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2021-03-31-accounts

Il I￿0.[ kep.ffjqnd Fnqnciq( grre*henT5 Year ended 31st March 2021 connect church ¥4 Connect Church UK Bradford Court Business Centre 123-131 Brodford Rd. Birmingham B12 ONS 0121766 7600 info@connectchurchuk.com www.connectchurchuk.com Registered Charity no. 1133824 Company No. 07003576

CONNECT CHURCH UK

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31 March 2021

Contents Page
Trustees’ Annual Report 3
Independent Examiner’s Report 15
Statement of Financial Activities 16
Balance Sheet 17
Notes to the Financial Statements 18

2

CONNECT CHURCH UK

Trustees’ Annual Report (Including Directors’ Report) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Connect Church UK (CCUK) was founded by a small group of ‘Brummies’ during the 2nd World War in Sparkhill, Birmingham and is a part of the Assemblies of God denomination. CCUK is a welcoming, multiethnic church that spans the generations and is passionate in its worship and care for people. Our mission is to connect people into a world-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. While the immediate focus is to minister to the community of Small Heath and the Eastside of Birmingham, the church also has a wider reach across the city and internationally.

Objectives, Achievements and Performance

Connect Church UK’s purposes as set out in the objects contained in the company’s memorandum of association are:

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WHAT WE DO - OVERVIEW

All the activities and organisational structure of CCUK fit into the pattern:

This pattern will be accomplished through providing the following public benefits:

Worship

Love

Serve

The five goals that Connect Church UK set out to achieve in 2020/2021 were:

  1. for everyone to bring a friend;

  2. progress on the Passport to Purpose;

  3. embed in Churchsuite software;

  4. celebrate the 80-year anniversary;

  5. complete the Home and Hub building.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the movement of most worship services and programs online, the first goal was adapted to:

  1. create Covid-19 innovations.

4

2020/2021: A YEAR IN REVIEW

Considering the widescale disruption experience as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trustees of CCUK are satisfied with its achievements, as the church has adapted its services and programmes in a bid to provide a continuity of support to both the congregation and the wider community. The following section provides some highlights for the goals set for the year. Quotes included here are some of the responses from a survey conducted in Summer 2020.

1. Create Covid-19 Innovations

Worship – services were online only via Facebook and Youtube, from April to September 2020 in order to comply with government guidelines and to keep the congregation and staff safe. The Worship and Media Coordinator, quickly learned to record, collate, edit and upload, worship services ready for each Sunday. In September 2020, in accordance with the UK government restrictions for acts of public worship, we resumed physical services in a new location, Holy Trinity School, Small Heath, with capped numbers, ticketed seating, and social distance measures in place. For the remainder of the financial year, online activity continued amidst the gradual resumption of our physical services.

‘Even though we can’t meet up in a building, I still feel connected with my church and don’t feel I am missing out’.

Love – pastoral support that is provided in-person by the staff and volunteer team was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the global pandemic. The priority then was to connect with the congregation and community online, by telephone and through other forms of messaging to provide key support to those struggling with grief, loss, mental health and a variety of pastoral challenges. A weekly newsletter including the text of the Sunday message was mailed out to the elderly and those in the congregation without access to the online services.

5

All the Connect Groups and discipleship courses, as well as prayer meetings moved online to Zoom. There has been an increase in participation in the small groups and courses due to the increase in accessibility, with some participants joining in who live outside Birmingham. As restrictions eased in the summer months, CCUK hosted Postcode Picnics in four locations across the city to encourage people to reconnect physically and safely socialise outdoors.

‘I liked being able to connect with others from our church on Zoom. As well as how everyone was able to participate in discussion and give their opinion on different topics and personal experiences’.

Serve – the Venue and Volunteer coordinator, was redeployed in April to coordinate the emergency and practical response of CCUK. A partnership was formed with Oasis Hub Hobmoor through the YourNeighbour.org network resulting in Project Engage. The project provided nutritious meals to vulnerable people in the south-east of Birmingham. From April to August, 5,277 food parcels were delivered and 972 people supported including 341 children in 363 households. Many from CCUK volunteered or contributed, collaborating with community volunteers and adding to the donated resource from local businesses, individuals and local government. Staff member Matthew Hopley, in his other role as police chaplain for Warwickshire also ministered at the temporary mortuary established at Birmingham Airport.

Connect Kids (5-11 years) and IAM Youth (12-17 years) adapted their programs to continue running online. An in-person Christmas service was held for the children prior to the resumption of full restrictions in December. Through our partnership with Samaritan’s Purse we were able to support some students of Holy Trinity School with laptops so they could access online lessons during lockdown.

Covid-19 did not deter the international impact of CCUK, Pastor Kirk continued to lead as the Director of Missions for the Assemblies of God Great Britain and CCUK partnerships with Open Doors, Compassion and the Brave Church in Sri Lanka were a mutual source of challenge and encouragement.

