Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
For the year ending 30[th] September 2023
The Intercessors for Britain Trust is constituted by Deed of Trust, dated 9[th] November 1984. Registered Charity Number 290664.
Trustees who served during the year:
Mr David Goodman, Chairman Mr Keith Miller Mr David Murray (Resigned 24[th] May 2023) Mr Keith Hayden (Appointed 24[th] November 2023) Mr Fraser Keay (Appointed 24[th] November 2023)
Officers of the Charity:
Mr Ashley Thompson and Mr Josh Macdonald served as Co-Directors.
Structure, governance and management
The leadership of the Trust is undertaken by the Co-Directors, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust. Operational policies, strategic direction and planning are determined by the Directors together with the Trustees. The Trustees met three times during the year. A new Administrator, Mrs Hannah Harris, was recruited and commenced employment in June 2023. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Trust Deed.
Objectives and Activities
The aim of Intercessors for Britain (IFB) is the advancement of the Christian Faith through inspiring and informing prayer for the nation, and the church within it. This is achieved particularly through teaching and encouragement of intercession, the production and distribution of Christian literature and other instructional material. In so doing, the Trust seeks to be a moral voice to the church and the nation.
The principal activities are regular communication of issues for prayer via social media and email, the publication of the bi-monthly Prayer Bulletin, the organisation of Prayer and Bible Conferences for Bible teaching and corporate prayer, the production of Christian literature and the dissemination of resource material for prayer and intercession.
Membership of IFB is free and open to all Bible-believing Christians, who will commit to praying regularly for the United Kingdom. Through Bible teaching and instruction, encouragement and facilitation in intercession, it resources Christians regardless of church affiliation. All its online conferences, YouTube videos and printed publications and any other Bible teaching materials are provided free of charge or at nominal cost. IFB is concerned for the highest wellbeing of our nation and its institutions. The Trustees are satisfied that, in the activities and achievements during the year, they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 in regard to public benefit.
Achievements and Performance
During the year IFB has held two Prayer & Bible conferences, one of which was the first family-friendly conference held for many years. There were four Prayer & Bible days, and four online prayer days using Zoom. The Prayer Day in April was an experimental hybrid meeting – in-person and online. There have been several speaking engagements at churches and other groups.
Registered Charity Number 290664
[Type here]
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
The bi-monthly Prayer Bulletin for signed-up members continues to be a valued resource for intercession on behalf of the nation. In response to daily news reports of concern for Christian witness and testimony, IFB regularly posts comments on its Facebook page highlighting key issues for prayer. These posts are also disseminated in weekly emails for those who have requested them.
The Bible teaching provided for in-person and online meetings is recorded and published on IFB’s YouTube channel. Prayer inspiration is regularly shared on Instagram.
A short promotional video introducing IFB and the need for intercession, was created, and an advertisement was designed and placed in the Heart newspaper.
As older members pass-on, or have to drop out, we have seen a further decline in the membership which receive the Prayer Bulletin by post. This was partially offset by some new ‘postal’ members, and an increase in members receiving the Bulletin by email.
Online engagement has continued to increase, with new followers on Facebook and new subscribers to IFB’s YouTube channel.
Future Plans
The pattern of Prayer & Bible conferences, one of which will be family-friendly and supported with sponsorship funds, will continue. Likewise, there will continue to be Prayer & Bible days interspersed with online prayer meetings, though the timings of the latter will be changing.
Being very much aware of the increasing turbulence and uncertainty within the nation and internationally, the Co-Directors will be reassessing our priorities and plans going forward. These will include consulting with leaders of other similar Christian organisations to see if our concerns are shared and if there may be opportunities for the joint expression of such concerns to the church and the nation.
In an endeavour to understand the level of engagement of ‘email’ members, a one-off postal mailing was sent to all members in January 2024. The geographical distribution of the membership will be studied with the aim of encouraging and facilitating the gathering of members for prayer in their localities. It is hoped that the developing contacts with other like-minded organisations might help to augment and strengthen such local prayer groups.
Financial Review
The accounts for the year ending 30[th] September 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Articles of Association and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice, applicable to all charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards.
The Trust’s bank account during the year was with Barclays Bank and savings accounts with Redwood Bank.
For the year ended 30[th] September 2023, the charity’s accounts were restructured to assist with financial management and planning. This year, donation income was lower by 10% which was almost offset by an increase in gifts from wills. Total payments of unrestricted funds were marginally lower than last year. The introduction of payroll, as reported in last year's report, is evident from the increase in payroll expenditure and decrease in fees and honoraria expenditure.
The Trustees continued their established practice of making modest gifts to other Christian organisations; this year six organisations received such gifts.
No Trustees have received any remuneration.
Registered Charity Number 290664
[Type here]
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
Reserves Policy
The charity’s reserves policy is to retain sufficient reserves to cover at least six months of expenditure. The current level of reserves is therefore satisfactory.
Political Donations
Intercessors for Britain has no party-political affiliations and does not make political donations.
General Data Protection Regulations
Intercessors for Britain seeks to ensure that it complies with the regulations, having considered them along with advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
David A Goodman, Chairman of Trustees,
Date: 30th July 2024
Registered Charity Number 290664
[Type here]
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ending 30 September 2023
| Notes INCOME 2 Incoming and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other income Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 3 Other 4 Total resources expended Net income / (expenditure) for the period RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward as at 1 Oct 22 Total funds carried forward as at 30 Sep 23 |
Restricted Funds £ - 24,225 - - - |
Unrestricted Funds £ 58,890 - - 1,512 - |
Year to 30 Sep 2023 Total £ Period to 30 Sep 2022 Total £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58,890 60,552 |
||||
| 24,225 - |
||||
| - 30 |
||||
| 1,512 985 |
||||
| - - |
||||
| 24,225 - 21,285 - |
60,402 - 51,432 150 |
84,627 61,567 |
||
| - - |
||||
| 72,717 50,696 |
||||
| 150 160 |
||||
| 21,285 | 51,582 | 72,867 50,856 |
||
| 2,940 2,416 |
8,820 127,747 |
11,760 10,711 |
||
| 130,163 119,452 |
||||
| 5,356 | 136,567 | 141,923 130,163 |
||
The notes on pages 9-10 form a part of these financial statements
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses is not required as all gains and losses are included in the Statement of Financial Activities.
