FGH Trustee Report 2023 Issue 1 FORTHILL GOSPEL HALL ANNUAL TRUSTEE AND SUMMARY FINANCIAL REPORT For year ending 30th September 2023 Nl Charities Ccfflmission ref Nl 107283
FGH Trustee Report 2023 Issue 1 This report has been prepared by the Trustees of Forthill Gospel Hall to review the activities of the charity for the financial period of 1 St October 2022 to 30th September 2023 in line with the requirements of the Charities Commission and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. BACKGROUND Forthill Gospel Hall (hereafter referred to as the charity) was first registered with the Charities Commission for Northem Ireland (CCNI) in January 2015 under registration number N1100676 at 116 Low Road. Lisbum. In 2018 our registration was changed to reflect that we are now registered as Forthill Gospel Hall Trust and we were allocated the new number N1107283. Forthill Gospel Hall Trust has appointed the following trustees: Alex Connor (Secretary) Eric Hull Samuel Smyth John Cromie (Treasurer) The charity is limited by guarantee and is governed by a constitution agreed by the trustees in December 2014 and approved by the Charities Commission in January 2015. In addition, the constitution refers to a Trust Deed and is supported with an Articles of Association document. The trustees meet regularly throughout the year in accordance with the above documents, where the minutes of the previous meeting are read and agreed, a status report on our finances is discussed, distribution of monies (where applicable) is agreed as a group and various activities are reviewed and planned. An Annual General Meeting takes pla each year shortly after the financial year end. A financial report and progress report of all activities, which has been compiled by the treasurer and secretary and approved by the trustees, is presented to the church as a whole and opportunity given for questions and answers. The members of the church are also invited to endorse the list of trustees at this AGM meeting. PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY The charity is established for the advancement of religion through the Evangelical Christian Faith (as outlined in the First Schedule of the Trust Deed). The Trust considers that promotion of the Christian Faith has a beneficial and transformative effect on society locally and worldwide. PUBLIC BENEFIT The charity has declared that the benefit to the public of its existen is that they might have a place where they can come and worship God and find fulfilment, satisfaction and pea in their lives as a result. We believe we have carried out our activities in compliance to the Charity Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. Nl Charilie$ Commission ref Nl 107283
FGH Trustee Report 2023 Issue 1 With Vigilan in mind whilst living with Covid-19 present in our midst, a number of activities associated with this charity have begun to re-commen throughout the time period that we are reporting on. This decision was taken in line with Government regulations to continue to protect the health and welfare of our aged members. 1 •t October 2022 - end November 2022 We extended the Sunday moming and Wednesday evening meetings respectively to be 'up to, 1 hour in duration. This was done ensuring safe access to those who sought to worship God and join with us in so doing within all relevant Covid guidelines and recommendations. In addition, the re-cOMmenMent of Sunday School in October 2022 has been another very welcome sign of the return to normal servIs. December 2022 _ 30th September 2023 We re-commenced our Sunday evening and Sunday School services in addition to the existing Sunday morning and midweek servi, thereby enabling people to meet together again in person and fulfil our Church's purposes. We also held a Church BBQ in August 2023 and were delighted that members of the community joined us as a church. Idvhilst holding these meetings we continued to use the 'virtual' methods of: A l+lhatsApp group so that members of the church could keep in contact with each other especially when unable to attend meetings, or being unwell. Our Website conts'nues to contain selected video and audio messages of church meetings. We distributed approximately 1400 wall calendars and tracts to every house within the vicinity of our hall along with an invitation to our Church SeNiS in a special outreach event in Dember 2022. We were also pleased to be able to pass on a gift of £200 to 2 families in our community through the guidance of Forthill Integrated Primary School which is situated close by. We have a long association with FIPS and at the end of this school year (June 2023) we were granted the opportunity by the school to present a bible to each year 7 pupil as they leave the school for the next stage of their education. Although the schools are still somewhat impacted by government restrictions, we were still thankful and grateful to supply the Bibles in June this year. All of these outreaches have involved church members who have given of their time freely and willingly and where applicable, are AcsS Nl cleared to meet the requirements of our Child Protection Policy and Guidelines. Nl Charities Commission ref Nl 107283
FGH Trustee Report 2023 Issue 1 FINANCIAL REPORT The charity depends on the freewill giving of the members of the church for the upkeep of our facilities and the distribution of finance to those in need and for this the trustees acknowledge their generosity throughout the last financial year. Additionally, many church members, and in some InStanS those who come to speak at our meetings, also give of their time freely. Numerous tasks are required to maintain the building and prepare as necessary for every planned event and for such no-one has wanted or received any financial recompense for their efforts. At no time during this financial year did we have any debtors or have any financial deficit. It has always been our intention to ensure our funds can support any major unforeseen expenditure (e.g. major roof repairs) however, we are confident that our church members would support an emergency need if such arose. Our accounts were compiled by our treasurer, reviewed and agreed by the trustees and independently audited for this financial year and approved as satisfactory. The accounts cover the full financial year and are not limited by Covid-19 restrictions. The financial report will be presented to the members of the church at the AGM on 8th November 2023. In comparison to last year, our Income has increased by £ 3,160.16, (an increase of 140/0); we remain grateful to the continued thoughtfulness and generosity of our members who when able to attend contribute weekly offering gifts. Our Expenditure increased by £3,066.35 (160A up on the 2021122 figure). Expenditure increases have been made possible by the continued steady donation levels and our cash in bank levels at the end of the 2022 financial year. The charity started the yearwith a strong cash balance of£19747.44 and closed with a cash balance of £23,364.53. This is due to the strong levels of donations being maintained enabling increased (but carefully managed) expenditure through gifts we have been able to distribute to missionaries and the community, along with reduced Covid protection costs during 202212023. We believe ourselves to have acted prudently in our financial transactions. The trustees consider this to be a healthy financial position moving into the next financial year. Table 1 below shows the Income rou dintoa ro nate cate ones. INCOME - 202212023 compared to 202112022 IAL%c 2012.79 2022123 •2021 Glft Ald 1080.09 1029.79 OffertngslGffts 24657 Bffi from prev year 19747.44 0.00 10000.(M) 15000.00 2(0.00 25C()O.00 30CM)O.00 Nl Chariti8s Commission ref Nl 107283
FGH Trustee Report 2023 Issue 1 Table 2 (below) shows the Expenditure grouped into appropriate categories EXPENDITURE- 202212023 compared to 202112022 pport to Otr Causes 11gg&p8 Speaker Expenses 112022123 pport lo Communlty 1d#.N9 •2021r22 Support lo ChÈldren s Wo Bumlng & Equlpl 7728. CIF to xi year 23 .53 1LNJCQ.00 1 SC(KJ. 2CM)00.00 25000.00 Table 2- Expendlture chart No expenses were paid to any of the Trustees during the year except to reimburse them for purchases made on behalf of the charity. This document has been reviewed by each trustee and approved accordingly by signature below. Alex Connor Eric Hull Samuel Smyth John Cromie 26K 0Jofv Zo23 Date of Report Approval Nl Charilies Commission ref Nl 107283