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2023-12-31-accounts

Annual Report of

Freedom Church Bristol Registered Charity Number 1195962

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Contents
Page
Reference and administrative details 2
Trustees’ report 3 - 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 16

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Name of charity: Freedom Church Bristol Charity registration number: 1195962 Trustees: Rev Dr David A. Hull (Chair & Lead Pastor) Rev James Greene (Assistant Pastor, resigned 31 August 2023) Michael Cocklin Sarah Whybrew Deborah Bedingfield Michaela Willcox Adrian Lewis (Treasurer, appointed 1 August 2023)

Registered office and principal address: Freedom Church Bristol Acorn House The Kingswood Estate Britannia Road Bristol BS15 8DB Independent examiner Roger Hatherall & Company 17 Belmont, Bath BA1 5DZ Bankers: Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 50 Skelmersdale WN8 6YL

2

Trustees’ report for the year ended 31 December 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 2. In submitting their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, the trustees have adopted the provisions of The Charities Act 2011 in preparing the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity.

Structure, Governance and Management

Freedom Church Bristol is part of the Free Methodist Church UK and is structured in accordance with The Free Methodist Church Book of Discipline . The charity is led by Rev Dr David Hull, Chair of Trustees, together with a board of trustees elected annually at the Annual Society Meeting by the charity’s members. All Christians with a living and active faith, for whom Freedom Church Bristol is their spiritual home, are encouraged to attend a membership course with a view to becoming a member of the church, and thereby of the charity. Day to day management of the charity is delegated to the Lead Pastor and Church Leadership Team.

Generous financial grants, received at the launch of the church plant, have enabled the adoption of deficit budgets in the early years of the initiative. In the course of this year, the trustees began to implement plans to reduce expenditure towards levels of regular income, in order to achieve longterm financial sustainability.

The constitution allows for the remuneration of trustees, subject to the controls stated therein, with which the trustees have complied. The Lead Pastor (and the Assistant Pastor, who resigned on 31 August 2023) is a trustee who holds a remunerated position. Remuneration is at levels recommended by the Annual Conference of the Free Methodist Church UK and approved by a majority of non-remunerated trustees.

The trustees meet quarterly, and more frequently as necessary, to monitor finances, legal compliance, and the furtherance of the charitable objects. A general meeting of members is held annually.

Charitable Objects

In summary, Freedom Church Bristol exists to:

3

Activities, Developments and Achievements

The core weekly activities of the church, which encompass both church services and Christian education, include morning services, Freedom Kids children’s activities and a Freedom Youth Group, all held on Sunday, and mid-week Home Groups. Each month, a ‘Devoted’ women’s gathering, and a men’s prayer breakfast, are held on Saturday mornings, as well as a monthly Monday evening prayer meeting. Through these activities, the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, and the Bible is taught with a view to deepening the life of discipleship, in the context of prayer and contemporary worship aimed towards encounter with the Living God. Additionally, those who associate with Freedom Church, and especially members, are encouraged to meet at least monthly in Fellowship Bands of three or four people, usually of the same sex, to encourage one another in the Christian life.

Throughout the year, outreach activities have included ‘Have a Cuppa on Us’ in which free refreshments were served to members of the public in Kingswood Park, with the aim of building relationships within the community; a number of Easter outreach events hosted by individual church members in their homes; and an American Sports Camp for young people in the summer. Sunday in the Park was held as an open air service, followed by family activities, in Kingswood Park in July, as well as an open air carol service in December, as part of the national initiative Shine Your Light. Central to the outreach of the church is the encouraging and equipping of its members to live out their faith continually in practical service within the community.

Pastoral care has continued to be a core part of the ongoing life of the Church, offered by the Lead Pastor, members of the leadership team, and mutually amongst the membership. Additionally, and as possible, support is offered to those in particular need within the wider community, including modest financial ‘crisis’ grants, often in the form of food and clothing vouchers, and direct emergency payments for gas and electricity supplies.

The main area of focus for activities has been Kingswood, Bristol and the immediately surrounding areas. Missionary work beyond this local area, as part of the charitable activities, has included supporting a ‘micro church’ congregation in South Lincolnshire, as well as a new church plant in Wiltshire, which has begun to take steps to appoint its own Pastor. Modest financial grants have been made from the mission fund (equating to ten percent of non-restricted general income) to local social action projects, church planting initiatives in the UK, and global mission and poverty relief. Additionally, the Lead Pastor is released for an average of two days per week, through the generous financial support of individual donors, to offer a ministry of Wesleyan evangelical leadership across the UK.

Public Benefit Statement

The charity complies with the public benefit requirement through its charitable objectives.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Volunteer Leadership and Service

Freedom Church is dependent on the volunteers from within its membership and wider community who give so freely of their time, gifts and energy in leadership and service, as well as in financial

4

giving. The trustees record their gratitude to all who share so generously in this work. Similarly, the Chair & Lead Pastor records his very great thanks to the board of trustees which serves alongside him in leadership of the charity

Financial review

Total Bristol general fund receipts for 2023 were £48,167, receipts for Wiltshire £9,557 and for South Lincolnshire £5,501. Additionally, £410 was received for the Wiltshire Missions Fund (a designated fund), and for restricted funds, receipts of £17,371 have been received for Personal Support, receipts of £1,390 for the Wiltshire Charity Collections Fund and receipts of £30 for the Agency FCW fund .

