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2023-03-31-accounts

The

Grove Centre Church

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Registered as Charity No. 1129070.

2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London SE26 6PL Website: www.thegrovecentre.org.uk

1.
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT........................................................................................ 4
1.1
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 4
1.2
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES................................................................................... 4
PUBLICBENEFIT.......................................................................................................................... 4
OURPURPOSE ANDBELIEFS....................................................................................................... 4
CHURCHACTIVITIES................................................................................................................... 5
GROVECENTREACTIVITIES........................................................................................................ 5
BUILDING FOR THEFUTUREPROJECT......................................................................................... 6
EDUCATIONFUND....................................................................................................................... 7
AFFILIATION ANDRELATIONSHIPS............................................................................................. 7
1.3
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE................................................................... 7
REVIEW OF THEYEAR– GROVECENTRECHURCH...................................................................... 7
REVIEW OF THEYEAR– GROVECENTRE..................................................................................... 8
ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THEYEAR............................................................................................ 9
AGEINGWELL INLEWISHAMANNUALREPORT...................................................................... 10
FRIENDSHIPGROUP.................................................................................................................. 12
CHERISHNURSERYANNUALREPORT...................................................................................... 13
DULWICHDOGSCHOOLANNUALREPORT.............................................................................. 14
SYDENHAMPOLICEWARDPANEL........................................................................................... 14
GROVEBOARDGAMERS............................................................................................................. 15
FUNKYMONKEYKEYBOARDCLASSES...................................................................................... 15
“COFFEE WITHIT” ANNUALREPORT...................................................................................... 16
COFFEEMORNINGS................................................................................................................... 16
WINTERWELCOMENOV2022 – MARCH2023.................................................................... 16
JUNIORCHURCHANNUALREPORT......................................................................................... 17
GROVECENTRECHURCHMUSICGROUP.................................................................................. 18
GIGGLESAFTER-SCHOOLCLUBANNUALREPORT................................................................... 18
9TH SYDENHAMBEAVERS ANDCUBSANNUALREPORT.......................................................... 19
STEPTUESDAY.......................................................................................................................... 20
LOVE YOURCOMMUNITY.......................................................................................................... 20
1.4
FINANCIAL REVIEW.................................................................................................... 21
TREASURER’SREPORT.............................................................................................................. 21
GROVECENTREFINANCIALREPORT......................................................................................... 22
ACCOUNTINGSTANDARDS....................................................................................................... 23
RESERVESPOLICY...................................................................................................................... 24
1.5
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT........................................... 24
1.6
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS.................................................... 25
2.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31STMARCH
2023............................................................................................................................................. 26
3.
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31STMARCH 2023............................................................. 27

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4. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR
ENDED 31STMARCH 2023..................................................................................................... 28
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES................................................................................................ 28
2. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS NOTES...................................................................... 29
3. EXPENDITURE NOTES.................................................................................................... 30
4. BALANCE SHEET NOTES................................................................................................ 31
5 DEBTORS........................................................................................................................... 32
6 INVESTMENTS(SHORT TERM) ............................................................................................. 32
7 BANK ANDCASH................................................................................................................ 32
8 CREDITORS........................................................................................................................ 32
9. ENDOWMENT FUNDS.................................................................................................... 33
10. RESTRICTED FUNDS.................................................................................................... 34
11. DESIGNATED FUNDS.................................................................................................. 36
12. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS............................................................................................. 39
13. DISCLOSURE OF TRUSTEE AND STAFF REMUNERATION, RELATED PARTY
AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS............................................................................................. 41
14. RELATED CHARITIES.................................................................................................. 41
15. PENSIONS...................................................................................................................... 42
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.................................................................................................. 44
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE GROVE
CENTRE CHURCH..................................................................................................................... 44

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1. TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

1.1 Introduction

The Grove Centre Church is a multi-ethnic congregation worshipping in the Baptist and United Reformed traditions and sustaining a broad range of community activities for all ages through the Grove Centre – “a place for people”. We aim to be a worshipping, faithful, welcoming, growing and caring people in the heart of a wider community around Sydenham.

Within this report you will find a summary of our objects and activities in meeting our charitable aims and our core focus in both the short and longer terms.

Alongside our trustee annual report and accounts, we present additional reports from our Minister, Grove Centre Management Committee, Administrator, Church groups and various community and user groups of the Grove Centre. We hope this gives a flavour of the wide variety of uses to which our buildings are put and of the community of which we are a part.

1.2 Objectives and Activities

Public Benefit

The activities conducted by the Church and through the Grove Centre as set out below are open to a wide public. Worship and some events are open to all. Other are aimed at specific groups or age ranges, with a wide variety of regular user groups and occasional bookings.

Collectively these activities contribute to the spiritual, moral, emotional, or physical wellbeing of children from babes in arms through nursery and school years, adults at all stages with a variety of health needs and interests, and elderly people receiving social opportunities, care and nourishing lunches. The Church and Minister provide and encourage pastoral care and inclusion in a dynamic and open community that aims to be a servant of all who visit us.

The trustees have reviewed the Charity Commission guidance and are satisfied that our activities clearly demonstrate the charity is providing a benefit to the public.

Our Purpose and Beliefs

The Constitution for the Grove Centre Church states that the principle purpose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist and URC denominations. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and /or other parts of the world.

In common with the United Reformed Church, we confess the catholic faith in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and believe that, in the ministry of the Word, through preaching and the study of scriptures, God makes known in each age God’s saving love, will for all people, and purpose for the world.

In common with the Baptist Union’s declaration of principle, we believe that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures and by the Holy Spirit in our common life. Our beliefs are further expressed in our Vision Statement:

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Church Activities

We engage in a range of activities as a Church and through the work of The Grove Centre:

The church holds in person worship service and provide a Zoom log in for those unable to attend in person to join the services. A newsletter is produced each month to inform, occasionally challenge and encourage participation in the ministry and mission of the church.

Grove Centre Activities

The Grove Centre also fulfils an overall goal of supporting and encouraging charitable social action, through sustaining a ‘place for people’ where all are welcomed. This includes:

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Building for the Future Project

The Building for the Future project is aiming to transform The Grove Centre as a vibrant hub for community activities.

Our development will be:

And will provide:

Church members approved fundraising for the project in November 2016, and planning consent was eventually approved in December 2018. Further amendments had to be made to the scheme in light of forecast project costs, and with these updates the revised scheme received Listed Building Consent on 22 October 2019. Some minor parts of the project were undertaken in the Autumn of 2022 to ensure that the planning permission was secured and did not expire while we continued with our preparation of tenders and fund raising.

During 2022 the church was able to hold two Table Sales and several other local fund-raising events and continued to receive donations towards the project. We also completed the renewal of our Sharing Agreement with our denominations and agreed the framework for both denominations to provide grants to the project and protect their assets. A fund-raising group was formed which has been successful in raising a further £184,700 in grants which enabled us to go to tender in the expectation that we have funding to complete phase 1 of the project.

We also held a number of volunteer working parties, clearing various rooms and the cellar.

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Education Fund

In 2022/23 the church used gifts received in prior years to continue to support a student with a bursary towards education costs. These are restricted gifts and can only be used for this specific purpose and the fund will cease in 2023.

Affiliation and Relationships

The Grove Centre Church is in membership with the Baptist Union of Great Britain (Baptist Union), the London Baptist Association and The United Reformed Church within the Southern Synod. We support and advance the work of our parent denominations through prayer, through financial contributions and through the participation of Church members.

We are also pleased to support local Baptist, URC and ecumenical gatherings including Churches Together.

1.3 Achievements and Performance

Review of the Year – Grove Centre Church

In 2022/2023 we were glad to be able to provide a full programme of activities after the previous year’s restrictions and continue with the positives we developed during that time, including continuing to provide a zoom-stream of services.

In a new initiative for 2022 we joined with St. Philip’s & St. Bartholomew’s for an ecumenical Palm Sunday service, worshipping at each of the churches, which we enjoyed and continued in 2023. We have also had some special services; Harvest raised cash for BMS World Mission and goods for the Lewisham Foodbank, our Christmas Gift Service collected for the Foodbank, after the sad winding-up of Voluntary Services Lewisham.

During the Advent period we experimented with a sung liturgy for communion-in-the-round, and this was well received. Our Cafe Christmas also returned, and we revived our Pub Carol Singing event raising £152 for Lewisham Foodbank. The first service of 2023 was an informal service which saw us reflecting together and building gingerbread houses.

We enjoyed a Leprosy Mission Service in February 2023 and marked Christian Aid week with a service and a return to organising door-to-door collections.

The Beavers and Cubs have joined us for two services this year, adding to the enjoyment of our Sunday services, and continuing to build connections with local families.

We were asked to facilitate an ‘assessed preach’ for someone training with the URC and were happy to do this. We also registered with the Welcome Directory for prison leavers wishing to find a church community.

Our children are enjoying being back together for regular Junior Church activities during the service, as well as a tennis outing and celebrating with a Christmas party and a pancake party.

We held study groups via Zoom exploring ‘Mental Health in the Bible’ and ‘God’s Building Project’. We enjoyed a summer picnic in a member’s garden, which offered welcome shade from the extreme heat.

We successfully bid for a Lewisham Borough of Culture grant to work with Sydenham School to create a new and updated mural for the wall overlooking the car park and Main Hall. We hope this will be completed by the summer of 2023.

Louise, our minister, established a monthly Board Game night which began in June 2022, and this has gathered a diverse and committed group of attendees from beyond the usual congregation.

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We have also held a social quiz night and two Table-Top Sales to raise funds for our ‘Building for the Future’ project.

It was also great for the deacons to be able to get together, as we have previously done, for an evening meal before a day of prayer and planning for the forthcoming year. This enabled us to have deep discussions about our community, vision and the building work and projects that will be taking place in the next months.

Alison Cutts

Church Secretary, 2022/23

Review of the Year – Grove Centre

This year has been focused on the forthcoming “Building for the Future” project, trying to manage bookings, and considering the consequence of moving groups out of the Main Hall while work is underway.

We were sorry to lose several user groups over the year, however this has enabled us to remodel our programme to allowing all our core activities to be relocated into Main Hall for the duration of the planned works. My thanks go to all the user groups and our Manager, David Williams for agreeing all the necessary changes.

Alongside this we have managed to facilitate several other short-term groups who may eventually return after the work is completed. We are very pleased we have been able to facilitate the National Health Service in becoming established as a Blood Doner Centre monthly.

In November we received the bad news that our boiler in House Hall had been condemned and could no longer be used. As winter fast approached, we had to relocate Friendship Group into the Main Hall which did have heating. We purchased a few temporary electric heaters while quotes were obtained and decisions made about where to relocate the boiler, as this would have formed part of the pending building work.

We quickly managed to obtain a quote from a local heating company who were able to install a new combi boiler at very short notice. This boiler, being more efficient than the previous boiler and no longer having to heat hot water for the upstairs rooms only, will reduce our consumption of gas considerably. We also have remote monitoring of the heating in both the downstairs and upstairs areas which allows very precise settings in line with when the areas are in use. It even tells us when someone has opened a door or window! This again will combine with the greater efficiency to reduce our demand on fossil fuel.

