
## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

Company Registered Number  02442321 



## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**Trustees**|J. Bain|
|---|---|
||S. J. Bedford (resigned as Chairman in October 2020)|
||M. Davies|
||E. S. Dickson (Co-chair, from October 2020)|
||A. P. Miles|
||Philip Richardson (co-opted 22 April 2020|
||& elected 2 December 2020)|
||N. W. Summerton|
||N. J. Walker (Co-chair from October 2020)|
|**Chief Operations Officer**|Evan Winter|
|**Development Team Leader**|Andrew Conlan|
|**Registered Office**|The Barn|
||Baines Lane|
||Seaton|
||Oakham|
||Rutland|
||LE15 9HP|
|**Charity Registration Number**|802564|
|**Bankers**|Barclays Bank plc|
||93-97 Queensway|
||London|
||W2 4QG|
|**Independent Examiner**|Paul Mullis FCA|
||High Spen|
||Rowlands Gill|
||County Durham|





## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**CONTENTS**|**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Trustees’ report|3|
|Independent Examiner’s statement|12|
|Statement of Financial Activities|14|
|Balance sheet|15|
|Notes to the financial statements|16|





**Page 3** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

The trustees (who are also directors of the company, as it takes the form of a company limited by guarantee without share capital under the Companies Acts) present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2021. 

## **OBJECTS AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES** 

Partnership (UK) Ltd ('the charity') is established for 

- the advancement of the Evangelical Christian Faith and the promotion of Christian Education 

- the relief of need in the British Isles or overseas. 

The charity at present achieves these objects by encouraging and seeking to strengthen independent local Christian churches which are evangelical in their biblical commitments and activities, which practise plural leadership, and which practise every member ministry through the wide use of spiritual gifts in each congregation. 

The charity seeks to encourage, support and equip these local churches, towards spiritual vitality, effectiveness, and growth, by working alongside leaders and others who are active in the work of those churches. Part of the ministry of these churches is the relief of need both at home and abroad, and the charity encourages the churches in particular to involve themselves in their local communities, to help those in any sort of need. While the work is carried out mainly in the UK, some of the churches, leaders and other individuals with whom the charity works are located abroad. 

Many of the charity’s supporters and member churches have a background in the worldwide Open or Christian Brethren movement, and the charity considers that it has a particular responsibility to help those churches. While these churches have other inter-church bodies which assist in activities such as overseas mission, home evangelism, and relief and development, the charity sees a particular need to help strengthen the spiritual life and ministry of individuals and fellowships in this circle, so as to enable them better to carry out their activities, and thus be better able to support these other inter-church bodies in their work. The charity recognizes a particular responsibility to work closely with other bodies which share its objectives and which serve mainly the churches referred to. These other bodies include particularly Church Growth Trust, Counties UK, GLO Europe, and Echoes International, all of which are charities in England and Wales, or Scotland, or both. 

Member churches also include a number which do not have a Brethren background: the charity welcomes, and is ready to work with, all who share its goals and approach to church life, and seeks to expand membership among them also, irrespective of their origins, if they are content to be helped by the charity. It seeks genuine working partnership with such in order to secure its charitable objects more effectively. 

The charity also gives assistance to international bodies which have similar purposes and activities, particularly with respect to churches in the worldwide Brethren movement. Accordingly, it has assisted International Brethren Conference on Mission (now IBCM Network CIO, registered in England and Wales in March 2019) and Brethren Training Network (now a component of IBCM Network). The organisational support has now ceased because it is no longer necessary, but Partnership (UK) Ltd continues to welcome the work of IBCM Network and Brethren Training Network and will involve itself in it when it is appropriate to do so. 



**Page 4** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

## **REVIEW OF THE YEAR** 

The Charity’s present activities are summarised below. 

## **Area activities** 

The charity retains the part-time contracted services of five regional coordinators. Between them, they cover large parts of England and Wales, though there remain certain significant areas where the charity would like to see regional coordinators but which are not covered yet. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunities for online meetings and webinars have been taken to invite church leaders in these areas to join in regional activities elsewhere. While there is a small number of member churches in Scotland, at present contact is maintained by such means as are available until it is possible to contract someone to coordinate there. Partnership collaborates in particular with GLO Europe (based in Motherwell) in supporting churches in Scotland. 

