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← Trinity Church Sunderland

2023-08-31-accounts

Trinity Church Sunderland

Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2023

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1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Trinity Church Sunderland Stockton Road Sunderland SR2 7AQ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Memorandum and Articles of Association for a charitable company until 11 April 2023 Constitution for a CIO Association from 11 April 2023 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1154068 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Duncan Hellier Woods (Senior Minister) MANAGING THE CHARITY The Reverend Peter John Gaskell (resigned 22 April 2024) Benjamin Jeremy Richard Goldenberg Richard George Morley The Reverend Dr Ian Mark Somasundram (appointed 21 April 2024) Thomas John Ream Welch NAMES OF ADVISERS Treasurer: Donald Kernohan Solicitors: Monro Fisher Wasbrough LLP Edward Connor Solicitors INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

INDEX

INDEX
Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details
Pages 2-5 Trustees' Report
Page 6 Independent Examiner's Report
Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account
Page 8 Statement of Assets & Liabilities
Pages 9-10 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

Trinity Church Sunderland Stockton Road, SUNDERLAND SR2 7AQ

Annual Report Of The Trustees For the Year Ended 31 August 2023

Trinity Church Sunderland operates as an independent evangelical church affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches within the North-East Gospel Partnership. Duncan Woods was appointed as minister commencing ministry at the inauguration of Trinity Church Sunderland in September 2013.

The Charity is constituted to advance the Christian Faith including:

CHURCH STRUCTURE

Trustees

The five Trustees include the Senior Minister, two members of the Church and two who are not members of the Church. The Trustees have control of the property and funds of the Church. New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees after being approved by the Leadership Team and by the Church’s AGM.

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team are members of the Church and discuss with the Senior Minister all major decisions of policy and hold the Senior Minister to account for his ministry.

Church Council

The role of the Church Council is to provide wise advice to the Leadership Team and the Trustees whether as provided in the Church Constitution or when requested by either body.

The Church Council consists of between six and twelve members of the Church approved by the general membership of the Church at the Annual General Meeting following proposal by the Leadership Team with a view to appointing only those who are godly examples in their lifestyles and who have proved themselves to be in full agreement with the aims and vision of the Church, the Basis of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives as outlined in the church handbook.

Page 2

Members

Membership of the Church is open to any individual interested in promoting the Objects who

REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

We have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives, and in planning our activities.

The church meets to worship God, read the bible, pray, hear the scriptures taught and encourage each other. Sunday meetings currently take place at 10:30am. During this time there is also opportunity for younger children to participate in various groups.

Various activities occur during the week, including growth groups for mutual encouragement and prayer, a monthly prayer meeting, a toddler group as well as various opportunities for people to find out more about the Christian Faith.

The church supports missionary work by contributing to the financial needs of R&L B (Crosslinks) in Belgium, E&S A (Wycliffe Bible Translators) as well as another married couple in North Africa.

This last year has seen significant change in the church family with regard to number and ethnic diversity particularly at Sunday gatherings.

This report reflects our continuing desire to be a gospel church, in community, prayerfully seeking to reach our locality. Our aims remain to faithfully proclaim God’s word prayerfully aiming to engage people with the gospel and evangelise while seeking to equip and establish believers . All so that everyone takes the next step with Jesus.

ENGAGE

The heartbeat of engagement is in organic relationships with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours. However, there are a number of church organised activities which aim to commend the gospel of Christ and meet the needs of local people. The church has continued to use the building to support the work of FODI (friends of the drop in – women’s refugee support) as well as Sunderland music for all . During the winter months the church operated a warm space café to meet needs during the cost of living crisis. This has led to partnership with Durham Christian Partnership Foodbank with the idea to open a community hub café for one afternoon a week at the beginning of 2024.

EVANGELISE

Engaging the community gives opportunity to evangelise and while this often happens on a personal level there have been several church events throughout the year including Christianity and Hope Explored courses. One individual who came to church through the warm space completed Christianity Explored. Christmas and Easter remain prime opportunities for evangelism including through Carol Services, Trinity Tots and an Easter Family Fun day. Church members were given the opportunity to give away free evangelistic books to someone over both the Easter and Christmas period.