The lunch service continues to operate 4 days each week and has maintained its 5-star environmental health food hygiene award. Numbers remain steady and we have seen integration with other day time user groups and the Winter warm space initiative run through Church volunteers. Another very successful Christmas lunch was held - a big thank you to all the volunteers and staff for making this happen.

I was delighted that Carole Eaton agreed to stand and was voted in as Finance Secretary. Alongside the Trustees we have a steering group made up of representatives from the Church, Ageing Well activities and lunch service. This will assist us in ensuring we are aware of local needs as well as ensuring the needs of our regular user groups are considered. I am confident this group will be helpful in shaping the development of the new user patterns once the building project is completed.

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We continue to be very grateful to Lewisham Council for their support through the partnership grant and look forward to continuing to meet local needs where possible into the future.

I would like to extend my personal thanks to the employed team (David, Tyrone and Richard), Carole Eaton for her support as Finance Secretary, all the volunteers who open and close the buildings and to all those who supported the Centre during the year.

Ian Warren,

Chair of Grove Centre Management 2022/23

Achievements during the Year

The achievements both of the Church and Centre, with the community we support, are highlighted in the various reports provided in our annual report.

The principal achievements during 2022/23 were as follows:

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Community Organisations

The Grove Centre continues to host a wide range of services and activities.

Ageing Well in Lewisham Annual Report

For the last 15 years or so, The Grove Centre has generously provided Ageing Well in Lewisham with space to host our social/ activity groups for older people. The Grove is welcoming and supportive to all, and we look forward to being there every week. Many of Ageing Well participants attend the Grove’s lunches as well as other groups at the centre. It also has been a pleasure to overlap with those Grove staff members who ran the centre’s Warm Welcomes initiative over the winter months.

All our groups have grown in attendance over the past year. Here's a recap of some of the past year’s highlights.

BEFRIENDERS

No experience required to join this lively, creative singing group-- just a willingness to try new things and have fun. Our amazing session leader, Natasha, comes to us via Trinity Laban Conservatoire, which has partnered with Ageing Well on this group for many years. We’ve been

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so fortunate to also work with lovely Trinity students, who gain experience in delivering groups and teaching. They provide us with piano accompaniment and teach us songs in Greek and Portuguese!

The Befrienders hosted several fun sessions at Homewalk House, the assisted living facility across the road from Grove Centre. We hope to increase our outreach to other care homes and groups in the area.

Albert’s Band from Royal Albert Hall performed two concerts for us this year at the Grove Centre, featuring tuba, trumpet, and guitar. The concerts were part of the RAH’s SongBook programme to bring music to older people out in communities across London. One concert covered the history of Albert Hall’s most famous performers, and one was a feel-good Christmas sing-along. These free concerts also drew Grove church members, Homewalk House residents, and people from the neighbourhood.

Long-time Befrienders member, Avril writes, “Tuesday mornings are always a joy and full of laughter as Natasha introduces us to new music and encourages us to write our own lyrics.… We have recently written some new lyrics to an Irish song, and I think this verse just says it all:

I am held by my friends at Grove Centre

By the love, the warmth and the care I am held by the joy of singing And the harmonies that we share.”

CRAFTS PLUS

We have gained a lovely new arts session leader, Shiree, who hails from New Zealand and keeps creativity flowing with new and imaginative projects. Members have worked with clay, painted landscapes, made Christmas ornaments and bottle gardens, constructed 3-D collages, and more.

Last Spring, Crafts Plus members contributed to the Lewisham Community Blanket coordinated by the CraftA project. We hope to collaborate with other groups and projects more.

This is relaxing, creative and nurturing group is for attendees. One woman shared that she had been depressed and lost confidence after some bereavements. “Now I join in every Tuesday class—come rain or shine,” she says, “and thoroughly enjoy mixing with all the others. … These classes mean so much more than just learning new skills.”

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GENTLE EXERCISE

This group has had several changes in instructor over the year, and members have gamely tried a number of different styles. Our current session leader, Joni, leads us in chair-based Zumba sessions with energising music. And the tea and chat can be just as important as the exercise.

“Exercise is so important to me personally due to my medical condition to help keep me mobile,” shares a member. “but socialising is very important too.”

Indeed, several participants appreciate this class for the break it provides from full-time caring duties at home. We laugh a lot and feel great after a session.

Ageing Well in Lewisham would like to sincerely thank the Grove Centre and its staff for the space and assistance provided to us over the years. Our programmes aim to reduce isolation and enhance the mental and physical well-being of older people through activities that encourage social interaction, mobility, and creativity. The welcoming space The Grove provides us allows us offer exciting projects, events, and opportunities for older people. We would not achieve what we do without this partnership with the Grove.

Winnie Carlson

Project Coordinator, Ageing Well in Lewisham 4-14 Barmeston Road, London SE6 3BH www.ageingwellinlewisham.org

Friendship Group

Friendship Group has happily settled into the Main Hall for their Monday afternoon meetings. The decision was rather forced on us as the heating had broken down in the Grove House and it seemed a waste of energy to heat it with electric heaters just for the afternoon when the Main Hall was already warm for the lunch service. This has benefitted some of our less able members as access from the car park is flat and the newly installed doors make for a much easier access.

David’s starts his ‘Firework’ display

Quizzes, Scrabble and Beetle Drives remain very popular and with help from Ian Bromley we have enjoyed a variety of films on DVD. Historian Barbara Portwin has now become a regular contributor as has Robin Pilcher explaining the delights of poetry.

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Trinity Laban music graduate and resident pianist at the Ritz Hotel Daniella (who also plays for the Befrienders group on Tuesday mornings) has delighted us with her skill at the piano. We have enjoyed seeing holiday photos and the creation of an attractive dried flower arrangement on the theme of fireworks by our administrator David.

We heard from Gillian Goldsmith of the highs and lows, the laughs and tears of raising her brain injured daughter and Dee’s account, sometimes hilarious, of working in the fur trade. These are just some of the varied items that have taken us through the year.

Sadly our usual summer visit to Elizabeth’s garden came to an end as she has moved into a smaller and more manageable house. We presented her with a tortoise for her courtyard garden in memory of her pet Gertrude. May models Dee’s mink coat

Alison and Carole help with the tea Elizabeth unwraps the tortoise Millie checks if it’s real!

We continue to support various charities and earlier in the year gave £200.00 to the Church towards the building project plus a further £100.00 at Christmas. Donations of £100.00 were also sent to each of the following; The Leprosy Mission, St. Mungo’s, Leukaemia UK and Action for Children. So a big thank you to our members for their continued support.

As always, we are grateful for the use of the hall and that our chairs and tables are always set out in readiness for us. Monday afternoons are special as we share news, celebrate birthdays and support each other if life gets tough. Everyone is welcome, so do come and join us. Debbie makes a good cup of tea and you’ll find much fun and laughter being shared over the tea cups.

Avril Sydee, on behalf of all the members of Friendship Group.

Cherish Nursery Annual Report

This year the Grove Centre Church has been as hospitable as ever and we are pleased to be in partnership with them. David is a pleasure to have around and is a constant source of support. The chefs are always happy to provide the staff with lunch when it is needed, providing them with energy as they look after the little ones.

The nursery continues to thrive, supported by word of mouth from the local community. Our cosy, home from home, setting is diverse, and it brings us joy in seeing different parts of the world come together and play. The children often play in the well-kept garden, a big asset to our nursery. We often look out to the planes passing by guessing which part of the world they are going to or coming from. We’ve watched the big tree in the garden go through seasons, losing leaves and, more recently, buds turning into leaves.

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We are proud, and lucky, to call ourselves a part of the Grove Centre Church.

Bhavisha Tailor, Director Cherish Day Nursery & Heartwood Forest School Email: info@cherishdaynursery.com Website: www.cherishdaynursery.com

Dulwich Dog School Annual Report

In England and Wales in 2022 there were twenty-two thousand incidents of out-of-control dogs causing injury compared to sixteen thousand in 2019.

The people that tend to take their dogs to training classes are in a minority. Most dog owners leave it to luck. More often than not those owners are ignorant of the law and allow their dogs to behave in ways that "could" get them or their dog into serious trouble.

I always tell the people that come to my classes "Thank you for being responsible owners".

It is so important that when people get puppies or rescue dogs that they get some professional help training them, and we and the local community are so lucky having the Grove Church Hall to use.

Di Karn ( The Dulwich Dog School ) www.dulwichdogschool.co.uk

Sydenham Police Ward Panel

The Sydenham Police Ward Panel consists of residents’ associations, tenants’ associations, neighbourhood watch groups, local councillors, and other agencies.

We meet 3 to 4 times a year with the Sydenham Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Police Officers to discuss any issues and current concerns relating to Sydenham. We also look crime/incidents statistics relevant to Sydenham, so that we can set Ward promises for the SNT to act on/investigate and report back to us at our next meeting.

At our last Ward Panel meeting we had a visit from Lewisham’s SNT Inspector Adrian Hanna, who updated the Panel on the Mets new ‘Turnaround Plan’ and how it would directly affect community policing and what the implications were for Sydenham.

The Ward Panel members are extremely grateful that The Grove Centre can host this very important community meeting.

Angela Hall – Chair Sydenham Ward Panel

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Grove Boardgamers

Our board game group meets monthly, usually on the first Friday, and is open to anyone to come along and join in. It has continued to grow since our first evening in June ’22, and regularly attracts a dozen or more people from our local community.

It’s a very inclusive group with all ages, from children to the elderly. We play a range of games, from classics, to brand new games, from very simple to more complex strategy games. I bring a trolley full of board and card games each meeting, and others also bring along games they think the group might enjoy. Mike is especially good at introducing us to new games! We’ve grown so much that we’re starting our evenings with games that work for everyone playing together, before splitting into smaller groups to play a variety of games.

We’re a very friendly group and always keen to welcome new people. Why not drop in?

Revd Louise Polhill

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes have had another successful year hosting their after school electronic keyboard sessions for 4-8 year olds at the Grove Centre. We have 3 full classes that attend every Tuesday, and they are steadily making their way through our colourful books, learning to read, write and play music to the first Grade.

Our middle class are now on their exam level and will be graduating from us in July 2023 - exciting times but also sad to see such a lovely class go! We have also held our holiday workshops there, which are always lots of fun.

David and the team are as supportive as ever, negotiating all sorts of minor issues with usual good humour and kindness.

We look forward to continuing and seeing the development of the Hall in 2023 and 2024 - we would love to add another day in Sydenham as we have quite a waiting list but are waiting for the building works to be completed before doing so!

Ali Edwards

Director and Founder www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457100

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“Coffee with IT” Annual Report

We continued with our Coffee with IT sessions until January 2023 by which time we appeared to have assisted everyone who needed help being confident with going online.

The sessions consisted of 4 weeks learning everything from how to turn an Ipad on, to going online to shop, book a doctor’s appointment and send and reply to emails. The local community police gave us brochures about telephone and online scams which were very helpful and highlighted reasons to be careful when answering emails/phone calls from people you don’t know.

