## **THE FRIENDS OF ST MARTIN’S GOSPEL OAK REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES TO 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **(CHARITY NO. 1192518)** ## _Objectives and Activities_ The purpose of the Friends of St Martin’s Gospel Oak is to assist the Incumbent (or, in the absence of an incumbent, the lawful minister in charge) and the Parochial Church Council in the restoration, preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement and beautification of the Parish Church of St Martin with St Andrew Kentish Town in the Diocese of London for the benefit of all residents of the ecclesiastical parish of St Martin with St Andrew Kentish Town, the London Borough of Camden, the surrounding area, and all who are interested in historical buildings; and of the monuments, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in the church and churchyard belonging to the Church. The Patron of the Friends is Sir Michael Palin. The activities of the charity are fundraising by membership subscription, events, grant applications, and general donations. In planning their activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## _Achievements and Performance_ The Friends was constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 November 2020 by adopting the Charity Commission’s ‘Foundation Model’ model governing document. It was registered at the Charity Commission on 24 November 2020. The governing document is available at https://www.friendsofstmartinsnw5.org/documents. 2023 was something of a quiet year for the Friends of St Martin’s and the costs of the website this year were borne _ex gratia_ by a Trustee. There have been no related parties transactions. ## _Financial Review_ The charity generated a surplus of **£120.50** in the year to 31 December 2023. Total income was **£180.50** . Total expenditure was **£60** . Operating expenses consisted only of banking fees with other expenses (website, etc.) covered _ex gratia_ by the Trustees themselves. The Trustees have not considered it necessary to set a formal level of reserve which the Charity is required to maintain. The level of grant expenditure is entirely at the discretion of the Trustees and is set with reference to annual income. The nature of the Charity’s activities is such that was possible to maintain sufficient funds in the bank to meet any liabilities as they 1 of 3 fell due. The Trustees have considered the risks inherent in the Charity and taken steps to minimise such risk. Income is only recognised when it is received and accordingly further income may be due to the Charity and such income be accounted for in future years if and when it is received. ## _Structure and Governance_ The Charity is governed by a governing document dated 20 February 2020. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (no. 1192518). The Revd Carol Barrett Ford is the Incumbent of St Martin’s Gospel Oak and _ex officio_ chair of the Parochial Church Council. The management and finance of the two organisations are, however, entirely separate. Mr Martin Rainsford is a Churchwarden of St Martin’s Gospel Oak an _ex officio_ member of the PCC. The Trustees are responsible under the provisions of the Charity Act 2011 for the preparation of accounts for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Friends and of its income and expenditure for the year. ## _Administrative Details_ TRUSTEES The Revd Carol Barrett Ford (chair) Mr Michael Farrant Ms Laurel Fleck Dr Alun Ford (secretary) Sir Laurence Magnus Mr Martin Rainsford PRINCIPAL St Martin’s Vicarage BANKERS CAF Bank Ltd ADDRESS 26 Vicar’s Road 25 King’s Hill Avenue London West Malling NW5 4NL Kent ME19 4JQ Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Dr Alun Ford 20 January 2024 The Revd Carol Barrett Ford 20 January 2024 2 of 3 ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **CHARITY NO. 1192518** ||2022
2023
£
£| |---|---| ||| |INCOME& ENDOWMENTS
Donations & membership fees
Events
Bank interest
**TOTAL INCOME**|| ||1100.00
170.00
3998.54
nil
4.45
10.50| ||**5102.99**
**180.50**| ||| |EXPENDITURE
Bank fees
Disbursement for events
Website
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**|| ||83.00
60.00
1768.54
nil
313.20
nil| ||**2164.74**
**60**| ||| |**NET MOVEMENT IN**
**FUNDS**|2938.25
120.50| ||| |Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|2245.20
5183.45| ||5183.45
5303.95| Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Dr Alun Ford 20 January 2024 The Revd Carol Barrett Ford 20 January 2024 3 of 3