Three Bridges Free Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2022
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
Three Bridges Road Three Bridges Crawley RH10 1LS
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE CHARITY
Trust Deed dated 17 November 1998 (amended February 1999) 1074518 Graham Bell Steven Collingham Robert Cranfield Nelson Lucero Mark Pash Peter Taylor
BANKERS
Santander UK plc
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
INDEX
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-3 Trustees' Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Receipts and Payments Account Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 7-8 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed and is constituted as a trust. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are to advance the Christian faith.
The Trust seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by acting as a church in the area of Crawley, Sussex.
Review of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
We began the year by considering how our verses for the year (Colossian 1:13-14) should shape our lives as Christians. We held regular Sunday worship services during which we preached through the books of Exodus, Hebrews, Colossians, Ruth and special series called Firm Foundations in which we looked at our core beliefs as a church. We also held a series of special evangelistic events and service in the run up to Easter as part of our ‘Passion for Life’ mission. This included putting on an ‘Easter Trail’ for children in a local park. Many of our Sunday services were livestreamed over the internet as we continued to use the technology and make use of opportunities to reach out online brought about by the covid pandemic. It was encouraging also to see our Sunday morning ‘Explorer’ children’s groups grow.
Our midweek ministry involved our fortnightly Home Groups which looked at the Minor Prophets and our Tuesday morning Bible study group which studied the book of 1 Corinthians. We also relaunched our bimonthly ‘Agape’ coffee morning for community outreach and ran a Holiday Bible Club in the February half term which saw about 45 children attend for a full day of activities. In addition, our weekly Friday morning ‘Toddler Spot’ continued to be appreciated by many local families with pre-school children. We also held regular men’s and women’s ministry throughout the year.
During the year we also ran our Christianity Explored and Hope Explored courses on a number of occasions and were encouraged to baptise 8 people during three baptismal services.
During the year we reviewed our Safeguarding Policy and held quarterly members meetings. The membership at the end of 2022 stood at 85.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Renovation
This year we began a multi year building renovation programme with a view to complete various projects over a five year period based on available funding. The felt roof of the old church which was leaking and starting to cause a rot problem was replaced and the main church entrance subfloor with a damp issue was re-waterproofed.
Page 2
Financial review
During the year income increased by £68,700, to £174,100, and expenditure increased by £14,100, to £143,400. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £30,700, to £126,200, of which £80,600 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than 4 months of unrestricted expenditure (which equates to approximately £42,000) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £80,600. As part of long term planning for capital projects including the building renovation, the trustees have identified the need for investment over a number of years. This means the trustees are holding reserves over £42,000.
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for the management of the trust and do so with the assistance of the Elders and Deacons on a day to day basis. New Trustees are appointed by a full meeting of the church members, in consultation with the Trustees.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Graham Bell
Date: 05 October 2023
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Three Bridges Free Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2022 on pages 5 to 8 following.
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 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jaimée Young
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 16 October 2023
Page 4
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Unrestricted | Funds | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Income receipts | ||||||||||
| Donations | 88,322 | - | 56,905 | 145,227 | 80,936 | |||||
| Gift aid receipts | 16,642 | - | - | 16,642 | 15,141 | |||||
| Income from charitable activities | 390 | - | - | 390 | 402 | |||||
| Use of church and car park | 11,210 | - | - | 11,210 | 7,200 | |||||
| Interest | 51 | - | - | 51 | 5 | |||||
| Other | 579 | - | - | 579 | 1,679 | |||||
| Total receipts | 117,193 | - | 56,905 | 174,098 | 105,363 | |||||
| Payments | ||||||||||
| Payments in relation to activities undertaken directly |
charitable | 2 | 110,994 | - | 15,652 | 126,646 | 109,965 | |||
| Grants paid in relation to activities undertaken by others |
charitable | 3 | - | 15,970 | 808 | 16,778 | 19,320 | |||
| Total payments | 110,994 | 15,970 | 16,460 | 143,424 | 129,285 | |||||
| Net of receipts / (payments) transfers |
before | 6,199 | (15,970) | 40,445 | 30,674 | (23,923) | ||||
| Transfers between funds | 5 | 3,025 | (3,025) | - | - | - | ||||
| Net movement in funds | 9,224 | (18,995) | 40,445 | 30,674 | (23,923) | |||||
| Cash funds as at last year end | 935 | 89,454 | 5,092 | 95,481 | 119,404 | |||||
| Cash funds at this year end | A | 10,159 | 70,459 | 45,537 | 126,156 | 95,481 |
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year: Fee for Independent Examination D Assets retained for charity's own use Freehold Church building Freehold Manse Contents and equipment |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 10,159 34,216 - 36,244 10,159 70,459 11,588 - - - 11,588 - 1,260 - 1,260 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 45,537 - 45,537 10,188 - 10,188 - - Cost £ 1,150,000 510,000 - 1,660,000 |
Total 2022 £ 89,912 36,244 126,156 21,775 - 21,775 1,260 1,260 Insurance value 2022 £ - - 136,091 136,091 |
Total 2021 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59,250 36,232 |
||||
| 95,481 | ||||
| 10,291 1,500 |
||||
| 11,791 | ||||
| 1,200 | ||||
| 1,200 | ||||
The purchase cost of the Manse and the construction cost of the Church are shown.
