Charity Registration No: 107396
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust
Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2023
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Contents
Pages
| 1. | Reference and administrative details |
|---|---|
| 2.-5. | Report of the trustees |
| 6. | Independent examiner's report |
| 7. | Statement of financial activities |
| 8. | Balance sheet |
| 9.-13. | Notes to the financial statements |
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Reference and administrative details for the year ended 5th April 2023
| Charity name: | City of Londonderry Charitable Trust |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number: | 107396 |
| Trustees: | Robert M Auld |
| Gerald Simon Glass | |
| John White | |
| Laurence I White | |
| Raymond W White (Chair) | |
| Treasurer: | Raymond W White |
| Principal address: | 58 Woodvale Road |
| Eglinton | |
| Londonderry | |
| BT47 3AH | |
| Independent examiner: | Julian Remmington |
| Heritage House | |
| Woodside Lane | |
| Bell Bar | |
| Herts. | |
| AL9 6DE | |
| Bankers: | Santander |
| 17 The Diamond | |
| Londonderry | |
| BT48 6HW | |
| Solicitors: | Babingtons Solicitors |
| 9 Limavady Road | |
| Londonderry | |
| BT47 6JU |
Page 1
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust
Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2023
The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5th April 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 9 and 10 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
The City of Londonderry Charitable Trust is an unincorporated trust constituted by Deed of Trust dated 25th April 1972 recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 10th December 2019. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 11th February 2020 under Charity Registration Number: 107396.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The names of the Trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2023 (2022: £nil).
The Trust operates three Gospel halls and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the halls. New Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution of the congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Charity. Checks are made to ensure the Trustees’ eligibility to act and incoming Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance.
Wider network
The Trustees maintain informal links with similar charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity.
The Charity also maintains particular links with Waterside Gospel Hall Trust, with which it shares members of its congregation.
Risk management
The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems or procedures to manage and mitigate those risks.
Objectives and activities
Objectives and aims
The trust has the following charitable purposes:
The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit, including by the carrying on of the service of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part of the world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (the “Brethren”) and any other charitable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed.
Page 2
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust
Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2023
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have due regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s general guidance to charities on public benefit.
Main activities and achievements
The Trust provides and maintains Gospel halls where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life of the Brethren can be found on the website - www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed.
The Trust’s main achievement this year has been to complete the new gospel hall at Campsie and to continue to collect funds in order to clear the outstanding loan sooner than required.
Plans for future periods
The Trust plans to continue all the current activities.
Despite the increased cost of energy, the trustees feel that these increased costs are not significantly impacting on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.
Meetings
Meetings held at the gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 40 and 500 people normally attend these occasions.
The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Halls welcomes visitors and displays the times of Gospel preachings, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.
Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the halls and visitors are free to help themselves.
Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian
The City of Londonderry Charitable Trust's halls are a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed.
Members of the congregation participate in a programme of street preaching and Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public.
In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life:
-
We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethren), in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture (1 Tim 2:2)
-
We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community (including former Brethren) in order to present eternal salvation, available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 4:2).
Page 3
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust
Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2023
Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian contd.
-
We seek as members of the public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives, parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3:22-25, Col 4:1).
-
The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5). The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom both their family and the wider community are expected to care.
-
Holy Scripture commands us to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principles, we should give our time, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).
Funding
Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.
Financial review
Financial position
In the year ended 5 April 2023 the Trust had a surplus of incoming resources over resources expended. Total voluntary income received this year was £157,899 compared to £278,037 in the previous year.
All funds held were unrestricted funds.
The long term loan shown on the balance sheet of £35,000 is repayable by 31st January 2025 and interest is chargeable at 0% per annum.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are minimal. Accordingly, the Trustees have decided to adopt a policy of maintaining no significant reserves although currently surplus funds are being saved to pay off a loan for the new hall. The congregation is kept regularly informed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensure that the Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, by raising a funds appeal to the congregation.
Free reserves at the year end were £134,653.
