TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Registered Charity No. 1141725
HILLFIELDS CHURCH, COVENTRY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Office address: 18 Lower Ford Street Coventry CV1 5QJ Bankers: Virgin Money Trustees: James Young Simon Hook Paul Watts Peter Cordle Daniel Field (resigned 28[th] March 2024). John Barnes (appointed 7[th] March 2024) Jerciline Gnanasundarapaulraj (appointed 7[th] March 2024) Alex McLaren (appointed 7[th] March 2024) Matthew Stevens (appointed 7[th] March 2024) Treasurer: Daniel Field
CONTENTS
Trustees' report 1 Independent examiner's report 5 Statement of Financial Activities 6 Balance Sheet 7 Notes to the Accounts 8
TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Structure, governance and management
Hillfields Church Coventry is an independent Baptist Church located in Lower Ford Street and Waterloo Street, Coventry. The Church is a charitable unincorporated association with the Church Constitution adopted on 3[rd] March 2011.
The Trustees are the designated Officers of the Church as laid down in the constitution. These are the Elders, including the Pastors. A Pastor is one of the Elders whose gift in preaching, teaching and pastoral care has been recognised by the Church and has been appointed by the Church to exercise such a ministry. James Young and Simon Hook serve as full time pastors of the church.
The Trustees are required by the constitution to meet at least twice in a twelve-month period, but have met more frequently during the year. Any matter requiring a decision of the Trustees requires a simple majority of those present and voting at a properly convened meeting. In the event of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting is entitled to a second or casting vote.
Objects of the charity
The purposes of the Church are the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Doctrinal Basis of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Coventry and the surrounding neighbourhood, and such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the church in general meeting, further the work of the church.
Policies
Church policies are set by the Trustees. HCC currently has policies addressing the following:
Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Data protection Conflict of interest Finance, including Reserves, Investment, Internal control and paying staff Managing volunteers Risk management Disability Health and Safety Buildings lettings Lone workers Social media First aid Serious Incident Reporting
1
Achievements and performance
We rely entirely upon God’s grace and power to produce lasting benefit from our activities. At the same time, we encourage everyone in the church family to be involved in serving.
We are very grateful to God for the consistent and helpful biblical ministry from our pastors, other preachers from within the church and visiting preachers during the year. This has been a great help to many people, some of whom have understood their need of repentance and of putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
During 2023 we welcomed 20 new members into the church fellowship, while 6 ceased membership, bringing the number to 203 at the end of the year.
Activities and Public Benefit
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and during the year the Church has sought to provide a distinct public benefit in our activities. A spiritual or practical benefit has been provided to a wide range of members of the public in most of our activities.
Apart from specific meetings during the year for church members only, our meetings are freely open to the public.
Our regular Sunday worship and biblical preaching ministry have been maintained with morning and evening services each Sunday. Access to the church worship services online has been a help to many listeners both in the UK and overseas.
During the week the church has held regular meetings for prayer, Bible study and fellowship, at the church and in small home groups on alternating weeks, as well as promoting informal contact between members and others for mutual help and encouragement.
We have maintained a comprehensive programme of teaching and activities for children, young people and students to help them understand the Bible and the way in which its teaching should affect our lives in a beneficial way as well as participating in fun activities in a safe and nurturing environment. We also provide opportunities for older people to build friendships and encourage each other. “Open Door at 4” on a Sunday afternoon seeks to draw people from the community in to hear the Christian message in an informal setting.
Additional community support is provided through subsidised fortnightly lunches on a Monday and free lunches monthly on a Sunday and a subsidised annual holiday at home
The church has been able to give financially in response to several UK and overseas needs which have arisen during the year and which have been brought to our attention. This has been done with the recommendation of the Trustees.
The church supports a number of missionaries and Christian workers in prayer and receives their prayer letters and emails. Missionaries are prayed for by individuals and also from time to time at the Church prayer meeting. The Church has been particularly supporting Alex and Mari Walker and their family working
2
in support of community radio stations in sub-Saharan Africa for a number of years. We also support David and Georgina Gray in their work of Bible translation and Scripture engagement.