6

Management – Government guidelines were consistently monitored throughout the year, and adjustments made for staff to work from home, and full risk assessments prepared as activities and services resumed in person.

2. Progress on the Passport to Purpose

CCUK has been developing the Passport to Purpose since 2019 as a framework for an individual to track their faith journey and personal development as they participate in the small groups, courses and activities offered or endorsed by the church. While the courses were able to run online, and were beneficial to the participants, the framework could still benefit from being adapted from a printed to digital tracker.

3. Embed in Churchsuite software

CCUK has used Churchsuite since 2017 for CRM, and the software has increased its scope of applications during that time. The goal was to integrate the use of Churchsuite by all staff and key volunteers even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Remote working was feasible by the team because an effective cloud-based system was already in place, that had the capacity to ticket services when in-person activities resumed as well as gave an individual access to manage their own information. The adoption of the ExpensePlus accounting software which integrated with Churchsuite streamlined finance systems online.

4. Celebrate the 80-year anniversary

Connect Church turned 80 in July, and despite the restrictions in place, was determined to mark the anniversary with a celebration. Gift bags including individual cupcakes were delivered to everyone on the Churchsuite database, with the instruction to join the online service and zoom call the following day where we would all sing Happy Birthday, eat the cake together and make speeches. Despite being online it was a special and emotional service, with some people tuning in from abroad as well as around the UK.

5. Complete the Home and Hub building

Work on the already delayed Home & Hub building project, ground to a halt with the pandemic. As the year progressed and work on site did not resume, the Trustees agreed that the building contractors had not been able to proceed regularly and diligently with the performance of their obligations as agreed under the contract and made the decision to terminate the employment of the building contractors and identify an alternate contractor to finish the building project. The termination was completed on 31 March 2021. We are grateful for the pro-bono legal work provided by Gowling WLG.

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PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

As Connect Church consolidates and re-emerges into the new normal of life beyond the initial Covid19 pandemic, the following 5 goals have been identified for the following year:

1. Renew our passport (to purpose)

To encourage more people to participate in courses for their well-being and personal development, while identifying and adding courses to meet needs.

2. Reshape & Release Ministry

Online services and activities have shrunk the volunteer pool and placed a greater demand on those who facilitate the activities of the church. The goal is to redesign activities to meet needs more efficiently, while recruiting and reactivating team members.

3. Reside in the CCUK values

During the year the 2020-21, the Vision Protectors identified 10 values that frame the philosophies and activities of Connect Church. The goal in the next year is to consistently embed the values into all areas of the church. The 10 values are:

All belong we are all valued Always Bible-based we are Bible based
All in we all contribute Always building we are good stewards
All original we are all innovative Always aware we are responsible leaders
All together we serve collaboratively Always on mission we are people of influence
All anointed we are Holy Spirit enabled Always more we are growing in faith

Informed by our values, and a growing awareness around systemic, historic, and institutional racial bias and injustice as a result of the issues highlighted by the death of George Floyd in the US in May 2020, the Trustees signed the Time4Change charter in February 2021. Time4Change is a movement across all Birmingham churches for unity, racial equality and racial justice.

4. Relocate to the Home & Hub

The goal will be to identify and contractually engage the new building contractors to complete the Home and Hub. Further fundraising through grant applications may be required to meet any potential funding shortfall.

5. Re-engage with Mission

There is a contribution everyone can make to help others, whether they are staying home selfisolating for health reasons, or they have returned to school or the workplace. This goal is to encourage people to move beyond mental, emotional and spiritual isolation and connect with others and contribute. It’s also about identifying new partnerships and building upon existing ones to work together collaboratively for greater impact.

As it becomes safe to do so, Connect Kids and IAM Youth will begin to run activities for children and young people from the Small Heath area funded by the Growing Lives grant from Allchurches, received in May 2020.

8

REVIEWING FINANCES

CCUK reported a net surplus of £14,801 on general funds, which when compared to the previous year (2020: £129,873), indicates a significant impact from the Covid-19 pandemic as well as some reduction in donations. CCUK managed to reduce outgoings without having to access reserves during the financial year.

Restricted funds reflected a surplus of £60,328, largely due to the relief granted of capital repayment holidays by the loan providers, as well as the lack of progress on the building project (2020: (£78,945)). The restricted funds were also boosted by the awarding of the two grants from Allchurches (£19,000) and Big Issue (£6,000).

Income derived from voluntary donations decreased by 4.7% to £300,394 in 2021 compared to £315,135 in 2020 mainly due to the impact of Covid-19 on attendance at in-person worship gatherings. Income from other sources (Grants, other activities, goods in kind) increased from £60,367 to £68,187, mainly due to new initiative taken by staff to apply for grants.

