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2022-03-31-accounts

(A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)

TRUSTEES'/DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT and

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the year ending 31[st] MARCH 2022

Registered Charity Number 1140436

Registered Company Number 07411973

175 New Road Ascot Berkshire SL5 8PX

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TRUSTEES'/DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT and

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONTENTS

Page
General Information 3
Trustees'/Directors' Report 4
Independent Examiner’s Report 12
Statements of Financial Activities 14
Balance Sheet 15
Notes to the Financial Statements 16

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TRUSTEES'/DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

TRUSTEES / DIRECTORS

Mr P. Draper Ms N. Gwati Mrs S. Hale Mr P. Newman Ms E. Ward

BANKERS

Barclays Bank PLC 1, Churchill Place London E14 5HP

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Mr Philip Mount 54, Dedworth Road Windsor Berkshire SL4 5AY

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ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Report of the Trustees/Directors for the year ending 31[st] March 2022

The Trustees, who are also the Directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31[st] March 2022, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a Directors' Report and Accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The trustees have prepared the financial statements to comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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) (effective 1 January 2015, updated 1 January 2019).

Our purposes and activities

The purposes of the charity are:

for the public benefit in and around Ascot and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the trustees may from time to time think fit.

Aims

The Church’s main aim is to be ‘a church that responds to and shares the love of God’ following a New Testament pattern whilst engaging with our 21[st] Century culture, based on the values of Worship, Community, Transformation, Serving and Mission.

Ascot Life Church (ALC) has the general aim of contributing to the lives of people of all ages from Ascot and the surrounding areas by communicating the Christian faith to them in ways they can relate to and by involving as many people as possible in Christian worship and in the practical outworking of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome to participate in the life of the church and to benefit from being part of this faith community.

Activities

The Church’s Sunday meetings have a contemporary feel reflecting the relevance of faith in Jesus Christ to modern living. These meetings normally involve a time of praise and worship followed by Bible-based teaching. However, since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2020, Ascot Life Church had suspended in-person Sunday meetings to comply with government advice but provided online live-streamed Sunday services making ALC accessible to people across the local area, but also across the UK and the world. However, with the success of the UK vaccination programme in reducing Covid-19 transmission, in-person Sunday meetings were recommenced in July 2021.

Online weekday morning prayer meetings using Zoom video conferencing software, which started during the first Coronavirus lockdown, have continued.

Prior to the pandemic, small groups called ‘Life Groups’ had usually met during the week and training courses were also normally provided with the aim of encouraging participants to develop a deeper relationship with Christ, to experience his life-transforming power and to share their faith with others. However, while in-person meetings were subject to government restrictions or were inappropriate due to the risks of Coronavirus transmission, Life Groups met online using video conferencing software such as Zoom, providing a valuable point of

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connection for people despite not being able to meet as groups in-person. As Covid restrictions were relaxed, in-person meetings were resumed.

Children’s and youth activities also made use of online video conferencing while in-person gatherings were not feasible, enabling young people to maintain relationships and to be encouraged in their participation in the life of the church.

Prior to the pandemic, other activities would normally have taken place to serve the wider community and to express the love of Christ to them, including a monthly community lunch and an annual Family Fun Day. However, while uncertainty and caution prevailed concerning the wisdom of re-starting such gatherings, these activities were not resumed during the reporting year.

Ascot Life Church is a public benefit entity and the Trustees/Directors regard serving the surrounding community as an important aspect of the church's activity. In ensuring that this remains a significant feature of the life of the church they have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’.

Our volunteers

Most of the activities of the church are dependent on volunteers with the church’s staff team playing a complementary facilitating and organising role. The church would not function without the contribution of volunteers and a significant proportion of the regular participants in the life of the church play some kind of voluntary role. An assessment of the numbers of people involved in volunteer roles during 2021-22 identified around 80 such contributors to the life of the church, around 45% of those who regularly participate in church life.

Achievements and Performance

As mentioned previously, the church was able to recommence in-person Sunday gatherings as a church congregation at the end of July 2021. The teaching programme of the church was delivered via online live-streaming during the first few months of the reporting year, transitioning to then being given in-person on Sunday mornings whilst still being livestreamed at home to those who are more vulnerable.

Throughout the year, several Bible-based teaching series were presented aimed at helping people of all backgrounds to understand the message of the Bible better enabling them to grow in their faith and in their relationship with God and one another.

