CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH
Trustee’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2026
Charity number: 1151253
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CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH Year ended 31 March 2026 Content Page Trustee’s Report…………………………………………………. 3 Independent Examiner’s Report…………………………………..8 Receipts and Payments…………………………………………….9 Statement of Assets and Liabilities………………………………..9
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CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026
The church Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ending 31 March 2026.
- Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees, and Advisers Correspondence Address
Head Office 53 High Street St Mary Cray Orpington BR5 3NJ
Branches
CCC Sidcup Kent Sittingbourne Parish Church Street Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3EG
CCC Sidcup Kent Parish Canterbury Hawks Lane Canterbury CT1 2NU
Trustees Olatunji Odesanya Oluwole Akinyooye Dickson Olabisi (Chair) Emmanuel George Elizabeth Adetokunbo Vestappen Juliana Aderonke Shabi
Bankers
Lloyds & Metro banks
Independent Examiner Mr Ayo Ajayi-Obe 10 Denham Grove Bracknell RG12 7PT
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CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 (cont.)
2. Structure, Governance, and Management
a. Governing Documents
Celestial Church of Christ Sidcup Kent Parish is constituted as a charitable Trust. It is governed by a constitution approved by members on 15 March 2013.
b. Method of Appointment or Election of Trustees
Trustees must be appointed by a resolution passed by a simple majority at a meeting of the Spiritual Leadership.[The appointment must be confirmed by Deed where property is held.]
Every future Trustee must sign a declaration of willingness to act as a Trustee of the Church before he or she is eligible to vote at any meeting of the Trustees.
- c. Policies Adopted for the Induction and Training of Management Committee
Following appointment, new Trustees are introduced to their role and given copies of the constitution and a guide to the policies and procedures adopted by our charity. A number of publications from the Charity Commission are also provided, including guidance on charities, public benefit, and the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
This ensures that they are aware of the scope of their responsibilities under the Charities Act.
d. Organisational Structure and Decision Making
The Charity Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The Trustees give their time and receive no remuneration or other financial benefit.
The trustees meet together as a body monthly and are responsible for all decisions taken in relation to the running of the church and activities provided by the charity.
To assist in the smooth running of the charity, the trustees have set up a leadership team to help them oversee certain aspects of the charity’s work.
e. Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the risks the charity faces and have drawn up a risk matrix which identifies the major risk areas of activity, the nature of those risks, the likelihood of the risk happening, and measures taken to manage them.
The trustees review this matrix regularly at their meetings. The trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand, to manage the risks that have been identified.
In particular, insurance cover is in place and the finances of the church are kept under review. Appropriate Criminal Records Checks (DBS), supported by regular review policies, are made for all who work with children or other vulnerable groups within the church.
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CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 (cont.)
f. Relationship with Any Related Parties
Celestial Church of Christ Sidcup Kent has related party transactions with the Celestial Church of Christ Great Britain, which is our umbrella organisation.
3. Objectives and Activities
Our Aims
The objects of the charity are set out in the charity’s constitution and are summarised as follows: To advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the schedule hereto in such parts of the United Kingdom for the benefit of the public, in particular through the holding of prayer meetings, worship service, lectures, the public celebration of religious festivals, and the distribution of literature on the Christian faith to enlighten others.
Our Objectives
Our objectives are set to reflect our faith and community aims. Each year, our trustees review our objectives and activities to ensure they continue to reflect our aims. In carrying out this review, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and, in particular, its supplementary public guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
Our dual aims remain to provide a facility where Christians can worship and to provide a community facility for all the inhabitants of Sidcup and Orpington.
Our long-term ambition is to build the self-confidence of Orpington area and Nigeria Christians in their faith and, through our community facilities and activities, help make our area a peaceful, vibrant, and harmonious community.
Strategies
We want to make our church an accessible and welcoming venue where all Christians, or those who wish to know more about our faith, can gather together to learn about their religion and worship.
At our ‘Christian events, we share the teachings of Jesus and the nature of our faith with nonChristians. In addition to an open day, we also hold an open week each year when we invite congregations from all the local Christian churches to visit us and learn more about Christianity.