Expenditure decreased by 9.5%, totalling £293,452 in 2021, compared with £324,574 in 2020. The reduction in costs was a result of the pandemic. CCUK was unable to hold in-person services due to restrictions and lockdowns for much of 2020-21 and thus saved predominantly in venue hire costs. Some of the cost savings were offset by the investment in equipment and running costs to move services online as well as increased communication costs to keep regular connection maintained with the CCUK database.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds comprise donations given for a specific ministry purpose. As at 31 March 2021 the unspent portion of these funds amounted to £335,768 (2020: £275,440).

Fundraising policy

CCUK receives most of its donation income from its congregation. However, we occasionally approach other organisations and grant-makers to assist with special projects. The trustees are committed to maintaining the highest legal and ethical standards in the way the charity undertakes its fundraising activities. CCUK is committed to abiding by the Code of Fundraising Practice and to the Fundraising Promise.

Reserves Policy

Trustees of CCUK manage a tension between faith in God as the source of provision for the financial resources required to fund the work of the church, as well as the need to wisely steward resources to ensure that the church has sufficient working capital to meet its obligations to its employees and creditors. The Trustees aim to hold sufficient “free” reserves (equivalent to cash and liquid assets) to cover at least three months’ expenditure. Free reserves at 31 March 2021 stand at £104,079 (2020: £85,237) against a target based on 2020-21 budgeted costs of £71,860. For 2021 the free reserves have been calculated as unrestricted funds less tangible assets. The Trustees will remain mindful of this target in making financial decisions and allocating resources during the current year.

9

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

The church is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 28 August 2009 and registered as a charity on 27 January 2010. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association and amended by special resolution(s) dated 05/02/2013 which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Although Connect Church UK is an autonomous charity, since the church’s commencement in 1940 it has had fellowship status with the Assemblies of God Great Britain (AoG GB), and abides by the Constitution of AoG GB, has accepted the AoG GB Statement of Faith, contributes financially to AoG GB and ensures that the Senior Minister has AoG GB Ministerial Status.

RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES

Training and Induction of Trustees

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and are known in Connect Church UK as Vision Protectors. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Vision Protectors are identified by the Senior Minister and, after an application process, are appointed by the Vision Protectors at the Annual General Meeting. The directors are not required to retire by rotation. It is considered that all the Vision Protectors and any others who could be

understood to be ‘managers’ in the activities of the charity are deemed to be ‘fit and proper’ persons under the terms of the Finance Act 2010. Trustee training is available for any new Vision Protector or those continuing to serve as a Vision Protector as part of our regular meetings as well.

In 2020, two Vision Protectors resigned: Andreas Stylianou in July 2020 and Stefanie Lakin in August 2020. A skills audit of the remaining trustees was conducted after the resignations, and the decision not to recruit replacement trustees at that time.

Organisational Structure and Decision Making

The Board of Trustees met 11 times in the 2020/2021 financial year of the company. The Trustees are responsible for the various ministries and operations of the church and make regular reports at the meetings so that issues may be highlighted and discussed. A sub-committee, called the Management Team, of staff and skilled lay members of various professional backgrounds from the church is led by the Executive Minister and their research and recommendations informs the Board of Trustess. A salary sub-committee of two Trustees and two members from the Management Team, all non-paid volunteers, reviewed and recommended the salaries of the staff for the 2021/22 budget.

10

Trustee’s Responsibilities

All Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in their publication ‘The Advancement of Religion for Public Benefit’ and have regard to it in their administration and activities of Connect Church UK.

Risk Management

Connect Church UK recognises that in relation to ‘Risk Assessment’, risk is defined as ‘the threat of any action or event which will adversely affect an organization’s ability to achieve its objectives and execute its strategies’. It also accepts that the term ‘risk’ can include any circumstances that may, or do, have an adverse effect, and is wider than financial matters. ‘Risks’ relate not only to the negative consequences of a threat, but also to the impact of not taking advantage of opportunities.

Connect Church UK recognises it requires a practical Health and Safety Policy for any building and surrounding grounds it owns or rents in pursuit of its activities. This is reviewed on a regular basis. An Accident log is maintained.

The contents and obligations of the Equality Act 2010 and the Data Protection Act 2018 are known and complied with to the best of the church’s ability. The Trustees are aware of their responsibilities in respect of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and its requirement to carry out a fire assessment to identify any possible dangers and risks, to take action to minimize the risks and to create a plan to deal with any emergencies, and also to write up and keep a record of its findings and to review its assessment annually. The Trustees have appointed Matthew Hopley to be the responsible person to put these matters into operation.

