NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, FLECKNEY Registered Charity number 1055864
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Year ended 31 December 2023
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, FLECKNEY
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
| ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: | New Life Christian Fellowship |
|---|---|
| c/o 4 Cedars Courtyard | |
| High Street | |
| Fleckney | |
| Leicester | |
| LE8 8BG | |
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT: | Trust Deed dated 12thApril 1996 |
| Registered charity No: 1055864 | |
| Deed of Amendment Dated November 12th2013 | |
| TRUSTEES: | John Beynon (Chair) |
| Pat Binczak | |
| Robert Brown | |
| Helen Watson | |
| BANKERS: | CAF Bank Ltd |
| 25 Kings Hill Avenue, | |
| Kings Hill, | |
| West Malling, | |
| Kent, | |
| ME19 4JQ | |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: | C Veasey ACA |
| Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons | |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 21, The Point | |
| Rockingham Road | |
| Market Harborough | |
| Leicestershire | |
| LE16 7NU | |
| INDEX | |
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details |
| Pages 2-5 | Trustees’ Report |
| Page 6 | Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts |
| Page 7 | Receipts and Payments Account |
| Page 8 | Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
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New Life Christian Fellowship, Fleckney
Report of the Trustees For the year ended December 31[st] 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to December 31st 2023.
OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY
The Trust was established in 1996 to fulfil the role of a Christian Church in Fleckney and the surrounding area. The objects listed in the Trust Deed are:
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The promotion and encouragement of Christianity in any part of the world, and in particular by way of the following activities: Meetings for worship, fellowship and prayer, the teaching of the Bible and the doctrines and principles of the Christian religion, the evangelisation of non-Christians, education of young people in accordance with Christian principles.
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The relief of poverty, hardship and distress
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To further such other charitable purposes as the Trustees from time to time in their absolute discretion determine.
New Life Christian Fellowship is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and is an Ichthus Link Church. During the year, grants have been made to other charitable organisations and individuals to enable NLCF achieve the above-mentioned objects which can best be done on a larger scale than NLCF could do independently.
GOVERNANCE
The policy and operating decisions of the Charity, including the appointment or removal of trustees, rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the Trust. Decisions relating to the Charitable Trust are made by the Trustees in consultation with the Elders, who are responsible for governing the spiritual life and teaching of the church. The Trustees and Elders are jointly known as the Leadership Team, for mutual support for each other through care and service. Our Trust Deed reflects the role of the Elders in decision making. The Leadership Team are encouraged that members of the congregation give of their time, talents and money to enable the trust to effectively fulfil its role both in practical outworking and in its financial support of its local, national and international partners.
Steve Robson continues as Leader of NLCF and is employed on a part-time basis, having been in position from Easter 2012. Steve is part time self-employed and continues to be employed three days a week for NLCF.
The Trustees, John Beynon (Chair), Pat Binczak (Treasurer), Helen Watson and Robert Brown, held meetings as necessary throughout the year to ensure that the Trust affairs were conducted within the guidelines set out by the Charity Commission and to fulfil the trust objectives. As a church, the Health and Safety, and the Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, is of great importance. Training is offered to members and DBS checks relevant to positions held are carried out and kept up to date as necessary. A record is kept of children attending church services. The Trustees endeavour to keep New Life’s Safeguarding policy up to date and enforced. Our GDPR responsibilities are kept under review by the Trustees and records are only kept as necessary for legal and essential communication purposes and with relevant permission granted.
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In addition, the Trustees met with the Elders in joint meetings as the Leadership Team to maintain a working relationship, to pray together and to support the work of the Elders. The teaching and spiritual life of the church has remained the responsibility of the Elders which is comprised of two church members, Steve as Leader and Linda Beynon who also has oversight of the worship team. The Elders plan to meet regularly to pray and discuss church affairs in conjunction with others as necessary.
