## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED** **31[ST] DECEMBER 2023** **Registered Charity Number 1134003** ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## CONTENTS _Page_ 1 Legal and Administrative Information _Page_ **3** Trustees Annual Report _Page_ **7** Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees _Page_ **9** Statement of Financial Activities _Page_ **10** Balance Sheet _Page_ **11** Notes to the Financial Statements ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1134003 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR: 1[ST] JANUARY 2023 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR: 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 REGISTERED CHARITY ADDRESS: 1–5 ROMAN CRESCENT, SOUTHWICK, WEST SUSSEX BN42 4TY PRIMARY BANKERS: BARCLAYS BANK Plc., LEICESTER LE87 2BB INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: HAINES and CO., 28/29 CARLTON TERRACE, PORTSLADE, BRIGHTON BN41 1UR Page **1** _of_ 15 _This page is intentionally left blank._ Page **2** _of_ 15 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** Year ending 31[st] December 2023 ## **Reference & Administrative Details** Charity Name: Southwick Christian Community Church. Charity Registration Number: 1134003 Trustees: - Mr. James Benka-Coker _(Elder, Chairperson)_ - Mrs. Janice Dale _(Elder, Safeguarding Officer)_ - Mr. Brian Box _(Secretary)_ - Mr. Tony Byrne _(Elder)_ - Mrs. Isobel Edwards _(Elder)_ - Mrs. Rosalind Lind _(Treasurer, incoming) 1 Jan - 31 Dec_ - Mrs. Anne Andrews No other persons served as Charity Trustees during 2023. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The approved governing document is a Trust Deed _(approved 2[nd] November 2009)_ based on a Congregational Federation template. A local constitution outlining operation procedures at SCCC was prepared; this was unanimously agreed and accepted at the Annual Church _(General)_ Meeting on 3[rd] May 2011. The Congregation Federation Ltd is the Property and Holding Trustee. SCCC appoints local Managing Trustees, including a Treasurer and a Secretary, all of whom hold office for a renewable three-year term. Election & subsequent re-election is at the recommendation of the membership, Nomination by the Trust & the confirmation of a Church Member’s meeting. The spiritual governance of the Church is managed by an Eldership (who are also Trustees). The Minister is normally the senior and presiding Elder in these meetings. However, the position is currently vacant, and recruitment efforts have been ongoing throughout the year. The Charity also appoints a Safeguarding Officer, Health and Safety Officer and Building Management Officer, who are honorary officers advising the Trust. Page **3** _of_ 15 The Trust is also responsible for appointing, managing & remunerating employees where considered necessary to further its activities. Over the course of 2023 there were 4 part-time employees _(a 5[th] resigned during the course of the year)_ involved in Administration, Caretaking/cleaning, Coffee Shop Supervision & Youth/Family work. The Trust is also extremely grateful to the “army” of unsalaried volunteers both within and outside of the membership of the church, who supported and assisted in the day-to-day execution of tasks that helped us to achieve our objectives over the year – particularly in pastoral care of others in church & group leadership, worship, Coffee shop duties, compassionate & evangelistic outreach to our community & beyond, and Youth/Family programmes. We owe an extra debt of gratitude to these as we have been without a serving Pastor during the year. ## **Objectives and Activities** The Charity’s objectives are those set out in the governing document and local church constitution. The Charity seeks to advance the Christian faith according to general biblical principles as well as to the specific principles of the Baptist Union and the Congregation Federation. The Charity also seeks to advance education, relieve need, and carry out other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the World. As a community-based church inspired by our Christian Faith, our aim is to offer a wide range of educational, recreational, health and wellbeing, social and spiritual activities for all age groups in the local community to enhance the service provision available to all sectors of the population. The Charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes and aims that are for the public benefit. ## **Achievements and Performance** Church membership at the end of 2023 stood at 52. The main activities conducted by the Church that we believe conferred benefit included: Weekly Sunday Services of worship, including Bible-based Christian preaching, activities for children & young people, & social interaction post-service. Weekly outreach activities for children & youth were organised & run by our team of Youth workers on salary as well as a host of willing & able volunteers. These include Friday evening groups & the Sunday school activities described above. Our weekly Parent & Toddler group was a Soft Play project “Two by Two” with inflatable equipment themed on Noah’s Ark providing relief for busy parents with toddlers. A Coffee shop (“Lite Bites”) open 2 days a week from 10:30 am till 2 pm Tuesdays & Wednesdays that offers cost-effective lighter cooked meals & drinks, offering a safe space for relaxation, conversation & introspection with an option for casual conversation with pastoral volunteers as desired. Various low-cost subscription class-based exercise programmes (Gentle Exercise, Aerobics & Pilates) aimed at people with different age and health profiles conducted by professional instructors to promote physical fitness and wellbeing amongst the attending public. Page **4** _of_ 15 Other Christian Teaching & fellowship events include faith exploration groups, Life Groups including one with focus on the more elderly (Evergreens), and a “Worship Team” musical & singing Band. We also host a fortnightly Art Club. The Charity manages the building structure at 1-5, Roman Crescent, Southwick. This houses the Worship Centre, Community Hall, Coffee Shop and ancillary residential facilities of two flats. The Charity manages no other real estate at this time. We continue to host a public NHS defibrillator on our premises, as well as providing secure Guest Wifi for those on our premises. Further afield, we supported various activities abroad in Zimbabwe, & India _[Nagaland]_ , in keeping with our objectives stated above. In designing & executing the above & other activities, the Trustees have given due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. ## **Financial Review & Reserves Policy** Full independent accounts are presented in a separate report. The Voluntary Giving and Offerings, together with Gift Aid claimed back during the year amounted to £58,402. At the end of the year there was £ 230 in a reserve account, as well as £60,895 in a charity investment fund, in addition to bank balances standing at £39,645. These funds are adjudged to be sufficient to cover the foreseeable running costs and expenditure of the Trust. Our lettings, rents and activities produced a beneficial income as well as providing many varied and healthy activities for the local community. Lite Bites Coffee shop has continued to play a significant part in reaching our community, despite making an overall operational loss of just £887 over the year (when salaries & expenses paid out to staff performing coffee shop duties are taken into account). Overall the available funds carried forward as at 31[st] December 2023 were £107,082. Readily available funds remained adequate throughout 2023 and all costs were met on time. The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the Charity’s current needs. At the end of the financial year 2023, a reserve amount of £61,125 is held split between a deposit account and a managed charity investment accumulation fund. This is based on the charity’s size and the level of future financial commitments, including the desirability of procuring a manse for a future minister - the feasibility of which is under active consideration. The Trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives, even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or an unexpected rise in expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour to not set aside funds unnecessarily. Page **5** _of_ 15 ## **Exemptions from Disclosure** No Trustees have required exemption from disclosure by law; The Board is as stated within this document. ## **Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of others** No Funds were held during 2023 as a Custodian Trustee on behalf of others. ## **Declarations** **The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.** Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees **----- Start of picture text -----**
Compiler Attestor
Signature(s)
Full name(s) James Benka-Coker Brian Box
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Elder & Trustee Chair Trustee Secretary
Date
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page **6** _of_ 15 IThdepende￿ erominer's rq￿rt lo the Tr￿tte5 ofsouthwick Chri%lian CoMnU￿ty Church I rep)rt to the trustees on my examination of th¢ accounts of Southwick Christian Community Church (the Tn￿) for the year ended 31 December 2023, wthich ar¢ set out on pages 3 10 15. Res￿nsibilItieS Imd basif oIre￿rt As the charity tr￿￿ee5 of the TntsL you are respO￿b]e for the preparation of the accounts in ac￿rdanCe Viith the requiretnents of the Charities Aci 2011 ('th¢ Act.). I rewrt in resF*Ct of my examination of the Tn￿t's &COiUlts G4rried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carr)'ing out n]y examination I have follow￿ all the applicable Di￿tionS given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the ACL IThIe￿ndenf ayominer s slatemenl I have completed my wminalion. I CODfirni no material matters have come to my atiention in conne¢lion with the examination which gives me cawe to believe that in any (l) accoimting records wcte not kept in resrect of the Tntst as required by section 130 of the (2) the accouDts do ￿lt accord with those re£orL8. I have no Concen￿ aTrl have come xross no other matieT5 in connection with the cxaminaiion to which attention should in this r¢tx)rt in order to enable a pro Simon J es ACA 28r29 Carlton Terrace Portsl&le East Sussex 25th Septemirr 2024 Page 7 of 15 _This page is intentionally left blank._ Page **8** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 ||**Notes Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**|**Notes Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**| |---|---|---| |||**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**| |||£ £ £_£_| |**INCOME**||| |Voluntary Income|`2a`|`57,393 1,009 58,402 75,004`| |Activities for Generating Funds`2b`||`40,204 750 40,954 31,333`| |Other Income|`2c`|`2,610 3 2,613 (995)`| |||`_`| |TOTAL INCOME||`£ 100,206 1,762 101,968 105,342`| |**EXPENDITURE**||| |Charitable Activities|`3a`|`82,990 1,787 84,777 106,048`| |Governance Costs|`3b`|`976 - 976 82`| |||`_`| |TOTAL EXPENDITURE||`£ 83,966 1,787 85,753 106,130`| |**Net Incoming/**||| |**(Outgoing) Resources**
||`£ 16,240(25) 16,215(788)`| |**Total Funds Brought Forward**||`89,380 1,487 90,867 91,655`| |**Funds Transferred**|--|`- - - N/A`| |||`_`| |**TOTAL FUNDS**||`105,620 1,462 107,082 90,867`| |**CARRIED FORWARD**||`£ 105,620 1,462 107,082 90,867`| Page **9** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## BALANCE SHEET ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 |**Notes**