There is a Protection Policy in place in respect of children and vulnerable adults. Checks have been and are made with the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the CRB) in respect of persons dealing regularly with young people and vulnerable adults. The Trustees’ appointed officer for this is Louison Ricketts. Whilst it is impossible to eliminate all risks and their consequences, efforts are constantly made to minimize such occurrences. The safeguarding policy is reviewed and revised annually and was approved in July 2020 by the Trustees and implemented where applicable in the various ministries of the church. Trustees are kept informed on matters affecting the church, such as health and safety, disability discrimination legislation and child protection.

The Trustees continue to monitor Government Guidelines with regards to Places of Worship and adjust activities in order to mitigate the risks of harm while endeavouring to still provide pastoral and practical care.

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Principal Risks and Uncertainties

No. Potential Risk Mitigation
1. Loss of confidence by stakeholders due to the behaviour
of senior leadership or staff members.

Connect Church values are clearly defined and regularly
communicated

Prayer and worship are central to CCUK

Oversight structures are in place for senior leaders and staff.
2. Harm comes to those in our care due to lack of
appropriate and compliant child and vulnerable adult
safeguarding procedures.

Safeguarding at CCUK is overseen by a Safeguarding VP and
Management committee representative.

CCUK works closely withConnect2familiesand
thirtyone:eightto ensure that it models best practice in the
area of safeguarding.
3. Harm comes to visitors or staff due to lack of appropriate
and compliant Health & Safety procedures

Regular H&S reporting currently from Venue Coordinator at
Management and staff meetings.

When in Home & Hub: internal and external H&S Advisors
monitor and report on risk areas identified.
4. Future of the organization jeopardized due to lack of
adequate succession planning for key senior roles.

Succession planning needs to start taking place for key senior
roles in the organisation.

VPs to be consulted on the recruitment and appointment of a
new Senior minister.
5. Poor decision-making and breach of regulatory
requirements due to weak or non-compliant governance
structures.

VP (Trustee) meetings and structures are compliant with
Charity Commission, Companies House and governing
document requirements.

Conflicts of interest are managed appropriately at VP level.
6. Inability to operate in the event of a disaster due to lack
of adequate business continuity planning. Business
continuity compromised or critical data lost through
cyber-attack.

IT systems are backed up remotely and can be accessed
remotely.

Continue to invest in digital and technology systems including
technology.
7. A shortfall in income and/or inadequate cashflow results
in an inability to meet salary and creditor payments.
Specific financial risks are:

Home and Hub building project

CCUK relies on God’s provision and the generosity of the
congregation to meet its financial needs. Key partners would
be approached to underwrite in the event of a shortfall.

Aim to hold 3 months’ working capital

Strong budgetary and financial controls are in place.

Additional funding streams are being sought specifically for
the Home and Hub.
8. Legal risks and potential disruption arising from use of
rental venues for operations.

Try to ensure that agreements with hired premises have a
notice period that allows for alternate accommodation to be
in place.

Significant communication takes place to inform congregation
of changes in venue and operation.

Insurance policies are updated to reflect changes in operation.
9. The coronavirus pandemic is causing significant operating
challenges and could impact CCUK’’s income and/or
cashflow.

CCUK has adapted quickly to the challenge with modifications
to in-person gatherings to be covid-safe as well as streaming
services online. Staff can work from home remotely.

Expenditure is being carefully controlled and income closely
monitored.
10. Growth in the church services and operations unable
to be serviced by current staffing.

The creation of a strategic plan that identifies priorities in
staffing, funding levels required to recruit and potential
strategies to increase funding as well as identify suitable
volunteers.

12

TRUSTEES

The current trustees of Connect Church UK and those who held office during the year are as follows:

Pastor Kirk McAtear Senior Minister/Chair Pastor Tracee McAtear Executive Minister Mr Vernon Dore Mr Simon Lakin Mrs Stefanie Lakin Resigned 5 August 2020 Mr Bradford Ricketts Mrs Louison Ricketts Mr Andreas Stylianou Resigned 10 July 2020 Miss Grace Sutton

Committee Members (current)

Management Team

Tracee McAtear, Matthew Hopley, Yvette John, Valerie Danelczyk

Salary Committee

Vernon Dore, Grace Sutton, Yvette John, Valerie Danelczyk

Company Secretary

Tracee McAtear is Company Secretary of Connect Church UK.

ADVISERS

Bankers:

Lloyds Bank, 9-11 Poplar Rd, Solihull B91 3AN.

The Charity Bank Ltd, Fosse House, 182 High St, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE. Kingdom Bank, Ruddington Fields Business Park, Mere Way, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6JS. Big Issue Invest, 113-115 Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HH.

Independent Examiner:

Rev’d Alan Clements, 15 Carleton Road, Great Knowley, Chorley, PR6 8TQ, MA, ACIB, FCIE.

Solicitors:

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6WR.

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Statement of responsibilities of the Trustees

CCUK Board of Trustees is responsible for preparing the Annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom generally accepted accounting practice.