In the spring of 2021, a series based on the first letter of the apostle John in the New Testament of the Bible was started with the aim of highlighting the marks of true Christian faith and giving Christians confident and joyful assurance about their faith. This series was entitled ‘A New Way of Living’, the first part of which was delivered by live-stream to people meeting in small groups in their homes while restrictions prevented the church from meeting together in-person as a congregation.

The church was then able to start to meet together as a congregation from the end of July 2021 with appropriate precautions implemented, such as use of face masks, good ventilation and spacing between chairs. After three weeks of meetings focused on gathering together again, the series in 1 John was concluded at the end of August 2021.

During the Autumn of 2021, a series of Sunday messages from the Old Testament of the Bible was brought to the church following the journey of the people of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. The focus of this series, entitled ‘A People of Promise – Discovering the Church in the story of Moses’, was to look at God’s first gathered people with the aim of

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discerning what we can learn of God’s calling and purpose for his gathered people in the church today. This covered such topics as God’s promises, worship, prayer and God’s leading for his people bringing special focus to the church at a time of re-gathering after the enforced isolation and restrictions of the Coronavirus lockdowns, enabling people to thrive and flourish in their faith and in their lives.

Over the Christmas season, a Family Service and Carol Service were held, celebrating God’s gift to us in Jesus and helping people from both the church and the surrounding community to connect with this amazing story wherever they may be in their journey of faith.

The New Year 2022 began with a vision message aimed at encouraging the church after the challenges of the pandemic, focusing on how God is always doing something new. A picture of stormy and challenging times was shared where it’s not possible to see what’s happening very clearly. At such times, it’s very helpful to focus on familiar things, which as Christians include such things as meeting together regularly both as a congregation and in small groups, praying together and learning from God’s word, the Bible. As we do these things, setting spiritual rhythms for ourselves, God makes a way forward for us, bringing good out of the tough times and opening up new opportunities to experience his leading and power.

From January 2022 until Easter, a new teaching series called ‘Behold Your King’ was brought. This was based on the first half of the New Testament gospel of Mark with the aim of helping people to look to Jesus and to respond to his radical teachings, learning from Jesus’ interactions with a range of different characters as he encountered them.

The opportunity for the church to provide the usual range of training courses was limited by Coronavirus restrictions throughout the year. However, an ‘Alpha’ course was provided online for those interested in investigating what the Christian faith is all about and was much appreciated by the participants.

As a continued investment in the life and growth of the church, the two graduates who had been taken on in the summer of 2020 for one-year internships were retained for another year as ministry trainees with significant benefit to the life and work of the church and to the participants themselves. A new intern was also taken on in October 2021 to assist with various areas of church life, particularly supporting the children’s work.

A new part-time Operations Co-ordinator role was taken on by the church’s Youth Worker in August 2021, complementing her part-time role with the church’s young people. This combination of roles created a full time position, giving greater flexibility in serving the church’s young people as well as enabling the operational aspects of church life to function more effectively.

The church staff team were all able to work in the rear hall at the church building as this had been reconfigured for social-distanced office working with Covid-secure measures allowing the staff team to work as a team at the church building. The interaction this provided brought considerable benefits to their creativity, their mental wellbeing and to the service they have been able to provide to everyone involved in church life.

The Elders and Trustees continually assessed the impact of Covid-19 on ALC’s activities throughout the year, implementing relevant precautions in response to government guidance aimed at containing the spread of the virus. They also continued to assess how the church can best fulfil its charitable objectives as the world emerges from the pandemic and beyond.

The number of regular attenders of Sunday meetings prior to the Covid-19 lockdown had averaged around 200 adults and teenagers with an additional 50 children aged 12 and under. As the church started to gather again, numbers were initially reduced somewhat but by the

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end of the reporting year, indications were that the number of people involved in church life was returning to a similar level as before the pandemic.

The church remains committed to supporting Christian organisations and ministries both in the UK and overseas and provides grants to Commission Apostolic Trust, TEAR Fund, Wycliffe Bible Translators and Operation Mobilisation. Benevolent donations are also made by the church to support the welfare of people experiencing hardship due to financial need.

Financial Review

During the year ended 31[st] March 2022 the church received a total of unrestricted income from donations, Gift Aid and bank interest amounting to £203,713. Income tax recovered on unrestricted Gift Aid donations was £33,838.

Total unrestricted expenditure for the year was £210,999.

Total restricted income was £5,112 including income tax recovered on restricted Gift Aid donations amounting to £753. £1,794 was expended from restricted funds.

