Oadby Evangelical Free Church
North Memorial Hall Stoughton Road Oadby Leicester LE2 4FL Tel: 0116 271 3805 email: info@oefc.co.uk web: www.oefc.co.uk
Trustees’ Annual Report for 2023
(1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023)
| Charity name | : Oadby Evangelical Free Church |
|---|---|
| (common abbreviation: OEFC) | |
| Charity registration number | : 1030055 |
| Governing Document | : Church Constitution |
| (original version 1974; revised version adopted 21 March 1997) | |
| Minister | : Gary Stephen Prickett |
| (in post from 1 October 2022) | |
| Church leaders | : the minister, who also serves as an elder of the church |
| : other elders, who also serve as the only trustees of the charity | |
| Lance Atter founder member of the church |
|
| Stuart J. Glover acting treasurer of the church |
|
| Steven J. Green | |
| : deacons, who do not act as trustees of the charity | |
| Judith Chinnery | |
| Alejandro Joya | |
| Church property | : the church does not own any property |
| Charity Commission contact | : Stuart J. Glover, at the church’s address |
| Website | :www.oefc.org.uk |
| Banks | : Barclays Bank plc |
| Nationwide Building Society | |
| Independent Examiner | : Heather Wells MIAB |
| of Accounts |
Affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches O.E.F.C is a Registered Charity: Number 1030055
1. Purpose/Object
The church was established in the mid-1970s to promote the advancement of the Christian faith, and such other charitable purposes as are consistent with that aim, particularly but not exclusively in the Leicestershire town of Oadby.
The church’s understanding of the Christian faith is set out in its Basis of Faith. This is identical to the Doctrinal Basis of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and comprises the basic truths of historic, Biblical Christianity.
2. Organisation
The Church’s Constitution describes the rules governing the leadership and membership of the church, the conduct of its formal ‘business’ meetings, the two ordinances it observes (believers’ baptism and communion) and the basic aspects of its financing (by means of freewill offerings, which are carefully recorded and independently examined).
The work of the church is overseen by elders and supported by deacons, all of whom are active in the church and are appointed by church members. One of the elders is appointed as the minister of the church and is a full-time employee of it; the other elders serve also as the Trustees of the charity.
With the exception of the minister, all members of the church who serve as its elders, deacons or in other ways do so on a voluntary basis and, unless agreed otherwise by members of the church at a formal meeting, without payment.
In 2023, the church held six business meetings for church members. At the end of the year, the church had an admitted membership of 48. Morning congregations are routinely larger than this, and many other children and adults attend one or more of the church’s mid-week activities.
The church is independent of any other organisation but maintains a positive interest in and links with other evangelical churches and Christian organisations. In particular, it maintains its affiliation to the nationwide Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC).
3. Public Benefit Statement and Church Activities
The Trustees of the church have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In particular, the church seeks to benefit the local community by pursuing its main purpose through a range of activities appealing to a wide cross-section of ages and interests.
Each Sunday, and normally twice on that day, the church meets for public worship; special services are also held at Christmas, Easter and at other times. The church does not generally live-stream its services, but video recordings of most of them are released promptly on its YouTube channel. Those who attend the Sunday morning service are invited to send their younger children out of the meeting to a crèche or to Sunday-School classes held in the extension to the Hall in which we worship.
Each week the church runs at least one mid-week meeting for Bible Study and prayer, sometimes with an invited missionary or other guest speaker. Smaller groups, meeting in the Hall or in private homes, meet twice a month; there are also regular prayer meetings, including one held on-line early each Saturday morning. Other regular mid-week sessions include an Art group, a coffee morning with activities or presentations, a play session for pre-school children and their carers, a table-tennis session for men, and a monthly walking group.
The church’s activities are very well advertised in the church, on the web and via a weekly Bulletin which is issued both electronically and on paper. All of the church’s activities, save for its business meetings for members and some of its small-group sessions, are open to the public; several of them attract people who are not formal members of the church or regular members of its congregation.
