**1089807**
Faith-Based Global Human Development
CONGRESS WBN 1089807
REPORTS AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Congress House 250-256 Kingsland Road
Hackney London E8 4DG 0207 249 6633
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
## LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
## REGISTERED ADDRESS
Congress House 250-256 Kingsland Road Hackney London E8 4DG
CHARITY NUMBER 1089807 GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 1 September 2000 TRUSTEES Dr Noel Woodroffe Paul Humberstone Paul Lindo
PRINCIPAL BANKERS HSBC Bank PLC INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
George A Kitcher FCA
Regus 15th Floor, Brunel House 2 Fitzalan Road Cardiff CF24 0EB
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**1089807**
INDEX
Pages 4 – 6
Pages 4 – 6 Trustee Report Page 7 Independent Examiner’s Report Page 8 Statement of Financial Activities Page 9 Balance Sheet Pages 10 – 13 Notes to the Accounts
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
## TRUSTEE REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report for the year ended 30 September 2024.
## OBJECTS
The objectives Congress WBN are focused on effecting human, social and national transformation through the propagation of clearly defined faith-based, moral, ethical, and values-based principles, patterns, and approaches. The organisation is composed of eight sectors of strategic global initiatives involving networks of professional groups, educational institutions, businesses, churches, individual national leaders, university students, and global technology initiatives.
## STUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The trustees consider the board of trustees in charge of directing and controlling the charity. Meetings of the trustees are quorate and regular with additional communication between meetings. Routine discussions include the wellbeing of volunteers, the development of new philosophical & operational platforms, upcoming programmes or events, the level of reserves, the financial position and risk management.
The operational management of the charity is delegated to Paul Lindo. With a leadership team of volunteers, regular leadership meetings are convened to review the charity's programmes and set targets to be achieved in line with the objects of the charity.
## REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
This year, the Charity has seen significant growth and impact through our continued commitment to empowering communities, particularly youth, and fostering spiritual and educational advancement. We’ve worked to deepen connections both locally and globally, providing essential resources and support.
One of our initiatives, the London Summer Games, brought together scores of young people from across the UK and beyond, creating spaces for fellowship, leadership development, and faith formation.
In education, we’ve made strategic investments in faith-based schools by enhancing infrastructure to better serve students and faculty in East Africa. Our development work also expanded in South Africa, where targeted projects are fostering long-term transformation in local communities. We have also continued our humanitarian efforts in Ukraine & have provided vital support to those surviving the ongoing crisis, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to faith and community.
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**1089807**
## FINANCIAL REVIEW
## **Income Generation**
The charity does not undertake fund raising activities. Instead, it is funded by the financial contributions of individuals and connected communities committed to its values and objectives.
## **Financial Performance**
Total Incoming resources for the year to 30[th] September was £302k. c77% (£233k) of this is made up of individual charitable donations and £23k received in gift aid claims (see page 8). Individual donations continue to grow, increasing by 5% over the previous year. Donations overall increased by 5% between years.
Operating Expenditure was £240k for the year, (£238k in 2022/23). Significant increases in the cost of utilities and office expenditure were partly offset by reductions in running costs.
## **Investment Policy**
The trustees undertake an annual review of the operations of the charity to determine opportunities for investment. By default, the charity holds in reserve funds intended for future events and activities in the coming months.
## **Risk Management**
The trustees have considered the relevant operational, financial and compliance risks for the charity and have taken steps to mitigate:
- a. Financial Risks
This includes unplanned tapering of financial contributions thereby causing the trust to be unable to meet its financial obligations. This has been mitigated by the trust through the regular convening of the finance committee wherein the trust receives regular up to date financial information to enable the trustees to plan accordingly.
- b. Operational Risks
This includes the inappropriate management of volunteers leading to defamation and damage to reputation. This is mitigated by reporting structures being in place to enable trustees to review operational issues in a timely manner. A constantly managed culture of values-based functionality embedded in the operational structures of the organisation also mitigates against this risk.
- c. Compliance Risk
The trustees recognise the risk of becoming non-compliant either to changes in statute or by outdated policies and procedures. The risk is mitigated by the work of their compliance team who routinely report and advise on changing legal/policy requirements.
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees aim to maintain current assets at a level which equates to a month of unrestricted charitable expenditure. With robust cash and account monitoring systems in place, the trustees consider that this level provides sufficient funds to enable financial obligations to be met and allow for sufficient time to review and revise its ongoing commitments should a decrease in income be recognised. The level of current assets at 30[th] September 2024 was £261k. Unrestricted charity expenditure is £20k a month on average. The current level of reserve is therefore adequate as per the above policy.
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**1089807**
TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
.
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and 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 and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements in each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- i. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- ii. Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
- iii. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- iv. State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- v. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue operations.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial information may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
APPROVAL This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf on 23[rd] July 2025 by:
~~—~~ Paul Lindo ~~==~~
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 30 September 2024
|**_Incoming Resources_**
_Charitable Income_
Individual Donations
KCN Contributions
Other Income
Book & CD Sales
_Other Income_
Bank Interest Received
Miscellaneous Donations
**Total Incoming Resources**
_Resources Expended_
Expenditure in furtherance of charitable
objectives
Other Operating Costs
**Total Resources Expended**
Net Movement in Funds
Fund Balances, 1 October
**Fund Balances, 30 September**|Note|Unrestricted
Funds|Total
Funds
2024|Total
Funds
2023|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||1
3|**£**
232,713
47,121
22,524
14
302,372
1,207
**303,579**
239,502
**239,502**|232,713
47,121
22,524
14
302,372
1207
**303,579**
239,502
**239,502**
|222,551
44,184
0
692|
|||||267,427|
|||||17|
|||||**267,444**|
|||||237,769|
|||||**237,769**|
||||**64,077**||
|||**64,077**||**29,675**|
||||||
|||196,826
**260,903**|196,826
**260,903**
|167,151|
|||||**196,826**|
||||||
The above funds are unrestricted as to purpose.
