385
-
-
-
-
15,213
83,449
35,769
3,773
0
9,163
48,705
28,971
4,532
3,444
0
7,422
44,369
23,386
22,238
5,990
51,614
19,576
19,576
247,713
247,713

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 10 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

4. Continued

Staff costs are allocated to charitable activity headings according to staff time spent in each charitable activity heading. Some staff work across more than one charitable activity heading and thus the amounts shown by heading include time apportioned costs of several members of staff.

5. Support costs

Note
Church running expenses
Advertising
Annual subscriptions
Bank charges
Branding
Catering
Computer costs
Discipleship resources
Insurances
Livestream
Minibus
Office/general admin
Printing, postage and stationery
Staff Training
Sundries
Travel and accommodation
Utilities
New Hearts
Fees re CIO conversion
16
Total support costs
Repairs and renewals to
33 West Road
Accountancy and
independent examination		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
(17)
2,500
161
1,218
385
4,600
1,142
3,594
-
-
286
2,596
788
1,051
303
9,908
3,410
954
35,879
-
3,000		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2022 Total
2021 Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
(17)
860
2,500
2,321
161
230
1,218
1,895
385
963
4,600
3,516
1,142
(492)
-
-
3,594
2,890
-
578
-
(362)
286
168
2,596
3,399
788
941
1,051
1,856
303
177
9,908
8,245
3,410
161
954
7,442
3,000
3,000
35,879
37,788

Support costs are allocated below between charitable activity headings based on the proportion of staff time spent on charitable activities. Intentionally, no support costs are charged to Mission giving. Giving to Mission over and above specific gifts received for Mission giving is charged as an unrestriced expense.

Church ministry
Youth work
Families & children
Community work
Mission giving
Total support costs		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
14,162
8,815
7,140
5,762
-
35,879		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2022 Total
2021 Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
14,162
15,213
8,815
9,163
7,140
7,422
5,762
5,990
-
-
35,879
37,788

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 11 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

6. Staff costs
Number of employees
The average numbers of full time equivalent employees were:
No employee earned more thn £60,000 in the year (2021 - £ Nil)
Employment costs:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2022
Number
6
2022
£
140,696
7,248
6,634
154,578		 2021
Number
6
2021
£
131,973
7,349
6,266
145,588

Staff expenses of £961 were paid in aggregate in the year (2021 - £631).

The total amount paid in aggregate in the year to Key Management Personnel as defined by FRS 102 was £33,308 (2021 - £32,337) excluding employer's personal pension contributions paid in the year of £1,665 (2021 - £1,617).

7. Pension costs

The Charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of all employees. The assets of the scheme are administered by Trustees in a fund independent from the Charity. The Charity has enrolled into the Government's auto enrolment scheme. The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contributions payable in the year by the Charity, and amounted to £6,634 (2021 - £6,266).

8. Transactions with Trustees

No Trustee received any remuneration from the Charity during the year for their work as a Trustee (2021 - £Nil). Two members of staff are also Trustees and they received total remuneration of £63,881 (2021 - £15,505) for their work as employees of the Trust under contracts of employment.

Trustees who are also employed by the Trust do not take part in Trustee meetings where remuneration of staff is decided upon by Trustees.

Trustees donated a total of £9,518 in aggregate in the year to the Charity without pre-condition on the use of the donations (2021 - £15,517).

Trustees were re-imbursed for personal expenses by the Charity during the year amounting to £191 (2021 - £Nil).

There were no transactions with related parties during the year (2021 - None).

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 12 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

9. Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Cost
1 January 2022
Additions in the year
31 December 2022
Depreciation
At 1 January 2022
Charge for the year
31 December 2022
Net book value
31 December 2022
31 December 2021		 Freeholdproperty
Church
building
£
519,427
-
519,427
-
-
-
519,427
519,427		 Houses
£
775,000
-
775,000
-
-
-
775,000
775,000		 Total
£
1,294,427
-
1,294,427
-
-
-
1,294,427
1,294,427

In accordance with the permitted provisions of FRS 102, the fixed asset category of 'Freehold property: Houses' is carried at fair value.