Coordinators make bilateral contact with as many Brethren-background and unattached independent evangelical churches as possible, to encourage them and offer support, strategic advice, and consultancy. They also seek to stimulate networking activities between local clusters of churches. There are regular cluster activities in many parts of England and Wales, including the South-West, London and its environs, Essex, Kent, East Anglia, Gloucester and Hereford, South Wales, Merseyside and Cumbria. There are continuing efforts to stimulate cluster activities in north Cheshire and south Manchester, and North-East England. These cluster activities are aimed at networking, encouraging, stimulating, developing and training local church leaderships and others who are active in the life of these churches. Activities include forums, seminars, workshops, and training sessions, as is judged appropriate in individual localities. Many of these activities have the character of continuing professional development for those involved. In some areas, there are also specific efforts to stimulate networking between those in full-time Christian service within these churches. Many of these activities have during the pandemic been held online, and often that has encouraged involvement of more people, some from churches in respect of which there has been little previous contact. 

The coordinators are in close touch with some 350 local churches, to assist them in the ways described. 

In developing these area and cluster activities, Partnership seeks to work closely with Counties, GLO Europe, and Church Growth Trust which have ministries in evangelism, church planting, training, and support with buildings matters in respect of the same churches with which Partnership seeks to work. One significant manifestation of this joint activity is a joint Revitalisation Group which focuses on special measures to assist weaker and declining churches. As the vitality of local churches has long been at the heart of Partnership’s work, much of this revitalisation activity is the responsibility of Partnership, This group is chaired by Giles Arnold from Church Growth Trust and its Operational Team is led by Evan Winter, Partnership’s Chief Operations Officer. 

In the London area, networking with some 80 churches is being undertaken jointly with Church Growth Trust, Counties UK, and GLO Europe, the executive for the work being Partnership’s contracted regional coordinator in London and the South East. This work continues to develop in an encouraging way. 

## **Publications** 

The charity produces a number of publications with themes orientated very much to the needs and challenges of the churches and individuals that are served. These include: 



**Page 5** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

**A monthly electronic E-news** which is circulated to more than 700 church leaders and others, and carries short articles and items, information, reports, and advertisements, which are likely to be of interest to them. It facilitates recruitment of workers for churches, and advertises events likely to be of help to churches, leaders and others active in serving them. 

_**Partnership Perspectives**_ —This is a substantial print periodical which appears three times a year with a print-run of 750 copies. The aim is to provide stimulating material for busy church leaders and others who are active in church life, many of whom are in full-time employment separate from their church involvement and therefore have little time for reading and study relevant to their church responsibilities. Issues focus on themes relevant to local church leaderships, such as evangelism, discipling, apologetics, pastoral matters and care, youthwork, relations beyond the local church, and training for church work. In 2020–21, the three issues have been on ‘Responding to a Global Pandemic’, ‘Ministry in the Spirit’, and ‘The Christian, The Church, and The Public Sphere’. 

**Books** —the aim is to publish texts, as they become available, which meet the objects of the charity. A text on evangelism, _Learning to Share the Good News_ , was published in December 2019, and _Learning to Preach_ was published early in June 2020. These are part of a series being published jointly with OPAL Trust and entitled _Learning to ..._ , the relevance of which to the fulfilment of Partnership’s objects is self-evident. A text on _Learning to Care_ is in preparation for possible publication in 2021. A text on _Growing Healthy Churches_ is also in preparation. 

Significant past publications have included _Church Leaders Handbook_ and _Serving God’s People: Re-thinking Christian Ministry Today_ , _Fresh Shoots in Stony Ground: the challenges of church planting_ and _Building Biblical Churches_ . 

**Workbooks—** it is planned over the next three years to produce a series of workbooks on 6 or 7 subjects of high relevance to local church leaders. The first on ‘What is the gospel?’ is in preparation for publication later in 2021. 

_**—**_ **Digital publications** in the past two years, significant steps have been made in making highquality, user-friendly publications available on the Partnership website. These now include all issues of _Partnership Perspectives_ from January 2009 onwards, and out-of-print publications including _Church Leaders Handbook_ and _Serving God’s People_ already mentioned. 

**COVID-19 webpage** —in mid-March 2020, a webpage was created on the Partnership website in order to assist local churches with the maintenance of church life and outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives guidance to churches including on sources of practical advice and government regulations, and, by way of contributions from member churches and individuals, it enables experience and ideas to be shared across the Partnership community of churches. 

The trustees are in the process of reviewing how the charity can continue to achieve its strategic objects through the use of digital technology. Publications will be part of the review on which the trustees will seek the help of an expert consultant. 

