REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06959400 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1132161
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial
Statements for the Year
Ended 31 July 2023 for The Ark Community Church
Lanham and Company Limited Chartered Accountants 9 Great Chesterford Court London Road Great Chesterford Essex CB10 1PF
The Ark Community Church
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2023
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report ofthe Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| StatementofFinancial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| NotestotheFinancialStatements | T0138 |
The Ark Community Church (Registered number: 06959400)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2023
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are to advance the Christian faith. The policies adopted were outlined in the Ark's vision statement and the activities are reviewed below.
Significant activities
The Ark continues to support Christian evangelistic and humanitarian charitable initiatives amongst the homeless and disadvantaged in the UK and abroad. Regular food parcels and a number of grants were made to relieve hardship to several families, in the community. We participated in weekly voluntary work serving the homeless, supported the welfare of people in the surrounding vicinity and ran online and in-house church services for youth and adults to advance Christian faith. :
Public benefit
The Trustees believe the activities continue to comply with the Charities Act 2006 with regard to public benefit. The information about the public benefit provided is set out in this report
Volunteers
The charity receives the benefit of work carried out by volunteers. No value is attributed to this work in the accounts. The organisation has no trading subsidiaries.
Tithes and Offerings
The organisation is run through regular voluntary gifts and offerings from individuals, known and unknown and tax return benefits. No income was received from outside the UK.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The Ark conducted weekly church services, on-line and in-house small group meetings, youth work and regular outreach to the homeless and disadvantaged.
The Ark participated in voluntary work supporting the OneYMCA and New Hope Watford charities, providing pastoral support, mentoring, spiritual and educational training.
The Ark also served the work of other churches in the UK, supplying resources and running activities to support their programmes of worship.
The Ark continues to run a Foodbank for a number of families in crisis, referred to the charity by local schools. The Foodbank is maintained by voluntary contributions of labour, food items and monies from voluntary gifts and offerings.The charity has also taken part in Food Drives at local stores to buil up supplies and have been gifted two small grants, from CDA Herts and The Asda Green Token Foundation in support of the Foodbanks' objectives.
In all the activities no public funds were raised by the charity, nor did any of the activities take part outside the UK.
Four new Trustees were installed to replace Trustees who had completed three terms of voluntary service.
Notably, and sadly, the charity had to conduct 'cerebration of life' services and grieve the passing of three dear friends.
Serious Incidents There were none.
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The Ark Community Church (Registered number: 06959400)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income and Expenditure
Overall income was £87,699 for the period, an increase of £4,214 on the previous year.
Expenditure was £82,978, resulting in a surplus of £4,721 for the year.
Reserves policy
The policy is to keep a minimum of two months of primary expenditure on hand.
The Trustees recognise that the reserves in hand, whilst still significant, will provide cover for losses for a limited time only. A sum of £10,000 has been set aside for possible redundancy payments in the event that the church does not grow sufficiently in the next two years to cover the salaries beyond that time.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, the memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The power of appointing new Trustees is vested in the Trustees, who must take into account the skills mix and balance of the Board as a whole.
Induction and training of new trustees
As part of the induction process for new Trustees it has been agreed that they should familiarise themselves with the responsibility of charity trustees, read the Charity Commission booklet on the subject and carefully read the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the latest financial statements. All Trustees are DBS checked and receive training and updates every three years about Safeguarding protocols from the Designated Person.
Risk management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to mitigate those risks.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 06959400 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number 1132161
Registered office
5 Butterwick Garston Watford Hertfordshire
WD25 9SD
Trustees
Ms N B Dyett
Miss S Clark
Mrs J Evans (appointed 3.2.23) MrN Sparks (appointed 3.2.23) Mr J Gardner (appointed 3.2.23) Mrs J Nielsen (appointed 3.2.23)
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The Ark Community Church (Registered number: 06959400)
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner Lanham and Company Limited
Chartered Accountants
9 Great Chesterford Court London Road Great Chesterford, Essex CB10 1PF
Bankers
Santander Bank, Bootle, Merseyside Metro Bank, London, WC1B 5HA
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Ark Community Church for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 28 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
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Ms N B Dyett - Trustee
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Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Ark Community Church
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Ark Community Church (‘the Company’) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 July 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: : 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2: the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3% the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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- the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Andrew Ireland FCCA
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Lanham and Company Limited Chartered Accountants 9 Great Chesterford Court London Road Great Chesterford Essex CB10 1PF
Dated: 12 April 2024
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
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|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|funds|funds|2023|2022|
|Incoming|resources|from|generated|funds|Notes|£|£|£|£|
|Voluntary income|2|77,964|9,237|87,201|83,466|
|Investment|income|3|»|498|-|498|19|
|Total|incoming|resources|78,462|9,237|87,699|83,485|
|I|ES|EE|TOE|SS|SIE|
|Resources|expended|4|
|Charitable|activities|
|Advancement|of the|Christian|Faith|73,720|9,258|82,978|79,979|
|Total|Ee|A|oa|ead|ETT|
|resources|expended|73,720|9,258|82,978|79,979|
|SS|a|tae|al|Sa|CE|
|Net|income/(deficit)|for the|year/|
|Net movement|in funds|4,742|(21)|4,721|3,506|
|Fund|balances|at|1|August 2022|40,679|96|40,775|37,269|
|nn)|DT|PEATE|TS|DD|
|Fund|balances|at 31|July 2023|45,421|75|45,496|40,775|
|oad|a|Se|RE AES|SN|SATE|a|ae|
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
Sums received previously under the category Charitable Activities are donations which have been passed through Stewardship and are therefore now included in Voluntary Income above.
