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2023-03-31-accounts

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT

AND

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

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 2023

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Trustees' Report 4 to 7
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts 8
Statement of Receipts and Payments 9
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 10
Notes to the Accounts 11 to 16

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 2022 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31 March 2023 TRUSTEES AT 31 MARCH 2023 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.

REGISTRATION DATE

4th March 1997:Standard registration

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

PRIMARY BANKERS

21 Huxley Place Palmers Green London N13 5SU 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

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Full Name of the Charity:

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

Number in the Register of Charities:

Date of Entry in the Register of Charities:

Postal Address:

1060893 04-Mar-97 NEW RIVER CHURCH 69 Croyland Road Edmonton London Telephone:020 8803 7000 N9 7BE Email:info@new-river.org.uk

Correspondent’s Address:

The Secretary to the Trustees Graham Chappell 21 Huxley Place Palmers Green London Telephone:- 020 8882 8588 N13 5SU Email:- graham.chappell@new-river.org.uk

Gift Aid Administration and Legal:

Insurance:

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Kingdom Bank Ruddington Fields Business Park Mere Way Ruddington Nottingham NG11 6JS

Summary of Trustees’ Investment Powers:

The Trustees’ powers of investment are as described in clause 9 of the Trust Deed.

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 Safeguarding Statement. This is reviewed periodically by the Trustees.

Who the Trust Employs:

As at the end of the report year, Unity Church employed three part time members of staff, the Lead Elder, a Missions Director and a Missions Worker. A full-time Youth Worker was appointed in September 2022. A small team of casual cleaning staff are also paid via the Church’s PAYE scheme. The Lead Elder, the Missions Worker and the Youth Worker are all enrolled the Church’s pension scheme.

4

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

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 Thursday mornings. For the most part, there has been a good recovery from the various logistical and other impacts of the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic. The very successful on-line streaming of the Sunday meetings has remained in place since the easing of 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 and, due to our work with foodbanks, now includes the Enfield Food Alliance. Other organisations, which also have a regional or national focus include Pray London, Streetlight UK, School Pastors, Street Pastors and Nexus Youth Support Services. 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. In April 2022, in response to a joint funding application with Enfield Revival Church, a three-year grant for a shared full-time youth worker was secured from the Magnify Foundation. Payment of the £60,000 grant is structured to cover all of the first year’s costs and then reduce by a third in each of years two and three.

Review of Progress and Achievements

This report covers the twenty-sixth accounting period for the Trust since its establishment. Attendance levels for regular church meetings have remained steady. Since the removal of the most significant restrictions, numbers have returned to previous levels.

In July 2022 the process of converting the Trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation was commenced. This also included merging with the, hitherto separate, Croyland Road Building Trust. The new CIO was approved by the Charity Commission in May 2023. It is called ‘New River Church’ and actions leading to the transfer of the two Trust’s assets across to the CIO are currently in progress.

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 £97,019 (£81,094 in 2021-22). 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 £219,587 raised by the year-end and further sums pledged. All project preliminary costs to date continue to be charged to the General (unrestricted) Fund. It is recognised that unrestricted funds will need to be further utilised as the project gains momentum. Planning consent was secured from the local authority in January 2021 and the process of finalising the design and technical details, alongside additional fund-raising initiatives, continues to be 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.

Going Concern

Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting.

5

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Public Benefit

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 and acknowledge the requirement to demonstrate clearly that the charity has charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how this is achieved are provided in this Trustees report.

Particulars of grants made to the value of £1,000 or more

Since September 2022 a monthly ministry gift has been paid to Paige Wisker for supporting the church’s

6

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Responsibiities of Trustees

Charity law requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and resources expended for the period. In preparing those financial statements, the Board of Trustees should follow best practice and are required to;

The Board of Trustees is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993. 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 and to provide reasonable assurance that:-

The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

12th December 2023

Approved by the Trustees on….....................................

Signed on their behalf by Trustee …..............................

Printed Name: Graham Chappell

7

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Report to the trustees/ members of United North London Trust on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 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:

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:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination

have not been met; or

  1. 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: 21st December 2023

8

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Notes
RECEIPTS
Donations & Legacies
2a
Investment Income
2b
Charitable Activities
2c
TOTAL RECEIPTS
Costs of Charitable Activities
3a
Costs of Generating Funds
3b
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
4
Balances Brought Forward
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2022/23
2021/22
£
£
£
£
103,674
-
103,674
105,721
968
-
968
44
5,220
116,677
121,897
48,278
109,862
116,677
226,539
154,044
88,327
48,919
137,246
112,566
5,610
-
5,610
-
93,937
48,919
142,856
112,566
15,924
67,758
83,683
41,477
-
-
-
-
15,924
67,758
83,683
41,477
81,094
175,412
256,507
215,030
97,019
243,171
340,190
256,507

All of the Charity's operations are classed as continuing operations.

The notes form part of these financial statements, found on pages 11 to 16

9

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

Assets
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
Current Account - CO-OP Community
Current Account - Lloyds River Church
Savings Account - CO-OP - 14 Day
Savings Account - Lloyds - 32 Day
Petty Cash
Cash at bank and in hand		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Fund
Fund
31-Mar-23
31-Mar-22
£
£
£
£
(10,321)
67,758
57,437
34,949
20,944
-
20,944
20,708
43,243
87,706
130,950
100,804
43,129
87,706
130,835
100,013
23
-
23
32
97,019
243,171
340,190
256,507
97,019
-
97,019
81,094
-
243,171
243,171
175,412
97,019
243,171
340,190
256,507
88,131
-
88,131
84,107
88,131
-
88,131
84,107
870
-
870
810
870
-
870
810

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:11 to 16 .

