Fenlands Church
Annual Report and
Statement of Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
FENLANDS CHURCH CONTENTS PAGE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Page
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1-4 Trustees’ Annual Report
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5 Independent Examiners Report
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6 Receipts and Payments Account 7 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
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8&9 Notes to the Accounts
FENLANDS CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Reference and administration details
Charity name Fenlands Church Registered charity number 1136625 Charity's principal address The Church Centre Main Road Tydd Gote Wisbech Cambs. PE13 5QD Charity Email address fenlandschurch@gmail.com Charity Website www.fenlandschurch.co.uk Name of the charity trustees who manage the charity Name Office Mrs G C Wilson Chairperson Mrs K Maunder Treasurer Ms K Sparks Secretary Ms T Beach Mr P Summon Mrs H Summon
The minimum number of Trustees is three individuals.
The Spiritual Leadership in consultation with the existing trustees appoint any new trustees following the provisions laid out in the Charity's governing instrument.
Names and addresses of advisers
Primary Bankers Lloyds Bank Plc 3 North Brink Wisbech Cambs. PE13 1JR Solicitors Bowsers 15 South Brink Wisbech Cambs. PE13 1JQ Independent Examiner P J Medcalf FCCA (Chartered Certified Accountant) 322 Smeeth Road Marshland St James Wisbech Cambs. PE14 8EP.
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FENLANDS CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Structure, governance and management
The day-to-day running of the charity is in the hands of the elders. The Trustees are responsible for managing the finance and the buildings. They meet three times a year and, additionally as required, normally with the elders.
Description of the charity's trusts Governing document Trust Deed dated 6 June 2010
The charity's responsibilities for the Tydd Gote site and its benefits on the sale are contained in a document dated 1st December 2010.
Trustee's selection method
New trustees are appointed by the ‘Spiritual Leadership of the Church’. The current Spiritual Leadership comprises Mr. David Chapman, Mr. Jeff Bellamy, and Mr. Douglas Chapman.
Additional governance issues
There are no specific policies and procedures for inducting and training trustees but new trustees would be appointed who have suitable skills.
Relationship with any related parties
The Church is linked to Rural Ministries and Churches Together in East Elloe.
Trustees’ consideration of major risks
The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document The Objects of the Church are for the benefit of the public:
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To advance the Christian faith in accordance with any Statement of Beliefs and Doctrines prepared by the spiritual leadership of the church, in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Trustees from time to time may think fit;
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To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind, including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Trustees may from time to time think fit; and
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To advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the Trustees from time to time may think fit.
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FENLANDS CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects
The charity acknowledges its requirements to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake. Fenlands Church meets each Sunday morning for worship and teaching in its Church Centre and usually on other occasions each week as well. The Church hall is used most weeks for activities for pre-school children and their careers and for local community groups and occasional activities and clubs for school age children and young people are held. Other meetings are arranged at other locations, particularly in members’ homes. These activities are run by different church members who, apart from the pastor and his wife, are unpaid volunteers, some of whom claim out of pocket expenses for outgoings incurred. Fenlands Church has seen a constant number of regular attendees during the year.
Achievements and Performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The charity enjoys the use of its own buildings which are based on a large site in the rural village of Tydd Gote, in the heart of the Fens. During this accounting year we have been able to undertake some maintenance and repair work in the main church building, Welbrook Hall and the Manse. We now have a dedicated team who are responsible for these tasks. The surrounding garden areas continue to be maintained by volunteers throughout the year.
We regularly meet on a Sunday morning for our main worship service. We have been encouraged by new people joining us. Our team of musicians continues to grow and develop. They are a blessing to us all as they lead our worship week by week. In September we started five ‘Church in the Home’ groups at various homes in Tydd Gote and the surrounding villages. These groups meet weekly on Tuesday and their purpose is to encourage spiritual growth, help us to serve and to reach out to our families, friends, and neighbours.
We continue to hold our monthly men’s and ladies’ breakfasts with good numbers attending both. In October, the ladies enjoyed a day away at Little Gidding.
The Beyond Youth group meets weekly on a Thursday evening as well as other activities that are arranged from time to time. Some of the youth are also involved in other aspects of church life. They enjoyed sleepovers at the church centre as well as attending the NewDay Youth camp at the Norfolk & Norwich Showground at the beginning of the school summer holidays. On Monday mornings we meet at the church centre to do various jobs such as garden maintenance, decorating, repairs, and reorganizing, with homemade soup being served midday as part of our community outreach. Several people from the village have become regular attendees.
The tearoom in Welbrook Hall continues to be open most Wednesdays at lunchtime, serving light lunches, scones, and cake in the summer months and a cooked lunch and dessert during the winter. There is no fixed charge, people give what they can. There is a core of regular customers and others who visit from time to time.