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 JULY 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 10 | 970 | 897 | |||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 11 | 6,177 | 12,328 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 42,661 | 31,086 | ||||
| 48,838 | 43,414 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling duewithin | ||||||
| oneyear | 12 | (4,312) | (3,536) | |||
| Netcurrentassets | 44,526 | 39,878 | ||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 45,496 | 40,775 | ||||
| Income funds | ||||||
| Restricted funds | 13 | 75 | 96 | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 13 | 45,421 | 40,679 | |||
| 45,496 | 40,775 |
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 July 2023. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.
The trustees’ responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 28" March 2024
ee
Ms N’B Dyett — Trustee
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial ststements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
There are no material uncertainties that would cast doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject tto conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as but not accrued as expenditure.
a commitment
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provded at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Plant and machinery - 10% on cost Fixtures and fittings - 20% on cost Conputer equipment - 33% on cost
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £250 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidential expenses of acquisition.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Foreign currencies
Assets and liabitities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in ariving at the operating result.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are recognised when the company becomesa party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Trade debtors and creditors are classed as basic financial instruments and are initially measured at transaction price.
Cash and cash equivalents are classified as basic financial instruments and comprise can in hand and at bank and short-term deposits with an original maturity date of three months or less.
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
2 Voluntary income
| Voluntary income | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||||
| funds | funds | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | fs | ||||
| Tithes, offerings and gifts | 77,964 | 9,237 | 87,201 | 83,466 | |||
| Tithes, offerings and gifts: | |||||||
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||||
| Tithes, offerings and gifts | 68,298 | 66,136 | |||||
| Income tax reclaimable | 9,666 | 10,932 | |||||
| 77,964 | 77,068 | ||||||
| Restricted funds: | |||||||
| Tithes, offerings and gifts | 8,752 | 5,518 | |||||
| Income tax reclaimable | 485 | 880 | |||||
| 9,237 | 6,398 | ||||||
| Investment income | |||||||
| Interest receivable | 498 | 19 | |||||
| Total resources expended | |||||||
| Staff | Depreciation | Other | Grant | Total | Total | ||
| costs | costs | funding | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| See also note: | 9 | 10 | 5 | 6 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Charitable activities | |||||||
| Advancement of the Christian | Faith | ||||||
| Activities undertaken | |||||||
| directly | 52,883 | 287 | 15,394 | 68,564 | 62,469 | ||
| Grant funding of | |||||||
| activities | 14,414 | 14,414 | 17,510 | ||||
| 52,883 | 287 | 15,394 | 14,414 | 82,978 | 79,979 |
- 3 Investment income
4 Total resources expended
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
5 _ Activities undertaken directly
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|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|
|Other|costs|relating|to|advancement|of the|Christian|faith|comprise:|
|Rent|5,885|3,595|
|Social|events|and|catering|147|532|
|Telephone|and|Internet|498|587|
|Printing,|postage|and|stationery|156|99|
|Insurance|and|licences|861|1,506|
|Travel|and|subsistence|:|3,405|3,025|
|Literature|and|training|168|207|
|IT|costs|639|190|
|Hospitality|and|outreach|—|[608]|340|
|Conferences|and|meetings|.|431|515|
|Safeguarding|anf other|fees|690|122|
|Bank|charges|149|98|
|Independent|examiners|fee|750|600|
|Accountancy|and|legal|fees|534|1,283|
|Sundry|expenses|473|256|
|15,394|12,955|
|6|Grants|payable|
|Grants|to|Grants|to|Total|Total|
|institutions|_ individuals|2023|2022|
|£|£|£|£|
|Advancement|of the|Christian|Faith|3,278|11,136|14,414|17,510|
|3,278|11,136|14,414|17,510|
|Restricted|Grants|9,258|6,383|
|Unrestricted|Grants|5,156|11,127|
|14,414|17,510|
|Grants|to|institutions|relating|to|advancement|of the|Christian|faith|comprise:|
|Eagles|Wings|700|1,200|
|New|Hope|Trust|1,200|1,200|
|Passion|for|the|Nation|-|100|
|Christ|First,|Watford|-|1,200|
|Hope|for Justice|1,378|1,200|
|3,278|4,900|
