GRACE. CHURCH CAVERSHAM
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31%* March 2024 Grace Church Caversham (registered charity number: 1158041)
Governing Document
Grace Church Caversham was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in July 2014 and is governed by a constitution as of that date. The CIO is the successor charity to the Charity of Ann Burchett (charity registration number 233776).
Vision and Objects
As a church our vision is:
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To see Jesus glorified in everything we do:
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e In preaching the gospel and seeing lives transformed by God’s Word and Spirit e In serving the community and reaching out to all including the poor and marginalised ° In actively encouraging and promoting mission throughout the world to extend God’s Kingdom.
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This vision aligns with the objects of the CIO, which are set out in the constitution:
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i) To advance the Christian faith, in accordance with the church’s Statement of Beliefs, in the local community and elsewhere; and to
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ii) To relieve persons who are in conditions of need or hardship or who are aged or sick and to relieve the distress caused thereby in the local community and elsewhere.
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iii) To demonstrate the love of God in the local community and elsewhere through social action.
Through the activities of the church as described below, the trustees consider that the church has provided a public benefit to the local community and beyond, and with respect to this the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance, and in particular the specific guidance given to charities on the advancement of religion.
Overview of Activities
A congregation has been meeting at Grace Church Caversham (formerly known as Caversham Hill Chapel) since the 1820s. Grace Church Caversham has a congregation of around 80 people, and the key activities of the church, all of which are of public benefit are:
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e Weekly Sunday morning worship and teaching services catering for all sections of the local community.
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e Church groups that focus on meeting the needs of different sections of the public within the local community (e.g. Pop-In Café, Toddlers group, Wellbeing Café) continue on a weekly basis.
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e An open youth club (Sync) which runs on a fortnightly basis during term time for young people of secondary school age from the local community.
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e Provision of ongoing pastoral care and practical help for members of the church and more widely within the local community (e.g. support from a pastoral team and others) focussing in particular on those who are isolated and providing practical support as necessary.
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e Support for the work of various ministries and other charities whose objects are aligned with Grace Church Caversham’s, and who are serving the public generally or particular sections of the public within the localities where they are based.
During the year the employees of the church were the senior pastor (who is also an Elder), the youth worker, - and the church administrator (who works as a part-time employee). Together the employees, the other elders and other members of the congregation have all continued to contribute to the various activities described above.
Church Partnerships
Church Partnerships ~ Grace Church Caversham continues to be a member of the Evangelical Alliance and is part of the Commission Network of Churches, part of Newfrontiers. Grace Church Caversham also participates in the Reading Churches Network (Transform Reading) and supports the local work of Churches Together in Caversham.
GRACE CHURCH CAVERSHAM
:
Financial Review
The underlying level of donations to the church has remained relatively consistent from the previous year with the majority of the church’s income being donations from members of the congregation. The largest areas of church expenditure continue to be staff salaries, building repair costs and grants to mission partners.
The CIO aims to maintain £25,000 in General Reserves to meet any unexpected expenditure or to offset any irregularities in regular income. This represents approximately three months of normal church total expenditure.
Trustees
The trustees of Grace Church Caversham during the period were: Mr. D. Steed (Elder, Chair)
Mr. K. Saynor (Elder)
Mr. N. King (Elder)
Mr. N. Barnett
Mrs. M. Clarke
Mr. J. Crozier (Treasurer)
According to the constitution, new trustees are appointed by the existing charity trustees.
Governance
Pastoral and spiritual leadership for the church is provided by the elders who meet on a regular basis to discuss the direction of the church and other matters arising. The trustees provide oversight of the operation of the church and for ail legal and financial matters. The trustees meet regularly throughout the year to review operations of the church and its financial position. During the year the trustees continued to review and update the policies and procedures put in place to govern the activities of the church. The church's risk assessment is included in the above reviews and any findings are addressed on an ongoing basis.
