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2024-12-31-accounts

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON TRUSTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1130217

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS PAGE
Annual Report 3-8
Statement of Financial Activities 9
Balance Sheet 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11-15

2

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Registered charity name: Churches Together in Essex and East London
Charity registration number: 1130217
Contact address: 41 Kynaston Road
Panfield, Braintree,
Essex
CM7 5AQ
Trustees: Rt Rev R Morris (Chair – stepped down June 2024)
Rev Claire L Blatchford (Chair – appointed June 2024)
Rev Dr D Chapman (Deputy Chair)
Rt Rev A Williams
David Bareham
Mark Barford
Rev Dr Jongikaya Zihle
Rev’d George Watt
Rt Revd Dr Guli E Francis-Dehqani
Revd Lythan E Nevard
Rev Lynne Cullens
Major Howard W Russell
Rev Lucy Wright
Rt Rev. Adam Atkinson
Bankers: Barclays Bank plc
1 Churchill Place
London
E14 5HP

3

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The Trustees present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities 2015 (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity apart from reimbursed expenses set out in note 4.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

To advance the work of the Christian churches in Essex and East London by the advancement of the Christian religion, relief of financial hardship and sickness, and the advancement of education and such other charitable purposes as are charitable according to the laws of England and Wales.

The charity will seek to further these objectives by:

  1. Facilitating common witness to the Christian religion by the churches

  2. Providing means of consultation between the churches

  3. Working in co-operation with other ecumenical bodies

ACHIEVING DELIVERY OF THE TRUST’S AIMS AND PUBLIC BENEFIT

The church leaders meet regularly, sponsor ecumenical activities and encourage Christian mission in partnership with churches across Essex and East London.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Bradwell Pilgrimage and Gathering – The Bradwell Pilgrimage ran again as an in-person event, with keynote speaker, Rt. Rev. Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell. Around 200 Christians attended despite the bad weather.

Churches Together Groups – Support was given to other churches and the relationship between groups nurtured during the year. Prayer requests, information sharing and stories were circulated about local initiatives and opportunities.

CTEEL Meetings, Annual Gathering and AGM - The Church Leaders met monthly except for August and December for prayer. In January, April and June they also enjoyed breakfast and spent the morning together discussing wider issues and opportunities. The 2023 AGM was held in June. The Annual Gathering was held in person bringing together around 40 Christians involved or interested in local Ecumenism to hear from charities, other groups and organisations.

Recruitment of new Ecumenical Lead for East London – Trustees reviewed the recruitment and selection process and document to employ a new Ecumenical Lead for Essex in April 2024 and for East London in September 2024.

CEO Training & Development - The Ecumenical Officers were given the opportunity to attend training with other Ecumenical Officers from around the country to develop a resource for local ecumenical working.

4

The Ecumenical Leads attended quarterly meetings with colleagues who work in similar roles in the country to share initiatives and learn from each other’s experience and knowledge.

Stansted Airport Chaplaincy – Stansted Airport Chaplaincy continues to be a part of CTEEL and is thriving. Work is being done on the legal requirements so that a separate charity can be set up.

Local Ecumenical Partnerships - The Ecumenical Leads have continued to work with Denominational Ecumenical Officers to support LEPs during the year with more targeted supported given to two LEP’s, work continued to gather the governance documents to update the records held both locally and centrally by Churches Together in England.

FUTURE PLANS AND HOPES

Churches Together in Essex and East London is committed to communicating and demonstrating Christian unity within Essex and East London. The hope is to continue to develop relationships between denominational leaders, churches together groups and new Christian networks in the region to both affirm and grow our unity at every level.

It also continues to hope to continue to diversify and broaden its relationships, so it becomes more inclusive of churches other than the historical denominations, valuing the opportunities for partnership working. To encourage and grow a deeper fellowship with those who have not traditionally been part of Churches Together.

