2023-12-31-accounts

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Charity number: 1200501

READING STREET PASTORS

(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Trustees Report and Financial Statements

For the period 28[th] September 2022 to 31[st] December 2023

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 3 TRUSTEES REPORT ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Public benefit ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Activities ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Financial Review ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Principal risks and uncertainties ................................................................................................................... 6 Reserves Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 6 Structure, Governance and Management ..................................................................................................... 6 INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT .................................................................................................................. 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 9 Statement of Financial Activities ................................................................................................................... 9 Balance Sheet .............................................................................................................................................. 10 Notes to the Financial Statements .............................................................................................................. 11

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Charity Number: 1200501

License Number: 010301CC

Trustees during the period:

Neville Hollands (Resigned 04/10/2023) Audrey Payne Anita Prince David Walker (Resigned 12/07/2023) John Davies (Resigned 12/07/2023) Melissa Walker (Appointed 10/05/2023) David Elliott (Appointed 12/07/2023) Mitchell Jones (Appointed 12/07/2023)

Principal Address:

Reading Safe Space, St Marys Gate, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 2HX

Bankers:

Metro Bank, 201 Broad Street, Reading RG1 7QA

Independent Examiner:

Michael Homer AFA MIPA MCH Accountants Ltd 68 Charlton Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3JN

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

TRUSTEES REPORT

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 December 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 2 to the accounts and comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, Charities SORP (FRS102).

Objectives

The objects of the Reading Street Pastors Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) are for the public benefit in the geographic area of Reading and beyond, as follows:

To advance the Christian Faith, in accordance with the ‘Ascension Trust’ Street Pastor Licence Agreement through:
i. The provision of public pastoral care services to help people on the streets and other public places, giving guidance, support and signposting which assist in preserving public order, avoiding anti-social behaviour, relieving sickness and preserving health, and by
ii. Enlightening others about Christianity through raising awareness and understanding of ecclesiastical relevance to the community and public life, mobilising the Church ecumenically to unity of worship and to advance the Christian Faith by carrying out the mission and outreach work of the Gospel for the benefit of the public.
To develop the capacity and skills of socially disadvantaged groups in our community in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society; in particular but not exclusively through raising awareness, promoting, sustaining and increasing individual and collective knowledge, skills and expertise, through the practical development of individual capabilities, competences, skills and understanding through formal training, informal talks and capacity building in voluntary services, according to Christian principles and the Street Pastor Urban Trinity principle of church, police and local government working together for the benefit of the community.

Public benefit

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties. Examples of this public benefit can be found in the other parts of this Report.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

Activities

The work of Reading Street Pastors was established in 2009 and previously operated as part of the Transform Reading charity before becoming a CIO in 2022.

During the period to December 2023 Reading Street Pastors have continued their core work of caring, listening and providing help for the people we meet. We have provided practical support to improve the

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

safety, health and condition of the people we meet by providing items such as water, flip-flops, space blankets & lolly pops. We also help people who may need support due to intoxication etc. helping them safely get back home, or to friends. The work of the charity includes the First Stop volunteers who provide a safe space and facilitate the work of an NHS paramedic team for anyone who needs medical support during the hours of our weekend nighttime patrols. During 2023 there were 96 Street Pastor Patrols with 271 bottles of water given out, 139 pairs of flipflops given out and 5283 bottles collected. 144 people were taken to the Safe Space & cared for by the First Stop volunteers with paramedic support. The Reading Street Pastors team are supported by prayer pastor volunteers.

During 2023 Reading Street Pastors secured the lease of a building in the centre of Reading to set up Reading Safe Space. This is now the base for Reading Street Pastors, including the work of the First Stop volunteers. It is also used from time to time by the Reading Borough Council (RBC) ‘Business Improvement District’ (BID) team. Reading Street Pastors continue to work closely with Thames Valley Police, RBC, and the BID to help provide support and help where needed.

Key activities included:

Patrolling Reading Town Centre and the Oxford Road area every Friday and Saturday night between 10 pm and 3 am
Patroling Reading Town Centre most days between 10.30 am and 2 pm.
Supporting the Windsor Street Angels at Royal Ascot.
Patrolling at Henley Royal Regatta, Reading University Ball, Freshers Week and other significant dates such as Halloween and New Year’s Eve.
At the Reading Festival, we patrolled the site in the afternoon and evenings during the festival weekend. We also ran two cafes/safe spaces 24/7 for the duration of the festival, with extra volunteers.
Rail Pastors visit stations in the area at least once a week, looking out for anyone in need of support.
College Pastors visit Reading College weekly and Community Pastors support other areas outside of the town centre.

