OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-03-31-accounts

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

ANNUAL REPORT

AND

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

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 2024

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 2023

END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 31 March 2024 The charity ceased operating w.e.f 31/12/23

TRUSTEES AT 31 MARCH 2024 Wendy Banks (Chair) Alan Goldring Appointed 01 January 2024 Paul Hutton Appointed 01 January 2024 Alain Nicolas Appointed 01 January 2024 George (Kennedy) Kalaiselvan Resigned 31 December 2023 Jonathan Priestley resigned 31 December 2023 Jennifer Watkins resigned 31 December 2023* Graham Chappell (Secretary)

*due to varied personal circumstances, these Trustees had expressed a need to resign during the report period but had each agreed to stay until the Transfer of Assets to the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation had been completed.

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 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

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Full Name of the Charity:

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

Number in the Register of Charities: 1060893 Date of Entry in the Register of Charities: 04-Mar-97 Postal Address: 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: Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Insurance: 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 two part time members of staff, the Lead Elder and a Missions Worker. An externally funded 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 in the Church’s pension scheme.

4

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

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 meets during the week. House Groups also meet weekly. Worship, Prayer and Bible Study meetings also take place at various weekly and monthly points. A mother and toddler group had been meeting weekly but was on hold during the report year. It re-commenced in September 2024. The on-line streaming of the Sunday meetings, which was initiated during the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, has remained in place since. Post-service, the recordings remain publicly accessible and attract many ‘mid-week’ views.

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-seventh accounting period for the Trust since its establishment. Attendance levels for regular church meetings have remained steady and occasionally reach the capacity of the building’s modestly sized congregational space.

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 the process of transferring the assets of the two Trusts over to the CIO successfully concluded on 31st December 2023. Therefore from this date, having no income or assets, Unity North London Trust ceased all activity.

This report will be the final of the Trust in terms of financial and all other operations. A decision of the Trustees has yet to be made concerning completely closing the Trust and registering its merger into the new CIO on the Charity Commission’s Register of Mergers; or keeping it open and link it with the CIO as one charity, for accounting and reporting purposes only, at the Charity Commission.

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 £76,605 (£97,019 in 2022-23). The main reason for this year on year reduction has been the ongoing cost of preliminary fees directly associated with the Building Project.

The fund-raising initiative for the Building Project launched in 2017 continues to gain momentum with £243,651 raised by the period-end and further sums pledged. 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.

5

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

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.

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

The Trustees who served during the report period were:

Wendy Banks (Chair)
Alan Goldring appointed 01 January 2024
Paul Hutton appointed 01 January 2024
Alain Nicolas appointed 01 January 2024
George (Kennedy) resigned 31 December 2023*
Jonathan Priestley resigned 31 December 2023*
Jennifer Watkins resigned 31 December 2023*
Graham Chappell (Secretary)

*due to varied personal circumstances, these Trustees had expressed a need to resign during the report period but had each agreed to stay until the Transfer of Assets to the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation had been completed.

6

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Responsibiities of Trustees

The Charity Act 2022 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 2022. 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.

2nd November 2024 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 2024

Report to the trustees/ members of United North London Trust on the accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024.

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 2022 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: 4th November 2024

8

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Notes
RECEIPTS
Donations & Legacies
3a
Investment Income
3b
Charitable Activities
3c
TOTAL RECEIPTS
Costs of Charitable Activities
4a
Costs of Generating Funds
4b
TOTAL PAYMENTS
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
5
Balances Brought Forward
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Transfer of assets to New River Church Charity
no.1202947)
TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2023/24
2022/23
£
£
£
£
85,758
-
85,758
103,674
4,038
-
4,038
968
400
64,977
65,377
121,897
90,196
64,977
155,173
226,539
108,495
39,310
147,805
137,246
2,115
-
2,115
5,610
110,610
39,310
149,920
142,856
(20,414)
25,667
5,253
83,683
268,838
(268,838)
-
-
248,424
(243,171)
5,253
83,683
97,019
243,171
340,190
256,507
(345,443)
-
(345,443)
-
345,443
-
345,443
340,190

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 2024

Total Total
31-Mar-24 31-Mar-23
£ £
Assets
CASH AT HAND AND IN BANK
Current Account - CO-OP Community 0 57,437
Current Account - Lloyds River Church 0 20,944
Savings Account - CO-OP - 14 Day 0 130,950
Savings Account - Lloyds - 32 Day 0 130,835
Petty Cash 0 23
0 340,190
Total Current Assets 0 340,190
Creditors:due within one year 0 0
NET CURRENT ASSETS 0 340,190
TOTAL ASSETSless current liabilities 0 340,190
Creditors:due in more than one year
NET ASSETS 0 340,190
Represented by:
General Funds 0 97,019
Restricted Funds 0 243,171
0 340,190
Assets retained for the Charity's own use:
Equipment at Insurance Value 0 88,131
HMRC Gift aid 0 -
0 88,131
Liabilities
Independent Examiner's Fee 0 870
0 870

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 2022. 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 .

