Charity number: 1072981
WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' Report | 2 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 - 8 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 9 |
| Balance Sheet | 10 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 - 18 |
WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Trustees Barry Alan Darling, Treasurer Kenneth Golding, Chair Ebow Essel, Trustee Robert Michael, Secretary Charity registered number 1072981 Principal office Wessex Close Basingstoke Hampshire England RG21 3NP Bankers HSBC Bank Plc Kingdom Bank
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP for the year 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Church attendance
Over the past year, church attendance has increased, and we have had new Individuals and families join our worship services and decided to take on membership within our church community. There are approximately 98 people who participate in the activities and life of the church.
Trustee meetings
Regular Trustee meetings have been held over the past year, and short-notice meetings have been held as well to address the necessary issues that have arisen during the year.
Building Maintenance
"During this past Financial Year, the church has experienced a number of issues where remedial action to safeguard our premises has been needed, including replacement of the church cooker range and associated equipment and the refrigerator. Additionally, the heating and plumbing resources throughout our premises, largely as a result of the process of ageing, have been brought onto an efficient status of operating. Upgrading of toilet facilities and general building maintenance has recognized the need for updates, all resulting in a substantial outlay for the church."
Evangelistic Missions
In the past year, we co-hosted “Through Faith Missions” with 3 other churches a Christian evangelistic agency to help us engage in a town-wide evangelistic campaign with a focus on advancing the Christian faith. This work fulfills one of our main charitable objectives. As a spiritual community a few people have participated in our own evangelistic work within our immediate local parish. We also hosted an 11-week evangelistic program called the Alpha course where about 13 people subscribed and regularly attended. As a result of this a few people converted to become follows of Christ and to practice the Christian faith.
Baptisms:
As a church one of the ways, we serve our local ecumenical community, who do not have a permanent location, is to make available our facility for them to use as needed when it’s not being in use. As a result, this year we have hosted 3 Baptism sessions for 2 different churches.
Local Community work:
The church continues to provide space for BESOM, a community group supplying essentials to vulnerable families and individuals. We have helped in the distribution of Christmas hampers to people in our local community.
We also regularly financially supported our local food bank this year as part of the ongoing work we are engaged in within our local community, to help tackle the cost-of-living crises.
We have also been financially and prayerfully supporting the Christians against poverty organization to aid them in tackling the poverty situation within the UK.
We recently have been helping with the facilitating of a new food distribution hub which has opened in a local secondary school near us. This is in partnership with the Basingstoke community food link, a local organization that helps to distribute food with the town.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Overseas mission:
As a local church, we have also been financially supporting some overseas missions. We have been supporting the star of Hope foundation an orphanage in Bulgaria, and the ongoing mission work going on in Lebanon, coordinated by the AOG UK’s international mission coordinator Magdy Tawfik. Also, we have been supporting evangelistic efforts in Israel through the Christian organization One for Israel. Another overseas mission work we have been supporting in the past year is star of Hope an orphanage in Romania. As a church we have also been supporting persecuted Christians around the world through the UK charity Open Doors.
Working with the wider church.
This year we have worked alongside other churches in mission, baptism, and community work. We hosted a lunch time for the Basingstoke one church leaders, and we have also hosted a one church prayer meeting. One church who do not have a building managed to conduct a funeral in our building.
Youth Work.
In the past year we have been hosting a regular weekly youth meeting, which is a time for the youth and young adults to come together have a spend time with each other and to learn and develop themselves personally and spiritually. This year we partnered with Melrose Church to organize a retreat for the youth which took place over a 5-day period. This was a time where they engaged in team and character-building exercises and games and a time away from phones and technology for spiritual refreshment as well.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP is a registered charity, number 1072981, and is constituted under a Trust deed.
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
c. Financial risk management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Members' liability
The Members of the Charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Charity in the event of winding up.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the 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 application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust deed. 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 order of the members of the board of Trustees on 3 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Kenneth Golding
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP ('the Charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the Trustees of the Charity 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 accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner's Statement
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.
I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable 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.