Page 3

EQUIP

Sunday meetings, Growth Groups and Prayer meetings remain the hub of equipping the congregation for works of ministry. This year saw the launch of Sundaypm giving an opportunity for church regulars to dig deeper into various aspects of discipleship including streams in bible overview, doctrine and pastoral care. Sundaypm also has a youth group for children in year 6 and up. Sundaypm is significant in terms of the number of members and regulars who work Sunday mornings. There are periodic and regular training slots for specific ministry such as those leading services.

Some regional developments have supported equipping throughout the year including both a NEGP women’s conference and a men’s day at Jesmond Parish Church.

ESTABLISH

10 adults have been through a church membership course in the last year. Children’s work on Sundays has developed with Trinity kids upstairs (4-10) and TK minis (3s and under) downstairs with creche. Increased numbers means that these groups will soon need to change. A new day time woman’s pastoral group continues. A Men’s Fellowship Group has been established. Sundaypm plays a crucial role in both equipping and establishing the saints.

Further details:

Conclusion

Sept 2022- August 2023 has seen significant change at Trinity both legally and in people. The Lord has grown Trinity in number and in diversity. That growth presents both challenge and wonderful opportunity.

Page 4

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Trinity Church Sunderland is financed through charitable giving raised through the membership as well as external supporters of the ministry. The trustees are very grateful to everyone who has supported the church so generously.

In the previous year, because the charity was structured as a charitable company, it had to prepare its accounts on an accruals basis using the Charities SORP. However during the year the charity became a charitable incorporated organisation and this year it has been able to take advantage of the option to prepare and simpler receipts and payments accounts. The results reported previously have been restated so that they are presented on a receipts and payments basis; further information about the restatement is given in note 6 ‘Reconciliation with previously reported funds’ in the accounts.

The charity’s income for the year to 31 August 2023 was £82,993 (2022: £80,898) and its expenditure for the year was £74,813 (2022: £134,135). The charity has therefore reported a surplus of £8,180 (2022: a deficit of £53,237).

The previous year’s expenditure included major repairs to the church roof, which cost £60,578 (2023: £nil). If this is excluded, the accounts show that the charity’s underlying expenditure has increased by £1,256 to £74,813.

The charity’s bank and cash balances increased by this year’s surplus of £8,180 to £41,034, nearly all of which is unrestricted.

RESERVES POLICY

The trustees have determined that the church should aim to hold unrestricted cash of £20,000 (which equates to about 3 months’ of unrestricted expenditure) so that the church could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary unexpectedly. At the year-end the charity held unrestricted cash of £40,452 (2022: £30,677) and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.

RISK STATEMENT

The church is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the church's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.

We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

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 trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Duncan Woods Duncan Woods (Jun 20, 2024 14:24 GMT+1) Jun 20, 2024 …………………………………………………. ……………………………… Duncan Woods - Trustee Date

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Trinity Church Sunderland ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2023 on pages 7 to 10 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Ajay Rajani

Ajay Rajani (Jun 20, 2024 15:50 GMT+1)

Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: Jun 20, 2024

Page 6

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Notes
Income receipts
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Grants
Letting facilities for community use
Conferences, courses, events and resource sales
Provision of services to Crosslands
Total receipts
Payments
2
3
Total payments
Transfers between funds
5
Net movement in funds
Cash funds as at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A
Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities
undertaken by others
Payments in relation to charitable activities
undertaken directly
Purchase of fixed assets		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
56,720
12,709
8,400
2,608
606
1,950
82,993
66,096
7,122
73,218
-
73,218
9,775
-
9,775
30,677
40,452		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,595
-
1,595
-
1,595
(1,595)
-
(1,595)
2,177
582		 2023
£
56,720
12,709
8,400
2,608
606
1,950
82,993
67,691
7,122
74,813
-
74,813
8,180
-
8,180
32,854
41,034		 2022
£
60,256
11,193
5,000
2,090
509
1,850
80,898
121,907
5,504
127,411
6,724
134,135
(53,237)
-
(53,237)
86,091
32,854

