SUTTON CHRISTIAN CENTRE TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 SUTTON CHRISTIAN CENTRE TRUST LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION Board Antony Horswood Mike Ikwuemesi Richard Langley Seyi Obakin Company Secretary Seyi Obakin Church Administrator Allison Marsli Registered Office 25 Tate Road Siitton, SLirrey SMI 2SY Registration details Registered Charity No- 1115813 Company Registration No- 5878906 Solicitors BDB Pitnians LLP Oiie Bartholomew Close Loiidon ECIA 7BL Bankers Metro Bank 83-87 High Street Sutton SMI IJF Lloyd TSB Baiik plc 49 High Street Sutton SMI IDX Kiiigdoni Bank Mere Way Nottinghai NGII 6IS Independent Examiners JCS Accountants Ltd 5 Robin Hood Lane Sutton Surrey SMI 2SW Contents Report of the Directors Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts Page 10-16 SUTTON CHRISTIAN CENTRE TRUST REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 The Directors, who are also trustees of the charity, present their annual report and the fiiiancial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024, which comply with current statutory and accounting requirements. About Sutton Christian Centre Trust and its principal activities Sutton Christian Centre Trust is a registered charity legally organised in the form of a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Articles of Association. The Board of Trustees are the members of the company and their liability in the event of the compaiiy being wound up is limited to £1 each. The company was incorporated on 17 luly 2006 to take over the activities of Sutton Christian Centre Trust, a registered charity created by a trust deed dated 31 December 1985. The company became a registered charity (Charity Number 1115813) in England and Wales on 15 August 2006, its overall purpose beilig to proclaim the gospel of Jesiis Christ, Its charitable objectives are to advance the c.hristian faith in tlie Uiiited Kingdom or overseas, to further religiou.s or secular education, to give relief to tlie poor and needy, and to help and conifort tlie sick and aged. 'rhe Directors seek to achieve tlie company's charitable objectives by maintaining a centre of worship and fellowship, by regularly meeting for fellowship and prayer, by the baptising of believei's by total inimersion, by tlie dedic,Ition of infants and by the solemnisation of marriages. We run .Siinday meetings whei'e we preach the gospel, teach from the Bible and pi"ay. The Church i.% split into small groups foi. i)a.%toral care, we p)rovide a wide range of activities For children and youlig adults and we rcach oiit to Suttoii's elderly throiigh oiir ROSE ministries a coordinated niinistry with a specific vision to I"e<)ch tlie elderly in our community for Christ. We host otliei" activities to which all in our community are welcome. Governance 'I'lie Compaiiy is controlled by a Board of Directors who also serve as trii.8tees of the Charity. The Directors set out the vision, directioii aiid sti'ategies for tl)e succe.ssful fulfr'ilment of the coiiii)lÉ ny's purposes and continiiing developinent, in consultation witli the Elder.s. The Elders are respoJisible for the spiritiial leadership of the chiirch. J)irectors and Elders are volunteers aiid do not receive aiiy reniuneration for their service. The current membership of the Board of Directors is set out in the Legal, Adniii)isti'ative and Professioiial I nforni¢ltion page of tliese finalicial %tatements. New Directors al'e appointed by the existing Directors. The Directors receive training by liolding regular accouiitability sessions with our apostolic cover, Ray Djan, and holding Away Days. The Directors are siipported in their role by a Board of Deacons who oversee the day-to-day administration of the Conipany and ensiire that the policies set out by the Directors are implemented. Deacons are elected by tlie churcli meinbers to serve a term of two years each and caIi be re-elected. They do not receive aiiy remuneration for their service. Grant rnaking policy The recipients of grants are usually organisations or Èndividuals known to church members and grants given are approved by Directors and/or Deacons. The amount5 earmarked to be given but not yet passed over to recipients at the year-end are set aside in the reserves. Investment powers and policy Directors have powers to invest surplus funds at their absolute discretion. Funds in excess of our day to day needs are held in bank deposits with UK banks. The Directors believe this represents the best balance of good returns, good service and a safe place to keep our money. Risk assessment The Directoi-s examine regularly the major risks facing the company and ensure that systems are established to enable the necessary steps to be taken to lessen these risks. SUTTON CHRISTIAN CENTRE TRUST REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 Review of the Year This year, we stayed true to our mission: to be (J lovingfomily church, where people of all ages, races, cultures, abilities, and baclcgrounds can experieiice the love of Jesus, be transformed by Ills word, discover their calling, and lovingly serve and connect others to Christ,. We held Sunday services in the chiirch building and streamed them live on YouTube, allowing participation from hoIne, incliiding by people who do not normally atteiid Sutton Christian C,eiitre. Connect Groups provided ongoing pastoral care, meeting primarily via Zoom, whicli increased attendance and sti"engtheiied relationships. We thank Connect Group leaders for their service and dedicatioIi. 