At the last week of each session, they learnt how to take photos or videos and how to edit and print them. Every person who came left with a graduation picture of the group.

We had a great range of people come to use our equipment and enjoy the social side of the group, chatting about their lives, what had happened in the past week and what they hoped to do in the future.

Alison Cutts

Coffee Mornings

Coffee mornings were held on Mondays from 10am to noon and ran until the Winter Welcome started in November 2022, serving hot drinks, cakes and biscuits.

The donations collected from the coffee morning cakes went towards our ‘Building for the Future’ fund and totalled £70.

It is hoped this will re-start in the Autumn.

Alison Cutts

Winter Welcome Nov 2022 – March 2023

The Grove Centre took part in Sydenham’s Winter Welcome. This was an initiative set up in Sydenham by the Ignition Brewery and supported by Lewisham Council.

We started by opening our doors on Mondays & Wednesdays from 10am until 2pm as a warm space for anyone that needed it, all were welcome and offered hot drinks and biscuits for free, as well as a place to chat to others and find out about activities that happen in the Grove Centre and beyond. Unfortunately, the uptake of this service wasn’t large enough to warrant the 2 days and we reduced it to Wednesdays only as this was the more popular day.

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During this 6-month period we have seen about 20 people come through our doors. Some came regularly and some just the once. Three became regular lunch users and others have joined in with Ageing Well activities. We have had a range of people all different, but all appreciative of the warmth and hot drinks.

I was pleased to receive a request from Ellie Reeves (our local MP) to come and visit us at The Grove Centre on a Winter Welcome day. It also gave us an opportunity to explain the building work that will be happening in 2023.

Ellie was impressed with the amount of groups/activities that happen and use our premises, and as it was a Friendship group day she said a quick hello to them. Then Louise and I showed her around 2 Jews Walk and explained our plans to her. She was very positive about our aim to be a community place for all people and asked if it was alright for her to post about us on her social media, that was a definite yes from me.

On a personal note it has been a memorable experience to meet and chat with lots of people with a range of knowledge. I have learnt how to get around on the buses via routes I’d never heard of, tales of places visited that I didn’t even know existed, heard of work experiences that made me shudder and tales of woe that made me want to weep. I met an amazing group of people that I wouldn’t have come into contact with if we as a Centre/Church had not supported this initiative.

Alison Cutts

Junior Church Annual Report

Calling all children and parents of children!

Junior Church starts at 10.30am as part of the adult church service. We then break out for our own activities. Currently we have children from age 3 to 14 years. Children seem to have a natural faith in God.

We aim to explore and nurture that faith through participating in activities, stories, discussion, music, art, craftwork, and games.

Along with the main church we practice a progressive Christian ethos. We run a range of activities through the year outside of Sunday services – including sessions in members’ houses and trips. We recently had a much enjoyed pancake party. If you would like you or your children to join us then either come to a church service at the Grove Centre Church, or contact us via the Grove Centre Office, www.thegrovecentre.org.uk

Richard Neal

Junior Church Leader for The Grove Centre Church

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Grove Centre Church Music Group

Music is an important part of the life of the Church.

We are a group of people who love to sing. Our aim is to enrich the life of the Church. Singing is good for body, mind and soul, we always leave our meetings feeling better than when we arrived. At the same time, we share fellowship together and offer each other friendship and support. There is always laughter.

After two Christmases affected by the pandemic, December 2022 was joyous.

At our meetings we look at music that:

Often the music we look at is new and may come from a variety of sources. We take a collective approach, and all are encouraged to bring music they want to share. We are influenced by music heard at events, conferences, from broadcast services, visiting preachers, visits to other congregations, and recommendations. Other resources are sourced through internet searches, particularly an Australian website, Singing from the Lectionary . We will often discuss whether a piece of music would add to our worship and how best to use it; however the choice of music for worship on a Sunday is made by the preacher.

You are welcome to come and join us and you do not have to be able to read music. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 8.0pm. (Contact the office for info. regarding location). Anne Neal

Giggles After-School Club Annual Report

Giggles have been running an after-school club since 2003 so we know about children and parents and what they want and need. So much has changed since we started back then. We have tried to move with the times. We have always put the children’s needs and happiness above all.

The past 2 years has been difficult, which has pushed us to make changes to the service we provide. We offered drop home via public transport to our parents who will struggle to make collection to the site by 6pm. We also offered an hourly rate, which helped parents save money where they can by only booking exactly what they need, rather then set session prices. As a child care organisation, we care for all that parents need from us. We also provide a mobile Crèche, birthday party organising, after school club, breakfast club, Holiday scheme and babysitting.

Sadly Giggles had to close for our regular service at Easter 2023, due in part to competition from free services provided by schools. We still hope to run a holiday club in summer 2023, aimed at vulnerable families. Thank you Grove. Please visit our website at: www.giggleskidsclub.co.uk Email address: gigglesnews@hotmail.co.uk

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9[th] Sydenham Beavers and Cubs Annual Report

We are glad to report that the 9[th] Sydenham beavers and cubs are thriving. The children are continuing to learn through doing and having fun with lots of games. The number of badges being earned has increased, so some children have a full sleeve of badges by the time they move on to scouts.

We have 18 beavers, 28 cubs, 3 young leaders (aged 14 – 17 years) and 4 adult leaders plus 4 regular helpers and good support from parents. We meet on Wednesdays in term time and follow the

Scout Association graded programme of activities and learning. This include being outdoors, being adventurous, enjoying the wider world, caring for others and ourselves and being creative and reflective. It is great to have the facilities of the Grove Centre in which to meet - a good size hall to run around in and, in summer, a garden to enjoy too. Apart from our regular

weekly meetings our beavers and our cubs both had sleep-overs at our local District campsite near Selsdon, which we are intending to replicate in 2023.

We have strong links with the Grove Centre. The Church has a formal sponsorship agreement with 9[th] Sydenham Scout group, which includes representation on our Executive Committee.

We continue to be grateful for all their support. We held church parade services in November ’22 and March ‘23, where the children took an active contribution to the service. Also, we have delivered Christmas bulbs to older members of the congregation, on behalf of the church.

Julia Anstey

Group Scout Leader, 9th Sydenham Scout Group

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Step Tuesday

We are the Tuesday evening step meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous and we meet it the grove centre from 8 - 9.30pm.

The meeting is open to anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol and the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

After the meeting being a bit quiet post Covid it has gone from strength to strength. We now have good numbers and are welcoming newcomers including those at their first meeting almost every week.

The group are very grateful for the opportunity to use the space, and at over 40 years old ‘Jews Walk Tuesday’ is one of the longest running meetings in South London.

Love your Community

Rock-I Organisation Community Project reaches out to people suffering with mental health, lonely, Isolated vulnerable and disenfranchised,

The project main aim is to reduce, isolation, loneliness, anxiety and improve the quality of life, social, recreational and mental well-being.

We offer and engage the users with recreational activities for all, with activities such as dominoes, arts and crafts, ICT digital inclusion for beginners, and sewing peers support groups including a hot delicious soup and meal.

The community-led activities help to increase confidence and life skills as well as assessment and counselling to improve their social life and their emotional and Mental well-being.

We currently have 52 registered service users 27 are females and 25 are males.

Rock-I Organisation was awarded £10,000 from the NCIL Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy to provide services in the Crofton Park area, but unfortunately had to relocate and fortunately found a temporary venue to host our service users here at the Grove Church Centre from December to March on Wednesdays 1.00pm – 5.00pm.

We appreciate the time and space offered to us throughout the duration of time we spent at the Grove Centre and would like to resume a place back at the Grove Church Centre once the pending building project is completed.

I know that we are in challenging times, but we are praying that with your help and support, we will pull through the impact of this cost-of-living crisis that we are facing at this time.

We wish you all the best on your AGM.

God bless

Bishop Leroy Johnson -Director Rock-iorganisation Community Project Unit 28 Leegate Shopping Centre Lee Green SE12 8SS M : 07723 296385

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1.4 Financial Review

Treasurer’s Report

The Grove Centre Church accounts consist of the Church General Fund (shown as the “Unrestricted Fund”), the Grove Centre Management Committee (“Grove Centre Designated Fund”), a number of smaller funds and appeals, and the valuation of the premises with which the church is endowed through the Baptist and URC trusts.

Regular donations to the Church, through standing orders, envelope giving, and the open plate totalled £46,395 (Prior year £44,700), a 3.8% increase.

Income was supported by £750 of one-off donations, £100 from the Friendship Group and a grant of £250 towards Platinum Jubilee celebrations. An important £11,859 of gift aid recovery (prior year £11,445), and £796 of interest earned on accounts, brought overall General Fund income to a very similar level to 2021/22.

Church expenses excluding contributions to the Centre were £56,629 (prior year £54,721), an increase of 3.5%. This included a one-off £1,380 ‘thank offering’ each to our URC and Baptist denominational funds from the cessation of Baptist Pension deficit contributions. We had reduced both denominational contributions in 2021/21 due to a URC re-calculation.

The regular contribution of £6,000 was made towards Grove Centre costs. The General Fund transferred £51,384 to Building for the Future with the closure of the Nationwide Building Society 95-day account and move to an interest-bearing BUC seven day account.

The Grove Centre Financial report provides a commentary on the year for the Grove Centre (Designated Fund). The charts below provide an overview of the year.

Building Fund Report

The church made a special appeal for the Building Fund in 2022, including £10,000 of donated match funding. In total £59,424 was donated including gift aid recoveries (prior year £19,254), which as a fantastic result. A further £20,000 is pledged for 2023/24 but not yet received.

We were also very grateful for a legacy gift of £10,000. Moving funds into a seven-day account with the Baptist Union Corporation in December meant that £2,079 was added in interest received. Notice was given on the 95-day account with Nationwide Building Society, and this was also moved to the BUC account in readiness for the project. £51,284 was transferred into the BUC account for the project from General Funds. The Friendship Group also made a donation of £200.

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Expenses were incurred for architect work on preparing tenders and various professional fees. Preparatory work began and included knocking out a wall to achieve practical commencement. Legal work secured the Baptist capital contribution from former manse sale funds as part of an updated Sharing Agreement, signed by the church in September 2022.

Local fund raising raised £2,924 during the year. This came from:

Simnel Cake raffle May 2022 - £129.00 Coffee mornings & cakes - £189.00
Table Sale June 2022 - £1,072.38 Quiz Night October 2022 - £110.00
Table Sale October 2022 - £1,021.70 Marmalade sale - £50.00
Christmas Hamper raffle - £225.00 Simnel Cake raffle March 2023 - £127.00

Thank you to everyone who led or participated in the fund raising initiatives over the year. Building Funds have a year-end surplus of £202,263 from prior and current year funds.

An additional £71,278 is available from General Funds, £185,539 from the former manse sale, and 161,700 from a grant awarded by URC Southern Synod (to reimburse building costs). Adding pledges for 2023/24, we have £640,780 available or promised for the Phase 1 work .

