## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN In Fellowship with Assemblies of God** 

# **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023** 

**Bridge Church Lincoln is a registered charity (1052167)** 

1 



## **INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** 

## **Page No** 

- 2-5 Trustees Annual Report 6 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees 7 Statement of Financial Activities 8 Balance Sheet 9-13 Notes to the Accounts 

2 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT** 

## **Full Name** 

Bridge Church Lincoln in Fellowship with Assemblies of God 

## **Registered Charity Number** 

1052167 

## **Registered Office** 

Bridge Central Portland Street Lincoln LN5 7NN 

## **Trustees** 

Dave Wade – Chair Kim Askew - Treasurer Simon Carter Anthony Askew 

## **Governing Document** 

The charity is operated under the rules of its Constitution and Trust Deed in fellowship with Assemblies of God, adopted 2006, as amended by resolution 2011. 

## **Bankers** 

HSBC Bank Plc 88 Westgate Grantham Lincolnshire NG31 6LF 

**Solicitors** Geldards Number One Pride Place Pride Park Derby DE24 8RQ 

## **Independent Examiner** 

S V Miller ACMA 66 Westcliffe Street Lincoln LN1 3TZ 

3 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT** 

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023. 

## **Objects** 

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit. 

## **Charitable objects** 

The objects of the church are for the benefit of the public: 

(a) to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement 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; 

(b) 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 the world as the church council from time to time think fit; and 

(c) to advance education 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. 

## **Organisation** 

Membership is open to any individual who; by grace has exhibited saving faith in Lord Jesus Christ; desires to worship and serve God in the context of the Statement; and is committed to promoting the Objects. Management of the Church is by the Church Council which will include the Senior Minister of the Church, the minimum number of members of the Church Council shall be three. 

## **Financial Review** 

The financial statements on pages 7 to 13 comply with statutory requirements. 

The statement of financial activities on page 7 shows a total net incoming resources on General Funds of minus £39,188 (2022: £1,866). The church has continued to fund out of the general fund a variety of projects and activities, which are in line with its stated objectives. The level of activity for the year was satisfactory and the trustees believe that this will continue for the foreseeable future. The cumulative balance on the unrestricted general fund at the year-end was £341,318 (2022: £302,130). 

The church is dependent upon the continued receipt of donated income and grants, there is also the opportunity to gain income through the rental of office space. At the year end the financial position of the church was satisfactory. The church receives a certain amount of voluntary help, it is not possible to quantify the value of the time given.  We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers who help the church and its various activities to run smoothly. 

4 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** 

## **Reserves Policy** 

The Trustees’ aim is to hold around £70,000 in reserves representing approximately three months’ worth of expenses and redundancy costs. This should allow the Trustees time to take the necessary corrective action to gain funding should current income sources dry out. 

## **Review of Activities** 

This financial year saw a continuation of the partnerships and initiatives launched during the previous year. Our involvement in our local communities has seen growth and strength. 

Our NHS partnership was fully established with contracts secured for 4 full-time Community Connectors, as well as a number of wellbeing spaces across all 4 patches. By the end of the financial year, we were delighted to have secured a further 3 years funding for this initiative. Through this, we aim to play our part in joining the dots between mental health services and all the projects and support mechanisms being offered by the third sector. 

Our Youth work has continued to incorporate drop-in sessions at our building, as well as local Primary Schools work – this has been funded through a variety of sources and the long term plan is to secure funding from a partner source to offer stability and longevity. 

Our FiSH project continued to offer additional weeks of provision for families who needed help to feed their children during school holidays and continued to work together with other churches to ensure that local villages were also able to run the project. 

Our Christmas Sack Project went back to one base of operation (as opposed to the pilot of the previous year). This was primarily for logistical reasons. In terms of partnerships, these were as strong as ever and the number of referrals were higher than the previous year. We were also able to give out 100 Christmas Dinners as part of a partnership with Pepperells solicitors. 

