STROUD CHRISTL4N FELLOWSHIP Accounts- 31st Deeember 2023
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
(A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)
Charity number: 1142276 Company number: 7599383
Accounts – Year ended 31st December 2023
INDEX
| 1-2. | Report of the Trustees and General Information |
|---|---|
| 3. | Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees |
| 4. | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 5. | Balance Sheet |
| 6-10. | Notes to the Accounts |
Registered in England and Wales No: 7599383
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31st December 2023
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charitable company for the year ending 31st December 2023 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a trustees’ report and accounts for Charities Act purposes.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and the charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland; FRS 102) issued in October 2019.
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is Stroud Christian Fellowship.
Charity Registration Number: 1142276
Company Number: 07599383
Registered Office: The Cross Parliament Street Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 2HL
Principal Office: As above
Trustees and Directors
The Trustees of the charitable company (the charity) are its Directors for the purposes of company law. The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
R Morris (Chairman) M Pearson S Morris C Clifton
Objects and Activities
The main purposes of the charity are:
-
a) The advancement of the Christian faith
-
b) To relieve persons in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick
-
c) To provide facilities for recreation and leisure occupation in the interests of social welfare.
In planning the activities of the charitable company, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)
Achievements and Performance
During the year the charity continued to pursue its main objects of serving the people of Stroud and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church met weekly on Sundays and in smaller house groups during the week. During the year there were several themed discussion groups organised. These groups used video and literature from other organisations and were popular and well attended. Over Easter, and at Christmas, community friendly services were held to encourage the community to engage with the fellowship. The young people of the fellowship continued to meet regularly for fellowship and fun, and many took part in the national Christian youth event “Satellites”. During the first part of 2023, the charity supported the local community through a weekly Parent/Toddler group and by providing “Warm Spaces” for vulnerable people. Finally, the charity was active internationally, supporting missionaries in the Philippines and Nepal, and helping Christians suffering hardship in Ukraine.
Financial Review
The charity received income of £87,854 by way of gifts and donations. Total expenditure for the year amounted to £119,119. A debtor amounting to £3,517 has been provided for the gift aid tax refund due at the end of the year.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves taking account of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be a minimum of £45,000 in general funds. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirement of the charity and the trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. The majority of the charitable company’s income is by way of regular donations from church members and there is no reason to believe that this source will decline in the near future. The present level of the reserves available to the charity are £86,869 therefore the current reserves are above the minimum level and the trustees will maintain sufficient reserves by monitoring expenditure closely with regards to donated income.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Stroud Christian Fellowship is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 11 April 2011. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Members of the charitable company guarantee to contribute amounts not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charitable company in the event of winding up.
Appointment of Trustees
The trustees keep the composition of the board under review and will seek to appoint additional members with appropriate skills and expertise should the need arise. Interested parties are given details of the background of the charitable company in order to make them aware of current activities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to the Small Companies Regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
This Report was approved by the Board on 25th June 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
R Morris
…………………….……… Trustee and Director
Stroud
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Stroud Christian Fellowship for the year ended 31st December 2023.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A P Williams FCCA A J Carter & Co Chartered Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
28th June 2024
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(Incorporating an income and expenditure account)
for year ended 31st December 2023
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Other 6 Total incoming resources Expenditure on Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total Funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ 83,786 240 84,026 103,288 2,762 - 2,762 4,594 646 - 646 201 420 - 420 57 |
|---|---|
| 87,614 240 87,854 108,140 |
|
| 118,879 240 119,119 124,509 |
|
| 118,879 240 119,119 124,509 |
|
| (31,265) - (31,265) (16,369) - - - - |
|
| (31,265) - (31,265) (16,369) 118,134 - 118,134 134,503 |
|
| £86,869 £- £86,869 £118,134 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
Registered in England and Wales No: 7599383
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 2023
| Notes Current assets Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total net assets 17 The funds of the charity: Restricted income funds 16 Unrestricted income funds 16 Total charity funds |
2023 £ 3,517 84,336 87,853 984 86,869 £86,869 - 86,869 £86,869 |
2022 £ 4,187 114,931 |
|---|---|---|
| 119,118 984 |
||
| 118,134 | ||
| £118,134 | ||
| - 118,134 |
||
| £118,134 |
For the year ended 31st December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors’ Responsibilities
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the act with respect to the accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
These accounts were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on: 25th June 2024 and are signed on their behalf by:
R Morris
…………………..……….
Trustee and Director
The notes on pages 6 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 6.
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st December 2023
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of Preparation
- The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 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)) (issued in October 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
b) Public Benefit Entity
Stroud Christian Fellowship meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
-
c) Going Concern
-
The Directors consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
-
The charity has entitlement to the funds;
-
any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
-
there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
-
the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
-
e) 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.