Education Fund Report

Continuing from 2017 the church received gifts from members to be used to support students with a bursary towards education costs. These are restricted gifts and can only be used for this specific purpose. £2,250 was provided in bursary support during the financial year. £1,300 was received in the year including gift aid. This will complete the planned bursary in June 2023.

Other Charitable Appeals

Charitable appeals raised £926 for Christian Aid Week and £535 for the DEC appeal for the Turkey/Syria earthquake, also donated to Christian Aid, a DEC partner.

The Church raised £343 towards the Baptist World Mission “Good Land” Harvest Appeal supporting Christians in Nepal. £242 was donated to Lewisham Churches for Asylum Seekers and £420 was donated to Lewisham Foodbank, both Christmas offerings (including carol singing for Foodbank). The total donated was £2,466.

Confidence in IT Fund Report

The Church received a Hope Beyond grant from All Churches Trust (now renamed Benefact Trust), to be used to support IT confidence building to enhance social inclusion in the digital world. This was recognised as income in 2020/21, but was spent in 2021/22.

Borough of Culture Report

The Church received a grant of £900 from London Borough of Lewisham as part of the Lewisham Borough of Culture programme. This was used to enable Sydenham School to purchase art material to renew the art displayed on the Youth Hall. The new art installation is being prepared, and some funds remain to be spent to complete the project in 2023.

Paul Treece,

Church Treasurer 2022/23

Grove Centre Financial Report

The detail for the Grove Centre Management accounts can be found within the main accounts under section 11.5 which are the areas administered by the Grove Centre.

Overall income grew by £4,955 over the previous year. Within this the Church has not needed to support the centre in the same way as the previous year during the pandemic, and there was a

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reduction in support of £7,000. Income therefore has recovered by £11,955 over the previous year. Most of this improvement came from one off lettings of the Halls. This would not be possible without the help of the volunteers and staff who open and close the buildings on a regular basis. We are also grateful to the London Borough of Lewisham for their support via the partnership grant which commenced in April 2022.

Conversely costs also grew. Without the furlough scheme and our ongoing efforts to get salaries for all staff up to the London Living Wage, costs increased by £5,349 over the previous year. This will again continue to escalate into 2023 as the large increase in the minimum wage and cost of living has pushed the London Living Wage target even higher.

We also incurred a number of unplanned maintenance issues including replacement of the hot water heater in the Main Hall ladies’ toilets, roof repairs and replacement of the gas cupboard doors and frame. We also carried some of the costs relating to commencement of the “Building for the Future” project to ensure that planning permission was confirmed.

Utility costs have increased due to escalating costs caused by the war in Ukraine. It is difficult to fully determine what this may mean going forwards as we have benefited from the installation of a more efficient heating and control system in House Hall and a rebate due to having been incorrectly charged 20% VAT on some of our electricity bills (charities only pay 8%). An overall increase of only £3,648 over the previous year does however show good overall control of our energy usage.

Revaluation of the premises has reduced the insurance premium slightly and through discussions with PRS/PPL we have managed to reduce the Centre’s music licence costs considerably.

We also incurred the costs of the replacement of the side doors to the Main Hall car park of £6,320. This cost will be spread in future accounts over a 10-year period. Taking this into account, the Centre made a small loss of £1,771 for the year. It is challenging looking forward to predict what next year has in store, as the building project will have an impact on both costs and income but we hope our assumptions will be met and we will grow once the building works are complete.

I have been supported and am very grateful for the ongoing work of David Williams, our Centre Manager who inputs the data, and to Paul Treece who then checks and inputs the Centre accounts into the main Church/Charity accounts.

Carole Eaton,

Finance Secretary 2022/23

Accounting Standards

The Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2023 have been produced as Accruals Accounts, with a Statement of Financial Activities and a full Balance Sheet. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 Republic of Ireland published in October 2019.

Though the threshold for mandatory accruals accounting is above the gross income of the charity, accruals accounting has been used, as is permitted by law, to provide a consistent basis for the presentation and assessment of the financial state of the Church.

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Reserves Policy

As required by the Charities Act 2011 the deacons, as trustees of the church, have reviewed the Reserves Policy, taking guidance from the Baptist Union (F07 Charity Reserves, 2018).

The Grove Centre Church needs to maintain adequate reserves in order to cover large unexpected bills or repairs, to contribute towards occasional substantial building projects (e.g. new windows or roof) and to allow time for adjustments to be made if there is a significant reduction in income or increase in expenditure.

The trustees consider that current assets (debtors, investments, bank and cash) of six months’ regular income provide an appropriate target level of working capital and reserves.

In view of the likely draw on funds for the building project, the trustees have decided that a minimum of three months’ reserves should be retained for contingencies.

The net current assets of the Church, excluding Restricted and Endowment funds, were at £307,825 on 31[st] March 2023, equivalent to 26.9 months’ income (excluding special funds). This is £273,541 above the minimum three-month level of £34,284. This is in addition to the £185,539 available from the sale of the former Baptist manse.

After providing for three months’ reserves, the Church had £459,080 in funds that could be used towards Building for the Future, with the agreement of both parent denominations and subject to decision of Church Meeting. A grant of £161,700 towards Building for the Future was awarded by URC Southern Synod in July 2022 to be claimed against building expenses.

1.5 Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

The Grove Centre Church (including the Grove Centre) is constituted as a charitable trust registered with the Charity Commission on 8 April 2009 under the charity number 1129070. It is governed by the Constitution for the Grove Centre Church approved in January 2009.

Organisational Structure

The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees meet together as a body monthly (except in August) and are responsible for the decisions taken in relation to running the Church and community facilities and the activities provided by the charity. To assist in the smooth running of the charity the trustees have set up a management committee that oversees the running of the facilities and community activities.

The Grove Centre Management Committee (GCMC) oversees the day to day running of the

buildings and works to fulfil the vision for the Centre from the Church.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The trustees are appointed in line with the Constitution, with nominations and elections from amongst the members of the Grove Centre Church. Long serving members of the Church who have been appointed as Life Deacons (where attending meetings), the Minister and the elected Deacons and Officers constitute the trustees.

The Grove Centre Management Committee is supported by a balance of nominated Church representatives, and representatives from the Centre’s various user groups. Consideration is given in appointing Church representatives to the Management Committee with relevant personal competence, specialist knowledge and skills.

Induction and Training of the Trustees

Following the election and appointment, new trustees are introduced to their role and the policies and procedures adopted by the charity along with a publication from the Charity Commission

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explaining the roles and obligations of a trustee. Trustees are also provided with an induction into the buildings to highlight issues connected to the operation of the Centre enabling them to be able to open up, lock up and operate the facilities as per the operational instructions. This assists in ensuring that the Trustees are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act and assists with the smooth running of the Centre.

Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the risks the charity faces and have drawn up a risk matrix which identifies the major risks by area of activity, the nature of those risks and the likelihood of the risks happening and the measures taken to manage them. The Trustees review this risk matrix on an annual basis. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand to manage the risks that have been identified.

In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances of the Grove Centre Church and Grove Centre are kept under review. Financial controls were reviewed during the year.

Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, supported by regular review of policies for those who work with children (Grove Centre Church) and vulnerable adults (Grove Centre) are undertaken in accordance with guidance from the Home Office.

1.6 Reference and Administrative Details

Legal Information

The Grove Centre Church is registered as Charity No. 1129070.

Church Address

2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London SE26 6PL Website: www.thegrovecentre.org.uk

Trustees

The officers, life deacons and deacons of The Grove Centre Church, together with the Minister, are the Trustees. Those serving during the financial year were:

Minister: Revd Louise Polhill Church Secretary: Mrs Alison Cutts Church Treasurer: Mr Paul Treece Chair of Grove Centre Management: Mr Ian Warren Grove Centre Financial Secretary: Mrs Carole Eaton (appointed 3 July 2022) Deacons: Mr Ian Bromley Mrs Carole Eaton (retired 3 July 2022) Mrs Grace Harawa (appointed 3 July 2022) Dr Richard Neal Mrs Helen Reilly (retired 3 July 2022) Mrs Avril Sydee (appointed 3 July 2022) Mrs Judith Warren Life Deacon: Mrs Elizabeth Noon

No trustees held the title to property belonging to the charity in the reporting period.

Bankers

Grove Centre Church: Co-operative Bank plc, Nationwide Building Society and Baptist Union Corporation. Grove Centre: HSBC plc, Beckenham Branch.

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2. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Notes
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
2a
Charitable activities
2b
Other trading activities
2c
Investment income
2d
Total Income
Expenditure on:
Raising Funds
3a
Charitable activities
Grant funding of
activities
3b
Church activities
undertaken directly
3c
Grove Centre Church
Restricted Grants
3d
Grove Centre
Management
3e
Building Project
3f
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year
Transfers between funds
Other recognised
gains/(losses)
Net gains/(losses) on
revaluations of fixed assets
4
Actuarial gains/(losses) on
defined benefit pension
schemes
15
Net Movement in Funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total Funds brought forward
1stApril 2022
Total Funds carried
forward 31st March 2023		 Unrestricted Designated Restricted
Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£

59,254
82,187
4,666
146,107
89,586
61,729
61,729
55,480
3,211
3,211
2,535
796
2,316
8
4,317
7,437
588		 Unrestricted Designated Restricted
Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£

59,254
82,187
4,666
146,107
89,586
61,729
61,729
55,480
3,211
3,211
2,535
796
2,316
8
4,317
7,437
588
60,050
149,443
4,674
4,317
218,484
148,189
145
145
8,172
400
4,716
13,288
10,436
48,457
324
9,198
57,979
57,291
56,629
869
4,716
9,198
71,412
67,727
688
688
3,918
82,495
82,495
66,786
34,978
34,978
3,137
56,629
118,342
5,404
9,198
189,573
141,568
3,421
31,101
(730)
(4,881)
28,911
6,621
(57,224)
43,710
13,514
0
0
48,618
48,618
119,455
18,100
18,100
4,840
(35,703)
74,811
(730)
57,251
95,629
130,916
128,246
142,904
2,187
2,356,075 2,629,412 2,498,496
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326 2,725,041 2,629,412

