## The River Church Chelmsford Ltd
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2023
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **COMPANY INFORMATION**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
**Trustees** J Godward M Smith S Cruse (resigned 31 March 2023) P Seeley **Key Staff** P Bardwell - Lead Elder - full time employed R Leverett - Foodbank manager - part time employed **Governing Document** Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 28 June 2011 as amended 22 July 2022 **Company Registration Number** 07685257 **Charity Registration Number** 1144804 **Principal Address & Registered Office** North Avenue Christian Centre 7 North Avenue Chelmsford CM1 2AL **Independent Examiner** Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB **Bankers** HSBC Kingdom Bank 99 High Street Media House Chelmsford Padge Road Essex Beeston CM1 1EQ Nottingham NG9 2RS **Contents Page** Company Information 1 Trustees' Annual Report 2-6 Independent Examiner's Report 7 Statement of Financial Activities 8 Balance Sheet 9 Cashflow Statement 10 Notes to the Accounts 11-16 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives 17
1
## **OASIS CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
The Directors have great pleasure in submitting their Annual Report for the period 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023.
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity seeks to demonstrate the Christian faith in action by the advancement of Christianity, starting in the Chelmsford area, but through our network, changing the world.
## **Government**
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Directors who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charitable Company.
## **Review of Activities**
## **THE RIVER CHURCH**
In July 2022 the charity changed its name to, formally, The River Church Chelmsford Limited but to be known generally as The River. The reason being to indicate the change from a stationery, fixed body to a moving, active body. No change was made to any part of the legal entity with the Articles of Memorandum along with the Company and Charity numbers remaining unchanged.
The objects of the charity are to advance the Christian faith in order to proclaim and further the good news of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to preach the Christian faith through the power of His Spirit. In so doing, we aim to continue to grow as a vibrant, life-giving community. The charity has one full time elder and a part time financial administrator as employees along with several part time staff in paid and voluntary roles.
The local church works as a body of people who volunteer their resources to establish a vibrant and varied community. Our total number including children during the year has markedly increased in the year ended 31 March 2023 and has varied at around 120 adults, youth and children but we have seen individuals and families joining with us over the year in question, many committing themselves as regular attendees and participants.
We continue to invest in our children and youth work although our Youth Worker, Sarah, who was employed for 16 hours a week during term time, left at the end of December 2022. Her support has been of particular benefit to our young people both during lockdown
2
and the Covid restrictions, where many have really struggled with their mental wellbeing and social interactions, particularly when they were also out of school, and also with normality returning but in ways different to pre-pandemic times. Our children and youth work continues with leadership from our full time church leader and volunteers with experience in working with youth and children.
The essential programme of events across the life of the River church community that were in place last year have continued throughout this year and now include a few weekends with a guest speaker or team taking sessions over the two days.
Given the numerical growth we have seen during the last 12 months, we have been focussing on integration and building relationships. We have trialled some new discipleship methods which we will be expanding in the coming months. In collaboration with Our Foodbank and CMA projects and in conjunction with Citizens Advice and Essex Wellbeing Service we have opened a community based free drop in coffee lounge we call ‘Refresh’. We are looking to expand our evangelism and discipleship strategy in the coming months.
The year has seen us continuing to work with several other churches in Chelmsford, the local area and wider afield, particularly with other churches that we relate to within the ‘Kingdom Legacy’ network (a network of churches from different cities, towns and countries). We also are a core church within ‘Transforming Essex’, a collaboration of churches and individuals across Essex to see ministries and projects established. Our relationship with other churches in the town has continued to develop as part of Christians Together in Chelmsford (CTIC) and Peter Bardwell, our full-time Elder, is the Chairperson.
## **THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.R.C.**
The 5-year Mission Partnership with the Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church which started in September 2018, comes to an end in September 2023. It was set up to recognise the relationship between the two organisations and their commitment to continue existing positive, kingdom-driven work from the premises of North Avenue Christian Centre. Discussions have begun between the parties, including North Avenue Youth Centre, to look forward as to how the work progresses and develops and in what form from September 2023.
We continue to make some changes to the building so that it accommodates the congregation and gives comfort for our children and young people’s work. This financial year sees the Mission Partnership completing its’ major refurbishment programme of the interior and developed access to and from the building.