During the year we continued our program of refurbishments at our Waterloo Street site. Access to the main entrance was improved, new front doors, a new security system and blinds were installed and work began on upgrading the audiovisual infrastructure.
Plans for future periods
All our plans for the future are made in dependence on God. We are intending to continue our regular worship, Bible teaching ministry and prayer to give spiritual support to Church members and visitors. We are also hoping to develop further our evangelism with initiatives designed to engage with those who are not currently Christians, so that more people in Coventry and beyond, but in the local district of Hillfields in particular, are able to hear and understand and given an opportunity to respond to the message of the Christian gospel. To this end we are actively thinking through new opportunities for outreach, building relationships and providing practical support to the local community based particularly at the Waterloo Street site. We plan to continue the renovations to the Waterloo Street building to ensure it is suitable as a base for ministry.
We continue to seek as far as we can to meet the need for pastoral help and support for people in our fellowship which continues to increase as the church grows.
We hope to see the use of our buildings increase for both church ministries and as a resource for our local community; rooms are available for hire to external groups.
Financial review
The church has a finance team led by our treasurer, Dan Field. The work of the finance team includes producing an annual forecast of our estimated expenditure needs, collecting and allocating gifts to the church, reclaiming tax from HMRC on gift aided income, paying staff members, maintaining the financial accounts and distributing monies to those in need in accordance with the wishes of the Trustees.
The Church made a small surplus for the year on its General Fund of £785. This compares to a forecast deficit, which was avoided due to an increase in regular giving as well as £11,000 of large one-off gifts. The Trustees consider the financial position at the year-end to be satisfactory. The Trustees review the level of reserves each year to ensure that it is sufficient for ongoing day to day purposes. A budget for 2024 has been set based on the Church's ongoing and projected activities and a deficit is expected as a result of further increased salary costs and a slight reduction in donations. This deficit will be covered by funding a proportion of salary costs from designated funds carried forward. In setting the budget the Trustees have considered the possible impact of the economic climate on donations and they are satisfied that their assumptions are reasonable.
The main source of funds comes from donations. These funds enable the Trustees to fulfil their aims and objectives as stated above. It is the current policy of the Church that reserves (freely available unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use) should be maintained at a level equivalent to at least 10% of annual General Fund expenditure, excluding costs of activities which are recharged to
3
participants. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to achieve an orderly change in the Church's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The level of General Fund liquid reserves at 31 December 2023 was just over £23,000, in line with that required by policy.
There are no restrictions on the Trustees to invest. The unrestricted and restricted funds may be invested in any type of investment. The investment strategy is reviewed annually.
On behalf of the Trustees:
Signed Name Date 21/10/2024 Signed Name Date
4
114DEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUStEES OF HILLFIELDS CHURCH COVENTrY I report on the accounts of the Church for the year ended 31 December 2023. which are set out on the attached pages. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and Independent examlner The Church's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the attounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 44121 of the Charities Art 2011 (the 2011 Actll and that an independent examination is needed. It Is my responsibility to.. Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commis5ioner5 under section 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Act,. and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's rewt My examination was carried out in accordance wtth the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examinatjon includes a review of the ac¢ountinB iecords kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those record5. It also include5 consideration of any unusual Items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures urtdertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is gNen as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters sei out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement I have Completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect the 3ccovnting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and Content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accovnts and Reports) Regulations 20D8 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. 00 D C S Cooke MA Ioxonl FCA FCIE David Cooke & Co 5 Briar Close Banbury 2211012024 OX169DS Date..