Page 4
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Report of the trustees for the year ended 5th April 2023 Statement of trustees. responslbllltles The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance wth applicable law and Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdon and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102} {effective 1 January 2019). The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland, the Charities Act {Northem Ireland) 2008. Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the trust deed requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistenrfy- b) observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP-, make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. d) prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume Ihal the charity will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and lo enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for Ihe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by trustees. On behalf of the board.. 11/19/2o2J Raymond W White Date Page 5
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report to the trustees of City of Londonderry Trust on the financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2023 set out on pages 7 to 13. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charitls trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The chariws trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charty Commission (under section 85(91(b} of the Charities Act), and - to slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examlner's statement My examinalion was carried out in accordance with 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from the 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 financial statements present a 'true and fairf view and the report is limrted to those matters set out in the statement below. Ind6pendent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention 1. which gtves me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirem8nts: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act,. and to prepare financial statements which accord wtth the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Chartties Act have not been met, or 2. to whic attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding e accounts to be rea hed. Signed: Date: Name: Julian Remmington 4cast, Heritage House, Woodside Lane, Bell Bar. Herts., AL9 6DE Page 6
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) for the year ended 5th April 2023
| NOTES Incoming and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Collections Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Other donations Income tax refundable Donated services 4. Payroll giving Grants received 5. Legacies received Investment income and interest Interest Other income Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running of meeting halls 6. Wider community outreach Congregation support Interment expenses Cost of donated services 4. Transfers to affiliated trusts Other costs Governance Computer costs Postage, print and stationery Legal & professional costs Independent Examiner's fee Repairs and maintenance Bank charges Depreciation- Office equipment Profit/Loss on sale of assets Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds at 6th April 2022 Total funds at 5th April 2023 8. Sundry |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 33,691 8,220 103,303 2,028 - 10,293 - - - 1,274 158,809 134,891 - - - 3,243 100 - 218 - 3,079 1,320 - - - 225 - 142,626 16,183 - 16,183 2,142,023 2,158,206 |
Unrestricted Designated Funds £ - 364 - - - - - - - - - 364 - - 4,989 - - - - - - - - - - - - 4,989 4,625 - - 4,625 - 4,625 - |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2023 £ - 34,055 8,220 103,303 2,028 - 10,293 - - - 1,274 159,173 134,891 - 4,989 - 3,243 100 - 218 - 3,079 1,320 - - - 225 - 147,615 11,558 - 11,558 2,146,648 2,158,206 |
Total Funds 2022 £ - 25,549 17,965 218,013 4,491 - 12,019 - - - 6,121 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 284,158 | |||||
| 65,901 - - - 9,765 - - - - 1,870 1,410 - - - - |
|||||
| 78,946 | |||||
| 205,212 - 205,212 1,941,436 |
|||||
| 2,146,648 |
The notes on pages 9 to 13 form part of these financial statements. All of the above activities are classed as continuing and there are no gains and losses other than those included above.
Page 7
Cty of Londondeny Charttable Trust Balance sheet AsatSthA ril 2023 2023 2022 NOTES FIx8d assets Tangible fixed assets 2,058.553 2.106,529 2,058,553 2,106.529 Current assets Debtors.. Prepayments a arUe income C8sh al bank and in hand 4,996 137.565 5.353 110,154 142,561 115,507 Current Ilabllltles Creditr)rs-. amounts falling due within one year- Other Creditors A¢¢ruals and deferred income 7,908 4,388 7,908 4,388 Net current assets 134.653 Total ¥s$ets le8$ ¢urrent Ilabllltles 2,193,206 2,217,648 cditOrs.- amounts falllng due after rnore than one year.. Loans 35.000 71,000 N•t assets 2,158.206 2,146.648 Funds Unrestricted incom& fund Restricted funds 2,158,206 2,146.648 Total Funds 2,158,206 2.146,648 The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustee of Cty of Londondery Charitable Trust on Zl l1&) 12J and slgned on theSr behalf by Raymond Trustee Vvhile The notes on pages g to 13 fom part of these nanCIal 51alements Page 8
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2023
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, and incorporating update bulletins 1 and 2, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The functional currency of the charity is sterling (£).
The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
1.2 Income
Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future year. Gift aid is added to the value of the donation to which it relates.
Donated services are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer their services and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Waterside Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by other trusts.
Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.
- 1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.
Charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fulfilment of the charitable objects.
- 1.4 Governance and support costs
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. As there are no staff or offices the Trustees have agreed to allocate all such costs to Governance costs.
- 1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets (costing more than £150) are stated at cost less depreciation. Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:
Freehold buildings 2% straight line Fixtures and Fittings 15% straight line Equipment 33.33% straight line
- 1.6 Taxation
The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemptions and is spent on charitable purposes.
1.7 Funds
The general unrestricted fund is free for the Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust’s charitable objects.
Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose for which funds were given.
1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements
The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary and there is no requirement to prepare consolidated accounts.
1.9 Going concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Page 9
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2023
1. Accounting policies contd.
1.10 Significant estimates and judgements
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
2 Trustees' remuneration and expenses
No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2022: None).
3 Wages and salaries
There are no employees (2022: none).