3
## **CHELMSFORD FOODBANK**
Our Foodbank project continues to develop. The figures for the year in question show a marked increase in both donations given and the amount given out, along with the number of vouchers issued and the number of adult and children fed. Donations rose by 45% to 86 metric tonnes whilst the amount given out rose 28% to 84.5 metric tonnes. Voucher issue went up by 61% to 2960 feeding 4208 adults and 3247 children, an overall rise of 7455 (from 4423 or 68%).
In January 2023 we closed one Distribution Centre and opened 3 others which now means we have 7 centres covering the Chelmsford City area and at least one session is held every week day including one late afternoon and one evening session. All but one of the premises used for our Foodbank distribution centres are provided free of charge by local churches and our warehouse is housed in a building leased to us by the Anglican Diocese of Chelmsford. We endeavour to give an annual donation to those Centres who give us usage free of charge. Upgrading the warehouse has continued, but at a much lesser extent than last year. Thanks to the small team involved to give our Foodbank and it’s volunteers an excellent place to work.
Donated food is sorted, packed, and distributed from the warehouse to the centres for collection by clients by an incredible team of around 100 volunteers. An estimated cost to employ the volunteers to man the Centres and warehouse would be in excess of one hundred thousand pounds.
In September 2022 another part-time member of staff has been employed for the Foodbank to help develop our Foodbank centres into support and resource hubs. The Foodbank now has 3 part-time staff who are employed for a total of 54.5 hours per week. This has ensured continuity of management, developing the way we work, and developing additional projects.
Through Trussell Trust, in January 2023 we obtained a grant for a Financial Inclusion project to provide easier access to Foodbank clients to advice and support to help them address the underlying issues of their situations that has brought them to the Foodbank. This has been started by Foodbank covering the costs and wages of two part-time welfare benefit specialist case workers and a trained team of Cost of Living Advisors (COLAs).
## **COMMUNITY MONEY ADVICE**
In April 2021 we announced the affiliation to Community Money Advice (C.M.A.). After a long application process, we registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (F.C.A.) and
4
a small team was set up. We now have 5 people who have passed Part 1 and 2 training of the C.M.A. and some have begun seeing clients.
## **Financial Review**
During the year unrestricted income decreased by £10,193 to £77,117 and unrestricted expenditure increased by £13,887 to £100,734. This resulted in an unrestricted deficit for the year of £10,917 and a decrease in unrestricted net current assets to £21,486. Restricted income increased by £203,853 to £447,190, the majority of which related to the Foodbank including £244,430 of donations in kind. Restricted surplus for the year was £124,218 and restricted net current assets at year end were £387,051, of which £69,192 was held as stock.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Board of Directors have established a policy whereby free reserves held by the charity should be maintained at between 3-6 months of committed monthly expenditure. We continue to work positively towards this goal, whilst balancing the on-going work of the charity commitments.
## **Risk Statement**
The Directors have reviewed the risks to which a small charity operating with few employees are exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis.
## **Directors’ Responsibilities**
Charity law requires us as Directors to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which give a true and fair view of the state of the charity and of its income and expenditure for the year.
1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
2. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
3. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. State whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and.
5. Prepare the financial statements on a going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
5
We are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the Company and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the Directors and signed on their behalf by:
## **J Godward**
- J. Godward
Chair of the Trustee board
Date: 19 December 2023
6
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023 on pages 8 to 17 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 11 to 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (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 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**
Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the
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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the 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.
## **Sarah Crispin**
Sarah Crispin ACA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: 20 December 2023
7
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations
3
Investments
6
Other income
7
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities
4
**Total expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
12
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
12|Unrestricted
Funds
£
76,984
133
-
77,117
100,734
100,734
-
(23,617)
12,699
(10,917)
32,403
21,486|Restricted
Funds
£
446,368
822
-
447,190
310,273
310,273
-
136,917
(12,699)
124,218
262,833
387,051|Total
Funds
2023
£
523,352
955
-
524,307
411,006
411,006
-
113,301
-
113,301
295,236
408,537|Total
Funds
2022
£
329,532
422
693|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||330,647|
|||||313,245|
|||||313,245|
|||||-|
|||||17,402
-|
|||||17,402
277,834|
|||||295,236|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.
The notes on page 11-16 form part of these accounts.
