2020-12-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1050640

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 FOR River Church Wales

River Church Wales

CONTENTS
	Page
Report of the Trustees	3
Independent Examiner’s report	7
Statement of Financial Activities	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to the Financial Statements	8-13

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River Church Wales

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. 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).

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Name

River Church Wales

Status

The organisation is registered with the Charity Commission and its registered charity number is: 1050640. On the 07/10/2020 the charity name changed its name from Tab life Centre to River Church Wales.

Registered office

River Church

Tram Rd,

Pontllanfraith,

Blackwood, Caerphilly NP12 2JF

Management committee

The Trustees during the year were:

• Mr Adrian Pritchard;

• Mrs Sylvia Pritchard;

• Reverend David Thomas;

• Mrs Ruth Thomas;

• Mrs Valarie Jones.

• Mr Mark Phipps

Independent examiner

David Cooper ACA, 4 Friars Mead, Pentwynmawr, Newbridge, NP11 4AJ.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document and a deed of trust dated 5[th] April 2007, which may be reviewed on request.

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River Church Wales

Board of Trustees

The charity is organised and policy implemented through the Board of Trustees who normally meet quarterly.

The Trust has Six trustees who are responsible for the oversight of the Trust's activities. In order for decisions to be made there needs to be a minimum of four trustees in place.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 -

Election to the Board

Trustees are recruited from within the church from a wide variety of backgrounds. They have typically been in the church for a number of years and therefore have a thorough understanding of the aims and objectives of the charity. They have often served in areas of responsibility and proven themselves to be caring, competent and capable and to act with integrity. Trustees are appointed and adopted by a majority vote of the Trustees.

The Chairman of the Trustees ensures that new Trustees are informed of their expectations and responsibilities.

Risk assessment

The charity has designed a series of policies in order to ensure that all risks are addressed and operations managed in an efficient manner. These are regularly reviewed in light of the changing statutory environment.

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity. They are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its governing document

The object of the charity is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world but especially in Blackwood and the surrounding area. Principally, this includes:

• Advancement of the Christian Faith;

• To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of focus, goods or services including counselling and support;

• To advance education and training.

Summary of the main activities taken for the public benefit in relation to these objects

In order to achieve its main objectives the church provides a variety of activities and events for both its members and the community. The aim is to consistently demonstrate the love of Jesus in word and action, thereby bringing people into a closer relationship with God.

Central to the work and witness of the church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These are held each Sunday at 10.30am. There are other services as announced on the church notice board and via the church website at www.riverchurch.wales. The Church has a number of small bible study/prayer groups that meet fortnightly, and there is a whole church prayer meeting fortnightly also.

The church has an extensive children’s and youth program which operates for children from age 4 – 18 years. This includes provision during our services but also age specific clubs and activities mid-week. This provision is accessed by children and young people from the local community. The church lead assemblies and lessons in two local primary schools on a regular basis and release the pastor to serve as a governor at them both. The church also provides a flourishing Toddler group every Wednesday providing a welcoming environment for mums and their preschool children

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River Church Wales

to meet and socialise.

The church operates a foodbank, providing emergency food, support and advice to people in the community.

The church operates procedures and protocols to ensure the safeguarding and wellbeing of vulnerable children and adults that it works with. Including properly vetting and checking volunteers through the disclosure and barring service (DBS).

The Trustees have read the Charity Commissions document on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined above are clearly demonstrating that the charity is providing benefit to the public.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

2020 has been an incredibly eventful year at Tab Life Centre / River Church Wales. One of the main things as you can see from the previous sentence is that the Church and subsequently the charity, has been renamed to River Church Wales. The global pandemic had an obvious impact on much of our normal operations which is reflected in this report. However, we are pleased to be able to say that the church has continued to serve, and work in the community of Pontllanfraith throughout the year. As ever I would like to acknowledge at the start of this report, the program of activities and services that the church provides both internally and externally could not happen without the dedication of our voluntary team, and the continued support of those who support our work financially, for which we are very grateful.

Church Development

Sunday services have been well attended throughout the year; both physically and virtually. When lockdown restrictions were imposed in March, the church immediately moved over to the technology of Facebook Live and Zoom to continue our work online. The church circulated contact lists, set up WhatsApp groups and offered support both to its members and the wider community. Being online allowed people who would not normally attend the church to have a window in on what it is all about. Disciple 2020 and House groups continued throughout the year on Zoom.

When restrictions were eased the church followed all government guidelines to ensure safety of our attendees. This included continuing online options for those who were shielding. One way the systems, reduced seating due to the 2m rule, utilising our minor hall via video feed, and running a second service to keep numbers down. Unexpectedly church attendance has grown throughout this time.