## **Consultancy** 

There are frequent opportunities for Partnership’s coordinators and Council members, and others in touch with Partnership, to offer church consultancy and advice, whether in the normal course of contact with churches or at the direct request of churches. Activities range from helping churches in the search for full-time assistance to advising churches on strategy, leadership, trusteeship, charity 



**Page 6** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

and property matters. Some of this consultancy is provided by regional coordinators and others under the umbrella of the joint Revitalisation Group already referred to. In addition to more formal consultancy advice, much of co-ordinators' regular contact with churches is in the nature of informal consultancy. 

An important consultancy development in the last two years has been ReNEW, a series of videos and supporting workbooks, prepared by Simon Ladd (Regional Coordinator in East Anglia). These are short videos which serve as discussion starters for leadership and church groups, to help them to think about revitalisation and the need for change to encourage the ongoing life of local fellowships. The videos and supporting materials are available on the Partnership website. 

## **Training** 

For many years, Partnership has worked closely with Counties and Tilsley College (GLO Europe) to develop a range of training opportunities for service in the group of churches which the three organisations serve. In recent years, what is now Enable Training has been formed to encourage and co-ordinate better the wide range of training initiatives which now exist for the group of churches that Partnership serves. Partnership strongly supports this and a Partnership trustee chairs its core steering group. Partnership continues to work with others to strengthen the character and quality of training for Christian service in the group of churches, including through Partnership's area networking and publications. 

## **Co-operation with other bodies serving the same churches** 

Partnership is an active member of the Church Support Network (CSN) which seeks to maintain a flow of information and fellowship between the various bodies which serve churches of Brethren background. Partnership seeks to work bilaterally and multi-laterally with other agencies where it seems good to do so. Partnership is an active partner with five other bodies in organising the regular Living the Passion conferences. Partnership has been working closely with Church Growth Trust, Counties, and GLO, to see whether more effective networking to assist local churches is possible. On this, the advice of an independent group is awaited, as the matter closely affects the future of Partnership. The chairs and CEOs of the four bodies meet half-yearly to review the progress of collaboration between the bodies. As noted above, Partnership is collaborating closely with these three bodies in seeking to encourage, strengthen and revitalize some 80 churches in the London area, particularly through the work of the Partnership regional coordinator for London. It is also cooperating with these bodies on national pilot projects on church revitalisation, as already explained. 

## **Developments** 

The charity will continue through the people whose time it retains for regional coordination services, to give greater and more focussed attention to developing area networks and to bilateral contact with churches. The charity will continue to seek to develop the range of services described above, in cooperation with like-minded bodies. 

To improve the effectiveness and coherence of its work and coordination with other bodies with which it works closely, Partnership appointed a Chief Operations Officer in December 2020 on a 22.5 hour a week, two-year contract. 

## **Other activities** 

Included within the charity's work is responsibility for the activities of the Brethren Archivists and Historians Network (BAHN). BAHN promotes the study of, and publishes works on, the history of the Christian Brethren worldwide. These activities advance Christian education and are also relevant to the work which the charity seeks to do with local churches within the Brethren tradition. Within its 



**Page 7** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

accounts, the charity keeps a separate record of income and expenditure for BAHN and this is summarised in Appendix A to the financial statements. Partnership gives assistance to BAHN with subscriber administration, distribution of BAHN literature, and administration of the biennial International Brethren Conference which BAHN runs. In the year of report, BAHN produced the annual _Brethren Historical Review_ vol. 16 (216 pages) and published Neil Dickson & T. J. Marinello, _The Brethren and the Church,_ comprising 25 high-quality papers on aspects of ecclesiology in the movement. The biennial conference due to be held in 2021 had to be deferred because of the pandemic. Planning is underway for a conference in the USA in 2022 particularly for BAHN members and others in north America, and for the deferred biennial conference to be held in the UK in 2023 on the subject of the Brethren and eschatology. 

## **COVID-19** 

The successive COVID-19 lockdowns have had significant implications for the churches and church leaders whom Partnership seeks to serve, as they needed to respond quickly to the closure of church buildings, the prohibition on physical church meetings, and then the possibility of holding meetings but under very strict guidance and the requirement for face coverings, which made the usual form of church meetings impracticable for many. Partnership’s immediate concern was to provide help and advice to churches as to how they might maintain fellowship life and outreach in new circumstances for an indeterminate period. Two key steps were taken: (1) to establish a COVID-19 blogpage on the Partnership website with a range of articles and other contributions providing advice on good practice, accounts of the actual steps being taken by churches, and suitable theological and devotional reflection. This page was available from before the actual lockdown and was kept up to date until the end of 2020. It has been supplemented by information in the monthly E-news. Step (2) was to encourage Partnership regional coordinators to be in touch regularly with church leaders in their area by electronic means, to offer pastoral encouragement and support. Regional coordinators have also been holding local cluster meetings electronically. But regular face-to-face meetings with individual church leaders, which are  an essential part of the work of regional coordinators, have been impossible for most of the past 15 months. Partnership recognizes that it will need to be agile over the next 12 months, as churches emerge from a prolonged period of disruption which may have undermined the viability of some. 

