## **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**
- 1-3. Report of the Trustees and General Information 4. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
5. Statement of Financial Activities
6. Balance Sheet
- 7-11. Notes to the Accounts
1.
## **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.
2.
## **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:
- a) The advancement of the Christian faith in the UK or overseas.
- 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.
3.
## **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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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
4. 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
5.
## **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
6.
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**
7.
## **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.
- c) **Going Concern**
- The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
- d) **Income Recognition Policies**
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
- The charity has entitlement to the funds;
- any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
- there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
- 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.
- 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.
- f) **Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT**
- 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**
8.
## **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|
9.
## **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|
10.
## **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**
11.
## **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|||
## 16. **Analysis of charitable funds**