Thames Valley Churches of Christ
(A company limited by guarantee)
Registered Company Number: 04767513 Registered Charity Number: 1099382
TRUSTEESREPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
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CONTENTS
Page Legal and Administrative Details 3 Trustees’ Report 4 - 7 Independent Examiners Report 8 Statement of Financial Activities 9 Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Financial Statements 11 - 16
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
TRUSTEES
Dr Jasminder Mankoo Mr. Christopher Birtles
MINISTERS
Mr. Timothy Dannatt Mrs. Siobhan Dannatt
COMPANY SECRETARY AND ADMINISTRATOR
Dennis Obongonyinge ACMA
REGISTERED OFFICE
137 Deepcut Bridge Road Deepcut Camberley Surrey GU16 6SD
LEGAL STATUS
Thames Valley Churches of Christ is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 16th May 2003, Registration No.04767513. Registered with the Charity Commission - Registration No 1099382
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Trustees’ report for the year ended 31 December 2022
The Trustees present their annual report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
Structure, governance and management
Thames Valley Churches of Christ is a company limited by guarantee (Company Number 4767513). It is also a registered charity (Charity Number 1099382). Both registrations are in England and Wales. The organisations registered address is, 137 Deepcut Bridge Road, Deepcut, Camberley, surrey, GU16 6SD.
Because of its ' dual status as a company and a charity, the same people serve as its company Directors and charity Trustees. A list of those serving is given on page l. In this document, the term "Trustee" is used, but this should also be taken to imply the role of "Director". Trustees meetings are held face to face at least four times per annum. The day-to-day administration of the charity is delegated to the "Company Secretary". The day to day "spiritual" leadership and guidance of the charity is delegated to "the Ministry leader and the women’s ministry leader".
Thames valley Churches of Christ continues to have warm and independent links with a poverty-relief charity called HOPE worldwide and continues to encourage its members to support their work.
Public benefit
The trustees have complied with the duty set out in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance by the commission. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefit from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity by the trustees are set out in note 6 to the accounts.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of Thames Valley Churches of Christ are defined in its Articles of Association as follows:
"the advancement of the Christian religion and the relief of poverty in the United Kingdom and elsewhere throughout the world"
The main ways in which Thames Valley Churches of Christ accomplishes its objects are through:
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adult ministry (this includes prayer, teaching, preaching, spiritual counselling and evangelism)
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youth and children’s ministry
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assistance to the needy and the sick
Prayer, teaching, counselling and evangelism
Thames Valley Churches of Christ aim to facilitate the worship of God and to promote the everyday application of Chris’s teachings. The charity continues to focus on small groups in the counties of Surrey, Hants, Berkshire, Dorset and Buckinghamshire. All the groups meet frequently to pray and worship together and to receive biblical teaching. The charity employed a fulltime pastoral worker and a women’s leader. It also continued to use the services of a teaching and worship leader on a consultancy (self-employed) contract. With the help and support of members of the congregations the Sunday worship services, and mid-week meetings are open to members of the wider community and visitors are welcome. All these activities aim to foster and promote the everyday application of Christ’s teachings.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Trustees’ report for the year ended 31 December 2022
Youth and Children’s ministry
As in previous years the charity has put resources into building an effective youth ministry for families within the congregations and their surrounding neighbourhoods. All youth and children’s activities are organised with the safety and security of the children at its heart. The charity has subscribed to the services of the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (now Thirtyone:eight) who provide an invaluable service in supporting this work. Weekly classes this year were focused on creating an encouraging environment in which children can build an understanding of God and grow in their confidence and self-esteem and develop an appreciation of the relevance and usefulness of Christ in their everyday lives. The children are encouraged to invite their friends and family along to these events.
Assisting the Needy and the Sick
As in previous years the charity aims to meet the local needs among its members and in the local community. The Charity strives to imitate Jesus concern for those in need by supporting and partnering with HOPE Worldwide (a UK registered charity). This year the charity continued to support the work of HOPE Worldwide in the UK (ODAAt Programme), HOPE Worldwide in India (support for the “Village of Hope”, Schools in Hyderabad and Pudupattinam), As in previous, members of the congregations are encouraged to volunteer their time and to contribute resources to support the work of HOPE Worldwide.
Achievements in the year
The Church has continued to grow in all the small groups. Again the youth ministry had a very successful summer camp in Isla of Wight. The youth ministry continued to engage and inspire young people from within the church and the local community by using online resources. The is also focussing on building a young families and young professionals ministry. The church also had a great summer programme with an outdoor service in the summer.
Leaders continue to rise up in the small groups and locations and a wealth of talent that is needed for the church to continue to thrive is very encouraging.
Financial review
In overseeing the finances and administration of the charity, the Trustees wish to ensure that it complies with all relevant legislation and regulations. However, they also seek to apply a high standard of selfregulation, as they seek to imitate the standard set in the Bible by the Apostle Paul:
"We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men." 2 Cor 8:20-21,
Most donations are received from congregational members by standing orders..
The Trustees do not believe the charity is involved in risky activity. All necessary employers and public liability insurance policies are held and under constant review.