Partnership has long been an organisation without a physical head office. Its staff, contractors and volunteers have always worked from home. So COVID-19 has not done more than intensify methods of remote working already well established. To that extent, Partnership was well prepared for the last 15 months of disruption. For the time being, all administrative meetings are online. Regionally and locally, cluster meetings of church leaders have been shifted online: response has been good, no doubt helped by the fact that within churches online meetings and activities have had to be the norm. Financially, Partnership is supported largely by donations and grants, and it does not seek to raise funds directly from the public. There has therefore been no immediate effect on income, though we recognize that, in the longer run, sharp falls in investment income, and economic recession generally, could be reflected in lower levels of donation and grant income. 

## **Value of input by volunteers** 

Partnership is a small charity which continues to depend on executive and operational work by volunteers, including trustees.  Some devote considerable time to Partnership—in a few cases, up to three days a week or even more. Taking into account trustees’ meetings, preparation, and travel, all trustees devote significant time, as indicated by the details of meetings given elsewhere in this report. Beyond trustees, the regional and local cluster meetings for church leaders and others depend on work for Partnership by other volunteers who wish to further the work for the benefit of churches in their areas. No effort is made to quantify in financial terms the value of this extensive volunteer input, as 



**Page 8** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

that is methodologically difficult and unreliable, and could be invidious as between the valuations given to the input of different volunteers. No trustee receives any financial recompense other than reimbursement of directly incurred expenses for their service to Partnership. 

## **PUBLIC BENEFIT** 

The charity provides public benefit in the British Isles and overseas through the activities described above which 

- advance Evangelical Christian faith, particularly through educating, training and developing leaders and individuals who are active in independent local churches, 

- strengthen local churches to advance Evangelical Christian faith, build up their own congregations, and serve their communities. 

The foregoing detailed description of Partnership's activities and work in 2019-20 gives details of how the charity provides this public benefit. 

The trustees have been directed to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, both the general guidance and that specific to the public benefit of religious charities, and have regard to it in their work. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

The charity is a company limited by guarantee not having share capital. It is a registered charity. There are as at the date of this report 22 company members (2019: 22), each of whom agrees to contribute up to £1 if the company is wound up. 

As a registered charity and as required by its memorandum and articles, the company makes no distributions to its members and applies all its income to its charitable purposes. The directors of the company are the charity’s trustees for the purpose of charity law and administration. The directortrustees usually meet six times a year, and additionally as necessary. 

As a company, the charity is governed by its memorandum and articles of association dated 26 October 1989 (as amended). It has a board of directors who are charity trustees. The members of the company in general meeting (known as the Council) have explicit power to tender advice to the board on matters of policy and general strategy, and the board is required to have regard to that advice as appropriate in carrying out its duties. There is power to appoint committees. At present, there is one such committee (the Publications Committee). 

Early in 2020, a working party of four board members advised the trustees on the relationship between the company members, trustees, and operational volunteers and staff in the context of relevant law and regulatory expectations. Following on from that work, the memorandum and articles of association were reviewed, and further amendments were agreed at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 15 May 2021. 

The director-trustees who served during the year 2020-21 and as they stood at the date of this report are as listed on page 1 of this report. 

The director-trustees keep the composition of the board of trustees under review, so as to ensure that between them the director-trustees have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary, and in order 



**Page 9** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

to advise the company members on appointments at the AGM and to exercise the board’s interim power of co-option as necessary. 

An important management innovation in 2020 has been the establishment of Operational Coordinating Team meetings. These take place fortnightly and are an opportunity for those chiefly concerned with operational matters on behalf of Partnership (whether trustees, staff, contractors or key volunteers) to ensure that their current work priorities are known across the team and that necessary coordination between team members is achieved. Now that a Chief Operating Officer has been appointed, he leads the Operational Coordinating Team. 

The trustees have reviewed and confirm that there is no person exercising significant control whose identity needs to be declared in addition to the information already provided in this report. 

The 22 current members of the company continue to meet in general meeting twice a year, in order to act as a sounding board for the trustees and to provide them with guidance on matters of policy and general strategy, as well as to carry out their other duties under the memorandum and articles of association. 