Another hope is to continue to connect and partner with other charities and organisations who share our commitment to ecumenical working to develop opportunities for ecumenical dialogue in association with a diversity of churches and other bodies in the region.

It will support opportunities to sponsor specifically religious events, such as the Bradwell Pilgrimage and Gathering and ecumenical prayer meetings such as Thy Kingdom Come and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

It will also seek opportunities to demonstrate our common witness and voice regarding policies that impact on those facing financial hardship, sickness and matters regarding education or other charitable concerns.

We will engage in national and regional matters conveyed through the work of Churches Together and cooperate in matters that grow and foster unity

5

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

There are now four main sources of income, donations by churches in the form of subscriptions and public donations collected at the Bradwell event, as well as grant funding from the Foreign Office and donations from organisations.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The financial statements, including the notes, have been prepared in compliance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’2015 (FRS102). The analysis of income and expenditure reflects the classification of activities, together with costs relating to administration. The charity does not sell goods or services, nor are there any other trading activities

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

The Statement of Financial Activities is shown on page 9, with more detailed analysis of income and expenditure on pages 11 to 15.

The total operating income for the year was £33,798 (2023: £3,127), this income is made up of associate fees, interest and public donations, it has been agreed that members will now continue subscription fees after a two-year break.

The total operating resources expended for the year was £30,444 (2023: £24,207). These costs cover staff as well as the expenses incurred to cover the cost of the Bradwell event.

CTEEL have been put in charge of the Essex and East London Workplace Chaplains, formerly known as Essex Churches Council for Industry and Commerce (ECCIC) funds, for the 3rd year running. The funds collected from this group are made up of two parts totalling £23,941; £15,465 is funding from the Foreign Office, which is restricted funds in that they can only be spent on deportees and such like costs to support the foreign office requests, the grant funding can be applied for annually. £8,477 is a donation from various denomination churches towards the Chaplaincy work.

Restricted Chaplaincy funds not for CTEEL’s use

The total operating income relating to the foreign office for the year was £0 (2023: £7,000). Total operating resources expended for the year was £563 (2023: £2,335).

The total operating income relating to the chaplaincy work for the year was £0 (2023: £0). Total operating resources expended for the year was £2,768 (2023: £2,296).

In summary the total operating income for the chaplaincy this year was £0 (2023: £7,000), and the total operating resources expended for the year was £3,331 (2023 £4,631).

Balance Sheet

The above result led to a decrease in chaplaincy reserves of £13,232 (2023: £16,563) which has resulted in a combined fund balance of £50,430 (2023 £48,095) at the year end. An analysis of the movements of funds can be found in note 5

6

Reserves Policy

The Trust holds funds on different terms. Funds which are restricted may only be used as directed by the funder at the time they were granted to the Trust. At the year end, the charity held restricted funds from the dissolved ECCIC chaplaincy group to the value of £10,542 (2023: £11,105) from the Foreign Office, and £2,690 (2023: £5,458) from the Chaplaincy’s general funds, which does not form part of CTEEL reserves.

The Trustees aim to hold a level of unrestricted funds which enables the charity to have sufficient financial resources to meet various liabilities which would crystallise if the charity were unable to continue operating, together with an allowance to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be identified outside of its annual budgeting process.

At the year end, general unrestricted funds amounted to £37,198, which is sufficient to cover the committed costs should the charity be wound up.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review the major governance, operational and financial risks which the charity faces as part of its annual business planning process and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate these risks.

Denominations have continued to support the work of the charity, there has also been increased involvement with ecumenical enablers in the region, therefore the Trustees consider there to be no key risks facing the charity at this time.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity was registered on the 18[th ] of June 2009 after adopting the constitution on the 28[th ] of March 2007, amended by a special resolution on the 30[th] of April 2009.

Membership is open on payment of the agreed subscription, to any church interested in furthering the objects of the Association, having at least one congregation in the Area, and is either:

Each member church shall appoint an individual to represent it and to vote on its behalf at meeting of the Association. Each member church (or association) shall have one vote.