Statement of Financlal Activltles for the year ended 31 Dember 2023 Unre51ricted nds De5iBnated fvnds Totsi thls year Totsl lastyear lThcoming resources INote 31 Income frorn DonatlOll5 and leBacie5 217.860 9,275 227,135 214,742 29.804 29,804 31,714 Inve5tmentS 2,862 2.862 1,187 Tosolln¢omlnp resour¢es Resour¢es expended INote$ 4-71 250.526 9,175 259.801 247,643 249,741 38.304 288,045 285,779 Totulresourres expended 249,741 288,04S 285,779 Net Incomellexpendltyrel Translers betweert funds (Nott 131 Net movement InAusTds Total fund5 brou8ht forward rotollunds corrfedlonvcrd 78S 129,0291 128.2441 138,1361 19,0001 18.2151 73.136 129,0291 60,625 31.596 128,2441 213.826 138,1361 251,962 213.826 80.065 89.065 64.921 185.582
Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total this | Total last | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | funds | Funds | income funds | year |
year | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||||
| Tangible assets | 10 | 41,532 | 576 | 42,108 | 50,451 | ||
| Total fixed assets | 41,532 | 576 | 42,108 | 50,451 | |||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Debtors | 8 | 16,838 | 105 | 16,943 | 31,790 | ||
| Cash at bankand in hand | 10,610 | 89,065 | 30,916 | 130,591 | 135,834 | ||
| Total current assets | 27,448 | 89,065 | 31,021 | 147,534 | 167,624 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | |||||||
| one year | 9 | 4,059 | 4,059 | 4,249 | |||
| Net current assets/(liabilities) | 23,389 | 89,065 | 31,021 | 143,475 | 163,375 | ||
| Total assets less | current liabilities | 64,921 | 89,065 | 31,597 | 185,583 | 213,826 | |
| Net assets | 64,921 | 89,065 | 31,597 | 185,583 | 213,826 | ||
| Funds of the Charity | |||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 11 | 64,921 | 64,921 | 73,136 | |||
| Designated Funds | 11 | 89,065 | 89,065 | 80,065 | |||
| Restricted income funds | 12 | 31,597 | 31,597 | 60,625 | |||
| Tota/funds | 64,921 | 89,065 | 31,597 | 185,583 | 213,826 | ||
| Signed on behalf of the trustees ~~P~~ter Cn� 2ete,Cccdle ,cct:1 :0:1 l:·13 GUIl) Signature |
Peter Cordle Print name |
21/10/2024 Date |
|||||
| ftf Simon Hook (Oct 22, 2024 09:53 GMT+l) |
Simon Hook | 22/10/2024 | |||||
| Signature | Print name | Date |
7
Notes to the accounts Note I Basis of preparation 1.1 Basls of accountlng The account5 h3ve been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5'. Staternent of Recommended Practlce applicable to charifies preparingtheir accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021 Issued on 16 July 2014. FRS102 and the Charrties Act 2011. Hlllfields Church Coventry meets the definition of a public benefii entity under FR5102. These accounts have been prepared underihe historical cost convention with ims recognised at cost or transattion value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notels) to these accounts. The Trustees conslder that there are no materlal UrtaInlieS aLt the chariWs ablllty to continue as a aolng concern. Note 2 AccountSn8 pollcles 2.11n¢¢)mt Re¢o8nltlon ol In¢omln8 re$our¢es These are included in the Statement of Financial Actlvities ISOFAI when.. the Chafity becomes effititleJ to the resources.. It is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources., and the monetary value can be measured with sufflcient rellabllity. There has been no offsettin8 of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permr(ted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS Grants and donatiofis are only included irt the SOFA %¥hen the 8eneral income reco8nltion criteria are met. Tax r•¢lalms on donatlons and Gift Aid retewable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. 