An important part of our faith is charitable giving, according to one’s income, in accordance with biblical principle, and we are pleased to receive special donations for the sole purpose of the relief of need and financial hardship of Christians in Nigeria who have insufficient money to cover their basic needs for shelter, food, clothing, or who are destitute with no means of support.
An important part of our strategy is community welfare and education. Our activities, including classes, health initiatives, and seminars, are widely advertised, and we welcome the participation of all in our local community, Christian and non-Christian alike. Most of our activities are free and supported by donations.
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CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 (cont.)
Use of Volunteers
Volunteers are an important resource in both our faith and community work. Volunteers are involved in most of our faith and community activities, and we have over 30 people regularly giving their time.
All our trustees also give of their time freely. We encourage all members of our Church to be involved in voluntary activities and to share their skills with others. All those volunteers working with projects involving children or other vulnerable groups are DBS checked.
Activities and Achievements
How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit
The charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide benefit both to those who worship at our Church and the wider community.
Religious Activities
Our Church provides a centre for our prayers and worship and for the activities associated with our faith. During the year under review, we offered a range of religious services and activities including:
Prayers:
The Church is open 5 days a week. During the week, we have over 30 people who regularly attend mid-week prayers and bible studies, and over 60 who regularly attend Sunday worship service.
Festivals:
The church prepares food during Christmas for those attending our services who wish to celebrate the birth of Christ. During Easter, we also celebrate the death of Christ with a holy communion meal. We also offer a monthly service of thanksgiving for our members and the community.
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The charity holds £6,911 in unrestricted funds (2025: £3,299), which are maintained to meet unforeseen expenditure.
Principal Funding Sources
The charity’s main source of income remains voluntary giving. Giving for the year amounted to £98,728 (2025: £148,553).While this represents a decrease, the trustees remain encouraged by the continued support of members.
Declaration
The trustee declare that they have approved the trustee's report above.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Name: Mr Dickson Olabisi
Signature: ______ Date: 05/05/2026
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees ofCelestial Church of Christ Sidcup Kent Parish
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31/03/2026.
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
the accounting 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 (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, 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.
Independent Examiner Details
Name: Ayo Ajayi-Obe MA Address: 10 Denham Grove, Bracknell, RG12 7PT
Date & Signed: 05/05/2026
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| CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH | CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH | CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST SIDCUP KENT PARISH |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts & Payments account from 1April 2025 to 31 March 2026 | ||
| Funds | 2026 | 2025 |
| Receipts | ||
| Giving’s | 98,728 | 148,553 |
| Tax refund | 25,205 | 25,441 |
| Interest | 20 | 197 |
| Total | 123,953 | 174,191 |
| Payments | ||
| License | 540 | 240 |
| Insurance | 1,838 | 2,735 |
| Travelling & Subsistence | 9,763 | 8,607 |
| Care & hospitality | 6,173 | 10,677 |
| Literature books | 0 | 90 |
| Publicity | 1,206 | 0 |
| Utilities | 3,007 | 3,982 |
| Rent | 65,854 | 73,393 |
| Telephone bills | 1,093 | 1,006 |
| Donations | 2,041 | 2,250 |
| Accounting | 2,500 | 2,550 |
| Office expenses | 939 | 1,412 |
| Honorarium | 2,000 | 2,120 |
| Repairs | 1,634 | 1,615 |
| Salaries | 0 | 42,571 |
| Equipment | 10,614 | 0 |
| Outreach | 10,358 | 22,221 |
| Bank charges | 8 | 0 |
| Motor expenses | 773 | 0 |
| Total | 120,341 | 175,469 |
| Net of receipts | 3,612 | -1,278 |
| Unrestricted cash funds B/F | 3,299 | 4,577 |
| Unrestricted cash funds C/F | 6,911 | 3,299 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2026 | ||
| Fixed Assets | 2026 | 2025 |
| Motor vehicle | 26,870 | 26,870 |
| Equipment | 22,678 | 12,064 |
| Total | 49,548 | 38,934 |
| Current asset | ||
| Bank | 6,911 | 3,299 |
| Total | 56,459 | 42,233 |
| Reserves | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 56,459 | 3,299 |
Approval and Signature Signed on behalf of the trustees: Name: Mr Dickson Olabisi Signature &Date 05/05/2026
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