8
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**
|Note
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
6
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Stock
7
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
9
**CREDITORS: Amounts falling**
**due within one year**
10
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**TOTAL NET ASSETS**
**FUND BALANCES**
12
Unrestricted Funds
General funds
Restricted Funds|Unrestricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
3,457
31,436
34,893
(13,408)
21,486
21,486
21,486
21,486
21,486
-
21,486|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
69,192
435
317,424
387,051
-
387,051
387,051
387,051
-
-
387,051
387,051|Total
Funds
2023
£
-
-
69,192
3,892
348,860
421,944
(13,408)
408,537
408,537
408,537
21,486
21,486
387,051
408,537|Total
Funds
2022
£
4,564|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||4,564|
|||||48,443
756
245,000|
|||||294,199
(3,528)|
|||||290,672|
||||||
|||||295,236|
|||||295,236|
|||||32,403|
|||||32,403
262,833|
|||||295,236|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2023
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.
The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities
- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its net income or expenditure for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:
## **J Godward**
---------------------------------------
J Godward
Date: 19 December 2023
Company number: 07685257
The notes on page 11-16 form part of these accounts.
Charity number: 1144804
9
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT**
|Note
2023
£
**Cash flows from operating activities:**
**_Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities_**
a
102,904
**Cash flows from investing activities:**
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
955
**_Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities_**
955
103,860
b
245,000
b
348,860
**Analysis of changes in net debt:**
At start of
year
Cash-flows
£
£
Cash
244,999
103,860
Total net funds / (debt)
244,999
103,860
**Note a: Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities**
2023
£
113,301
**Adjustments for:**
Depreciation charges and provisions for impairment
4,564
(Gains)/losses on investments
-
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(955)
Loss/(profit) on the sale of fixed assets
-
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
(20,749)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(3,136)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
9,880
**_Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities_**
102,904
**Note b: Analysis of cash and cash equivalents**
2023
£
Cash at bank with immediate access
348,860
Notice deposits (with a term of three months or less)
-
Petty cash
-
**Total cash and cash equivalents**
348,860
**_Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the statement of financial_**
**_activities)_**
**Cash and equivalents at the beginning of the year**
**_Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year_**
**_Change in cash and equivalents in the reporting period_**|2022
£
35,547|
|---|---|
||422|
||422|
|||
||35,969
209,030|
||244,999|
||At end of
year
£
348,859|
||348,859|
||2022
£
17,402
4,564
-
(422)
-
11,503
1,613
888|
||35,547|
||2022
£
245,000
-
-|
||245,000|
10
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **1 Statutory Information**
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.
## **2 Accounting Policies**
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
- a) Going concern The trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of approval of the financial statements. In particular the trustees have considered the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
- b) Income Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
- ii) Donated facilities, services and goods. Goods donated for distribution to beneficiaries are recognised as income when receivable at fair value (being an estimate of the amount it would cost to purchase those items). Facilities, services and goods donated for the charity's own use are recognised as income when receivable at their value to the charity.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities, particularly the Foodbank project. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably
When donated goods, services and facilities are distributed or consumed, an expense in respect of those items is included in the Statement of Financial Activities. At the year end any goods that have not been distributed or consumed are recognised as stock.
c) Expenditure Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
The charity's overheads, being costs that have not been incurred directly on a charitable activity, have been disclosed separately in the notes under the heading 'Costs incurred on support and administration'. Where these costs are shared between activities, they have been allocated based on income.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
- d) Fund accounting General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
11
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## e) Tangible fixed assets
Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £2,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
## Vehicles Over 5 years
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
## f) Stocks
Stocks of donated items held for distribution to beneficiaries are measured at fair value. Foodbank stock is valued using the Trusell Trust estimation of £2.37/kg
g) Pension scheme arrangements The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
## h) Taxation
The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
i) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
## j) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The trustees do not consider that there are any material sources of estimation or uncertainty at the balance sheet date that could result in a material adjustment to the carrying values of assets and liabilities in the next reporting period.
