Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Year Ended 31 March 2024
Charity Number: 1054346
AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name Aveley Christian Centre Charity registration number 1054346 Address Stifford Road Aveley South Ockendon Essex RM15 4AB
THE TRUSTEES
The trustees who served the charity during the period and subsequently:
Rev. A P Day Rev. A W Field Rev. L A Field Mr E Campbell Mrs J Campbell
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
A board of trustees manage the charity and report to the full membership of the Church. Reverend Alex Day is the chair of the Board of Trustees and governance is by majority voting on all issues.
Recruitment of new trustees is sought from amongst the membership of Aveley Christian Centre and members are considered carefully to ensure that they are suitable for the position prior to appointment.
New trustees are given training as considered appropriate. All serving trustees are encouraged to attend training courses as appropriate to their ongoing needs.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Aveley Christian Centre is registered with the Charity Commission (Registration number 1054346) and is constituted by a Constitution adopted on 21 February 2006.
The object of the charity is to promote the advancement of the Christian Religion by the proclamation and furtherance of the Gospel of God concerning his Son Jesus Christ the Lord and the preaching and teaching of the Word of God by the Church in accordance with the Statement of Faith of Assemblies of God in Great Britain and Ireland.
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AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 was a year of change for the Church. This was the first full year with Sarah Day being the main paid minster for the Church which has increased capacity of the team. This increased capacity has enabled the Church to increase it outreach and activities which has a positive impact.
Connecting people with God
Aveley Christian Centre as fellowship of believers met weekly on Sunday morning. Following positive feedback, we continued with having fellowship time at the start of Sunday morning services from 10:30am – 11am each week. We have seen an increase in attendance over the year with several new families and individual attending through contact with our website or invites. Due to the increase in energy costs, we did trial during the winter a later start time, but this change resulted in a reduction in those attending and the savings were minimal, so after Christmas we reverted to our normal morning start time.
In October 2023, it was felt that we need to restart our monthly bible study and prayer meetings, and a survey was undertaken to try and find a suitable time for these activities. From February 2024 we established our monthly prayer and bible studies. This is an opportunity for more in-depth studies of God’s word and for us as Aveley Christian Centre to corporately pray together. This has been well attended with a regular group of people attending these sessions.
Connecting with People
A major focus was to build up the fellowship with connecting with each other. It has been pleasing to see people attend Church earlier to our start to time fellowship with one another.
In June 2023 a group of ladies from ACC attended a Woman’s weekend of refreshing at High Leigh Conference.
We held a successful Christmas Cake baking session. With members of the Church and those from the Community attending and making their own Christmas Cake.
Connecting with our Community
During the year we continued to support Aveley Village Community Forum Limited (AVCF) (also known as Aveley Village Community Foundation) an organisation which Rev. A P Day and Rev. A W Field are members/directors of. We support this organisation as our aims align in supporting and developing the local community of Aveley.
We continued to run a weekly parent and toddler group becoming the only regular group in Aveley.
In June 2023, we also started a weekly coffee morning which has a regular core group of individuals attend.
The major new initiative undertaken in 2023-24 was the launch of our monthly youth club on the first Friday of month which started in February 2024. This has been received well, and attendance has increased each session with new young people attending.
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AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Rev. S L Day also continued with school assemblies at Aveley Primary School and during 2023-24.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The full financial details can be seen in the main body of the accounts. It has been another difficult financial year; however, the overall yearly deficit has fallen from £6,459 to £2,162. This has driven by not having the Dinner Club costs within the year and lower maintenance costs within the year.
The trustees have been reviewing the finances of the Church and are looking at various options to increase income. There has been a review of hire charges of the building and looking at hiring our building more.
Our reserves policy is to hold at least 6 months of our unrestricted expenditure in cash reserves. At the end of 31 March 2024 this would mean that we should hold a total of £13,537 in unrestricted cash reserves. We are currently holding a total of £30,598. We are therefore in-line with our reserve policy at the year end.
The charity has sufficient funds to continue its activities and objectives and the trustees are content to report that income and expenditure are at a level to keep the charity financially viable. Every effort to reduce costs and increase income (within the remit of the constitution) will be made. At the end of the financial year reserves were £737,370 of which £693,440 was in the unrestricted reserve. The adequacy of the reserves policy is reviewed annually.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
Our continued main aim as trustees is to see the Church move forward in reaching out to the community by all honest means, as we share our love of Jesus, and show Jesus' compassion to all (whilst also complying with charity law). We will continue to present the Church as a place of Faith, Hope & Love.
The trustees would also like to thank everyone who has supported the Church physically, spiritually and financially helping to see the goals reached.