## **SELECTION AND INDUCTION OF TRUSTEES** 

Under the provisions of the memorandum and articles of association, the director-trustees of the company must be selected by the members of the company from among those who are members of the company. In encouraging persons to apply for membership of the company, the company considers the need for members who are suitable for appointment as directors, and therefore trustees, of the company, having regard to the advice of the board. Given the charitable objects of the company, and its policies for the time being for achieving those objects, the company needs trustee-directors who understand and have a heart for the body of local churches which Partnership (UK) Ltd serves, as well as people with the range of knowledge and expertise which is needed in director-trustees of a company of this kind. Given also Partnership's desire to work closely with other agencies which serve the same group of local churches, the company bears in mind the potential benefit of crossmembership between the boards of these agencies. 

On appointment, by way of induction to their responsibilities, new director-trustees are given access to copies of key documents, including the memorandum and articles of association of the company, the latest report and accounts of the company, briefing notes on current Partnership activities, and latest budgets and other financial information. New trustees are also directed to the Charity Commission's guidance for trustees, and in particular to both its general guidance on public benefit and that on public benefit of charities which advance religion. 

## **RISK MANAGEMENT** 

The trustees’ stated risk management strategy comprises 

- a regular review of the risks the company may face 

- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified 

- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact should those risks materialise. 

The trustees agreed a policy on people protection and safeguarding children and adults at risk in February 2020. A first annual review was conducted early in 2021, and revisions to the policy were 



**Page 10** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

agreed by the trustees in the light of the review. The policy covers, for example, risks to trustees, staff, contractors, and volunteers arising from lone working, and risks arising from using private vehicles on the business of the charity. 

## **RESERVES** 

The trustees believe that the charity should hold financial reserves because it has 

- no endowment funding and is dependent for income upon grant, donor and subscription funding from year to year, which is inevitably subject to fluctuation; and 

- certain administration and support costs without which it could not function and achieve its purpose. 

The trustees consider it prudent that unrestricted funds should be sufficient to cover the equivalent of six months' operating costs calculated and reviewed annually. Unrestricted funds are currently in that range. In the past few years, the charity has expanded its activities, and the resources devoted to them, in response to the widely-perceived needs of the group of local churches which it seeks to serve. The effect has been to draw down the financial reserves which it has, and as a result the charity monitors its reserves carefully to ensure that that it can sustain its current and proposed levels of activity. The charity draws the attention of supporters and potential supporters to its ministry and the financial resources required for it. 

## **DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES** 

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the surplus or deficit of the company for that period. 

In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business, 

The directors confirm that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the financial statements. 

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 



**Page 11** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. 

By authority of the director-trustees, 

…………………. Company Secretary 

2021 A P K Miles 



**Page 12** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

_**Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of 'Partnership (UK) Ltd' Charitable Company**_ 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **Charity No. 802564 Company No. 02442321** 

I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31[st] March 2020, which are set out on pages 12 to 20. 

## _Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner_ 

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). 

The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.  I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for independent examination, 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 Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and 

- 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 or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, 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. 

12 



**Page 13** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

_**Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of 'Partnership (UK) Ltd' Charitable Company**_ 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## **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 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and 

- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and the methods and principles of the 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. 

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. 

Name of principal: Paul Mullis 

Relevant professional qualification or body: 

Fellow of the Institute for Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 

Address: High Spen, Rowlands Gill, County Durham 

Date: 31[st] July 2020 

Paul Mullis FCA 

13 



**Page 14** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Including income and expenditure** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

|**INCOME FROM:(Note 3)**<br>Donations and legacies<br>Charitable activities<br>Investment income<br>Total income<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:(Note 4)**<br>Raising funds<br>Charitable activities<br>Total expenditure<br>Net Income (Expenditure)<br>Transfers<br>Net movement in Funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Funds brought forward<br>Balance carried forward|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total Funds**<br>**Prior year**<br>**£**<br>£<br>**81,246**<br>**13,254**<br>**94,500**<br>91,610<br>**1,165**<br>**770**<br>**1,935**<br>4,108<br>**22**<br>**-**<br>**22**<br>87<br>**82,433**<br>**14,024**<br>**96,457**<br>95,805<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>-<br>**80,285**<br>**13,816**<br>**94,101**<br>90,299<br>**80,285**<br>**13,816**<br>**94,101**<br>90,299<br>**2,148**<br>**208**<br>**2,356**<br>5,506<br>**(2,314)**<br>**2,314**<br>**-**<br>-<br>**(166)**<br>**2,522**<br>**2,356**<br>5,506<br>**56,784**<br>**4,778**<br>**61,562**<br>56,056<br>**56,618**<br>**7,300**<br>**63,918**<br>61,562|
|---|---|



All of the activities of the Company are classed as continuing. 