Comparative figures for each fund are shown in the notes to the accounts

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3. BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
4
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Total fixed assets
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Current Assets
Debtors
5
11,535
11,254
378
23,167
19,142
Investments
6
191,968
185,539
377,507
242,972
Bank and Cash
7
78,565
18,664
1,079
98,308
214,231
Total current assets
90,100
221,886
1,457
185,539
498,982
476,345
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
(4,171)
(4,171)
(7,177)
Net Current Assets
Net current assets
90,100
217,715
1,457
185,539
494,811
469,168
Total assets less current
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
Net assets or (liabilities)
excluding pension liability
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
(18,100)
Total net assets or
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
Charity Funds
Endowment funds
9
1,645,230
1,645,230
1,636,597
Revaluation reserve
4
768,096
768,096
719,478
Restricted funds
10
1,457
1,457
2,187
Total restricted funds
1,457
2,413,326
2,414,783
2,358,262
Designated funds
11
217,715
217,715
142,904
Unrestricted funds
12
92,543
92,543
146,346
Pension reserve
15
(18,100)
Total unrestricted funds
92,543
217,715
310,258
271,150
Total Charity Funds
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412		 Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
4
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Total fixed assets
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Current Assets
Debtors
5
11,535
11,254
378
23,167
19,142
Investments
6
191,968
185,539
377,507
242,972
Bank and Cash
7
78,565
18,664
1,079
98,308
214,231
Total current assets
90,100
221,886
1,457
185,539
498,982
476,345
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
(4,171)
(4,171)
(7,177)
Net Current Assets
Net current assets
90,100
217,715
1,457
185,539
494,811
469,168
Total assets less current
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
Net assets or (liabilities)
excluding pension liability
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
(18,100)
Total net assets or
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
Charity Funds
Endowment funds
9
1,645,230
1,645,230
1,636,597
Revaluation reserve
4
768,096
768,096
719,478
Restricted funds
10
1,457
1,457
2,187
Total restricted funds
1,457
2,413,326
2,414,783
2,358,262
Designated funds
11
217,715
217,715
142,904
Unrestricted funds
12
92,543
92,543
146,346
Pension reserve
15
(18,100)
Total unrestricted funds
92,543
217,715
310,258
271,150
Total Charity Funds
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412		 Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
4
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Total fixed assets
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Current Assets
Debtors
5
11,535
11,254
378
23,167
19,142
Investments
6
191,968
185,539
377,507
242,972
Bank and Cash
7
78,565
18,664
1,079
98,308
214,231
Total current assets
90,100
221,886
1,457
185,539
498,982
476,345
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
(4,171)
(4,171)
(7,177)
Net Current Assets
Net current assets
90,100
217,715
1,457
185,539
494,811
469,168
Total assets less current
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
Net assets or (liabilities)
excluding pension liability
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
(18,100)
Total net assets or
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
Charity Funds
Endowment funds
9
1,645,230
1,645,230
1,636,597
Revaluation reserve
4
768,096
768,096
719,478
Restricted funds
10
1,457
1,457
2,187
Total restricted funds
1,457
2,413,326
2,414,783
2,358,262
Designated funds
11
217,715
217,715
142,904
Unrestricted funds
12
92,543
92,543
146,346
Pension reserve
15
(18,100)
Total unrestricted funds
92,543
217,715
310,258
271,150
Total Charity Funds
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412		 Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Endowment
Notes General
Designated Funds
Funds
Total 2023 Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
4
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Total fixed assets
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Current Assets
Debtors
5
11,535
11,254
378
23,167
19,142
Investments
6
191,968
185,539
377,507
242,972
Bank and Cash
7
78,565
18,664
1,079
98,308
214,231
Total current assets
90,100
221,886
1,457
185,539
498,982
476,345
Current Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
8
(4,171)
(4,171)
(7,177)
Net Current Assets
Net current assets
90,100
217,715
1,457
185,539
494,811
469,168
Total assets less current
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Creditors: amounts falling
due after more than one year
Net assets or (liabilities)
excluding pension liability
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
Defined benefit pension
scheme (liability)
(18,100)
Total net assets or
liabilities
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
Charity Funds
Endowment funds
9
1,645,230
1,645,230
1,636,597
Revaluation reserve
4
768,096
768,096
719,478
Restricted funds
10
1,457
1,457
2,187
Total restricted funds
1,457
2,413,326
2,414,783
2,358,262
Designated funds
11
217,715
217,715
142,904
Unrestricted funds
12
92,543
92,543
146,346
Pension reserve
15
(18,100)
Total unrestricted funds
92,543
217,715
310,258
271,150
Total Charity Funds
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
11,535
11,254
378
23,167
19,142
191,968
185,539
377,507
242,972
78,565
18,664
1,079
98,308
214,231
90,100
221,886
1,457
185,539
498,982
476,345
(4,171)
(4,171)
(7,177)
90,100
217,715
1,457
185,539
494,811
469,168
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,647,512
(18,100)
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412
1,645,230
1,645,230
1,636,597
768,096
768,096
719,478
1,457
1,457
2,187
1,457
2,413,326
2,414,783
2,358,262
217,715
217,715
142,904
92,543
92,543
146,346
(18,100)
92,543
217,715
310,258
271,150
92,543
217,715
1,457
2,413,326
2,725,041
2,629,412

The notes on pages 28 to 43 form an integral part of these accounts These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 20[th] June 2023 and are signed on their behalf by

Church Treasurer

Church Secretary

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4. NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

1. Accounting Policies

1a

Basis of Accounting

The Grove Centre Church is a registered charity no 1129070 and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

The financial statements have been 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 (Charities SORP 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, also noting guidance on church accounts provided by the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £. The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102.

There are no material uncertainties regarding the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

1b

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the church in furtherance of its charitable objectives.

Designated funds are Unrestricted funds that have been designated for a specific purpose at the discretion of the church in furtherance of its charitable objectives, including grants for general Grove Centre running costs and subsidiary funds held within the groups and activities of the church.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor, or contained in the terms of a grant, including appeals for specific charitable causes.

Endowment funds are funds the capital of which must be maintained; normally only income arising from investment of the endowment may be used, either as restricted or unrestricted funds depending on the purpose and terms on which the endowment was established.

1c

Tangible Fixed Assets

The Church premises – Main Hall, House and Youth Hall – and the Manse were included in the balance sheet at insurance rebuilding valuation in 2007 and are adjusted annually in line with insurance renewals, net of depreciation of major works that are substantially part of the building structure and thus included in the insurance value. Rebuilding valuations were re-assessed by Bernard Pett Surveying (Chartered Surveyors) at the request of the trustees in October 2012 and updated in May 2022.

The cost valuation of buildings has been taken as the insurance valuation at 31[st] March 2014, updated from the 2012 values, for the opening position for FRS102. A revaluation reserve has been created for the movement in insurance valuation since 31[st] March 2014.

Furniture and equipment in the church premises and manse purchased before 1[st] April 2006 is considered fully depreciated to zero net book value. Building renewals and improvements, furniture and equipment over £1,000 purchased after 1[st] April 2006 are included at cost less depreciation charged.

1d

Depreciation

Depreciation has not been charged on the Church or Manse premises, because in the opinion of the Trustees, the residual value of the asset is not less than the original cost price.

Depreciation on other building renewals and improvements and other fixed assets is calculated to write of the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful life, at the following rates:

Building renewals and improvements 5% straight line (20 years) or 10% straight line (10 years) Furniture and long lasting fittings 5% straight line (20 years) or 10% straight line (10 years) Boilers, long-life kitchen appliances, other plant and 10% straight line (10 years) musical instruments

Amplification, computer equipment and dishwasher 20% straight line (5 years)

1e Investment Assets

The charity has current asset investments which include cash on deposit and cash equivalents with a maturity of less than one year held for investment purposes rather than to meet short-term cash commitments as they fall due.

Quoted investments are stated at market value. All other investment assets are shown at cost. Changes in valuation over the year are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

1f Income

All voluntary giving is included in the financial statements for the period in which it is received.

Donations under Gift Aid plus the associated tax recovery are recognised as income when the donation is received. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Cash donations of up to £30 are recognised under the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme within its annual limits. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.

The charity recognises Gift Aid recoveries due from HMRC as a debtor in the balance sheet until payment is received.

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS102 SORP).

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The charity has received government grants in the reporting period from the London Borough of Lewisham.

Legacies are included in the SOFA when receipt is probable, that is, when there has been grant of probate, the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate and any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been met.

All other income is generally recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

1g

Expenses and Liabilities

The URC Ministry & Mission Fund contribution is paid regularly and is included in the financial statements for the year to which it relates. The church has a policy to contribute at the same level to the URC and to the Baptist Union, London Baptist Association, Baptist Home Mission Fund and Baptist Mission Society combined, thereby maintaining equal contributions to both parent denominations.

Resources expended are recognised in the period to which they are incurred and include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. They are allocated to the particular activity to which they relate.

Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. An example is hall deposits held for future events.

No material stock items are held as assets either for charitable activities or for sale as other trading activities. Small purchases of Traidcraft and food for the Lunches service are accounted for as expenses when invoices are settled.

Governance and support costs are not material for the charity, so are not reported separately in the accounts.

As most of the management and activity of the church is carried out by volunteers, this intangible cost is not included in the financial statements as this voluntary contribution to the life of the church is incalculable.

1h Taxation

As part of the United Reformed Church and the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the church is an excepted charity within the meaning of the Taxes Acts. Accordingly, it is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and capital gains received to the extent that such income or gains are applied to exclusively charitable purposes. No provision for taxation has been made in these financial statements.

2. Income and Endowments Notes

2a
Donations and Legacies
Charitable appeals
Standing order giving
Envelope scheme
Church collections
Sundry donations
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
Grants received
Grove Centre Church
Sundry donations
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
Education Fund
Sundry donations
Tax refunds under Gift Aid
Legacies
Building Project
Sundry donations
Grove Centre Grants
Grove Centre Management
Total
2b
Charitable activities
Lunches service
Cherish nursery
Grove Centre user groups
Grove Centre lettings
Grove Centre Management
Total		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2023
Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£

2,348
2,348
2,558
40,800
60
40,860
39,450
4,625
4,625
4,231
970
970
1,079
750
1,039
1,789
1,184
11,859
118
11,977
11,480
250
250
4,000
59,254
1,099
2,466
62,819
63,982
1,040
1,040
260
260
1,300
1,300
47,879
47,879
11,578
11,545
11,545
2,676
10,000
10,000
5,000
69,424
69,424
19,254
900
900
600
10,764
900
11,664
5,750
11,664
900
12,564
6,350
59,254
82,187
4,666
146,107
89,586
9,239
9,239
9,772
25,934
25,934
24,226
9,905
9,905
10,936
16,651
16,651
10,546
61,729
61,729
55,480
61,729
61,729
55,480

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Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
2c Income from other
trading activities
Building fund events 2,924 2,924
2,028
IT with Coffee subs 288
Grove Centre Church 2,924 2,924
2,316
Traidcraft & Fair Trade 118 118
69
Office services 57 57
14
Lunches social 112 112
136
Grove Centre Management 287 287
219
Total 3,211 3,211
2,535
2d Investment Income
Bank interest 91
111		 202
45
Investment interest 705
2,205
8		 2,918
169
BUC Manse Trust TS106 4,317
4,317
374
Total 796
2,316
8
4,317
7,437
588
3. Expenditure Notes
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
3a Raising Funds
Building project (book of grants) 145 145
Total 145 145
3b Grant funding of activities
Charitable appeals (10.4) 2,466 2,466
2,619
Friendship Group grants (11.7) 400 400
130
Church grants (12.4.2d) 8,172 8,172
5,437
Grants to institutions 8,172
400
2,466		 11,038
8,186
Education fund (10.7) 2,250 2,250
2,250
Grants to individuals 2,250 2,250
2,250
Total 8,172
400
4,716		 13,288
10,436
3c Church activities undertaken directly
Ministry costs (12.4.2a) 36,030 36,030
37,681
Manse costs (12.4.2b) 5,980 5,980
6,061
Church activities (12.4.2c) 6,447 6,447
5,542
Endowments depreciation 9,198
9,198
7,858
Friendship Group (Monday) 324 324
149
Total 48,457
324		 9,198
57,979
57,291
3d Restricted grant-funded activities undertaken directly
Art material (Borough of Culture) 688 688
Salary costs (IT with coffee) 1,517
Equipment and sundries (ITwC) 2,401
Total 688 688
3,918

