2023-03-31-accounts - Fords Lane Evangelical Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2022 To

31 March 2023

Charity name: Fords Lane Evangelical Church

Charity registration number: 1125658

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The advancement of the Christian Faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith in the UK and abroad but primarily in the area surrounding Bramhall, Stockport; and such other charitable purposes as shall in the opinion of the Elders further the work of the Church
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The focus of our activities has been and continues to be the preaching and teaching of the Christian Faith, conducting weekly services of worship and prayer, our weekly clubs and activities for children and youth and the provision of facilities and secular activities all for the benefit of the community.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind at all Elders’ meetings the Charity Commission’s Guidance on Public Benefit.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers

Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	1. We continued links with the village youth club, the Mill, and through its leaders with the local High School and Primary Schools. We did this both financially and via recruitment of a part-time youth leader, who spent time working with young people at the Mill. We continued to host children from two local primary schools for half-day sessions to learn what Christians believe about Christmas and Easter. 2. Our children’s groups have continued this year, including the club for primary-age children called Sparks. Children and young people from inside and outside the church membership have attended and benefited and the Sparks group has grown numerically. 3. One of our church members continues to serve as trustee for ‘Press Red’, a Manchester-based initiative to help women suffering from domestic violence and abuse, which extended its training reach across England. 4. Our monthly lunch club for the over 60’s across the area continues to offer a low-cost hot meal, friendship and transport if required. Numbers continued to grow. We also resumed a craft club which enables attendees to develop their artistic talents and is a place for mutual support and encouragement. 5. Our previous pastor, Jonathan Dawson, continued to work in Ecuador alongside his wife Susan. Jonathan supports adults spiritually through leading a Bible school and Susan leads work to support poor children in the neighbourhood. The church continues to support all this work financially and in prayer. 6. We appointed a new pastor, Chris Thornton, who began work in July 2022. At the same time, the elders of the church continued to provide pastoral support for the whole church membership. A number of

them are vulnerable adults, whom we assist with transport, shopping and friendship. 7. From autumn 2022 an increasing flow of foreign nationals, including some of the Hong Kong diaspora, began to come to church and some became members. We have supported these new arrivals practically by advising on and helping them integrate into British life and from January 2023 began more formal teaching to help them become more proficient in English language and culture. 8. We became a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) partner with another church in the town. We offer debt advice and practical support to anyone in the area who contacts CAP and wants to become debt-free. This has included providing Christmas hampers of food and food vouchers. 9. We have continued broadcasting and livestreaming our services over the Internet, continuing to reach much larger numbers than pre-Covid came through the doors. For more vulnerable and housebound people, this continues to be a way of keeping in touch and contributing markedly to emotional well-being.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set

Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives

Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The Charity was solvent at the end of the financial year. Income in the reporting period showed a small increase on the previous year whilst there was a marked increase in expenditure this was attributed to a resumption of normal activities after the effects of the lockdowns resulting from the Covid 19 pandemic. The amount held in reserves showed an increase this was partly due to the lower level of activities in the previous year and partly due to the reduction in spending on salary due to a gap between one Pastor leaving and the new Pastor taking up his position; it is anticipated that some of these reserves will be spent on projects in the coming year as funds had been set aside for the installation of a lift to enable disabled access to the first floor of the church hall.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Our policy is to accumulate income to set aside for special purposes or as reserves against future expenditure including unforeseen expenditure that may occur, for example repairs or extensions to buildings, for such period not exceeding that permitted by law. We aim to hold up to £40,000 in reserves for the year end.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£119,529.59
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	n/a

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Investment policy and objectives including any Para 1.46 social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity

Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust Deed
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unicorporated Association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Each elder acts as trustee and elders are appointed by the elders for the time being

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Fords Lane Evangelical Church
Other name the charity uses	n/a
Registered charity number	1125658
Charity’s principal address	Fords Lane Bramhall Stockport SK7 1DQ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
C T Thornton	Pastor	1/7/22-31/3/23	The Elders
N Wilson			The Elders
P E Harper MBE			The Elders
D R Webb			The Elders
T K Ayebare			The Elders
M Wilson			The Elders