In December 2023, there were 101 Reading Street & Prayer Pastors and 15 First Stop volunteers.

Financial Review

Income during the period was £211k, of which £55k was received for restricted purposes. Unrestricted income includes £75k from Transform Reading for funds relating to the work of Street Pastors in prior years when the Transform Reading charity hosted the work of Reading Street Pastors.

Expenditure was £98k. This resulted in an overall surplus of £114k for the period. Of this surplus, £44k is restricted for the future rent costs for the Safe Space facility, with the remainder of the surplus primarily resulting from the transfer from Transform Reading.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

The principal sources of funding are donations from individuals and churches, revenue from the work at the Reading Festival, and various other grants received during the period.

Expenditure is targeted at achieving the key objectives of Reading Street Pastors, with supporting overheads kept to a reasonable minimum.

At each Trustees meeting, the Treasurer presents the financial results of the charity for the relevant period.

There are no significant items of expenditure planned for the future other than the ongoing operating costs of the charity.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Reading Street Pastors is exposed to risks associated with finance, safeguarding, legislative compliance, buildings and infrastructure. Each area has been reviewed by the Trustees during the year and plans put in place to manage the risks.

The annual budget for the 2024 year was approved by the Trustees on 6[th] February 2024. Performance against budget is reviewed at each meeting of the Trustees, and between meetings by the Treasurer.
Reading Street Pastors has a Safeguarding Policy, and the Trustees appoint RBC

Safeguarding Officer who acts as the focal point for concerns. All key staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults are recruited using Safer Recruitment principles and are checked with the Disclosure Barring Service.

Our building is insured and maintained regularly to ensure that it is safe and fit for purpose.
Volunteers are carefully selected, and training is provided for these volunteers, and they are supported and accountable to team leaders.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the Trustees to keep 3 months of reserves in the Unrestricted Funds to cover the costs of running the charity. In the opinion of the Trustees, the charity has adequate cover for the Reserves Policy and enables these accounts to be prepared on a going-concern basis.

Structure, Governance and Management

Reading Street Pastors is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation using the “Foundation" model dated 1st June 2022 under the Ascension Trust license number 010301CC. The governance of Reading Street Pastors is conducted by the Trustees and is supported by an employed full-time coordinator, part-time administrator and volunteer treasurer.

During the period the following Trustees resigned: Neville Hollands, David Walker and John Davies. New trustees were appointed Melissa Walker, David Elliott and Mitchell Jones.

In selecting individuals for appointment as Trustees, the current Trustees had regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

Approved by order of the members of the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Name: David Elliott

Date: 4[th] September 2024

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT

To the Trustees of Reading Street Pastors

I report to the charity Trustees on our examination of the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation for the period ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act: or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do 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 across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr Michael Homer AFA MIPA

Independent Examiner for and on behalf of MCH Accountants Ltd 68 Charlton Road Andover Hampshire SP10 3JN

Dated: 9[th] September 2026

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Financial Activities

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Notes Income from: Donations and Grants 3a Charitable Activities 3b Investment Income 3c Other Income 3d Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable Activities 4 Total Expenditure Total Funds carried forward at 31 Dec 2023 Net Income / (Expenditure) before transfers Gross transfers between funds Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year	Unrestricted Funds £ 57,542 23,936 313 74,697 156,488 86,964 86,964 69,524 - 69,524 69,524	Restricted Funds £ 55,000 - - - 55,000 10,880 10,880 44,120 - 44,120 44,120	Total Funds £ 112,542 23,936 313 74,697
			211,488
			97,844
			97,844
			113,644 -
			113,644

			113,644

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

Balance Sheet

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Notes Non-Current Assets: Other Assets 8 Current Assets: Cash at bank and in hand Debtors and Prepayments 9 Total Current Assets Current Liabilities: Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net Current Assets Total Net Assets Income Funds General Fund Restricted Funds 11 Total Funds	2023 £ 8,700 106,816 8,502
	115,318
	10,374
	104,944
	113,644
	69,524 44,120
	113,644

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Approved by the Trustees on the:

4[rd] September 2024

Signed on their behalf by:

David Elliott

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

1. General information

Reading Street Pastors is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity number: 1200501).

2. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements 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 (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102) issued in October 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view.

Reading Street Pastors meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). There are no material uncertainties about Reading Street Pastor's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income

Income is recorded on the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when it becomes probable the charity will receive the income, the charity becomes entitled to the income and the amount of income due to be received can be measured reliably.

Investment income is accounted for when due.

Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to that category. They include irrecoverable VAT. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Liability and Provisions

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to discharge them.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments. The Trustees seek to use short and medium-term deposits where possible to maximise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash flow.

