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2023-12-31-accounts

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

31 DECEMBER 2023

TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Registered Charity No: 243931

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

INDEX

The following pages do not form part of the Statutory Financial Statements:

  1. Detailed Statement of Financial Activity - Ecumenical Development 24. Detailed Statement of Financial Activity - Restore

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Constitution and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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 (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019).

Objectives, activities, achievements and performance

The object of Birmingham Churches Together is to promote mutual understanding and fellowship among the Churches which accept Jesus Christ as God and Saviour for the wellbeing of all the citizens of Birmingham and surrounding areas.

The objectives are achieved through its Ecumenical Development work and its Restore project detailed below. Public benefit is met by actively encouraging members of different denominations to work and worship together and collectively to support those who are disadvantaged, regardless of their beliefs, thereby enabling them to join in and partake in the benefits of the community.

The Trustees have reviewed the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission and consider that our aims and activities as set out below fulfil the criteria. The Trustees consider the guidance on public benefit each year.

Ecumenical Development

Birmingham Churches Together (BCT) encourages greater cooperation between Christian churches in order that together they may better serve the people of Birmingham and Solihull. There is increased public benefit when Churches are enabled to partner to serve the whole community, regardless of status, class or ethnicity. Throughout 2023, Robert Mountford worked as BCT Ecumenical Development Enabler, supported by Maud Grainger in the role of BCT Development and Support Worker. Both Robert and Maud were employed ona part-time basis.

In order to be an effective hub for Birmingham’s and Solihull’s Christian community, BCT’s Ecumenical Development workers continued to strengthen existing connections with a wide variety of organisations and congregations and to build new relationships. BCT frequently receives enquiries as a first port-of-call from a range of churches and organisations seeking to make connections with people of faith in the city. Wherever possible, enquirers are offered points of contact and, when appropriate, information is shared across BCT’s social media outlets.

During 2023, BCT liaised with the following Churches (listed in alphabetical order): The Apostolic Faith Mission, the Apostolic Pastoral Congress, Assemblies of God, Church of England Birmingham, Central England Quakers, the Church of God of Prophecy, the Fellowship of the Churches of Christ, the Elim Pentecostal Church, the Heart of England Baptist Association, the New Testament Church of God, the Methodist Church (both the Birmingham Circuit and the Birmingham District), the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Salvation Army West Midlands Division, the

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CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

Serbian Orthodox Church, the United Reformed Church West Midlands Synod and the Wesleyan Holiness Church. In addition to these Churches, local independent congregations were also included in the loop.

BCT liaised with the following Christian organisations (listed in alphabetical order): the Adavu Project, Agapé, the As-One campaign, Betel UK, the Bethel Health and Healing Network, the Birmingham Christian Homelessness Forum, the Birmingham City Leaders’ Prayer network, Birmingham City Mission, Birmingham Taize, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Christians Against Poverty, the Cinnamon Network, the City Centre Churches’ group, ChaplaincyPlus, Churches and Industry Group Birmingham/ Solihull, Church of Sanctuary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Churches Together in England, Compassion UK, Engage UK, Erdington Churches Together, Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, The Feast, Forge Missional Training, Faiths/ Neighbours/Changemakers, the Gather network, GOOD NEWS for Everyone! (formerly Gideon’s), HOPE Together, Home for Good, Jericho Foundation, the Ladder Apprenticeship Foundation, LOUDfence, Manresa Link, the Maryvale Institute, the Mission:Mercia network, Near Neighbours, Network Four, Pause for Hope, Places of Welcome, the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education, Safe Families for Children, Safe Spaces for Young People, the Saltmine Theatre Company, the St Peter's Saltley Trust, Thrive Together Birmingham, Thy Kingdom Come, Unity Prayer East Birmingham, Urban Devotion Birmingham, the West Midlands Combined Authority, West Midlands Faith in Action, Westminster Theological College and the World Prayer Centre.