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Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
3e Grove Centre Management activities undertaken directly
Staff costs (11.5.2a) 40,256 40,256
34,907
Food costs (11.5.2b) 7,338 7,338
6,803
Equipment costs (11.5.2c) 2,910 2,910
4,742
Premises costs (11.5.2d) 27,092 27,092
15,864
Other costs (11.5.2e) 4,899 4,899
4,470
Total 82,495 82,495
66,786
3f Building Project activities undertaken directly
Preparatory works 2,712 2,712
Architects & professional fees 29,820 29,820
Legal advice & fees 2,446 2,446
3,137
Total 34,978 34,978
3,137

3g Support and Governance costs

The administration of The Grove Centre is a charitable activity included in staff costs under note 11.5.2a. No costs were incurred for Governance in the year

4. Balance Sheet Notes

4
Tangible fixed assets
Notes
Freehold
Land &
Buildings
Leasehold
Land &
Buildings
Motor
Vehicles
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Total 2023
Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
4.1
Cost
Brought forward 1stApril 2022
2,204,418
55,632
2,260,050
2,136,130
Additions (major works)
6,320
7,194
13,514
4,465
Disposals
Revaluation of fixed assets
48,618
48,618
119,455
C/forward 31stMarch 2023
2,259,356
62,826
2,322,182
2,260,050
4.2
Accumulated Depreciation
Brought forward 1stApril 2022
45,404
36,302
81,706
72,800
Net charge for the year
5,898
4,348
10,246
8,906
Disposals
C/forward 31stMarch 2023
51,302
40,650
91,952
81,706
4.3
Net Book Value
Brought forward 1stApril 2022
2,159,014
19,330
2,178,344
2,063,330
C/forward 31stMarch 2023
2,208,054
22,176
2,230,230
2,178,344
See Note 1c for accounting policy and the basis of valuations and the revaluation reserve.
All of the fixed assets are used for charitable purposes.
4.4
Tangible fixed assets by fund
Notes
Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Endowment
Total 2023
Total 2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Brought forward 1stApril 2022
3,491
2,174,853
2,178,344
2,063,330
Additions (major works)
13,514
13,514
4,465
Depreciation
(1,048)
(9,198)
(10,246)
(8,906)
Revaluation of fixed assets
48,618
48,618
119,455
C/forward 31stMarch 2023
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
Revaluation reserve
768,096
768,096
719,478
Book value before revaluation
2,443
1,459,691
1,462,134
1,458,866
£
£
£
£
£
£		 Freehold
Land &
Buildings
Leasehold
Land &
Buildings
£
£		 Motor
Vehicles
£		 Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
Total 2023
Total 2022
£
£
£
55,632
2,260,050
2,136,130
7,194
13,514
4,465
48,618
119,455
62,826
2,322,182
2,260,050
2,204,418
6,320
48,618
2,259,356
36,302
81,706
72,800
4,348
10,246
8,906
40,650
91,952
81,706
45,404
5,898
51,302
2,159,014 19,330
2,178,344
2,063,330
2,208,054 22,176
2,230,230
2,178,344
2,443
2,227,787
2,230,230
2,178,344
768,096
768,096
719,478
2,443
1,459,691
1,462,134
1,458,866
£
£
£
£
£
£

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Notes Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment Total 2023 Total 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
5 Debtors
5.1 Debtors at 31st March 2023
HMRC – Gift Aid Receivable 11,535
10,295
378		 22,208
13,821
Cherish Nursery Receivable 959 959
5,321
Balance at 31stMarch 2023 11,535
11,254
378		 23,167
19,142
5.2 Movements on debtors in year
Brought forward 1stApril 2022 11,110
7,997
35		 19,142
20,587
Movement in year 425
3,257
343		 4,026
(1,445)
C/forward 31stMarch 2023 11,535
11,254
378		 23,167
19,142
6 Investments (short term)
6.1 Investments at 31st March 2023
Nationwide 95day Saver A/c 61,750
BUC Manse Trust TS106 185,539
185,539
181,222
BUC GT022 7-Day A/c 191,968 191,968
Balance at 31stMarch 2023 191,968 185,539
377,507
242,972
6.2 Movements on investments (short term) in year
Brought forward 1stApril 2022 42,158
19,105
487
181,222
242,972
242,429
Additional deposits in year 190,000 190,000
Addition of interest in year 705
2,205
8
4,317
7,235
543
Disposals withdrawn in year (42,863) (19,342) (495) (62,700)
C/forward 31stMarch 2023 191,968 185,539
377,507
242,972
7 Bank and Cash
7.1 Bank and cash at 31st March 2023
Co-operative Church A/c 30,252
180
584		 31,016
127,145
Nationwide Instant Saver A/c 48,313
15,592
495		 64,400
81,498
HSBC Grove Centre A/c 2,395 2,395
3,894
Cash Grove Centre A/c 98 98
115
Barclays Luncheon Social Club 1,135
Cash Friendship Monday Group 399 399
444
Balance at 31stMarch 2023 78,565
18,664
1,079		 98,308
214,231
7.2 Movements on bank and cash in year
Brought forward 1stApril 2022 90,964
121,602
1,665		 214,231
200,190
Movement in year 44,734
(160,273)
(586)		 (116,125)
13,996
Addition of interest in year 91
111		 202
45
Transfers between funds (57,224) 57,224
C/forward 31stMarch 2023 78,565
18,664
1,079		 98,308
214,231
8 Creditors
8.1 Creditors at 31st March 2023 (falling due within 12 months)
Nursery deposits held 3,750
Hall hire deposits held 2,150 2,150
2,050
Electricity Jan-Mar’23 2,021 2,021
Solicitors invoices not settled 1,377
Balance at 31stMarch 2023 4,171 4,171
7,177
8.2 Movements on creditors in year
Brought forward 1stApril 2022 1,377
5,800		 7,177
5,100
Movement in year (1,377) (1,629) (3,006) 2,077
C/forward 31stMarch 2023 4,171 4,171
7,177

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9. Endowment Funds

9.1 Movement in Endowment Funds during year

Movement in Endowment Funds during year nds during year nds during year nds during year
1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
Grove Centre Church and
Youth Hall, Jews Walk
1,193,622
5,743
(172,119)
6,320
1,022,080
Grove Centre House,
2 Jews Walk
632,184
3,296
178,889
7,194
814,971
Baptist Manse
530,269
4,317
159
41,848
576,275
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2023
2,356,075
4,317
(9,198)
48,618
13,514
2,413,326
Assets in Endowment Funds
Tangible
Investments
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Fixed Assets
Gift Aid /
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2023
Grove Centre Church and
Youth Hall, Jews Walk
1,022,080
1,022,080
Grove Centre House,
2 Jews Walk
814,971
814,971
Baptist Manse
390,736
185,539
576,275
C/forward 31stMarch 2023
2,227,787
185,539
2,413,326
Revaluation reserve
(768,096)
(768,096)
Book value before revaluation
1,459,691
185,539
1,645,230
Transfers into and out of Endowment Funds in year
Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
Building Fund (Designated)
7,194
7,194 New boiler for GC House
31/03/23
Grove Centre Fund
6,320
6,320 New GC carpark doors
31/03/23
Total transfers in / out
13,514
13,514
Movement in Endowment Funds (prior year)
1stApril 2021
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Grove Centre Church and
Youth Hall, Jews Walk
1,127,813
5,126
67,910
3,025
1,193,622
Grove Centre House,
2 Jews Walk
596,399
2,573
38,358
632,184
Baptist Manse
516,867
374
159
13,187
530,269
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2022
2,241,079
374
(7,858)
119,455
3,025
2,356,075		 1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
1,193,622
5,743
(172,119)
6,320
1,022,080
632,184
3,296
178,889
7,194
814,971
530,269
4,317
159
41,848
576,275
2,356,075
4,317
(9,198)
48,618
13,514
2,413,326
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Gift Aid /
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2023
1,022,080
814,971
185,539
576,275
2,227,787 185,539
2,413,326
(768,096) (768,096)
1,459,691 185,539
1,645,230

Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
7,194 New boiler for GC House
31/03/23
6,320 New GC carpark doors
31/03/23
13,514 13,514
2,241,079
374
(7,858)
119,455
3,025
2,356,075

9.2 Assets in Endowment Funds

9.3 Transfers into and out of Endowment Funds in year

9.4 Movement in Endowment Funds (prior year)

9.5 Grove Centre Church and Youth Hall, Jews Walk

The land and buildings of The Grove Centre Church and Youth Hall in Jews Walk are held in Trust by the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited) and are subject to a Sharing Agreement with the Baptist Union Corporation Limited from 21[st] January 1972.

9.6 Grove Centre House, 2 Jews Walk

The land and buildings of The Grove Centre Church House, 2 Jews Walk are held in Trust by the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited) and is subject to a Sharing Agreement with the Baptist Union Corporation Limited from 21[st] January 1972.

9.7 Baptist Manse

The land and buildings of the Baptist Manse, 41 Beaulieu Avenue, purchased on 1[st] August 2013, are held in Trust by the Baptist Union Corporation Limited and are subject to a Sharing Agreement with the London Congregational Union Incorporated (administered by the United Reformed Church Southern Synod) from 19[th] December 1972.

The previous manse at 17 Gaynesford Road was sold in 2013. The net proceeds are held in BUC Trust Fund TS106.

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10. Restricted Funds

10.1 Movement in Restricted Funds during year

1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Gains and Transfers 31stMarch
Losses 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Church & Centre Appeals 2,466 2,466
Organ Fund (Restricted) 487
8		 495
Confidence in IT with Coffee
Education Fund (Restricted) 1,700
1,300		 2,250 750
Building Project (Restricted)
Borough of Culture (Restricted) 900 688 212
Movement in funds for year to 2,187
4,675		 (5,405) 1,457
31stMarch 2023

10.2 Assets in Restricted Funds

Assets in Restricted Funds
Tangible Debtors Net Current Assets 31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12 Gift Aid Investments Bank / cash 2023
months Receivable (short term)
£ £ £ £ £ £
Church & Centre Appeals 118 (118)
Organ Fund (Restricted) 495 495
Confidence in IT with Coffee
Education Fund (Restricted) 260 490 750
Building Project (Restricted)
Borough of Culture (Restricted) 212 212
Carried forward 31stMar 2023 378 1,079 1,457

10.3 Movement in Restricted Funds (prior year)

Church & Centre Appeals
Organ Fund (Restricted)
Confidence in IT with Coffee
Education Fund (Restricted)
Building Project (Restricted)
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2022		 1stApril 2021
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£
26
2,593
2,619
485
2
4,350
288
3,918
3,950
2,250
125
905
1,030
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£		 Transfers
£		 31stMarch
2022
£
487
(720)
2,250 1,700
8,936
3,788
(9,817)		 (720)
2,187

10.4 Church & Centre Appeals

The Appeals Fund is used to ring-fence donations made in response to specific charitable appeals and grants.