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare a statement of financial activities and statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year, which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the church and of its financial activities for that year and adequately distinguishes any material special trust or other restricted fund of the church.

In preparing those financial statements the CCUK Board of Trustees is required to:

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the church and to take reasonable steps to detect fraud or other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurances that:

Independent Examiner

The CCUK Board of Trustees intend to ask the existing examiners to undertake the independent examination of the Church in the following year.

Approval

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees of Connect Church UK and signed on its behalf, by Pastor Kirk McAtear, Senior Minister.

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Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Connect Church UK lThlepth Examlnerfs Repwt to the Tr¢4t¢esofthe Conttert Churth UK I report on the accounts ofthe compary for the year ended 31". Marth 2021. whith are set out on pages Slxteen to seventeen of th￿ Rew)rt. Respe¢U¥e rnsponslblmtles oltruste•s and •xamlner. The trustees {who are also the directors of the tharity for the purposes of company lawl are ￿SPonsIble for the preparatlon of the accounts. The trustees torL5ider that an audit is not required for the year undef section 14411) of the Charitles Act 2011 (the 2011 Actl and that an Independent examination 15 needed. Having satisfied myseFf that the thaflty Is not subject to audit undef company law and Is ell8lble for Independent examination. ir is my re4)on&bility to: examine the accounts under sectlon 145 of the 2011 A¢t to follow the procedures lald down in the 8eneral DIrertIo￿ glven iry the Charlty Commi551on under section 14515llbl of the 2011 A¢ and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls olthe Ifidep￿ ex•mlnerfs rep¢rt My examination was carrled in accordance wlth the general D1￿ctIonS given by the Charity Commiss¢on. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wrth those records. It also includes cOns￿eratIOn of any unusual ttems or disclosures Èn the accounts. and seeklng e¥￿anatiOnS from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden￿ that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinlon is gwen as to whether the accounts present a'true and fair viev¥ and thè report ts limited to matters Set out in the ststement below. Indepe￿nt Q￿mIne￿$ statem In connection with my examlnation, no matter has come to my attention: 111 which gives me reasonable cause to belle¥e that In any matèrial respertthe requirements -to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2(KJ6,' and -to prepare accounts whlch accord wfth accounting records, ¢omply with the ac¢ountinB requirements of sert￿n 386 ofthe Companles Act 2006 and w6th the methods and prlndples of the Ststement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting ty Charittes have not been met; or 121 to whith, in my opinion. attentM>n should be drawn in onleT to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reathed. L n&4•¢hu 2021 Fellow of the Assoclatlon of Charity Independent Examiners. Address 15 Carleton Road, Great Knowleyl Chorfey PR6 8T 15

CONNECT CHURCH UK

STATEMENT of FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
3 a)
Grants
3 b)
Income from charitable activities
3 c)
Investments
3 d)
Other
3 e)
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
4 to 6
Grants and mission giving
7
Fundraising costs
8
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE
TRANSFERS
Fund Transfers In
Fund Transfers Out
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Gain/Loss on Investment
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 APRIL
FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD AT 31 MARCH
2021
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
202,047
98,346
300,394
-
25,000
25,000
1,253
-
1,253
160
73
234
41,700
-
41,700
245,160
123,420
368,580
288,844
-
288,844
3,944
-
3,944
664
-
664
293,452
-
293,452
(48,291)
123,420
75,129
63,092
-
63,092
-
63,092
63,092
14,801
60,328
75,129
- --
14,801
60,328
75,129
775,243
275,440
1,050,684
790,044
335,768
1,125,812
2020
Total
funds
£
315,135
-
1,209
382
57,075
373,801
324,421
-
153
324,574
49,227
3,077,817
(3,077,817)
49,277
-
49,277
1,001,457
1,050,684

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.

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CONNECT CHURCH UK BALANCE SHEET

As at 31 March 2021

s at 31 March 2021
Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
12
Investments
Total fixed assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
13
Cash at bank and in hand
14
Total current assets
Less: liabilities falling due within one year
15
Net current assets
Less: liabilities falling due in more than one
year
16
NET ASSETS
FUNDS
Unrestricted
,
Restricted
22
TOTAL FUNDS
2021
£
£
1,837,911
-
1,837,911
12,024
433,846
445,870
(4,497)
441,373
2,279,284
(1,153,471)
1,125,812
790,044
335,768
1,125,812
2020
£
12,024
433,846
£
9,356
360,677
£
1,836,863
-
1,836,863
368,421
445,870
(4,497)
370,033
(1,612)
2,205,284
(1,154,600)
1,050,684
775,243
275,440
1,050,684

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees/directors and authorised for issue on 2 December 2021 and are signed on its behalf by:

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CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value through income and expenditure within the Statement of Financial Activities.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 (FRS 102). The charity is a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the Trustees have considered the uncertainty regarding the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Trustees have taken a number of mitigating actions to limit the financial impact and the charity’s loan providers have also been supportive. On this basis the Trustees believe there are sufficient reserves to enable the charity to operate for through this period.