4 Donated services
| Income Expenditure Waterside Gospel Hall Trust Grants received |
2023 £ - - 2023 £ 3,243 3,243 2023 £ - - |
2022 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| 2022 £ 9,765 |
||
| 9,765 | ||
| 2022 £ - |
||
| - |
5 Grants received
| 6 Resources expended Repairs and maintenance of buildings Landscaping costs Maintenance- Recording equipment Light and heat Water rates Telephone & broadband at halls Conference costs Insurance- Public liability Legal & professional- specific to halls Cleaning Sundry Depreciation- Freehold property Depreciation- Equipment |
Meeting rooms £ 8,114 4,435 - 13,664 2,165 970 - 1,536 910 1,365 535 44,313 2,010 80,017 |
Other charitable activities £ - - - - - - 54,874 - - - - - - 54,874 |
2023 £ 8,114 4,435 - 13,664 2,165 970 54,874 1,536 910 1,365 535 44,313 2,010 134,891 |
2022 £ 820 3,945 - 10,574 1,567 1,021 - 1,112 - 917 - 44,372 1,573 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65,901 |
Page 10
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2023
7 Tangible fixed assets
| Tangible fixed assets | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freehold Property* and Refurbishment £ Cost At 6th April 2022 2,218,500 Disposals 10,000 Additions 7,040 At 5th April 2023 2,215,540 Depreciation At 6th April 2022 117,778 Disposals - Charge for the year 44,313 At 5th April 2023 162,091 Net Book Value At 5th April 2023 2,053,449 At 6th April 2022 2,100,722 |
Fixtures, Fittings and Plant £ 10,487 - 1,307 11,794 4,680 - 2,010 6,690 5,104 5,807 |
Total £ 2,228,987 10,000 8,347 |
| 2,227,334 | ||
| 122,458 - 46,323 |
||
| 168,781 | ||
| 2,058,553 | ||
| 2,106,529 |
-
Land Registry title numbers; 16378, 21091, 21195, LY106795 and LY15572
-
8 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 8 Analysis of net assets between funds 8.1 Current year Tangible fixed assets Currents assets Current liabilities Long term liabilities Total funds 8.2 Prior year Tangible fixed assets Currents assets Current liabilities Long term liabilities |
Unrestricted Unrestricted Designated funds funds £ £ 2,058,553 - 142,561 - 7,908 - 35,000 - 2,158,206 - Unrestricted Unrestricted Designated funds funds £ £ 2,106,529 - 110,882 4,625 4,388 - 71,000 - 2,142,023 4,625 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - Restricted funds £ - - - - - |
Total funds £ 2,058,553 142,561 7,908 35,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,158,206 | |||
| Total funds £ 2,106,529 115,507 4,388 71,000 |
|||
| 2,146,648 |
Total funds
9 Movement in funds
- 9.1 Current year
Restricted funds Fund Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds
| Balance at 6 April 2022 £ - - 4,625 2,142,023 2,146,648 |
Incoming resources £ - - 364 158,809 159,173 |
Resources expended £ - - 4,989 142,626 147,615 |
Realised/ unrealised gain and losses £ - - - - - |
Balance at 5 April 2023 £ - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - - 2,158,206 |
||||
| 2,158,206 |
Page 11
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2023
9 Movement in funds contd.
| 9.2 Prior year Restricted funds Fund Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 6 April 2021 £ - - 4,625 1,936,811 1,941,436 |
Incoming resources £ - - - 284,158 284,158 |
Resources expended £ - - - 78,946 78,946 |
Realised/ unrealised gain and losses £ - - - - - |
Balance at 5 April 2022 £ - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - 4,625 2,142,023 |
|||||
| 2,146,648 |
10 Transactions with related parties
Total donations received from connected persons was £77,640.00 (2022 £86,185.00). The trust paid £54,884.72 (2022 £50,000.00) to Campsey Construction Ltd for the new hall development. Brothers of trustees Gerald Glass and Laurence White are directors of Campsey Construction Ltd. The trust paid £514.80 (2022 £ 0.00) to Ebrington (NI) Ltd. for first-aid equipment. Raymond White, trustee, is a director of Ebrington (NI) Ltd. A section of land was sold to Ascot Signs Ltd. for £10,000.00 (2022 £ 0.00). Laurence White, trustee, is a director of Ascot Signs Ltd.
11 Volunteers
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees.
Page 12
City of Londonderry Charitable Trust Notes to the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2023
12 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
| Incoming and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Collections Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Other donations Income tax refundable Donated services Payroll giving Grants received Legacies received Investment income and interest Bank interest Other income Sundry Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running of meeting halls Wider community outreach Congregation support Interment expenses Cost of donated services Transfers to affiliated trusts Other costs Governance Computer costs Postage, print and stationery Legal & professional costs Independent Examiner's fee Repairs and maintenance Bank charges Depreciation- Office equipment Profit/Loss on sale of assets Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on revaluation of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds at 6th April 2021 Total funds at 5th April 2022 |
Unrestricted Funds £ - 25,549 17,965 218,013 4,491 - 12,019 - - - 6,121 284,158 65,901 - - - 9,765 - - - - 1,870 1,410 - - - - 78,946 205,212 - 205,212 1,936,811 2,142,023 |
Unrestricted Designated Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4,625 4,625 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2022 £ - 25,549 17,965 218,013 4,491 - 12,019 - - - 6,121 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 284,158 | ||||
| 65,901 - - - 9,765 - - - - 1,870 1,410 - - - - |
||||
| 78,946 | ||||
| 205,212 - 205,212 1,941,436 |
||||
| 2,146,648 |
Page 13