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← Albany Church

2023-12-31-accounts

Albany Church Legal and Administrative Details For the period ended 31 December 2023

Address for correspondence 521 Hertford Road Enfield Middlesex EN3 5UA Governing Document CIO Foundation registered 16 March 2015 Charity registration number 1160921 Trustees Ian Sawyer Sandra West Michael West Richard Canham John Rawding (appointed 4/4/23) Alan Goldring (appointed 4/4/23) Bankers HSBC Plc

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Albany Church

Report and Accounts Period ended 31 December 2023

Albany Church

Report of the Trustees

For the period ended 31 December 2023

Objects of the charity

The objects of the CIO for the public benefit are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement of beliefs appearing in the governing document in the London borough of Enfield and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the charity trustees may from time to time think fit.

Albany Church charity is set up for the benefit of members and the public living in and around Enfield, north London, to promote and explore the Christian faith. In particular to local families, young people and senior citizens.

Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements

In furtherance of the above objects, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:

The congregation meeting on the premises ('Albany church') formally became part of Restore Community Church (RCC, charity reference 1086604) in September 2021. The name of the congregation is now Restore Albany and the changes to the financial and operational details of the charity were set out in the trustees report for the period ending 31 December 2022.

The trustee report for RCC charity will set out the activities across all the Restore congregations including Restore Albany. However, the Albany Church CIO Trustees feel that it is important to continue to set out the specific activities at Restore Albany to show how the objectives of Albany Church CIO continue to be met through the arrangement with Restore.

Throughout 2023 all activities and services for the community continued. These include Sunday and midweek services, a drop-in open church/café providing a warm space and support services for those in need, GrowBaby providing good quality second hand baby clothes and supplies free of charge to those in need, holiday clubs for those children receiving benefit based free school meals, operating as a Foodbank collection point and referral agency, Alpha groups to help those interested to explore the Christian faith in greater depth. Rainbow Club Parent & Toddler group, Afternoon Fellowship for senior citizens, Messy Church which is for all ages but particularly popular with young families.

Sunday services have provided Biblical teaching on a wide range of subjects and themes relevant to daily life and provides a place of welcome, community, encouragement, and support for all who attend. There continues to be increased numbers attending this service, a continuing benefit from becoming a Restore Community Church (RCC) congregation, benefitting from their resources and personnel.

Messy Church continues to be a major source of contact with the local community with many families in attendance throughout the year. Over the past year on average 40 – 50 children and adults have attended this monthly held activity. Providing much needed community/family time with activities, the chance to sit down to a meal together and the opportunity to share the love of God are key objectives of this popular activity.

Rainbow Club held weekly during term time provided a place for toddlers to play and interact with each other, while mums, dads and carers can meet, chat and support one another. Help and support is also provided by the leaders as individuals have need. Attendance each week is at capacity and a second weekly session is being considered.

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Drop in open church café held one morning a week this is an opportunity to invite local folk into the church where they receive a warm welcome, refreshments, a chance to chat and engage in activities such as board games and basic craft. The congregation has been able to offer practical help to a number of people struggling with benefit issues and to signpost some to further help. Since the energy crisis the premises were registered as a warm space. This activity has formed a link between other activities such as Rainbow Club and Messy Church and our Sunday service.

GrowBaby takes place alongside open church where the leaders has been able to both collect and redistribute baby & toddler clothes and supplies to the local community. As parents use this facility they also find a space to chat to each other and a space for their children to play.

Holiday Clubs. Easter, summer and Christmas holiday clubs have taken place welcoming children from 4 to 11 years providing fun activities, games, Bible stories and a healthy lunch and snacks. We have been funded and inspected by the local authority to run these clubs.

Foodbank collection and referral. Throughout the year about 50kg of food each month was made available to the local food bank. We are also registered as a referral agency meaning we can refer those in need to the food bank to receive help.

Alpha Groups. As people connect with the church there is the opportunity to share life and faith with them. For those who seek to know more about faith we have been able to provide this group which in a relaxed atmosphere allows people to learn more and if desired come to faith in Jesus.

Our new ventures this year have included:

• A youth group providing activities and an introduction to the Christian faith for teenagers. This has been held once a month since September 2023 and attracts between 12 and 17 youth who are mostly unchurched. The plan is to increase the frequency of these evenings.

Through the above activities the leadership and some participants have been able to teach, encourage, befriend and support, in both spiritual and practical ways, both members and the general community. Throughout the year the charity has been able to continue to fulfil the objects of advancing the Christian faith and supporting our local community.

In planning the activities, the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.

Changes during 2023

During the year Alan Goldring and John Rawding were appointed as CIO trustees.

Further to the details given in last year’s report concerning the Albany Church congregation formally becoming part of Restore Community Church (RCC), the trustees continued to work with RCC during 2023 to formally consolidate the changes in a 5-year Tenancy Agreement between the two charities, signed in March 2023 by the trustees of both charities.

An Expression of Wishes document was signed by all trustees on 19 February 2023 stating their wishes in the event that RCC no longer require the premises for the purposes of the trust. This document is held by Church Growth Trust (CGT) and shows the wishes to be:

That the premises be transferred to CGT to hold under their own trust with the purpose of finding a Christian community to continue using the premises. Failing that, the premises to be sold with all proceeds being used for the furtherance of the Gospel in a defined area of Enfield in close proximity to the existing premises.

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Financial review

During the year income decreased to £2,209, and expenditure also decreased to £10,769. As a result the cash held by the charity decreased by £8,560 to £11,883, all of which is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.

