2023-12-31-accounts - The Assembled Church Of Christ Trust

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Registered number 1019898

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust

Report and Financial Statements

31 December 2023

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Report and accounts Contents

	Page
Charity Information	1
Trustees' Report	2
Independent Examiner's Report	6
Statement of Financial Activities	7
Statement of Financial Position	8
Statement of Changes in Charitable Funds	9
Statement of Cash Flows	10
Notes to the Financial Statements	11
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	15
Detailed Income and Expenditure Account	16

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Charity Information

Trustees

Pastor Pearl Melita Bolton (Presiding minister) Eulanda Elsaida Nelson Helen Fletcher Allen Marcia Ferron

Secretary

Therese Prince

Independent examiners

Jacksons Chartered Accountants First Floor, Albion House Albion Street Hull HU1 3TE

Bankers

Barclays Bank UK plc 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP

Registered office

38b Erlanger Road London SE14 5TG

Registered number

1019898

Governing document

Declaration of Trust dated 9 March 1993

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Registered charity number: 1019898 Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

The trustees present their report and financial statement for the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): 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 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Principal activities

The Charity's principal activity during the year continued to be as a church that provides regular worship services, open to all.

Objectives and activities

The principal objectives of the Charity are:

the worship of God;
the instruction and edification of Christians;
the care and Christian instruction of young people and children;
the evangelising to non-Christians;
the relief of sickness and poverty; and
the advancement of the Christian faith generally.

Public benefit

We have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. We exist to serve people in our community without discrimination. We strive to promote social welfare through the provision of facilities aimed at improving the social, physical and spiritual wellbeing of those in our local community.

The Charity provides a safe working environment for visitors, members, workers and volunteers and any serious incidence are reported in accordance with our safeguarding policy. There was no incidence during the year ended 31 December 2023.

Fundraising

The Charity raises funds from the public in the form of voluntary donations ("general offerings") from attendees of its Christian church services.

The Charity does not use the services of a professional fundraiser or commercial participator in the process of raising funds. Also, the Charity (or any person acting on its behalf) is not subject to any voluntary scheme for regulating fundraising, or voluntary standard for fundraising in respect of activities on behalf of the Charity.

The Charity (or any person acting on its behalf) has not received any complaints in regard to its fundraising activities.

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Registered charity number: 1019898 Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

Activities during the year

This has been a particularly difficult year for the Charity and the community in which it operates.

During the year, we continued to support our community by organising family day activities and meals for the less fortunate.

In December, we opened our doors to the wider community via the 999 club for local people sleeping rough.

Financial review

Principal sources of funding

The largest contributions to the church are from tithes and voluntary general offerings given by the local congregation.

Financial review

The Charity achieved a surplus of £29,373 for the financial year. At 31 December 2023, the Charity held total funds of £460,501; £456,064 of which was cash at the bank and in hand. (The rest is the value of fixed assets, £378, less creditors of £780.) This, in all, is considered to be an appropriate level of funds to enable the Charity to pursue its objectives.

Reserves policy

The trustees have a forecast of the level of free reserves, (that is, those funds not tied up in fixed assets) that the Charity will require to sustain its day-to-day obligations. Whilst our actual free reserves may prove sufficient, it is the trustees’ view that it is prudent to maintain the forecasted level of reserves to allow for financial flexibility and stability.

Investment policy

The trustees have adopted a strong socially responsible investment policy for the reserves of the Charity. This policy, in tandem with the need to fulfil our statutory obligations, has the objective of investing in such a way that the principles of socially responsible investment are promoted. A further factor is the need to have ready access to our reserves, as long-term funding cannot be guaranteed, so for the current period, we have placed surplus funds in short-term deposit accounts.

Risk management

The trustees actively review, on a regular basis, the major risks that the Charity faces in maintaining reserves at the levels stated above, in addition to an annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out through an internal audit process.

Internal control risks are minimised by authorisation procedures for all financial transactions. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and this being for staff, volunteers and visitors.

The trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which we face and confirm that they have taken steps to mitigate any significant risks.

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Registered charity number: 1019898 Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The Assembled Church of Christ is a charitable organisation established in 1992 and registered as a charity on 15 April 1993. The charity is governed by a Declaration of Trust.

Organisational structure

The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected or co-opted under the terms of the Trust Deed.

Volunteers

Our charity volunteers play a vital role in meeting our charity objectives and help to develop and support our growing programme of religious and community activities. Our volunteers’ responsibilities include completing tasks assigned by the Trustees, upholding the Charity’s values, and maintaining a high degree of professionalism when dealing with others.