The trustees have used insurance values for equipment since they are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by date Graham Bell 05 October 2023
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
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. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs Note 4 Church, property and related costs Note 2a Manse costs Note 2a Church renovation Equipment Office, admin and support Ministry and outreach activities Children, youth and holiday club Other expenses 2a Sinking funds expenditure (incl. property) Accounts, advice and Independent examination FIEC affiliation SGP affiliation Other professional fees Insurance Utilities Maintenance and cleaning - Church Maintenance and cleaning - Manse 3 Grants and gifts paid to others Organisations: European Christian Mission Crosslinks UFM Worldwide Organisations < £1,000 Individuals |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - Church £ 1,170 2,000 1,000 - 5,601 3,880 14,192 - 27,843 Designated funds £ 1,920 1,200 11,950 900 - 15,970 ed Funds ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - - - 15,601 - - 52 - - 15,652 Manse £ - - - - 432 - - 651 1,083 Restricted Funds £ - - 50 155 603 808 |
Total 2022 £ 74,359 27,843 1,083 15,601 1,175 864 3,872 1,589 261 126,646 Total 2022 £ 1,170 2,000 1,000 - 6,033 3,880 14,192 651 28,925 Total 2022 £ 1,920 1,200 12,000 1,055 603 16,778 |
Total 2021 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74,068 27,804 2,917 - 1,208 941 2,058 933 37 |
||||||
| 109,965 | ||||||
| Total 2021 £ |
||||||
| 2,490 2,000 - 198 6,521 2,167 14,679 2,550 |
||||||
| 30,604 | ||||||
| Total 2021 £ |
||||||
| General funds £ - - - - - - |
||||||
| 1,920 1,200 15,000 900 300 |
||||||
| 19,320 |
Page 7
THREE BRIDGES FREE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Transactions with related parties
No payments were made to trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.
| 5 Movement of funds General funds Designated funds Missionary Fund Sinking Fund Restricted funds Church Library Fund Building Fund Hardship Fund Other Funds Total funds |
Opening balance £ 935 6,721 82,733 90,389 362 - 4,655 75 5,092 95,481 |
Receipts £ 117,193 - - 117,193 - 56,750 - 155 56,905 174,098 |
Payments £ (110,994) (15,970) - (126,964) (52) (15,601) (578) (230) (16,460) (143,424) |
Transfers £ 3,025 15,950 (18,975) - - - - - - - |
Closing balance £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,159 6,701 63,758 |
|||||
| 80,618 | |||||
| 310 41,149 4,078 - |
|||||
| 45,537 | |||||
| 126,156 |
The designated Missionary Fund relates to funds set aside from giving to support missionaries in various countries including France, Uganda and the UK through organisations such as UFM, ECM and Gideons.
The Sinking Fund is used for capital and one off yearly projects along with supporting the increased expense of a second full time pastor. Surplus general funds are transferred to this fund for this purpose.
The restricted Church Library Fund relates to funds donated for the purchase of books for the church library. Due to the size of the original gift it has taken some time to spend this wisely and as new appropriate books become available additional books are purchased from this.
The Building fund relates to donations given for the purpose of the building renovation programme which includes replacing the heating system and a kitchen project.
The restricted Hardship Fund is for the purpose of practically supporting others through difficult trials including situations of material need.
Page 8