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	(sgnd)	(sgnd)
	Paul Harper	Mike Wilson
	Trustee	Trustee
	14 Jan 2024
	14 Jan 2024

Fords Lane Evangelical Church Account for the year ended 31st March 2023 GRAND TOTAL Total 2023 Total 2022 Receipts Paymants Net Recolpts Opgning 8alanc• Closing Balanco 155,989.50 153.818.90 -145,072.88 -111,348.51 10,916.62 42,470.39 108.612.97 66,142.58 119,529.59 108,612.97 RECONCILIATION Bank Account: Royal Bank of Scotland - Current Account Royal Bank of S¢olland - l)opo8lt Ac¢ount Royal Bank of Scotland - IAainlon•nce Account 35.734.67 34,217.77 48,594.83 43.555.01 35.200.09 30,840.19 119,529.59 108,612.97 Totsl Bank Examlnod and fiwnd corr•ct accordlng to th• books and r•cord8 pro•entod to mo. Indgpgndont oxamlnor 24th August 2023

Ford3 Lane E¥angelScal Church Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2023 BANK ACCOUNT RECONCIUATIONS AS AT 3110312023 RBS CURRENT ACCOUNT Bank 8alance at 3110312023 Less outstanding ¢hèquos: 5145 Mw¢bege 5150 30103123 Jotrnrnan 515130103123 Brights 5152 30103123 Kia Hadeaghl 37,418.27 500.00 820.00 63.60 300.00 1.683.60 Ca•h Book Balance at 3110312023 36.734.67 RBS DEPOSIT ACCOUNT Bank Balance at 3110312023 48.594.83 Cash Book Balance at 3110312023 48 594.83 RBS MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT Bank Balance at 3110312023 35.200.09 Cash Book Balan at 3110312023 35 200.09 TOTAL BANK BALANCES at 3110312023 119,529.59

Ford8 Lane EvaThWkal 2023 533nlXI 61283.65 1&969.Z7 12.424.64 7W7J15 45.536.07 47Th1XI 19.35152 409722 760.10 32&0D 1.871.fAI I GfftAld 2 GfftAld TrWR¢ DoMUon8 4 DOnon Lfft 6 GADS 6.170.IXI 150.ty) oj 2.57227 Hlr• of Il•ll 447JD 128 om 110.rij Jklng• 1,404.Y2 ruth Car 8 8•nk kbt•r4¥t TOTAL IKOME 110.00 6.23 106.18gAO 153AI8. EXPENDrnJRE 1 811•ry 31,17TA1 18tt72 16.$34.n 4.107.80 4 Uthknry 10,30&QO 48.428.fy) 123.C 3.IWI.27 70,366.79 7 Coun¢ll Tax 118A1 2.S18.74 3.392.04 a0171 837113 8271.38 R•pE91•n•rtt IQ Churth P4JlldlYq• 11 Equlwnont 12 LNE C1 16A93 16,934. 2O7.ff2 870.(NJ 16.011.93 34M6IA1 13 El•etrfeltylG• 1,85822 1.85822 6mU4 14 ¢AP I,11A1.110 113.52 11 CCN Don•th 17 ¢l••nlng 18 Chur¥h W••k•KI 19 E4rth4u•kn R• 20 F• 1,7>]AO 557.83 7.S37.C 3.OWJ WJ2 1mtyOD 14fA8 7Jn75 172160 0.00 I.3.11 24 IJM Ovn•tknn f3M.87 894.71 10 Pvlnung IPublkaUo OD 550.80 29 Tr¥lnkn . 30 Y(KthwOrkV Ces} 1.123A4 2375 74.851.19 14407Z8B 111.318.51 1091U2 42.470.39 108.61197 86,142.58 119,529.69 108.812.97 Oponing Balan¢•