There has been good attendance at the bi-monthly Ladies night where we have enjoyed varied activities and a Christmas dinner and Carol Service.
At the end of September, we held a Harvest Event, where we offered food, a ‘free to a new home’ table, crafts, and a tombola, also an opportunity to donate to the local food bank.
Just before Christmas we held a Carol concert which was well attended.
Fenlands Family Church continues to meet on Sunday morning at The Duke of Bedford School in Thorney. They also meet in two homes during the week for prayer and Bible study. Outreach activities included a pancake evening on Shrove Tuesday, a light event on 31% October and carol singing before Christmas. In September they joined with other churches in Thorney for a harvest thanksgiving service and shared lunch hosted by a local farmer.
We have continued to support our chosen overseas mission projects on a regular basis as well as responding to requests for support in specific projects. We have been able to help our contacts in Malawi and Congo. We also make every effort to be mindful of the needs of our own locality, supporting the local food bank and the local branch of CAP as well as other individual needs as they come to our notice.
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FENLANDS CHURCH TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs. This is based on the charity's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the charity will be able to continue to fulfill its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavor not to set aside funds unnecessarily.
The trustees are happy with the current level of reserves but will review these if they fall below £10,000.
Details of funds materially in deficit None.
The charity's principal sources of funds
The principle source of funds is member’s monthly donations and offerings given by the church attendees. We still have the balance of legacies given some years ago to Tydd Gote Chapel of which Fenlands Church is the successor.
Gift Aid is also a significant source.
Investment Policy
The trust deed gives the trustees wide investment powers. In practice current or deposit accounts are used as it is not the intention to build large financial reserves. The Trustees are not aware of any major risk which is not covered by appropriate insurance.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signatures Ac= Piet Kathy, Mavrday; FullNames GitheiAN WitSow KATHLEEN MAUNDEZ Position “ay Ape ate oan20th Ju; by 2O XS oth Tuy, 202-5 .
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
Report to the trustees of Fenlands Church on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 6 to 9.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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e examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, e to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
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° to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
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e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
—~ P J Medcalf— \ F av= Date: \ Crna Qpod Chartered Certified Accounta
322 Smeeth Road
Marshland St James
Wisbech Cambs.
PE14 8EP
Page 5
FENLANDS CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024|2023|
|Notes Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|Funds|Funds|Funds|Funds|
|£|£|£|£|
|RECEIPTS|
|Donations,|Legacies|and|Other Similar|Receipts|4a|71,472|-|71,472|46,880|
|Operating|Activities|to|Further|Charity's|Objects|4b|6,672|-|6,672|6,500|
|Investment Income|Receipts|4c|498|=|498|424|
|Other|Receipts|4d|-|-|=|375|
|TOTAL|RECEIPTS|
|78,642|-|78,642|54,179|
|PAYMENTS|
|Costs|of Charitable|Activities|5a|76,179|-|76,179|62,639|
|Investment|Management Costs|5b|15|-|15|30|
|Governance|Costs|5c|656|-|656|331|
|TOTAL|PAYMENTS|76,850|-|76,850|62,600|
|NET -PAYMENTS/RECEIPTS for the year|1,792|1,792|(8,421)|
|Cash|Funds|Last Year|End|34,285|-|34,285|42,706|
|CASH|FUNDS THIS YEAR END|36,077|36,077|34,285|
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Page 6
FENLANDS CHURCH STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted Funds |
2024. Restricted Funds |
Total Funds |
2023 Total Funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| ASSETS | |||||
| Cash funds | |||||
| BankAccounts -Tydd | 2,289 | - | 2,289 | 856 | |
| BankAccounts —Thorney | 1,585 | - | 1,585 | 2,210 | |
| DepositAccounts -Tydd | 16,284 | - | 16,284 | 19,326 | |
| DepositAccounts -Thorney | 8,833 | - | 8,833 | 9,586 | |
| PettyCash -Tydd | 21 | ‘- | 21 | 38 | |
| Petty Cash -Thomey | 250 | - | 250 | 250 | |
| Totalcashfunds | 29,262 | 29,262 | 32,266 | ||
| OtherAssets | |||||
| Debtor | > | - | = | = | |
| Recoverable GiftAid -Tydd | 4,742 | - | 4,742 | 1,365 | |
| Recoverable GiftAid - Thorney | 2,073 | - | 2,073 | 654 | |
| 6,815 | - | 6,815 | 2,019 | ||
| TOTALASSETS | 36,077 | 36,077 | 34,285 | ||
| REPRESENTED BY: | |||||
| General Fund -Tydd | 20,878 | - | 20,878 | 21,587 | |
| General Fund -Thorney | 15,199 | - | 15,199 | 12.698 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 36,077 | 36,077 | 34,285 | ||
| Assets retained forthe Charity'sown use: | |||||
| (Valued at cost, or ifgifted atthevalue to the charityon | on receipt) | ||||
| Main church building | |||||
| Computerequipment | 1,492 | - | 1,492 | 1,492 | |
| Musical Items | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Otherequipment | 6,910 | - | 6,910 | 6,910 | |
| Fixtures& Fittings Projectors Audio Visual Items |
4,600 1,590 5,280 |
- - “ |
4,600 1,590 5,280 |
4,600 1,590 5,280 |
|
| Coffee shop/Office/Kitchen | |||||
| Equipment Carpets |
11,060 1,000 |
- - |
11,060 1,000 |
11,060 1,000 |
|
| 34,932 | - | 34,932 | 34,932 | ||
| LIABILITIES | |||||
| Independent Examiners | Fee | 240 | - | 240 | 480 |
| 240 | - | 240 | 480 | ||
| (Chairman ) | SSL)CAL | . | |||
| (Treasurer ) | kot Mow ride _- te) |
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Approved by the trustees on:
FENLANDS CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The accounts have been prepared under the "Receipts and Payments" basis as prescribed by the Charity Commission.
