Carrickfergus Gateway Trust Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Carrickfergus Gateway Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The charity’s purposes (‘the purposes’) are to express and promote the precepts of the Christian faith through engagement with the general public and in particular with the disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and the young by: nurturing the spiritual development of members by holding meetings for corporate worship, providing information regarding spiritual beliefs and the activities of the organisation to members and the general public, providing pastoral care to members to nurture their spiritual development, undertaking religious ceremonies such as baptisms, weddings and funerals and undertaking other activities consistent with the above.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
Carrickfergus Gateway Trust, through Harbour Faith Community, utilises its Church Building to provide weekly services of public worship, open to all, which contribute to spiritual well-being of participants and the reinforcement of Christian values. Through the minister, and those who assist him, the church provides pastoral care to any who request it and undertakes religious ceremonies such as weddings and funerals. In cooperation with the other churches in the town of Carrickfergus there are a number of joint events each year for the whole community and for all ages. Its buildings are used by other community and church organisations to benefit the people of Carrickfergus.
These activities implement our charitable purposes and provide public benefit.
Financial Review
The trust is in a secure financial position at 31 March 2023 with an in year surplus and reasonable reserves to meet unforeseen liabilities. Our goal is to maintain reserves of at least 2 months expenditure which we almost have at the year end. At 31 March 2023 unrestricted cash funds amounted to a surplus of £13993 (31 March 2022 - £10356) and Restricted cash funds amounted to a surplus of £145 (31 March 2022 – a surplus of £145).
Going Concern
Our income and costs should be able to be maintained at or below current levels. Additional funds for capital costs will be able to be raised separately. In the light of this the trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Trust can continue its activities for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
The trust operates under a Trust Deed dated 21 March 2016 which superseded previous documents.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed by invitation and agreement of the existing Trustees based upon the skills and experience that they can contribute to board. There are a minimum of 3 Trustees.
Meetings of the trustees are held at least twice a year.
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C4rrlckfef8US Gatthiay Trust Trustets, Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2023 Icontlnuedl Poy and remunemtlon The mlnister works on a part-tlme basls and hls salary Is based upon 3 213rds workin8 week. OT¢antsatlonolStrurtVTe The Irustees. whlle responsible for the overall management of the church, delegate the day to day management to the mlnSster and the adminlstrator. Complltsnte wlth Publlc Benefit TheTrust has given careful consideration io the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's Euidan¢e on public benefit to ensure that the attivities entered tnto durin8 the year have helped to achieve the church's purpose and objectives, as well as providing public benefit. Statement OA Trustees. Responslbllltles The trustees are responsible for preparing the TrustEes' Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statemefit of assets and liabililies in accordance wth applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of les5 than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare Statement of receipts and payments and a 5taternent of assets and liabilllies for each financial year. The trustee5 are responsible for keepinB accountlng recorils that are sufficient to show and explain the Trust's transactions arld disclose with reasonable accurary at any time the assets and liabilities of the Trust. They are èlso responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps lor the prevention and detection of fraud and other Slgned on Behalf of the Trustees o 6Lt-S WI LLI 4-M LL9ck14TT Trustee I Trustee 2