Most of the church’s activities and events are held at the North Memorial Hall, which is located on Stoughton Road in Oadby and forms the communal space for an estate of homes originally built in the 1920s to house disabled warriors from the Great War. The church rents this historic property, which it has significantly improved and extended, under the terms of an exclusive lease granted to it by the Trustees of another local charity – the North Memorial Homes.
In addition to its concern for the people of Oadby, the church actively supports Christian outreach and missionary work, as well as humanitarian aid projects. Donations received for special collections taken up in 2023 were sent to local charities and foodbanks as well as to recognised missions working overseas. Regular donations were made to Christian organisations and churches working in Latin America, Madagascar, southern France and Tamil Nadu; once again we contributed to the
‘shoebox appeal’ organised by the Blythswood Care charity, and in November 2023 were able to pass on 56 shoeboxes, filled with simple Christmas gifts, for needy families in eastern Europe.
4. Ministerial Appointment
The church had been without a minister for a few years when, in February 2022, it was put in contact with a Canadian pastor who had undertaken theological training in Oxford and sensed a call to ministry in England. In due course – after a series of electronic and face-to-face meetings, interviews and the taking up of references – the church called Gary Prickett to the pastorate at Oadby; he accepted that call and assumed his work at the church, on a full-time basis, on 1 October 2022. He remains in post and has a particular role as the church’s primary teaching elder.
5. Financial Position
The church accounts for the year 2023, attached separately, have been signed off by an independent examiner. They show that, notwithstanding the monies it reclaimed under the Gift Aid scheme, the church had a deficit of receipts over payments. This is largely a product of atypical expenditure in 2023 on the building, particularly to fulfil end-of-lease conditions. Buildings-related expenditure under the terms of a new lease (see below) will be less onerous and, because the church has good reserves, the deficit reported in 2023 is of no immediate concern.
6. Future Developments
The church has occupied the North Memorial Hall in Oadby under the terms of a 35-year lease granted to it by the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes. That lease expired in mid-2022, but was extended to mid-2023 to allow negotiations to take place regarding a possible new lease.
Heads of Terms for a new lease were agreed between the Trustees of OEFC and the Trustees of the North Memorial Homes in July 2023. Solicitors for the latter are drawing up a lease document, based on the agreed Heads of Terms, for twenty years running from 1 October 2023. The new lease will be an Internal Repairing and Insuring (IRI) lease, rather than a Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) lease as before, so the church will have fewer maintenance and repair costs in future.
The church is committed to registering as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Work on this will be done after negotiations regarding the new lease have been concluded satisfactorily.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Oadby Evangelical Free Church:
Lance Atter, 1 June 2024
Oadby Evangellcal Free Church: Independent Examinerfs Report Independent Examiner's Report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church (charity number 1030055) for year ending 31st December 2023 Church Officer< Report These accounts have been prepared on a reIpts and payments basis. In the opinlon of the charlty trustees the accounts are an accurate reflection of the financlal positton of the charity and comply wlth legal requlrements and have our unanimous approval. Slgned on behalf of the trustees Name Offlce held Signature Date Stuart Glover Elder & Interim Treasurer Sja 21/g12 Elder Independent Examlnerfs Report I report on the accounts of Oadby Evangelical Free Church for the year ended 3111 December 2023 which are set out below. