Annual Report
The King’s Church Prestwood. 2023-2024
Annual Report of the Trustees of The King’s Church, Prestwood, for the Period from 1st of April 2023 to 31st of March 2024
Charity Name. The King’s Church, Prestwood
Charity Registered Number; 1069399.
Principal Address: 6 Chequers Lane, Prestwood, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9DW
Trustees:
Chris Shepherd – (Chair of trustees) appointed from 01.12.18 Joan Veysey - Trustee appointed from 01.12.18 Alison Brackett – Trustee appointed from 27.09.2021 Richard Kendell – Trustee appointed from 27.09.2021
Governing Instrument: Trust Deed dated 5th of April 1998.
Constitution: Unincorporated Charity.
Trustee selection: Appointed by existing trustees.
Induction and training
All trustees are members of the Church and fully aware of its purposes. Trustees have been inducted including access to a range of material and guidance issued by the Charity Commission, including Guidance on Public Benefit. The Trustees have assessed that our Trust Deed gives permission to hold trustees meetings in any way we need to, including remotely and in person. During 2022 – 23 meetings were held both in person and via Zoom.
Additional Issues
The church has a leadership team comprising of trustees, elders and functional leads. The leadership team is responsible for ensuring that the vision and mission statement of the Kings Church Prestwood is agreed, and our aims are translated into agreed programs and activities. The trustees and elders meet together regularly with a focus on strategy, planning and finance. The trustees and elders also attend the Functional Leads Group (FLAG), which supports leadership, implementation and monitoring of these programs and activities. Membership of the functional leads group includes the Safeguarding Lead.
The Church is an Associate Member of the Evangelical Alliance and a member of the Catalyst group in the New Frontiers Family of Churches. The Church relates to other local Christian Churches in Prestwood and Great Missenden.
The Church has insurances with the Baptist Insurance Company and the Trustees and Elders review the financial, equipment and other risks as needed.
The Church does not own or lease any property. The Village Hall in Prestwood is rented along with
other community facilities as required by the Church for Sunday and midweek meetings and other functions and activities.
For the period of this return, there were no unreported serious incidents.
During the period of this return, the charity has conducted risk assessments on all relevant activities, including the impact of the cost of living crisis. Planning, safeguarding and communication ensured that the charity could be flexible in the way it carried out activities in order to operate safely, whilst continuing to be responsive to the needs of the community.
Charity objectives as set out in its governing document
To advance the Christian faith, by proclaiming and witnessing to the Gospel of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ.
To advance such other charitable purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time determine.
Main Activities
The activities for the year are planned to bear in mind the Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the advancement of religion. The regular Sunday services are open to the public and those participating are encouraged to live out their faith in the community.
The main activities can be stated as –
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Regular worship services including children's activities.
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Midweek group meetings for worship, prayer, learning, activities, and fellowship.
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Outreach, care and activities in the local community which are designed or adapted to meet the needs of vulnerable groups.
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The church is engaged with people in the local community of all ages.
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Support for Mission
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Wider associations including joint meetings with other New Frontiers/Catalyst Group and other local churches.
Achievements
Growing as a spiritual community
Our public services on Sunday are a key part of the life of the church, as is our weekday programme of worship, teaching, testimony, fellowship and prayer. We continue to welcome new people who have joined us this year for these activities, as we seek to be a welcoming and outward looking church within our community. We have held services and events specifically designed to be accessible to others who may not otherwise come to a church including regular breakfast and lunch services and shared meals. We continue to operate a live link to services to
ensure we remain accessible for those who are unable to attend in person, or who wish to attend but live or work away from the local area. Information about services is published in the local community newspaper and on our website. Regular services and music are also provided for residents and staff in a local high needs nursing home. Special events and services are publicised including on social media and the church’s website.
Our midweek activities includes an 8 weekly rolling programme which includes learning together with an emphasis on growing in spiritual maturity, songs & prayers of faith and being a worshiping community, and opportunity for fellowship over shared meals.
Prayer is a key part of our ministry and mission, and weekly prayer events include prayer walking and praying together in person and on zoom. Prayer is focused on those in need, our community, and national and international issues. We have seen answers to prayer and grown in faith as we have prayed together during this year.
The church has continued its focus on mission and financially supporting others. This year the church given £1,985 to local projects, including charities working with refugees and children, our local community fridge and charity providing music therapy. Individuals in the church also give their time and expertise supporting and volunteering in local and national charities that are consistent with our values and charitable aims.
We have continued to support the Catalyst Group with other New Frontiers Churches, supporting Catalyst Leaders events, participation in the local churches “hub”, and supporting international mission priorities including Ukraine.
Building our community
This year we celebrated the King’s Coronation in May, providing live music at local community events. The church ministers in the area have jointly led services with all local churches for occasions including Easter services in 2023 and 2024, and a joint Christmas carol service.
We have continued to organize and support the production of The Source, a free local newspaper delivered to over 5,000 homes and businesses in HP16. This is supported by over 100 volunteers, who are involved in producing, editing and delivering the Source. The paper is highly valued in the community as both a source of local information and a positive way of keeping the community connected.
Activities for young people this year included a weekly youth café at the local school for approximately 25 children age 11 – 16 yrs. This programme finished in September, and following a local youth survey with statutory partners, we are working with the school and other partners to develop a new programme which supports mental wellbeing for young people. There is regular input to the local schools, including school assemblies and other activities when requested by the schools.
The Church is involved in a children’s charity, Lighthouse Great Missenden, which provides a week long summer programme in the school summer holiday. This provides high quality activities for over 600 children and toddlers. Christians have the opportunity to share their story, as well as supporting families and bringing together every age group in a positive and safe environment. As well as supporting many voluntary roles during lighthouse week, our church has pioneered weekly prayer times for Lighthouse, and provides leadership at both chair of trustees and operational level.