2 RESTRICTED FUNDS
The charity held no restricted funds during this financial year.
3 PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES
No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial year. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them.
| 4 RECEIPTS | UnrestrictedFunds | UnrestrictedFunds | 2024. _Restricted |
2024. _Restricted |
Total | 2023 Total |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tydd | Thorney | Funds | Funds | Funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||||
| a Donations, legacies and other similar receipts | |||||||
| Charitable Activities | - | - | - | = | a | ||
| Bequests and Legacies | - | = | - | = | 2 | ||
| Non GiftAided Donations | 15,643 | 3,450 | - | 19,093 | 7,099 | ||
| Thomey Contribution | - | - | - | - | 2 | ||
| GiftAid Donations SundayOfferings |
38,716 398 |
13,265 - |
- - |
51,981 398 |
39,781 2 |
||
| 54,757 | 16,715 | - | 71,72 | 46,880 | |||
| b Operating activities to further charity's objects | . | ||||||
| Letting Income | 172 | - | - | 172 | ss | ||
| Manse Rent | 6,500 | - | - | 6,500 | 6,500 | ||
| c Investment income receipts | |||||||
| Bank Interest | 386 | 112 | - | 498 | 424 | ||
| d Other Receipts | |||||||
| Sundry Receipts | - | - | - | - | 375 | ||
| - | - | - | = | 375 | |||
| TOTALRECEIPTS | 61,815 | 16,827 | 78,642 | 54,179 | |||
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FENLANDS CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|5|PAYMENTS|2024|2023|
|Unrestricted|Funds|__|Restricted|Total|Total|
|.|Tydd|Thorney|Funds|Funds|Funds|
|a|Cost|of|Charitable|Activities|£|E|£|£|
|Catering|Costs|2,333|-|-|2,333|1,248|
|Children’s|Work|.|825|-|-|825|607|
|Cleaning|Materials|-|-|-|-|=|
|Direct|Event|Costs|8,815|1,625|-|10,440|2,196|
|Equipment|Purchases|816|202|-|1,018|1,253|
|Gifts:|Missionaries|3,535|900|-|4,435|5,500|
|Organizations|1,664|1,054|-|2,718|2,284|
|Thorney|ContrInd|i|butionviduals|to|Tydd|995-|=-|a-|995=|1,437=|
|General|Travel|Expenses|75|150|-|225|283|
|Insurance|2,162|-|-|2,162|1,948|
|Licenses|958|285|-|1,243|893|
|Literature|Purchases|61|171|-|232|269|
|Maintenance/Repairs|5,972|-|-|5,972|2,317|
|Postage|-|-|-|-|z|
|Premises|Improvement|278|=|-|278|885|
|Printing/Photocopying|173|63|-|236|329|
|Salaries|and|Wages|26,345|10,400|-|36,745|33.718|
|Sundry|Payments|194|126|-|320|328|
|Telephone/Broadband|573|-|-|573|547|
|Utilities|5,429|-|-|5,429|6,020|
|Visiting|Ministry|Expenses|-|=|=|#|=|
|Website|-|-|-|e|177|
|61,203|14,976|76,179|62,239|
|b|Investment Management|Costs|
|Bank|Charges|15|-|-|15|30|
|15|-|-|15|30|
|c|Governance|Costs|
|Professional|Fees|480|-|-|480|-|
|Child|Protection|Fees|176|-|-|176|331|
|656|-|-|656|331|
|TOTAL PAYMENTS|61,874|14,976|-|76,850|62,600|
|NET OF|RECEIPTS/-PAYMENTS|(59)|1851|-|1,792|(8,421)|
|Cash|Funds|Last Year|End|20,937|13,348|-|34,285|42,706|
|CASH|FUNDS|THIS YEAR END|20,878|15,199|-|36,077|34,285|
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