Our Night Light Café continued to run on a Monday evening, with volunteers being trained in Mental Health First Aid and other suitable courses. 

Our staffing structures have grown and evolved in order to meet the demands of our vision. Our Operations Executive now has a team of staff underneath her to cover the essential aspects of organisational strength. 

We continue to be grateful for God’s provision as well as the commitment from our church members. 

5 



**BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** 

## **Trustees' responsibilities** 

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year (unless the charity is entitled to prepare accounts on the alternative receipts and payments basis). In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law and regulations. 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. 

## **Internal control and risk management** 

The Trustees continue to monitor the major risks to which the charity is exposed and to keep under review the adequacy of the systems which they believe are adequate and appropriate to the size of the charity and the nature of its operations 

Signed on behalf of the Trustees 

Signed………………………………………………………..   Dated …………………. Treasurer 

6 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES** 

## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** 

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, 

- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission.  An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.  It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.  The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below: 

## **Independent examiner's statement** 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: 

   - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and 

   - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 

have not been met; or 

2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Signed ……………………………………………….    Dated ……………………………. 

Sue Miller ACMA 

7 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** 

|||**2023**|**2023**|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|<br>**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**RECEIPTS**|**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|**Total**|**Total**|
|Offerings||87,141|<br>13,270|100,411|69,868|
|Gift aid||25,065|<br>2,723|27,788|15,120|
|Community Venue & Hub||33,595|<br>0|33,595|35,133|
|Hire of buildings||74,463|<br>0|74,463|65,524|
|Car Park Income||14,880|<br>0|14,880|12,737|
|Grants received||10,172|201,886|212,058|165,641|
|Youth & Kids||0|<br>3,590|3,590|330|
|FISH Income||0|<br>15,227|15,227|18,037|
|Christmas Sacks||0|<br>13,645|13,645|4,069|
|Other income||111|<br>0|111|5,502|
|**Total Income**||**245,427**|<br>**250,341**|**495,768**|**391,961**|
|**LESS PAYMENTS**||||||
|Staff Costs||71,760|<br>147,282|219,042|153,837|
|Project Costs||0|<br>46,458|46,458|0|
|Ministry & Gifts||7,570|<br>3,541|11,111|29,462|
|Consumables||3,319|<br>2,236|5,555|4,443|
|Utilities & Alarms||18,216|<br>19,602|37,818|33,891|
|Repairs & Maintenance||3,294|<br>8,944|12,238|40,726|
|Equipment & Furniture||1,342|<br>6,457|7,799|0|
|Tech||1,945|<br>3,732|5,677|0|
|Insurances||4,512|<br>0|4,512|4,095|
|Office Costs||2,364|<br>98|2,462|2,313|
|Rent Dunston House||60,000|<br>0|60,000|60,000|
|Bridge Youth & Kids||0|<br>5,007|5,007|1,156|
|Subscriptions||8,355|<br>174|8,529|4,085|
|Training, Conferences & Travel||7,043|<br>6,743|13,786|3,880|
|FISH Expenses||(340)|<br>25,419|25,079|28,426|
|Christmas Sacks||0|<br>8,607|8,607|4,823|
|Sundries||407|<br>0|407|0|
|Accountancy||3,095|<br>0|3,095|1,420|
|Loan interest & Bank Charges||10,986|<br>261|11,247|9,041|
|Depreciation on Fixed Assets||2,371|<br>0|2,371|2,444|
|**Total Payments**||**206,239**|<br>**284,561**|**490,800**|**384,042**|
|**Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for year**||**39,188**|**(34,220)**|**4,968**|**7,919**|
|Balance brought forward||302,130|<br>88,349|390,479|382,560|
|**Balance carried forward**||**314,318**|<br>**54,129**|**395,447**|**390,479**|



Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: 