An ecumenical e-newsletter was issued every six to eight weeks, reaching around 1,100 people on each occasion. Articles, events and job adverts were published on the BCT website on a regular basis. The website was viewed on average by 5,000 users per month. BCT’s profile on social media stood at 1,000 followers on Facebook, 200 on Instagram and 1,000 on Twitter (now known as X). The information shared through these media informed local congregations of the wider Christian context and resourced them to engage more effectively in their local neighbourhoods.

During the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 to 25 January inclusive), ‘Pray24Brum’ brings together churches from across the Christian traditions to pray for the city. Together with other partners, BCT played a coordinative role in the Pray24Brum 24 hours of prayer which took place at St Chad’s Cathedral on Friday 20/Saturday 21 January 2023. The two-day event also included a well-attended leaders’ breakfast.

Throughout 2023, BCT played a central role in the ‘Time4Brum’ (formerly ‘Time4Change’) antiracism/church-unity group that brings Christian leaders from historic-, new- and Black-majority Churches together. Regular online planning meetings took place through the year, together with monthly online and monthly in-person prayer gatherings. A Time4Brum celebration service was held at Birmingham City Church on Sunday 15 October.

In 2023, Ecumenical Development Enabler Robert Mountford sat on the board of ‘Churches and Industry Group Birmingham/ Solihull’ (CIGB) as it continued its ministry to promote and support workplace chaplaincy through its paid and voluntary chaplains. Throughout the year, the board was actively considering a merger of CIGB with its sister-organisations ‘Coventry and

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CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

Warwickshire WorkCare’ (CWWC) and the ‘Black Country Urban Industrial Mission.’ Following extensive discussions, it was agreed to merge CIGB and CWWC into a new ‘WorkCare West Midlands’ CIO.

The Anglican Bishop of Birmingham and the BCT Ecumenical Development Enabler are the two Members of the ‘Faiths/ Neighbours/Changemakers’ (FNC) charity, which enables interfaith conversation and understanding in Birmingham and the Black Country Borough of Sandwell. Since no Bishop of Birmingham was in post during 2023, Robert Mountford was the only Member available to liaise with FNC director Revd Andrew Smith and other Anglican vicars.

At the regional level, BCT organised and facilitated the 24-hour summit of senior West Midlands Church Leaders at the Woodbrooke Quaker Centre on 1/2 October 2023. Robert Mountford sat on the Board of Reference of the ‘Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer’ project. Robert and Maud were both involved in plans to stage a ‘Church of Sanctuary’ conference in Birmingham in June 2024.

At the national level, BCT connected to Churches Together in England (CTE), the overarching national ecumenical network that had 52 member-Churches and 75 member-organisations. Robert and Maud attended the CTE Ecumenical Officers’ conference in September 2023. Robert attended the CTE Enabling Group meeting at Swanwick in October. Robert is in ongoing contact with CTE’s staff members, as well as the National Ecumenical Officers of the historic Churches.

2023 proved to be another busy and fruitful year for BCT’s ecumenical development arm.

Restore

Restore’s vision is for a society into which all refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed, valued, and integrated. Restore’s befriending team of staff and over 100 volunteers worked towards the following outcomes:

Befriending is a 3-way relationship between Restore, the trained and DBS-checked volunteer and the refugee or asylum seeker. In 2023, we received 184 new referrals. Those referrals came from 29 agencies, current or former service users and self-referrals. That was the third highest annual total. In 2023, we made 45 new befriending matches, just below our annual target of 50 new matches, and this was due to fewer new volunteers joining the befriending team. At the year-end, there were 106 ongoing befriending matches of refugees or asylum seekers from 27 countries including Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Iraq, Eritrea, and El Salvador. This exceeded the target of having a least 100 ongoing befriending matches.

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CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

What is the impact of befriending?

Qualitative feedback shows how befriending has impacted the lives of refugees and asylum seekers and moved them towards our hoped-for outcomes.

One befriendee wrote, “As I ama refugee, I live alone and am new in UK. Befriender service is very helpful, gave me a big opportunity to have a support emotionally, discussion about anything in the UK, help to improve my language and my life is getting better.”

Another wrote, “Befriender is good for learning more English. You can't feel alone when you have befriender, and my English is better than before.”