The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above. 

There are no material differences between the deficit on ordinary activities and the deficit for the financial year stated above, and their historical cost equivalents. 

A breakdown of Prior year’s figures is included in Note 12 

## **The notes on pages 15 to 20 form part of these financial statements** 

14 



**Page 15** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **BALANCE SHEET** 

## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2021** 

||**31 March 2021**|31 March 2020|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|**CURRENT ASSETS**|||
|Debtors|**3,417**|1,940|
|Cash at bank and in hand|**75,717**|70,584|
||**79,134**|72,524|
|**CREDITORS**|||
|Amounts falling due within one year|**(15,348)**|(10,963)|
||**_____________**|_____________|
|**NET ASSETS**|**63,918**|61,562|
|**RESERVES**|||
|Unrestricted funds|**56,618**|56,784|
|Restricted funds|**7,300**|4,778|
||**63,918**|61,562|



The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts. 

For the year ended 31 March 2021 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Act. 

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act. 

These financial statements on pages 14 and 15 were approved by the directors on and are signed on their behalf by: 

…………………. 2021 NW Summerton Director Registered Number: 02442321 

**The notes on pages 16 to 22 form part of these financial statements** 

15 



**Page 16** 

**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **1 STATUTORY INFORMATION** 

Partnership (UK) Ltd is a private company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales.  The company’s registered number and registered office address can be found in the Report of the Trustees 

## **2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Basis of accounting** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 published on 16 July 2014 (as amended by Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016) and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 

The charity is a public benefit entity. 

There are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. In adopting FRS102 for the first time no prior year numbers have been affected. 

## **Income** 

Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when 

- the Company becomes entitled to the resources 

- the Directors believe the receipts of the resources is probable and 

- the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

## **Expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as and when a legal or constructive obligation arises. 

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. Governance costs are included within Support costs. 

## **Fixed assets** 

Fixed assets are stated at cost and new items costing more than £1,000 are capitalised. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of fixed assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. 

## **Taxation** 

The company is registered as a charity and is therefore not liable to corporation tax on its charitable income as long as it is applied for charitable purposes.  It is not considered there are any activities giving rise to a tax liability. 

## **Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Directors. 

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. 

A full description of each of the funds is included under Note 10 

16 



**Page 17** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **3 INCOME** 

|**Analysis of**<br>**Income**<br>Unrestricted<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>International<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>BAHN<br>Church<br>Revitalisation<br>London<br>CPI<br>Kent<br>Total<br>funds<br>**Prior**<br>**year**<br>**Donations**<br>**and legacies**<br>Donations<br>and gifts<br>20,105<br>20<br>278<br>20,403 21,669<br>Gift Aid<br>2,848<br>27<br>161<br>3,036<br>1,937<br>Grants<br>provided by<br>other<br>charities<br>39,820<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,000 4,000 49,820 49,136<br>Membership<br>subscriptions<br>which are in<br>substance<br>donations<br>18,473<br>70<br>2,698<br>-<br>21,241 18,867<br>**Total**<br>81,246<br>117<br>3,136<br>-<br>6,000<br>4,000<br>94,500<br>91,610<br>**Charitable**<br>**activities**<br>Sale of<br>publications<br>1,165<br>-<br>770<br>1,935<br>1,400<br>Conference fees<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,708<br>Training and<br>consultancy<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>**Total**<br>1,165<br>-<br>770<br>1,935<br>4,108<br>**Income from**<br>**investments**<br>Interest income<br>22<br>-<br>-<br>22<br>87<br>**Total**<br>22<br>-<br>-<br>22<br>87|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>International<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>BAHN<br>Church<br>Revitalisation<br>London<br>CPI<br>Kent<br>Total<br>funds<br>**Prior**<br>**year**<br>20,105<br>20<br>278<br>20,403 21,669<br>2,848<br>27<br>161<br>3,036<br>1,937<br>39,820<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,000 4,000 49,820 49,136<br>18,473<br>70<br>2,698<br>-<br>21,241 18,867|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>International<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>BAHN<br>Church<br>Revitalisation<br>London<br>CPI<br>Kent<br>Total<br>funds<br>**Prior**<br>**year**<br>20,105<br>20<br>278<br>20,403 21,669<br>2,848<br>27<br>161<br>3,036<br>1,937<br>39,820<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,000 4,000 49,820 49,136<br>18,473<br>70<br>2,698<br>-<br>21,241 18,867|Unrestricted<br>funds<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>International<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>BAHN<br>Church<br>Revitalisation<br>London<br>CPI<br>Kent<br>Total<br>funds<br>**Prior**<br>**year**<br>20,105<br>20<br>278<br>20,403 21,669<br>2,848<br>27<br>161<br>3,036<br>1,937<br>39,820<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>6,000 4,000 49,820 49,136<br>18,473<br>70<br>2,698<br>-<br>21,241 18,867|
|---|---|---|---|
|||81,246<br>117<br>3,136<br>-<br>6,000<br>4,000<br>94,500<br>91,610||
|||||
|||1,165<br>-<br>770<br>1,935<br>1,400<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>2,708<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-||
|||1,165<br>-<br>770<br>1,935<br>4,108||
||||22<br>-<br>-<br>22<br>87|
||||22<br>-<br>-<br>22<br>87|



