2024-12-31-accounts - Blackburn Community Church

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Blackburn Community Church

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

WORKING NAME OF THE CHARITY

Community Church Blackburn

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Wesley Hall Feilden Street Blackburn BB2 1LQ CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1041251 GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 12 September 1994 amended by supplemental deeds in 2001.

TRUSTEES

Gina Berry - Treasurer and Acting Chair Sylvanus Bowlin Miriam Hamilton Alison Hammerton (appointed February 2024) Corlia Gent (appointed February 2024) Geoffrey Shanks (resigned February 2024) Angela Shanks (resigned February 2024)

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

INDEX
Legal and Administrative Details	1
Report of the Trustees	2 - 4
Independent Examiner's Report	5
Receipts and Payments Account	6
Statement of Assets and Liabilities	7
Notes to the Accounts	8

Page 1

BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.

Objects of the Charity

The primary objective of the Trust is the advancement of the Christian religion. This objective is met through the weekly services held locally at the Wesley Hall in Blackburn. The church also supports mission and relief activities in the UK and overseas.

Our Mission

Community Church Blackburn exists to see lives transformed through the love of Jesus.Our mission is simple and enduring:

Loving God, Loving People, Building God’s Kingdom.

Governance

The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.

New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees.

Activities and achievements in 2024

Despite facing significant changes in leadership, Community Church Blackburn continued to carry out its mission through a range of worship services, ministries, and community initiatives.

Key Worship Services and Events

Weekly Sunday worship services with Bible teaching and worship.
Easter and Christmas outreach services open to the wider community.
Regular prayer meetings and small group gatherings.

Attendance and Membership

Average weekly attendance remained relatively stable at around 50 people, despite the transition in leadership.

Leadership Transitions

In September 2024, Stephen Norcross (former pastor) left the church. In December 2024, we welcomed a new Pastor, Simon Gimeno, and a new Administrator, Kirsty Gimeno, to join the leadership of the church.

In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Financial Review

A summary of our financial position for 2024 is as follows:

Total income: £48,921 (2023: £69,707)

Primary sources: Tithes, offerings, and individual donations.

Total expenditure: £50,085 (2023:£78,294)

Major areas: Staff salaries, building rental costs, outreach ministry expenses.

Net deficit: £1,164 (2023:£8,587)

Page 2

Reserves Policy

The Trustees aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £20,000 (2023:£24,000), which equates to about 4 month's usual unrestricted expenditure, so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end the charity held unrestricted cash of £25,312 (2023: £28,317). The Trustees are satisfied that the financial resources of the charity are being managed prudently and in line with its objectives.

Property and Assets

Community Church Blackburn does not currently own any property. We continue to rent and meet at Wesley Hall, Fielden Street, Blackburn, BB2 1LQ, which remains suitable for our worship and community activities.

No major renovations or asset purchases were made in 2024.

Risk Management

The Trustees actively monitor and review potential risks and take steps to mitigate them where appropriate.

Safeguarding

We maintain up-to-date safeguarding policies, and all staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults are DBS-checked and appropriately trained. A designated Safeguarding Lead is in place and attends regular training.

Health & Safety

Health and safety policies are reviewed annually. Regular checks are made to ensure our venue remains compliant with safety regulations.

Insurance

Adequate insurance is in place to cover public liability, employer’s liability, and relevant property-related risks.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Plans and Goals

Despite the leadership transitions in 2024, the Trustees remain committed to the vision and mission of the church. Key goals for 2025 include:

Supporting the continued integration of new church leadership.
Strengthening community outreach and discipleship programmes.
Encouraging member engagement and volunteer participation.

Challenges

The resignation of the previous church leader in September 2024 brought a period of change and uncertainty. However, the leadership team, Trustees, and church community have remained unified. The appointment of new leadership has been a positive and hopeful development as we move forward.

Page 3

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.

Approval

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Gina Berry

Gina Berry (Oct 29, 2025 14:17:13 GMT) Gina Berry - Treasurer and Acting Chair

……………………………………………………………………………….

Date: Oct 29, 2025

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Blackburn Community Church (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 6 to 8 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

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.

Archie McDowall

Archie McDowall (Oct 29, 2025 16:01:31 GMT)

Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Oct 29, 2025

Page 5

BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted Funds £ 36,904 - 8,909	Restricted Funds £ 50 - -	Total 2023 £ 50,673 474 11,919
45,813 158 573 486 47,030 10,896 30,682 4,920 3,537 50,035 - 50,035 (3,005) - (3,005) 28,317 25,312	50 - - 1,842 1,892 - - 50 - 50 - 50 1,842 - 1,842 105,003 106,845	63,066 4,475 - 2,167
		69,707
		12,450 49,694 6,139 3,333
		71,615 6,679
		78,294
		(8,587) -
		(8,587) 141,907
		133,320

The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.

Page 6

BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

A Cash funds Cash at bank B Other monetary assets Gift aid due C Liabilities Accounts preparation and examination fees Payroll creditors D Assets retained for charity's own use Marquee tent purchased in 2023	Unrestricted Funds £ 25,312 25,312 - - 1,140 - 1,140	Restricted Funds £ 106,845 106,845 - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Unrestricted	2024 £ 132,157 132,157 - - 1,140 - 1,140 Cost 6,679	2023 £ 133,320
				133,320
				413
				413
				1,116 455
				1,571
				Current Value
				5,250

The current vaue of the marquee has been estimated by the trustees. The charity also owns and insures some other items of moveable equipment used in its meetings. These assets belong to unrestricted funds and the market value of these assets at the year end is not significant.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Oct 29, 2025 Gina Berry ………………………………………………………………………………. Gina Berry (Oct 29, 2025 14:17:13 GMT) ……………………………………………… Gina Berry - Chair Date

The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

BLACKBURN COMMUNITY CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

2 Premises Rent Equipment Insurance 3 Ministry Employment costs Staff expenses including travel Children's and youth work including New Day event Training Outreach Website and internet Worship and PA costs Gifts to visiting speakers Other meeting costs including catering 4 Grants paid Grants to Kairos Housing after it became an independent charity Other grants made to help relieve poverty Gifts to support UK and overseas mission 5 Office and other expenses Independent examiner's fee for preparing and examining the accounts Other professional services Other costs 6 Restricted funds At 1.1.24 £ Building fund 105,003 Kairos housing fund - 105,003	General Fund £ 8,146 1,988 762 10,896 25,914 260 774 95 306 647 844 900 942 30,682 - 2,600 2,320 4,920 1,116 986 1,435 3,537 Receipts £ 1,842 50 1,892	Restricted Fund £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 50 - - 50 - - - - Payments £ - (50) (50)	Total 2024 £ 8,146 1,988 762 10,896 25,914 260 774 95 306 647 844 900 942 30,682 50 2,600 2,320 4,970 1,116 986 1,435 3,537 Transfers £ - - -	Total 2023 £
				10,197 1,572 680
				12,450
				29,843 632 11,068 1,875 1,972 909 1,130 435 1,829
				49,694
				- 3,728 2,411
				6,139
				1,080 1,093 1,160
				3,333
				At 31.12.24 £ 106,845 -
				106,845

The restricted Building fund was created from donations given to help the charity secure suitable premises.

The restricted Kairos housing fund has been created from donations and grants received towards providing housing for asylum seekers and refugees.

Page 8