Signed ……………………………………………….    Dated ……………………………., Treasurer 

8 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 BALANCE SHEET** 

||**Note**|**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|**£**|
|**Tangible Fixed Assets**|4|**593,586**|**595,957**|
|**Current Assets**||||
|Debtors and prepayments|5|5,339|6,302|
|Cash at bank and in hand|7|95,487|106,799|
|Sub totals||**100,826**|**113,101**|
|Current Liabilities||||
|Creditors: amounts falling due within one year|6|35,616|34,642|
|**Net current liabilities**||65,210|78,459|
|**Total assets less current liabilities**||**658,796**|**674,416**|
|**Financed by:**||||
|Current Year surplus/(deficit)||4,968|7,919|
|Unrestricted funds retained||302,130|303,996|
|Restricted funds retained||88,349|78,564|
|Mortgage & Loan|6|263,349|283,937|
|**Total Funds**||**658,796**|**674,716**|



Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: 

Signed ……………………………………………….    Dated ……………………………. Treasurer 

9 



**BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## 1. **THE BASIS OF ACCOUNTING** 

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. 

The trustees expect the charity to continue operating as normal for the foreseeable future, able to meet its obligations as they fall due, and that they have no plans to close the charity or to significantly curtail its operations. The charity is a going concern. 

The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in note 2. 

## 2. **ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **2.2 Income** 

## Recognition of Income 

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when: 

- the charity becomes entitled to the resources; 

- it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and 

- - the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

## Grants and Donations 

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met. 

## Tax reclaims on donations and gifts 

Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. 

## Contractual income and performance related grants 

This is only included in the SoFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions. 

## Donated goods 

The value to the charity of the donated goods sold is recognised as income when sold. The proceeds of sale are categorised as ‘Community Venue & Hub’ in the SoFA. 

## Volunteer help 

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the Trustees annual report. 

10 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## **2.3 Expenditure and Liabilities** 

## Liability recognition 

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. 

## Redundancy cost 

The charity made no redundancy payments during the reporting period. 

## **2.4 Assets** 

These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £500. 

They are valued at cost. 

The depreciation rates and methods used are: 

Furniture 10% reducing balance Computer equipment straight line method over 3 years Other equipment straight line method over 5 years Freehold buildings Nil 

## 3. **EMPLOYEES** 

During the 12 months there were 13 members of paid staff. 

Total staff costs 2023 £219,042 2022 £153,837 

Average number of full-time equivalent staff during the year 8. 

11 



**BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## 4. **TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** 

||||||**2023**|**2022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**Freehold**|**Furniture**|**Equip**|**Computer**|**Total**|**Total**|
|**Cost at 1st April 2022**|564,765|17,132|13,766|294|595,957|598,401|
|**Additions**|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|**Disposals**|0|0|0|0|0|0|
|**Cost at 31st March 2023**|564,765|17,132|13,766|294|595,957|598,401|
|**Depreciation charge for**<br>**year**|0|1,676|519|176|2,371|2,444|
|**Net book value**|**564,765**|**15,456**|**13,247**|**118**|**593,586**|**595,957**|



Depreciation is calculated to write off assets over their estimated useful lives. 

|5. **DEBTORS**|**2023**|**2022**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Gift Aid|1,747|2,375|||
|Parking Income|986|557|||
|Rent|658|3,370|||
|Room Hire|1,608||||
|Refund from Tesco for FiSH 2022|340||||
|**Total**|**5,339**|**6,302**|||
|6. **CREDITORS**|||||
|**Creditors**: amounts falling due within one year|||**2023**|**2022**|
||||**£**|**£**|
|Mortgage|||19,696|19,696|
|Bounce back loan|||10,648|10,649|
|Other creditors|||5,272|4,297|
|**Totals**|||**35,616**|**34,642**|
|**Creditors**: amounts falling due after one year|||**2023**|**2022**|
||||**£**|**£**|
|Mortgage|||234,315|245,377|
|Bounce Bank Loan|||29,034|38,560|
|**Totals**|||**263,349**|**283,937**|