Investment powers and policy

The Trustees/Directors aim to employ available funds towards the charitable aims of the church or towards enhancing the viability of the church's work for the future. In view of this policy and the relatively short time period between the receipt of funds and their expenditure, all funds are held in cash. Funds not immediately required are held on deposit. Due to the prevailing economic circumstances, deposit rates have been low so interest gained on such funds has been correspondingly reduced.

Funds

Funds are allocated to the activities of the church from donations and from Gift Aid tax refunds. 64% of unrestricted income was allocated to staff costs to enable the activities of the church to be implemented effectively, with a further 12% used to cover the running costs of the church buildings and rental of premises for Sunday morning meetings. 17% of unrestricted income was allocated to grants for the support of organisations and individuals within the UK and overseas that are directly involved in Christian work and whose objectives the Elders and Trustees consider to be compatible with the charitable aims of the church. The remaining unrestricted funds were allocated to the general operating costs of the church.

Restricted funds in response to appeals to meet specific needs or where donors have specified the purpose for which the funds should be used are allocated accordingly.

Reserves policy and going concern

The level of activity of the church is dependent upon voluntary donations from church members and attenders together with tax reclaimed on donations made under the Gift Aid scheme. To adequately cover the month-by-month operating costs of the church, the Trustees/Directors consider that the amount of unrestricted funds that should be immediately available at all times as a reserve should equate to at least two months of Core Monthly Operating Costs (CMOC), which are defined as essential expenses such as those for salaries, utilities, essential property maintenance, office costs, essential travel and necessary professional services. This reserves level is calculated each year after approval of the annual budget and is stress-tested against the maximum liabilities of the church including such items as statutory staff redundancy payments and contractual obligations such as venue hire.

This level of reserves is considered adequate by the Trustees/Directors as it would be possible although not desirable to reduce the level of activity of the church and its corresponding outgoings in various ways should reserves fall to such a level. Should available funds fall below

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two months CMOC, fund-raising appeals and cost-reduction plans affecting non-core costs would be prepared and if necessary implemented to maintain reserves above the set threshold.

The Trustees/Directors continued to monitor the financial situation of the charity as the Covid-19 pandemic progressed. The church’s general fund balance has been maintained at a good level throughout the pandemic to the point that the Trustees/Directors considered that it was important to invest more of the Church’s funds in employing and developing staff to enable the work of the church to be enhanced. The budget for 2021-22 was therefore intentionally structured to enhance the staff team and to provide staff training with the expectation that expenditure would exceed income thereby reducing the general fund balance. At the end of the financial year 2021-22, the reduction in the general fund was actually less than had been budgeted so the Trustees/Directors have no immediate concerns regarding the financial viability of the church as a going concern for the foreseeable future.

Restricted funds are allocated for amounts raised in response to appeals to meet specific needs or where donors have designated their contributions for specific purposes. The restricted funds active during 2021-22 normally include funds for special events and community work but these activities did not go ahead due to government restrictions and continuing caution about re-starting such gatherings while the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic persisted. The majority of the church’s restricted funds were used for the support of Christian mission.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

The charity’s governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association, constituting a charitable company limited by guarantee, as defined in the Companies Act 2011.

Appointment of new trustees

As set out in the Articles of Association, the charity may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act as a trustee, providing that they also become a director of the Charitable Company and that they subscribe to the church's Statement of Beliefs.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees are provided with terms of reference defining their role and are briefed by the existing Trustees on the nature of their responsibilities. They are also encouraged to review the information on the role of trustees available on the Charity Commission website and are encouraged to attend relevant external training events that will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Organisation

Throughout the period covered by this report there were five Trustees comprising one church Elder and four church members who also serve as Company Directors. The Trustees/Directors take prime responsibility for ensuring that Ascot Life Church fulfils its charitable objects and legal responsibilities and meet at least three times a year.

Throughout the period covered by this report, the church had five Elders who are also the Company Members. They meet bi-weekly and have responsibility for the spiritual oversight of the church and oversee the day-to-day running of the church. Under the oversight of the

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Elders, the responsibilities for running various church activities and ministries are further delegated to volunteer activity and group leaders.

The church had five employed members of staff at the start of the period covered by this report: two Elders/Ministers; a part-time Youth Worker who transitioned to a full-time combined Youth/Operations role in August 2021; a part-time Children’s Worker and a parttime Creative Communications worker. In August 2021, the two interns were taken on parttime as Ministry Trainees and at the end of 2021 the Creative Communications worker left to pursue a role outside the church. There were therefore six employed members of staff in post at the end of the period covered by this report. In addition to this, a new intern started in September 2021 to support the staff team whilst receiving a small bursary to help with living expenses.