Reserves policy

It is the policy of Freedom Church Bristol to maintain a balance of unrestricted funds when available to meet unforeseen situations. Reserves may be held in a separate deposit account to enable the charity to benefit from accrued interest.

Total reserves held at the end of 2023 amount to £64,586 of which £3,203 are restricted funds. Total unrestricted funds are £61,383 of which £2,747 are the value of unrestricted fixed assets. Free reserves are £58,636 which equate to 7 months of 2023 unrestricted fund expenditure. The trustees feel this level is prudent given that expenditure has been further reduced in the first half of 2024 and now equates to 10.4 months of end of 2023 free reserves.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the above trustees' report. Signed on behalf of the trustees of Freedom Church Bristol,

Acorn House Kingswood Estate Britannia Road Kingswood Bristol BS15 8DB

Rev Dr David A. Hull Chair & Lead Pastor, Freedom Church Bristol

Date: 24/07/2024

5

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Freedom Church Bristol

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 15.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Roger Hatherall

Accountant

17 Belmont Bath Avon BA1 5DZ

6

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 December 2023

Unrestricted
funds
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
62,799
Charitable activities
-
Other trading activities
-
Investments
835
_
Total income
63,634
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
-
Charitable activities
99,794
_
Total expenditure
99,794
Net income/(expenditure)
(36,160)
Transfers between funds
-
_
Net movement in funds
(36,160)
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
97,542
_
Total funds carried forward
61,383		 Restricted
funds
£
18,893
-
-
-
_
18,893
-
19,814
_
19,814
(922)
-
_
(922)
4,125*
_
3,203		 Total
Unrestricted
2023
funds
£
£
81,692
58,075
-
-
-
-
835
127
_
_
82,527
58,202
-
-
119,608
103,041
_
_
119,608
103,041
(37,082)
(44,840)
-
-
_
_
(37,082)
(44840)
101,667
142,382
_
_
64,585*
97,542		 Restricted
funds
£
19,035
-
-
-
___
19,035
-
19,346
___
19,346
(311)
-
___
(311)
4,436
___
4,125*		 Total
2022
£
77,110
-
-
127
___
77,237**
-
122,387
___
122,387**
(45,151)-
-
___
(45,151)
146,818
___
*101,667

*NOTE:- subsequent to submission of the 2022 accounts it was discovered that a small restricted fund (Agency FCW) set up for Freedom Church Wiltshire had been omitted from the 2022 accounts. The balance of this fund was £932 at the end of 2022. The above figures for 2022 marked with an * have been adjusted to incorporate this fund and to bring the 2022 c/f balances back to a correct position for the b/f balances of the 2023 accounts as shown above. This is not considered a material prior year error under para 1.3 below.

7

Balance sheet

As at 31 December 2023

Fixed assets:
Tangible assets
Current assets:
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Prepayments
Liabilities:
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
_
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than
one year
Net assets
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
Designated funds
_
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
3,146
57,470
___2,174
62,790
(951)
__
58,184
3,199
__		 2023
£
2,747

61,839
__
_
64,586
-
__
_
64,586

61,383
3,203
___
64,586		 £
2,666
96,600
1,829
101,095
(2,335)
_
95,071
2,471
______		 2022
£
2,907
98,760
_
101,667
-
_
101,667
97,542
4,125
___
101,667

8

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

1 General information and basis of preparation

1.1 Basis of accounting

Freedom Church Bristol is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in the Charity Commission England and Wales.

The address of the registered office and the nature of the charity's operations and principal activities are given in the Trustees' Report.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared 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) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounting 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 in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), including "Amendments to 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".

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out in note 2, which have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

1.2 Changes to accounting estimates

No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period.

1.3 Material prior year errors

No material prior year error has been identified in the reporting period.

9

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

2 Accounting policies

2.1 Income

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

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

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

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.

Donated goods are measured at fair value (the amount for which the asset could be exchanged) unless impractical to do so.

The cost of any stock of goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries is deemed to be the fair value of those gifts at the time of their receipt and they are recognised on receipt. In the reporting period in which the stocks are distributed, they are recognised as an expense at the carrying amount of the stocks at distribution.

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

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

2.2 Expenditure and liabilities

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.

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

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

2.3 Assets

Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £500. They are valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation less any residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold property - 2% per annum on cost Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 12.5 - 25% per annum on cost

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

10

to be received.

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

2 Accounting policies (continued)

2.4 Leasing

Rental charges under operating leases are charged to the SoFA on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

2.5 Pension costs

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represents the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

2.6 Funds

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets the criteria is allocated to the fund.

Unrestricted funds relate to incoming resources received or generated for the charity’s purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the charity’s trustees for particular purposes.

2.7 Statement of cash flows

The charity has opted to prepare the accounts under Charities SORP (FRS102) and has adopted Update Bulletin 1 and is exempted from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small charity.