Where possible, our volunteers help to serve the local community during worship services and through other pastoral work - working with the homeless, counselling, and in food programmes, youth services and education, including working with local agencies in the fight against knife and gun crimes. Many of our volunteers act as administrators and support workers from a range of other professional backgrounds such as finance, law, music, health and general office administration. They provide an invaluable service to the church activities during the year.

There was an average of 15 volunteers, excluding trustees, throughout the year who aided in the running of the Charity.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

There must be at least three trustees. Apart from the first trustees, new trustees must be appointed by resolution of a special meeting of the trustees duly called under the provision of the trust deed.

Existing trustees seek to ensure that the needs of the Charity are appropriately reflected through the diversity of the trust body. To enhance the potential pool of trustees, the Charity has, through selective advertising and networking with voluntary organisations active in the sector, sought to identify those who would be willing to become members of the Charity and use their own experience to assist the Charity.

There were no new or additional trustees recruited in the year to 31 December 2023.

Trustee induction and training

Many trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the Charity as they are also active members of the church as well as involved in other churches and organisations.

New trustees are encouraged to familiarise themselves with charity law, their responsibilities as trustees and with the Charity's rules and practices.

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Registered charity number: 1019898 Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2023

Trustees

The following persons served as trustees during the year:

Pastor Pearl Melita Bolton (Presiding minister) Eulanda Elsaida Nelson Helen Fletcher Allen Marcia Ferron

Secretary

Therese Prince

Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ascertain to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 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 the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Charity and financial information included on the Charity’s website as well as:

a) to prepare financial statements which show a true and fair view;

b) in preparing financial statements:

(i) to select suitable accounting policies and apply them on a consistent basis; and
(ii) to make judgements and estimates that are prudent and reasonable; as well as
c) to keep proper accounting records.

Disclosure of information to independent examiners

Each person who was a trustee at the time this report was approved confirms that:

so far as he is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity's independent examiner is unaware; and
he has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Charity's independent examiner is aware of that information.

This report was approved by the board on 29 February 2024 and signed on its behalf.

Eulanda Elsaida Nelson Trustee

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Independent Examiner's Report to the members of The Assembled Church of Christ Trust

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out in pages 1 to 16.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Mark Jackson (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Jacksons Chartered Accountants First Floor, Albion House Albion Street Hull HU1 3TE

29 February 2024

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes Income from charitable activities 2 Expenditure on charitable activities Net operating income Administrative expenses Other operating income Operating surplus 3 Interest receivable Movement in funds: Net income Reconciliation of funds Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	2023 £ 39,809 (3,068) 36,741 (11,664) 155 25,232 4,141 29,373 29,373 431,128 460,501	2022 £ 31,224 (3,149) 28,075 (3,686) - 24,389 112 24,501 24,501 406,627 431,128

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2023

Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 5 Current assets Debtors 6 Cash on deposit Cash at bank Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 Net current assets Net assets Capital and reserves Unrestricted funds 8 Total equity	2023 £ 378 4,839 454,267 1,797 460,903 (780) 460,123 460,501 460,501 460,501	2022 £ 460 3,008 423,690 4,570 431,268 (600) 430,668 431,128 431,128 431,128

Eulanda Elsaida Nelson Trustee

Approved by the board on 29 February 2024

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Statement of Changes in Charitable Funds for the year ended 31 December 2023

This schedule does not form part of the statutory accounts

At 1 January 2022 Surplus for the financial year At 31 December 2022 At 1 January 2023 Surplus for the financial year At 31 December 2023	Income and Expenditure account £ 406,627 24,501 431,128 431,128 29,373 460,501	Total £ 406,627 24,501 431,128 431,128 29,373 460,501

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes Operating activities Profit for the financial year Adjustments for: Interest receivable Depreciation (Increase)/decrease in debtors Increase in creditors Interest received Cash generated by operating activities Investing activities Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets Cash used in investing activities Net cash generated Cash generated by operating activities Cash used in investing activities Net cash generated Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December Cash and cash equivalents comprise: Cash at bank	2023 £ 29,373 (4,141) 82 (1,831) 180 23,663 4,141 27,804 - - 27,804 - 27,804 428,260 456,064 456,064	2022 £ 24,501 (112) 100 39 - 24,528 112 24,640 (267) (267) 24,640 (267) 24,373 403,887 428,260 428,260

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

1 Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

*Tangible fixed assets*
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative depreciation	and any
accumulative impairment losses. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets,	other than
freehold land, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each
asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:
Plant and machinery at a rate of 10% per year, over 10 years
Motor vehicles at a rate of 25% of the net book value

Depreciation is not provided on freehold buildings because the residual value of the buildings at the end of their useful life is expected to be higher than its cost or valuation.