2nd November 2024 Approved by the Trustees on …....................................

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

10

UNITY NORTH LONDON TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

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.

2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

The Charity held no fixed assets investments during this or the previous financial period.

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 2024

3. RECEIPTS

3. 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
2023/24
2022/23
£
£
£
£
70,261
-
70,261
84,274
15,497
-
15,497
19,400
85,758
-
85,758
103,674
4,038
-
4,038
968
4,038
-
4,038
968
-
24,244
24,244
55,502
-
990
990
6,563
350
260
610
8,932
-
39,483
39,483
50,901
400
64,977
65,377
121,897

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 2024

4. PAYMENTS

Note
a) Costs of Charitable Activities
b) Cost of Generating Funds
Fundraising costs
Governance costs:-
Independent Examiner Fee
Insurance & Legal fees
Bank charges
Ministry Gifts & Grants
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
2023/24
2022/23
£
£
£
£
2,394
-
2,394
1,948
45,083
-
45,083
9,332
2,826
1,265
4,091
9,445
3,994
260
4,254
5,512
794
-
794
1,666
1,553
-
1,553
1,823
402
981
1,383
3,667
13,828
9,403
23,232
23,269
855
-
855
1,044
76
154
230
1,736
4,827
-
4,827
13,375
27,145
27,246
54,391
57,930
474
-
474
838
-
-
-
810
4,154
-
4,154
4,764
90
-
90
86
108,495
39,310
147,805
137,246
2,115
-
2,115
5,610
2,115
-
2,115
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 2024

5. RESTRICTED FUNDS CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR

a) Mission to Street Light
b) Mission to Greece
c) Mission to Message
d) Enfield Youth FTSOTG &
e) Mission to Message
Development Fund
a) Church House seed
b) Community Grocery
c) Other
Hardship Gifts
a) Events
b) Other
Church Weekend Away
f) Mission to Youth
g) Mission to Sri Lanka
h) Mission to the Middle
i) Other
Building Fund
Events
a) Church Weekend Away
b) Joint Carols by Car Light		 Balance
Gains &
Balance
01-Apr-23
Income
Expenditure
(Losses)
Transfer
31-Mar-24
£
£
£
£
£
219,587
24,064
-
-
(243,651)
-
-
260
(260)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,050
-
-
-
(6,050)
-
392
990
(1,265)
-
(117)
0
168
180
(154)
-
(194)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
981
(981)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
420
9,621
(9,266)
-
(775)
-
-
2,901
(2,901)
-
-
-
150
2,480
(933)
-
(1,697)
-
100
1,138
(1,138)
-
(100)
-
16,303
20,075
(20,187)
-
(16,191)
-
-
63
-
-
(63)
-
-
2,225
(2,225)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
243,171
64,977
(39,310)
-
(268,838)
0

Restricted funds were transferred to Unrestricted Funds before being transferred to New River Church (charity no 1202947) in January 2024.

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 2024

5. RESTRICTED FUNDS (Continued)

PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR

Hardship Gifts
a) Events
b) Other
Building Fund
Events
a) Church Weekend Away
b) Joint Carols by Car Light
Development Fund
a) Church House seed
b) Community Grocery
c) Other
Church Weekend Away
c) Mission to Message
d) Enfield Youth FTSOTG &
e) Mission to Message
f) Mission to Youth
g) Mission to Sri Lanka
h) Mission to the Middle
i) Other
a) Mission to Street Light
b) Mission to Greece		 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

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 2024

6. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

Gross Wages & Salaries
Employer's National Insurance Costs
Employer's Pension Contributions		 TOTAL
2023/24
£
53,949
4,455
1,582
59,987		 TOTAL
2022/23
£
56,491
4,361
1,543
62,395

Average number of employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:

TOTAL TOTAL
2023/24 2022/23
Charitable Activities 4 5

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

(2022/23- None)

Trustee David Wisker, employee, received £24,921 gross salary in the current financial period.

7. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES

Apart from Trustee David Wisker receiving £24,921 in gross salary, no other payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the (2022/23- None)

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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