A third wrote, “She's very kind and friendly. She makes me feel free to talk and be friendly so I cannot feel lonely. She even helped me with my schoolwork, if I don't understand correctly. I wish her healthy life, so she can help more people who need her help.”

A befriendee wrote to their volunteer befriender expressing their gratitude, “I am very happy to have met you, you are like my mother, and you always help and guide me, I am very grateful to you, and I appreciate your kindness, God bless you.”

Befriending can be both an enriching and eye-opening experience for volunteers. One befriender wrote, “This is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done. It is a real privilege to be alongside and get to know someone as they seek to build a new life for themselves in the UK. I am constantly impressed with his courage and determination. I don't think I realised how many challenges face asylum seekers. Every time progress is made, there then seems to be another fresh set of problems and challenges to overcome.”

Another wrote, “I've loved being a befriender! I've gained a good friend. I've learneda lot about Syrian people and their culture and cuisine. I've learned how difficult life can be when your English isn't too good, you don't have much money to live on and the cost of living is so high!”

A third befriender wrote, “Facing even a minor crisis, like acute toothache, is frightening when you don't know the language and don't know the systems. It is a privilege to be able to come alongside and help a little in these crisis situations.

Befriending can have a ripple effect which impacts the understanding of others and aids community cohesion, “I believe as a country, befriending should be part of every asylum seeker’s journey. My work colleagues have changed their attitudes and behaviours and understanding as a result of my interaction. Understanding better helps reduce racism and makes us a better population.”

We also seek quantitative feedback. We surveyed befriendees in late 2023 about the impact of befriending and received 39 responses. The results were very encouraging and indicated that befriending does lead to the outcomes we aim for.

100% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them feel more confident. 97% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them feel less lonely.

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CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

94% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them feel more welcomed. 94% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them improve their English. 94% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them learn about Birmingham and life in the UK. 92% replied that meeting their befriender had helped them make friends with someone from Birmingham.

89% replied that meeting their befriender had helped their mental health and wellbeing. 79% replied that having a befriender would help other refugees and asylum seekers and 21% replied that having a befriender would maybe help other refugees and asylum seekers.

Moving on to group social activities, during 2023, 95 men, 95 women and 129 people from families (53 adults and 76 children from 19 countries) attended at least one event. There was a wide range of activities: 29 for men, 26 for women and6 for families.

The aims of all our group activities are similar to those for befriending:

Both the men’s and women’s groups enjoyed a broad range of activities including visits to Walsall New Art Gallery, The Lapworth Museum of Geology, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, singing workshops with Birmingham Opera Company, Think Tank, jazz and piano concerts, crafts sessions, walks along the canals and in the Lickey Hills. The women visited Lichfield and the men explored Stratford-upon-Avon. The women’s group grew significantly during 2023, with between 20 and 30 women at most sessions.

The programme of occasional group social activities for families, mainly in the school holidays, included trips to Aston Hall, Beaudesert Activity Centre, Think Tank and Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park.

What is the impact of group social activities? Feedback from participants includes comments on the relational, community, wellbeing and learning outcomes that we hope for. One participant commented, "The friendly environment, having fun, meeting up with new people and learning more, brings me hope and keeps me active and away from depression."

Another wrote, “I got upset and I was worried. Then I got a notification about the men's end-ofthe-year party and that relieved me from the overthinking. Then at the event, I engaged with other people, we played games, sang songs, my energy got restored!”

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CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

A third participant wrote, “I enjoyed all the events that I was involved in. Most important to be with the other people and have fun and learned something new every time.”

Another mentioned the learning opportunities, “I have learnt about British culture and some English language.”

At a family activity, one parent stated, "You are helping me and my family to make memories." Parents explained the importance of the events for their family, due to financial and housing constraints, “The trips really help as I have no money to go out with my family.” Another wrote, “My family, we all live in one room, so going out on trips is really good for us.”

