2023-12-31-accounts - Ruskington Community Church

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SOUTH LINCS CHURCH

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 2023

INDEX	PAGE
Trustees Report	3 - 6
Independent Examiner’s Report	7
Income and Expenditure Statement	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to the Financial Statements	10 - 13

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Full Name

South Lincs Church

Registered Charity Number

1052169

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

Charity trustees David Wade – Chair Mr Steven Courtney – Treasurer Sarah Lane

Governing Document

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

Bankers Bankers HSBC Co-operative Bank 26 Market Place Sleaford NG34 7SB

Independent Examiner

S V Miller 66 Westcliffe Street Lincoln LN1 3TZ

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023

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 net incoming resources for the year end 2023 £3,335 (2022: £37,343). 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 year-end was £261,389 (2022: £258,054).

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 2023

Trustees Report 2023

Over the course of this year, the church continued to be led by Pastor Dave. Many of the objectives set out at the start of his employment were met, namely bringing a sense of stability to the organisational structure, as well as getting clarity on the path forward. This resulted in steps being taken to employ a Senior Pastor who would be resident in the village and begin the process of outworking the vision on the ground. This process rolled into 2024.

From April 2023, SLC began a working partnership with Bridge Church which involved creating a wellbeing hub, based at the church and funded by the NHS - this is an initial 3-year contract and we are grateful to Bridge Church for trusting us to partner with them in this way. The funding during the first year enabled us to make some capital purchases for the building as well as begin the process of recruiting a part-time wellbeing lead.

Another highlight was our participation in the village-wide family fun day during the Summer. This was brilliantly attended and many people visited our stand and lots of positive conversations were had.

At Christmas, our Carol Service was really well attended and we have started to see a few new families engaging with the church on a regular basis.

We feel that we are well set up for 2024 and beyond.

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 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 according 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 2023

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 2023 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT

Unrestricted Funds £ 24,618 128 0 25,000 475 150	Restricted	2023 Total Funds £ 24,793 128 0 25,000 475 150
	Funds
	£ 175 0 0 0 0 0
50,371 175 _ _ 17,156 0 1,530 175 1,730 505 1,104 0 6,633 0 4,799 1,931 1,402 0 2,080 0 792 0 873 0 180 0 385 0 276 0 5,593 0 67 0 _ _ 44,600 2,611 _ _ 5,771 (2,436) 255,618 2,436 _ _ 261,389 0		50,546 _ 17,156 1,705 2,235 1,104 6,633 6,730 1,402 2,080 792 873 180 385 276 5,593 67 _ 47,211 _ 3,335 258,054 _ 261,389

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note Tangible fixed assets 2 Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 3 Prepayments 4 Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year 5 Net Current Assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than 1 year Financed by: Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds	2023 £ 213,228 47,834 457 130 _ 48,161 _ 261,389 0 _ 261,389 261,389 _____ 261,389	2022 £ 210,020 47,831 352 149 __ 48,034 _ 258,054 0 _ 258,054 255,618 2,436 ____ 258,054

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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 £28.34

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 2023

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, David Wade, received a salary of £7,800 for his role as church minister employed by the charity. He is not directly remunerated for the role as a Trustee of the charity.

2. Tangible fixed assets

2. Tangible fixed assets
	Freehold	Furniture &	Laptop	Total
	Property	Equipment
Historical Cost	£	£	£	£
As at January 2023	256,308	1,900	0	258,208
Additions	0	7,407	1,394	8,801
Disposals	0	0	0	0
	_	_	_	_
As at 31 December 2023	256,308	9,307	1,394	267,009
	_	_	_	_
DEPRECIATION
As at January 2023	46,890	1,298	0	48,188
Provided in year	3,126	2,002	465	5,593
	_	_	_	_
As at 31 December 2022	50,016	3,300	465	53,781
	_	_	_	_
NBV at 31 December 2023	206,292	6,007	929	213,228
NBV at 31 December 2022	209,418	602	0	210,020

SOUTH LINCS CHURCH NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand
	2023	2022
HSBC current	(5)	1,610
HSBC savings	0	46,221
Coop current	7,839	0
Coop savings	40,000	0
	_	_
	47,834	47,831
	_	_
Prepayment
	2023	2022
AoG Conference	135	352
CCLI annual subscription 2024	322	0
	457	352
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
	2023	2022
PAYE	130	149
	_	_
	130	149
	_	_

4. Prepayment

5. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

6. Summary of Fund Movements - Restricted

Fund Name	Opening	Received	Expenditure	Balance
	Balance
Vision Offering	2,436	175	2,611	0

7. Employees

During the year there were two members of paid staff.

During the year there were two	members of paid staff.
	2023	2022
Staff costs	£17,156	£5,967

8. Other

Staff costs now shown separately, previously included within Ministry. For clarity have shown the actual Staff Costs for last years separated from Ministry.

Cleaning required as of this year, showing costs separately within the accounts for clarity.

Events have been set up to show more clearly the costs involved, this includes all Hospitality costs which had previously been shown within Sundries.