Financial matters are dealt with by a treasury team co-ordinated by the Treasurer who provides reports to the Directors/Trustees and to the Elders.

Salaries and other staff benefits are agreed by the Directors/Trustees who conduct an annual review of staff remuneration taking account of price and wage inflation and the responsibilities of each role. They also periodically review available information on remuneration and benefits for comparable roles.

Related parties and co-operation with other organisations

None of the Trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any contractual relationship or similar connection between the charity and a trustee of the charity, its management personnel or a related party must be disclosed to the full board of trustees. In the current year no such related party contracts or transactions were reported.

Reference and Administrative Details

The charity is registered under the name 'Ascot Life Church'.

Registered Charity number: 1140436

Registered Company number: 07411973 (England and Wales)

Registered Office: Ascot Life Church, 175 New Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8PX

Trustees/Directors: Mr P. Draper, Ms N. Gwati, Mrs S. Hale, Mr P. Newman, Ms E. Ward. Property Trustee: Baptist Union Corporation Limited

Company members and key management personnel: Mr S. Argent, Mr P. Draper, Mr. R Perrins, Mr D. Rogers, Mr P. Rogers (until April ’22).

Trustees'/Directors' responsibilities in relation to financial statements

The charity Trustees (who are also the Directors of Ascot Life Church for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing a Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that 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 year. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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Statement as to disclosure to our Independent Examiner

In so far as the Trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees/Directors’ Annual Report:

Independent Examiner

The Independent Examiner, Mr Philip Mount, will continue his appointment as per his letter of engagement.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities.

By order of the board of Trustees/Directors

Signature: ...............................................................................

Trustee/Director Name: ..........................................................

Date: ...................................................................

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ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Directors / Trustees of Ascot Life Church

Independent Examiner's Report

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] March 2022, which are set out on pages 14 to 23.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an Independent Examination is needed. The charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

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 you as trustees concerning any 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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Signed: .............................................................................

Mr Philip Mount TD AFA MIPA 54, Dedworth Road Windsor Berkshire SL4 5AY Dated: ..........................................................................

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Statement of Financial Activities

For the Year Ending 31[st] March 2022 (including summary income and expenditure account)

Summary of Income and Expenditure
Notes
INCOME & EXPENDITURE
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3a
Investments
3b
Total Income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4a&b
Total Expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total funds
Year ending
Total funds
Year ending
Mar-22
Mar-22
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
£
£
203,708
5,112
208,820
198,830
5
-
5
30
203,713
5,112
208,825
198,860
210,999
1,794
212,793
197,868
210,999
1,794
212,793
197,868
(7,286)
3,318
(3,968)
992
-
-
-
-
(7,286)
3,318
(3,968)
992
78,059
6,157
84,216
83,224
70,773
9,475
80,248
84,216

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ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Balance Sheet

As at 31[st] March 2022

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets
5
Total fixed assets
Current Assets
Debtors
6
Cash at bank and in hand
Total Current Assets
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
7
Net current assets or liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Total net assets or liabilities
8
The funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total Charity Funds		 Total funds
Total funds
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
-
-
-
-
5,213
7,660
76,252
78,218
81,465
85,878


(1,217)
(1,662)
80,248
84,216

80,248
84,216
80,248
84,216


9,475
6,157
70,773
78,059
80,248
84,216

For the period ending 31/03/2022 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors'/Trustees' responsibilities:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees/Directors on:

........................................…………………..2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

----- Start of picture text -----
Director's Name: ……………………........…………. Director's Name: ………………………...............…………
Signed: ......................................................... Signed: ...................................................................
----- End of picture text -----

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ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

1) Accounting Policies

The following accounting policies have been used in the preparation of the financial statements:

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015, updated 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and include income and expenditure as they are earned or accrued.

b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

In view of the continued health of the church’s general fund balance for 2021-22 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Trustees/Directors have no concerns at present regarding the financial viability of the charity and are satisfied that the reserves held by the charity are more than sufficient to ensure its financial health for the foreseeable future.

c) Income

Donations under Gift Aid and all other donations and income are recognised as income when they are received. The income tax recovery associated with Gift Aid donations is accrued to the same month in which the donations are received.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

e) Receipt of donated services and facilities

The church benefits greatly from the involvement and support of its many volunteers and the Trustees’ Annual Report provides information about their contribution. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of people involved with the church is not assessed in economic terms and is therefore not recognised in the accounts.

f) Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees/Directors have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for specific purposes.