81ft5 Any Gfft Aid amounr rt)Vered on a donation is considered to be part of that glft and Is treated a5 an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. The value of anyvoluntary help recesved is not ItKluded in the accounts but Is described in the trustees, annual report. Income Irorn Interest, royaltles This is included in ihe accoynis when receipt is probable and ihe amouni recelvable can be and dlvldend5 measured reliablv. Offsettln8 Grants and donlons Volunteer help 2.2 Exptnditurt & Llablllt6•s L10bllity re¢o8nition Liabilities are reco&nised as sTh)n as there is a al orconstructive obli8alion commitlingthe charity ro pay oui resources. These a onty ¢01$e in accounts when a commitment has been made and there a no condltK)ns to be Met relaiingto the grant which remain In the control of the charlty. Gronts p•y0ble without perfomiance condltlons 2.3 Assets Tan8lble flxed assetsfor use by These are capitalised il they can be used for more rhan one year. and cost at least charity £4(K>. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. Assets are depreciated on a straight line basis over their useful life as follows.. Elertronic equipment- 5 years - Furniture, fi¥ture5 and fittings- 10 years - Motor vÈhitles- 10 years
Notes to the accounts Icont.) Note 3 Analy515 of incorne Unrestricted Restrided funds in¢omefvnd$ Total fund Prior year Anatysi5 Donation5 Grft Aid Donations and leRa¢les 182.429 35.431 217,860 8,283 992 9275 190.712 36.423 227,135 179,537 35.205 214,742 Totsl CharItae artlvltles Event & activity charges Café sales Rent retewable Sundry Income 17,127 3.215 17,127 3.215 9.080 382 29.804 25,324 2.818 3.572 382 Totsl 31.714 Irwestrnent Income lThterest receivab 2.862 22 2,862 2*62 1,187 1,187 Total 250.526 9275 259.801 247.643 Note 4 Analysls of resourcès eMpÈnded Unr•strfrted Rthdrt•d funds Income fvnds Total fun Prlor y•ar Charltawe arflvltles Officeholder and employee- related costs Payment5 to oreacherslspeakers Gffts and flnarKlal support iven Children's and youth ministry 18-305 ministry Church holiday and other event5 Café costs Other actwities Training and conferences Equipment and resources Utilities, rètes ènd insurance 126.176 126,176 130,430 2.000 1,770 28,059 15,807 43.866 53.191 7,486 7,994 6,912 8.496 2.353 336 8.832 2.3S3 8,197 10.872 3,153 3,980 5.551 3.823 27.804 3,153 3,980 5.551 4,048 27,804 1,556 5,472 3,123 3,289 22,502 225 Minibus expenses Repair5 rnaintenance Licences and subscriptions Prinring & copying Consumables and sundry exoense5 Profe55ional fees Depreciation 3.850 8,875 2.271 3.621 2.473 3,850 30,121 2,271 3.621 2.473 5,911 9,797 2,292 2.748 3,015 21,246 5,207 182 Total 249.741 288.045 285.779
Notesto the accounts Icontl Note 5 Oetsi15 of certain item5 of expenditure 5.1 Feesfor examination or audil of the acwnts £425 is due to the independent examiner12022". £4251 for the examination of the accotsnts and £nll for other services12022'. £401. Notè 6 Paid ernployè*s 6.1 Staff Costs Thlsyear Last year Salar$ and w38es Employe¢s National Insurance costs Pension costs Idefined contribution 51hemel Other benefits Total staff (osts 100,125 2,217 8,038 15.770 126 150 100.051 2.479 13,081 No employees receed employee benelits lexcludin8 employer penslon costsl for the reporting period of more than E60,000. 6.2 Average head jnt In the year Thlsyear Number Last year Nurnber ClItable Activities Totsl 6.3 Ptnslons The charity operate5 a delined contribution benefrt scheme and contribjtes to NESTor an alternètNe scheme of the staff members. thoiee. Not• 7 GrantmakSni 7.1 Anllysls of glar pald Ilnduded In tort of thirltable artl4ttle51 Grints to Institutlons Grnnt5 t Indlvldu•ls Purpose forwhl£h Brar madt Support ol missDnary workers Overseas charitable projects Support for student ministry Support for other UK Christian ministry Gilts to UK churches and Christian charities Bible College studv Support for Individuals In Theed Total thls year Tottsl hst yeor 18.395 5,7S7 3.690 3,433 1,306 1.312 729 23,869 14.780 13,753 31.849 There were no costs incurred in Erantmakin812022.. £nill. 7.2 Grants made to In5tr<ution5 Total amount 018rants paid Narnes of in$titution5 King of Kings Church. South Africa Wycliffe Bible Translators Friends Internation81 Gifts of El,000 or less to 9 organisètions No48bS project Missionary Support International Student ministry 2,21K) Trtalgmnts to instituttons 13.753 10
