## The Network Church Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2023 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk ## **THE NETWORK CHURCH** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 33 Mayflower Road Park Street St Albans AL2 2QP GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 16 August 1999 as amended March 2004 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1078577 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR J K Foulger (resigned January 2024) MANAGING THE CHARITY C Hanbury (resigned April 2023) Shuk Lee (appointed January 2024) Rebecca Mitchell (appointed September 2023) Laurence Singlehurst Trevor Withers Sarah Woolmer (appointed October 2023) Man Yuen (appointed January 2024) 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 2023** ## **Objects of the charity** The charity, which is a church, is governed by a trust deed. 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 - b) Serve those outside the community in a variety of different ways c) Provide a forum for those who do not know God to explore the possibility of a relationship with him. ## **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. ## **Governance** In 2023 there were four 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. Page 2 ## **Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements** To further the above objects and mission, 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. Due to numerical growth we moved to a larger rented venue in 2023. Much of that growth is from Hong Kong Christians settling in the local area who contribute to a new multicultural flavour in our gatherings which we enjoy. 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. In 2023 we continued to 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. 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 December 2023 we were grateful to receive approval to our third successful grant application in five years from The Harpenden Trust for new and improved equipment (to be given in 2024) 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 and other St Albans & Harpenden churches. Page 3 ## **Financial review** During the year income increased by £6,200 to £111,600, and expenditure increased by £11,800 to £116,600. The cash held by the charity at year end was £66,700, of which £63,100 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose. Additional funds are held in an ethical investment fund. We gave away approximately 13% of our income during 2023 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 £26,500) 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 £63,100 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. ## **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 > T .Withers (Sep 6, 2024 11:07 GMT+1) ___________________________ T Withers Sep 6, 2024 Date:_______________________ 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 2023 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 2. 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. ## J. Young J. Young (Sep 6, 2024 16:00 GMT+1) Jaimée Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB Date: Sep 6, 2024 Page 5 ## **THE NETWORK CHURCH** ## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** |Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Charitable activities
**_Capital and similar receipts_**
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
6
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
transfers
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly
Sale of fixed assets||General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
81,422
-
16,496
-
-
-
-
-
97,918
-
156
-
156
-
98,074
-
88,421
-
11,490
-
99,911
-
(1,838)
-
(2,406)
-
(4,244)
-
67,371
-
63,127
-
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
Funds
£
8,634
1,523
-
3,324
13,481
-
-
13,481
2,876
13,774
16,650
(3,169)
2,406
(763)
4,347
3,584|Total
2023
£
90,056
18,019
-
3,324
111,400
156
156
111,555
91,298
25,264
116,562
(5,006)
-
(5,006)
71,717
66,711|Total
2022
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||General
Funds
£
81,422
16,496
-
-
97,918
156
156
98,074
88,421
11,490
99,911
(1,838)
(2,406)
(4,244)
67,371
63,127|||| ||||||78,936
12,118
11,645
2,016| ||||||104,715| ||||||633| ||||||633| ||||||| ||||||105,348| ||||||75,448
29,327| ||||||104,775| ||||||573
-| ||||||573
71,144| ||||||71,717| 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 2023** |**A**
**Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
**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
£
£
63,127
-
**63,127**
**-**
1,080
-
**1,080**
**-**
293
-
1,092
-
**1,385**
**-**
Unrestricted Funds|Restricted
funds
£
3,584
**3,584**
-
**-**
-
-
**-**
Fund to
which asset
belongs
General|Total
2023
£
66,711
**66,711**
1,080
**1,080**
293
1,092
**1,385**
Value
2023
£
15,085
**15,085**|Total
2022
£| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||71,717| |||||**71,717**| |||||800| |||||**800**| |||||220
1,008| |||||**1,228**| |||||Value
2022
£| |||||11,689| |||||**11,689**| The trustees have used insurance values as the trustees are unable to reliably estimate current values; insurance values may differ materially from current values. **E Investment assets** CCLA investment |Fund to
which asset
belongs
General|2023
£
53,018
53,018|2022
£| |---|---|---| |||46,779| |||46,779| The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by T .Withers date Sep 6, 2024 T .Withers (Sep 6, 2024 11:07 GMT+1) _____________________________Trevor Withers _________________ 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 2023** ## **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
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,829
47
2,876
10,624
-
-
-
-
3,150
13,774|Total
2023
£
69,741
5,900
5,533
578
812
1,040
469
404
1,511
1,284
1,008
2,829
188
91,298
11,144
2,700
250
1,440
3,080
6,650
25,264|Total
2022
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||General
funds
£
69,741
5,900
5,533
578
812
1,040
469
404
1,511
1,284
1,008
-
141
88,421
520
2,700
250
1,440
3,080
3,500
11,490||||| |||||||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| ## **4 Transactions with related parties** Mr Trevor Withers, a trustee, was paid a gross salary of £50,445 [2022: £38,143] for serving as a Team Leader, 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 2023** ## **5 Acting as agent** On occasion the charity receives money on behalf of other charities or individuals in need, which it banks and then pays out to these charities or individuals. This income is received as agent and the income, and the related payments, are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account. During the year, the charity received money on behalf of a member for an additional appeal which was solely supported by church members. This income was received as agent; the receipts totalling £1,669, and the subsequent payment(s), are excluded from the Receipts and Payments account. |**6**
**Movement of funds**
General funds
Restricted funds
Mission support
Pottery
Hardship fund
Total funds|Opening
balance
£
67,371
67,371
358
2,689
1,300
4,347
71,717|Receipts
£
98,074
98,074
9,707
3,575
200
13,481
111,555|Payments
£
(99,911)
(99,911)
(10,671)
(2,829)
(3,150)
(16,650)
(116,562)|Transfers
£
(2,406)
(2,406)
606
-
1,800
2,406
-|Closing
balance
£| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||63,127| ||||||63,127| ||||||-
3,434
150| ||||||3,584| ||||||| ||||||66,711| The Mission Support fund relates to donations given for the support of mission organisations and missionaries. 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 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