We are also grateful to all the organisations who have supported our group activities by providing venues, activities, tours, and reduced or free entry including: Birmingham Museums Trust, The Rep Theatre, The Exchange, St Mary’s Church Moseley, Six Ways Baptist Church Erdington, Birmingham Anglican Cathedral, Selly Manor, The Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), Birmingham Opera Company, Celebrating Sanctuary, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and Fatima House.

Restore ran three training and awareness raising courses in February, June and October which were attended by 64 participants, some of whom applied to befriend. In the previous 3 years over 90 people had joined the courses, so that drop in numbers was disappointing and something we will be seeking to turn around in 2024.

Even so, feedback was positive and included, “It was all really interesting and informative. I especially liked hearing people's stories, both of refugees and the situations they face and also of the volunteer and how befriending can really make an impact on individual lives.” Another wrote, “It's been so useful - the kind of information that more people should get to hear so that we can start to challenge the really negative perceptions of refugees/asylum seekers that some people have. I'm already telling other people about what I've heard.” Restore also raised awareness of refugee and asylum issues through speaking engagements, social media posts, the March for Compassion in Refugee Week, and mailings to supporters. Restore’s Annual Celebration, in July, was attended by over 140 refugees, asylum seekers, befrienders and supporters.

Restore engaged in working for change through active participation in meetings including: Birmingham City Council’s City of Sanctuary Partnership Board; Migration Policy and Practice’s Communities Thematic Group; and the Birmingham City of Sanctuary (voluntary) Committee. Restore helped to organise a March for Compassion in Refugee Week. Restore was a partner in Birmingham’s response to destitution through the Hope Projects.

Restore believes that the global refugee challenge requires all nations, including the UK, to play their part in providing solutions and that an ‘offshoring policy’ for some asylum seekers reneges on our responsibilities under the UN Refugee Convention 1951 which the UK helped to write. Therefore, as part of the Together with Refugees Coalition, we joined campaigns seeking to change provisions within the Government's Illegal Migration Bill.

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

CHARITY NO. 243931 TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

Samitha Liyanage, part-time Communications and Administrative Officer, moved to a full-time post with another organisation in autumn 2023. Sundus Abdi joined the staff team as part-time Communications and Administrative Officer in December 2023.

We are extremely grateful for the commitment of befrienders and supporters to Restore’s work through monthly standing orders and one-off donations and to several churches who also generously donate to Restore. We give thanks to the late Susan Scott, a longstanding Restore supporter, who generously left a financial legacy so the work of Restore could continue.

During the year, we were hugely grateful to receive financial support from the following grantmaking trusts and organisations: Barrow Cadbury Trust, Eveson Trust, Birmingham City Council, Roughley Trust, Refugee Action, 29" May 1961 Charitable Trust, Cole Trust, George Henry Collins Charity, Richard Kilcuppe’s’s Charity, Grimmitt Trust, Henry James Sayer Trust, G)W Turner Trust and Mazar’s Charitable Trust.

During 2023, we worked towards increasing the involvement of refugees and asylum seekers in Restore’s planning, evaluation, and decision-making processes.

The Management Committee and staff team worked together on a new Strategic Plan which sets out strategic aims in the areas of governance, operational development, and services, to be implemented from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.

Financial review

The costs of Birmingham Churches Together Ecumenical Development work have been met from income of the constituent Groups as stated in the Statement of Financial Activity. The overall activities of Birmingham Churches Together, including Restore, show a deficit for the year of £29,861 (Ecumenical Development £21,768, Restore £8,093). Total funds are now £173,312 (Ecumenical Development £43,573, Restore £129,739).

Reserves Policy

The level of reserves held by Birmingham Churches Together for its Ecumenical Development work and for Restore should be sufficient to cover six months operating costs in addition to sums set aside for proposed specific initiatives. The unrestricted general reserves for both projects amount to £140,298. Six months operating costs are estimated at £124,894 based on the 2024 budget. The Ecumenical Development project continued to operate reduced subscriptions for members anda consequent deficit to effectively utilise excess reserves.

Investments Where investments are held, the Trustees’ policy is to hold them as ethically as is possible to bring in Growth and Income without undue risk. Currently no investments are held. Surplus cash funds are being held in interest bearing bank accounts.

