REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07372351 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1142412

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 5 April 2025

for

The Black Country Net

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

Notes to the Financial Statements

7

to

11

TRUSTEES

Revd P G Chamberlain

T Fellows

Mrs L J Wildsmith

K R Davis (appointed 11.11.25)

REGISTERED OFFICE

Alpha House

9 Tipton Street

Sedgley

West Midlands

DY3 1HE

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER

07372351 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

1142412

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

S A R Accountants

Tower View

Broadway Road

Childswickham

Broadway

Worcestershire

WR12 7HD

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The principle objectives of the company are :-

- to promote the advancement of education of the general public in Christian principles;

- to advance Christian education of school children and young people;

- to promote such other purposes currently recognised as charitable and any new charitable purpose.

Working primarily in the Black Country boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, promoting church partnerships and helping communities by encouraging business enterprise , food banks and the like.

The main activities have been facilitating the regular gatherings of leaders from both Church, business, public and charitable sectors ,including representatives of youth and children's works, on a monthly basis, either in the local boroughs or on a wider basis across the Black Country. These , we are pleased to report, have spawned many initiatives at every level.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the information contained in the Charity Commissioner's General Guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's objectives and activities. The Trustees consider that considerable public benefit will be achieved and many members of the public will benefit.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The organisation continues to grow and evolve as we clearly see our two-pronged mission of "movement" and "moments" working out. "Movement" being our ongoing vision of churches, businesses, the third sector etc operating together. "Moments" being the practical, event led demonstrations of that assembling together.

This has clearly been seen in the last 12 months, not only in the regular gatherings of leaders and various groupings but specifically in 3 memorable events and ongoing events: -

- Amongst the young people, as both leaders have regularly gathered but perhaps more importantly gatherings of the youth themselves are growing and flourishing, with several events seeing over 300 in attendance.

- November 2024, saw over 1500 people from many churches come together for an amazing evening at the Bethel Convention Centre in Oldbury.

- In June 2025, the "Together" event at Himley Hall in Dudley brought together more than 3,000 attendees for a glorious day of celebration, fun, worship, activities and gatherings. The event was supported by over 100 churches from both boroughs and included participants from a range of backgrounds and communities.

Suffice to say, we are delighted with progress to date and look forward to going forward in many arenas.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The total net income over expenditure for the year amounts to £40,058 (2024 net expenditure over income £13,139). Total funds carried forward amount to £106,328 (2024 £66,270).

The vast majority of the finances required to fund the activities are raised through regular giving and one-off donations from individuals , local churches and businesses, supplemented by the refund of income tax from HM Revenue and Customs through the gift aid scheme. Additionally grants are sourced and received on an ad- hoc basis.

Reserves policy and review

The policy agreed by the directors is to aim to hold in unrestricted reserves not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets ( the " free " reserves) sufficient to cover the general overhead expenses and salary costs not specifically funded by external agencies or able to be covered by other committed income such as rents for a period of six months. As of 5th April 2025, we feel that the free reserves available of £106,328 (2024 £66,270) would meet this objective.

The directors review risk periodically and are satisfied that major risks to which the charity is exposed, are adequately mitigated through insurance, strategic planning, policies and procedures.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

New directors are appointed by the existing directors. A selection and recruitment process takes place when potential board members are selected, after making careful enquiry as to their suitability and their support of the objectives of the trust. The board aims to have a broad range of skills represented, in particular expertise in Christian doctrine, finance and charity law.

The board of directors currently comprises of 4 members who meet quarterly.

A core team, consisting of the board of directors plus at least 4 others, and a borough representatives team, provide input and advice into the management of the trust.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18 November 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Revd P G Chamberlain - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Black Country Net ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 5 April 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

Sally-Ann Reeves FCCA

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

S A R Accountants

Tower View

Broadway Road

Childswickham

Broadway

Worcestershire

WR12 7HD

Date: .............................................