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the charity trustees, you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In accordance with the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act ). I report in respect of my examination of the charitvs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applScable Dlrections glven by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examlnation. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attentlon In connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any materlal respect,: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with sectlon 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concernln8 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 fairf 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 connectlon with the examlnatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name Relevant professional qualifications/body Melnber of the Institute of Accountants and Bookeepers IMIAB) Signature Date Heather Wells Address: 33 Acorn Way. Wigston, Leicestershire. LE18 3YA
Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2023 Oadby Evangelical Free Church Accounts & financial statement st Period covered: l January 2023 - 31" December 2023 Summary of receipts and payments st (l January- 31" December 2023) Receipts Unrestrlcted funds 2023 2022 Donatlons Bank Interest (Deposlt accounts) Other Income Gift Aid/Gift Ald small donation scheme IGASDS) 63,761.89 605.22 23,720.25 8,15S.73 60,136.87 62.54 1,452.12 19,395.74 Restricted funds Givlng for mSssionary/speclflc causes Other income 5,425.06 8.286.00 1,000.00 0.00 Total 102,668.15 89,333.27 Payments Unrestrlcted funds 2023 2022 Employment Events/activitles Equlpment Administratlon Bullding Utllitles Glvlng to missionary and other causes Miscellaneous 37,299.60 1,793,23 313.87 6,371.39 47,138.01 5.316.64 5,975.89 16,936.38 5,961.00 2,057.67 7,304.65 27,259.99 5,962.12 6,010.00 0.00 130.00 Restrlcted funds Missionary Eiving Bullding Fund Donatlons for Emmanuel Christian School Leicester 5,069.99 7,830.60 0.00 5,357.35 0.00 4,237.50 Total 117,109.22 81,216.66 5urplus/lDeflclt) of recelpts over payments 114.441.07) 8,116.61 Page2of6
Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2023 Breakdown of receipts {lstJanuary- 31 December 2023) Unrestrirted funds 2023 2022 Donatlons 63.761.89 38,065.00 14,090.73 60,136.87 36,250.00 14,941.21 Bank transfer GivinE via CAFIStewardship Offering box Note I 11,606.16 8,945.66 Tax reclaim 8.155.73 19,395.74 Other income 23,720.25 0.00 10.98 0.00 23,709.27 1,452.12 150.00 720.14 581.98 0.00 Hall use Refunds from suppliers Away day Insurance claims Note 2 Bank interest 605.22 62.54 TOTAL 96,243.09 81.047.27 Restrlcted funds 2023 2022 (£ 4.486.00 940.00 685.00 2,861.00 o.oo 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Misslonary causes Note 3 5425.06 0.00 0.00 1,082.75 1,403.05 2,222.50 500.00 16.76 200.(10 2021 ChrSstmas offerin 2022 Harvest offerin 2022 Christma5 offerin 2023 Easter offerlng 2023 Harvest offerin 2023 Christmas offering TearFund VOCM Buildin Note 4 Note 5 Note 6 Note 7 Note 8 Note 9 Fund Other givi i.000.00 3.800.00 3,650.00 Donations for Emmanuel Christian School Leicester Contributlon to travel expenses Donation for Blythswood Care shoebox appeal 1,000.00 0.00 150.00 TOTAL INCOME TO RESTRICTED FUNDS 6A25.06 8.286.00 TOTAL RECEIPTS 102.668.15 89.333.27 Page3of2
Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2023 Breakdown of payments {14t January- 31st December 2023) Unrestricted funds 2023 2022 Emplo ment 37,299.60 o.oo 35.171.90 16,936.38 7,004.70 8.800.53 Staff worker contributlons Minister salary, tax and pension contributions Book allowance Travel expenses 0.00 2,127.70 51.00 1.080.15 Events/artivities 1,793.23 831.35 0.00 37.93 215.21 o.oo 365.70 220.54 122.50 5,961.00 1,901.23 579.00 121.91 239.94 13,00 3,045.30 60.62 0.00 Visiting reacher expenses Away day WorshSp services Catering Chrlstlan Union church fair Outreach Youthwork Room Hlre E ulpment 313.87 39.98 239.11 0.00 34.78 2,057.67 242.28 1,781.44 33.95 0.00 Audiovisual Com uting Telephony Health & safet Mlsslonary causes 5.725.89 1,440.00 1.440.00 1,440.00 960.00 445.89 5,760.00 1,440.00 1,440.00 1,440.00 1,440.00 0.00 Carca550nne Latin Link Mandritsara Valathi Nelsons {via UFM) Glfts to other causes 250.00 loo.00 0.00 250.00 loo.00 150.00 Local Unlversit Cus Emmanuel Church Leftwich buildin roject Bulkington Church renovation ro ect 150.00 0.00 Admlnlstratlon Note 10 6,371.39 2,285.66 127.71 1,384.03 314.00 1.476.00 172.68 7.304.65 3,987.59 85.00 1,293.38 293.00 1.344.00 172.68 Fees Printing and statione Insurance Co ht licence FIEC membership Zoom subscription Page4of2
Oadby Evangelical Free Church: Accounts for 2023 Child protection/ safeguardin Website 145.00 129.00 466.31 0.00 Buildin 47,138.01 18,700.00 17.28 152.49 0.00 0.00 95.40 2.916.00 1,297.57 0.00 0.00 23,959.27 27,259.99 6,680.00 1.317.25 73.72 13,590.00 1,002.08 256.20 3,204.00 932,98 123.76 80.00 0.00 Rent Buildin fabric Cleaning Decorating Electrical work Fire safety Gardening Gas work Plumbing work Window cleanin Dralns Note 2 Utllltles 5,316.64 1,464.71 2,902.26 677,97 271.70 5,962.12 814.79 4,505.72 492.46 149.15 Electrlcit Gas Phone/broadband Water M15cellaneous 0.00 0.00 0.00 130.00 100.00 30.00 Gifts to individuals Training Total payments from unrestrirted funds 104,208.63 71,621.81 Restricted funds 2023 2022 Mlsslona causes Note 3 5,069.99 440.00 5,357.35 1,113.75 867.35 3,226.25 0.00 0,00 0.00 150.00 0.00 2021 Christmas offering 2022 Harvest offerin 2022 Chrlstmas offerin 2023 Easter offerin 2023 Harrfest offering TearFund 81ythswood Care VOCM Buildin Fund Note4 Note 5 767.50 1,403.05 2,242.68 16.76 0.00 200.00 Note 6 Note 7 Note 9 Glfts to other causes 0.00 0.00 4,237.50 4,237.50 Emmanuel Christian School Buildlng Fund 7,830.60 7,830.60 0.00 0.00 Building work Total payments from restrirted funds 12,900.59 9.594.85 TOTAL PAYMENTS 117,109.22 81,216.66 Page5of2
Oadby Evangelical Free Churth: Accounts for 2023 Notes on receipts and payments Includes £65 collected by Art@Oadby group and £222.34 from Shining Stars group. Insurance money received for work to be done on drainage system. Money paid for this work Includes £250 exces& 2021 Christmas offerlng was to Barnaba5 Fund Work for work in Afghanistan. 2022 Harvest offerlng was to SIM forthe work of Matt & Lisa Wallis In Jos, Nigerla. 2022 Christmas offering was to European Mlsslonary Fellowship for the Bibles and blankets for Ukraine appeal. 2023 Easter offerin8 was to the Misslon Aviation Fellowship. Figure includes Gift Ald claimed on applicable donations. 2023 Harvest offerlng was to the expansion of the maternity unit at the Good News Hospltal in Mandrit5ara, Madagascar, Figure includes Gift Aid claimed on applicable donations. Includes £20.18 expenses from the Harvest meal whlch was donated to the collection. 2023 Christmas offering was split equally between the Wofk of the Internatlonal Mlsslon to JewSsh People and Reach Across. Flgure includes Gift Aid claimed on appllcable donatlons. Thi5 gift was not f(v a cause being direttly supported by the church and was returned to the giver. Fee5 ald to Independent exarniner and solicitor. io Statement of assets and liabilities at 31st December Assets 2023 (£ 19,809.23 111.275.51 22.27 131.107.01 2022 Current account De osit accounts Pett cash Total 55,877.79 89,670.29 0.00 145,548.08 Funds Unrestrlcted (general) fund Deslgnated funds: Valathl Restrlcted funds: Building fund 2021 Christmas offerin 2022 Christmas offering 2023 Christmas offerlng Total 116,457.61 123,918.08 480.(K) 0.00 13,669.40 0.00 0.00 500.00 131,107.01 21,500.00 440.00 130.00 0.00 145,548.08 Llablllties Amount due within l year 1,472.52 1,669.28 Flxed assets The Church does not own any land, building5 or vehicles. Fixed assets held by the church Includes books, office e ui ment and other fixtures and fittin s which all belong to the eneral fund. Page6of2