All movements of funds and all recognised gains and losses are included above.
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these accounts.
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2024
|**Description**|**Note**|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Current Assets
Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand
Debtors & Prepayments|**4**
**5**|254,080
6,823|195,183
1,643|
|Creditors:_amounts falling due within one_
_year_
Creditors & Accruals|**6**|260,903|196,826|
|Net Current Assets||260,903|196,826|
|NET ASSETS||**260,903**|**196,826**|
|Unrestricted Funds
General Fund|**SOFA**|260,903|196,826|
|TOTAL FUNDS||**260,903**|**196,826**|
|||||
## APPROVAL
Approved by the Trustees on 23[rd] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
## Paul Lindo
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these accounts.
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**1089807**
CONGRESS WBN 1089807 Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024
## **1. Accounting Policies**
- (a) Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared 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 for Smaller Entities published on 16th July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE) and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.
## (b) Funds structure
The unrestricted funds are available to be spent on the furthering of the objects of the charity as seen fit and proper by the trustees.
- (c) Income recognition
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty or receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations from members and other donations are recognised when received.
Income in respect of HMRC Gift Aid claims is recognised when the claim has been submitted to HMRC.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included upon notification of the interest payable by the Bank.
## (d) Expenditure recognition
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured quickly.
All expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 – continued
## (e) Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure line for which it was incurred.
## (f) Governance costs
Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include any costs incurred relating to trustee board meetings. For the period governance cost was £nil (£nil in 2022/23)
## (h) Charitable activities
The expenditure on charitable activities is shown in note 3.
- (i) Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The charity does not have any tangible fixed assets
## (j) Pensions
The charity does not have any employees and does not pay into any pension funds on behalf of anyone.
## **2. Related party transactions and trustees' expenses and remuneration**
The board of trustees have commissioned Portal Consulting Service Ltd (PCS) to undertake a process of capacity building, including management and operations reviews. PCS has a successful track record of delivering such capacity building programmes to its customer base. The board of trustees has commissioned Congress Global Consulting Ltd (CGC) to undertake wider reaching strategic consulting services. Paul Lindo is a director of PCS and CGC. During the year £6,000 was paid to PCS for services (£6,000 2022/23) and £10,655 was paid to CGC for services (£9,800 2022/23). These costs are included in the general cost category of the operating expenditure.
The board authorised a one-off transfer of £10,000 to Dr Noel Woodroffe to support designated project activities (£nil, 2022/23).
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**1089807**
CONGRESS WBN 1089807 Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 – continued
## **3. Operating costs on charitable activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Operating Costs General Total Total
Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £
Utilities 11,024 11,024 3,534
Communication 5,291 5,291 4,404
Rents & Hires 71,747 71,747 73,328
Travel 26,650 26,650 42,043
Hotel Accommodation 5,661 5,661 4,526
Premises 7,272 7,272 8,041
Bank Charges 1,046 1,046 855
General 43,849 43,849 66,751
Gifts and Donations 49,900 49,900 12,900
Office & Admin 16,620 16,620 5,954
Seminars & Conferences 443 443 15,432
Total 239,502 239,502 237,769
**----- End of picture text -----**
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**1089807**
## CONGRESS WBN 1089807
Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 September 2024 – continued
|||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**4**||Cash at Bank
£|£|
|||HSBC - CWBN (Savings)
32,418|3,886|
|||HSBC - CWBN
4,717|9,945|
|||HSBC - ECEL
127,831|131,185|
|||HSBC – ORC
77,792|46,619|
|||HSBC – CWBN_RC
11,322
3,548||
|||254,080
195,183||
|||||
|**5**||Debtors & Prepayments||
|||Debtors
0|0|
|||Prepayments
0
0||
|||0
0||
All debtors and prepayment in 2023 and 2024 relate to unrestricted funds
|**6**|Creditors & Accruals|||
|---|---|---|---|
||Creditors|||
||Accruals|0
0||
|||0|0|
|||||
All creditors relate to unrestricted funds
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1089807
Independent Examlnerfs Report to the Trustees of:
CONGRESS WBN
I report on th8 accounts of the trust for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to
13.
Respectlve responslbllitles of trustees and examlner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of accounts. The charity's trustees consider that
an audit is not reauired for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act}. and that
an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to..
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act.
Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners made
under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independant examlnefs report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those record5. It also indudes consideration of any unusual rtems
or disclosures in the accounts and s88king explanations from you as trustees on any such matters. The
procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required by an audit and consequently,
no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair VI and the reDOrt is limited in those
matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examlnerfs statement
In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention:
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Ac(. and
Ib) to prepare accounts which accord with accounttiig records and to comply with the accounting
requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met. or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
accounting to be reached.
George Kitcher
Chartered Accountant
? 9_ 07.