Address
The address of Grace Church Caversham is: 119 Peppard Road Emmer Green Reading RG4 8TR
Bankers Barclays Bank 90-93 Broad Street Reading RG1 2AP
Independent Examiner
Mr. R. Smyth 4 Chatsworth Close Caversham Park Village RG4 6RS
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
(ee eee Mr. N. King (Trustee) 22"4 December 2024
GRACE enusesCAVERSHAM Financial Accounts Year ended 31 March 2024
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CAVERSHAM
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Receipts and Payments Account For the financial year ended 31 March 2024
| Notes | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations and tax refunds | 2 | 87,431 | 2,085 | 25,400 | 114,915 | 102,895 |
| Investment income | 3 | 15,043 | 3,955 | = | 18,998 | 17,882 |
| Grants | 0 | - | 870 | 870 | 0 | |
| 102,473 | 6,040 | 26,270 | 134,783 | 120,777 | ||
| Income from sales of assets | = | = | - | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Receipts | 102,473 | 6,040 | 26,270 | 134,783 | 120,777 | |
| Payments | ||||||
| Reaching the Community | 1,777 | 2,898 | 4,676 | 6,274 | ||
| Church costs | 8,501 | - | 1,271 | 9,771 | 9,568 | |
| Mission grants | 4 | 9,677 | - | - | 9,677 | 12,549 |
| Staff costs | 5 | 82,712 | = | - | 82,712 | 81,350 |
| Facilities | 7,463 | 13,104 | 29,194 | 49,762 | 16,193 | |
| 110,130 | 13,104 | 33,363 | 156,598 | 125,935 | ||
| Asset purchases | = | > | = | 0 | 0 | |
| Paying down liabilities | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Payments | 110,130 | 13,104 | 33,363 | 156,598 | 125,935 | |
| Net Receipts | (7,657) | (7,064) | (7,093) | (21,815) | (5,158) | |
| Transfers between funds | 5,000 | (13,378) | 8,378 | 0 | 0 | |
| Net movement in funds | (2,657) | (20,442) | 1,285 | (21,815) | (5,158) | |
| Total cash funds b/f (at 1 April 2023) | 14,666 | 41,851 | 3,899 | 60,415 | 65,573 | |
| Total cash funds c/f (at 31 March 2024) | 12,009 | 21,409 | 5,184 | 38,601 | 60,415 | |
| Thenotesonpages3to5formanintegralpartoftheseaccounts. |
TheseDate: 2nd accountsDecember were approved2024 by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by John Crozier (Treasurer)
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CHURCH CAVERSHAM
Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31 March 2024
| Notes | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Cash funds | ||||||
| Bank and cash | 8,404 | 21,409 | 4,427 | 34,239 | 41,346 | |
| Investment assets | - | 0 | 0 | 13,696 | ||
| Debtors | 3,617 | = | 757 | 4,374 | 5,474 | |
| Total cash funds | 12,020 | 21,409 | 5,184 | 38,613 | 60,517 | |
| Assets retained for the charity's own use | ||||||
| Land and buildings | - | 310,000 | 800,000 | 1,110,000 | 1,110,000 | |
| Computers and other equipment | 7,908 | - | - | 7,908 | 7,908 | |
| Total assets retained for the charity's own use | 7,908 | 310,000 | 800,000 | 1,117,908 | 1,117,908 | |
| Total assets | 19,928 | 331,409 | 805,184 | 1,156,521 | 1,178,425 | |
| Liabilities | (12) | 0 | 0 | (12) | (101) | |
| Total net assets | 19,917 | 331,409 | 805,184 | 1,156,509 | 1,178,324 | |
| Thenotesonpages3to5formanintegralpartoftheseaccounts. |
TheseDate: 2nd accounts December were 2024 approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by John Crozier (Treasurer)
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| CHURCHCAVERSHAM
NotesFor the tofinancial the Accountsyear ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting Policies
a) Basis of Preparation
The accounts are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and Charities SORP.
b) Donations, legacies and other income
Donations, legacies and other income is accounted for when received. Tax reclaims on donations are accounted for in the same period as the donations to which they relate.
c) Grants
Grace Church Caversham makes grants to other organisations whose charitable objects complement its work. They are accounted for in the period in which they are paid.