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

Remuneration and expenses of Trustees

It is not the policy of Birmingham Churches Together to remunerate its Trustees. No expenses or remuneration have been paid in either the current year or in 2022.

Risk

Trustees have given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks. These risks are monitored and regularly reviewed.

Structure, Governance & management

Birmingham Churches Together (BCT) is a charity governed by a constitution. Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting by nominated representatives of the Churches who are full members of BCT. The Presidents of BCT are ex-officio members of the Trustees body. A small group of Trustees are appointed to a Co-ordinating Group who oversee the day to day governance of the charity and scrutinise documents in preparation for Trustee meetings. The Trustees directly oversee and manage the strategic development of its Ecumenical work and the Restore project, which is also supported by separate management group. This group nominates a member to serve as a Trustee.

Reference & administrative details

Registered charity name: Birmingham Churches Together

Registered charity number: 243931

Registered address: The Jericho Building 196-198 Edward Road Balsall Heath Birmingham B12 9LX

The Trustees who served during the year were:

Presidents

Most Revd. Bernard Longley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham Rev David Emanuel Ellis, Free Churches Moderator

Appointed by members through the Annual General Meeting Rev Steve Faber, URC Moderator Mauricio Silva (resigned December 2023)

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

Venerable Jennifer Tomlinson

Mer Timothy Francis Menezes (appointed January 2023)

Rev Deverton Antony Douglas (appointed January 2023)

Lieutenant-Colonel Joao Paulo Magalhaes Ramos (appointed January 2023) (resigned December 2023)

Bishop Boris Paul McCalla (appointed January 2023) Rev Novette S Headley (appointed January 2023) James Owen Ashley (appointed January 2024)

The Membership of Birmingham Churches Together is made up of representatives from: Anglican Diocese of Birmingham

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham

Birmingham Methodist District Heart of England Baptist Association

West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church West Midlands Division of the Salvation Army

The Society of Friends Central England Area Meeting Fellowship of Churches of Christ

The principal staff:

Ecumenical Development Officer, Robert Mountford Restore Manager, Jeremy Thompson

The Principal Bankers:

CAF Bank Ltd West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Independent Examiner:

Karen Hanlan, ACA

1 Saracen Close Ettington CV37 7SZ

TrusteePA. and Clair of the AnnualRevdGeneralD.Meetingeis \ | b pail i

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

CHARITY NO. 243931

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

31 DECEMBER 2023

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the 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 in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Togetherate er eal Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Birmingham Churches | report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Birmingham Churches Together (‘the Charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 12 to 22.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or

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.

Karen Hanlan, Institute of Chartered Accountants, England & Wales Karen Hanlan Independent Examiner Limited

----- Start of picture text -----
Date (/-6 +2024
----- End of picture text -----

1 Saracen Close, Ettington, CV37 7SZ

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2023

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|2023|Total|2022| |Funds|Funds| |£|£|G|£| |Income|from:| |Donations|and|legacies|(Note|4)|32,439|151,109|183,548|162,697| |Charitable|Activities|677|677|271| |Investments|-|Bank|interest|395|2,286|2,681|690| |Total|Income|32,834|154,072|186,906|163,658| |Expenditure|on:| |Raising|funds|1,505|18,774|20,279|19,988| |Charitable|activities|53,097|143,391|196,488|188,853| |Total|Expenditure|(Note|5)|54,602|162,165|216,767|208,841| |Net|expenditure|and net movement in funds|(21,768)|(8,093)|(29,861)|(45,183)| |Reconciliation|of funds| |Total|funds|brought forward|65,341|137,832|203,173|248,356| |Transfer|of funds|-|-|-|-| |Total|funds|carried forward|43,573|129,739|173,312|203,173|

----- End of picture text -----

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 7 - -
Current Assets
Debtors 8 2,970 5,459
Cash atbank and inhand 9 175,348 206,238
178,318 211,697
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling duewithinone year 10 (5,006) (8,524)
Netcurrent assets 173,312 203,173
Net assets 173,312 203,173
Funds ofthe charity
Restricted funds 14 129,739 137,832
Unrestricted funds 43,573 65,341
Totalcharityfunds 173,512 203,173

Approved on behalf of the

Birmingham Churches Together on 11/06/24

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Revd D. Ellis
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Trustee and Chair of the Annual General Meeting

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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 (FRS102) (updated 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

In preparing these financial statements Update Bulletin 1 to the Charities SORP (FRS102) has been adopted and consequently a Statement of Cash flows has not been prepared.