Governance

The charity currently has twelve Trustees. The Board meets at least three ordinary meetings a year and conducts an Annual General Meeting usually in July. Detailed written reports and agendas are prepared by the Chair with the assistance of the County Ecumenical Officer who acts as Executive Secretary. The papers are circulated in advance of these meetings.

Appointment and Induction of Trustees

The Board of Trustees consists of:

7

There were two changes during the year:

The Contribution of Volunteers

The charity makes use of volunteers to support its activities.

Key Management Personnel

There are no key management groups within the charity and no one Trustee has any more rights than another.

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Trust law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period that give a true and fair view of the financial situation of the charity and of incoming and application of resources, including the net income and expenditure, of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for

safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

Signed on behalf of the Trustees by:

Trustee: Print Name: …………………………………................

Date: …………………………………

8

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Note Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Donations/Subscriptions 1 31,175 31,175 750
Charitable activities 2 562 562 358
Other Income 3 2,061 2,061 2,020
Grant funding 4 0 0 0 7,000
Donations from Organisations 5 0 0 0 0
Total incoming resources 33,798 0 33,798 10,128
Resources Expended 6
Fund raising 16,269 16,269 7,229
Charitable activities 10,845 3,331 14,176 21,809
Total resources expended 27,114 3,331 30,445 29,038
Net income/(expenditure) 6,885 (3,331) 3,554 (18,910)
before investment gains
(losses)
Net gains (losses) on - -
investments
Net income (expenditure) 6,885 - (3,331) 3,554 (18,910)

The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of the financial statements. All the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

9

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Note
Current Assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
10
Liabilities
Creditors (amounts falling due within
one year)
Accruals
11
12
Net Current Assets
Total Net Assets
Represented by:
Unrestricted - General Fund
8
Designated
Restricted
Total Funds		 2024
2023
£
£
0
0
50,430
48,095
50,430
48,095
0
(131)
0
(1,350)
50,299
46,745
50,299
46,745
37,198
31,532
-
-
13,232
16,563
50,430
48,095

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for:

1. Ensuring that the charity keeps adequate accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

2. Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial period and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 393 of the Companies Act 2006, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charity.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on and signed on their behalf by:

Trustee

……………………………………………………………………….

Date

………………………..……………………………………………...

10

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION

1.1 Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.

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 (FRS 102) issued on the 16[th] July 2014 and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Going Concern

The accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis; the trustees have considered that there are no uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The 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.

2.1 Income

Income recognition

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.

Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by FRS102

Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Gift Aid receivable is included income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered 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.

Support costs allocation

The charity has incurred expenditure on support costs.

11

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

Income from interest, royalties and dividends

This is included in the accounts when receipt is probable, and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.

2.2 Expenditure and Liabilities

Liabilities recognition

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.

Governance and support costs

Costs have been allocated between governance costs and support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resource.

Redundancy costs

The charity has made no redundancy payments during the reporting period.

Deferred income

No deferred income has been included in the accounts.

2.3 Assets

Debtors

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amounts advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

2.4 Liabilities

Contribution to pension funds

The charity contributes to a defined contribution pension fund, namely the HMRC recommended NEST pension scheme. Contribution costs incurred during the year amount to £840.

Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the test set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and is therefore not subject to National Insurance contribution.

