Annual Report to Charity Commission 2024-25
Salem Congregational Chapel, Martin Top is an independent, bible-teaching-based, non-conformist Christian Church, led by a self-employed Pastor, assisted by two Elders, three Deacons, nine Trustees, and one Treasurer, all of whom are unpaid volunteers who are annually (re)elected/approved by the Chapel Members.
Members Meetings and Trustees Meetings are each held 4 times (minimum) per year, and minutes are recorded.
Full details are available on the Chapel`s website - www.MartinTop.org.uk
Worship services take place on Sunday mornings and evenings, plus a Wednesday evening. On Tuesdays, there is a Word and Prayer meeting via ZOOM. On Thursdays, there are three separate Bible Study meetings, separated by a period of "Open Church".
During the year, other meetings/missions/gatherings take place, all of which are publicised on both the website and by the Weekly Bulletin, which is emailed to members or anyone else by request.
The Chapel is financed mainly by collections and donations, with a small amount coming from funerals, weddings, hospitality, etc., plus rent from the former Manse, which is an integral part of the Church Building.
Expenses are mainly payments to the Pastor, plus building maintenance costs, utilities, and expense payments to visiting preachers, speakers, outreach workers, and musicians,(some of whom do not accept any payment).
Members this year approved a gift of £7000 to another Independent Chapel-at Hetton, some 12-15 miles away. The money is to be used for the week to week expenses at Hetton, the building (previously a Methodist Church) having been bought by a Christian Group, totally separate from Martin Top, that has its own Trustees etc. Some members from Martin Top have offered their help and talents,and our Pastor leads some of the services. There is no other connection, financially or otherwise, unless decided by Martin Top`s Members.
As can be seen from the Financial Report, the figures remain healthy, and current attendance figures at services are remaining at similar levels to the recent past.
Roy Porter
Trustee Chair
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Salem Congregational Martin Top Chapel
Income -Expense Statement for the Financial Year 2024-2025
Opening Balance (GBP)
Cash 536.00
Virgin Money Bank 0.00
Santander Bank 45,615.21
Skipton Building Society 17,527.62
Income And Expenses (GBP)
Income (GBP) Expenses (GBP)
Collections 17,426.30 Affiliation Fee 978.72
Donation 64,882.60 Building Maintenance 8,036.51
From Deo & Gloria 10,497.00 DBS Check 70.40
Funerals 1,250.00 Food Hygiene Training 14.40
Hospitality 145.79 GitD (Hetton) 5,000.00
Manse Rent 5,000.00 Hospitality 3,087.41
Total Income 99,201.69 Insurance 2,003.44
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| Income And Expenses (GBP) | Income And Expenses (GBP) | Income And Expenses (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Collections 17,426.30 Donation 64,882.60 From Deo & Gloria 10,497.00 Funerals 1,250.00 Hospitality 145.79 Manse Rent 5,000.00 Income (GBP) |
Affiliation Fee 978.72 Building Maintenance 8,036.51 DBS Check 70.40 Food Hygiene Training 14.40 GitD (Hetton) 5,000.00 Hospitality 3,087.41 Expenses (GBP) |
|
| Total Income | 99,201.69 | Insurance 2,003.44 |
| Minister 26,240.00 Musicians 2,880.00 Other Ministers 2,893.70 Other Payments 655.00 Out Reach Workers 19,118.72 Outreach Material 605.00 Publications 225.00 Stationery 26.00 Travel 1,078.07 Utilities 2,272.17 Hetton Chapel 2,000.00 |
||
| Total Expenses 77,184.54 |
||
| Income less Expenses | GBP 22,017.15 |
|
| Closing Balance (GBP) as on 30.06.2025 | ||
| Cash 280.00 Virgin Money Bank 885.37 Santander Bank 59,575.74 Skipton Building Society 24,954.87 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trustees £ALEfTh (G(6(rIEfJfvL Cklr4PCL w ) On accounts for the year ended 2G24 ILoL£ Charity no (if any) Set out on pages I report to the trustees my examination of the accounts of the above charity (e Trust") for the year ended Io 06 LO"& Responslbilities and basis of report As the charitys trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of Ihe Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried OLrt under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have foll0v1 all the applicable D1CtionS given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(bl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement applwb. Delete [ ] rfnot applicable. I have coMeted my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wth th8 examination (other than that disclosed below.) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Charilies Act; or the accounts did not ac(x)fd with the accounting COrds., or the accounts did not comply the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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 reachèd. . Hease delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: At4C.kng ki Or4¢ys£ ) I Relevant profèssional qualificationls) or body CALlE() ACC Cv*JTWr _ Cin)A IER Oct 2018
(If any): Address: ÉÉ£É (4cW CLlfUg10 LAcslI¢{. 4G1 2Co Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material mallers of concern (see CC32. Independent exaTnination of chaiity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief dotails of any items that the examinerwishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants This is to certify that was admitted as an Associate of the Institute on 26Jlrfy2010 and is entitled to use the description Chartered Management Accountant Given under the Common Seal of the Institute resident ber f Counci