Churches Together Birmingham meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historic cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note

Going Concern statement

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the charity will continue to operate. The validity of this assumption is dependent upon the continuance of support from the charity's key funders and stakeholders and in response to the progress made by the charity in pursuing a viable budget including the obtaining of further grants and donations. The charity's business plan shows that the charity will be able to operate in the foreseeable future. Based on this understanding the Trustees believe that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The financial statements do not include any adjustments, which would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.

Fund accounting

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

Restricted funds are restricted to the use that the monies were received for.

The Designated Fund is a Special Purposes Fund for Ecumenical Development work and is currently used to set aside monies for further Promotions and the Ecumenical Development Officers Sabbatical.

Relationship between Ecumenical Development work and the charity’s projects

In preparing these accounts, the Trustees require that the Restore project be self-funding and is not to be supported from the Charity’s Ecumenical Development work.

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Within the Statement of Financial Activity all funds received for the projects of Restore are accounted for as Restricted Funds. Within each of the projects some funding may be for specific purposes or for general use, this breakdown is identified in note 14.

Restricted Funds:

Donations and Other Income, including Grants, which may be used only for the specific project for which they were made available. Any surplus, except where immaterial, is returned to the Donor.

Income

Income represents the amount derived from subscriptions, fundraising, donations and grants and is recognised where the charity is legally entitled to the income, ultimate receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Donations are recognised when received.

Income relating to future periods, as a result of donor imposed conditions specifying the time period, has been treated as deferred income.

Income dependent on certain conditions, amounting to more than mere administrative requirements, is recognised when the conditions have been fulfilled.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Fixed assets

Depreciation is provided on Office Furniture, Fittings and Equipment at rates calculated to write off the cost of items of £1,000 or more over the expected life of the asset, usually 3 years. Assets costing Less than £1,000 are written off in the year of purchase.

Taxation

As a registered charity no provision is considered necessary for taxation.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits repayable on or within a three month notice period.

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.

Creditors

Creditors 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.

  1. GENERAL ACCUMULATED FUND

The General Accumulated Fund represent the unrestricted funds of Ecumenical Development only.

  1. DESIGNATED FUNDS

There are currently no funds designated for a particular purpose.

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BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

4, DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Unrestricted Restricted Total 2023
£ £ £
Donations - individuals - 36,120 36,120
Donations - Churches - 15,772 15,772
Legacies 24,786 24,786
Membershipsubscriptions 29,402 - 29,402
Grants:
Barrow Cadbury - 27,200 27,200
Other Grants - 33/950 33,550
Other 3,037 13,681 16,718
32,439 151,109 183,548
Previousyear Unrestricted Restricted Total 2022
£ £ £
Donations - individuals - 28,825 28,825
Donations - Churches - 10,341 10,341
Legacies 20,310 20,310
Membership subscriptions 25,359 - 25,359
Grants:
BarrowCadbury - 20,000 20,000
CAF Covid ResilienceFund - 8,793 8,793
NationalEmergencies Trust 1,005 1,005
Other Grants - 34,796 34,796
Other 2,306 10,962 13,268
27,665 135,032 162,697