Funds

General funds represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the charity. Restricted funds represent those received for specific purposes as specified by the donors. The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the charity are responsible in law.

Income

Donations and Legacies

Donations are recognised when received by or behalf of the charity or in the case of pledged donations when the charity is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by the charity is probable. Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the income is recognised. Grants and legacies to the charity are accounted for as soon as CCUK is notified of its legal entitlement, the amount due is quantifiable and its ultimate receipt by CCUK is probable.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category. Expenditure is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, if it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measure reliably.

Mission giving

Grants and donations are accounted for when due.

Other expenditure relating to the work of the church

CCUK’s contribution to the Assemblies of God GB is accounted for when payable.

Pension costs

The church contributes to a group defined contribution pension scheme. All pension costs are charged in the statement of financial activities as they fall due.

18

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2021

Support costs

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs and other administrative costs. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to the cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised. No depreciation is provided on freehold land.

Land and buildings

Fixed assets are for use by the church in fulfilling its objects and are capitalized and depreciated. Depreciation is provided at rates appropriate to reduce book values to estimated residual values over the useful lives of the assets concerned. Land or buildings includes construction and professional fees associated with the new building. Depreciation will commence once the buildings are commissioned. Land and buildings are then revalued periodically to reflect their net realisable value.

Computer equipment, vehicles, other equipment and furniture and fittings

All other assets are depreciated at 20% using the straight-line balance basis. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity’s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

With the exceptions of prepayments and deferred income all other debtor and creditor balances are considered to be basic financial instruments under FRS 102 (see notes 13, 15 and 16 in this respect)

Debtors

Amounts owing at 31 March in respect of fees and other income are shown as debtors less any provisions for amounts that may prove uncollectable.

Cash and Cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.

Leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

19

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 March 2021

Employee benefits

The cost of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

20

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

2. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

The following table analyses 2020’s income and expenditure between unrestricted and restricted funds

INCOME FROM:
Donations and legacies
Grants
Income from charitable activities
Investments
Other
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising Funds
Charitable activities
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE
TRANSFERS
Fund Transfers In
Fund Transfers Out
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Gain/Loss on Investment
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 APRIL
FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD AT 31 MARCH
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
234,145
80,990
315,135
-
-
-
1,209
-
1,209
204
178
382
57,075
-
57,075
292,633
81,168
373,801
153
-
153
324,380
41
324,421
324,533
41
324,574
(31,900)
81,127
49,227
1,953,025
1,124,792
3,077,817
(1,792,953)
(1,284,864)
(3,077,817)
128,172
(78,945)
49,227
-
-
-
128,172
(78,945)
49,227
647,071
354,385
1,001,457
775,243
275,440
1,050,684

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

*The 2020 SoFA has been adjusted for the written off Covid refunds in Note 13.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

21

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

3. INCOME

. INCOME
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2021 2020
£ £ £ £
a. Donations and legacies
Donations and Gifts 172,317 81,401 253,719 256,019
Gift aid 29,730 10,945 40,675 59,116
Legacies Receivables 6,000.00
6,000
-
202,047 98,346 300,394 315,135
b. Grants
Grant Income - 25,000 25,000 -
- 25,000 25,000 -
c. Income from charitable activities
Church Activities 656 -
656
-
Other Activities 597 -
597
2,910
1,253 -
1,253
2,910
d. Investments
Bank interest 160 73
234
382
160 73
234
382
e. Other
Donated Goods & Services 41,700 -
41,700
57,075
41,700 -
41,700
57,075
. EXPENDITURE
Expenditure analysed by staff costs, other direct costs, depreciation and include allocated support costs.
Depreciation and
Notes Salaries* Other costs* Examination Total Total
2021 2020
£ £ £ £ £
Charitable activities
Ordinary ministry of the church 5 131,252
92,821 12,619 236,691 269,653
Development of Home & Hub 6 -
52,152 - 52,152 54,768
131,252
144,973 12,619 288,844 324,421
Grants and mission giving 7 - 3944 -
3,944 -
Fundraising costs 8 -
664 -
664 153
Total expenditure 131,252 149,581 12,619 293,452 324,574

4. EXPENDITURE

22

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

5. ORDINARY MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH

The following table analyses expenditure on the ordinary ministry of the church (including support costs) between Funds; and notes the allocation of support costs to each expenditure category. All support costs are charged to unrestricted funds.