The Wick Trimmers folk band continues to run a monthly local folk club as well as providing live music at local community events. The folk club supports local musicians, providing accessible high quality live music for our community.
We continue to support people who are frail or socially isolated holding our annual summer and Christmas tea parties in partnership with our community transport scheme PACT. This year, our tea parties were attended by over 140 people who either live alone or are at risk of social isolation, and the events were supported by volunteers from the church and local community.
Financial Review
The principal source of income has been the regular giving of members, which provides for the Lead Elder’s salary, and accommodation for meetings and activities. Last year total income for the year was £47,197 and expenditure £43,898, therefore a surplus was reported for 2023/24.
Finances were reviewed regularly, with quarterly reports to both the Functional Leads Meetings and Trustees & Elders meetings. Financial risks are reviewed and reported including assessing the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on our income.
KCP currently holds reserves for the purpose of covering essential running costs in the event of a fluctuation in income or expenditure. The KCP Reserves Policy was reviewed in 2023 in line with the Charity Governance Code.
During 2023 the trustees continued to ensure we continue to operate high standards of governance in line with the Charity Commission Governance Code for small charities, and promote a culture where everything continues to work towards fulfilling the charity’s vision. This year we have developed a leadership succession plan to ensure there is sufficient leadership capacity for the future, and specifically to develop a programme of work focused on young people to commence in 2024/25.
Our functional leads continued to meet regularly through weekly planning meetings, monthly information and review meetings. In 2023 we purchased and completed vulnerable adults and children’s safeguarding training for volunteers in the church.
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees
Signature Full name Chris Shepherd
Position Chair of Trustees
THE KING'S CHURCH (PRESTWOOD)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO 31 MARCH 2024
| INCOME Tithes and Offerings: Cash Cheque Standing Orders Bank transfer excluding HMRC total Reclaimed Tax via Gift Aid Bank Interest Church events (WT) Gift day Other Income Lighthouse OWA - One World Aid ROPE TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE OWA Mission: Hardship ROPE wicktrimmers Lighthouse Staff Costs Hall hire Events (WT) Events other Administration Copyright Licence Equipment New Frontiers - Catalyst Gifts Mission Pastoral Professional Fees and Insurance Refreshments Subscriptions Advertising and web Training TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR TOTAL CASH AT BANK (Community and Saver Accounts) Brought forward from previous year Carried forward to next year |
2023/2024 £ £ £ General Restricted Total 892 0 892 50 0 50 30211 0 30211 31153 0 31153 9465 0 9465 545 0 545 6034 0 6034 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 47197 0 47197 0 0 0 669 0 669 669 29475 29475 2600 2600 4059 4059 0 0 1157 1157 142 142 0 0 209 209 2432 2432 1985 1985 0 0 0 0 89 89 382 382 375 375 324 324 43229 669 43898 3968 -669 3299 67216 669 67885 71195 0 71195 |
2022/2023 £ £ £ General Restricted Total 1,414 0 1,414 281 0 281 32,974 0 32,974 - 0 - |
|---|---|---|
| 34,668 34,668 8,769 0 8,769 56 0 56 4,869 4,869 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
||
| 48,362 0 48,362 |
||
| £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
||
| 0 0 0 28,754 28,754 2,298 2,298 2,938 2,938 166 166 1,338 1,338 133 133 1,024 1,024 500 500 78 78 1,441 1,441 0 0 500 500 47 47 374 374 353 353 413 413 |
||
| 40,355 - 40,355 | ||
| 8,007 - 8,007 59,209 669 59,878 |
||
| 67,216 669 67,885 |
THE KING'S CHURCH (PRESTWOOD)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024
| 2023/2024 | 2023/2024 | 2022/2023 | 2022/2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS- Church and office equipment | 2,328 | 2,328 | 2,330 | ||
| DEBTOR | |||||
| Reclaimed tax due from inland revenue 8,855 |
8,855 | 9,465 | |||
| CASH AT BANK | |||||
| Community Account 25,408 |
25,408 | 22,654 | |||
| Saver Account 45 |
45,787 | 45,242 | |||
| 71 | 71,195 | 67,896 | |||
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| March Salary - |
- | - | - | - | |
| PVH - |
- | - | - | - | |
| HMRC - |
- | - | - | - | |
| Professional Fees & Insurance - |
- | - | - | - | |
| administration/printing - |
- | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | - | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 80 | 80,050 | 77,361 | ||
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 82 | 82,378 | 79,691 | ||
| UNRESTRICTED FUNDS- Church general funds | 82,378 | 82,378 | 79,096 | ||
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | - | - | 669 | ||
| 82 | 82,378 | 79,765 |
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
…………………………… Chris Shepherd Chair of Trustees
| RESTRICTED FUNDS | Brought | Carried | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| forward | Income | Expenditure | forward | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Rope | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| OWA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Hardship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Lighthouse | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| wicktrimmers reimbursments | 669 | 0 | 669 | 0 | |||
| 669 | 0 | 669 | 0 |
| Brought | Carried | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| forward | Income | Expenditure | forward | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 669 | 0 | 0 | 669 | ||
| 669 | 0 | 0 | 669 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinefs Report Report to the trusteesl THE 1$ CHL*RCtrI PRESI0 members of On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no lif any) 1069399 Set out on pages I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust.) for the year ended 3110312024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan Ythh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Act"} I report in respecl of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ael and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515){bl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no malerial matters have come lo my attention {other than that disclosed below '} in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in. any material respect". accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs ststement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn In order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackels if they do not apply. Signed.- Date: 03-ts Name: Miss Deona Fisher Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body lif any)". Address". 48 Shortborough Avenue Princes Risborough Buckinghamshire. HP27 9HT IER October 2