Restricted funds are donations that the donor has specified to be solely used for specific purposes as part of the church’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the church.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

g) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is on charitable activities including the costs of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

h) Grants

The church makes donations to individuals and to other organisations whose charitable objects complement its work. These donations are accounted for when paid over.

In accordance with the purposes of the charity to advance the Christian faith and to fulfil other charitable purposes connected with the work of the charity (see 'Our purposes and activities' in the report of the Trustees/Directors), the church made donations from its unrestricted funds as shown in the table below during the reporting year:-

ed funds as shown in the table below during the reporting year:-
Donations in support of Christian mission work:-
 Commission Apostolic Trust
 Wycliffe Bible Translators
 Operation Mobilisation
 T Foster – Youth With A Mission
 D Betts – Trinity Church, Red Deer, Canada
 Other small donations		 £ 12,000
£ 2,400
£ 2,400
£ 3,000
£ 12,000
£542
Subtotal £ 32,342
Donations to worldwide relief and development:-
 TEAR Fund		 £ 1,800
TOTAL £ 34,142

i) Operating leases

The charity classifies the lease of printing and photocopying equipment as an operating lease. The title to the equipment remains with the lessor and the equipment is replaced every few years whenever technology advancements make such replacement economically advantageous. Rental charges are charged on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

j) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the expected settlement amounts due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.

k) Creditors and provisions

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

l) Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

m) Pensions

Prior to the introduction of pension auto enrolment, employees of the church were encouraged to make contributions to a personal pension scheme with the church making corresponding employer contributions to the scheme in accordance with the terms of the agreed contracts of employment.

Following the introduction of pension auto enrolment, the church set up an account with the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), the workplace pension scheme set up by the government especially for auto enrolment. New employees are automatically enrolled into the NEST pension scheme at a basic level but have the flexibility to make contributions at a level that suits their circumstances, or to opt out if they wish to do so. The church makes corresponding employer contributions in accordance with the terms agreed in the relevant contracts of employment.

The employer contributions made by the charity to the above schemes in 2021-22 and treated as an expense amounted to £7,827. The aggregated amount paid to key management personnel in 2021-22 amounted to £5,456.

Pension premiums for the charitable company's employees are paid from unrestricted funds and are accounted for in the same month as the employees’ related remuneration.

2) Legal status of the charity

The church is a charitable company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per Member of the charity.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

3. Income

3a. Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted funds:-
Donations under Gift Aid
Gift Aid tax recovered
Donations – General
Restricted funds:-
Benevolent Fund
Tazmin Foster Support
Newday Youth Camp Fund
Ukraine Appeal
Other Restricted Funds (Mar-22)
3b. Investment income
Bank interest
Total Income		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
£
£
131,810
-
131,810
124,916
33,838
-
33,838
32,236
38,060
-
38,060
35,308
203,708
-
203,708
192,460
-
1,500
1,500
2,438
-
1,405
1,405
2,903
-
870
870
-
-
762
762
-
-
575
575
1,029
203,708
5,112
208,820
198,830
5
-
5
30
5
-
5
30
203,713
5,112
208,825
198,860

All of the church's investment income arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. The rates of interest on these accounts were low due to the economic circumstance prevailing at the time.

Gift Aid tax recovered on restricted donations amounted to £753 and is included in the restricted fund totals in the above table.

Further details on the various restricted funds can be seen under note 9.

No income from legacies was received in 2021-22.

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

4. Expenditure

4a. Expenditure on charitable activities - unrestricted funds

Staff salaries and wages
Employer's NI
Employer pension contributions
Church house costs
Grants
Costs of premises
Church equipment and resources
Administration and IT costs
Staff resources and travel
Training and Conferences
Students, Youth and Children's work
Outreach and Community work
Guest speakers
Professional fees		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
£
£
109,538
-
109,538
92,349
3,527
-
3,527
2,200
7,827
-
7,827
6,692
3,543
-
3,543
3,193
34,142
-
34,142
53,928
24,296
-
24,296
7,616
6,500
-
6,500
10,193
5,735
-
5,735
2,956
2,035
-
2,035
335
8,050
-
8,050
5,891
3,863
-
3,863
1,290
1,530
-
1,530
587
400
-
400
-
13
-
13
263
210,999
-
210,999
187,493

'Church house costs' relate to the house beneficially owned by the church as a manse for a minister's living accommodation and include costs such as property insurance, council tax and maintenance.

