## **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** 31/03/2024 **ended** **Set out on pages** 1-12 **Charity no (if any)** 1198923 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **DD / MM / YYYY** 31/03/2024 . - **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: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - 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._ **Signed: Date:** 16/01/2025 **Name:** Greville Parmenter **Relevant professional** ACMA **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** 86 Okus Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 4JP **October 2018** 1 **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** . **October 2018** 2 **IER** CHARITY COMMISSION FQR ENGLAND ANO WAIES Opon th? Bibl¥ IUK Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period To 01.04.2023 31.03.2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Re$trieted fund$ Endowment funds Total funds Lasl year to the ¢)•arn*t toth¢ near￿t£ tr*the nearfrst£ tp th• newesi£ to th• n•ar¢si£ A1 Recei 186.439 186A39 90.28 ub total(Gross incGme for ARJ 186A39 186.439 90380 A2 Asset and investmen¢ salgs, see table tota Total recw.pts 186,439 106,439 90.280 A3Pa Ggvemance Ministy othce costs 1,758 24J75 1.75B 24,3T5 3.724 99.822 2.534 6,S26 2.623 22,733 Sub total 129,679 129.679 44.416 A4 Asset and investment es see table ment ITe 1.479 Sub total 2,479 129,679 129.679 46,895 Net of recelpts/(paym•nts) A5 Transfor5 betrAfe8n fvnds A6 Cash funds last •nd Cash lunds this year end 56,761 56,761 43,386 43.386 100.146 43,386 100.146 43,386 CCKX R1 actounls ISSI 1111012024 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Restricted lunds funds to neaiE5t£ l(* neèrt5t£ Endowrnent fun(ts B1 Cash CAF Bank Cuffètrtmc 75,146 ¥inyom Bank sav￿95 AJC 25.000 Totsl cash funds tOO,146 Unrestrlct4d funds to n•3r•st£ RoStrSct•d funds to ￿are$l£ Endowment funds tr* nearest£ Fund towhlth assottyelo Co8tlqptional) C¥rr*nt valu• lonar 83 Investment assets Fund towhich $sfrtb•lon CastlWonaJl Current Value tion 84 Asset5 retalned for th charFty'$ own use Fund to ¥Nhlch relites (Ntntilue lioTral Ylhen du• BS LiabllSUo$ Signed by one or truslees on behalf of all the Iru51ees sign0￿re Print N8m8 Dale of roval CCXX R2 a￿Unts ISSI 11110￿024 CHARITY COMMISSION -j FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1.04.2023 Period start date To 31.03.2024 Period end date Charity namo: 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 Para1.17 The purposes of the CIO are to advance the Christian failh for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Basis of Faith in particular, bLrt nol exclusively, by providing.. 'resources which 8nable 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 lo 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 for￿ in any part of the United Kingdom Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefil, in particular, the activities. projects or servi￿$ idèntified in the accounts. Para 1.17and In the last financial we have seen positive growth and fomard momentum in the work of the charity. John Martin our CEO has established a small team covering both Administration and technical IT iSSLJes. This has meant the building of good relationships with donors as well as gaining helpful insights from OTB in Chicago. The Premier Radio daily slot has prOdu￿d many positive comments from listeners, including prisoners who have listened. The produclion of high quality materials for churches and small groups has progressed and will be launched at a Christian event in July 24. The website is now fully functional as well as daily podcasts. We have been greatly blessed by the number of regular donors with one or t￿0 commrtted to a larger sum each month which enables us to do the things we believe are the most beneficial to those we seek to serve. All in all we have had a very fruitful and positive financial year in this our first full year as a CIO. Stalement confimin9 whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Comfnission on publi benefit Para 1.18 Advice on public benefit was sought from Edward Connor Solicitors by the trustees as part of the applicalion process to register as a CIO and we receive from them regular updates of relevani guidance. All trustees are also directed to the CC website's area covering guidan￿ regarding public benefrt. Additional information {optional) You ma hoose to include further statements where relevant about.. SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Parn138 Policy on social investment including program related investment Pora 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other Achievements and Performance SORP rele￿nCe Main achievements in the first full financial year.. Appointment of Operations & Communications Manager New improved website to launch Jun 24 Production of a book "Heaven how I got there. in UK version as well as a booklet as a helpful giveaway for hurches and individuals. Colin Smith did a tour of UK leaders {around 40 in totall as well as a time with a large congregation in