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2022-12-31-accounts

The Network Church

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2022

1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

THE NETWORK CHURCH

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 33 Mayflower Road Park Street St Albans AL2 2QP GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 16 August 1999 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1078577 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR L Singlehurst MANAGING THE CHARITY T Withers J K Foulger C Hanbury (resigned April 2023) R Kinahan (resigned June 2022) BANKERS The Co-operative Bank plc National Westminster Bank plc INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 8-9 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

THE NETWORK 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 community of Network Church exists to commit our lives to serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our primary responsibility as a church is to:-

a) Build and nurture a Christian community

Our Mission Statement

A community of God's people working together to see God's Kingdom extended in our spheres of influence.

We are a church built around small groups which means that an important focus of the life of the church is the midweek 'cell groups'. These meet weekly and are where the group members worship together, encourage one another, and share their lives with families and friends.

The cell groups come together for larger meetings as the weekly Sunday morning meeting, where we experience God in corporate worship, and receive teaching from the Bible.

We follow a cell church structure, in that the leadership team supports and trains several small group leaders, who support and train their small group members.

During 2022 we re-established meeting together in-person on Sundays, following the Covid-19 pandemic, and due to numerical growth have moved to a larger rented venue. Much of that growth is from Hong Kong Christians settling in the local area who have contributed to a new multicultural flavour in our gatherings which we enjoy.

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 support and encourage those with a faith to deepen their relationship with God, and to increase the reach and effectiveness of their positive contribution to society.

We provide financial assistance for people linked to Network Church to attend spiritual retreats or counselling courses, and provide occasional financial support to individuals in need that are known to someone in Network Church, irrespective of their faith.

We give regular financial support to various charities and individuals, including to people in YWAM Tanzania, and support local charities either financially and/or with practical help, such as St Albans & Harpenden Education Project, Harpenden Money Advice Centre, Azalea, and The Living Room.

We have strong links with YWAM Tanzania, where several people are supported by Network Church or by individuals within the church. Pre-Covid we regularly sent a team to help with building projects there both practically and financially (e.g. schools, and nurseries), and hope to resume that as soon as practicable. Church individuals occasionally visit as well. Various projects have been supported by people within Network Church for which we receive regular updates, prayer requests and photographs.

Page 2

We run a community pottery studio on an entirely voluntary and free to use basis to encourage young and old in their creative skills and benefit their wellbeing. Our ethos is to create a friendly welcoming environment for all comers. We attract a wide variety of people from the local community and in conjunction with Mind in Herts have regular groups to benefit their mental wellbeing. In 2021 and 2022 we were grateful to receive grants from The Harpenden Trust for new and improved equipment.

In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Connected organisations

Network church is part of Pioneer, and we also have close links with YWAM, Cell UK, and other St Albans & Harpenden churches. One of the Trustees of Network Church, Laurence Singlehurst, is also a Trustee of Cell UK.

Financial review

During the year income increased by £6,100 to £105,300, and expenditure increased by £14,700 to £104,800. The cash held by the charity at year end is £71,100, of which £67,400 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose. Additional funds are held in an ethical investment fund.

We gave away approximately 18% of our income during 2022 to a variety of organisations, and to individuals in need.

An annual budget is prepared by the Leadership Team, approved by the Trustees, and presented to the church as a whole. At least twice a year, the actual figures are compared to the targets. Three of the Leadership Team and one Trustee are bank signatories. Two signatories are required on cheques and all bank documents.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash to cover expenditure commitments for 3 months (which equates to approximately £26,000) 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 £67,400 and the charity is holding excess funds; we continue to invest in the pottery project, and are looking to hire a larger venue to accommodate us on Sunday mornings, for which some of these funds will be needed.

Page 3

Governance

In 2022 there were five Trustees, one of whom is also the team leader of the Leadership Team, who oversee the running of the church and the financial decisions that are made by the Leadership Team. Network Church is part of the Pioneer group of churches, who support our Leadership Team, and oversee our progress and major decisions.

The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.

New Trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing Trustees, who discuss and agree on the capabilities and likely profile need to fill the role. This takes into account considerations such as the capabilities of the current Trustees, specialist skills available and diversity considerations.

Risk statement

The Trustees have reviewed the risks to which a small charity operating with few employees is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis.