-
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 have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for the particular areas of the Charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Charity.
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)
g) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
-
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
-
h) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
-
i) Cash at Bank and in Hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
-
j) 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 settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
2. Legal status of the charity
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £10.
- Income from donations
| Donations and legacies Gifts and donations Specified gifts |
2023 £ 83,786 240 £84,026 |
2022 £ 103,048 240 |
|---|---|---|
| £103,288 |
Of the £84,026 received in 2023 (2022: £103,288) £240 was restricted funds (2022: £240) and £83,786 (2022: £103,048) unrestricted funds.
The Trust benefits greatly from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its many volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with accounting standards, the economic contribution of general volunteers is not measured in the accounts.
4. Income from charitable activities
| Tiddlywinks income Total income from charitable activities |
2023 £ 2,762 £2,762 |
2022 £ 4,594 |
|---|---|---|
| £4,594 |
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)
- Investment income
All of the Charity investment income arises from money held in a Virgin Savings Account.
6 Income earned from other sources
| Conferences Other |
2023 £ - 420 £420 |
2022 £ 57 - £57 |
|---|---|---|
7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
| Ministry Costs Pastoral Telephone Motor and travel Training and conferences Tiddlywinks Teaching aids and materials Gifts to visiting speakers Children and young people Gifts and donations Hall hire Specific projects Equipment Repairs and maintenance Hospitality Paganhill Outreach Office and Administrative Costs Salaries Rent and rates of office Telephones Heat and light General administrative expenses Professional Accountancy Total |
Church CAP 2023 Activities Total £ £ £ 51,869 - 51,869 173 - 173 685 - 685 680 - 680 6,912 - 6,912 182 - 182 (67) - (67) 2,147 - 2,147 19,530 - 19,530 7,300 - 7,300 - 240 240 243 - 243 2,923 - 2,923 537 - 537 43 - 43 4,153 - 4,153 11,521 - 11,521 948 - 948 3,213 - 3,213 4,903 - 4,903 - - - 984 - 984 £118,879 £240£119,119 |
2022 Total £ 49,827 316 563 1,253 10,068 354 (206) 1,821 29,262 6,570 240 481 - 294 95 3,955 11,575 867 1,884 4,306 - 984 |
|---|---|---|
| £124,509 |
Of the £119,119 expenditure in 2023 (2022: £124,509), £118,879 was charged to unrestricted funds (2022: £124,269) and £240 to restricted funds (2022: £240).
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)
8. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| This is stated after charging: Independent examiner's fee |
2023 £ 984 |
2022 £ 984 |
|---|---|---|
9. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
| Salaries and wages Social security costs and pension |
2023 £ 52,906 6,389 £59,295 |
2022 £ 52,807 6,315 |
|---|---|---|
| £59,122 |
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2022: Nil).
The following charity trustee and received renumeration (as permitted by the Memorandum and Articles of Association) and reimbursement of expenses as follows:-
| M K Pearson Salary Expenses |
2023 £ 45,480 1,162 £46,642 |
2022 £ 43,512 831 |
|---|---|---|
| £44,343 |
10. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| follows: | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 |
| Number | Number |
| 3 | 3 |
11. Related party transactions
During the year under review Trustees and their close relatives made unrestricted donations totalling £9,357 (2022: £9,485) and restricted donations totalling £nil (2022: £nil).
12. Corporation tax
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
13. Debtors
| Gift Aid | 2023 £ 3,517 £3,517 |
2022 £ 4,187 |
|---|---|---|
| £4,187 |
STROUD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31st December 2023 ( Continued)
14. Current Asset Investments
| Cash on deposit 15.Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Accruals |
2023 £ 65,596 £65,596 2023 £ 984 £984 |
2022 £ 67,874 |
|---|---|---|
| £67,874 | ||
| 2022 £ 984 |
||
| £984 |
16. Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds
| Balance Incoming 1.1.2023 resources £ £ General fund 118,134 87,614 Total £118,134 £87,614 Analysis of movements in restricted funds Balance Incoming 1.1.2023 resources £ £ Christians Against Poverty - 240 Total £- £240 Analysis of net assets between funds Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets Total |
Balance Incoming 1.1.2023 resources £ £ 118,134 87,614 |
Resources Funds expended Transfers 31.12.2023 £ £ £ (118,879) - 86,869 |
|---|---|---|
| £118,134 £87,614 |
£(118,879) £- £86,869 |
|
| Resources Funds expended Transfers 31.12.2023 £ £ £ (240) - - |
||
| £- £240 |
£(240) £- £- |
|
| General Restricted Fund Funds Total £ £ £ 84,336 - 84,336 2,533 - 2,533 |
||
| £86,869 £- £86,869 |