REPORT OF THE TRusfEES AND U14AVDrtEO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2025 FOR CHURCHE5 TOGETHER IN BfXHIiL REGISTERED CHARrrY NUMBER: 1205042 CHURCHESTOGETHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER.. 1205042 CONTENT OF THE FINANCIAL sfATEMEPtrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Pa8e Report of the Trustees Independent Examinerfs Report Statement of Financial Artivities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements CHURCHESTOGETHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CTrIARifi NUMBER: 1205042 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 l. Objertives and Actlvities Charitsble Objectives: Churches Together in Bexhill objertives are The advancement of the Christian Faith for the public benefit To further such charitable purposes as are exdusively charitable and connected to the tharity in particular but not exclusively the relief of need in the community of Bexhill and Rother for those in need by reason oftheiryouth or other soaal or economic dtsadvantage through the running Foodbanks and communityhulk Artlvities Undert2ken: During the year. the charity undertook the following activities in pursuit of its objectt'ves.. - lointworship events - Community foodbank support - Inter-church prayer gatherings and outreach activities Public Benefit.. The trustees confirni that they have referred to the guidance contsined In the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charitys aims and objectives and in planning its activities for the year. 2. Achievements and Performance This year (l April 2024 to 31 March 2025). the charity achieved the followlng key outcomes: - Hostsd a town-wide Good Friday walk of witness with over 300 participants . Held monthly ecumenical prayer meetings with growing attendance - Facilitated ￿ant distribution to Ukrainians using the Hub for Ukraine Bexhill Bexhill foodbank fed 6670 people in Bexhill (87%) and Battle (13%}. 37% ofwhich were children. 6670 people convert to around 80.000 meals provided. - We are very proud to be bucking the national trend of In￿asIng numbers of people usfing the foodbank We have not seen a drop in the number of new users of the foodbank but due to our financial inclusion work that has been running since late 2022. we are now able to stop usage figures from risin& Our Financial Capability Advisor works with our clients to ascertain the underlylng causes of what is making them need the foodbank and then he works wlth the client to tske positlve steps to change thelr ircumstsnces. We a150 work in partnership with other local charities like Christians Against Poverty and Energtse Sussex Coast to ensure our clients can easily access the help they need for thelr specifi ¢ir¢umstsnces. Challenges ineluded the opening ofthe Advice Centre. closure of the unincorporated charity, Churches Together in Bexhill. Charity Number 1149860, which were managed through enhanced volunteer coordination and closer planning meetin￿. CHURCHESTOGEfHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 3. Flnanclal Revlew Income and Expenditure Summary: - Totsl incorne: £288,881 - Total expenditure: £231.304 - Surplus: £57,577 We are extremely ￿te￿I to churches. schools. community bToups. small businesses and Individuals from Rother who regularly donate and collert food to us. We particularly wish to thank The Crncible Foundation for their generous donation of£56,000 towards the running costs of the Advice Servlce. We are extremely prlvileged to have the Input of over 85 volunteers durlngthe year and are Erateful to everyone who has supported the foodbank with time and energy. The volunteer contributions can be quantifled as over 5.890 hours. with an estimated valuation more than £72,000 Reserves Policy: The charity aims to maintain free reserves of £115,000 to cover 6 months ofoperatlonal costs. At 31 March 2025, free reserves stood at £285.780. which meets the target 4. Principal Risks and Uncertalnties The trustees have identified the following malor rlsks: Dependence on grant income - Volunteer recruitment and retention Availabilitv of shared faalities Mltlgation measures Include dlverslfylng Income sources. volunteer tralnlng Inltlatlves. and securing forrnal agreements for venue use. 5. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Documentr. The charity is a Charitable Incorpordted Organisatlon (CIO), governed by a consti￿tion dated 3rd October 2023. Trustee Recruitment and Appointment. Trustees are appointed under the ternis of the constitution. either by nomination or electÉon at the AGM. New trustees receive an induction pack and training as requi￿ Management Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Food Bank Manager. under the oversight of the board of trustees. 