During the year to December 31st 2023, the charity sought to fulfil its purpose as a Christian Church in the community of Fleckney in the following ways:
WORK IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Having an awareness of the needs our local community has been at the centre of New Life’s existence and in wishing to fulfil that aim, New Life has continued to build bridges through its charitable work. CommuniCare, an arm of the charity, maintained its aim to support the elderly and vulnerable of our community in practical ways such as providing transport to doctor and hospital appointments, gardening, shopping etc. CommuniCare also provided a regular hot meal and warm space at Fleckney Community Library on a Monday lunchtime for the elderly and vulnerable. Staffed by volunteers, it was much appreciated and provided a meeting place serving the community. An additional CommuniCare event was an afternoon tea to celebrate the coronation.
Communication with the local community was maintained through articles in the monthly local free newspaper “Communicata”, through our website (www.fleckneynlcf.org), and through our Facebook page that is regularly updated with events that New Life produces, or takes part in, as part of the Churches Together in Fleckney. We participated in a Quiz Night and Auction as charity fundraising in support of “Hope 4” which works with refugees and the poor in Moldova.
PRAYER and EVANGELISM
The church meets each Sunday morning for prayer and worship and during the week throughout the year Life Groups met for prayer and study. An open invitation was extended to everyone in the local community to attend a joint churches’ event at the Parish Church which was open for prayer and reflection for “Thy Kingdom Come” in May. Information and displays were provided by New Life to offer inspiration for topics of prayer. The Leadership team also took the opportunity to meet specifically for prayer together. The Baptist Church hosted a meeting one Wednesday per month, entitled “The Gathering”. We were committed to support it, as it was an open invitation to any Christians locally to meet together for prayer for the community, the world in general and for specific topics as led.
New Life sponsored and hosted an event at the Village Hall when it invited Tom Elliott, a comedian magician, to present an evening of entertainment. Ticketed, with an open invitation to the village, it was an opportunity for outreach and was well received. During the summer and during school holidays, a New Life initiative – “Fleckney Fridays” invited local folk to the Village Hall for fun activities such as Lego building, Glass Fusion workshop, Coffee Morning, Afternoon Tea and Messy Church. At Easter, the church met with the Baptist Church on the Green to present an outreach for the village, giving out Easter Eggs and a goodie bag to those attending. A long-standing annual event “Carols on the Green” saw hundreds of village folk gather on the village green to sing carols and hear the Christmas story followed by refreshments.
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NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL
New Life has continued to subscribe to Ichthus Christian Fellowship and The Evangelical Alliance, both of which are available for support and guidance should it be needed. New Life is fortunate to be supported financially by a generous congregation and in turn is able to support charitable organisations of similar objectives who work both in this country and abroad such as Neighbourhood Prayer, CMJ, Open Hands, Evangelical Alliance, Wall of Eternal Prayer, Good News for Everyone and Compassion UK through whom we sponsor a child. A visiting speaker gave an insight into the work of “Mercy Ships”, a Christian organisation that provides medical treatment, concentrating on the poor of Sub-Saharan Africa. As a church we gave a donation in support of their work.
TRAINING and EDUCATION
The Leadership have continued to oversee the teaching within the church, encouraging personal study and participation in “Life Groups” and prayer groups. As a gift, in conjunction with the other village churches, Bibles were purchased and distributed to those children at the end of their time at Junior school prior to moving up to secondary school.
WORSHIP
Each week our service of worship in the Village Hall and live streaming of the service over the YouTube platform were led by our Church Leader, Steve, with our worship group leading the music. A new projector and screen were purchased and installed to assist in the projection of words, sermon illustrations and videos.
FINANCE
The generosity of the members of New Life Christian Fellowship along with the claim through the Gift Aid scheme has enabled the trust to maintain its support of various charitable causes throughout the year. The regular donations from members ensured that the trust had no need to make appeals for funds to cover its expenses and continues to honour commitments made in support of our overseas mission partners.
The church tithed its income and gave in excess of the tithe in support of charitable organisations involved in evangelism, teaching and the relief of poverty, locally, nationally and internationally. In making donations, the Leadership considered prayerfully those needs known to them, those brought by the congregation to their attention, and requests received by the church.