The Trustees, in September 2020, having taken professional advice, valued this this category of 'Freehold property: Houses' at £775,000. They valued this same category of property at £750,000 at 31 December 2018 and which valuation was materially unchanged from 1 January 2018.

At 31 December 2021, these 'Freehold property: Houses' comprise:

33 West Road
68 Queens Road
69 Queens Road		 375,000
200,000
200,000
775,000

Freehold property: Houses' is depreciated over its economic life. In practice increases in fair value exceed the relevant depreciation charge.

The church building is carried at its cost of construction. The land on which the church building sits is valued at £Nil in accordance with a permitted provision of FRS 102.

10. Reconciliation of 'Freehold properties: Houses' on transition to FRS 102

Net book value at 1 January 2018 as previously reported:

33 West Road
68 Queens Road
69 Queens Road
Total
As restated at 1 January 2018
Prior period adjustment for change in
accounting policy on adoption of FRS 102		 99,384
-
-
99,384
650,616
750,000

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 13 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

11. Social investments

2022 2021
£ £
15,000 15,000

Social investments represent a part-share in the freehold ownership of a house managed by Hope into Action which is a charity that re-houses homeless people. This is considered by the Trustrees to be a long-term Mixed Motive Investment (MMI). A MMI is defined by the Charities SORP as an investment made partly in pursuit of the organisation's charitable purposes and partly to obtain a financial return.

12. Debtors

Gift Aid recoverable
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals		 -
(514)
3,000
2,486		 -
2,944
3,000
5,944

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

14. Restricted funds

Community fund donations
Mission giving
Vision day income
Men's fellowship
Ladies ministries
Community grocery store
Community hub
Ukraine refugee help
Youth work appeal
"New Hearts" ministry
Toddlers
Church building fund
Total		 1 January
2022
£
18,014
(6,458)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,310
4,600
19,466
519,427
538,893		 Income
£
18,097
4,049
19,214
3,138
531
343
10,500
5,517
565
200
-
62,154
-
62,154		 Expenditure
31 December
2022
£
£
19,477
16,634
14,700
(17,109)
18,773
441
2,098
1,040
326
205
-
343
-
10,500
674
4,843
-
565
-
3,510
-
4,600
56,048
25,572
-
519,427
56,048
544,999

The restricted church building fund represents the cost of construction of the church building at West Road.

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 14 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church) Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022

Note 14 (contd)

Note 14 (contd)
Total
Unrestricted funds
General
Manse fund
Total		 1 January
2021
£
537,906
1 January
2022
£
204,888
99,384
304,272		 Income
£
42,801
Income
£
176,065
-
176,065		 Expenditure
£
41,814
Expenditure
£
213,404
-
213,404		 31 December
2021
£
538,893
31 December
2022
£
167,549
99,384
266,933

15. Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted Manse fund represents the original cost of purchase of 33 West Road.

1 January
2021
£
Total
351,895
Accountancy and independent examination
Accountancy fees
Independent examination		 Income
£
158,276		 Expenditure
£
205,899
2022
£
1,750
1,250
3,000		 31 December
2021
£
304,272
2021
£
1,750
1,250
3,000

16. Accountancy and independent examination

Bridge Community Church - Financial statements - Page 15 of 15

Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds (incorporating West Road Church)

Independent Examiner's Report - 31 December 2022

Report to the Trustees of Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds on the financial statements of Bridge Community Church for the twelve months ended 31 December 2022 set out on pages 4 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above Charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2022.

As the Charity's Trustees, 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 Trust’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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

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.

Signed: David A Eaton

5 September 2023

David A Eaton FCA

Eaton & Co

Chartered Accountants and Consultants

The Cedars, School Lane, Great Barton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2RQ