The trustees view is that the charity’s finances are sufficient for all foreseeable expenditure for the coming year and beyond.

Reserves policy

As the CIO has no material outgoings or costs since RCC has taken on the responsibility for all the maintenance and associated expenses of the premises, congregation, operational work and activities, the trustees have decided to maintain the reserves policy of holding no less than £5,000 as set out in last year’s report.

Accordingly, the trustees have supported RCC in growing the congregation at Restore Albany by gradually reducing the reserves from just over £20,000 at the end of 2022, potentially down to a level of no less than £5,000 by the end of 2024, with payments to RCC (allowable under 4(j) of the CIO constitution) at the end of 2022, 2023 and 2024. A payment of £6,000 had already been made in December 2022 and a further £6,000 was made in December 2023 which is reflected in the 2023 yearend accounts. RCC’s trustees agreed to receive payments given the costs of Restore Albany were higher than the giving income received from Restore Albany.

Key Risks

The Trustees meet regularly to check the financial position of the CIO, approve decisions, and monitor the risks of the CIO.

It is important to understand that Restore Albany, part of Restore Community Church, overseen by the Restore Albany Leadership Team, is responsible for oversight and of implementation of Restore’s policies, in respect of the people and day-to-day activities of Restore Albany.

The CIO Trustees have reviewed the risks to which the CIO, operating with no employees, is exposed.

The key risks are:

• The sufficiency of the financial reserves to cover future anticipated costs (with a level of prudence for unexpected costs).

The CIO Trustees consider the reserves to be healthy given that the ongoing costs which might ordinarily be incurred by the CIO are being picked up by Restore Community Church; the Tenancy Agreement sets out the cost liability to RCC.

The CIO Trustees continue to have insurance cover in their own name to cover key risks e.g. buildings insurance and trustee insurance (even though the premium is paid by RCC, as set out in the Tenancy Agreement).

• The sustainability of the relationship with Restore Community Church

The relationship is considered to be mutually beneficial to each charity with no known problems.

Governance

The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.

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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 at anytime, the 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

10/4/2024

This report was approved by the Trustees on ______and and signed on their behalf by :

Signature: ____

(Chair of Trustees)

10/4/2024 Date: ______

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Albany Church

Receipts and Payments Account For the period ended 31 December 2023

Notes
Receipts
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Charitable activities
Interest income
Total receipts
Payments
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken
directly
2
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken
by others
3
Total payments
Net receipts / (payments)
Transfers between funds
4
Net movement in funds
Cash funds at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A		 Unrestricted
Fund
(£)
Restricted
Fund
(£)
Total
2023(£)
Total
2022
(£)
-
-
12,064
2,109
2,109
1,450
100
100
1,800
-
-
44
2,209
-
2,209
15,358
2,660
2,660
10,585
7,834
275
8,109
13,739
10,494
275.00
10,769
24,324
(8,285.40)
275.00
-
(8,560.40)
(8,965.81)
-
-
-
-
(8,285.40)
275.00
-
(8,560.40)
(8,965.81)
20,168
275.00
20,443
29,409
11,883
-
11,883
20,443

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Albany Church Statement of Assets and Liabilities

For the period ended 31 December 2023

Unrestricted
Fund
(£)
Restricted
Fund
(£)
Total
2023
(£)
Total
2022
(£)
11,883
20,443
-
0
-
0
11,883
20,443
-
2,109
-
2,109
Dec-23
Dec-22
1,630,720
1,511,704
18,816
82,853
1,649,536
1,594,557
A Cash funds
Current account
Deposit account
Petty cash
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
C Assets retained for charity's own use
Freehold building
Contents and equipment		 11,883
-
-
-
-
-
11,883
-
-
-
-
-

The Trustees have not formally revalued the assets and the values stated are for insurance purposes only.

D Guarantees and secured debts

The charity has not given any guarantees nor has it provided its assets as security against any liabilities.

The accounts have been approved by the Trustees and and signed on their behalf by :

10/04/2024 Name: Ian Sawyer Signature: ___ Date: ____ (Chair of Trustees)

The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.

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Albany Church Notes to the Accounts

For the period ended 31 December 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. These receipts and payments accounts have not been prepared in accordance with any accounting standards and are not intended to present a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities or financial position.

Unrestricted funds are those which are available for use at the Trustees discretion for the furtherance of the charity's objects. Restricted funds are those which are to be used by the Trustees according to the specific purposes imposed by the donor.

2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Governance & legal fees*		 Unrestricted
Fund
(£)
Restricted
Fund
(£)
Total
2023
(£)
Total
2022 (£)
60
-
60
435
-
-
-
30
-
-
-
102
2,600
-
2,600
6,787
-
-
-
200
-
-
-
436
-
-
-
2,524
-
-
-
72
Insurance
PrintingPostage & Stationery
Repairs & Maintenance
Special events
Subscriptions
Utilities
Website
2660
-
2,660
10,585

3 Grants and gifts paid to others

Organisations > £1000 8109
-
8109
9,119
-
-
-
1,000
-
-
-
2,625
-
-
-
995
Restore CommunityChurch
Echoes International
Organisations <£1000
Individuals
8109
-
8109
13739

4 Movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total funds		 Balance at
31Dec22
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
Balance at
31Dec23
20,168
2,209
(10,494.15)
-
11,883
20,168
2,209
(10,494.15)
-
11,883
275
-
(275.00)
-
-
275
-
(275.00)
-
-
20,443
2,209
(10,769.15)
-
11,883

5 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the period.

6 Employees

There were no employees in the period.

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