Contribution to AoG GB
Salaries and pension
contributions
Staff other costs
Cost of services
Pastoral care & training
Worship
Church courses & events
Youth and children's work
Engage (local social action)
Unrestricted funds
Restricted
Total
funds ^
£
£
6,105
-
131,252
-
5,008
-
83,874
-
1,739
-
3,342
-
4,377
-
936
-
58
-
236,691
-
Total
2021
£
6,105
131,252
5,008
83,874
1,739
3,342
4,377
936
58
236,691
Total
2020
£*
Direct costs
Support
costs^
£
£
6,105
-
89,614
41,638
3,471
1,538
3,855
80,018
1,518
222
3,322
19
3,276
1,102
848
88
-
58
112,009
124,683
324,421

^ All expenditure and capital costs for the Home & Hub building have been charged to unrestricted funds first and then a transfer from restricted vision funds applied. See note 17 for the transfer details.

6. DEVELOPMENT OF HOME & HUB

Fitout
Mortgage Interest
Building Legal & Advisory
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
450 -
48,702
-
3,000 -
52,152
-
Total
2021
£
450
48,702
3,000
52,152
Total
2020
£
54,897

23

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

7. GRANTS AND MISSION GIVING

Gifts for Overseas Mission
AoG Impact 25:40 Lebanon
Brave Church(Sri Lanka)Support
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2021
£
£
£
500 -500
1,200 -1,200
800 -800
100 -100
504 -504
400 -400
(360)
-
(360)
3,144 -3,144
500 -500
300 -300
800 -800
3,944-3,944
Total
2020
£*
Open Doors with Br Andrew
AoG GB Missions Champions
Compassion Sponsorships
Individuals
Adjust for Cancelled covid flight to Aus
Gifts to UK Beneficiaries**
AoG Covid19 Fund
Individuals ***
-
-

** This relates to grants and mission giving to 1 overseas individual.

***This relates to grants and mission giving to 1 UK individual.

8. COST OF RAISING FUNDS

These are the costs incurred in fundraising and the majority of these costs relate to the administration of congregational donations rather than costs incurred in approaching donors to give to the charity.

24

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

9. SUPPORT COSTS

The following support costs (all out of unrestricted funds) have been apportioned based on identified contribution to direct or support function for both staff and expenses.

SUPPORT COSTS
Building maintenance & running costs (inc. Rents)
Covid measures
Rates and insurance
Postage
Telephone and printing
Total property-related support costs
IT
Finance
Creative Services
Executive and Legal
2021
£
53,432
203
1,585
1,786
2,253
59,259
5,881
108
278
2,273
67,799
2020*
£

10. EXAMINATION COSTS AND DEPRECIATION

Provision for current year examination
Depreciation
2021
£
400
12,219
12,619
2020
£
400
2,849
3,249

The depreciation policy was updated and as a result many assets were written off where the value was less than £500 or the age of the asset was older than 5years.

As the Home & Hub is still in the process of construction the asset has not been revalued.

All purchased and costs for the Home & Hub >£500 are capitalised to the asset.

25

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

11. REMUNERATION

Wages and Salaries
Social Security costs
Contributions to pension scheme
2021
2020
£
£
122,695
118,429
4,652
5,553
3,905
3,789
131,252
127,771

The average number of full-time equivalent employees was 4 (2020: 4).

There were no employees whose total benefits (excluding pension contributions and employer national insurance) were greater than £60,000.

Details of trustee remuneration can be found in note 18 (Related Parties).

The key management personnel of CCUK comprises of the Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor. The total employee benefits (including pension and Employer NIC) of the key management personnel of the charity were £77,979 (2020: £36,927) for 2021.

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
Opening Balance 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals
Closing Balance 31 March 2021
DEPRECIATION
Opening Balance 1 April 2020
Charge for 2021
Disposals
Closing Balance 31 March 2021
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2020
At 31 March 2021
Home
Church
Computer
Motor
& Hub
Equipment
Equipment
Vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
1,821,510
40,100
5,681
1,500
1,868,791
9,810
1,309
2,148
0
13,267
-
(7,655)
(2,854)
(315)
(10,824)
1,831,320
33,754
4,975
1,185
1,871,234
-
29,345
1,397
1,185
31,928
-
8,693
3,212
315
12,219
-
(7,655)
(2,854)
(315)
(10,824)
-
30,383
1,755
1,185
33,323
1,821,510
10,754
4,284
315
1,836,863
1,831,320
3,371
3,220 -
1,837,911

26

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

13. DEBTORS

3. DEBTORS
Prepayments and accrued
income
Gift aid
Refunds
2021
£
4,663
7,361
-
12,024
2020
£
1,885
7,278
193
9,356

14. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
5. LIABILITIES FALLING DUE WITHIN
Creditors for goods and services

Taxation and social security

Refunds owed by CCUK
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
5. LIABILITIES FALLING DUE WITHIN
Creditors for goods and services

Taxation and social security

Refunds owed by CCUK
104,079
329,768
433,846


85,237
275,440
360,677
ONE YEAR
2,521
1,976
-
4,497
870
-
742
1,612

15. LIABILITIES FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

16. LIABILITIES FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Charity Bank Mortgage
Big Issue - Development Loan (RGF)
Big Issue - Working Capital Loan
935,683
123,009
94,779
1,153,471
935,683
123,599
95,318
1,154,600

Capital repayment holiday was granted by both Charity Bank and Big Issue due to Covid Pandemic and has been extended until 31 Dec 21 at writing of this report.

