## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
## **AND**
## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
**CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1060893**
Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2
The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Legal and Administrative Information**|3|
|**Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts**|4|
|**Trustees' Report**|5 to 7|
|**Statement of Receipts and Payments**|8|
|**Statement of Assets and Liabilities**|9|
|**Notes to the Accounts**|10 to 15|
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
**CHARITY NUMBER** 1060893 **WORKING NAMES** New River Community Church New River at Croyland New River Church Unity Church Unity Church Trust **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 01 April 2020 **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 31 March 2021 **TRUSTEES AT 31 MARCH 2021** Wendy Banks (Chair) Jennifer Watkins Jonathan Priestley George Kennedy Kalaiselvan Graham Alfred Chappell (Secretary)
The existing trustees appoint any new trustees following the provisions laid out in the Charity's governing instrument.
## **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT**
Trust Deed dated 6th October 1996, as amended on 26th January 1997.
## **OBJECTS**
a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the schedule hereto in London and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
b) To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby in London and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
c) To advance education in accordance with Christian principles in London and elsewhere as the trustees may from time to time think fit.
**CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS** 21 Huxley Place Palmers Green London N13 5SU **PRIMARY BANKERS** The Co-operative Bank Olympic House 6 Olympic Court Salford M5 2QP **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Donna Leppitt Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF
3
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
Report to the trustees/ members of United North London Trust on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021.
## **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.
Donna Leppitt Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham PO18 8NF Date: 7th January 2022
4
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
**Full Name of the Charity:** UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST **Charity Registration Number:** 1060893 **Date of Charity Registration:** 4th March 1997 **Postal Address:** NEW RIVER CHURCH 69 Croyland Road Edmonton London N9 7BE Telephone:- 020 8803 7000 Email:- info@new-river.org.uk **Correspondent’s Address:** The Secretary to the Trustees Graham Chappell 21 Huxley Place Palmers Green London N13 5SU Telephone:- 020 8882 8588 Email:- graham.chappell@new-river.org.uk **Gift Aid Administration & Legal:** Stewardship P0 Box 99 Loughton Essex IG10 3QJ **Insurance:** Kingdom Bank Ruddington Fields Business Park Mere Way Ruddington Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG11 6JS
## **Summary of Trustees’ Investment Powers:**
The Trustees’ powers of investment are as described in clause 9 of the trust deed.
5
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **Aims and Organisation:**
(Where not described elsewhere in the reports and Financial Statements)
_**Where the Trust Operates**_ **:** The activities of the Trust are executed through the operations of New River Church based in Edmonton, North London. The church has established an office base for its staff and this facilitates the majority of the necessary administrative activities.
_**How the Trust is Organised**_ **:** There is an Elders group which meets regularly with the Trustees’ Committee. A Leadership Team also meets with the Lead Elder to assist in co-ordinating the church’s programme and pastoral activities. Spiritual oversight of the Church is provided by Jenny Sinnadurai and Karen Dey. New River Church has a Child Protection Policy Statement. This is reviewed periodically by the Trustees.
_**Who the Trust Employs**_ **:** Unity Church employs four part time members of staff, the Lead Elder, an Associate Pastor, Missions Director and a Communications Coordinator. A small team of casual cleaning staff are also paid via the Church’s PAYE scheme. In response to applicable Government regulation, the Lead Elder has been enrolled in the Church’s pension scheme since 1st January 2016.
_**A Summary of the Trust’s Activities**_ **:** The main activity of New River Church has been its weekly worship and praise celebrations held each Sunday morning. A small Sunday school operates in parallel for the remaining half of the Sunday meeting. A youth group also meets during the latter half of the Sunday service. House Groups meet weekly. Worship, Prayer and Bible Study meetings also take place at various weekly and monthly points. A mother and toddler group meets on Monday mornings. Due to the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic resulting in nation-wide lockdowns and other restrictions, parts of the weekly programme had to be temporarily suspended. From the outset of the restrictions, a very successful on-line streaming of the Sunday meetings was made possible by the acquisition of high quality equipment and the utilisation of members’ existing skills and experience. The on-line streaming process has remained in place since the easing of COVID restrictions and has become an integral part of the church’s ministry.
_**Working With Other Organisations**_ **:** During the period the Leadership Team continued to strengthen contacts with a range of other churches and organisations based in the London Borough of Enfield. Representatives have also participated in the Enfield Faith Forum and are exploring ways to increase dialogue and understanding between faiths. The Metropolitan Police have invited the church to participate in SAFE Enfield, a Community Safety Partnership. The Lead Elder is a Police Chaplain, which is a voluntary position.
## **Review of Progress and Achievements**
This report covers the twenty-fourth accounting period for the Trust since its establishment. Prior to the pandemic, attendance levels for regular church meetings saw modest improvements year on year. Since the removal of the most significant restrictions, numbers have begun to return to previous levels.