12th December 2023 Approved by the Trustees on …....................................

Signed on their behalf by Trustee …..............................

Graham Chappell

10

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

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. Designated funds

These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific purposes or

  1. 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

11

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

2. RECEIPTS

2. RECEIPTS
Note
c) Incoming from Charitable Activities
Development Fund
Local & Borough Mission / Evangelism
Miscellaneous (incl Church W/e Away)
Other income (incl Overseas Mission)
b) Investment Income
Interest Received
a) Donations & Legacies
Gifts & Offerings
Income Tax Recovered		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2022/23
2021/22
£
£
£
£
84,274
-
84,274
89,514
19,400
-
19,400
16,207
103,674
-
103,674
105,721
968
-
968
44
968
-
968
44
-
55,502
55,502
24,187
5,000
1,563
6,563
5,520
220
8,712
8,932
21
-
50,901
50,901
18,549
5,220
116,677
121,897
48,278

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

12

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

3. PAYMENTS

Note
a) Costs of Charitable Activities
b) Cost of Generating Funds
Fundraising costs
Governance costs:-
Independent Examiner Fee
Insurance & Legal fees
Bank charges
Other expenditure
Ministry Gifts & Grants
Miscellaneous (incl Church W/e Away)
Office Costs
PA Systems
Premises Running Costs & Rent
Staff Costs
Room Hire Costs
Advertising & Publicity
Building & Fabric Costs
Catering & Hospitality Costs
Children's & Youth Work
Equipment Costs
Evangelism
Hardship Grants		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2022/23
2021/22
£
£
£
£
1,948
-
1,948
210
9,332
-
9,332
14,187
3,784
5,661
9,445
4,912
2,734
2,778
5,512
2,355
1,666
-
1,666
810
1,823
-
1,823
2,961
1,936
1,731
3,667
6,080
17,272
5,997
23,269
28,425
-
-
-
-
1,044
-
1,044
1,047
1,577
158
1,736
2,863
5,169
8,206
13,375
5,248
33,542
24,388
57,930
38,162
838
-
838
1,438
-
-
-
4
810
-
810
-
4,764
-
4,764
3,821
86
-
86
43
88,327
48,919
137,246
112,566
5,610
-
5,610
-
5,610
-
5,610
-

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 2023

4. RESTRICTED FUNDS

CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

a) Mission to Street Light
b) Mission to Greece
c) Mission to Ukraine
d) Children & Family
e) Mission to Message
f) Mission to Youth
g) Mission to Sri Lanka
h) Mission to the Middle
i) Other
Development Fund
a) Church House seed
b) Community Grocery
c) Other
Hardship Gifts
a) Events
b) Other
Church Weekend Away
Building Fund
Events
a) Church Weekend Away
b) Joint Carols by Car Light		 Balance
Gains &
Balance
01-Apr-22
Income
Expenditure
(Losses)
Transfer
31-Mar-23
£
£
£
£
£
164,325
55,262
-
-
-
219,587
-
8,206
(8,206)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,050
-
-
-
-
6,050
4,490
1,563
(5,661)
-
-
392
87
240
(158)
-
-
168
-
506
(506)
-
-
-
-
1,225
(1,225)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
360
12,069
(12,009)
-
-
420
25
74
(99)
-
-
-
(25)
550
(375)
-
-
150
100
1,550
(1,550)
-
-
100
-
32,500
(16,197)
-
-
16,303
-
954
(954)
-
-
-
-
1,980
(1,980)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
175,412
116,677
(48,919)
-
-
243,171

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 2023

4. RESTRICTED FUNDS (Continued)

PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR

Hardship Gifts
a) Events
b) Other
Church Weekend Away
a) Mission to Street Light
b) Mission to Greece
c) Mission to Ukraine
d) Children & Family
e) Mission to Message
f) Mission to Youth
g) Mission to Sri Lanka
Building Fund
Events
a) Church Weekend Away
b) Joint Carols by Car Light
Development Fund
a) Church House seed
b) Community Grocery
c) Other		 Balance
Gains &
Balance
01-Apr-21
Income
Expenditure
(Losses)
Transfer
31-Mar-22
£
£
£
£
£
140,424
23,901
-
-
-
164,325
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,000
50
-
-
-
6,050
2,029
5,475
(3,013)
-
-
4,490
-
236
(149)
-
-
87
1,567
2,294
(3,861)
-
-
-
58
1,656
(1,713)
-
-
-
-
45
(45)
-
-
-
1,713
11,327
(12,681)
-
-
360
-
295
(270)
-
-
25
-
350
(375)
-
-
(25)
80
1,525
(1,505)
-
-
100
250
1,103
(1,353)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
152,120
48,257
(24,965)
-
-
175,412

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

15

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2023

5. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

TOTAL
2022/23
£
Gross Wages & Salaries
56,491
Employer's National Insurance Costs
4,361
Employer's Pension Contributions
1,543
62,395
Average number of employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
TOTAL
2022/23
Charitable Activities
5		 TOTAL
2021/22
£
50,699
2,511
774
53,984
TOTAL
2021/22
5

The Charity operates a PAYE scheme to pay all employed members of staff and no employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. (2021/22- 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. (2021/22- 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

16