The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 7

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

A Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
Petty cash
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
C Liabilities
Fee for Independent Examination
Other creditors
D Assets retained for charity's own use
Church building
Fittings and equipment		 Unrestricted
funds
£
40,332
120
40,452
12,300
-
12,300
1,500
680
2,180		 Restricted
funds
£
582
-
582
-
-
-
-		 2023
£
40,914
120
41,034
12,300
-
12,300
1,500
680
2,180
Fund to
which asset
belongs
Restricted
Unrestricted		 2022
£
32,734
120
32,854
12,709
270
12,979
1,608
1,466
3,074

The church building is a long leasehold property and it was transferred from Sunderland Free Church to Trinity Church Sunderland in July 2013. The lease for the property expires in December 2078.

E Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Duncan Woods

Duncan Woods (Jun 20, 2024 14:24 GMT+1) -------------------------------------------Duncan Woods - trustee Jun 20, 2024 Date: ____

The notes on pages 9 and 10 form part of these accounts.

Page 8

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

In the previous year the charity was a charitable company and was obliged to prepare accounts on an accruals basis using the Charities SORP. However during the year the charity became a charitable incorporated organisation and, because its income is below £250,000, it has been able to take advantage of the option to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis and the results reported previously have been restated; further information is given in note 6 below.

Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 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.

Unrestricted
funds
£
2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Staff costs, including training
45,672
Premises costs
9,596
Other costs
9,220
Independent examiner's fee for preparing and examining the accounts
1,608
Major building work: roofing repairs
-
66,096
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants to support church planting:
Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
1,344
Grants for overseas mission work
Crosslinks
1,343
Frontiers
1,343
Wycliffe Bible Translators
1,343
Other small grants to organisations
-
Grants for relief of poverty
Individuals
1,750
7,122		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
1,595
-
-
-
1,595
-
-
-		 Total
2023
£
45,672
11,191
9,220
1,608
-
67,691
1,344
1,343
1,343
1,343
-
1,750
7,122		 Total
2022
£
42,706
8,952
8,141
1,530
60,578
121,907
1,283
1,307
1,292
1,292
330
-
5,504

4 Transactions with related parties

Duncan Woods served as church leader and was paid £42,642 (2022: £41,500) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

Page 9

TRINITY CHURCH SUNDERLAND

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

5 Movement on restricted funds

vement on restricted funds
Bible Fund
FODI Fund
Building Repair Fund		 Opening
balance
£
377
205
1,595
2,177		 Receipts
£
-
-
-
-		 Payments
£
-
-
(1,595)
(1,595)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-		 Closing
balance
£
377
205
-
582

Bible fund: this fund was created from donations received to help purchase Bibles.

FODI fund : this was created from donations received to help support the work of a drop in centre for asylum seekers and refugees, which makes use of the church building.

Building Repair fund: this fund was created from donations received to help repair the roof on the charity's church building and on repairing damaged caused by the leaking roof. With the permission of donors, the money left over after completing this work is being used for other building work.

6 Reconciliation with previously reported funds

As explained in note 1 'Accounting Policies', in the previous year the charity prepared its accounts using the accruals basis; in the current year the charity has taken advantage of the option to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis. The comparatives presented in these accounts have been re-stated using the receipts and payments basis and a reconciliation with the reserves and results reported previously follows:

Reconciliation of reserves
Previously reported reserves, at 31 August
Adjustments arising from use of receipts and payments basis:
Exclusion of previously included fixed assets
Exclusion of previously included debtors
Exclusion of previously included creditors
Re-stated reserves, at 31 August
Previously reported results
Adjustments arising from use of receipts and payments basis:
Previously capitalised expenditure, less depreciation, now expensed
Excluded movements in debtors resulting in the recognition of more / (less) income
Excluded movements in creditors resulting in the recognition of less / (more) expenditure
Re-stated results
Reconciliation of results		 2022
£
217,762
(178,943)
(12,978)
7,013
32,854
2022
£
(51,785)
(1,361)
(1,785)
1,694
(53,237)		 2021
£
269,548
(177,581)
(11,193)
5,317
86,091

Page 10