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## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## 7. **CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND** 

||||
|---|---|---|
|7. **CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**|**2023**|**2022**|
|HSBC Current Account|31,051|25,103|
|HSBC Project Account|50,960|63,933|
|HSBC FISH Account|5,786|14,376|
|HSBC Christmas Sacks Account|7,690|3,334|
|Cash in hand|0|53|
|**Totals**|**95,487**|**106,799**|



## 8. **SUMMARY OF INCOME** 

|8. **SUMMARY OF INCOME**|8. **SUMMARY OF INCOME**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|**Grants**<br>Abby Access<br>Assemblies of God<br>Arnold Clark<br>Benefact Trust<br>BNA<br>Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire<br>Lincolnshire Coop<br>Lincoln City Council<br>Lincoln City Foundation<br>Lincolnshire Community Foundation<br>Lincoln University||0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>800<br>0<br>5,167<br>0<br>2,000<br>0|13,549<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>8,700<br>10,000<br>0<br>430<br>2,409<br>750<br>0<br>627|13,549<br>1,000<br>1,000<br>8,700<br>10,000<br>800<br>430<br>7,576<br>750<br>2,000<br>627|
|National Grid<br>National Lottery<br>NHS Lincolnshire<br>Lincoln Methodist District<br>Sandhills<br>SHINE<br>Toy Trust<br>Urban Challenge||0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0<br>0|10,000<br>10,000<br>115,754<br>8,000<br>2,000<br>10,000<br>5,000<br>350|10,000<br>10,000<br>115,754<br>8,000<br>2,000<br>10,000<br>5,000<br>350|
|Other Income details on Profit & Loss||237,460|40,772|278,232|
||||||
|**Totals**||**245,427**|**250,341**|**495,768**|



13 



## **BRIDGE CHURCH LINCOLN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** 

## 9. **SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS** 

||**SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Fund Name**<br>**Opening**<br>**Balance**|**Received**|**Expenditure**|**Balance**|
||**Restricted**||||
||||||
||Baby Baskets<br>Christmas Sack Appeal<br>Community<br>Food In School Holidays<br>Kitchen & Cafe<br>NHS Lincolnshire<br>Transform Lincoln<br>Vision Offering<br>Warm Welcome<br>Wellbeing Fund<br>Youth & Kids Fund<br>**Totals**<br>0<br>3,948<br>19,106<br>16,132<br>3,000<br>0<br>18,171<br>0<br>0<br>18,514<br>9,478<br>**88,349**|9,160<br>13,645<br>6,467<br>15,228<br>0<br>79,754<br>13,466<br>15,992<br>46,000<br>31,409<br>19,220<br>**250,341**|3063<br>9,905<br>20,646<br>25,574<br>0<br>79,451<br>29,464<br>4,386<br>46,000<br>41,621<br>24,447<br>**284,561**|6,097<br>7,687<br>4,927<br>5,786<br>3,000<br>303<br>2171<br>11,606<br>0<br>8,301<br>4,240<br>**54,129**|



## 10. **TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES** 

One Trustee, David Wade has received a salary of approximately £26.8k during the 12 months for his role as church minister employed by the charity.  He is not directly remunerated for this role as a Trustee of the charity. 

No other Trustees received remuneration. 

## 11. **ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES** 

This year the expense codes have been altered to improve the clarity of the financial information for future years. Ministry & Gifts had included many expenses such as Tech, Tech subscriptions, some Bank Fees and some Travel Expenses. 

Project Costs has been introduced to code the costs which do not directly relate to ongoing activities at Bridge Church, they are the expenses directly incurred due to projects which are being funded. 

Some of the Income and Expenses for last year have been moved between the codes to allow a direct comparison. 

The £340 for FiSH expenses shown in brackets under unrestricted is due to a refund from Tesco which was not banked until April 2023. 

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