d) Assets
The church buildings are valued at their insurance value. The church manse at Fraser Avenue, Caversham, is valued as at its transfer value. Quoted investments are stated at market valt
2 Donations and tax refunds
| Donations and tax refunds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | |
| Donations | 73,132 | 1,668 | 22,315 | 97,115 | 86,279 |
| Tax refunds | 14,298 | 417 | 3,085 | 17,800 | 16,615 |
| Total | 87,431 | 2,085 | 25,400 | 114,915 | 102,895 |
3 Investment income
| Investment income | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | |
| Bank interest | 45 | - | - | 45 | - |
| Income from other investments | 198 | 155 | - | 353 | (118) |
| Rental income Total |
14,800 15,043 |
3,800 3,955 |
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18,600 18,998 |
18,000 17,882 |
| Mission grants paid in furtherance of the charity's objects | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | |
| Operation Mobilisation | 6,000 | - | - | 6,000 | 7,835 |
| People International | - | - | - | “ | 2,450 |
| Churches Together in Caversham | 926 | = | - | 926 | 925 |
| Newfrontiers/Catalyst/Commission | 500 | - | - | 500 | 438 |
| Naomi House | 891 | - | 891 | 302 | |
| Aggregated other grants less than £1,000 | 1,360 | - | - | 1,360 | 600 |
| Total | 9,677 | = | - | 9,677 | 12,549 |
4 Mission grants paid in furtherance of the charity's objects
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5 Staff costs and trustee expenses
| Staff costs and trustee expenses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | FY24 | FY23 | |
| Salaries | 74,121 | - | - | 74,121 | 72,726 |
| Social security costs | 1,826 | - | - | 1,826 | 1,991 |
| Pension costs | 6,765 | = | = | 6,765 | 6,633 |
| Total | 82,712 | - | - | 82,712 | 81,350 |
The average number of employees during the year was 3 (FY23: 3 employees). No employee received emoluments in excess of £50,000 during the year (FY23: none). No sums were reimbursed to the trustees for their work as trustees (FY23: none).
6 Restricted Funds
The Contributions fund is used to track contributions towards church activities participated in by the contributees (e.g. church trips and events). The Reaching the Community fund is used to track donations specified for the support of work in the community in the UK and overseas. The Building fund is used to track donations specified for improvements to the church buildings. The Care fund is used to track donations specified for the support of those in need.
| Fund | Contributions | Reaching the | Building | Care | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fund | Community | Fund | Fund | ||
| Fund | |||||
| Balance as at 1st April 2023 | 665 | 0 | 1,250 | 1,983 | 3,898 |
| Incoming resources | 2,042 | 1,397 | 27,944 | 3,265 | 34,648 |
| Resources expended | (1,867) | (301) | (29,194) | (2,001) | (33,363) |
| Balanceasat31stMarch2024 | 840 | 1,095 | 0 | 3,247 | 5,183 |
The balance of these funds is all held in Bank and Cash.
The Church Buildings fund is used to account for the main chuch buildings.
| Fund | Church |
|---|---|
| Buildings Fund | |
| Balance as at 1st April 2023 | 800,000 |
| Incoming resources | - |
| Resources expended | |
| Balanceasat31stMarch2024 | 800,000 |
The balance of this fund represents the value of the main church land and buildings.
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7 Designated Funds
The General Reserve fund represents the reserves for the church for large or unexpected future expenditure items and the trustees are satisfied that a balance representing approximately three months expenditure is sufficient to be able to respond to unexpected changes in incoming resources and expenditure. The Property Fund represents income and expenditure related to the church manses.
| Fund | General | Property | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserves | Fund | ||
| Balance as at 1st April 2023 Incoming resources Resourcesexpended Balance as at 31st March 2024 |
38,696 155 (13,851) 25,000 |
313,155 6,358 (13,104) 306,409 |
351,851 6,513 (26,956) 331,409 |
| Represented by: | |||
| Bank and cash | 25,000 | (3,591) | 21,409 |
| Investment assets | - | = | 0 |
| Land and Buildings | 3 | 310,000 | 310,000 |
| Liabilities | - | = | |
| Balanceasat31stMarch2024 | 25,000 | 306,409 | 331,409 |
8 Related Charities
As the successor charity to the Charity of Ann Burchett (charity registration number 233776), during FY16 the ongoing assets of the Charity of Ann Burchett were transferred to the CIO as per resolutions of the trustees. During FY16 the main church premises were held in trust by the FIEC as holding trustee. The church premises were transferred into the ownership of the ClO during FY17 and are reflected in the accounts as such.
Grace Church Caversham is in association with the Catalyst Network of Churches, Newfrontiers International, and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
9 Guarantees and Debts
The trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) Regulations 2012, that at 31st March 2024, Grace Church Caversham did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties or any debts secured on assets of the ClO.
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Independent Examiner's+ ' Report to the Trustees of Grace Church Caversham
| report on the accounts of Grace Church Caversham for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 1 to 5.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts (under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011);
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011); and
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- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material aspect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011
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have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Signed: —_—>I< Sk: = ™ i= = Date: 16th December 2024
Name: Roy Smyth
Address: 4 Chatsworth Close, Caversham Park Village, RG4 6RS
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