Company Registration Number CE026901 Charity Registration Number 1196156 B-LESS CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 B-LESS CONTENTS Page Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 7-11 B-LESS TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2023. Reference and Adminstration details Registered charity name Charity registration number Company reElStration number Principal off ice and registered office B-Less 1196156 CE026901 11 Holywell Street Oxford OXI 3SA Trustees George Diwakar John-MarkTeeuwen Nicolas Wu Andrew Young Independent Examiner Andrew P Cro551ey FCA Baldwin Cox Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Foster Avenue Beeston Nottingham NG9 IAE Objertives and Artivities B-Less exists to advance the Christian Faith among students in universities, theological colleges, training colleges, technical colleges and other similar institutions throughout Great Britain. In pursuit of these objectives, in the year from November 2022 to October 2023, the charity has continued, and developed, its policy of recruiting, training, and deployin8 Christian masters ènd doctoral students to serve as encouragers, mentors, and evangelists in a variety of higher educational contexts. In the 2022-23 academic year, our pool of scholars Brew from three to seven. Five of them pursued graduate degrees at Oxford University, one at the University Of Edinburgh and one Through London Seminary but based in Bath. Our scolars supported: Theology Network - A local faculty-based group convened by the Universities and College Christian Fellowship IUCCFI in Oxfors and Edinbu￿h. The Search A weekly outreach event organised by Oxford Intercollegiate Christian Union IOICCU) in Oxford. Rooted the weekly student ministry of Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Emanuel Students- the weekly student ministry of Emanuel Church in Bath. -LESS TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Objectives and Activitie5 lcontinuedl The warm response to the scholartship scheme among students, churches and the parachurch ministries with whom we partnered in the 2021-22 academic year motivated further expansion for 2022-23, with five additional scholars being added to the team. In their oversight of these developments, the trustees of B-Less have been guided by a focus on public benefit as laid out in the charitable objects registered with the Charity Commission. B-Less scholars are volunteers, recruited through a rigorous process involving public advertisement of the opportunity, submission of application forms and soliciting of references. interviews, DBS checks, and safeguarding training. Scholarships are regulated by a signed, time-limited volunteer contracts. The B-Le55 associateship is a part-time staff position, subject to the same rigorous recruitment process, but regulated through a contract of employment. Achievements and Performance During the 2022-23 academic year, B-Less Scholars supported and complemented by the charity general manager made a significant impact in each of the ministry are35 in which they were deployed. Scholars continued to assist with the reconstruction of student Christian ministry activities after covid,focussing in particular on Oxford College communities where groups had ceased to function, as well as expannding the faculty-specific support we offer in new directions. With more scholars coming into the scheme, we were able to provide significantly more support to the Search and to the Oxford Intercollegiate Christian Union 'Main Event,, providing college-based support throughout the academic year, and not just for one week of intense activity- Undergraduate students who had themselves benefitted from the mentoring efforts of earliergenerations of B-Less scholars applied for, and were accepted into, the scheme for the first time this year- a significant step towards establishing slef-sustaining momentum for B-Less. We were also encouraged to see the gender balance and the range of subject specialisms represented among our scholars continue to broaden, with scholar studying International Development and Economics joirig the team. Ongoing contact with B-Less alumni has a150 been a source of encouragement. Several students who benefitted from B-Less activities and their precursors in previous years are now serving or training to serve in local churches and schools around the country. **B-LESS TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT {CONTINUED} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023** ## **Financial Review** Donations to B-Less slighly undershot budgeted expenses in the year covered by this report, but the Charity was able to cover rhe shortfall from its extant reserves. The Charity continues to receive support from the USA and UK based donors. The ratio of local contributions has continued to increase as the work becomes more established although we have also been excited to add several new supporting churches in the USA through our growing links with Presbyterian Churches. As a charity, we would like to get to the point where we can hold a reserve sufficient to cover operating expenses for three full months. In 2022-2023 this remained an aspiration, although balances in USA and UK based accounts combined rarely fell below the amount required to cover our operations for two months. The Charity remains dependent to an extensive degree on one-off 'year-end' financial donations from the United States of Amercia (22% of total income in 2022-23) which are much harder to predict than regular monthly commitments. We are continuing to work on developing our base of regular donors, making contacts with new churches and individuals in the USA and the UK and seeking to mobilise alumni where possible. