Registered Charity Number 1200773
Company Number CE030477
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 OCTOBER 2024
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
Report and accounts
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the accounts | 6 - 8 |
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
The report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 October 2024
Introduction
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2024. 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
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 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 2024
In the second 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 a SEAN course for nurturing and discipling new and existing Christians.
Regular outreach has been achieved through a Gospel outreach in conjunction with other churches in Birkenhead Town Centre every Saturday. 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. The allotments 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. Winter and Summer support grants were obtained from Wirral Borough Council to assist with our breakfast and food support programs. In line with increased attendance, we have rented additional space adjacent to our main worship rooms.
We have also developed close co-operation 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, refugees and asylum seekers.
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 2025 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 £136,833 (2023: £81,157) after expenditure of £118,536 (2023: £81,058) a surplus of £18,297 (2023: £99) is reported. General reserves carried forward amounted to £18,396 (2023: £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 The phone number is: 07836725626 The email address is: meetingplace1079@icloud.com Charity registration number 1200773
Reference and administrative details
Trustees and officers serving during the year were as follows:
Mark Anthony Fishleigh Chair Irene Joan Fishleigh Granville Adrian Phillips Resigned 11 July 2024 Steven Lawrence Pitts Resigned 30 April 2024 Alan Edwin Maurice McGraa Appointed 11 July 2024
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
The report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 October 2024 (Continued)
Structure, Governance and Management
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.
Structure, Governance and Management
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
Independent Examiner
Adding Value Consultancy Limited Studio 6, Bluecoat Chambers School Lane Liverpool L1 3BX 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. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the group and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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 24 July 2025.
Mark Anthony Fishleigh
Chair
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Charity
THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL
Report of the Independent Examiners to the Trustees on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 October 2024.
I report on the financial statements of the charity on pages 4 to 8 for the year ended 31 October 2024.
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 Act; and
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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.
Matthew Brown
Adding Value Consultancy Limited
The date upon which my opinion is expressed is: 24 July 2025
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Statement Of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 October 2024
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Restricted Total Total
Unrestricted funds funds funds funds
Note 2024 2024 2024 2023
Income:
£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies 2 114,854 - 114,854 52,304
Income from charitable activities 3 21,979 - 21,979 27,746
Interest income - - - 1,107
Total Income 136,833 - 136,833 81,157
Expenditure:
Expenditure on charitable activities 4 118,176 - 118,176 80,698
Governance costs 5 360 - 360 360
Total Expenditure 118,536 - 118,536 81,058
Net income/(expenditure) and net 18,297 - 18,297 99
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 99 - 99 -
Total funds carried forward 18,396 - 18,396 99
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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 5 as required by the said statement.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 6 - 8 form an integral part of these accounts
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Balance Sheet As at 31 October 2024
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2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 18,944 459
18,944 459
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounds falling due
within one year 7 548 360
Net current assets 18,396 99
Total assets less current liabilities 18,396 99
Net Assets 18,396 99
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted Funds 18,396 99
Total charity funds 18,396 99
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Mark Anthony Fishleigh Approved by the board of Trustees on 24 July 2025
The notes on pages 6 - 8 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 2024
1 Accounting policies
1a 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.
The functional currency used by The Meeting Place Wirral is the £ Sterling.
1b Reconciliation with previous Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP FRS 102 the restatement of comparative items was required.
There were no items as at the transition date which required restatement under FRS 102.
1c 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.
1d 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.
1e 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 probably and the 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.
1f 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.
1g Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity.
1h 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.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
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THE MEETING PLACE WIRRAL Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024 (continued)
1i 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 backoffice 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 note 4.
1j 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.
1k 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 estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2. Donations and legacies
| Gifts and donations Grants HMRC Gift aid |
2024 £ 67,037 32,473 15,344 114,854 |
2023 £ 47,999 4,305 - 52,304 |
|---|---|---|
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
| Shop and other activities 4. Analysis of expenditure on church activities Catering and subsistence Repairs Rent Subscriptions Utilities Bank charges Professional fees Insurance Purchases Other IT, office and admin expenses Wages & salaries Motor expenses |
2024 £ 21,979 2024 £ 13,885 1,736 46,683 218 1,445 122 - 489 12,846 10,797 26,214 3,741 118,176 |
2023 £ 23,511 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 2024 (continued)
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5. Analysis of governance and support costs
General Support Governance Total Basis of
Function apportionment
£
Independent examiner - 360 360 Governance
- 360 360 -
6. Analysis of staff costs, trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel.
2024 2023
£ £
Wages & salaries 26,214 33,876
26,214 33,876
There were no employees who had total remuneration benefits in excess of £60,000 per annum (2023: nil).
The trustees received no remuneration during the year (2023: £nil).
The trustees did not receive any expenses during the year (2023: £nil).
Huw Willis, a trustee, was remunerated as above for professional services as church pastor.
The average number of employees was 2 staff (2023: 2).
7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Accrued expenses 360 360
Other creditors 188 -
548 360
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8. Analysis of charitable funds Analysis of movements in 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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