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:

T Withers

Date: 17 August 2023

Page 4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

THE NETWORK CHURCH

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Network Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2022 on pages 6 to 9 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

  1. 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: 21 August 2023

Page 5

THE NETWORK CHURCH

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Notes
Income receipts
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Capital and similar receipts
Total receipts
Payments
2
3
Total payments
Transfers between funds
5
Net movement in funds
Cash funds as at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A
Sale of fixed assets
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly		 General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
63,411
-
9,901
-
8,000
-
81,312
-
633
-
633
-
81,945
-
70,228
-
15,020
-
85,249
-
(3,303)
-
608
-
(2,695)
-
70,066
-
67,371
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
17,541
2,217
3,645
23,403
-
-
23,403
5,219
14,307
19,527
3,876
(608)
3,269
1,078
4,347		 Total
2022
£
80,952
12,118
11,645
104,715
633
633
105,348
75,448
29,327
104,775
573
-
573
71,144
71,717		 Total
2021
£
General
Funds
£
63,411
9,901
8,000
81,312
633
633
81,945
70,228
15,020
85,249
(3,303)
608
(2,695)
70,066
67,371
78,089
10,516
10,599
99,204
-
-
99,204
61,126
28,906
90,031
9,173
-
9,173
61,971
71,144

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

Page 6

THE NETWORK CHURCH

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

A
Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
B
Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
CCLA investment
C
Liabilities
Falling due within one year:
NEST [pension]
Fee for Independent Examination
D
Assets retained for charity's own use
Equipment and fittings		 General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
67,371
-
67,371
-
800
-
46,779
-
47,579
-
220
-
1,008
-
1,228
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
4,347
4,347
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2022
£
71,717
71,717
800
46,779
47,579
220
1,008
1,228
Value
2022
£
11,689
11,689		 Total
2021
£
71,144
71,144
681
51,805
52,486
220
990
1,210
Value
2021
£
11,130
11,130

The trustees have used insurance values as the trustees 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

----- Start of picture text -----
by date
T Withers 17 August 2023
----- End of picture text -----

The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

THE NETWORK 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
Venue hire
Church activities and Community events
Equipment
Gifts and visiting speakers
Courses / conferences / training
Phone
Insurance
Office and administrative expenses
Computer and internet
Governance
Pottery
Sundry
3
Grants and gifts paid to others
Organisations:
YWAM Tanzania
STEP
Cell UK Ministries
Pioneer Trust
Organisations < £1,000
Individuals		 Unrestrict Designated
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ed Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
49
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,958
212
5,219
13,107
-
-
-
-
1,200
14,307		 Total
2022
£
50,707
8,080
4,709
416
1,680
1,474
358
383
1,050
397
978
4,958
259
75,448
14,307
2,700
3,000
1,440
3,080
4,800
29,327		 Total
2021
£
General
funds
£
50,707
8,080
4,709
367
1,680
1,474
358
383
1,050
397
978
-
47
70,228
1,200
2,700
3,000
1,440
3,080
3,600
15,020
50,781
1,360
1,509
1,494
644
130
405
409
2,131
315
960
730
259
61,126
13,271
2,700
3,000
1,440
3,100
5,395
28,906

4 Transactions with related parties

Mr Trevor Withers, Team Leader, was paid £38,143 [2021: £37,786] for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; as permitted by the charity's governing document.

No payments were made to any other trustees or persons related to them, except for reimbursement of expenses paid out on behalf of the charity.

Page 8

THE NETWORK CHURCH

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

5
Movement of funds
General funds
Restricted funds
Mission support
Pottery
Pioneer grant
Hardship fund
Total funds		 Opening
balance
£
70,066
70,066
497
531
49
-
1,078
71,144		 Receipts
£
81,945
81,945
14,287
7,116
-
2,000
23,403
105,348		 Payments
£
(85,249)
(85,249)
(13,819)
(4,958)
(49)
(700)
(19,527)
(104,775)		 Transfers
£
608
608
(608)
-
-
-
(608)
-		 Closing
balance
£
67,371
67,371
358
2,689
-
1,300
4,347
71,717

The Mission Support fund relates to donations given for the support of mission organisations and missionaries. The transfer from this fund relates to an administration fee which is taken from the recovered gift aid, with the permission of the donors.

The Pottery is a small community pottery run by and supported by Network Church. It is open (by appointment) to anybody whether families or groups or individuals. The purpose is to provide a safe space for people to have fun with clay and rediscover their creativity. Other donations have been given to support this project.

The Pioneer grant was for Pioneer churches who wanted to purchase equipment to provide hybrid church after the Covid lockdowns eased. The Hardship fund can be used to give a small gift to anyone in financial need who is brought to the attention of the Leadership Team

Page 9