Our overall vision is to create opportunities for people to connect with God, with each other and with our community of Aveley, Ockendon and Purfleet.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
When planning our activities for the year, the trustees have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES
The charity's trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the
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AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. The trustees 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.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Huw Nicholls FCCA was appointed as the independent examiner during the period, and a resolution to reappoint for the ensuing year will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Aveley Christian Centre Stifford Road Aveley South Ockendon Essex RM15 4AB
Rev. A P Day Chairman of the Board of Trustees Date: 26 January 2025
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AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AVELEY CHRISTIAN CENTRE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2019
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 set out on pages 6 to 9.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
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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
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as 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 trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
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proper accounting records are kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Huw Nicholls FCCA 6 Beechwood View Oakville Road Hebden Bridge HX7 6NR
29 January 2025
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Aveley Christian Centre Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2024
| INCOME Note Collections Gift Aid Donations Hire fees Rental Income Other income Youth Club Bank Interest TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Assemblies of God Building Costs 1 Capital Expenditure 2 Children's Work Church Expenses Dinner Club General Expenses Missionary Expenses 3 Printing Legal Fees Salaries - Gross Salary Salaries - Employers NICs Salaries - Pensions Special Events TOTAL EXPENDITURE (DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE: |
2024 2024 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ |
|---|---|
| 18,647 98 18,745 17,713 3,499 - 3,499 2,215 227 - 227 184 275 - 275 435 2,097 - 2,097 2,097 - 320 320 1,014 141 - 141 - 401 - 401 54 |
|
| 25,287 418 25,705 23,712 |
|
| 1,183 - 1,183 536 7,606 320 7,926 9,308 530 210 740 2,909 222 167 389 145 2,369 - 2,369 2,116 - - - 1,214 60 - 60 104 2,062 98 2,160 2,790 96 - 96 - 35 - 35 - 11,928 - 11,928 9,921 - - - - 485 - 485 246 496 - 496 882 |
|
| 27,073 795 27,868 30,171 |
|
| 1,786) ( 377) ( 2,162) ( 6,459) ( |
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Aveley Christian Centre Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31 March 2024
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| Land and Buildings (Insurance | ||||
| Value) | 631,500 | - | 631,500 | 631,500 |
| Building Improvements (Cost) | 19,433 | - | 19,433 | 19,433 |
| Equipment (Cost) | 8,281 | - | 8,281 | 7,541 |
| Furniture (Cost) | 4,111 | - | 4,111 | 4,111 |
| TOTAL FIXED ASSETS | 663,325 | - | 663,325 | 662,585 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Cash in hand and at Bank | 30,598 | 43,930 | 74,528 | 76,691 |
| Debtors - Gift Aid | 707 | - | 707 | 523 |
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 31,305 | 43,930 | 75,235 | 77,214 |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Creditors | 1,190 | - | 1,190 | - |
| NET ASSETS | 693,440 | 43,930 | 737,370 | 739,799 |
These financial statements have been approved by the Board of Trustees on 26/01/2025 and signed by:
Rev. A. P. Day Chair of Trustees
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Aveley Christian Centre Notes to the Financial Statements
| 1. Building Costs Insurance UR Repairs and Maintenance UR Repairs and Maintenance R Utilities UR 2. Capital Expenditure Building Improvements R Equipment UR Equipment R 3. Missionary Expenses Assemblies of God 365 Scheme UR Central African Mission (CAM) UR David Taylor Fund UR World Christian Ministry UR Operation Christmas Child Samaritan Purse UR AOG - Impact Appeal: Morocco & Libya Appeal R Morocco & Libya Appeal UR AoG - Ukraine Appeal UR AoG - Turkey/Syria Appeal R AoG - Turkey/Syria Appeal UR |
2024 2023 Total Total £ £ |
|---|---|
| 1,657 1,603 1,354 2,052 320 - 4,595 5,654 |
|
| 7,926 9,308 |
|
| - 895 530 2,014 210 - |
|
| 740 2,909 |
|
| 372 372 792 792 396 396 360 360 140 - 98 - 2 - 250 - 395 - 225 |
|
| 2,160 2,790 |
For Current Year Figures: UR - Unrestricted Fund
R - Restricted Fund
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Aveley Christian Centre Notes to the Financial Statements
4. Restricted Fund Breakdown
| Building Fund House Renovation Fund Children's and Youth Fund Parent and Toddler Fund Toilet for the disabled Carpet Fund Chairs and Tables Special Offering Youth and Children's Growth Fund Total |
Balance Balance at Incoming Outgoing at 1 April '23 Resources Transfer Resources 31 March'24 £ £ £ £ £ |
|---|---|
| 10,570 - - - 10,570 30,129 - - - 30,129 - - - - 331 - (210) 121 30 - - 30 500 - - 500 2,014 - - 2,014 383 418 - (418) 383 350 - (167) 183 |
|
| 44,307 418 - (795) 43,930 |
5. Related Party Transactions
Included within staff costs are emoluments to following Trustees:
| Rev. A P Day Rev. S L Day |
2024 2023 £ £ |
|---|---|
| 1,914 10,167 10,015 - |
|
| 11,928 10,167 |
Rev. S L Day is the wife of Trustee Rev. A. P. Day. The salary paid is for her role as the senior minister from June 2023.
Section 10.3 of the Charity's constitution is the legal authority for the above transactions.
No trustee received remuneration or payments from the Charity for their role as a trustee
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