Registered Charity Number 1200773 Company number CE030477
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Reports and accounts
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 3 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 |
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL The report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 October 2023
Introduction
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011, and the 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).
The board of trustees are satisfied with the performance of the charity during the year and the position at 31 October 2023 and consider that the charity is in a strong position to continue its activities during the coming year, and the charity’s assets are adequate to fulfil its obligations.
Purpose and Activities of the Charity
Charitable Objects:
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The advancement of the Christian faith in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World, as the Trustees think fit.
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Including the providing services for prayer and worship and pastoral care and outreach into the community.
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Including educational classes of relationship and life skills, focussing particularly on the under privileged and disadvantage
Director’s Report for 2023
In the first year of operations as a Charity, the Meeting Place Wirral has cemented its place as a place of Worship in the Birkenhead Area. Regular Sunday service, Bible study and prayer were supplemented with an Alpha course for new Christians and a SEAN course for nurturing and discipling new and existing Christians.
Regular outreach has been achieved through a Gospel event at a local theatre in conjunction with 3 other churches or ministries.
In the community, we have continued our work with the homeless and disadvantaged, reaching out through our community breakfasts and community shop. We are continuing to provide activities in the local community. Alongside the allotments, we are running poetry, cooking and painting classes to provide activities which will assist people practically and in terms of confidence and mental health. In terms of finances, the Meeting Place still remains dependent on its primary donor. A winter support grant was obtained from Wirral Borough Council to assist with our breakfast and food support programs. In line with increase, we have rented additional space adjacent to our main worship rooms.
We have also developed close cooperation with other charities and local Government organisations with regard to those who need specialist support – those who are homeless, suffering or recovering from addiction, with mental health issues, veterans, the elderly and refugees and asylum seekers.
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
The report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 October 2023
Future Plans
The Meeting Place is looking to continue to expand its Gospel outreach in the coming year and is aiming to open up a Christian Library/ Bookshop which provides an environment for meditation and reflection. We will continue to develop activities based on the feedback and demand from the local community.
A major challenge for 2024 will be, to develop new streams of financial support and we will be actively pursuing funding for our Gospel outreach and our ministry to the community of Birkenhead.
Financial Review
Transactions and Financial position
The charity’s income in the year was £81,157 after expenditure of £81,058 a surplus of £99 is reported. General reserves carried forward amounted to £99.
Reference and administrative details
The legal status of the charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Date of registration 21 October 2022 The Registered office is 13-15 Oxton Road, Birkenhead CH41 2QQ Phone no.07836725626 Email: meetingplace1079@icloud.com Charity Registration Number 1200773
Trustees serving during the year end were as follows:
Mark Anthony Fishleigh – Chair Irene Joan Fishleigh - Trustee Granville Adrian Phillips - Trustee Steven Lawrence Pitts - Trustee
Structure, Governance and Management
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
New Trustees are recruited by the existing charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively administer the charity.
Legal Statements
The charity trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
Independent Examiner
Malcolm Wright, Elpizo Limited, Chartered Accountants, 13 Village Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral, CH63 8PP
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
The report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 October 2023
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and
expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable
Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.
This report was approved by the board of Trustees on 14 February 2024
Signed:
Mark Fishleigh
Chair
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the Charity
Report of the Independent Examiners to the Trustees on the account of the Charity for the year ended 31 October 2023
I report on the financial statement of the charitable company on page 7 to 13 for the year ended 31 October 2023.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and charity’s trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective responsibilities of the 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 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of opinion and scope of work undertaken
My examination was carried out in accordance to general directions given by the charity commission. An examination includes a review of accounting records, kept by the charity and a comparison of accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedure undertaken does not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. Consequently, no opinion is given to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with examination, no matters have come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities
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Act; and • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Malcolm Wright - Chartered Accountant
Elpizo Limited, 13 Village Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral CH63 8PP
The date upon which my opinion is expressed is: 14 February 2024
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 October 2023
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
| Notes £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income | ||||
| Donations and legacies |
2 | 53,411 |
- |
53,411 |
| Income from charitable activities | 3 | 27,746 | - |
27,746 |
| Total Income | 81,157 | - |
81,157 | |
| Expenditure | ||||
| On charitable activities |
4 | 80,698 | - |
80,698 |
| Governance |
5 | 360 | - |
360 |
| Total expenditure | 81,058 | - |
81,058 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) | ||||
| for the year | 99 | - |
99 | |
| Gross transfer between funds | - |
- | **- ** | |
| Net movement in funds |
99 | - |
99 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | - | - |
**- ** | |
| Total funds carried forward | 99 | - |
99 |
The net movement in funds to above in the net incoming resources as defined in the Statement of Recommendation Practice for Accounting and reporting issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and is reconciled to the total funds as shown in the Balance Sheet on page 8 as required by the said statement.
All activities derive from continuing operation The notes on page 9 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Balance Sheet As at 31 October 2023
| Notes Current Assets Cash at the bank and in hand Total current assets Creditors: - Amount due within one year 8 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted revenue accumulated funds Total charity funds |
2023 £ £ 459 459 (360) 99 99 99 99 |
|
|---|---|---|
Approved by the board of Trustees on 14 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Mark Fishleigh Chair
The notes on page 9 to 13 form an integral part of these accounts
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of preparation
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. 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) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern. The Charity is entirely dependent on continuing grant and donation support and as a consequence the going concern basis is also dependent on that continuing financial support.
c) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Income received in advance of the provision of specified services is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
d) Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023
e) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
f) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity.
g) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
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Costs of raising funds comprise the consists of commercial trading.
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
h) Allocation of support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charitable activities. These costs have been allocated between costs of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note1.
i) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
j) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
k) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimating reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023
l) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are recognised at transaction value.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations Gifts and donations Grants Funds from previous entity |
2023 £ 18,497 4,305 30,609 53,411 |
|---|---|
The Trust benefits from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.
3 Income from charitable activities
Income Shop and other activities Total income from charitable activities 4 Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Catering and subsistence Repairs Rent Subscriptions Utilities Bank charges Professional fees Insurance Resources Other IT, office and admin expenses Wages & salaries Total expenditure on charitable activities |
2023 £ 27,746 27,746 2023 £ 1,492 5,115 17,600 206 3,318 259 259 671 13,667 4,235 33,876 80,698 |
|---|---|
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023
5 Analysis of governance and support costs
The charity initially identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. Having identified its governance cost, the remaining support cots together with the governance costs are allocated to the charitable activities undertaken in the year. Refer to the table below for the basis for apportionment and the analysis of support and governance costs:
Analysis of support and governance costs
| General | support | Governance | Total | Basis of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function | apportionment | |||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Independent Examiner | - |
360 | 360 | Governance |
| Total |
- | 360 |
360 |
6 Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel.
| Salaries and wages |
2023 £ 33,876 |
|---|---|
No employees had employee benefits in excess of £60,000.
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with charity as trustees in the year; neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year. Except as disclosed above, no charity trustees received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.
Staff Numbers
The average monthly head count was 2 staff and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees (including casual and part-time staff) during the year were as follows:
| Charitable activities | 2023 Number 2 |
|---|---|
7 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2023
8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year.
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Creditors and accruals | 360 |
9 Contingent assets – legacy income
- As at 31 October 2023 the charity had not been notified of any legacy income or prospective legacy income.
10 Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds
The charity has only one unrestricted general fund. The movements in that fund are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.
All of the net assets apply to the one unrestricted general fund.
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