'Costs of premises' relate to the running costs of the church buildings and also to the rental of premises at Ascot Racecourse used for Sunday morning services.

4b. Expenditure on charitable activities - restricted funds

Benevolent Fund
Dave Betts Support
Tazmin Foster Support
Other restricted funds with exp <£100 (Mar-22)		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
£
£
-
100
100
600
-
1,253
1,253
4,216
-
441
441
5,349
-
-
-
210
-
1,794
1,794
10,375

Further details on the various restricted funds can be seen under note 9.

20

ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

5. Fixed Assets

The company has the beneficial use of a church property and manse by virtue of a trust established in 1921. The title deeds to these freehold properties are held by the Baptist Union Corporation.

The church premises are located at 175, New Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8PX and had a buildings insurance valuation of £1,171,763 declared by Baptist Insurance effective from 1[st] April 2021.

The manse is located at 3, Whitelands Drive, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8LS and had a buildings insurance valuation of £411,925 declared by Ageas Insurance Limited effective from 1[st] April 2022.

6. Debtors

rs
Gift Aid tax recoverable due
Prepayments
Other debtors and payments		 Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
3,383
4,152
1,830
3,508
-
-
5,213
7,660

7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

rs: Amounts falling due within one year
Income tax and NI due
Other creditors		 Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
1,217
1,662
-
-
1,217
1,662

8. Analysis of Net Assets by Fund

is of Net Assets by Fund
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Fund Balances		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
Mar-22
Mar-21
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
71,990
9,475
81,465
85,878
(1,217)
-
(1,217)
(1,662)
70,773
9,475
80,248
84,216

21

ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

9. Net movement in funds

Opening
Balance
31/03/21
£
78,059
20
275
2,138		 Incoming
Balance
Resources
Expenditure
Transfers
31/03/22
£
£
£
£
203,713
210,999
-
70,773
870
-
-
890
-
-
-
275
1,500
100
-
3,538
-
-
-
61
-
-
-
216
-
-
-
73
375
1,253
-
2,031
1,405
441
-
1,429
200
-
-
200
762
-
-
762
61
216
73
2,909
465
-
-
84,216
208,825
212,793
-
80,248

Net movement in funds - previous year

Opening
Balance Incoming Balance
31/03/20 Resources Expenditure Transfers 31/03/21
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted general funds 73,062 192,490 187,493 - 78,059
Restricted funds:-
Newday Youth Camp Fund 80 - 60 - 20
Youth Events 275 - - - 275
Benevolent Fund 300 2,438 600 - 2,138
Bible Reading Notes Fund 57 154 150 - 61
Commission Festival Fund 216 - - - 216
Community Work Fund 73 - - - 73
Dave Betts Support 6,250 875 4,216 - 2,909
Tazmin Foster Support 2,911 2,903 5,349 - 465
83,224 198,860 197,868 - 84,216

22

ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

10. Trustees, staff and related parties remuneration and benefits

None of the Trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the charitable company or a related entity. No trustee expenses have been incurred.

The number of church employees was five at the start of the reporting year and six at the end of the year. Further details are given in the section about Organisation on pages 8-9. No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 during the year.

Two graduates continued a one-year internship until the end of July 2021 and a new graduates was taken on for a one-year internship from September 2021.

The total remuneration received by the salaried church ministers who deal with the day-to-day management of the church's activities amounted to £59,883. One of the remunerated church ministers also has beneficial use of the house owned by the church as a manse for living accommodation.

There were no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.

The aggregated total donations received from trustees and related parties (as defined in the Charities SoRP (FRS 102) Appendix 1) during 2021-22 amounted to £28,410.

11. Related Charities

The custodian trustee of the church buildings, including the church manse, is the Baptist Union Corporation Limited (Charity number 249635), which is controlled by the Baptist Union Council.

The church is affiliated to Commission Apostolic Trust (Charity number 1150017) and is also a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain (Charity number 1125912) and the Southern Counties Baptist Association (Charity number 1091066). The church is also a member of The Evangelical Alliance (Charity number 212325).

23

ASCOT LIFE CHURCH

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31[st] March 2022

12. Financial Commitments

The Charitable Company leases an office photocopier/printer for which a total of £1,690 (including VAT) was charged in the financial year 2021-22.

13. Independent Examination

The fee for independent examination of the church's accounts will amount to £250.

24