17 



**Page 18** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **4 EXPENDITURE** 

|Analysis of Expenditure<br>**Charitable Activities**<br>Cost of Publications<br>Staff and contractors’<br>costs<br>Conference Fees<br>Other admin<br>**Total**|Unrestrict<br>ed funds<br>Restricted<br>funds<br>International<br>Restrict<br>ed funds<br>BAHN<br>Church<br>Revitalisation<br>London<br>Kent<br>Total<br>funds<br>Prior<br>year<br>11,540<br>431<br>4,222<br>-<br>-<br>16,193<br>14,322<br>56,078<br>-<br>-<br>367<br>8,153<br>388<br>64,986<br>62,592<br>-<br>**-**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,307<br>12,667<br>-<br>134<br>-<br>61<br>-<br>8,078<br>8,078|
|---|---|
||80,285<br>431<br>4,416<br>367<br>8,214<br>388<br>94,101<br>90,299|



There were no governance costs Included in the above due to the impact of COVID preventing any inperson meetings of Trustees (2020: £1,639). 

## **5 FUNDS RECEIVED AS CUSTODIAN** 

|**Name ofparty**|**Amount received**|**Amount paid out**|**Balance held at**<br>**period end**|
|---|---|---|---|
||This year<br>Last year|This year<br>Last year|This year<br>Last year|
||£<br>£|£<br>£|£<br>£|
|**International**<br>**Brethren**<br>**Conference on**<br>**Mission**|-<br>19,493|437<br>74,335|(179)<br>258|
|**Local Church**<br>**Leaders’ Task**<br>**Group**|-<br>1,000|-<br>579|421<br>421|
|Total|-<br>20,493<br>437<br>74,914|||



Amounts due to connected parties represent cash funds held and administered by the Charity as custodian for other unincorporated organisations who share related objectives to the Charity 

18 



**Page 19** 

**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **6 PEOPLE RESOURCES** 

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was 1 (2020: 0). 

## Staff costs 

||**2021**|2020|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Wages and salaries|**7,000**|-|
|Social security costs|**-**|-|
|Pension costs|**-**|-|
||-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
||**7,000**|-|
||=**==================**=**=**=|=**==================**=**=**=|



There are 5 independent contractors who work to further the objects of the charity in their own area of the country and 1 who provides administrative support.  The total cost of these staff during the year was £56,079 (2020: £54,807). 

## **7 TAXATION** 

Partnership (UK) Ltd is recognised as a charity for UK tax purposes therefore exempt from Corporation Tax on its income and gains provided these are used for charitable purposes only. 

|**8**|**DEBTORS**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2021**|2020|
|||**£**|£|
||Gift Aid tax refund|**3,040**|1,940|
||Other debtor|**377**|-|
|||-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|||**3,417**|1,940|
|||=**==================**=**=**=|=**====================**|
|**9**|**CREDITORS**|||
|||**2021**|2020|
|||**£**|£|
||Accruals|**15,348**|10,963|
|||-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|
|||**15,348**|10,963|
|||=**==================**=**=**=|=**====================**|



19 



**Page 20** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **10 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS** 

The movements in Funds in the 2019-2020 year were as follows **:** 

|Unrestricted<br>**Restricted**<br>BAHN<br>Partnership –<br>International<br>Church Revitalisation<br>London CPI<br>Kent<br>**Total Funds**|At 1 April<br>2020<br>Income<br>Expenses<br>Transfers<br>between<br>funds<br>At 31<br>March<br>2021|
|---|---|
||56,784<br>82,433<br>(80,285)<br>(2,314)<br>56,618<br>3,740<br>3,907<br>(4,416)<br>-<br>3,231<br>-<br>117<br>(431)<br>314<br>-<br>549<br>-<br>(366)<br>-<br>183<br>489<br>6,000<br>(8,215)<br>2,000<br>274<br>-<br>4,000<br>(388)<br>3,612|
||61,562<br>96,457<br>(94,101)<br>-<br>63,918|



## **Description and purpose of funds and transfers** 

## **Unrestricted Funds** 

These are funds that may be used for any purpose that lies within the aims and objects of the charity as the trustees decide. 