Christian Aid Week
DEC Turkey/Syria appeal
BMS Harvest Good Land
LewCAS Christmas offering
Foodbank carols & offering
Total for Church Appeals		 Offerings
collected
Gift Aid tax
recovery
Total Year
2023
Description
Prior Year
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
926
535
926
535
Christian Aid Week
DEC Afghanistan appeal
DEC Ukraine appeal
704
315
823
343
343
BMS Harvest I Will Stand
390
202
342
40
78
242
420
LewCAS Christmas offering
387
2,348
118
2,466
2,619

Gift aid tax recovery is only made on cash offerings and payments made to The Grove Centre Church. Gift aided offerings made out to named charities are passed on for their own tax recovery in due course.

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Notes 1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Transfers 31stMarch Prior Year
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £

10.5 Organ Fund (Restricted)

The Organ Fund was created by the legacy of Olive Carter and has been added to by the Church in prior years. It was given to repair the organ in the Grove Centre or replace it with a modern instrument. The organ has now been removed, as it was beyond repair. The future use of this fund is subject to the trustees’ decision.

Interest on investments 8 8 2
Total for Organ Fund (Rest)
487		 495 495 487
Confidence in IT with Coffee (Restricted)
The Confidence in IT with coffee fund was for the delivery of a grant funded by Hope Beyond Benefact Trust to support
education in the use of IT to engage in social and online activities. No funds were expended during 2022/23.
Grant received
Weekly subscriptions 288
Total incoming resources 288
Salary costs 1,517
Equipment purchases/maint 2,336
Grove Centre hire 720
Sundries & refreshments 65
Total resources expended 4,638
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2023
Education Fund (Restricted)
The Education Fund is used to provide bursaries to students supported by Restricted gifts to the Grove Centre Church.
Donations to fund 1,040 1,040
Income tax recovery 260 260
Education bursaries & grants 2,250 (2,250) (2,250)
Movement in fund for year to 31st
1,700		 1,300 (2,250) 750 1,700
March 2023
Building Project (Restricted)
The Building Project fund was created in 2012 to manage funds raised and expended on planning and surveys for the
possible redevelopment of the Grove Centre House and passage between the House and the Main Hall.
Donations to fund 905
Income tax recovery
Legal advice & fees (1,030)
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2023
Borough of Culture (Restricted)
The Borough of Culture fund was created in 2022 to manage a grant awarded by London Borough of Lewisham for a
project with Sydenham School to replace artwork displayed on the exterior of the Youth Hall building.
Grant from LB Lewisham 900 900
Art materials for school use 688 (688)
Movement in fund for year to 31st 900 (688) 212
March 2023

10.6 Confidence in IT with Coffee (Restricted)

10.7 Education Fund (Restricted)

10.8 Building Project (Restricted)

10.9 Borough of Culture (Restricted)

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11. Designated Funds

11.1 Movement in Designated Funds during year

1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Gains and Transfers 31stMarch
Losses 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Building Project (Designated) 118,569
74,427
35,123		 44,390 202,263
Grove Centre Management 7,372
73,680
82,495		 724 (719)
Luncheon Social Club 1,044 (1,044)
Friendship Group (Monday) 384
1,039
724		 (300) 399
Organ Fund (Designated) 625 10 635
Sarham Carers Group 60 (60)
Youth Project 14,850
287		 15,137
Movement in funds for year to 142,904
149,443
(118,342)		 43,710 217,715
31stMarch 2023
Tangible Creditors Net Current Assets 31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12 Rent/Gift Aid Investments Bank / cash 2023
months Receivable (short term)
£ £ £ £ £ £
11.2 Assets in Designated Funds
Building Project (Designated) 10,295 191,968 202,263
Grove Centre Management (4,171)
959		 2,493 (719)
Fellowship Group (Monday) 399 399
Organ Fund (Designated) 635 635
Youth Project 15,137 15,137
C/forward 31stMarch 2023 (4,171) 11,254 191,968 18,664 217,715

11.3 Movement in Designated Funds (prior year)

Building Project (Designated)
Grove Centre Management
Luncheon Social Club
Friendship Group (Monday)
Organ Fund (Designated)
Sarham Carers Group
Youth Project
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2022		 1stApril 2021
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£
100,277
20,399
2,107
2,854
62,049
66,786
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£		 Transfers
£		 31stMarch
2022
£
118,569
9,255
7,372
1,040
4		 1,044
11
752
279
624
1
60
14,750
100		 (100) 384
625
60
14,850
119,616
83,305
(69,172)		 9,155
142,904

11.4 Building Project (Designated)

Building Project (Designated)
1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Transfers 31stMarch Prior Year
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
The Building Project fund was created in 2012 to manage funds raised and expended on planning and surveys for the
possible redevelopment of the Grove Centre House and passage between the House and the Main Hall.
Donations to Building fund 47,879 51,584 99,463 10,673
Social and fund raising events 2,924 2,924 2,028
Legacies received 10,000 10,000 5,000
Income tax recovery 11,545 11,545 2,676
Interest received 2,079 2,079 22
Total incoming resources 74,427 51,584 126,011 20,399

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Fund raising costs
Preparatory works
Architects & professional fees
Legal advice & fees
Total resources expended
Major Works (GC House Boiler)
Total resources expended
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2023		 1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
Prior Year
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
145
145
2,107
2,712
2,712
2,107
29,820
29,820
2,107
2,446
2,446
2,107
35,123
35,123
2,107
7,194
7,194
4,465
35,123
7,194
42,317
71,251
118,569
74,427
(35,123)
44,390
202,263
118,569

11.4a Transfers into and out of Building Fund (Designated) in year

General Fund
Friendship Group (Monday)
Endowment Fund (Trusts)
Total transfers in / out		 Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
51,384
51,384 Funds for building project
31/12/22
200
200 Funds for building project
30/05/22
7,194
(7,194)New boiler for GC House
31/03/23
51,584
(7,194)
44,390

; 11.5 Grove Centre Management

The Grove Centre Management Fund is used to maintain the premises at Jews Walk and to run the community activities of The Grove Centre. It is administered by The Grove Centre Management Committee.

11.5.1 Grove Centre Income
Donations and legacies
Sundry donations
Grove Centre Church
Grants received (LBL)
Charitable activities
Lunches service
Cherish nursery
Grove Centre user groups
Grove Centre lettings
Other trading activities
Traidcraft & Fair Trade
Office services
Lunches social
Total incoming resources
11.5.2 Grove Centre Expenditure
11.5.2a Staff Costs
Centre staff salaries
HMRC job support scheme
Employer pension contribution
Employer National Insurance		 1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
Prior Year
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
900
900
600
6,000
6,000
13,000
10,764
10,764
5,750
11,664
6,000
17,664
19,350
9,239
9,239
9,772
25,934
25,934
24,226
9,905
1,044
10,949
11,656
16,651
16,651
10,546
61,729
1,044
62,773
56,200
118
118
69
57
57
14
112
112
136
287
287
219
73,680
7,044
80,724
75,769
39,339
39,339
36,990
(2,922)
917
917
768
71
40,256
40,256
34,907

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11.5.2b Food Costs
Lunches service food
Traidcraft & fair trade food
11.5.2c Equipment Costs
Equipment purchases
Equipment maintenance
Equipment leasing
11.5.2d Premises Costs
Minor works / maintenance
Centre Electricity
Centre Gas
Waste Collection
Water and Sewerage
Cleaning materials/services
Insurance
11.5.2e Other Costs
Licences
Centre sundries & postage
Volunteer expenses
Stationery & print / copies
Telephone / Internet
Bank charges
Total resources exc Major Wks
Major Work (GC car park doors)
Total resources expended
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2023		 1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
Prior Year
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
7,205
7,205
6,690
133
133
113
7,338
7,338
6,803
299
299
1,125
1,212
1,212
2,098
1,399
1,399
1,519
2,910
2,910
4,742
8,828
8,828
1,342
4,846
4,846
3,580
6,549
6,549
4,167
1,147
1,147
978
1,908
1,908
1,662
1,766
1,766
1,634
2,048
2,048
2,501
27,092
27,092
15,864
231
231
579
1,073
1,073
618
53
53
171
583
583
583
2,828
2,828
2,461
131
131
58
4,899
4,899
4,470
82,495
82,495
66,786
6,320
6,320
4,465
82,495
6,320
88,815
71,251
7,372
73,680
(82,495)
724
(719)
7,372

11.5.3 Transfers into and out of Grove Centre Fund in year

Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
6,000
6,000 Church fund to Centre
£500 pm
1,044
1,044 LSC closing balance
14/04/22
(6,320)
(6,320)GC main carpark doors
31/03/23		 Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
6,000
6,000 Church fund to Centre
£500 pm
1,044
1,044 LSC closing balance
14/04/22
(6,320)
(6,320)GC main carpark doors
31/03/23
General Fund
Luncheon Social Club Fund
Endowment – GC asset
Total transfers in / out 7,044
(6,320)
724
1stApril 2022
Income
Expenses
Transfers
31stMarch
2023
Prior Year
2022
£
£
£
£
£
£
Luncheon Social Club
The Luncheon Social Club Fund was used to pay for social activities for members of the Grove Centre Luncheon Club.
The fund was closed and the balance returned to the Grove Centre Designated Fund in April 2022.
Closing balance to Centre
(1,044)
Movement in fund for year to 31st
March 2023
1,044
(1,044)
1,044
1,044
(1,044)		 1,044

11.6 Luncheon Social Club

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1[st ] April 2022 Income Expenses Transfers 31[st] March Prior Year 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ £ £

11.7 Friendship Group (Monday)

The Friendship Group meets each Monday afternoon, providing general charitable and social activities funded by weekly offerings. It is administered by Mrs A.Sydee.


offerings. It is administered by Mrs
A.Sydee.
Weekly offerings 1,039 1,039 752
Total incoming resources 1,039 1,039 752
Sundries & refreshments 324 324 149
Donation to Building Fund 200 200 100
Donation to GC Church 100 100 100
Other donations (ELF, St. 400 400 130
Mungos, Leprosy Mission,
Action for Children)
Total resources expended 724 300 1024 379
Movement to 31stMarch 2023 384 1,039 (724) (300) 399 384
Organ Fund (Designated)
The Organ Fund (Designated) is money originally set aside by the church for the replacement of the organ.
Investment income 10 10 1
Movement to 31stMarch 2023 625 10 635 625

11.8 Organ Fund (Designated)

11.9 Sarham Carers & Toddler Group

The Sarham Fund was used for the activities of the Grove Centre Sarham Carers and Toddler Group, administered by Mrs.J.Warren. The group ceased operating in 2021 and the balance was transferred to the General Fund in March 2023. Movement to 31[st] March 2023 60 60

11.10 Youth Project

The Youth Project Fund is used to support activities for children and young people, funded in part by contributions towards events. It is administered with other church funds, but was not used during the year.