Enfield. A very beneficial gathering of around 35 potential donors was very successful where the story was told of the vision of OTB. Positive feedback and results. Very positive relationships with a Christian bookseller and publisher who we are able to work with to produ￿ UK version books and booklets. Setting up of websile and development of a suite of resour￿$ for the benefit of individuals, churches and church leaders Radio ministry continues with positive feedback from listeners {see below) Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the differen￿ the charity's work has madè to the ￿rcuMStanCeS of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Paro 1.20 Positive feedback ha5 been received via the website and radio ministry, some written examples.. I￿e been so richly blessed by Pastor Colin s teaching over these last fewyears. whilst struggling wilh an awful anxiety disorder...my moming "date" with OTB truly sets my spint soanng . Thank you for the wonderful ministry you give us. Thank you for sharit7g the unchanging word of God in such an easy and simplistic way. Thank you and God bless. Pastor Colin s daily message has been an immens6 SUPPOrt through my recent anxièty and Gonsequent angina attack. I thank God for Colin. Thank you foryour sèrTnons on the website, Pastor Colin, which are 8ncouraging and challenging. The Lord continue to bless many through the woth of Open the 8ible_ Additional Information {optionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Achievements against objectives set PaF8 1.41 PerfomianGe of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 Investment performanc8 against objectives Para 1.41 Other Financial Review Review of th8 Gharity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 In this first full financial year Open the Bible (UK) received income totalling £186.439 and expenditure amounted to £129,679. Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves slating 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 ofthree months expend¢ture. Since the charity is still in ils fomialive 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 employmenl 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 £100.146 Reasons for holding zero reserves Para 1.22 Not applicable. reserve5 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 concem Para 1.23 Not applicable, there are no such unortainties or concerns. Additional infom7atlon (optlonal) You ma 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 pnncipal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Other Structure, Governance and Management Description of charity's trusts.. Type of governing document Para 1.25 CIO Foundation Constitution How is the charity constituted? Pao 1.25 cio Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body enlitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 New trustees are selected by existing trustees, having regard to the skills, knowledge and experien￿ needed for the effective administration of the CIO, and are appointed for a term of three years by a resolulion passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. Trustees are eligible for reappointmenl for up lo two furthèr three year tems by majority decision of the remaining charity trustees, after which the trustee must vacate for at least one year. Appointment of a trustee to any particular post is by majority decision of the rest of the trustees. Additional infomiatlon loptlonal) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of Iruslees Para 1.51 The charity's organisalional structure and any wider network with which the harity works Para 1.51 Relationship with any rèlated parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Charity name Open the Bible (UK) other name the charity uses Registered Gharity number 1198923 Charity's principal address 43 Shelleycotes Road Brixworth Northampton NN6 9NE Names of the charity trustees who manage tho charity Tru$ts• name Offico (If •nyl Datss acted if not for whole ear Nam• of porson (or bodyl entitlèd toa oint trnstee if a Existing trustees Existing trustees Existing trustees E>lsting trustees Existing trustees Existing trustees Existing trustees John Aiello Mariette D'castro Keith McKay Beverley Savage Colin Smith EIEabeth Smyth Philip Walter 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 01.04 2023- 31.03.2024 Chair 10 Cor orale truslees - names of the directors at the date the re Director name ortwasa roved NIA Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dat•8 acted rf not for whole year NIA Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets NIA held in this cagacity Name and objècts oflhe charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity s objects NIA Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity's own assets NIA Addltlonal Infomiation (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members {Optional infomiation) John Martin (CEO wef 01.11.2022) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustegs Slgnature{s) Full namelsli Positlon leg Secretary, Chair, etcl Date