Foodbank

Our Foodbank had an unexpected downturn at first during the Pandemic. All local referrals were centralised by local government and the strong partnerships that we have enjoyed with other local voluntary agencies, were diverted to the central system. As an independent foodbank we were overlooked at first but became part of this as soon as we discovered what was happening. Numbers accessing the foodbank have not returned to pre pandemic levels, which has caused us to explore other ways to support the community with food poverty. In the autumn we launched “Plenty” our Fareshare program which is open to the public, and for a small donation they receive an incredible hamper of food. This is running alongside the traditional foodbank and allows us to offer much greater flexibility.

Children and Youth

The Toddler group continued to be very popular with the community at the start of the year. This however has been suspended due the pandemic and we will review it in 2021.

The children’s department worked so hard to keep our children engaged through the year. Zoom sessions have been filled with creativity and our workers delivered activity packs to all the children during lockdown. In the autumn term we were able to gather the children at socially distanced seated activities during our services.

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River Church Wales

The youth department similarly has spent much of the year online but has been very pleased to get back together albeit socially distanced in the building for some of the autumn term.

As part of my pastoral role I continue to serve on the governing body of two local primary schools, and it has been a privilege to offer support and care during this extremely stressful period for the staff and children alike.

Missions

House of Joy Project in Uganda remains the church’s primary focus for missionary support. House of Joy run a school, a farm, a safeguarding project, a feeding project and provides water for the community.

In November, as part of our renaming activities, we also sent a one-off gift to the Merendero Project in Argentina. The project provides bread and milk for families living in extreme poverty in Argentina.

Local Hub

The church has links with other churches locally and nationally through an Assemblies of God Hub which meets on a bimonthly basis. This ensures that the church receives excellent guidance, and a wider perspective, enabling us to respond more readily to needs locally, nationally and internationally.

The achievements and performance information was prepared by Reverend D H Thomas.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Summary financial position

The charity recorded an operating surplus of £9,750(2019: £4685). Unrestricted reserves at the end of the year were £979,996 (2019: £962,356).

Statement of policy on reserves

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds to cover six months

The Trustees are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Statement of Assets date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the church to function effectively in the coming year.

Principal funding sources

The charity's principal funding sources are Tithes and Offering and tax rebates on deeds and covenants and Gift Aid.

Investment policy

Under the trust deed the charity has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit.

The financial results for the year, together with a summary of accounting policies adopted, are set out in the accompanying Financial Statements.

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River Church Wales

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

INCOME Tithes and offerings Grant income Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitableactivities Donations Administration Total Net (income ) Other Recognised gains Revaluation of fixed assets Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	2020 Total £ 69,791 500 70,291 1,610 58,931 60,541 9,750 7,890 17,640 962,356 979,996	2019 Total £ 66,440 - 66,440 6,051 55,704 61,755 4,685 789,012 793,697 162,659 962,356 T

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River Church Wales

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2018

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 4 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS TOTAL FUNDS	2020 Total funds £ 917,607 62,389 - 62,389 979,996 979,996 979,996	2019 Total funds £ 911,144 51,212
		-
		51,212
		962,356 962,356
		962,356

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River Church Wales

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (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 Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values o v er their useful lives on the following bases:

• Freehold land and buildings - No depreciation

• Fixtures and fittings - 20% reducing balance

• Computers - 25% per annum on a straight line basis

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income ( expenditure) for the year.

Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

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River Church Wales

Taxation

The charity is exempt from 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 friends 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.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. Contributions payable to the charity’s pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

Reverend D H Thomas was paid remuneration of £31,250 ( 2019: £31,250 ) in relation to his role as minister of the Church.

Trustees’ benefits

No trustee received remuneration.

Trustees’ expenses

There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31[st] December 2020 nor for the year ended 31[st] December 2019.

3. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries Social security costs Pensions	2018 £ 31,100 - 3,250 34,350	2019 £ 31,250 - 3,100
		34,350

The average monthly number of employees during the period was 1 ( 2019: 1 ).

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

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River Church Wales

4. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

		Freehold land	Freehold Building	Fixtures and **fittings **	Computers	Total
		£	£	£	£	£
Cost
At 1 January 2020		115,000	789,012	49,131	5,088	958,231
Additions (building revalued)		-	7,890	-		7,890
At 31 December 2020		115,000	796,902	49,131	5,088	966,121
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2020		-	-	41,999	5,088	47,087
Depreciation charged in the year		-	-	1,427		1,427
At 31 December 2020		-	-	43,426	5,088	48,514
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2019		115,000	789,012	7,132	-	911,144
At 31 December 2020		115,000	796,902	5,705	-	917,607

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River Church Wales

5. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

		At 1/1/20	Net movement in funds	At 31/12/20
		£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General fund		962,356	17,640	979,996
TOTAL FUNDS		962,356	17,640	979,996
		Incoming resources	Resources expended	Gains and losses	Movement in funds
		£	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General fund		70,291	(60,541)	7,890	17,640
TOTAL FUNDS		**70,291 **	(60,541)	7,890	17,640

6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party disclosures in the current or prior year that require disclosure.

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