## **Restricted Funds** 

## **Brethren Archivists and Historians Network** 

This is a section of Partnership that seeks to encourage the study and writing of the history of the Brethren movement.  This is achieved by means of an annual periodical, biennial conferences and publication of books from time to time. 

## **Partnership – International** 

Supporters of Partnership have the opportunity to include donations to this fund through which copies of ‘ _Perspectives_ ‘ are sent at no cost to those who would benefit from receiving it but may not have available funds to pay for it themselves.  During the course of the 2018-19 year £206 was transferred from Unrestricted Funds to this fund. 

## **Church Revitalisation** 

This relates to specific funding provided by a charitable trust to assist Partnership, Church Growth Trust, Counties UK, and GLO Europe work jointly to encourage the revitalization of selected existing churches. 

## **London** 

Church Planting Initiative has provided specific funds for 2019-20 to assist Partnership, Church Growth Trust, Counties UK, and GLO Europe to work jointly in London to encourage nearly 100 identified independent evangelical churches. 

20 



**Page 21** 

**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **11 TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES** 

## **Expenditure** 

There were no payments to trustees in the year for their services to the charity. 

Four trustees were reimbursed for expenses incurred on behalf of the charity 

|**Type of expenses reimbursed**<br>Travel<br>Postage<br>Admin expenses<br>**Total**|**2021**<br>**£**|**2020**<br>**£**|
|---|---|---|
||-<br>248<br>853|914<br>249<br>146|
||1,101|1,309|



21 



**Page 22** 

**Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2021** 

## **PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

## **12 Prior Year Statement of Financial Activities** 

|**INCOME FROM:**<br>Donations and legacies<br>Charitable activities<br>Investment income<br>Total income<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>Raising funds<br>Charitable activities<br>Total expenditure<br>Net Income (Expenditure)<br>Transfers<br>Net movement in Funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Funds brought forward<br>Balance carried forward|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Total Funds**<br>**£**<br>**88,956**<br>**2,654**<br>**91,610**<br>**634**<br>**3,474**<br>**4,108**<br>**87**<br>**-**<br>**87**|
|---|---|
||**89,677**<br>**6,128**<br>**95,805**|
||**-**<br>**-**<br>**-**<br>**71,687**<br>**18,612**<br>**90,299**|
||**71,687**<br>**18,612**<br>**90,299**|
||**17,990**<br>**(12,484)**<br>**5,506**<br>**(277)**<br>**277**<br>**-**|
||**17,713**<br>**(12,207)**<br>**5,506**|
||**39,071**<br>**16,985**<br>**56,056**<br>**56,784**<br>**4,778**<br>**61,562**|



22 



**PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

**Page 23** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Appendix A 

## BAHN 

|Balance in hand at 1stApril 20<br>Income<br>Subscriptions<br>2,698.23<br>Books<br>770.39<br>Gift<br> 438.65<br>Expenses<br>Publications<br>4,221.77<br>Postage<br>133.87<br>Credit card fees<br>46.53<br>Other<br> 13.25<br>Balance in hand 31stMarch 21|£3,739.59<br> 3,907.27<br>**7,646.86**<br> **4,615.42**<br>**£3,231.44**|
|---|---|





**PARTNERSHIP (UK) LIMITED** 

**Page 24** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021** 

## Appendix B 

## Unrestricted Funds 

|**Income From**<br>Donations and gifts<br>Gift Aid<br>Grants<br>Membership subscriptions<br>Sale of publications<br>Interest<br>Total income<br>Expenses<br>Publications<br>Staff and Contractors<br>Other admin<br>Total expenses|2021<br>20,105<br>2,848<br>39,820<br>18,473<br>1,165<br>22<br>**82,433**<br>11,540<br>56,078<br>12,667<br>**82,085**|2020<br>20,969<br>1,896<br>49,136<br>16,955<br>635<br>87<br>**89,677**|
|---|---|---|
|||11,295<br>54,807<br>5,585<br>**71,687**|