## **3 Donations**
|**3**
**Donations**|||
|---|---|---|
|Donations of cash and similar
Donations in kind (note 3a)
Other grants receivable
Income tax recoverable
**a**
Donations in kind comprise:
Goods donated for:
Distribution to beneficiaries
Donated facilities|2023
£
214,485
244,430
52,408
12,029
523,352
2023
£
221,180
221,180
23,250
244,430|2022
£
194,011
121,719
13,802|
|||329,532|
|||2022
£
103,719|
|||103,719
18,000|
|||121,719|
Donated facilities comprise a property that that has been made available rent-free for the foodbank warehouse and the distribution centres which provide their facilities on a rent-free basis.
12
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **4 Analysis of expenditure**
|Incurred directly on activities
Employment costs (note 5)
Premises costs
Church ministry costs
Foodbank running costs
Donations in kind expensed
Grants payable (note 4a)
Support costs
Insurance and finance charges
Office costs
Depreciation
Governance
Incurred directly on activities
Employment costs (note 5)
Premises costs
Church ministry costs
Foodbank running costs
Donations in kind expensed
Grants payable
Support costs
Insurance and finance charges
Office costs
Depreciation
Governance|The River
Church
64,523
6,683
7,867
-
-
9,627
1,659
7,583
-
771
98,713
The River
Church
60,150
5,566
8,154
-
-
8,372
1,966
864
-
1,119
86,193|Foodbank
22,367
9,405
-
32,977
223,681
7,800
2,157
4,874
4,564
4,469
312,294
Foodbank
24,165
33,614
-
25,113
133,222
-
1,364
2,007
4,564
3,005
227,053|Total
Charitable
Expenditure
2023
86,890
16,089
7,867
32,977
223,681
17,427
3,816
12,456
4,564
5,240|
|---|---|---|---|
||||411,006|
|||||
|||||
||||Total
Charitable
Expenditure
2022
84,315
39,180
8,154
25,113
133,222
8,372
3,330
2,871
4,564
4,124|
||||313,245|
|||||
As the charity's income is over £500,000 in the current year, expenditure is disclosed by charitable activity. The disclosure for the previous year has been restated to provide a comparative.
The fee payable to the independent examiner for preparing and examining the accounts was £3,600 (2022: £3,000); in addition the charity paid £875 (2022: £727) to Stewardship for payroll bureau and consultancy services.
## **a Grants payable**
|Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty
The comparatives for the previous year are as follows:
Grants for UK and overseas mission
Grants for the relief of poverty|Institutions
£
5,646
8,161
13,807
Institutions
£
6,800
-
6,800|Individuals
£
-
3,621
3,621
Individuals
£
-
1,573
1,573|2023
£
5,646
11,782|
|---|---|---|---|
||||17,427|
||||2022
£
6,800
1,573|
||||8,372|
13
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
|New Life Church (Transforming Essex)
Eastgate (Living Fire)
Grove Road Evangelical Church
Beaulieu Community Trust
St Andrews PCC
St. Marys Church Baddow PCC
Grants to institutions for less than £1,000 each|2023
£
2,125
2,125
3,900
1,300
1,300
1,300
1,757
13,807|2022
£
3,000
3,000
-
-
-
-
800|
|---|---|---|
|||6,800|
|**5**
Gross wages and salaries
Social security
Pension costs
**Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration**|2023
£
82,123
1,667
3,100
86,890|2022
£
79,321
2,089
2,905|
|---|---|---|
|||84,315|
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 4.5 (2022: 4). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
During the year key management received employment benefits totalling £59,997 (2022: £57,614).
No trustees received employment benefits in either the current or preceding year.
## **6 Tangible fixed assets**
|Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 April 2022
**7**
**Stock**
Donated goods
For distribution to beneficiaries
**8**
**Debtors**
**Falling due within one year:**
Tax recoverable
Other debtors|Vehicles
£
22,822
-
22,822
18,257
4,564
22,821
-
4,564
2023
£
69,192
69,192
2023
£
3,892
3,892|Total
2023
£
22,822
-|
|---|---|---|
|||22,822|
|||18,257
4,564|
|||22,821|
|||-|
|||4,564|
|||2022
£
48,443|
|||48,443|
|||2022
£
756
-|
|||756|
14
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
## **9 Cash at Bank and in Hand**
|Cash at bank with immediate access
**itors: liabilities falling due within one year**
Accruals
Grant obligations|2023
£
348,860
348,860
2023
£
3,600
9,808
13,408|2022
£
245,000|
|---|---|---|
|||245,000|
|||2022
£
3,528
-|
|||3,528|
## **10 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year**
## **11 Pension commitments**
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £3,100 (2022: £3,017) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. Pension contributions of £nil were owing at the balance sheet date (2022: £528).