**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible Assets
`4`
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
`5`
Bank Accounts
`6`
CCLA-CoIF Deposit Fund
`7`
M&G Investment Fund
`8`

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

Due within one year
`9`

NET CURRENT ASSETS

**NET ASSETS**
`£`
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY

**TOTAL FUNDS**
`£`|**Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**
**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**
£ £ £_£_
`5,306 - 5,306 7,075`
`2,463 21 2,485 3,458`
`38,204 1,441 39,645 23,139`
`230 - 230 220`
`60,895 - 60,895 58,341`
`_`
`101,793 1,462 103,255 85,158`
`1,479 - 1,479 1,366`
`_`
`100,314 1,462 101,776 83,792`
`105,620 1,462 107,082 90,867`
`105,620 1,462 107,082 90,867`
`105,620 1,462 107,082 90,867`| |---|---| The notes on pages **11** to **15** form part of these financial statements. Signed……………………………… (name)………..………………………………..(Trustee) Dated……/……./…….. Signed……………………………… (name)……………..…………………………..(Trustee) Dated……/……./…….. Signed……………………………… (name)……………..…………………………..(Trustee) Dated……/……./…….. Page **10** _of_ 15 **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **1a. Convention** These accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16[th] July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. ## **1b. Funds** ## **Unrestricted Funds** These comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance with the charitable activities. ## **Restricted Funds** These are the funds which can only be used for specific purposes within the objects of the Charity. These restrictions arise, when either specified by the donor or when funds are raised for restricted purposes. The Contingency Fund is restricted to cover any financial commitment the Charity may have in settling the financial deficit to the Baptist Union Pension scheme, should such a deficit become due. Should this deficit not arise the fund can be used in accordance with the principles and aims of the Charity. ## **1c. Income** Voluntary Income and Capital Sources - Income Tax recoverable on Covenants or Gift Aid donations is recognized when the gifts are received. Other ordinary income - Rental Income from the letting of premises is recognized when the rental is due. - Bank interest - Bank interest is accounted for when received. ## **1d. Expenditure** Grants and Donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the Trust. ## **1e. Fixed Assets** Depreciation is provided at the rate of 25% on a reducing balance basis on all Fixed Assets. ## **1f. Fixed Asset Investment** Fixed Asset Investments are recorded at market value at the Balance Sheet date. Any gains or losses on revaluation are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. Page **11** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 |||**Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**| |---|---|---| |||**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**| |||£ £ £_£_| |**2. **|**INCOMING RESOURCES**|| |2a.|VOLUNTARY INCOME|| ||Gifts and Offerings received|`46,531 850 47,381 62,512`| ||Gift Aid received
|`10,862 159 11,021 12,491`| |||`_`| ||TOTAL VOLUNTARY INCOME|`57,393 1,009 58,402 75,004`| |2b.|ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING|FUNDS| ||Rents and Lettings
|`23,560 - 23,560 18,706`| ||Activities Receipts
|`5,243 - 5,243 2,831`| ||Coffee Shop Receipts
|`11,401 - 11,401 9,484`| ||Event Receipts
|`- 750 750 312`| |||`_`| ||TOTAL ACTIVITY RECEIPTS
|`40,204 750 40,954 31,333`| |2c.|OTHER INCOME|| ||Grants
|`- - - -`| ||Council Tax Refund
|`- - - -`| ||Heat and Light Refund
|`- - - -`| ||Equipment Refund
|`- - - -`| ||Bank Loyalty and Sundry
|`45 3 48 77`| ||CCLA-COIF Deposit Interest|`10 - 10 2`| ||M&G Fund Yield (Deficit)
|`2,554 - 2,554 (1,074)`| ||Insurance claim
|`- - - -`| |||`_`| ||TOTAL OTHER INCOME
|`2,610 3 2,613 (995)`| ||**TOTALLING**
|`£ 100,206 1,762 101,968 105,342`| Page **12** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 |||**Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**| |---|---|---| |||**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**| |||£ £ £_£_| |**3. **|**EXPENDITURE**|| |3a.|Charitable Activities|| ||Administration Costs