The organisation was in good financial health during the year ended 31 December 2022. The accumulated funds of £68,309 as at 31 December 2022 [2021: £82,195]
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Trustees’ report for the year ended 31 December 2022
Future Plans
The trustees continue to focus on growing the church with particular emphasis on the following:
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encourage and support continued growth in our current congregations.
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continue to seek new outreach and church plantings within the Thames Valley region.
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continued support for the needy and the sick.
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Recruit younger people into leadership of the church.
Principle risks
The Trustees periodically review and update the organisation’s risk register. Three headline risks concern safeguarding, and maintaining the goodwill of church members. These risks and a summary of our mitigation plans are described as follows:
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Safeguarding the well-being of children (and vulnerable adults) in church care: the Trustees want to have (and be seen to have) the highest standards in child protection. We are informed by advice from Thirtyone:eight (formerly Churches Child Protection Advisory Service). All staff are required to attend suitable training (both on appointment and periodically thereafter), and we are expanding the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to include all members regularly involved in such activities.
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Trust and goodwill of church members: the financial and operational continuity of the charity is intrinsically tied to the continued trust and goodwill of the church members towards the charity, its leadership and its effectiveness in carrying out its purpose. We seek to protect and strengthen that goodwill through upholding the expectation of wholehearted participation in the life of the church by all its members, healthy engagement with church leadership, and forums such as the Annual Church Meeting where questions about the church's finances and impact can be raised and addressed.
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Future leaders: the trustees recognise the need to address the demographic gap within the church. The trustees are working with the current leaders to develop a young professionals ministry to act as a recruitment vehicle for future leaders.
Conclusions
This report has demonstrated that Thames Valley Churches of Christ is accomplishing its objectives to spread the message and teachings of Jesus Christ, and to help those affected by poverty and sickness. In so doing, it is bringing benefits to wider society and community through its activities. The organisation is in a sound financial position and is well placed to build on its work in 2023.
Approved by the Trustees, and signed on their behalf on 31 October 2023 by
Mr Christopher Birtles
Trustee
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Trustees’ report for the year ended 31 December 2022
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial year and of its surplus or deficit for the financial year. In doing so the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Make sound judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
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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 maintaining proper accounting records which disclose within reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees 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.
In accordance with company law, as the company's Directors, we certify that:
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so far as we are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company's auditors are unaware; and
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as the Directors of the company we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that in formation.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to company’s subject to the small companies' regime.
Approved by the Trustees, and signed on their behalf on 31 October 2023 by
Mr Christopher Birtles
Trustee
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Independent Examiners Report
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Thames Valley Churches of Christ.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Thames Valley Churches of Christ for the year ended 31[st] December 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 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 accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
Johanna Tebbs (Accountant) 31st October 2023
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2022
| Notes Income from: Donations 2 Total Income Expenditure on: Charitable activities Preaching, teaching, evangelism & counselling 3 Kingdom kids & youth ministry 3 Benevolence & Missions 3 Total expenditure Net income / (Expenditure) Balances brought forward at 1 January 2022 Balances carried forward at 31 December 2022 |
2022 2022 2022 2022 2021 Unrestricte d funds Restricted HOPE Worldwide Projects funds Restricted Benevolenc e funds Total Funds Total Funds £ £ £ £ £ 184,912 60,663 100 245,675 240,071 |
|---|---|
| 184,912 60,663 100 245,675 240,071 182,934 182,934 163,937 14936 14,936 27,724 57500 4,634 62,134 59,991 |
|
| 197,429 57,500 4,634 259,563 251,652 |
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| (12,516) 3,163 (4,534) (13,887) (11,581) 30,503 11,802 39,890 82,195 93,776 |
|
| 17,988 14,965 35,356 68,309 82,195 |
There were no recognised gains and losses for the year other than those included in the Statement of Financial Activities. All activities of the charity were derived from continuing activities.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2022
| Notes | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible assets for use by the charity | |||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 5 | 58,777 | 36,846 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 75,268 | 72,033 | |
| 134,045 | 108,879 | ||
| CREDITORS: amounts falling due within | |||
| one year | 6 | 65,737 | 26,684 |
| Net Current Assets | 68,309 | 82,195 | |
| NET ASSETS | 69,309 | 82,195 | |
| FUNDS | |||
| Restricted HOPE Worldwide Projects | 7 | 6,965 | 11,802 |
| Restricted Benevolence | 7 | 47,990 | 39,890 |
| Unrestricted | 13,354 | 30,503 | |
| 68,309 | 82,195 |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.’
Approved by the Trustees, and signed on their behalf on 31[st] October 2023 by
Christopher Birtles
Trustee
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022
1 Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Trustees in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding year.
a) Basis of Accounting
The financial statements are 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 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS I02), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS I02) and the Charities Act 2011. They are drawn up on the historical accounting basis. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS I02.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
b) Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the conditions for receipt have been met and there is reasonable assurance of receipt and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Where a claim for repayment of income tax has or will be made, such income is grossed up for the tax recoverable.