There is no difference between the net income / (expenditure) for the period above and the historical cost equivalent. All activities are continuing.
Registered Charity Number: 290664
7
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
BALANCE SHEET
For the year ending 30 September 2023
| ALANCE SHEET or the year ending 30 September 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 5 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets / (Liabilities) Total Assets less Current Liabilities Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year Net Assets FUNDS 6 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds |
£ - - 141,474 |
As at 31 Sep 2023 £ 449 - |
| 141,923 | ||
| 141,923 - |
||
| 141,923 | ||
| 136,567 5,356 |
||
| 141,923 | ||
The notes on pages 9-10 form a part of these financial statements
Trustee benefits: advances, credit and guarantees
During the year no benefits, in the form of advances, credit and guarantees, were conferred upon trustees of the charity.
Guarantees and other financial commitments
During the year no guarantees or other financial commitments were made.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 7-10 were approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:
………………………………………..
David Anthony Goodman Chair of Trustees
Date:
Registered Charity Number: 290664
8
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year ending 30 September 2023
-
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
-
a) Statutory Information Intercessors for Britain is constituted by Deed of Trust, dated 9 November 1984, and is a registered charity in the UK with the Charities Commission, registration number 290664.
-
b) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and on the receipts and payment basis.
- The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.
The principal accounting policies, which have been applied consistently in the period, are set out below.
-
c) Compliance with accounting standards The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, the Accounting and Reporting by Charities for Smaller Entities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Effective January 2015) – (Charities ‘SORP’ FRS 102)): the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A – Small Entitles and other applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom.
-
d) Funds structure Earmarked funds, as shown in the notes to the accounts, represent funds set aside by the trustees for use on specific projects. Amounts shown as Restricted Funds, on the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet, represent funds donated for specific projects in accordance with the Charities Act definition.
-
e) Income recognition Revenue is recognised in respect of non-government, non-exchange transactions, donations and funds received for goods and services supplied during the financial period on receipt.
Government Grants are recognised using the accrual model.
- f) Trustees’ remuneration and expenses During the year the trustees did not receive any remuneration or reimbursement of out-ofpocket expenses, as none were incurred.
2. INCOME
| Restricted Funds £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Year to 30 Sep 2023 Total £ |
Period to 30 Sep 2022 Total £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | ||||
| General | - | 28,890 | 28,890 | 36,307 |
| Legacies | ||||
| Gifts from Wills | - | 30,000 | 30,000 | 24,245 |
| Charitable Activities | ||||
| Conference Income | 24,225 | - | 24,225 | - |
| Other Trading Activities | ||||
| Income frompublications | - | - | - | 30 |
| Other | ||||
| Bank Interest Received | - | 1,512 | 1,512 | 985 |
| 24,225 | 60,402 | 84,627 | 61,567 | |
Registered Charity Number: 290664
9
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Restricted Funds £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Year to 30 Sep 2023 Total £ |
Period to 30 Sep 2022 Total £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising | - | 534 | 534 | 695 |
| Conference Expenses | 21,285 | 1,766 | 23,051 | - |
| Gifts to others | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | 9,060 |
| Office Costs | - | 2,575 | 2,575 | 2,776 |
| Payroll | - | 37,707 | 37,707 | 7,837 |
| Printing | - | 1,084 | 1,084 | 1,367 |
| Postage | - | 2,082 | 2,082 | 2,981 |
| Professional Fees(incl. insurance) | - | 871 | 871 | 24,083 |
| Staff Development | - | 89 | 89 | - |
| Subscriptions & Software | - | 523 | 523 | 24 |
| Venues,Ministry& Travel | - | 1,201 | 1,201 | 1,873 |
| 21,285 | 51,432 | 72,717 | 50,696 | |
4. OTHER
| 4. OTHER | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Funds £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Year to 30 Sep 2023 Total £ |
Period to 30 Sep 2022 Total £ |
|
| Other | - | - | - | 160 |
| Depreciation | - | 150 | 150 | - |
| - | - | - | 160 | |
5. DEPRECIATION
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:
Computer Equipment: 25% straight-line basis
6. FUNDS
| 6. FUNDS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Funds £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Year to 30 Sep 2023 Total £ |
Period to 30 Sep 2022 Total £ |
|
| Unrestricted Fund | ||||
| General | - | 136,567 | 136,567 | 127,747 |
| Earmarked | - | - | - | - |
| Restricted Fund | 5,356 | - | 5,356 | 2,416 |
| 5,356 | 136,567 | 141,923 | 130,163 | |
Registered Charity Number: 290664
10
Annual Report | Year ending 30 September 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
For the year ending 30 September 2023
I report on the accounts of Intercessors for Britain for the year ending 30 September 2023, which are set out on pages 7-10.
Respective responsibilities of 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 this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charities Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view”, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
-
To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
-
To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
Have not been met, or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
……………………………………………..
Nicola Ainscough FCA BSc Chartered Accountant Equilibrium Accountants Ltd 48 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF
- 19 July 2024
Registered Charity Number: 290664
6