18

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

5, EXPENDITURE

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |F|;|Total|Total| |Unrestricted|Restricted|2023|2022| |Cost|of raising|funds:|£|£|£|£| |Staff|costs|0|7,471|7A71|TArs| |Allocation|of support|costs|1,505|11,303|12,808|12,815| |1,505|18,774|20,279|19,988| |Cost|of|charitable|activities:| |Staff|costs|37,261|132,089|169,350|159,992| |Programme|activity|costs|-|9,568|9,568|8,254| |Travel expenses|1,832|-|1,832|2,219| |Rent &|insurance|5,369|11,020|16,389|18,006| |Meetings/conferences|3,466|-|3,466|3,580| |Telephone,|print,|stationery|18|1,036|1,054|974| |Website|development|2,114|-|2,114|3,027| |Subscriptions|1,025|-|1,025|525| |Sundry expenses|60|481|541|791| |Governance|costs|-|professional|fees|457|-|457|860| |*|Accountancy|charges|3,000|500|3,500|3,440| |Less|support costs|allocated|to|raising funds|(1,505)|(11,303)|(12,808)|(12,815)| |53,097|143,391|196,488|188,853| |Total|expenditure|54,602|162,165|216,767|208,841|

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |6. STAFF COSTS, TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES|rs|i| |2023|2022| |£|£| |Salaries|158,064|149,893| |National|Insurance|8,823|8,015| |Pension|costs|9,934|9,257| |Freelance|staff|0|0| |Other|0|0| |176,821|167,165| |Staff|Numbers| |Full-time equivalent excluding|trustees:|

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||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |2023|2022| |Number|Number| |Management,|fundraising|and|admin|1.00|1.00| |Project Management|4.03|3.50| |5034.50|

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19

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

No employeed had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2022: £nil).

The charity trustees were not paid or received any benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2022: £nil). No expenses relating to travel or subsistence were reimbursed to any trustee during the year (2022: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2022: £nil).

The charity contributes into Group Personal Pension Plans for most employees. These pension plans are defined contribution in nature and as required under FRS102 the annual cost is recognised as incurred and included in the Statement of Financial Activities.

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

7. TANGIBLETANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Office
Equipment
£
Cost
Atbeginningandend ofyear ___5,288
Depreciation
Atbeginningofyear 5,288
Charge for theyear -
Atend ofyear 5,288
Net BookValue
At 31 December 2022& 2023 -
8.DEBTORS 2023 2022
General Restricted Total Total
£ £ £ £
Income receivable 144 580 724 3,507
Prepayments 1,240 1,006 2,246 1,952
1,384 1,586 2,970 5,459
9.BANKBALANCES 2023 2022
General Restricted Total Total
£ £ £ £
CashinInterest BearingAccounts 16,302 127,722 144,024 161,804
Cashin non-interest BearingAccounts 30,393 931 31,324 44,434
46,695 128,653 175,348 206,238

20

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

10. CREDITORS

2023 2022
£ £
Creditors and Accruals 3,439 5,722
Deferred income 1,567 2,802
5,006 8,524

11. CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The charity is controlled by the trustees.

12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There have been no transactions with related parties during the year which require disclosure in these financial statements.

13. NET ASSETS BY FUND

Unrestricted Restricted 2023 Total
funds funds funds
£ £ £
Fixed assets - - -
Debtors 1,384 1,586 2,970
Cash 46,695 128,653 175,348
Creditors lessthan 1 year (4,506) (500) (5,006)
43,573 129,739 173,312
Previous
—		 Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 2022 Total
funds
£ £ £
Fixed assets - - -
Debtors 3,963 1,496 5,459
Cash 67,393 138,845 206,238
Creditors lessthan1 year (6,016) (2,509) (8,525)
65,340 137,832 203,172

21

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14 MOVEMENT IN RESTRICTED FUNDS

Balance Balance
1January Income Expenditure Transfers 31December
2023 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Restore
Restricted: BarrowCadbury 6,666 27,200 27,200 - 6,666
Birmingham City
Council 1,205 - 1,205 - “
Otherwork - 1,130 1,130 - -
Part-time befriender 21,882 - 19,987 - 1,895
Befriending 19,005 33,450 30,004 - 22,451
PartnerDevelopment
Project - 2,000 118 - 1,882
StJohns 219 5,404 5,503 - 120
48,977 69,184 85,147 . 33,014
General RestoreFunds 88,855 84,888 77,018 - 96,725
TotalFundsRestore 137,832 154,072 162,165 - 129,739

Note, the General Funds within Restore are unrestricted within that project.