6. Reference and Administrative Details Charity name: Churches Together in Bexhill Charity number: 1205042 Principal office address: Bexhill Foodbanl4 19-20 Ststion Road, Bexhill, East Sussex TN40 IRE CHURCHESTOfjEfHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARrrY NUMBER: 1205042 TRUSTEES, REPORT. FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Trustees during the year: Rev IoDathan Frais Rev Carol Cockcroft Rev Philip Hodgins {CO￿pted March 2025) Corinne Gadsden Charmaine Hlll Ruth Lawrle Sally Parry Lisa Young Independent examiner: Mark Chetwynd Bankers: HSBC Barclays Bexhill & Battle Foodbank continues to be a member ofThe Trussell trust (charity l 110522 and company 05434524 England & Wales). a national support group for local foodbanks. Active membershlp of thls body provlded a wlde forurn for the exchange of information. training and support at local and national levels. 7. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilltles The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the Charities SORP (FRS 102). They are requlred to: - Selert suitable accounting poliaes and apply them consistently. - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenL State whether applicable accountlng standards have been followed. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriats. Signed on behalf of the trustees: Narne: Position (e.g. Chair): Date.. 30 6-zS CHURCHESTOGEThER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 INDEPENDENT &¥AMINEWS REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Independent examiner's W to the trustths ￿ (hurd￿STogether in Bexhlm I report to the trustees on my examination of thè accounts of Chur¢he5 Together in aèxhill 1.the TrusVI for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 13 R¢sponslbllltles and basls of report As the chariws trustee5, you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts in accordarb￿ with the requirements of the Charitie5 Ad 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'5 accounts carrled out under se¢tlon 145 of the 2011 Act and In ¢arrySng out my examinatlon I have followed all the applicable Dlrettion5 given by the Charity Commission un¢Jer Section 14515llbl of the Art. Indep•ndffit examln¢r'$ 5tatem•nt The charlt*s 8ioss income exceeded £250,Cts) and l am qualified to undertake the examinatlon by bein8 3 qualifled member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of En8land and Wales. I have completetl my examlnation. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attentltsn In connethion with the examinatlon which 8Ne me cause to belleve that in, any materlal respect.. l. accountlng records were not kept In respect of the Trust as requlred by sectlon 130 of t￿Att. or 2. the accounts did not accord with the 3ccountln8 records- or 3. the accounts do not accord with the applicable requirements ￿ncernIng the forni and content of the attounts set out In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulaiions 2LI)8 other than any requlrement that the accounts give a "true and fairt view whlch ts not a matter consldered as part of an IndeperKlenl examinatjon. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters kn connectlon wlth the eXaMinat￿n to whlth attentlon should be drawn In this report In order to enable a proper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. Mark Chetwynd Member of Instltute of Chartered Accouniant of En8land & Wales Date.. CHuRCHEST0G￿HER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER. 1205042 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Year Ended 31 Marth 2025 Year Ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrirted tunds Fvnds Total funds Totsl funds Notes Income Income from Donatlons and Legacies Foodbank 204,266 24,476 10.466 228,742 10,466 515 138.398 16.689 1,073 Ukraine Hub General 515 Income from Charitablè Adi￿tIeS Foodbank Investment Income 44￿21 44.821 50,739 General Total 4.337 209,118 4,337 288.881 79.763 210,783 Exp•ndttur• Expenditure on Charitable Activf(les Foodbank Ukraine Hub General 171,453 S3,375 5.014 224,828 5,014 1.462 231,304 172.612 15,443 2,709 19),763 1,462 172,915 Total $8,389 NET INCOME 36.203 21.374 57,577 20,020 RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS Total funds brou8ht forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIEO FOAWAftD 249.577 285,780 25,887 47,261 275.464 333.041 255,444 275,464 CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205041 BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED YI MARCH 20Z5 As at 31 March 2025 As at 31 Marth 2024 Unrestricted funds Restrfrted nds Not•s Total funds Total fund5 Flxed a4ets Tangible fixed assets 9.935 ,250 28,185 492 Current assets Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 1.103 1,103 io 279.577 91.748 371,325 324,661 Current Uabllltle$ Creditors.. amounts falllng due wlthin one year li {3,7321 163.8401 167,5721 149,6891 Net ¢urr•rttasb•ts 275.845 29,011 304,856 274,972 Total n•t 8ss•ts 285.780 47,261 333.041 275,464 Funds of the charfty Restrlcted Income fund5 Unrestrlcted funds 47,261 47.261 285.780 25,887 249,577 28S.780 285.780 47,261 333,041 275,464 The flnanclal statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 30 161 25and were signed on Its behalf bv.. rrustee CHURCHES ToG￿HER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of preparing the financial thtements These accounts have been pyepared under the historical cost convention with rtems rècogni2Èd at Cost or transaction value unless Otherwise stated in ihe rdevant notes to these financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordan￿ with the second edttion of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 20191"Charitye5 SORVI, the Finan¢ial Reporting Standard applicable in the Unlted Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charittes A¢i 2011. The trustees conslder that there are no aterlal untertainiies about the Trusys abilityto continue as a 8oln8concem. Thetrusi con5tltutes a publlc beneflt entity as defined by FRS 102. The charlty was Incorporated on 3 October 2023 and be8an trading on l Aprll 2024. TRANSFER OF ACTIVITIES AND USE OF MERGER ACCOUNTING Back8round and Ac¢ountlnÉTreatment On l April 2024, the assets, liabillties. and operatlon5 Of thurche5 tO8ether in Bexhill, an incorporated charlty Ireglstered charlty number.. 11498601 were transferred io Churches iogether In Bexhill lieglstered charity number.. 12050421, Charltable In¢orpofated Organisation I'CIO") established to continue the work of the former charity. The trustees determined that the transfer meets the conditions for merger ac¢ountlng as set out in the Charltles SORP IFRS 1021, module 27. This is because: The charitable purposes and a¢t6vities of the new CIO remained the same as those of the unlncorpor8ted charlty,. All assets, Ilabilitles, and activitie5 were transferred at iheir book values,. The trustees and key management personnel ¢ontinued unchanged.. The transfer was undertaken for the benefii of the charttvs beneficlarles. not for the advanta8e of any partv,. No conslderation was paid. Accordln8ly, the ftnanclal statements of the CIO have been prepared as though the activities of the unincorporated charity had always been carrSed on by the CIO. All comparative fi8ure5 in the finanaal statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 relate to the iesults of the Churches together in 8exhill. an incorporated charity {re￿stered ¢harity number 11498601. Net assets transferred as at l April 2024 Tangible fixed assets Cash and cash equlvalents Creditors Net assets transferred 492 324,661 149,6891 275A64 All comparative figures in the finanoal statementsfor theyeaf ended 31 March 2024 relate to the resulis of the Churches together in Bexhlll, an incorporated charity I ￿lStered charity number 11498601 ACCOUNTING pouaES Recognition of income These are included in the Statement of Financial Activrtles l-SoFA-I when: the charity becomes entitled to the reSour￿- It is more likely than not that the trustee5 will receive the resources. the monetary value can be measured with suffioent reliabilitv. Offsettlng Theie has been no offsetting ol assets and liabilities. or income and expenses. unth required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Grants and donatlons Grants and donations are onty included in the SOFA when the general incorne recognition criteria are met. In the case of performance related grants. income must onty be recognized to the extent that the charlty has provlded the speclfied goods or Servi￿ as efttitlewent to the grant only occurs when the perfomiance ￿lated conilitions are met Tam reclaims on donatlons and Bffts Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid dedaration from the donor. Any Glft Aid amount recovered on a donation Is considered to be part of that gift and is treated a5 an addition to the same fund as the initial donation nless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specffied otheA¥lse. Income from interest This Is Included In the accounts when re￿Ipt Is probable. and the amount recefvable can be measured rellabty. ranglble flxed assets for use by tharlty These are capitallzÈd if they can be used for more than one year. They afe valued at cost. Individual fixed assets are(a￿ts111ed at cost and are deprec43ted over th•f estimated usefvl economlc Ilves on a straight line basis as follow5: Leasehold improvements Flxture and Flttin8s and equlpment 5 years 3 years Operatln8 leases The charlty classlfSes the lease of offlce space as ¢)perating lease5; the title to the office remains with the'le550r. Rental char8es are chaf8ed on a strai8ht line basis over the term of the lease. Cash at bank and cash In hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes Cash and short temi hl8hly Ilquld Investments with o short maturity ol three month5 or les5 from the date of acquisition or openin8 of the deposlt or slmllar ac¢ount. Uablllty reco8nltlon Llabllities are recognlzed where It Is more Ilkefy than not that there is a legal or constructNe obligation commlttlng the charity to pay out resL)urce5 and the amount of the oblytion can be measured with reasonable certainty. Hnanclal Instruments The chaTlty only ha5 flnanclal assets and finandal Ilabllltles of a klnd that quallfy as bas1¢ financlal Instruments. 8aslc flnanclal Instruments are initlally recognized at transaction value and subsequentty measured at thelr settlement. 