## **Review of Financial Activities and Affairs**
At the close of the period covered by this report there was a surplus on unrestricted Funds for the year of £62,909 (£56,512 in 2019-20). Continuing to recognise the need to establish and maintain reserves, the Trustees have welcomed this further improvement in outturn.
The fund-raising initiative for the Building Project launched in 2017 is considered as a particular success with £140,420 raised by the year-end and further sums pledged. All project preliminary costs to date have been charged to the General (unrestricted) Fund. It is recognised that unrestricted funds may also need to be further utilised at some point in the project’s life. Planning consent was secured from the local authority in January 2021 and the process of finalising the design and technical details, alongside a renewed fund-raising initiative is now being progressed.
## **Reserves Policy**
Trustees annually review the level of reserves they consider are appropriate to the charity's needs whilst endeavouring not to set aside funds unnecessarily. The review takes into account the church's size, the level of financial commitments held and the Trust’s responsibilities as an employer. The trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is unexpected expenditure or a temporary shortfall in income.
6
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **Particulars of grants made to the value of £1,000 or more**
(i) Since May 1998 monthly grants have been paid to Brian & Chris Wilkinson in support of their living expenses whilst working with the Oxford based Viva Network, an international children’s charity. These have totalled £1,200 during the current year.
**(ii)** Since January 2015 monthly donations have also been paid to Helen Taylor in support of her living expenses whilst working with Exodus Cry, a US based anti-sex trafficking charity. These have totalled £1,200 during the current year.
**(iii)** Since April 2003, all general income has been tithed to the providers of Spiritual oversight of the Church - Jenny Sinnadurai and Karen Dey. This is paid monthly but three weeks in arrears. Payments have totalled £7,998 during the current year.
## **Trustees' Responsibilities**
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which presents a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the surplus of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
**i)** Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently
**ii)** Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
**iii)** Prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in existence.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity. 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.
> Approved by the Trustees on 7th January 2022
Signed on their behalf by Trustee
Printed Name: G. Chappell
7
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
|**Notes**
**RECEIPTS**
Donations & Legacies
**2a**
Investment Income
**2b**
Charitable Activities
**2c**
Other Income
**2d**
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Costs of Charitable Activities
**3a**
Governance Costs
**3b**
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
Balances Brought Forward
Prior Year adjustment
**BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
**2020/21**
**2019/20**
£
£
**£**
**£**
87,072
-
87,072
84,507
353
-
353
419
-
83,065
83,065
64,339
660
-
660
1,500|
|---|---|
||**88,085**
**83,065**
**171,150**
**150,765**|
||77,770
54,742
132,513
128,492
3,918
-
3,918
4,939|
||**81,689**
**54,742**
**136,431**
**133,431**|
|||
||**6,396**
**28,323**
**34,719**
**17,334**
56,512
123,798
180,310
162,976
1
-
1
-|
||**62,909**
**152,120**
**215,030**
**180,310**|
All of the Charity's operations are classed as continuing operations.
8
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2021**
|**ASSETS**
**Cash Funds:**
Current Accounts
Deposit Accounts
Petty Cash
**Net Assets**
**Represented by:**
General Funds
Restricted Funds
**Assets retained for the Charity's own use:**
Equipment at Insurance Value
**LIABILITIES**
Independent Examiner's Fee|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Fund
Fund
**31-Mar-21**
**31-Mar-20**
£
£
**£**
**£**
62,308
51,348
113,656
79,111
-
100,772
100,772
100,419
601
-
601
779|
|---|---|
||**62,909**
**152,120**
**215,030**
**180,310**|
||**62,909**
**152,120**
**215,030**
**180,310**
62,909
-
62,909
56,512
-
152,120
152,120
123,798|
||**62,909**
**152,120**
**215,030**
**180,310**|
||81,892
-
81,892
70,317|
||**81,892**
**-**
**81,892**
**70,317**|
||780
-
780
780|
||**780**
**-**
**780**
**780**|
## **TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities which are set out on pages:10 to 15 .
7th January 2022 Approved by the Trustees on …....................................
Signed on their behalf by Trustee …..............................
Printed Name:
9
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING**
The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, and they meet the appropriate legal requirements.
The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Assessment of Going Concern**
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Fund Accounting**
Funds held by the charity are either:
1. **Unrestricted Funds** - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charity's objectives, at the discretion of the trustees.
2. **Restricted Funds** - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Incoming Resources**
All income is included in the accounts when actually received by the Charity. Voluntary help provided by friends of the charity is not included in a quantified way within the accounts.
