UNITEDLIFE
Accounts – 31st March 2024
UNITEDLIFE
(A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)
Charity number: 1105428 Company number: 5195183
Accounts – 31st March 2024
INDEX
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1-3. Report of the Trustees and General Information 4. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
-
Statement of Financial Activities
-
Balance Sheet
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7-11. Notes to the Accounts
Registered in England and Wales No: 5195183
UNITEDLIFE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st March 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31st March 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (issued October 2019).
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is UnitedLife.
Charity Registration Number: 1105428 Company Number: 5195183 Registered Office: 1c Manor Place Sutton SM1 4BB
Trustees and Directors
The Trustees of the charity are its Directors for the purposes of company law. The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
T J Croxson B J Melian S Bartlett
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
UnitedLife is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 2nd August 2004. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute amounts not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of winding up.
Organisational structure
The Trustees and Directors work closely with the senior leadership team respecting the leadership structure of the church. New trustees are appointed by the Trustees from those who regularly attend the church.
Policy for training Trustees
Potential trustees meet the other trustees before they are appointed so that they can understand their responsibilities within the board and how the charity operates. New trustees are given copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association together with guidance on charities and public benefit produced by the Charity Commission. This ensures that new trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities.
Relationship with related parties .
UnitedLife has good relationships with other local churches in the area as well as internationally with the C3 group of churches. The C3 group are a subscription-based umbrella organisation which supports churches within its network. We engage with other churches through attending events, particularly in the UK and Europe.
UNITEDLIFE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st March 2024 ( Continued)
Remuneration policy
The remuneration of management personnel is reviewed annually by trustees. Consideration is given to equivalent salaries of similar positions within the marketplace, using published salary information.
Objectives and Activities
The main objects of the charity are:
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a) The advancement of the Christian faith in the UK or overseas.
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b) The relief of persons in conditions of hardship and distress or who are aged or sick.
In planning the activities of the charitable company, the directors have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
The principal activity of the charitable company is that of a church, known as C3 UnitedLife. We function as a part of the global C3 family with a core vision of being Christ centred, Spirit powered, connect driven.
Achievements and Performance
C3 UnitedLife is a dynamic contemporary Christian church providing an environment for local people to discover and grow in faith in God.
Our main events are a weekly morning event at Bourne Hall for all ages using contemporary music with relevant activities for children and young adults as well as adults, a weekly evening event in Sutton High Street at TazZa Coffee, and various small group meetings in homes during the week.
In a post COVID world, we have maintained engagement and attendance through in-person gatherings, continuing with an online presence. Overall attendance has grown throughout the year.
Small group settings to suit across a broad range of ages, have continued both in-person and online, ensuring a continuation of community.
In the period, we implemented a change in how we serve our local communities. Where we have previously run a debt-free centre, in association with Christians Against Poverty , and other allied services, these services are now run locally in partnership with Creating Hope , a local charity, in which C3 UnitedLife is a corporate member, and two of our senior leadership team are trustees. We believe that this is the best method of maximising fundraising opportunities and impacting more people within our communities. The church’s financial support hasn’t changed materially, and we continue to be generous in supporting those most in need even during the hardest times.
We maintain a presence on Sutton High Street through the activities of TazZa Coffee , operated on our behalf by UnitedLife Trading , acting as a signpost into our own community services as well as other services known locally to us.
We have continued to support and make grants and facilitate community projects internationally. Over this year, we have supported Christian projects involved in education, feeding and orphanage projects in developing countries such as Burundi and Zimbabwe as well as a church in Poland.
Much of our administration and most of our activities are supported by volunteers. This has enabled the trust to fulfil its objectives and devote most of its resources to the provision of sustainable and worthwhile projects and services.
UNITEDLIFE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31st March 2024 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance (cont.)
We thank God for His continuing provision and grace for the vision he has given to UnitedLife. We are also very grateful to the members of our Church for their continued generosity, giving financially and of their time as they serve God faithfully through UnitedLife.
The trustees consistently monitored income and expenditure and although expenses rose slightly in the year, income rose also, and a small surplus was achieved for the year. Pleasing, through fundraising, the mortgage on our building was fully paid off several years early, releasing extra expenditure to be spent on supporting our local communities.
Financial Review
The total income for the year was £311,139 and total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £245,527.
Reserves Policy
The intention of the trustees is to ensure general reserves are maintained at around £100,000 as this enables the charitable company to remain financially stable and resilient and ensure its continued successful operation, regardless of income.
Investment
The charity has no long-term investments. Our cash reserves are held in money market and deposit accounts.
Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Potential risks are regularly reviewed by Senior leadership and any significant concerns raised at Trustees meetings.
The Health and Safety policy is annually reviewed, along with the policy for the Safety of vulnerable people. The charity has a safeguarding manager responsible for ensuring that safeguarding checks are made on all team members involved with children or vulnerable adults.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the Small Companies Regime within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
This Report was approved by the Board on 19th December 2024
T Croxson
………………………………….. T Croxson - Trustee
Sutton
UNITEDLIFE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of UnitedLife for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees (and also 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 charitable 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
Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in Section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Accountants which is one of the listed bodies.
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 charitable 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 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.