Donations to Youth Fund
Interest on investments
Total incoming resources
Total resources expended
Movement to 31stMarch 2023		 60
60
60
227
227
40
287
287
100
14,850
287
15,137
14,850

12. Unrestricted Funds

12.1 Movement in Unrestricted Funds during year

1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Gains and Transfers 31stMarch
Losses 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
Church General Fund 146,346 60,050 56,629 (57,224) 92,543
Movement in funds for year to 146,346 60,050 (56,629) (57,224) 92,543
31stMarch 2023

12.2 Assets in Unrestricted Funds

Church General Fund
C/forward 31stMarch 2023		 Tangible
Creditors
Net Current Assets
31stMarch
Fixed Assets Due within 12
months
Gift Aid
Receivable
Investments
(short term)
Bank / cash
2023
2,443
11,535
78,565
92,543
2,443
11,535
78,565
92,543

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12.3 Movement in Unrestricted Funds (prior year)

Church General Fund
Movement in funds for year to
31stMarch 2022
12.4 Church General Fund		 1stApril 2021
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£
£
151,805
60,722
54,721
Income
Expenses
Gains and
Losses
£
£
£		 Transfers
£		 31stMarch
2022
£
(11,460) 146,346
151,805
60,722
(54,721)		 (11,460)
146,346
12.4 Church General Fund 12.4 Church General Fund
The Church General Fund is used to run the general charitable activities of The Grove Centre Church.
1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Transfers 31stMarch Prior Year
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
12.4.1 Church Income
Standing order giving 40,800 40,800 39,390
Envelope scheme 4,625 4,625 4,231
Church collections 970 970 1,079
Sundry Donations 750 160 910 532
Tax refunds under Gift Aid 11,859 11,859 11,445
Grants received 250 250 4,000
Investment income 796 796 145
Total incoming resources 60,050 160 60,210 60,822
12.4.2 Church Expenditure
12.4.2a Ministry Expenses
Stipend 28,938 28,938 28,104
Employers Nat. Insurance 233
Employers pension contrib. 4,952 4,952 7,554
Ministry expenses 167 167 127
Training and events 1,253 1,253 672
Travel costs 280 280 361
Visiting preachers 440 440 630
36,030 36,030 37,681
12.4.2b Manse Expenses
Manse works & maintenance 1,441 1,441 1,758
Manse council and water 2,910 2,910 2,799
Manse telephone / internet 819 819 808
Manse building insurance 810 810 696
5,980 5,980 6,061
12.4.2c Church Activities
Worship expenses 78 78 198
Junior church 96 96 52
Licences 557 557 521
Church sundries & posters 872 872 1,178
Platinum Jubilee celebration 353 353
Equipment and maintenance 275 275 1,168
Depreciation of assets 1,048 1,048 1,048
Legal advice & fees 3,168 3,168 1,377
6,447 6,447 5,542
12.4.2d Church Grants payable
URC Ministry & Mission 3,926 3,926 2,546
Baptist Ministry & Mission 3,926 3,926 2,546
Baptist Northern College 150 150 150
Other grants and donations 170 170 195
8,172 8,172 5,437

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1stApril 2022 Income Expenses Transfers 31stMarch Prior Year
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
GC Cooker 2021 (1,440)
Church contributions to Centre 6,000 6,000 13,000
Transfer to Building Fund 51,384 51,384
Total resources expended 56,629 57,384 114,013 66,281
Movement in fund for year to 31st 146,346 60,050 (56,629) (57,224) 92,543 146,346
March 2023

12.5 Transfers into and out of General Fund in year

Transfers into
Fund
Transfers out
of Fund
Net Transfers
Description
Date of
Transfer
£
£
£
£
6,000
(6,000) Church contribution to
Grove Centre costs
£500 pm
51,384
(51,384) Nationwide balance transfer
into building project funds
31/12/22
100
100 Donation to Church
23/11/22
60
60 Closingbalance of fund
31/03/23
Grove Centre Fund
Grove Centre Fund
FriendshipGroup (Monday)
Sarham Group
Total transfers in / out 160
(57,384)
(57,224)

13. Disclosure of trustee and staff remuneration, related party and other transactions

Unrestricted Designated Restricted Endowment 31stMarch 31stMarch
2023 2022
£ £ £ £ £ £
Stipend & Salaries 28,938
39,339		 68,277 66,611
HMRC job support scheme (2,992)
Employer’s national insurance 304
Employer’s pension contribution 4,952
917		 5,869 8,322
Manse costs 5,980 5,980 6,061
Total 39,870
40,256		 80,126 78,306
Average number of employees during year 5 (3.2 FTE) 5 (3.3 FTE)
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year (2022 none)
One Trustee, who is also an employee, lived in housing wholly owned by the church.
One Trustee was also a part time employee for delivery of the “Confidence in IT with Coffee” scheme.
Aggregate donations received from Trustees during year: 62,435 39,579

No sums were reimbursed to the Trustees for their work as Trustees (2022 none).

No sums were reimbursed to Saleemi Associates for their work as independent examiners (2022 none).

The Church pays pension contributions for its Minister to the Baptist Ministers Pension Trust Limited, which is a final salary defined benefit scheme, which is not contracted out of the State second pension. The scheme is a multi-employer scheme and it is not possible to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme which are attributable to the church. Therefore, in accordance with FRS102 Section 28, the scheme is accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.

14. Related Charities

It is a policy of the church to make an equal contribution to the official schemes of the URC and the Baptist denominations in recognition of the shared heritage of The Grove Centre Church.

14.1 United Reformed Church

A custodian Trustee of the church is the United Reformed Church (Southern Province) Trust Limited which is charity number 282270.

The church made donations from General Funds to the URC Ministry & Mission Fund as set out under Grants payable.

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14.2 Baptist Union Corporation

A custodian Trustee of the church is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited which is charity number 249635, and which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council. The church is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and of the London Baptist Association.

The church made donations from General Funds to Baptist Ministry & Missions as set out under Grants payable.

15. Pensions

15.1 Baptist Pension Scheme

The Church is a participating employer the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”), which is a separate legal entity administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited). The assets of the Scheme are held separately from those of the Employer and the other participating employers.

The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011. Prior to this date the main benefit provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was a pension of one eightieth of final minimum pensionable income for each year of pensionable service together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income.

From January 2012, pension provision is being made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts, which are operated and managed on behalf of the Pension Trustee by Broadstone Corporate Benefits Ltd. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members if they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva Limited.

The Scheme is considered to be a multi-employer scheme as described in Section 28 of FRS 102. Because it is not possible to attribute the Scheme’s assets and liabilities to specific employers, the scheme is accounted for as if the Scheme were a defined contribution scheme. The Minister is eligible to join the Scheme.

The total pension cost for the Church for DC Plan contributions is £3,558 (Prior year £3,443).

15.2 Actuarial valuation as at 31 December 2019

A formal valuation of the DB Plan as at 31 December 2019 was carried out by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. At the valuation date the market value of the DB Plan assets was £298 million, whilst the level of assets needed to pay benefits was £316m, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The Church and the other participating employers in the DB Plan are collectively responsible for funding this deficit.

The key assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows:


, giving a deficit of £18m (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). The
an are collectively responsible for funding this deficit.
umptions underlying the valuation were as follows:
Church an
Type of financial assumption % p.a.
RPI price inflation assumption 3.20
CPI price inflation assumption 2.70
Minimum Pensionable Income Increase Adjustment (above CPI) 0.50
Pre-retirement assumed investment returns (gilt yield plus 1.75% pa) 2.95
Post retirement assumed investment returns (including benefits matched by 1.70
the insurance policy) (gilt yield plus 0.5% pa)
Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 0.5%) 3.20
Deferred pension increases (based on RPI)
- Pre April 2009 3.20
- Post April 2009 2.50
Pension increases
- Based on CPI with an annual floor of 0% and annual cap of 5% 2.70

Mortality is assumed in accordance with 80% of the S3NA standard mortality table. Future improvements projected from 2013 in line with the “CMI 2019” projection with a long-term rate of improvement of 1.75% p.a. for males and 1.5% p.a. for females with the core smoothing parameter and with additional initial mortality improvement factor A=0.5%.

The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due to take place not later than as at 31 December 2022.

The total pension cost for the Church for DB Plan deficiency contributions is £1,393 (Prior year £4,111).

15.3 Recovery Plan

In addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, where a valuation of the DB Plan reveals a deficit the Trustee and the Council agree to a rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan. Following the 2019 valuation a Recovery Plan was signed in September 2020 under which deficiency contributions are payable until June 2026. These contributions were broadly based on each employer's membership at 31 December 2014 and increase annually in line with increases to Minimum Pensionable Income as defined in the Rules.

On 30th June 2022 the Baptist Pension Scheme signed an agreement with the insurance company Just Group (“Just”) to secure DB Plan members’ pension benefits. Just are now providing financial backing for all pensions provided through the Scheme’s DB Plan and following this transaction, the Scheme no longer has a shortfall. An updated Recovery plan was then signed in August 2022 under which recovery contributions from each participating employer in the DB Plan reduced to £1 per month from August 2022.

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15.4 Movement in DB Plan Balance Sheet liability

Section 28.11A of FRS 102 requires agreed deficit recovery payments to be recognised as a liability. The movement in the provision is set out in the table below.


set out in the table below.
2023 2022
£ £
Balance sheet liability at year start 18,100 22,940
Minus deficiency contributions paid (1,393) (4,111)
Interest cost (recognised in SoFA) 526 104
Remaining change to balance sheet liability* (recognised in SoFA) (17,232) (834)
Balance sheet liability at year end - 18,100
* Comprises any change in agreed deficit recovery plan and change in assumptions between year-ends.

This liability represents the present value of the deficit contributions agreed as at the accounting date and has been valued using the following assumptions set by reference to the duration of the deficit recovery payments:

31 Mar 2023 31 Mar 2022 31 Mar 2021
Discount rate 5.6% 3.0% 0.5%
Future increases to Minimum Pensionable Income 3.4% 5.0% 3.2%

The Church has been advised that there is no debt for the church to buy out their Pension Scheme liabilities at 31 March 2023. (Prior year £21,700). The Pension and BUGB Trustees sent a joint communication at the end of July 2022 regarding the Buy In with Just. As a result of that announcement no further employer debt estimate reports are being published for the time being. Effectively there is no shortfall debt at the present time. However, there will be an administrative cost of £1,000 to process any employers leaving the Scheme.

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Treasurer's Statement

I have prepared the financial statements on pages 26 to 43 for the year ended 31[st] March 2023.

Mr Paul Treece, Church Treasurer 1[st] May 2023

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Grove Centre Church

Year ended 31[st] March 2023

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Grove Centre Church (Charity No. 1129070) for the year ended 31[st] March 2023 set out on pages 26 to 43.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

  3. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.

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.

Mohammad Saleemi-FCA 792 Wickham Road Croydon Surrey CR0 8EA Tel: 0208 777 3055

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