Charity number: 1052147
Riverlife Church Sunderland
Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account
for the year ended 5 April 2023
Riverlife Church Sunderland
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal & Administration Details | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 5 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account | 7 - 8 |
| Notes | 9 - 10 |
Riverlife Church Sunderland Legal and Administration Details for the year ended 5 April 2023
Charity registration number
1052147
Pastor
Mr Barrie Watson Mrs Rebekah Watson
Trustees
Mr B E Watson Mrs R Watson Mr J W Gaze Mrs E Dutton Mrs L J Gaze
Bankers
Barclays Bank PLC 53 Fawcett Street Sunderland SR1 1RS
Kingdom Bank
Media House Padge Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 2RS
Independent Examiner
G Henderson FCCA FCA ATT (Fellow) Counting North Salvus House Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TS
Solicitor
Geldards Law Firm Dumfries House Dumfries Place Cardiff CF10 3ZF
Principal Office
Riverlife Church Ettrick Grove Humbledon Sunderland SR3 4AW
Page 1
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting their annual report together with the unaudited accounts of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2023.
Administration Details
Constitution
The charity is set up under a Trust Deed which sets out the objectives and purposes of the charity.
Structure, Governance and Management
The constitution and trust deed were adopted on 10 August 1993, as amended om 17 February 1997 and 11 September 2002.
The church is managed by the Church Council, which comprises the Minister and appointed leaders of the Church. The Church Council appoints Holding Trustees for the purpose of holding the land and buildings of the Church who act on the directions of the Church Council.
The Trustees meet at least four times in each year and deal with the administration of the charity overseeing financial accountability, risk management and any other administrative business of the Church. The operational management of the organisation is undertaken by the paid staff team and other Trustees and volunteers.
Notable Changes
On 15 April 2022, John Gaze retired as Senior Pastor of Riverlife Church. Following a 2-year transition Barrie and Rebekah Watson took on the role of Senior Pastors, John Gaze remains on staff on a part-time leadership consultancy basis. Linda Gaze remains on staff as senior administrator.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of Riverlife Church are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith of Assemblies of God in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Church Council from time to time may think fit. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or World as the Church Council from time-to-time think fit; and to advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or World as the Church Council from time-totime think fit.
Give every man, woman, and child the opportunity of understanding the gospel and to provide a church where they can grow in ministry for the Glory of God.
Public Benefit Statements
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on their legal duty on public benefit and are satisfied that that the Charity delivers public benefit; due regard is paid to the guidance on public benefit when deciding on what new projects the charity should undertake.
Page 2
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023
Achievements and Performance
Sunday Family Service – Our service starts at 11am, but our doors open at 10:30am for prayer. Each week we worship, share communion and one of our pastors or an invited speaker will share from the Bible bringing teaching and direction as we each seek to know the love of Jesus and love the people around us.
Small Groups & Prayer – Our small groups are a great way to for church members to get involved with church life during the week. Together we discover more about the Bible in a relaxed, informal setting.
Kids Crew – Ran every Sunday by DBS-checked volunteers our children’s programme is bible based and fully interactive, for ages 3+ with stories, games and craft activities. We also provide creche facilities for toddlers and babies, which offers service relay for parents and carers.
Be Active N Be Fit – Exercise and movement classes for the over 55’s. This activity ended in June 2022 due to church relocation.
Active Forever – Working with Active Families North East we launched new community classes for the over 55’s in October 2022. The classes offer exercise to improve strength and balance, also body circuit sessions for mobility and overall fitness – serving the older part of our community these classes are a great opportunity to meet new people.
Jelli Tots – Weekly toddler group for ages 0 – 3. Offering the opportunity for young children to have fun and mix with other children in a safe environment and a valuable lifeline for parents and carers to get out of the house and meet other adults. Included free play, healthy snacks and story/song time. Ended June 2022 due to church relocation.
Messy Vintage – Launched in December 2022, as a gospel community outreach programme, Messy Vintage is a great way for older people to socialise and every session includes a light lunch and is part of the 'Messy Church' movement. Every month is Christ-centred and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Open to all, this programme is aspiring to include people of all ages while specifically reaching out to older people.
Page 3
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023
Key Services and Events – Invitations are given out to family, friends and neighbours and the local community for the following services and events:
Services – Easter Sunday Egg Hunt & Celebration service: April 2022, Harvest Service with collection for Sunderland Soup Kitchen: October 2022, Remembrance Day Service: November 2022, Mother’s Day lunch with gifts for all women: March 2023.
Community Events – Father’s Day BBQ: June 2022, Men’s Brunch: March – June 2022 and Platinum Jubilee Party: June 2022.