For the months of July - Sep 20 full repayments were mistakenly drawn by Big Issue, and then repayments reverted back to interest only.

27

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

17. MOVEMENT ON RESTRICTED FUNDS

Vision Fund
Gifts and funding towards the
construction of the Home & Hub project
Big Issue Access Capital Grant
Funding towards the fitout of the Home &
Hub
Growing Lives Grant
Funding from Allchurches towards
Children and Youth programs
Synergy Legacy
Donation for activities for the eldery
eg holidays
Opening
balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfer from
Unrestricted to Restricted
Closing
balance
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
£
£
£
£
£
275,440
98,346
(63,092)
-
310,694
-
6,000
-
-
6,000
-
19,000
-
-
19,000
-
6,000
-
-
6,000
275,440 129,346
(63,092)
341,694

Vision funds were transferred down after the expenditure from unrestricted funds to cover all costs related to the construction of the Home & Hub.

This is the first year that this analysis has been applied to the CCUK accounts. As a result, there is no comparison data for 2020 that matches.

18. RELATED PARTIES

The following trustees were connected to people or organisations in receipt of payments from CCUK:

TRUSTEE RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Simon Lakin Stefanie Lakin(wife)is a employee and was a trustee of CCUK
Stefanie Lakin Simon Lakin(husband)is a trustee of CCUK and a minister in training.
Kirk McAtear Tracee McAtear (wife) is both a trustee and employee of CCUK. Kirk is also employed by AoG GB as a Director of
Missions on the National LeadershipTeam.
Tracee McAtear Kirk McAtear(husband)is both a trustee and employee of CCUK
Bradford
Ricketts
Louison Ricketts(wife)is a trustee of CCUK
Louison Ricketts Bradford Ricketts(husband)is a trustee of CCUK

Connected persons

Three of the Trustees, listed in the table above received a total remuneration of £86,627 (2020: £62,038) from CCUK for 2021. Simon Lakin is a Minister in Training with the Assemblies of God Great Britain and CCUK paid £600 in course fees. None of the remaining Trustees received any remuneration from CCUK or the related entities.

Connect Church is affiliated to the Assemblies of God, Great Britain. CCUK made an annual contribution of £6,105 (2020 £3,839) to the Assemblies of God in 2021.

Trustee donations

During 2021 CCUK received £35,976 (2020: £62,950) in donations from the Vision Protectors. The donors did not attach any conditions to their gifts which required the charity to significantly alter the nature of its existing activities.

28

CONNECT CHURCH UK

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2021

19. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Home and Hub Loans

Loan facilities have been arranged with Charity Bank Ltd ("CBL") (£975,000), Big Issue Invest Ltd (“BILL”) (£125,000) and Big Issue Access Ltd ("BIAL") (£I00,000) to facilitate the construction of the Home and Hub which was commenced July 2017.

The principal terms of the loans are:

Lender Amount 0/0 Rate Term Comments
Charity Bank £975,000 Base+3.25% 25 years Superior Debt
Big Issue Invest Ltd
(RGF)
£125,000 Base+8.75% 7 years Repayments based on 25 years with refinancing at year 8
Big Issue Access Ltd £I00,000 Base+8.75% 7 years Repayments based on 25 years with refinancing at year 8

The CBL and BIIL loans hold security in the form of charges over the land and buildings, bank account and debenture over all other net assets of the Church. All of the loan funds have been drawn down.

Change in price to complete Home and Hub

In March 2021 the JCT contract with RJR Constructions was terminated due to their failure to proceed regularly and diligently with the performance of their obligations under the contract. Subsequent quotes from new main contractors indicate that the cost will be an additional £1,124,670 to fully complete and fit-out the building ready for occupation.

20. EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

Due to the significant increase in cost to complete the Home and Hub, much effort has gone into fundraising to close the funding gap required to complete the building project. In June 21, CCUK was awarded a Growth Fund Business Support grant of £5,000 from Social Investment Business Limited to engage a fundwriter to prepare grant applications on behalf of the charity. At the time of signing this report, CCUK has received an additional £209,212 in grants and donations, which combined with the available vision funds, leaves an outstanding amount of £695,320 to complete the project.

29