4. DONA710NS TO THE FOOD8ANK For the year ended 31 March 2025 For the year •nded 31 March 2024 Donation5 to Bexhill foodbank Donations to Baitle foodbank Non performance related 8rants Gift aid 148.791 6,572 64,972 8.405 228,742 81,923 10,847 34,627 ii.ooi 138,398 CHURCHE5 TOfjEfHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 PERFORMANCE RELATED GRAPITS For the year ended 31 Marth 2025 For the year ended 31 March 2024 Trtsssell Trust 44.821 44,821 50,739 50,739 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITA8L£ ACTIVITIES For the èndtd 31 Marth 2025 For the year ended 31 March 2024 Foodbank Foodbank opefatlng costs Grant distribution Finanaal incluslon advl¢e Dèpreciation Support costs Governance Costs Ukralne Ukraine grant distribution and expenses fjeneral General expenses 164,350 21,457 29,520 3,212 5.289 117,415 12.148 37,560 59 4,290 1,140 5,014 15,443 1,462 231,304 2,709 190,763 Durln8 the year ended 31 March 202S, expendlture on fundraislng acttr¥rties was £nll12024'. £nllJ The trustees identify those costs relating to 8overnance and general support of the charlty. These costs are all apportioned to the foodbank In the year end 31 March 2025 and year ended 31 March 2024. Refer to the table below for the basls for apportlonment and the analysls of support C¢)sts For the year ended 31 Marth 202S For the year ended 31 March 2024 Ba￿5 ofapportlonment Employee costs General office costs Le8al and Professional fees 669 ￿loCated on time 526 Pro rata to stall lull tlffle equlvalents 3,tJ35 Invoiced amount 4.290 1,852 2,554 5,289 DurinB the year ended 31 March 2025 and 2024. governance costs u)nsisted of independent reviewer fees as dlsdosed in note 8. io CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 202S EMPLOYEE COSTS For the year ended 31 Marth 2025 For the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2024 Salarles and wages Soclal Security costs Pensson costs 70,683 501 2,989 74,173 43,913 2.411 46.324 No employees received employee benefits lexcludin8 empboyer pension costs) for the reportin8 pe￿0d of more than £60,OJO The total amount paid to key management personnel lindudes trvstees and senior management) forthelr Services to the charlty was £33.952 {2024= £26.750 l For specillc amounts paid to trustees. see Note IS. The average headcount durln8 the year was 312024: 21. All employees worked on tharitable artNitie5 FEES FOR EXAMINATION OF FINANCIAL 5TATEMEN15 For the year ended 31 March 2025 For thè year ended 31 March 2024 Independent examinerfs fees Other fee5 1,140 280 1,280 1,140 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Leasehold lrnpro¥ements Flxture and Flttlngs, and Equipment Total Cost As at l Aprl 2023 Addition5 As at 31 Mar.ch.2024 Additions As at 31 March 2025 551 551 6.965 7.516 551 551 30,905 31,456 23.940 23.940 A¢¢umulated Depredatlon As at l Apfd 2023 Charge for the year A5 at 31 Marcl) 2024 Cha*8e for the year As at31 March 2025 1591 1591 19921 ii.osii 1591 1591 13,2121 13.2711 12,2201 2201 Net book value As at ai March 2024 A5 at 31 March 2025 492 492 21,720 6,465 28,185- li CHURCHES TOGEfHER IN BEXHILL REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOIES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 10. CASH AT BANK AND IPI HAND As¥t31 Marth 2025 Asat31 Marth 2024 Cash at bank Petty Cash 371.216 109 324,661 371,325 324,661 11. ACCOUMTS PAYABLE Asat31 Marth 2025 Asatyl March 2024 Payments recelved on account for perforniaficwelated grants Taxation and soclal securlty Accruals Other credltors 63J40 1,396 2,336 37,97S 911 10.530 273 49,689 67.572 IL FINANCIAL INMUMENT The charIt￿5 financlal Instruments comprise cash balan￿$. and payables that arlse dlrectly from Its charitable actlvltles. The fair value of all flnan¢S8l assets and financlal lia￿lItIeS ts not materlally drflerent to the ly)ok value. The charlty remalns reliant on grnnt fundlng and publk donatlons to Support its core actIV￿leS. A reductlon In fundlng or econornic uncertalnty could Impart the charitys abllity to meet lo￿￿ need. To mltlgate this, we are artiveky seekin8 to diverslfy income streams and bulld relationshlps wlth a wlder base of furmjers, while malntaining an approprkte reserves policy. IY. OPERAnNG LEASES The charity had total commftments under non-cancellable tyJildin8 operatin8 lease5 as follows.. A5•t31 March 202S Asat31 Marth 2024 W4thin one year Between l and 5 years 14.CM)4 43.179 57,183 CHURCHESTOGEThER IN BEXHIiL REGSTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1205042 NOTES TO THE FINANaAL sfATEMEp¥rs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1025 I& STATEMEKf OF FUNDS The purpose for which fijnds are held can be anaty5ed as follows: As at l Aprm 2024 A5at31 March 2025 Unrestrkted funds General Fund 249,577 249,577 209.118 209.118 1172,9151 (171,91SI 285,780 285,780 Restrlrted fvnd Foodbank Ukralne Hub 12,715 13,172 69,297 10,466 79.76J 288Wi 153,3751 15.0141 158.3891 1231J041 28,637 18,624 47.261 333,041 Totsl lund5 275A64 As•tiAp 2023 Asat31 March 2024 Unrestrkted General Fund 236.988 137,170 137,170 1124,5811 1124,581) 249,S77 249.577 Rthrf¢ted fvnd Foodbank Ukralne Hub 6.$30 11.926 56 255A44 .924 16,689 73.613 210.783 150,7391 115,4431 (66,1821 (190,7631 12,715 13.172 Is￿8? 275064 Total lunds 15. TRUSTEE APID RELATED TPANSACT1014 In the year ended 31 March 2025. the charlty pald £95212024= £nlll to Charniaine Hill, a trustee, for financlal Inclusivlty adv150ry servlces.