Christmas – Throughout December 2022 each advent Sunday hosted a special event – Chrismon (decorating of church Christmas tree with symbolic decorations), Community Christingle service, Children’s Carol Service with lunch and Christmas party and a traditional Carole Service on the final Sunday of advent.
Christmas Giving/Community Donations – Riverlife Church members gifted brand new Children’s toys and books alongside women’s toiletries which were distributed to Wearside Women in Need . Gifts of sweets, cakes and biscuits were collected and given to Sunderland Soup Kitchen to be used in their ‘Christmas Sweet Treats Hampers’.
Supporting other Charities in the UK and Aboard – Throughout 2022-23 Riverlife Church members supported the Evangelical Alliance, New Wine, Thirtyone:eight, the Ukraine Radiator Appeal, the Turkey and Syria Earthquake appeal and Wearside Youth For Christ.
Sustainability – Part of our church mission statement is a commitment to the use of Fair-Trade goods to support farmers, our service time refreshments are supplied by Kingdom Coffee Ltd.
Financial review
Income decreased during the year from £45,295 to £26,194 which is mainly due to the loss of the rental income stream together with the closure of the coronavirus job retention scheme. No gift aid claims were made during the year. There were specific donations of £1,020 in respect of the Ukraine Radiator Appeal.
Expenditure increased from £53,769 to £63,805 primarily due to removal costs and repairs following the sale of the church property. There were specific donations of £1,220 in respect of the Hilltop Special College, AoG Ukraine Appeal and Tearfund Appeal. During the year assets were purchased totalling £7,138, items included new sound equipment, a beverage station, youth equipment and a new computer.
Assets retained for use in the charity have significantly reduced from £104,735 to £20,458 due to the sale of the church property and the disposal of old assets when the charity relocated. The fencing was donated to a charity (Three13 Training and Enterprise Ltd) and the red arm and stacking chairs were donated to other local charities.
Charity’s Reserves
The Church holds reserve funds with Kingdom Bank and Barclays Bank.
Charity’s Principal Source of Funds
General Offering and Donations from Riverlife Church members.
Page 4
Riverlife Church Sunderland Report of the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023
Statement of the Trustees Responsibilities
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to keep proper books of account with respect to the affairs of the charity, and to prepare statements of unaudited accounts for each accounting year consisting of a Receipts and Payments accounts together with notes to the accounts. 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.
In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are expected to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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Follow the recommendations of the Charity Commission and of the accounting profession with regard to the form and content of the unaudited accounts and to disclose and explain any departures therefrom.
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Prepare the unaudited accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will be able to meet its objectives; and
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Consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Barrie Watson (Feb 1, 2024 19:39 GMT)
…………………………………………………..
Mr B E Watson Chairman
Date: 2 February 2024
Page 5
Riverlife Church Sunderland Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees for the year ended 5 April 2023
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Riverlife Church Sunderland (‘the charity’) for the year ended 5 April 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145 (5) (b) of the Act.
My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the group's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the group and the group's Trustees, as a body, for my work or for this report.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention. In connection with my examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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The financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content if 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.
Gerald Henderson FCCA ACA ATT
N E Accountancy Services Salvus House Aykley Heads Durham Dated: 2 February 2024 DH1 5TS
Page 6
