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<br>founder member of the church|
||Stuart J. Glover<br>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 re￿Ipts 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