## **12 Funds**
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Chelmsford Foodbank
Chelmsford Foodbank - donations in kind
Financial inclusion project
Emergency Relief Fund
Love offerings
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2023
£
32,403
32,403
210,640
48,444
-
2,227
1,523
262,833
295,236|Incoming
resources
2023
£
77,117
77,117
150,353
244,430
52,408
-
-
447,190
524,307|Outgoing
resources
2023
£
(100,734)
(100,734)
(72,231)
(223,681)
(12,839)
-
(1,523)
(310,273)
(411,006)|Transfers
in the year
2023
£
12,699
12,699
(12,699)
(12,699)
-|Closing
balance
2023
£
21,486|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||21,486|
||||||276,063
69,192
39,569
2,227
-|
||||||387,051|
||||||408,537|
The transfer from the Foodbank to General funds reflects foodbank expenditure incurred in previous years and charged to general funds.
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year|Unrestricted
General
funds
£
-
-
3,457
31,436
(13,408)
21,486|Restricted
funds
£
-
69,192
435
317,424
387,051|2023
£
-
69,192
3,892
348,860
(13,408)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||408,537|
15
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
In the previous year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
|_General Unrestricted Funds_
Total Unrestricted Funds
_Restricted Funds_
Chelmsford Foodbank
Chelmsford Foodbank - donations in kind
Emergency Relief Fund
Love offerings
Aggregate of funds|Opening
balance
2022
£
32,388
32,388
182,287
59,946
1,690
1,523
245,446
277,834|Incoming
resources
2022
£
87,310
87,310
119,179
121,719
1,538
902
243,338
330,647|Outgoing
resources
2022
£
(86,847)
(86,847)
(90,827)
(133,222)
(1,000)
(1,350)
(226,398)
(313,245)|Transfers
in the year
2022
£
(448)
(448)
-
-
-
448
448
-|Closing
balance
2022
£
32,403|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||32,403|
||||||210,640
48,444
2,227
1,523|
||||||262,833|
||||||295,236|
## **Analysis of net assets by fund**
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
|Tangible fixed assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors falling due within one year|Unrestricted
General
funds
£
-
-
756
35,174
(3,528)
32,403|Restricted
funds
£
4,564
48,443
209,825
262,833|2022
£
4,564
48,443
756
245,000
(3,528)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||295,236|
The Chelmsford Foodbank funds are to be spent on the work of the Chelmsford Foodbank The Love Offerings Fund represents appeals for specific purposes.
The Emergency Relief Fund is for immediate financial support for those in need.
## **13 Rental commitments**
The charity has entered into a partnership agreement with the Eastern Synod of the URC to occupy a building at North Avenue Christian Centre, under which it pays £12 per year for rent up until 30 September 2024.
## **14 Transactions with related parties**
During the year the charity:
- a) received donations totalling £12,900 (2022: £13,750) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
- b) No expenses (2022: £nil) were paid to, or for, the trustees.
## **15 Members**
Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £10.
16
## **THE RIVER CHURCH CHELMSFORD LTD**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023**
|Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations
3
Investments
Other income
**Total income and endowments**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Charitable activities:
4
**Total Expenditure**
**Net gains/(losses) on investments**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**Transfers between funds**
12
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**
12||General
Designated
2023
2023
£
£
76,984
133
-
77,117
-
100,734
100,734
-
-
(23,617)
-
12,699
-
(10,917)
-
32,403
-
21,486
-
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2023
£
446,368
822
447,190
310,273
310,273
136,917
(12,699)
124,218
262,833
387,051|Total
2023
£
523,352
955
-
524,307
411,006
411,006
-
113,301
-
113,301
295,236
408,537|||General
Designated
2022
2022
£
£
86,551
66
693
87,310
-
86,847
86,847
-
-
463
-
(448)
-
15
-
32,388
-
32,403
-
Unrestricted funds|Restricted
2022
£
242,981
357
-
243,338
226,399
226,399
16,939
448
17,387
245,446
262,833|Total
2022
£
329,532
422
693
330,647
313,245
313,245
-
17,402
-
17,402
277,834
295,236|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17