The purpose of the above funds are to support various projects within Restore activity including a befriending scheme and social activities for refugees and asylum seekers and training of volunteers.

Remaining funds from St Johns relates to funds raised to provide emergency food supplies for refugees.

22

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

15. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for 2022

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Unrestricted|Restricted|Total| |Funds|Funds|i| |£|£|£| |Income|from:| |Donations|and|legacies|27,665|135,032|162,697| |Charitable|activities|-|271|271| |Investments|-|Bank|interest|124|566|690| |Total|Income|27,789|135,869|163,658| |Expenditure|on:| |Raising funds|3,006|16,982|19,988| |Charitable|activities|51,306|137,547|188,853| |Total|Expenditure|54,312|154,529|208,841| |Net expenditure|and net movement|in funds|(26,523)|(18,660)|(45,183)| |Reconciliation|of funds| |Total funds brought forward|91,864|156,492|248,356| |Total|funds|carried forward|65,341|137,832|203,173|

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23

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

ECUMENICAL DEVELOPMENT

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2023 2022
£ £
INCOME
Subscriptions - Ecumenical Development 25,744 21,658
SubscriptionsWMRCF 3,658 3,701
Otherincome -Summit 3,037 2,306
Bank Interest 395 124
32,834 27,789
EXPENDITURE
Ecumenical Development Officer:
Salary, National Insurance& Pension 37,261 21,169
Travelingexpenses 1,832 2,219
39,093 23,388
Office Salary, National Insurance& Pension - 13,857
Rent, Insurance including Heating 5,369 4,923
Office Repairs and Renewals - 1,003
MeetingandConference Expenses 3,466 3,580
Postage and Telephone fm
PrintingandStationery 18 38
Websitedevelopmentand maintenance 2,114 3,027
ChurchesTogether inEngland 1,025 525
Sundry Expenses 60 111
Governance costs -professional fees 457 860
Accountancy Charges 3,000 3,000
Totalexpenditure 54,602 54,312
Net Expenditure (21,768) (26,523)
Fund Balance at1 January 2023 65,341 91,864
FundBalanceat31December2023 43,573 65,341

This statement is for information only and does not form part of the Statutory Financial Statements.

24

BIRMINGHAM CHURCHES TOGETHER

RESTORE

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

General
Fund		 tia
6
Funds		 2023
Total		 2022
Total
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Grants other 100 33,450 33,550 35,801
Grants -Barrow CadburyTrust - 27,200 27,200 20,000
Grants -Partner DevelopmentTrust 2,840 2,000 4,840 -
Grants -BirminghamCityCouncil - - - 8,793
Grants -National EmergenciesTrust - - @ 1,005
Donations - Individuals 36,120 - 36,120 28,825
Donations -Churches 10,368 5,404 15,772 10,341
Gift aid on donations 5,658 - 5,658 4,859
Legacies 24,786 - 24,786 20,310
Befreindingservices 2 960 960 4,160
Fundraising 2,223 - 2,223 938
Bank Interest 2,286 - 2,286 566
Other 507 170 677 271
84,888 69,184 154,072 135,869
EXPENDITURE
Salaries
&wages
Befrienders 38,750 51,418 90,168 88,437
Co-ordinator 11,032 29,884 40,916 41,024
Administration 12,137 - 12,137 6,933
Employmentallowance (3,661) - (3,661) (4,255)
OfficeExpenses 8,300 2,720 11,020 12,080
Informationand Publicity 1,036 - 1,036 936
AccountancyCharges 500 - 500 440
Programme Activities 8,443 1,125 9,568 8,254
Training -StaffandVolunteer 481 - 481 680
77,018 85,147 162,165 154,529
Net income 7,870 (15,963) (8,093) (18,660)
Fund Balance at1 January 2023 88,855 48,977 137,832 156,492
FundBalanceat31December2023 96,725 33,014 129,739 137,832

This statement is for information only and does not form part of the Statutory Financial Statements.