12

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

ANALYSIS OF INCOMING RESOURCES

Note Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total
2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
1. Donations/Subscriptions
Membership subscriptions 30,624 - - 30,425 0
Other Donations 750 750
 750
Legacies 0 0 0
Total donations and legacies 31,175 - - 31,175 750
2. Charitable activities
Donations taken at Bradwell 562 - - 562
 358
Advertising campaign 0 - - 0 0
3.Other Income
Bank Interest 2,061 2,061 2,020
4. Grant Funding (Restricted) - 0 0 7,000
5. Donations Organisations - 0 0 0
Total other income 2,623 - 0 2,623 10,128
Total incoming resources 33,798 - 0 33,798 10,128

13

ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE

Governance
Meetings
Accountancy
Workplace Chaplaincy
Total governance costs
Support costs
Website
Subs and training
Committee Costs
Sundry
Ecumenical officer stipend
Staff Costs
Working expenses
Insurance
Bradwell Event
Total support costs
Based on above figures resources
6. Resources Expended
Governance
Support Costs
Total allocated costs		 Unrestricted
Designated
Restricted
Total
2024
Total
2023
£
£
£
£
£
1,583
1,650
-
-
-
-
3,331
1,583
1,650
3,331
1,608
790
4,831
3,233
-
3,331
6,564
7,229
422
1,875
0
61
0
19,070
620
444
1,389
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
422
1,875
0
61
0
19,070
620
444
1,389
708
850
0
52
0
17,623
97
420
2,059
23,881
-
-
23,881
21,809
expended are split at a 60:40 ratio
Fundraising
Charitable
Activities
Total
Allocation
basis
1,940
14,329
1,293
9,552
3,233
23,881
60:40
60:40
16,269
10,845
27,114

TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES

No expenses were paid to trustees during the year.

7. EMPLOYMENT EMOLUMENTS

The Ecumenical Officer position is a paid part time position that is covered by two employees.

14

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN ESSEX AND EAST LONDON

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

8. SUMMARY OF FUND MOVEMENTS

Unrestricted
General Fund
Restricted
General Fund
ASSETS
9. Debtors
10. Cash at bank and in Hand
Barclays Bank
CCLA Fund Managers Ltd
LIABILITIES
11.
Creditors
(Amounts
falling due within one year)
12. Accrued expenses		 Balance
brought
forward
Incoming
resources
£
£
31,532
33,798
16,563
0		 Outgoing
Resources
Transfers
Balance
carried
forward
£
£
£
(27,113)
(1,019)
37,198
(3,331)
0
13,232		 Outgoing
Resources
Transfers
Balance
carried
forward
£
£
£
(27,113)
(1,019)
37,198
(3,331)
0
13,232		 Outgoing
Resources
Transfers
Balance
carried
forward
£
£
£
(27,113)
(1,019)
37,198
(3,331)
0
13,232
48,095
33,798		 (30,444) (1,019)
50,430
2024
£
0
0
2024
£
9,215
41,215		 2023
£
0
0
2023
£
4,941
43,154
48,095
2023
£
0
1,350
1,350
50,430
2024
£
0
331
331

13. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

No material financial commitments have been made in respect of future financial periods.

15

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Raport to the trustee•l memborn of Churches together in Essex and East London On accounts for tho yèar •nded Decemb8r 2024 Charity no (if anyl 1130217 Sot out on pag I report to the trustees on my examinatK)n of the accounts of the above charty (llhe Trusf) for the year ended 3111212018 Re8pon8ibiliti08 and ba•18 of rgport As the cttarity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charit￿$ Act 2011 (llhe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'$ accounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have foll¢)wed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(51(b) of the Act. Independent tThe charity's gross inwme exceeded £25,000 and l am qualified to •xamlner'$ statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Association of Chartered Certffied Accountants (ACCA). I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me couse to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in ac￿rdanCe with section 130 of the Chariti'es Act; or the accounts dtd not accord with the accounting recor(Is', or the accounts did not Comply with the applicable requirements conceming the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulalions 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 examinatK>n to whth attention should be dfawn in this report in order to enable A proper understsnding of the account8 to be reached. a?IF13oJg- Nama: Rita Nzekwe Relevant profeuional qualifl¢ation(s) or body (rf any): Associab'on of Chartered Certif￿1 Accountants (ACCA) Addrgu: 12 Salcott Creek CourL Braintree. Essex. CM7 3XE IER Oct 2018