The trust continues to receive rent from the property that it owns, less running costs which this year have included the annual Gas Safety check, Estate Agency fees, insurance, and gutter cleaning. The hire of halls, wages, administration costs, insurances, licences and catering. were the main costs in the total overall expenditure for the year of £38,760 which was covered by donations, Gift Aid claims, rental income and interest received in the total sum of £37,315.
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TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
During the year, the Trustees held four meetings to discuss matters relating to the running of the charity and the upkeep of the property owned. Also, the trustees met with the Elders as a Leadership Team meeting.
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity. The annual report and accounts were submitted to our auditors for inspection prior to being submitted to the Charity Commission. We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
APPROVAL
This report was approved by the Trustees on 29[th] October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
John Beynon
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of New Life Christian Fellowship, Fleckney
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of New Life Christian Fellowship (charity number 1055864) for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 which are set out on pages 7 to 8.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the 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
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.
C Veasey ACA 29 October 2024
Edward Thomas Peirson & Sons Chartered Accountants 21 The Point Rockingham Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7NU
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NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, FLECKNEY Registered Charity number 1055864 RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
For the year ended 31 December 2023
| RECEIPTS Donations: Legacies Offerings & donations Agency collections Tax recovered under gift aid Other: Communicare income Rent Other activities Investment: Interest received Total receipts PAYMENTS Direct Evangelism - international Evangelism - national Evangelism - local Leader's salary Catering Communicare expenditure Conference & retreat Fellowship gifts Social events Visiting speakers Youth Administration:Stationery Licences & subscriptions Sundry Computer & website Insurance Payroll fees Independent Examiner's fee Training Repairs and renewals Purchase of assets Property: 5 Hobrook Road Hire of halls Insurance Total payments NET (PAYMENTS)/RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR Cash funds 31 December 2022 Cash funds 31 December 2023 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 1,090 - 1,090 22,706 - 22,706 - - - 3,830 - 3,830 27,626 - 27,626 - - - 8,645 - 8,645 - - - 8,645 - 8,645 1,044 - 1,044 1,044 - 1,044 37,315 - 37,315 2,800 2,800 1,020 - 1,020 4,573 4,573 14,107 - 14,107 67 - 67 - - - 126 126 1,989 - 1,989 - - - 45 - 45 145 - 145 24,872 - 24,872 - - - 557 - 557 263 - 263 101 - 101 585 - 585 334 - 334 571 - 571 320 320 36 36 5,322 5,322 8,089 - 8,089 300 - 300 5,046 - 5,046 454 - 454 5,799 - 5,799 38,760 - 38,760 (1,445) - (1,445) 64,396 1,368 65,764 62,950 1,368 64,318 2023 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds £ £ £ 1,915 - 1,915 20,691 - 20,691 - 2,105 2,105 7,488 - 7,488 30,094 2,105 32,199 - - - 8,580 - 8,580 - - - 8,580 - 8,580 220 - 220 220 - 220 38,894 2,105 40,999 4,888 1,351 6,239 1,120 - 1,120 1,788 1,788 13,829 - 13,829 95 - 95 - - - - - - 1,759 - 1,759 - - - 40 - 40 - - - 23,518 1,351 24,869 - - - 696 - 696 222 - 222 84 - 84 538 - 538 238 - 238 518 - 518 300 300 278 278 665 665 3,540 - 3,540 1,525 - 1,525 4,215 - 4,215 406 - 406 6,146 - 6,146 33,204 1,351 34,555 5,690 754 6,444 58,706 614 59,320 64,396 1,368 65,764 2022 |
|---|---|---|