Riverlife Church Sunderland Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 5 April 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 £ £ Receipts General offering 25,080 1,020 Gift Aid - - Interest received 94 - Donations - - Rental income - - Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - - Other - - 25,174 1,020 Income from Asset and Investment Disposal of assets 46,523 - Employee loan repayments 936 - Total Receipts 72,633 1,020 Payments – Cost of generating funds: Wages, salaries and national insurance 35,320 - Administration 1,859 - Printing, postage and stationery 156 - Repairs and maintenance 1,408 - Donations 200 1,020 Upkeep of services 1,119 - Community events 2,689 - Light, heat and water 61 - Insurance 191 - Ministry Expenses 1,421 - Rent and Rates 6,999 - Sundries 692 - Travel 490 - Advertising 538 - Accountancy 809 - Removal costs 2,255 - Payments C/F 56,207 1,020 |
Total funds 2023 £ 26,100 - 94 - - - - 26,194 46,523 936 73,653 35,320 1,859 156 1,408 1,220 1,119 2,689 61 191 1,421 6,999 692 490 538 809 2,255 57,227 |
Total funds 2022 £ 28,603 6,812 7 2,400 4,200 3,098 175 45,295 - - 45,295 35,054 1,913 105 1,066 1,000 1,057 1,534 273 457 2,457 7,183 497 219 100 854 - 53,769 |
|---|---|---|
Page 7
Riverlife Church Sunderland Unaudited Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 5 April 2023
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 £ £ Payments B/F 56,207 1,020 Asset and investment purchases Purchase of assets 7,138 - Employee loan - - Total Payments 63,345 1,020 Net of (payments)/receipts 9,288 - Transfers between funds - - Net Movement in funds for the year 9,288 - Cash funds at last year end 70,226 548 Cash funds at this year end 79,514 548 |
Total Total funds funds 2023 2022 £ £ 57,227 53,769 7,138 3,004 - 5,496 64,365 62,269 9,288 (16,974) - - 9,288 (16,974) 70,774 87,748 80,062 70,774 |
|---|---|
Page 8
Riverlife Church Sunderland Notes to The Unaudited Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023
1. Cash Funds held and Assets Retained for the Charity’s use
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 £ £ Cash Funds Barclays bank account 1,959 224 Kingdom savings account 77,836 - Cash in hand 43 - Total Cash Funds 79,838 224 Assets Retained for Charity’s Use Furnishings 7,138 - Bibles 242 - Toddlers & children’s activities assets 1,597 324 Sundry & electrical equipment 1,588 - Sound equipment 6,747 - Computer equipment 2,318 - Investment property - - Fencing - - Strimmer/lawnmower 504 - Total Assets Retained for Charity Use 20,134 324 |
Total Total funds funds 2023 2022 £ £ 2,183 6,986 77,836 63,769 43 19 80,062 70,774 7,138 9,017 242 172 1,921 1,597 1,588 2,167 6,747 1,971 2,318 2,924 - 83,883 - 2,500 504 504 20,458 104,735 |
|---|---|
Signed on behalf of the Trustees.
…………………………………………………..
Mr B E Watson Chairman
Date: 2 February 2024
Page 9
Riverlife Church Sunderland Notes to The Unaudited Accounts for the year ended 5 April 2023
2. Restricted Reserve
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Balance at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06-Apr-22 | resources | expended | in/out | 05-Apr-23 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Specific | |||||
| Samaritans purse | 34 | - | - | - | 34 |
| Youth after school project | 514 | - | (324) | - | 190 |
| Ukraine/Tearfund appeal | - |
1,020 |
(1,020) |
- |
- |
| 548 |
1,020 |
(1,344) |
- |
224 |
|
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Balance at | |
| 06-Apr-21 | resources | expended | in/out | 05-Apr-22 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Specific | |||||
| Samaritans purse | 34 | - | - | - | 34 |
| Youth after school project | 314 | 200 | - | - | 514 |
| Ukraine appeal | - | 1,000 | (1,000) | - | - |
| Christmas hampers/Food boxes | - | 200 | (286) | 86 | - |
| Red House refurbishments | 1,000 |
1,000 |
(2,500) |
500 |
- |
| 1,348 |
2,400 |
(3,786) |
586 |
548 |
Page 10
2024-02-01
Riverlife 05 04 23 Accounts
Final Audit Report
Created: 2024-02-01 By: Ged Henderson (ged.henderson@countingnorth.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAk_XAl81KsTeuV5QNQIWNw2i_okGUJy7D
"Riverlife 05 04 23 Accounts" History
Document created by Ged Henderson (ged.henderson@countingnorth.co.uk)
2024-02-01 - 4:55:42 PM GMT- IP address: 217.23.224.253
Document emailed to Barry Watson (lindagaze@riverlifechurch.co.uk) for signature 2024-02-01 - 4:55:47 PM GMT
Email viewed by Barry Watson (lindagaze@riverlifechurch.co.uk)
2024-02-01 - 4:55:54 PM GMT- IP address: 66.249.93.100
Signer Barry Watson (lindagaze@riverlifechurch.co.uk) entered name at signing as Barrie Watson 2024-02-01 - 7:39:28 PM GMT- IP address: 90.221.219.111
Document e-signed by Barrie Watson (lindagaze@riverlifechurch.co.uk)
Signature Date: 2024-02-01 - 7:39:30 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 90.221.219.111
Document emailed to Ged Henderson (ged.henderson@countingnorth.co.uk) for signature 2024-02-01 - 7:39:31 PM GMT
Email viewed by Ged Henderson (ged.henderson@countingnorth.co.uk) 2024-02-01 - 9:14:53 PM GMT- IP address: 92.28.151.198
Document e-signed by Ged Henderson (ged.henderson@countingnorth.co.uk) Signature Date: 2024-02-01 - 9:15:22 PM GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 92.28.151.198
Agreement completed.
2024-02-01 - 9:15:22 PM GMT