2020-12-31-accounts - Ruskington Community Church

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SOUTH LINCS CHURCH

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH IS A REGISTERED CHARITY (NO. 1052169) AND IS AFFILIATED TO ASSEMBLIES OF GOD INC.

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

INDEX	PAGE
Trustees Report	3-6
Independent Examiners Report	7
Income and Expenditure Statement	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to the Financial Statements	10-12

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Full Name

South Lincs Church

Registered Charity Number

1052169

Registered Office South Lincs Church 19 Westgate Ruskington Sleaford NG34 9ES

Charity trustees

Alexandra Samson - Chair Mr Steven Courtney - Treasurer Mr John Fee Mr Mark Button – from 7[th] August 2020

Governing Document

Constitution and Trust Deed adopted 27 April 2006 as amended on 29 November 2007

Bankers HSBC 26 Market Place Sleaford NG34 7SB

Solicitors Robinsons Market Place Ilkeston DE7 5RQ

Independent Examiner

S V Miller 66 Westcliffe Street Lincoln LN1 3TZ

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Objectives

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 8 to 12 comply with statutory requirements.

The Income and Expenditure statement on page 8 shows a total of minus £1,983 (2019: £9,130) this is directly related to covid-19 preventing normal activities from taking place. The church has continued to 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 yearend was £215,715 (2019: £217,698).

The church is dependent upon the continued receipt of donated income. 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.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees’ aim is to hold around £10,000 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.

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

In common with churches across the country, due to the impact of COVID-19, this year has presented unique challenges in the life of the church and has required a creative and flexible response to how we meet both the needs of our members and our wider community, in line with our objectives, as set out in this report.

At the start of the year, our toddler group continued to run for one morning session a week and was well attended by members of our local community and surrounding villages. However, in line with government guidelines, this was temporarily closed in March.

As a consequence of the National ‘lockdown’, our church building closed, and our Sunday services moved to an online provision from March 22[nd] ; we have continued to broadcast Sunday worship video services throughout the year. In addition, we have made use of other online platforms to create spaces and groups to keep our members connected during the week and before the Sunday services. We have maintained links with Bridge Church, Lincoln and forged new partnerships with other churches in the AoG network and made use of ‘visiting’ speakers in our online services.

We have endeavoured to support and encourage our members throughout the COVID crisis. This has included shopping and collecting prescriptions for those who were clinically vulnerable or isolating. We offered support to the wider community by registering with the Lincolnshire Resilience forum and providing the similar support, as requested. Over Christmas, we delivered gifts to local residents at the Pinfold Centre.

The church has continued to support the work of New Life Community Larder (foodbank), Sleaford. During the national lockdown, we partnered with them to deliver food packages for school aged children and other members of the community, and at Christmas time we delivered Christmas hampers to families in the village. Our members have supported the larder with both financial and material donations. When restrictions permitted, we were also able to use our church car park to function as central outdoor collection point for residents in the village.

The church continues to support New Life Children’s Centre, Gambia as part of our overseas missions. Both the church and Little Acorns toddler group sponsor children there. We responded to their COVID appeal by inviting donations from members, which we then sent to allow them to purchase bags of rice to support sponsor families.

We have developed a new partnership with Safe Families, a Christian organisation which seeks to offer support, hope and belonging to improve the lives of those in our communities by linking children, young people and families with local volunteers who can offer them help and support. An online information event was held and we look forward to supporting members of our congregation who wish to train as volunteers.

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

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

[ORIGINAL SIGNED] Signed……………………………………………………….. Dated …………………. Steven Courtney, Treasurer

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

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:

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

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

[ORIGINAL SIGNED] Signed ………………………………………………. Dated ……………………………. Sue Miller ACMA

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT

Unrestricted Funds £ 29,510 199 0 0 25 0 27 0	Restricted	Restricted	2020 Total Funds £ 29,510 199 0 0 380 0 27 100
		Funds
		£ 0 0 0 0 355 0 0 100
29,761 _ 17,988 47 931 1,796 1,293 1,060 810 792 350 181 3,787 469 85 0 2,155 _ 31,744 _ (1,983) 217,698 _ 215,715	_ _	455 355 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 455 0 0 0	30,216 _ 18,343 47 931 1,796 1,293 1,060 910 792 350 181 3,787 469 85 0 2,155 _ 32,199 _ (1,983) 217,698 _ 215,715

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 BALANCE SHEET

Note Tangible fixed assets 2 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 3 Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year 4 Current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than 1 year5 Financed by: Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds	2020 £ 217,045 25,097 9,476 _ 15,621 _ 232,666 16,951 _ 215,715 215,715 0 _____ 215,715	2019 £ 220,832 30,430 9,589 __ 20,841 _ 241,673 23,975 _ 217,698 217,698 0 ____ 217,698

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

1. Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities SORP.

a) Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

b) Basis of preparation

In addition, the trustees consider that donations and gifts will continue to be forthcoming. As a result, in the opinion of the trustees, adequate cash resources will be available to cover the church’s requirements for working capital and capital expenditure for at least the next year and the financial statements have therefore been prepared on the going concern basis.

c) Donations

Donations received are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when received and any related tax credits are accounted for when claimed.

The Giving Machine £24.92

d) Fixed assets and additions

Items from capital expenditure are capitalised and shown at cost as fixed assets in the balance sheet. Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of fixed assets on a reducing balance basis over their estimated useful lives.

Freehold property no depreciation on Land & 2% straight line on buildings Furniture and equipment 25% reducing balance Computers 3 years straight line

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

e) Voluntary help

A certain amount of time is expended on the church activities which is donated free of charge. It is not possible to quantify the value of the time given, and accordingly it is neither recorded as donated income nor as an expense in the financial statements.

f) Trustees remuneration

One Trustee, Alexandra Samson has received a salary of £15.6k for her role as church minister employed by the charity. She is not directly remunerated for the role as a Trustee of the charity.

2. Tangible fixed assets

Historical Cost As at January 2020 Additions Disposals As at 31 December 2020 DEPRECIATION As at January 2020 Provided in year As at 31 December 2020 NBV at 31 December 2020 NBV at 31 December 2019	Freehold Property £ 256,308 0 0 _ 256,308 _ 37,512 3,126 _ 40,638 _ 215,670 218,796 _	Furniture & Laptop Total Equipment £ £ £ 1,900 916 259,124 0 0 0 0 0 0 _ _ _ 1,900 916 259,124 _ _ _ 475 305 38,292 356 305 3,787 _ _ _ 831 610 42,079 _ _ _ 1,069 306 217,045 1,425 611 220,832 _ _ _

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

3. Cash at bank and in hand

h at bank and in hand
	2020	2019
HSBC account 31079549	555	1,094
HSBC account 51271091 Little Acorns	127	497
HSBC account 11451774 SLC Youth	0	82
HSBC account 11452053 Fusion	0	68
HSBC account 51487523	24,411	28,594
Cash	0	91
Womens Ministry cash	4	4
	_	_
	25,097	30,430
	_	_

4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2020	2019
Mortgage payments	9,179	9,179
PAYE	297	410
	_	_
	9,476	9,589

5. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

The sum due to AOG Property Trust amounts to £16,951 (2019: £23,975) and is secured by a first charge on all the freehold property of the church.