The following specific policies are applied to categories of income:
Donations
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Donations to which the charity is entitled but which have not been received by the year end are included in income in the Statement of Financial Activities and shown as debtors
in the balance sheet.
Tax reclaimed on monies donated under the Gift Aid scheme
Income under this category is recognised in the financial statements on the date that the underlying donation is received by the charity, where the tax reclaim is made within three months of the end of the financial year.
HOPE worldwide UK
Collections are often taken up on the Sunday services of the charity on behalf of HOPE worldwide UK to support the work of HOPE worldwide UK and other HOPE worldwide affiliates around the world. These amounts are not included in the accounts of this charity.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)
c) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis when a liability is incurred. Expenditure include any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Expenditure on charitable activities comprise those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
All costs are allocated between expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Costs relating to a activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis.
d) Volunteers
The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements. Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the Trustees' report.
e) Fund accounting
The charity maintains various types of funds as follows:
Unrestricted fund
This represents unrestricted income which is expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Such funds may be held to finance both working capital and capital investment. The charity at present has no designated funds.
Restricted fund – HOPE Worldwide Projects
This represents donations which are given by the donors for work with Hope Nepal and India Projects and are restricted to this use.
Restricted fund – Benevolence
This represents donations which are given by the donors for benevolence work within the church and local communities and are restricted to this use.
g) Tangible Fixed Assets
The charity acquired no large assets during the year. Fixed assets that cost less than £1,000 are written off in the year in the statement of financial activities.
h) Pension costs
The charity operates a defined contribution scheme through a registered company of investment specialists. Contributions are made on behalf of all qualifying employees who have elected to join the scheme. All required contributions during the period were accrued in accordance with the scheme's rules and charged to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)
i) VAT
The charity is exempt from VAT under HMRC registration threshold.
j) Charitable commitments
Charitable commitments which are legally binding on the Trustees are accounted for as expenditure in the Statement of financial Activities. Where the promise of financial support is not binding on the Trustees, such intentions are accounted for by a transfer to a designated reserve. Activities that are to be wholly financed from future income do not form part of such designation and are disclosed in a note to the accounts.
2 Donations
Donations represent restricted and unrestricted income donated by members of the church and visitors at midweek and Sunday meetings of the charity in its various locations and by standing order
| Donations | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | |
| 2021 | 187,204 | 52,867 | 240,071 |
| 2022 | 184,912 | 60,763 | 245,675 |
3 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Direct charitable expenditure: Preaching, teaching, evangelism & counselling Kingdom kids & youth ministry Benevolence & Missions |
Staff Costs £ 84,779 84,779 |
Support Costs £ 97,714 14,936 112,250 |
Direct Costs £ 62,134 62,134 |
2022 Total £ 182,493 14,936 62,134 259,563 |
2021 Total £ 163,937 27,724 59,991 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 251,652 |
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)
Support costs comprise the following:
| Hall hire Insurance & finance charges IT & Office costs Teaching Ministry Administration costs Church supplies Freelance contractor Kids kingdom/Youth ministry supplies Pastoral care |
Preaching, teaching, evangelism & counselling Kingdom kids & youth ministry Benevolence and missions Total £ £ £ £ 14,984 14,984 1,654 1,654 10,380 10,380 5,021 5,021 17,400 17,400 2,621 2,621 42,059 42,059 14,936 14,936 3,595 3,595 |
|---|---|
| 97,714 27,724 0 112,650 |
4 Employees & trustees
| Staff costs comprise: Gross wages and salaries Employer's National insurance Pension contributions |
2022 Total £ 66,766 3,075 4,499 74,340 |
2021 Total £ 66,766 2,777 4,499 |
|---|---|---|
| 74,042 |
No members of staff earned more than £60,000 during the year to 31 December 2022 or in the previous year.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)
Trustees
No Trustee or person related to or connected by business to them has received any remuneration from the charity during the year for carrying out their duties as Trustees .
5 Debtors
| Gift Aid Recoverable Other debtors |
2022 £ 41,153 17,624 58,777 |
2021 £ 20,000 9,803, |
|---|---|---|
| 36,846 |
6 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Other taxes and social security costs Accruals |
2022 £ 8,237 57,500 65,737 |
2021 £ 10,054 16,630 |
|---|---|---|
| 26,984 |
7 Restricted funds
| Brought forward as at 1 January 2022 Income Expenditure |
2022 Restricted HOPE Worldwide Projects £ 11,802 60,663 (57,500) 14,965 |
2022 Restricted Benevolence funds £ 39,890 100 (4,634) 35,356 |
2021 Total £ 59,692 52,867 (59,867) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51,692 |
The HOPE Worldwide Projects restricted fund represents funds donated by members of the congregation to support the charity’s HOPE Worldwide projects in India 9Village of HOPE, Hyderabad PS and Pudupattinam PS)
The Benevolence Fund represent donations which are given by the donors for benevolence work within the church and local communities and are restricted to this use.
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Thames Valley Churches of Christ
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 (continued)
8 Taxation
The charity's activities are exempt from taxation under Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1998.
pg. 16