2024 marked our 125th Anniversary. We celebrated this significant milestone with various activities through the year. These included a celebration of our long standing children and youth work iii J2yiuary, a qui£ niglit iii Mcirch, ladies afternoon tea, and a weekend celebration in June, attended by the Depiity Mayor of Sutton Boroiigh, as well as niaiiy pi'evious nieinbers, Eacli week featiii'ed liistorical higlilights, showing liow tlie church has beeii a blessing to many over the years and our long-standing commiinity impact. Prayei" reniained e.%sential, facilitated through Connect Gi'oups, a Wednesday prayer meeting and prayer chain. The ladies, meetings floLirished, providing encouragement and blessing. john Blay joined as our new part-time youth leader. Jolin has a calliiig on his life to work with tlie youth and the youth group has grown significantly under his leadership. Our expandingy children's ministry continues to nurture and care for young attendees despite space constraint.s. The chiirch doiiated l OO/D of its iiicoino to missions and supported those in need throLigli a special Cliristnias offLsring, as we have always doiie. Oui" dedicated leaders and stiiff, includiiig those broadcasting our services, played criicial roles tliis year, and we thank them all. We are also grateful to Ray Djan for his support as oui" covei'ing ap05tle. We provided opportunities foi" iiiany to speak or lead duriiig Sunday services, recognizing the diverse talents witliiii ou r coJigi"egation. Worship is a strong part of our ciilture, c1nd we ai"e blessed to have a worsliip team tliat contiiiually leads us in meaiiingful worsliip experiences. Following a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted that Mercia Macdonald resumed visits and services at elderly folks, homes, continuing a nearly 50-year tradition. A newer tradition, Cornerstone meetings for adults with learning difficulties, grew stronger, meeting a significant need. Some associated with Sutton Christian Centre went to be with their Lord and Saviour during the year. In particular, we remember Nancy Zakir who had been a metnber for many years and was a strong evangelist and Judy Haigh who went to be with Lord after a strong fight agaiIist cancer. Trained members ran Christians Against Poverty (CAP) seminars, offering practical help during financial pressures. We are grateful to Anne Page and her team for leading this initiative. Weekly activities like Table Tennis, Shape. and Tate Road Tots continued, alongside contribiitions to Street Pastors and Sutton Foodbank. All these activities are open to the public. Furthermore, our premises hosted Age UK, Through the Roof, and TakingAction (a theatre group for disabled adults), and served as a voting centre. SUTTON CHRISTIAN CENTRE TRUST REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024 We appreciate oiir deacons For their vital, often unseen work. This year, Richard Langley stepped down from the Eldership thoiigh we are delighted tliat he remains a trustee. We are really delighted to welcome Vicky Ikwuemesi aiid Ric Adams to the Eldership. Public Benefit Sutton Christian Centre has a strong belief that we should benefit the commuliity aJid that we are community minded. The triistees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidaiice on public benefit when considering their activities. Various activities of direct benefit to the public have been covered in this report. Financial review and reserves At the end of this financial year, unrestricted Funds amounted to £1,001,544 of which £240,528 is freely available and £761,016 is invested in fixed assets, including the church building at Tate Road. 'rhe building was professionally re-valued at £700,000 in October 2007 and this was treated as deemed cost on traiisition to fRS 102. Restricted fuiids include £90,572 donated towards the developinent of the churcli building in due course. In order to ensure that the trust cali continue to operate effectively should it experience a significant drop in income, it must liold reserves at a level that tlie Directors consider to be sufficient. The Directors adopt a risk-based cipproach to determining the niiiiimum reserves th