11

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

3 Income from donations and legacies
Donations & planned giving
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid
Other receipts
4 Income from investments
Bank interest
5 Expenditure on charitable activities
Staff costs
Donations & mission giving
Administration expenses		 Unrestricted
funds
£
45,429
9,350
8,051
62,799
Unrestricted
funds
£
835
Unrestricted
funds
£
49,448
6,083
45,373
103,041		 Restricted
funds
£
15,934
2,927
-
18,893
Restricted
funds
£
-
Restricted
funds
£
17,777
1,075
-

18,473		 Total 2023
£
61,363
12,277
8,051

81,692

Total 2023
£
835

Total 2023
£
67,225
7,158
45,225

119,608		 Total 2022
£
59,875
9,600
5,830
75,305
Total 2022
£
127
Total 2022
£
76,944
6,762
37,808
121,514

12

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

6 Trustee Remuneration

6.1 Remuneration

Name of trustee or related party
Legal Authority
D Hull as Lead Pastor
Governing document
J Greene as Assistant Pastor
Governing document
6.2
Expenses
Number of trustees who were paid expenses
Nature of the expenses
Total amount paid
7
Staff costs and numbers
7.1
Staff Costs
Salaries
Employer’s NI
Employer’s Pension
Group Life cover/Income Protection scheme
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.
7.2
Staff Numbers
Average number of staff employed
Full time
Part time
Average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year
Charitable activities		 Amounts Paid
2023
2022
£
£
44,643
43,079
22,582
32,437

2023
2022
3
2
Travel
£
£
1,498
809



Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
59,088
67,647
1,924
2,407
4,830
5,466
1,383
1,426
67,225
76,944




2023
2022

2
2
0
0
2
-

2023
2022

2
2
 Amounts Paid
2023
2022
£
£
44,643
43,079
22,582
32,437

2023
2022
3
2
Travel
£
£
1,498
809



Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
59,088
67,647
1,924
2,407
4,830
5,466
1,383
1,426
67,225
76,944




2023
2022

2
2
0
0
2
-

2023
2022

2
2
2022
2
£
809
Total
2022
£
67,647
2,407
5,466
1,426
76,944
2022
2
0
-
2022
2

7.3 Key Management Personnel

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the other key management personnel as listed on page 1. The total amount of employee benefits (including employer pension contributions) received by key management personnel for their services to the charity was £67,225.

7.4 Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

The charity contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately

13

from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. Contributions payable for the year are disclosed in note 7.1 above. At the year end and the previous year end there were no outstanding contributions.

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

8 Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost
At 1 January 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for year
On disposals
At 31 December 2023
Net book values
At 31 December 2023
At 31 December 2022
9
Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments		 Freehold
Property
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
£

4,268
1,707
-
5,975


1,361
1,867
-
3,228


2,747

2,907



2023
£

1,098
2,174
3,272		 Total
£
4,268
1707
-
5,975
1,361
1,867
-
3,228
2,747
2.907
2022
£
2,504
1,829
4,333
10
Creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income		 Amounts falling due
within one year
2023
2022
£
£

-
2,335
3,145
-
3,145
2,335		 Amounts falling due
after more than one year
2023
2022
£
£

-
-
-
-
0
0		 Amounts falling due
after more than one year
2023
2022
£
£

-
-
-
-
0
0
0

14

Notes

(forming part of the financial statements)

11 Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Fund balances at 31 December 2023 as represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
2,747
59,587
(951)
-
61,383		 Restricted
Funds
£

-
3,203
-
-
3,203		 Total
£
2,747
62,790
(951)
-
64,586

12 Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
Bristol general fund
Wiltshire general fund
South Lincs general fund
Designated funds:
Bristol mission fund
Bristol benevolent fund
Wiltshire mission fund
South Lincs mission fund		 At 1 January
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
89,209
48,167
(87,317)
(4,373)
45,686
4,853
9,557
(6,436)
(905)
7,069
1,009
5,501
(921)
(160)
5,429
1,592
-
(4,310)
4,073
1,355
20
-
(292)
300
28
728
410
(518)
905
1,526
131
-
-
160
291
97,542
63,635
(99,794)
-
61,383

13 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
Agency FCW
Bristol personal support
Wiltshire Charity Collections
Wiltshire Pastor Fund*		 At 1 January
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 December
2023
£
£
£
£
£
933
30
(963)
-
0
2,995
17,371
(17,776)
-
2,590
198
1,390
(1,075)
-
513
100
-
-
-
100
4,126
18,791
(19,815)
-
3,203

*denotes new fund

Purposes of restricted funds

The Agency FW Fund was a fund to manage specific charitable contributions. It was replaced in 2023 by the Wiltshire Charity Collections Fund. Also see note at end of Statement of Financial Activities above.

Bristol Personal Support fund – This fund consists of donations specifically for the Lead Pastor in Bristol.

Wiltshire Charity Collections fund – This fund receives donations for specific charities.

14 Transactions with related parties

No related party transactions took place in the period of account, other than certain trustees’ remuneration and expenses already disclosed in note 7.

15