## **Resources Expended**
Resources expended are recognised when paid by the Charity.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
10
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **2. RECEIPTS**
|Note
**d) Other Incoming Resources**
**a) Donations & Legacies**
Gifts & Offerings
Income Tax Recovered
Miscellaneous (incl Church W/e Away)
Contributions to Premises Overheads
Charitable Missions
Other income (incl Overseas Mission)
**b) Investment Income**
**c) Incoming from Charitable Activities**
Development Fund
Interest Received|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
**2020/21**
**2019/20**
£
£
**£**
**£**
71,571
-
71,571
69,581
15,501
-
15,501
14,926|
|---|---|
||**87,072**
**-**
**87,072**
**84,507**|
||353
-
353
419|
||**353**
**-**
**353**
**419**|
||-
25,462
25,462
22,073
-
13,128
13,128
33,378
-
44,475
44,475
-
-
-
-
8,889|
||**-**
**83,065**
**83,065**
**64,339**|
||660
-
660
1,500|
||**660**
**-**
**660**
**1,500**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
11
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **3. PAYMENTS**
|Note
**a) Costs of Charitable Activities**
**b) Governance Costs**
Bank charges
Advertising & Publicity
Insurance & Legal fees
Evangelism
Equipment Costs
Independent Examiner Fee
Hardship Grants
Ministry Gifts & Grants
PA Systems
Premises Running Costs & Rent
Children's & Youth Work
Building & Fabric Costs
Office Costs
Staff Costs
Worship Expenses
Miscellaneous (incl Church W/e Away)
Catering & Hospitality Costs|Unrestricted
Restricted
**Total**
**Total**
Funds
Funds
**2020/21**
**2019/20**
£
£
**£**
**£**
1,331
-
1,331
587
90
-
90
10,729
549
323
872
10,740
356
919
1,275
3,925
573
-
573
1,811
2,472
1,029
3,501
4,781
(135)
20,158
20,023
9,385
19,864
23,219
43,083
37,401
4
-
4
0
1,189
-
1,189
377
8,308
3,705
12,013
707
5,903
5,390
11,292
14,274
36,931
-
36,931
33,096
335
-
335
678|
|---|---|
||**77,770**
**54,742**
**132,513**
**128,492**|
||-
-
-
-
3,914
-
3,914
4,924
5
-
5
15|
||**3,918**
**-**
**3,918**
**4,939**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
12
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **4. RESTRICTED FUNDS**
## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR**
|b) Community Grocery
Project + Food Bank
f) Mission to Youth
g) Mission to Sri Lanka
**Other**
**Church Weekend Away**
a) Mission to Swaziland
b) Mission to Greece
c) Mission to Germany
d) Mission to Lebanon
e) Mission to Message
**Building Fund**
Church Weekend Away
**Events**
Joint Carols by Car Light
**Development Fund**
a) Church House seed
**Hardship Gifts**
a) Events
b) Other|**Balance**
Gains &
**Balance**
**01-Apr-20**
Income
Expenditure
(Losses)
Transfer
**31-Mar-21**
£
£
£
£
**£**
114,958
25,462
-
-
-
140,420
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,776
10,776
-
-
-
6,000
-
-
-
-
6,000
-
2,352
324
-
-
2,029
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
21,783
20,158
-
-
1,625
30
300
330
-
-
-
2,729
11,008
12,023
-
-
1,713
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,684
8,684
-
-
-
80
1,370
1,370
-
-
80
-
1,169
919
-
-
250
-
163
163
-
-
-
-
-
(4)
-
-
4|
|---|---|
||**123,798**
**83,065**
**54,742**
**-**
**-**
**152,120**|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
13
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **4. RESTRICTED FUNDS (Continued)**
## **PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
|f) Mission to Youth
d) Mission to Lebanon
e) Mission to Message
**Building Fund**
**Church Weekend Away**
**Development Fund**
a) Church House seed
**Hardship Gifts**
a) Events
**Church Weekend Away**
a) Mission to Swaziland
b) Mission to Greece
c) Mission to Germany|**Balance**
Gains &
**Balance**
**01-Apr-19**
Income
Expenditure
(Losses)
Transfer
**31-Mar-20**
£
£
£
£
**£**
93,308
21,650
-
-
-
114,958
145
8,600
16,545
-
7,800
-
5,577
423
-
-
-
6,000
6,515
1,285
-
-
(7,800)
-
1,063
7,108
8,171
-
-
-
90
4,428
4,488
-
-
30
798
11,497
9,566
-
-
2,729
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,850
3,850
-
-
-
80
1,200
1,200
-
-
80
322
2,070
2,392
-
-
-
-
1,940
1,940
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||**107,898**
**64,050**
**48,151**
**-**
**-**
**123,798**|
The Restricted Funds are wholly represented by the Charity's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
14
## **UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2021**
## **5. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS**
|**TOTAL**
**2020/21**
**£**
Gross Wages & Salaries
34,178
Employer's National Insurance Costs
2,051
Employer's Pension Contributions
702
**36,931**
Average number of employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
**TOTAL**
**2020/21**
Charitable Activities
4|**TOTAL**
**2019/20**
**£**
31,651
1,621
772|
|---|---|
||**34,044**|
||**TOTAL**
**2019/20**
3|
The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to pay all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. (2019/20- None)
## **6. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES**
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them. (2019/20- None)
## **7. RISK ASSESSMENT**
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
## **8. RESERVES POLICY**
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
## **9. PUBLIC BENEFIT**
The Charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
15