Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Open the Bible (UK) On accounts for the year 31/03/2023 Charity no 1198923 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-12 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
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I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 / 03 / 2023 .
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date: 24/02/2024
Signed: Name: Greville Parmenter Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 86 Okus Road, Swindon, SN1 4JP
1
October 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
October 2018
IER
| Charity Name Open the Bible(UK) |
Charity Name Open the Bible(UK) |
Charity Name Open the Bible(UK) |
No (if any) 1198923 |
No (if any) 1198923 |
No (if any) 1198923 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
Period start date 11.05.2022 |
To | Period end date 31.03.2023 |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 90,280 - - - - - - - 90,280 - - - 90,280 2,534 6,526 2,623 32,733 - - - - - 44,416 2,479 - 2,479 46,895 43,386 - - 43,386 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 90,280 - - - - - - - 90,280 - - - 90,280 2,534 6,526 2,623 32,733 - - - - - 44,416 2,479 - 2,479 46,895 43,386 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| 90,280 | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
90,280 | - | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
Governance |
2,534 | - | |||||
| Ministry | 6,526 | - | |||||
| Office Costs | 2,623 | - | |||||
| Staff | 32,733 | - | |||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 44,416 | - | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||
IT equipment |
2,479 | ||||||
| - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | 2,479 | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| 43,386 | - | - | 43,386 |
- | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 43,386 | - | - | 43,386 | - |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
01/03/2024
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unre$tri¢ted lund$ to nearest £ Restricted funds to n¥rgstE Endowment funds to nearest C 81 Cash funds CAF account M035415 43.386 rotal cash funds 43,3B6 lllgTee balance% dihrLwthsand Unrestrlcted funds lo nearesi E Restricted fLFnd6 to nearest £ Endgwment funds to ngaro$1 E B2 Other mon8tary ass•ts Fund to which as5eE belon Currènt v¥lug O tional B3 Investment ass•ts Fund io whlch ssot belon eost lopuonall Currèrtl Value O tsyn81 B4 Assèts ratained for the charity's own use Fund to whlch relat48 Amount dv¢ When due ional 85 Liabilities SigrTreO by on* or Iwo Irusl£es On behalf of all the Irusiees Signature Print Name Dale ol roval Keith Bruce hA¢K2 2g 02 2024 Elabeth AnnÈtte Smyth 29.02.2024 CCXX R2 a¢coun15 ISSI D110312024
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 11.05.2022 Period start date To 31.03.2023 Period end date
Charity name: Open the Bible (UK)
Charity registration number: 1198923
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The purposes of the CIO are to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Basis of Faith in particular, but not exclusively, by providing: resources which enable Christian believers to engage with the biblical texts for themselves and to share confidently the original message of the Bible with others; support and training resources for church leaders to equip their own congregations to study and share the Bible; events and partnerships with churches, where appropriate. Nothing in the Constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with any statutory provision regarding the meaning of the word "charitable" or the words "charitable purposes" in force in any part of the United Kingdom |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The key activity, and the largest financial outlay, for the first eleven months of the CIO’s existence was the selection and appointment of a CEO to spearhead this new ministry. John Martin was appointed from 1 November 2022. Other significant activities were the opening of a bank account, creation of a website, negotiations with radio broadcasting stations, other means of publicity and the equipping of an office. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Advice on public benefit was sought from Edward Connor Solicitors by the trustees as part of the application process to register as a CIO. All trustees have since been directed to the CC website’s area covering guidance regarding public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Main achievements in the first eleven months are: - Appointment of first staff member, CEO - Setting up of website and development of a suite of resources for the benefit of individuals, churches and church leaders - Production of our first printed resource - Development of radio ministry Positive feedback has been received via the website and radio ministry, some written examples: Thank you for Blessing the Church with your continual strong messages. I greatly value and enjoy Pastor Colin Smith's broadcasts. My heart is blessed every evening as I drive to work and listen to Pastor Colin. Pastor Colin's daily message has been an immense support through my recent anxiety and consequent angina attack. I've been so richly blessed by Pastor Colin's teaching over these last few years, whilst struggling with an awful anxiety disorder...my morning "date" with OTB truly sets my spirit soaring. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41
| objectives set | ||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | In the first eleven months since the registration of Open the Bible (UK) as a new CIO, income was £90,280 and expenditure £46,895. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | At a meeting of the trustees on 7 February 2023, it was agreed to maintain reserves of a minimum of three months expenditure. Since the charity is still in its formative stage this figure is reviewed monthly as both known and anticipated liabilities become clearer and as we seek to widen our donor base. In particular trustees are mindful of the need to safeguard the ongoing employment of staff and to ensure that there are sufficient funds to further our activities in order to develop and maintain the charity’s objectives. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £43,385. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable, reserves are not at zero. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable, no fund is in deficit. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable, there are no such uncertainties or concerns. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | CIO Foundation Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | New trustees are selected by existing trustees, having regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO, and are appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. Trustees are eligible for reappointment for up to two further three year terms by majority decision of the remaining charity trustees, after which the trustee must vacate office for at least one year. Appointment of a trustee to any particular post is by majority decision of the rest of the trustees. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Open the Bible (UK) |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1198923 |
| Charity’s principal address | 43 Shelleycotes Road Brixworth Northampton NN6 9NE |
|---|---|
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Aiello | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| Mariette D’Castro | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| Keith McKay | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| BeverleySavage | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| Colin Smith | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| Elizabeth Smyth | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | ||
| PhilipWalter | Chair | 11.05.2022-31.03.2023 | Existingtrustees | |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
John Martin (CEO wef 01.11.2022)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity'$ trustees Signaturels) Full name(s) Keith Bruce MeKay Position {eg Secretary,.Trustee Chair, et¢).. EIEabelh Annette srnh Twstee Date 29.02.2024