|7|Support costs|
|2023|2022|
|£|£|
|These|costs|now|included|within|the|Activity|costs — see|note|5|-|2,005|
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
8 Trustees
Trustees' remuneration paid in the year was £51,242 (2022: £47,698) One trustee was re-imbursed for expenses paid in the year (2022: 1). Expenses paid in the year, primarily travel and accommodation, totalled £3,405 (2022: £3,025)
9 Employees
| Number ofemployees | Number ofemployees | 2023 | 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The average monthlynumber | numberofemployees during the yearwas: | Number | Number | |||
| Pastoral | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Treasurer | ae |
|||||
| Administration | oot | - | ||||
| 3 | 2 | |||||
| Employment costs | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Trustee | Trustee | Total | Other | |||
| N Dyett | J Evans | Trustees | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Salaries | 43649 | 1,716 | 45,365 | 1,641 | 47,006 | 43,581 |
| Defined pension | - | 1,310 | 1,262 | |||
| contributions | 1310 | - | 1,310 | |||
| Social security costs | 4567 | - | 4,567 | - | 4,567 | 4,434 |
| 49,526 | 1,716 | 51,242 | 1,641 | 52,883 | 49,277 |
The trustees have delegated key management control during the period and at the date of this report to Ms N B Dyett.
There were no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more Both trustees are employed by the charity to provide services to the charity as permitted by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
10 Tangible fixed assets
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Net Book
General and computer equipment Cost Depreciation Value
£ £ £
At 1 August 2022 6,033 5,136 897
Additions 360
Charge for the year 287
At 31 July 2023 6,393 5,423 970
1 1 AE ST SEES SEES
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
- Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Income tax recoverable | 5,435 | 11,826 |
| Debtors | 36 | - |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 706 | 502 |
| 6,177 | 12,328 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| es | £ | |
| Taxes and social security | 1,271 | 1,193 |
| Trade creditors | 1,278 | 663 |
| Accruals | 1,763 | 1,680 |
| 4,312 | 3,536 |
12 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13. Movement in funds
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Movement in funds
Balance at Incoming Resources _ Transfers Balance at
1 August resources expended 31 July
2022 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 33,564 78,462 (73,720) (2,885) 35,421
On the road 115 (115) -
Redundancy fund 7,000 3,000 10,000
40,679 78,462 (73,720) - 45,421
Restricted funds
Specific gifts fund 96 238 (259) 75
Hardship and Foodbank 0 8,999 (8,999) -
96 9,237 (9,258) - 75
Total funds 40,775 87,699 (82,978) - 45,496
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The redundancy fund was established to designate funds towards possible future redundancy costs. The on the road fund was set up to support the costs of teams visiting other churches. The specific gifts fund represents monies given for specific purposes which have not yet been distributed to the relevant institutions or individuals.
The hardship and foodbank fund represents monies given to support local people in need and all donations are now considered restricted funds.
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THE ARK COMMUNITY CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023
13 Movement in funds (Continued)
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Movement in funds | ||||||
| Balance at | Incoming | Resources ___Transfers | Balance at | |||
| 1 | August | resources | expended | 31 July | ||
| 2021 | 2022 | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| General fund | 29,759 | 76,206 | (66,789) | (5,612) | 33,564 | |
| On the road | 115 | 115 | ||||
| Redundancy fund | 7,000 | 7,000 | ||||
| Hardship fund | 314 | 881 | (6,807) | 5,612 | - | |
| TE | TS | tie | ree ane 24 oil |
Dt aa esoe aeD | EE | ms ee |
| 37,188 | 77,087 | (73,596) | - | 40,679 | ||
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Specific gifts fund | 81 | 608 | (593) | - | 96 | |
| Foodbank | 0 | 5,790 | (5,790) | - | ||
| 81 | 6,398 | (6,383) | - | 96 | ||
| 37,269 | 83,485 | (79,979) | - | 40,775 |
14 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Fund balances at 31 July 2023 are represented by: | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 970 | - | 970 |
| Current assets | 48,763 | 75 | 48,838 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (4,312) | - | (4,312) |
| 45,421 | 75 | 45,496 |
15 Related party transactions
Trustees made donations in the year totalling £10,410 (2022: £9,541)
16 Ultimate controlling party
Throughout the period the charity was controlled jointly by its trustees. There is no overall controlling party.
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