Notesto the accounts Icontl Note 8 Debtors and prepayments Analysls of debtors Thi5 year Lastyear Income Tax reto¥Èrabl¢ 8.998 7,945 16.Y3 25.465 6.325 31.790 Prepayments Totsl Note 9 Creditors and accruals Analysls ol credltors Arnounts falliry due wlthin one year Thos year Last year Other creditors Social Security and Other Taxatk>n Accruals 2.633 1.216 41M) 4.249 916 3,143 4.059 Total Note 10 Tanglble fixed aswts Flxturt%fftUthy Motor¥*hldes 4nOeoulpmwrt Tot•1 10.1 Cost or valuatlon Balance brought forward and carrled forward 92.643 16,320 108.963 10.2 Attumul¥t•d dépr•¢l¥tlon and Impalmient provlslons Balance brou8ht forward 43.008 Depretiation char8e lor year 7,527 Disposals Balance carTled forward 15.504 816 58,512 8,343 50.535 16320 66055 10.3 Net book vae Brought forward Carried forward 816 Note 11 Unrestrlcted and deslgnated funds Fund balances brought forward Inc4xnlnK resources Out8oln¢ resources Fund balances carrled lorward TraTherS Unrestrirtedfund5 GeTheral Fund 73.136 250.526 1249.7411 64,921 Deslgnated funds Building Fund Ministry Fund Minibus Replacement Fund Total Fund5 31.538 33.409 15.118 153,201 31.S38 33A09 24,118 153,986 250,526 1249,7411 The designated Building Fund is money set aside by the church from existingfunds towards the cost of renovation work at the Waterloo street site. The Ministry fund 15 designated by the chuTch to be puttowafi15 salary c05t5 5houW the church be unable to cover the fvll c05t from regular Income in the short term. as well as hjnding ministry trainingcosts.
Notes to the accounts l¢ontl Note 12 Endowment and $tricted income funds 12.1 Funds held The church holds no endowment funds. The folkn¥inE are the Testricted income funds held by the church.. Fund Name Purpose and Resttktions To fund the church building project. To assist selected organisations aThd individuals. To fund church worker costs and ministrytraining. Grft5 given for specific ministries of the church. Ad hoc a5515tance to Indwidua15 In need. Building Fund Special CollectlOn5 Ministry Fund Help Fund Hope48abies Oversea5 Workers Support Short Term Mission Fund In supw)rt of the Hope4Babies projert in knth Africa. Support for individual Christian workers overseas Tts 5LlPPOrt short term mission opportunities for church members. To assist indmduals in payingchurch holiday char8es. Church Holiday pport Fund 12.2 Mo¥ement5 of funds Fund balarKes In(omSng I1801& Fund balances brought fon¥ard re50uros r50urcts Transfers carrfed foard Fund names 8uilding Fund Speclal Collectlons Help Fund Mlnistry Fund Over5ea5 Workers Support Hope4Bèbies 27.092 1.559 9,035 7,975 2.285 3.015 121.4281 13.6261 16(M)I 13.1311 14.3251 14.1)JOI 11.0931 2,298 53 1,656 231 1,349 875 364 5.076 3,144 1.444 459 3,144 Short Term Mlssion Fund Church Holiday &Jpport Fund Total Funds 60ffi25 9,175 138.2031 31,597 Note 13 Tran5fÈrs ttèn funds From Fund IN3mel General Fund To Fund INamel Miniiwjs Replacement Fund Rea50n Afiocate cash surplus Amount Note 14 Tran5actlons wlth trustee5 and related parties 14.1 Trustee remuneratlon and benefrts A5 permitted by the church con5titvtion,trustee5 JarnesYLwr¥ and Sirnon Hook received rernuneration in theircapacity 45 Pastors. In total thls remuneration was asfollows-. This year Last year Stipends Pension ¢05ts AccOmrnat1on Totsl rosts 41,230 4,176 37,087 8.776 14.2 Trustee exper None of the Tnjstees were paid or reimlmjrsed for exKtnses lingtO their services astrustees during the year.12022.' none). 12