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.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed:
Dated: 3 February 2024
Kolade Andrew Alli ACMA 10 Gatcombe Gardens West End, Hampshire
SO18 3NA
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Note Income from: Charitable activities 2 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 3 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 84,985 84,985 105,667 105,667 (20,682) 1,088,017 (20,682) 1,067,335 |
Total funds 2023 £ 84,985 84,985 105,667 105,667 (20,682) 1,088,017 (20,682) 1,067,335 |
Total funds 2022 £ 72,196 72,196 77,353 77,353 (5,157) 1,093,174 (5,157) 1,088,017 |
|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 6 | 955,021 | 955,728 | ||
| 955,021 | 955,728 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 7 | 4,347 | 4,721 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 107,967 | 127,568 | |||
| 112,314 | 132,289 | ||||
| Net current assets | 112,314 | 132,289 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 1,067,335 | 1,088,017 | |||
| Net assets excluding pension asset | 1,067,335 | 1,088,017 | |||
| Total net assets | 1,067,335 | 1,088,017 | |||
| Charity funds | |||||
| Restricted funds | 8 | - | - | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 8 | 1,067,335 | 1,088,017 | ||
| Total funds | 1,067,335 | 1,088,017 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 03 February 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Kenneth Golding
The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
1.2 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation (continued)
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, on a reducing balance basis.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Freehold property - Office equipment - 25%
1.5 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.6 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.7 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
2. Income from charitable activities
| 2. Income from charitable activities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds |
Total Total |
||
| General | 2023 2022 |
||
| £ | £ £ |
||
| General Offering and Gifts | 65,897 | 65,897 61,540 |
|
| Gift Aid tax reclaimed | 12,171 | 12,171 10,656 |
|
| Bank interest receivable | 2,000 | 2,000 0 |
|
| Church Hall Hire | 250 | 250 0 |
|
| Other Income | 4,667 | 4,667 0 |
|
| 84,985 | 84,985 72,196 |
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
3. Expenditure on charitable activities
| 3. Expenditure on charitable activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds |
Total | Total | ||
| General | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Administration and Overheads | 0 | 0 | 1,984 | |
| Depreciation | 0 | 0 | 909 | |
| Independent examiner's fee | 950 | 950 | 950 | |
| Legal and professional fees | 796 | 796 | 2,062 | |
| Missions | 14,264 | 14,264 | 10,213 | |
| Payroll costs | 37,339 | 37,339 | 47,150 | |
| Premises cost and utilities | 48,600 | 48,600 | 9,722 | |
| Software, website and licenses | 1,120 | 1,120 | 973 | |
| Training | 2,534 | 2,534 | 3,390 | |
| Bank charges | 64 | 64 | 0 | |
| 105,667 | 105,667 | 77,353 |
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4. Independent examiner's remuneration
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent | ||
| examination of the Charity's annual accounts | 950 | 950 |
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
5. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, Pastor Ebow Essel has been paid remuneration from an employment with the Charity. This relates to work done and expenses incurred as Pastor of the church. The value of Trustees' remuneration and other benefits was as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Ebow Essel | Remuneration | 34,524 | 32,611 |
6. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 January 2023 At 31 December 2023 Depreciation At 1 January 2023 Charge for the year At 31 December 2023 Net book value At 31 December 2023 At 31 December 2022 Debtors Due within one year Other debtors |
Freehold property £ 953,000 953,000 - - - 953,000 953,000 |
Office equipment £ 6,466 6,466 3,738 707 4,445 2,021 2,728 2023 £ 4,347 4,347 |
Total £ 959,466 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 959,466 | ||||
| 3,738 707 |
||||
| 4,445 | ||||
| 955,021 | ||||
| 955,728 | ||||
| 2022 £ 4,721 |
||||
| 4,721 |
7. Debtors
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
8. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Balance at | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 1 | 31 | |||
| January | December | |||
| 2023 | Income | Expenditure | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General Funds | 1,088,017 | 84,985 | (105,667) | 1,067,335 |
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WESSEX CLOSE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
8. Statement of funds (continued) Statement of funds - prior year
| Balance at | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | 31 | |||
| 1 January | December | |||
| 2022 | Income | Expenditure | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General Funds | 1,093,174 | 72,196 | (77,353) | 1,088,017 |
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