A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Chartered Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
24th December 2024
UNITEDLIFE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31st March 2024
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 309,732 - 309,732 1,407 - 1,407 311,139 - 311,139 245,527 - 245,527 245,527 - 245,527 65,612 - 65,612 - - - 65,612 - 65,612 953,411 - 953,411 £1,019,023 £- £1,019,023 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 227,566 479 |
|---|---|---|
| 228,045 | ||
| 183,278 | ||
| 183,278 | ||
| 44,767 - |
||
| 44,767 908,644 |
||
| £953,411 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements
Registered in England and Wales: 5195183
UNITEDLIFE
BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 13 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year 14 Provisions for liabilities Total net assets 15 The funds of the Charity Restricted income funds Unrestricted income funds 16 Revaluation reserve Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2024 £ 488,742 488,742 412,240 124,398 536,638 6,357 530,281 1,019,023 - £1,019,023 - 1,019,023 - 1,019,023 £1,019,023 |
2023 £ 490,087 |
|---|---|---|
| 490,087 | ||
| 385,901 187,459 |
||
| 573,360 44,895 |
||
| 528,465 | ||
| 1,018,552 65,141 |
||
| £953,411 | ||
| - | ||
| 953,411 - |
||
| 953,411 | ||
| £953,411 |
For the year ended 31st March 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors Responsibilities
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the act with respect to the accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the Small Companies Regime within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These accounts were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on: 19th December 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
T Croxson
...................................... T Croxson - Director
The notes on pages 7 to 12 form part of these financial statements
UNITEDLIFE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st March 2024
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of Preparation
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the 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 102)) (issued in October 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
- b) Public Benefit Entity
UnitedLife meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
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c) Going Concern
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The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
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d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
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The charity has entitlement to the funds;
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any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
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there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
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the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
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e) Interest Receivable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
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f) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
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Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
UNITEDLIFE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2024
- g) Tangible Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on the straight line basis as follows:
| Asset | Annual |
|---|---|
| Category | Rate |
| Freehold Property | Nil |
| Equipment |
25% per annum |
h) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
- i) Cash at Bank and in Hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
j) Creditors and Provisions
- Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2. Legal Status of the Charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £10.
3. Income from donations
4.
| Gifts and donations Investment income Interest |
2024 £ 309,732 £309,732 2024 £ 1,407 £1,407 |
2023 £ 227,566 |
|---|---|---|
| £227,566 | ||
| 2023 £ 479 |
||
| £479 |
UNITEDLIFE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st March 2024 (continued)
5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Ministry Gifts: UK Ministries Overseas Ministries Salaries and operating expenses Church events, conferences and seminars Church administration Mortgage interest and charges Accountancy Total 6. Net income/(expenditure) for the year This is stated after charging: Depreciation Accountancy services 7. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs |
2024 Total £ 56,449 16,861 73,310 91,011 7,149 65,631 6,458 1,968 £245,527 2024 £ 1,345 1,968 2024 £ 58,948 - 1,640 £60,588 |
2023 Total £ 10,679 19,183 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,862 91,928 4,529 49,119 5,932 1,908 |
||
| £183,278 | ||
| 2023 £ 1,614 1,908 |
||
| 2023 £ 60,352 - 1,847 |
||
| £62,199 |
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023: Nil).
The total employment benefits of the key management personnel in the year was £34,100 (2023 £32,852). One of the key management personnel is the wife of one of the Trustees.
8. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 4 | 4 |
UNITEDLIFE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st March 2024 (continued)
9. Related party transactions
During the year under review trustees, close relatives and key management personnel made unrestricted donations totalling £35,225 (2023 £41,502).
A donation of £60,000 (2023: £60,000) was also received from the Milk and Honey Trust, of which T J Croxson is also a trustee.
10. Corporation tax
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost: As at 1 April 2023 Additions Disposals As at 31 March 2024 Depreciation: As at 1 April 2023 Charge for year On disposals As at 31 March 2024 Net book value: As at 31 March 2024 As at 31 March 2023 Debtors Gift aid Prepayments and accrued income Loan to subsidiary company Other debtors |
Freehold Property £ 486,332 - - |
Equipment £ 58,486 - - 58,486 54,731 1,345 - 56,076 £2,410 £3,755 2024 £ 8,430 669 342,186 60,955 £412,240 |
Total £ 544,818 - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 486,332 | 544,818 | ||
| - - - |
54,731 1,345 - |
||
| - | 56,076 | ||
| £486,332 | £488,742 | ||
| £486,332 | £490,087 | ||
| 2023 £ 6,558 1,121 345,066 33,156 |
|||
| £385,901 |
12. Debtors
UNITEDLIFE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st March 2024 (continued)
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Bank mortgage (secured) Pension fund Deferred income Accruals |
2024 £ - - - 6,357 £6,357 |
2023 £ 15,725 289 25,000 3,881 |
|---|---|---|
| £44,895 |
14. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
| Bank mortgage (falling due in less than 5 years) Bank mortgage (falling due after 5 years) |
2024 £ - - £- |
2023 £ 65,141 - |
|---|---|---|
| £65,141 |
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors of more than one year Total Analysis of charitable funds Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds Balance 1.4.2023 £ General fund 953,411 Designated - Sutton Church - Total £953,411 |
Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors of more than one year Total Analysis of charitable funds Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds Balance 1.4.2023 £ General fund 953,411 Designated - Sutton Church - Total £953,411 |
General Designated Restricted Fund Funds Funds £ £ £ 488,742 - - 124,398 - - 405,883 - - - - - £1,019,023 £- £- Incoming Resources resources expended Transfers £ £ £ 311,139 (245,527) - - - - £311,139 £(245,527) £- |
Total £ 488,742 124,398 405,883 - £1,019,023 Funds 31.3.2024 £ 1,019,023 - £1,019,023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £953,411 |