Pensions

The charity offers a defined contribution pension to all eligible staff and, at the Trustees' discretion, to other paid staff. At the year-end there were no contributions no outstanding

Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for any other purpose.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for a particular purpose. The cost of raising and administering such funds is charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash Flow

Under section 7 of FRS102 in relation to the Cash Flow statement, the exemption has been claimed on the basis that Reading Street Pastors is a small charity.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

3. Income 3(a) Voluntary Income Donations Grants 3(b) Charitable Activities Reading Festival 3(c) Investment Income Bank Interest 3(d) Other Income Transform Reading Total Income	Unrestricted Funds £ 20,127 37,414 57,542 23,936 23,936 313 74,697 156,488	Restricted Funds £ 55,000 55,000 - - - 55,000	Total Funds £ 20,127 92,414
			112,542
			23,936
			23,936
			313
			74,697

			211,488

Reading Street Pastors has been previously operating under the Transform Reading charity. Other Income represents the transfer of all of its assets to this entity during the year.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

4. Expenditure Direct Costs

Annual Commissioning Meeting Festival Expenses General Expenses Total Direct Costs Support Costs Ascension Trust License Background Checks Bank Fees Governance Costs Insurance Printing & Stationary Professional Fees Safe Space Software Staff Storage Rental Telephone & Internet Training Travel Uniforms Total Support Costs Total Charitable Activities	Unrestricted Funds £ 1,424 14,202 3,496 19,122 4,014 752 235 600 487 11 652 13,178 715 39,984 4,003 463 1,680 101 967 67,842 86,964	Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - 10,880 - - - - - - - 10,880 10,880	Total Funds £ 1,424 14,202 3,496
			19,122
			4,014 752 235 600 487 11 652 24,058 715 39,984 4,003 463 1,680 101 967
			78,722

			97,844

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

5. Independent Examiner's Remuneration

Fees payable to the independent examiner for the independent examination of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation's annual accounts

2023 £ 600

6. Staff Costs and Emoluments

The Charity employed two members of staff during the year. The costs were:

Gross Salaries & Expenses Employers NIC Employers Pension Contributions	2023 £ 38,907 Nil 1,077
	39,984

There are no employees with emoluments over £60,000

7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the period, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits, no Trustee expenses have been incurred

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

8. Non-Current assets Security Deposit 9. Debtors and Prepayments Debtors Prepaid Rent Total 10. Creditors and Accruals: amounts due within one year Creditors Accruals Total	2023 £ 8,700 2023 £ 1,542 6,960
	8,502
	2023 £ 9,652 722
	10,374

11. Restricted Funds

11. Restricted Funds
	Income	Expenditure	Transfer	Balance at 31- Dec-23
	£	£	£	£
Reading Safe Space	55,000	10,880		44,120
	55,000	10,880	-	44,120

Restricted Funds are held for the following purposes:

A Safer Streets Grant Fund has been received to create a safe hub in the Town Centre. These funds are restricted to use for the 1st year of refurbishment costs and payments under the lease of The Church House, Chain Street Reading. Minimum Lease payments are disclosed in Note 13.

Reading Street Pastors - Trustees Report and Financial Statements 2023

12. Net Assets between Funds

12. Net Assets between Funds
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by: Non-Current Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities	Unrestricted funds £ 8,700 66,198 -5,374 69,524	Restricted funds £ - 49,120 -5,000 44,120	Total Funds £ 8,700 115,318 -10,374
			113,644

13. Financial Commitments

At 31 December 2023, the charity had total outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Within One year: £8,700

Between 2 and 5 years: £33,060

Over 5 years: Nil

Total future minimum lease payments: £41,760

READING STREET PASTORS

Trustees Report and Financial Statements

Contents

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Trustees during the period:

Principal Address:

Bankers:

Independent Examiner:

TRUSTEES REPORT

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Objectives

Public benefit

Activities

Financial Review

Principal risks and uncertainties

Reserves Policy

Structure, Governance and Management

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT

To the Trustees of Reading Street Pastors

Responsibilities and basis of report

Independent examiner's statement

Mr Michael Homer AFA MIPA

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Financial Activities

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Balance Sheet

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the Period 28 September 2022 to 31 December 2023

1. General information

2. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

Income

Expenditure

Liability and Provisions

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Pensions

Fund Accounting

Cash Flow

4. Expenditure Direct Costs

5. Independent Examiner's Remuneration

6. Staff Costs and Emoluments

7. Trustees' remuneration and expenses

11. Restricted Funds

Restricted Funds are held for the following purposes:

12. Net Assets between Funds

13. Financial Commitments