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** 8-Less is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in the United Kingdom. Eligibility for trusteeship and procedures for appointing trustees are set out in detail in our charity constitution. It is our policy that new trustees can be appointed, and existing trustees reappointed, for a maximum term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees and that no trustee may serve for longer than three consecutive terms. All trustees are expected to complete trustee-specific safeguarding training provided by our partner organisation, ThirtyOne·:Eight. B-Less works closely in partnership with the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) who convene and supervise many of the groups and events in which B-Less scholars and associates serve. Local and national UCCF staff are represented on B-Less selection panels and placement supervision is undertaken with input from local UCCF leaders. Prepared by and signed on behalf of the Trustees on 28/08/2024 3 -LESS INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF B-LESS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust'l for the year ended 31 October 2023. which are set out on pa8es 6 to 12. Responslblllties and basls of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"the Act'l. I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my exomination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl 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= the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come acr055 no other matters in connection with the examination to which altention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Andrew P Crossley FCA Baldwln Cox Llmlted Chartered Accountsnts 15 Foster Avenue Beeston Nottingham NG9 IAE B-LESS STATEMENT OF FINANCIALACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Year Ended 31 October2023 Period Ended 31 October 2022 Notes Incoming resources Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Investments 138,149 150 126,719 Total 138,299 126.725 Resources expended Expenditure on: Charitable activities Other 33,114 105,413 15,209 96,673 Total 138.527 111.882 Net lexpenditurellincome 12281 14,843 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 14,843 Total funds carried forward io 14,615 14.843 ## **B-LESS** ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2023** |**BALANCE SHEET**
**AS AT 31 OCOBER 2023**|||| |---|---|---|---| |||**2023**|**2022**| ||Notes|£|£| |Fixed Assets|||| |Tangible assets|7|2,357|2,773| |Current Assets|||| |Debtors|8|8,416|6,955| |Cash at bank and in hand||5,746|6,233| |Total current assets||14,162|13,188| |Creditors: amounts flling due within one year|9|(1,904)|(1,118)| |Net Current Assets||12,258|12,070| |Total Net Assets||14,615|14,843| |Funds of the Charity|||| |Unrestricted funds|10|14,615|14,843| The financial statements on pages 6 to 12 were approved by the trustees on 28/08/2024 and signed on their behalf by: Trustee A Young Trustee 6 B-LESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ocfoBER 2023 Basis of accounting These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless Otherise stated in the relevant note to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014, and with the Charities Act 2011. Accounting policies Recognition of income Income 15 included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources, and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recoEnised so as to write off the cost or valuation of a55ets less their residual values over their useful lives on the followinE bases: IT equipment 25% on cost Taxation The charity is a registered charity and accordingly is exempt from taxation on its income and Eains where they are applied for charitable purposes. Accounting period The accounts cover the year to 31 October 2023. The comparatives cover the period from its inception on 29 September 2021 to 31 October 2022. It was recognised as charity on 14 October 2021 and commenced its 3Ctivities on 29 November 2021. B-LESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Analysis of income 2023 2022 Donations and legacies Donations and gifts 138,149 126,719 Investments Bank interest 150 All income received in the period was unrestricted. Analysis of expenditure 2023 2022 Charitable activities Books Payments to scholars Training DBS checks Contracts for scholars 1,780 30,898 1,678 10,817 857 303 1,554 436 33,114 15,209 Other General manager remuneration Rent Other property costs Computer costs Travelling costs Subscriptions Legal and professional fees Accountancy Bank charges Transfer charge5 Insurance Printing and stationery Telephone costs Sundry expenses Depreciation 53,317 31,250 7,400 996 1,203 609 192 3,531 102 1,872 827 2,237 180 603 1,094 46,958 27,000 6,662 2,360 2,796 587 1,670 4,342 78 885 676 1,210 165 360 924 105,413 96,673 B-LESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Staff costs 2023 2022 Salaries and wages Social security C05t5 Pension costs 62,900 1,258 2,059 51,983 1,125 66,217 53,108 No employees received employee benefit5 (excluding employer pension costsl for the reporting period of more than £60,000. The total amotjnt paid to key management personnel (including trustee5 and senior managementl for their services to the charity for the yea¥ was £53,31712022'. £46,958). The average monthly number of persons employed by the company during the year was.. 2023 Number 2022 Number Total Defined contribution pension scheme costs 2023 2022 Amount of contributions recognised in the SOFA as an expense 2,059 1,125 B-LESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ocfoBER 2023 Tangible flxed assets IT equipment Cost At l November 2022 3,697 Additions 678 At 31 October 2023 4,375 Depreciation and impairments At l November 2022 924 Depreciation charEed in the year 1,094 At 31 October 2023 2,018 Net book value At 31 October 2023 2,357 At 31 October 2022 2.773 Debtors 2023 2022 Donations pending transfer to UK Prepayments 8,148 268 6,795 160 8,416 6,955 Creditors: amounts flllng due within one year 2023 2022 Accruals Other creditors 1.440 464 1,068 50 1,904 1,118 io B-LESS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS {CONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 10 Analysls of charitable fund5 Unrestricted funds Brought forward At31 October 2023 Income Expenditure General funds 14,843 138.299 1138,5271 14,615 li