|`12,762 - 12,762 8,586`| ||Advance of Cash Floats
|`- - - -`| ||Bank Charges
|`291 116 407 477`| ||Building Equip. & Maint’n’nce|`2,399 - 2,399 4,059`| ||Building Flat Repairs
|`3,036 - 3,036 -`| ||Children and Youth
|`- - - -`| ||Cleaning and Waste
|`1,595 - 1,595 1,700`| ||Council Tax
|`452 - 452 795`| ||Consumables (Coffee Shop)|`4,731 - 4,731 4,349`| ||Depreciation
|`1,769 - 1,769 2,358`| ||Events Expenditure
|`100 730 830 -`| ||Equipment
|`377 - 377 506`| ||Gardens
|`850 - 850 712`| ||Gifts and Donations
|`- 570 570 4,125`| ||Instructors
|`500 - 500 300`| ||Insurance
|`2,371 - 2,371 2,301`| ||Licences
|`477 - 477 1,146`| ||Lighting and Heating
|`11,109 - 11,109 6,181`| ||Motor and Travelling
|`- - - 100`| ||Refreshments
|`- - - -`| ||Resources
|`1,234 - 1,234 431`| ||Salaries, Pension etc.
|`27,861 - 27,861 58,194`| ||Subscriptions
|`4,217 - 4,217 1,493`| ||Sundry
|`- - - 161`| ||Tithes/Mission
|`2,000 - 2,000 4,360`| ||Training
|`- - - -`| ||Volunteer Costs
|`100 371 471 -`| ||Water Rates
|`3,989 - 3,989 3,713`| |||`_`| ||**TOTAL EXPENDED**
|`£ 82,990 1,787 84,777 106,048`| |`3b.`|Governance Costs
|`976 - 976 82`| |||`_`| ||**TOTALLING**
|`£ 83,966 1,787 85,753 106,130`| Page **13** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 |||**Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**| |---|---|---| |||**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**| |||£ £ £_£_| |**4. **|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|| ||Net Book Value as at 01.01.23
|`7,075 8,569`| ||Capital Items Purchased
|`0 864`| ||**Total Value**
|`7,075 9,433`| ||Depreciation Charge (25 %)
|`1,769 2,358`| ||**NET BOOK VALUE as at 31.12.23**|`5,306 7,075`| |**5. **|**DEBTORS**|| ||Gift Aid claim 1 qtr
|`2,463 21 2,485 3,458`| |**6. **|**CASH AT BANK**|| ||General Fund a/c
|`37,334 - 37,334 21,558`| ||Lite Bites a/c
|`544 - 544 131`| ||Mission Fund a/c
|`311 1,441 1,752 1,435`| ||Cash in Hand
|`15 - 15 15`| ||**TOTAL**
|`38,204 1,441 39,645 23,139`| |**7. **|**CCLA-COIF DEPOSIT FUND**|| ||Deposit Balance as at 01.01.23
|`220 - 220 218`| ||Transfer from (to) General Fund
|`- - - -`| ||Remainder
|`220 - 220 218`| ||Interest received
|`10 - 10 2`| ||**TOTAL FUNDS as at 31.12.23**
|`230 - 230 220`| |**8. **|**M&G INVESTMENT FUND**|| ||Investment Balance as at 01.01.23|`58,341 - 58,341 69,415`| ||Transfer to (from) fund category
|`- - - -`| ||Transfer from (to) General Fund
|`- - - (10,000)`| ||Investment remaining at 31.12.23|`58,341 - 58,341 59,415`| ||Projected Interest Profit (Loss)
|`2,554 - 2,554 (1,074)`| ||**- as at 31.12.23**
|`60,895 - 60,895 58,341`| ||Charibond 321.127 Units
|`13,269 - 13,269 12,383`| ||Charifund 158.772 Units
|`47,626 - 47,626 45,958`| ||**TOTAL FUNDS as at 31.12.23**
|`60,895 - 60,895 58,341`| Page **14** _of_ 15 ## **SOUTHWICK CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH** ## NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ## FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023 |

**9. **
**CREDITORS**
Heating and Lighting

Independent Examiner



**10.**
**STAFFING COSTS & NUMBERS**
Gross Wages and Salaries

Employer’s National Ins. Costs
Pension Costs


|**Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL****_Total_**
**Funds Funds 2023****_2022_**
£ £ £_£_
`679 - 679 666`
`800 - 800 700`
`_`
`£ 1,479 - 1,479 1,366`
`27,255 52,586`
`- -`
`606 5,659`
`_`
`£ 27,861 58,194`| |---|---| The Total Number of employees engaged in the Trust during 2023 was 5, dropping to 4. ( 2022 - 7 / 6 ). No employee received emoluments greater than £60,000 per annum. ## **11. TRUSTEE RENUMERATION** None of the trustees was employed by this Charity or received any remuneration during 2023. One trustee was reimbursed expenses of £520 incurred on behalf of the charity, being primarily payments to a visiting pastor. ## **12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** One trustee was reimbursed expenses of £520 incurred on behalf of the charity, being primarily payments to a visiting pastor. Page **15** _of_ 15