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.

Creditors

Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation under sections 521 to 536 of the Income Tax Act 2007 (ITA 2007).

Fund accounting: restricted and unrestricted funds

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

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

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.

Going concern

The accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that the Charity will be in operational existence twelve months from the date of approval of these accounts. The trustees are satisfied that this basis is appropriate.

There are no material uncertainties.

Provisions

Provisions (i.e. liabilities of uncertain timing or amount) are recognised when there is an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that economic benefit will be transferred to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be estimated

Pensions

Contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed in the period to which they relate.

Government grants

The accrual model (FRS 102 24.5C-G) was applied in producing these accounts; therefore grants were recognised as either relating to revenue (over the period in which the Charity recognises the related costs for which the grant was intended to compensate) or relating to assets (over the expected useful life of the asset).

2 Analysis of income from charitable activities Tithes and offerings Gifts, donations and pledges Gift aid By geographical market: UK 3 Operating surplus This is stated after charging: Depreciation of owned fixed assets	2023 £ 17,656 16,088 6,065 39,809 39,809 2023 £ 82	2022 £ 13,994 6,292 10,938 31,224 31,224 2022 £ 100

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

4 Role played by general volunteers

Volunteers play a vital role in the running of the Charity and their contribution helps the Charity achieve its objectives.

5 Tangible fixed assets

Plant and machinery At cost £ Cost or valuation At 1 January 2023 267 At 31 December 2023 267 Depreciation At 1 January 2023 27 Charge for the year 27 At 31 December 2023 54 Carrying amount At 31 December 2023 213 At 31 December 2022 240 6 Debtors Prepayments and accrued income 7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors 8 Funds At 1 January Net income for the financial year At 31 December	Motor vehicles At cost £ 16,444 16,444 16,224 55 16,279 165 220 2023 £ 4,839 2023 £ 780 2023 £ 431,128 29,373 460,501	Total £ 16,711 16,711 16,251 82 16,333 378 460 2022 £ 3,008 2022 £ 600 2022 £ 406,627 24,501 431,128

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees, in order to further the charity's objectives.

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

9 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities	Unrestricted funds 378 460,903 (780) 460,501	Restricted funds - - - -	2023 £ 378 460,903 (780) 460,501	2022 £ 460 431,268 (600) 431,128

10 Related party transactions

The following payments were made to trustees during the financial year.

£ Pastor Pearl Melita Bolton Trustee 1,800 Reimbursement for Telephone and Internet costs

No other trustees claimed expenses or had their expenses met by the Charity.

The legal authority under which the above payments were made was the Charity's governing document.

11 Presentation currency

The financial statements are presented in Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound (£).

12 Legal form of entity and country of incorporation

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust is an unincorporated charity and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

13 Principal place of business

The address of the charity's principal place of business and registered office is:

38b Erlanger Road London SE14 5TG

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

also Income and Expenditure Account

for the year ended 31 December 2023

Notes Income from charitable activities Tithes and offerings 2 Gifts, donations and pledges Gift aid Expenditure on charitable activities Gifts and donations Catering and hospitality Net operating income Administrative expenses Support costs Governance costs Other operating income Operating surplus Interest receivable Movement in funds: Surplus	2023 £ 17,656 16,088 6,065 39,809 (2,084) (984) (3,068) 36,741 (10,884) (780) 155 25,232 4,141 29,373	2022 £ 13,994 6,292 10,938 31,224 (2,750) (399) (3,149) 28,075 (3,086) (600) - 24,389 112 24,501

The Assembled Church of Christ Trust Detailed Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2023

Income from charitable activities Tithes and offerings Gifts, donations and pledges Gift aid Expenditure on charitable activities Gifts and donations Catering and hospitality Administrative expenses Support costs Employee costs: Travel and subsistence Motor expenses Premises costs: Rent General administrative expenses: Telephone and internet Stationery and printing Insurance Equipment expensed Repairs and maintenance Depreciation Support costs Governance costs Legal and professional costs: Independent examination fees Administrative expenses Other operating income Other operating income	2023 £ 17,656 16,088 6,065 39,809 2,084 984 3,068 357 2,989 3,346 4,420 4,420 1,800 109 292 663 172 82 3,118 10,884 780 11,664 155	2022 £ 13,994 6,292 10,938 31,224 2,750 399 3,149 655 2,009 2,664 - - - - 272 - 50 100 422 3,086 600 3,686 -