The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
During the year, Rosemary Sowden was responsible for day to day administration of property bookings, administration and finance. Paul Sowden was responsible for property matters.
During the year the Charity employed one part time person for 20 hours per week - 12 hours per week as caretaker plus 8 hours per week to cover the day-to-day administration of the centre bookings process.
The Focus of our Work
Our main objectives for the period were to promote the evangelical Christian faith. We meet these objectives by letting out the premises at Bernard’s Acre to church affiliated and other Christian groups and individuals.
Purposes and Aims
Our charity’s purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company’s memorandum of association are:
The promotion of the Evangelical Christian Faith and in furtherance of this object to provide a Christian Centre; and
The furtherance of such other charitable purposes as the charity shall determine.
The aims of our charity are to promote the evangelical Christian faith by providing premises for use by church affiliated and other groups that respect our values. These premises are known as Bernard’s Acre and are located at Belstone, Okehampton, Devon. We are an inclusive Christian charity. Everyone is welcome to use our facilities, whether they are a person of faith or not.
The charity is a successor body to the unincorporated charitable trust known as The Bernard’s Acre Trust established by deed executed on 10 January 1981. On 1 October 2009, the Trust transferred the freehold property at Bernard’s Acre and its entire net assets to the charity. The charity commenced the activities previously undertaken by the Trust on 1 October 2009. In 5th June 2017 Bernard’s Acre Trust was linked to the Trust by the Charity Commission.
Ensuring our Work Delivers Our Aims
When reviewing our aims this year the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s published guidance on public benefit. The aim of our charity is to provide comfortable, affordable, accessible accommodation for use by families, church affiliated groups and other groups that respect our values.
We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the period, the success of the key activities and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
How our Activities Deliver Public Benefit
Our main activities and who we try to help are described below. All our charitable activities focus on the promotion of the evangelical faith by the provision of suitable premises for hire and are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit.
Who used and benefited from our Services
Bernard's Acre was let for around 90% of weekends during 2024 which is our primary letting pattern. The occupancy rate during the year averaged out at around 45% with higher usage in high season and lower usage in low season. The impact of our work goes far beyond the individuals who stay at Bernard's Acre. The bookings returned to a more normal pattern, which included church based groups and activities including youth groups, educational groups, adult retreats and family groups. Our work also benefits the churches, families and communities which guests belong with additional income generated by letting to families and groups for holidays during the periods when the centre would otherwise be vacant.
The charitable company made an operating surplus in the year of £12,724 (2023 – surplus £59,626).
Total income decreased by £49,306 compared to the previous year.
Total expenditure showed a decrease of £2,404 compared to the previous year.
The charitable company’s funds totalled £477,325 (2023: £464,601) at the year-end with net current assets totalling £31,303 (2023: £28,217).
Principal Funding Sources
The principal funding sources for the charity over this year were the letting of Bernard’s Acre and some donations from supporters.
Investment Policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity’s funds are to be spent in the short term concentrating on repayment of long term borrowing and upgrade of the premises in order to reach a carbon neutral position in the long term, so there are no funds for long term investment.
The directors have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation which would include a significant reduction in lettings income and the liabilities associated with employment of staff. It has established a policy to hold at least 6 months of unrestricted expenditure. Reserves this year totalled £477,325 which was in line with this policy.
Budgets for the coming year forecast a net operating profit of £21,915 of which it is proposed £10,000 would be earmarked for the final repayment of the mortgage capital.
The charity has a full booking diary for 2025. We are reviewing our marketing strategy in order to maximise the income that can be generated during the low season now the upgrade has been completed allowing letting all year round.
Governing Document
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 12th June 2009 and registered as a charity on 21st August 2009. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
Directors
The names of persons who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report, are set out on page 1.
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the directors are elected to serve for a period of three years after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. The directors are also members of the company and the company has no members who are not directors, therefore the Annual General Meeting was deemed to have taken place as part of the meeting of the directors at which the Accounts were presented for approval.
All directors/trustees give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the charity.
Bernard’s Acre has a board of directors who meet biannually (or more as required) and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the board has seven members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity.
Two new trustees were appointed during the year. All trustees have visited Bernard’s Acre and volunteer in practical ways.
Additionally, trustees familiarise themselves with the charity and the context within which it operates, including:
The obligations of members
The main documents which set out the operational framework for the charity including the Memorandum and Articles
Resourcing and the current financial position
Future plans and objectives
Risk Management
The directors have reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Bernard's Acre (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Bernard's Acre is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 15-17 Southernhay East, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1QE.
The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £10.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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 (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Equipment costing more than £750 is capitalised.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
As a charitable company, Bernard's Acre is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within sections 466 to 493 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 and section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable purposes. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Supply of Water to Riverside Cottage
A deed has been drawn up between Bernard's Acre and Riverside Cottage regarding water supplied via Bernard's Acre. The costs of metered water and standing charge are shown in other income.
One of the Trustees was reimbursed expenses totalling £564 (2023: £2,206) during the year. These costs were in relation to charitable expenditure.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
A loan of £100,000 has been offered by The Loraine Christian Trust with interest charged at 4% over a period of up to fifteen years.
The Charity repaid £12,000 during the year.
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
During the previous year, the charity received £5,000 from The Moshulu Charitable Trust. This donation was to be used to assist the charity in the purchase of solar panels.
Equipment and work done totalling £348 (2023: £767) was paid for by the charity to a company where the son of two of the trustees is a director.