5.4.25

5.4.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

118,482

-

118,482

122,195

Charitable activities

Networking and events

9,633

-

9,633

8,472

Investment income

3

697

-

697

35

Total

128,812

-

128,812

130,702

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Networking and events

61,722

-

61,722

65,432

Together Festival

27,032

-

27,032

78,409

Total

88,754

-

88,754

143,841

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

40,058

-

40,058

(13,139

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

66,270

-

66,270

79,409

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

106,328

-

106,328

66,270

5.4.25

5.4.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

CURRENT ASSETS

Prepayments and accrued income

1,314

-

1,314

2,641

Cash at bank

105,514

-

105,514

64,129

106,828

-

106,828

66,770

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

7

(500

)

-

(500

)

(500

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

106,328

-

106,328

66,270

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

106,328

-

106,328

66,270

NET ASSETS

106,328

-

106,328

66,270

FUNDS

8

Unrestricted funds

106,328

66,270

TOTAL FUNDS

106,328

66,270

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 5 April 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 November 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

P G Chamberlain - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

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

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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

5.4.25

5.4.24

£

£

Donations

77,801

114,574

Gift aid

7,554

7,621

Together Festival

33,127

-

118,482

122,195

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

5.4.25

5.4.24

£

£

Deposit account interest

697

35

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

5.4.25

5.4.24

£

£

Trustees' salaries

-

9,675

Trustees' pensions paid

-

212

-

9,887

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 5 April 2025 nor for the year ended 5 April 2024.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

5.4.25

5.4.24

Administration

-

1

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

122,195

-

122,195

Charitable activities

Networking and events

8,472

-

8,472

Investment income

35

-

35

Total

130,702

-

130,702

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Networking and events

65,432

-

65,432

Together Festival

78,409

-

78,409

Total

143,841

-

143,841

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(13,139

)

-

(13,139

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

79,409

-

79,409

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

66,270

-

66,270

7.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

5.4.25

5.4.24

£

£

Accruals and deferred income

500

500

8.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 6.4.24

in funds

funds

5.4.25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

3,484

8,407

(473

)

11,418

Next Generation

24,305

4,517

-

28,822

Together Festival

4,176

6,997

-

11,173

Love Wolverhampton

40

-

-

40

Love Dudley

4,312

117

991

5,420

Love Sandwell

13,920

259

473

14,652

Love Walsall

12,857

707

-

13,564

Chapel premises

1,867

(1,867

)

-

-

Gender Conference

991

-

(991

)

-

Mental Health

218

(24

)

-

194

Retreats

100

284

-

384

Kingdom Business Fund

-

289

-

289

Fundraising

-

20,372

-

20,372

66,270

40,058

-

106,328

TOTAL FUNDS

66,270

40,058

-

106,328

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

44,527

(36,120

)

8,407

Next Generation

6,887

(2,370

)

4,517

Together Festival

34,029

(27,032

)

6,997

Love Dudley

2,298

(2,181

)

117

Love Sandwell

1,140

(881

)

259

Love Walsall

5,972

(5,265

)

707

Chapel premises

305

(2,172

)

(1,867

)

Mental Health

-

(24

)

(24

)

Retreats

3,107

(2,823

)

284

Kingdom Business Fund

1,097

(808

)

289

Fundraising

29,450

(9,078

)

20,372

128,812

(88,754

)

40,058

TOTAL FUNDS

128,812

(88,754

)

40,058

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 6.4.23

in funds

funds

5.4.24

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

13,897

(9,813

)

(600

)

3,484

Next Generation

21,210

3,095

-

24,305

Together Festival

(2,564

)

(885

)

7,625

4,176

Love Wolverhampton

80

(40

)

-

40

Love Dudley

5,100

212

(1,000

)

4,312

Love Sandwell

15,063

857

(2,000

)

13,920

Love Walsall

20,855

(3,973

)

(4,025

)

12,857

Chapel premises

4,027

(2,160

)

-

1,867

Gender Conference

991

-

-

991

Mental Health

750

(532

)

-

218

Retreats

-

100

-

100

79,409

(13,139

)

-

66,270

TOTAL FUNDS

79,409

(13,139

)

-

66,270

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

39,085

(48,898

)

(9,813

)

Next Generation

3,095

-

3,095

Together Festival

73,466

(74,351

)

(885

)

Love Wolverhampton

-

(40

)

(40

)

Love Dudley

1,734

(1,522

)

212

Love Sandwell

1,140

(283

)

857

Love Walsall

5,000

(8,973

)

(3,973

)

Chapel premises

-

(2,160

)

(2,160

)

Mental Health

1,547

(2,079

)

(532

)

Retreats

5,635

(5,535

)

100

130,702

(143,841

)

(13,139

)

TOTAL FUNDS

130,702

(143,841

)

(13,139

)

9.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 5 April 2025.