2024-12-31-accounts - Albany Church

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Albany Church

Report and Accounts Period ended 31 December 2024

Albany Church Legal and Administrative Details For the period ended 31 December 2024

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 Alan Goldring Bankers HSBC Plc

Albany Church

Report of the Trustees

For the period ended 31 December 2024

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.

Governance

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

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 Community Church 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 Community Church Albany to show how the objectives of Albany Church CIO continue to be met through the arrangement with Restore Community Church.

Throughout 2024 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. This year we added 'Busy Little Bees', a toddler group for SEND children, to our weekly activities. Wehave also added a Men's Breakfast during the year which meets every other month.

Sunday services have provided worship and 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 30 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 the need in the area for extra provision, has led to 'Busy Little Bees' being set up.

Drop in open church café is 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. During this time we have been able to offer practical help to a number of people struggling with various concerns and to signpost some to further help. We are 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 in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays 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.

Youth Group. This is now well established attracting 11 to 16 year olds once a month. They enjoy a variety of events and activities and explore the Christian faith together. There are plans to increase the frequency of the club to twice a month during 2025.

Men’s Breakfast. This bi-monthly event gives an opportunity for members of the church and guests to meet together for breakfast, share life together, and watch & discuss inspirational videos on various topics particularly relevant to men.

School Assemblies. Throughout the year our relationship with our local school, Ark John Keats, has grown. They have been keen to bring their children into the church for assemblies and we have been privileged to be able to organise these sessions as part of their Religious Education curriculum.

Home Groups. These are small groups meeting weekly where Bible study and discussion take place. Fellowship, teaching, encouragement and both spiritual and practical support are some of the benefits enjoyed by attendees. Throughout the year a group has met each Monday and a Thursday group is planned to start early next year.

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.

Trustees

There were no changes to the Trustees during the year.

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 the 2022 report.

Accordingly, the trustees have supported RCC in growing the congregation at Restore Comunity Church Albany by gradually reducing the reserves from just over £20,000 at the end of 2022, 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). Payments of £6,000 were made in December 2022, a further £6,000 made in December 2023 and a final payment of £5,523 which will be reflected in the following year-end accounts.

Financial review

During the year income decreased to £100 being the agreed tenancy fee to Restore Church. Expenditure also decreased to £1500. As a result the cash held by the charity decreased by £1,460 to £10,423 all of which is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.

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

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.

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 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 on __and and signed on their behalf by : 8th April 2025

Signature: ____

(Ian Sawyer - Chair of Trustees)

Albany Church

Receipts and Payments Account For the period ended 31 December 2024

Notes Receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Charitable activities Interest income Total receipts Payments Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly 2 Total payments Net receipts / (payments) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Cash funds at last year end Cash funds at this year end A	Unrestricted Fund (£) Restricted Fund (£) Total 2024 (£) Total 2023 (£)
	- - - - - 2,109 100 100 100 - - -
	100 - 100 2,209
	1,560 1,560 2,660
	1,560 - 1,560 2,660
	1,460 - - 1,460 - 10,669 - - - - -
	1,460 - - 1,460 - 10,669 - 11,883 - 11,883 20,443 10,423 - 10,423 11,883

Albany Church

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

For the period ended 31 December 2024

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
	Fund	Fund Fund	Fund 2024	2023
	(£)	(£)	(£)	(£)
A Cash funds
Current account	10,423	-	10,423	11,883
	10,423	-	10,423	11,883
B Liabilities
Agreed funds owed to Restore Church	(5,523)	-	(5,523)	0
	(5,523)	-	(5,523)	0
C Assets retained for charity's own use
			Dec-24	Dec-23
Freehold building			1,728,564	1,630,720
Contents and equipment			19,945	18,816
			1,748,509	1,649,536

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

C 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 :

Name: Ian Sawyer Signature: ___ Date: ____8th April 2025 (Chair of Trustees)

The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.

Albany Church Notes to the Accounts For the period ended 31 December 2024

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 2024 (£) Total 2023 (£) 60 - 60 60 1,500 - 1,500 2,600
Repairs & Maintenance
		1560 - 1,560 2,660
* amounts shown are bank charges 3 Grants and gifts paid to others		- - - 8,109
Organisations > £1000
Restore Community Church
		0 - 0 8,109

4 Movement in funds

Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds	Balance at 31Dec23 Receipts Payments Transfers Balance at 31Dec24 11,883 100 (1,560.00) - 10,423
	11,883 100 (1,560.00) - 10,423
	- - 0.00 - -
	- - 0.00 - -

	11,883 100 (1,560.00) - 10,423

5 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the period.

6 Employees

There were no employees in the period.