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NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, FLECKNEY Registered Charity number 1055864 STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES As at 31 December 2023
| As at 31 December 2023 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Designated | Total | Unrestricted | Restricted | Designated | Total | ||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||||
| MONETARY ASSETS | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Bank & Cash balances: | |||||||||||
| Market Harborough BS | Reserve account | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Project account | 4,000 | (4,000) | - | 4,000 | - | (4,000) | - | ||||
| Lloyds Bank plc | (4,100) | 100 | 4,000 | - | (4,100) | 100 | 4,000 | - | |||
| CAF | Current account | 7,221 | 798 | 8,020 | 3,461 | 798 | - | 4,260 | |||
| CAF Gold | 54,782 | 470 | 55,252 | 59,749 | 470 | - | 60,219 | ||||
| Communicare | 85 | 410 | 495 | 121 | - | 410 | 531 | ||||
| Cash in hand | - | - | - | ||||||||
| 61,989 | 1,368 | 410 | 63,767 | 63,232 | 1,368 | 410 | 65,010 | ||||
| Other monetary assets: | |||||||||||
| Tax recoverable under gift aid | 3,322 | - | 3,322 | 3,830 | - | - | 3,830 | ||||
| Insurance paid in advance | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Website hosting paid in advance | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 3,322 | - | - | 3,322 | 3,830 | - | - | 3,830 | ||||
| Total monetary assets: | 65,311 | 1,368 | 410 | 67,089 | 67,061 | 1,368 | 410 | 68,840 | |||
| ASSETS RETAINED FOR CHARITY'S OWN USE | ASSETS RETAINED FOR CHARITY'S OWN USE | ||||||||||
| Property | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| 5 Hobrook Road | At valuation | 330,000 | - | 330,000 | 300,000 | - | 300,000 | 300,000 | |||
| Equipment (over £250) | |||||||||||
| Roland Keyboard | 1996 | cost | 1,122 | - | 1,122 | 1,122 | - | 1,122 | 1,122 | ||
| Lapel microphone | 1997 | cost | 279 | - | 279 | 279 | - | 279 | 279 | ||
| Chalices (2) & plates (2) | 2001 | cost | 763 | - | 763 | 763 | - | 763 | 763 | ||
| Tripod screen | 2002 | cost | 315 | - | 315 | 315 | - | 315 | 315 | ||
| Display boards | 2007 | cost | 310 | - | 310 | 310 | - | 310 | 310 | ||
| Microphone (2) & stand | 2002 | cost | 335 | - | 335 | 335 | - | 335 | 335 | ||
| Computer | 2006 | cost | 482 | - | 482 | 482 | - | 482 | 482 | ||
| Puppet staging | 2007 | cost | 401 | - | 401 | 401 | - | 401 | 401 | ||
| Mixer desk | 2008 | cost | 7,547 | - | 7,547 | 7,547 | - | 7,547 | 7,547 | ||
| Computer | 2010 | cost | 399 | - | 399 | 399 | - | 399 | 399 | ||
| Keyboard | 2010 | cost | 302 | - | 302 | 302 | - | 302 | 302 | ||
| Projector | 2012 | cost | 1,524 | - | 1,524 | 1,524 | - | 1,524 | 1,524 | ||
| Hard Drive Recorder | 2012 | value | 800 | - | 800 | 800 | - | 800 | 800 | ||
| Hand-held radio microphone | 2017 | cost | 405 | - | 405 | 405 | - | 405 | 405 | ||
| Computer | 2021 | cost | 330 | - | 330 | 330 | 330 | 330 | |||
| Camera for streaming | 2021 | cost | 2,115 | - | 2,115 | 2,115 | 2,115 | 2,115 | |||
| Laptop & streaming equipme | 2022 | cost | 460 | - | 460 | 460 | 460 | 460 | |||
| 2 Communion trays & 40 cum | 2022 | cost | 205 | - | 205 | 205 | 205 | 205 | |||
| Data Projector and Lens | 2023 | cost | 4,488 | - | 4,488 | ||||||
| Screen | 2023 | cost | 690 | - | 690 | ||||||
| Projector Accessories | 2023 | cost | 144 | - | 144 | ||||||
| 353,416 | - | 353,416 | 318,094 | - | 318,094 | ||||||
| LIABILITIES | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Independent Examiner's Fee | 629 | - | 629 | 570 | - | 570 | |||||
| 629 | - | 629 | 570 | - | 570 |
Note The freehold property known as 5 Hobrook Road, Fleckney is included above at the Trustees valuation. The charity was gifted half of the property in December 2001 and in September 2006 purchased, having taken independent valuation advice, the remaining half share for £85,000
These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 29 October 2024 and signed on their behalf:
Pat Binczak
John Beynon
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