2021-12-31-accounts - Southam Road Evangelical Church

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1.1.2021 To 31.12.2021

Charity name: Southam Road Evangelical Church

Charity registration number: 1163217

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The Object of the CIO is, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in Banbury, Oxfordshire and such other parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the charity trustees may from time to time decide. The Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, Partnership UK, Stewardship and thirtyone:eight.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Activities undertaken during the year include; Public meetings in the Church Building for Christian worship and preaching the Bible. Practical, emotional, financial and spiritual support of members and attenders, and of contacts in the wider community. Messy Church held once a month for the enjoyment and benefit of families with young children, including those not normally attending church. Support of local charities, financially and by volunteer assistance, including The Nicodemus Trust, and Green Pastures Nursing Home. Practical and financial support for the Womens’ Refuge in Banbury, and the Food Bank run by the Salvation Army Support of overseas charitable work, including small rural churches in Romania, famine relief work in Moldova and India, and work with vulnerable young women in New Zealand. Individuals in the church are involved with social goods such as work with Guide Dogs for the Blind, local Community Radio, support for the Christmas Shoebox Appeal and links to Street Pastors. These individual efforts are reported back to the church, and

		are supported financially and prayerfully by the church at large. Renovation and repair work was undertaken to the building in accordance with the 5 year plan agreed following a survey undertaken by a professional adviser from the Church Growth Trust During the year 2021 the activities of the church were severely affected by the ongoing Covid19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown of society – see below.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	Grants to other charities and to individuals are made at the discretion of the Elders and the Trustees, with reference to available funds and to the Reserves policy.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Apart from part time paid work by the Pastor, the church operates entirely by the volunteer services and financial contributions of members and attenders.
Other		The church has a current Safeguarding policy in place, and is committed to safe working especially with children and vulnerable adults. Mr David Shepherd is the designated Safeguarding Lead.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	The above activities have enabled the church to beneficially impact on the lives of a number of people, locally and further afield. Those attending and linked to the church are supported and helped through the joys and crises of everyday life, and given help to deepen their spiritual lives and understanding of the Bible. We have linked into the wider community by means of events for non-members, particularly the Messy Church programme where parents and children attend together. Practical and emotional support has been given to members in financial emotional and physical need. We have also reached out to non-members with similar support, particularly to the ladies in the Womens’ refuge in the town. Overseas contacts have shared in the ways that our support has helped many in vulnerable situations, and the impact this has had on their lives.

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	See attached accounts validated by the independent examiner.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The building is held freehold, and is a substantial asset. The Trustees have adopted a policy of holding 3 months giving as a cash reserve–currently £8500
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£28202.85 as of 31.12.2021
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Funds are raised by donations from members, and are spent at the discretion of the Church Leadership in discussion with the members and the Trustees. The Trustees are enormously grateful for the sustained financial support of the church members during 2021 despite the problems caused by the Covid19 pandemic. Small sums are given as voluntary donations for the use of the building by other churches and charitable groups.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The church has a current policy of giving 50% of its core income to external causes, charities and worthwhile causes, as determined by the Trustees.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Risk of many members leaving and the organisation becoming unviable – the Trustees then have the option of closing the charity and selling the building. Risk of catastrophic damage to the building – covered by insurance. Risk of reputational damage due to allegations of moral or financial misconduct. Safeguarding policy upheld and reviewed, financial oversight by Trustees.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust Deed
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Selected by existing Trustees

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	Provided with a copy of the Trust Deed, and links to information on the Charities Commission. Invited to an initial Trustees meeting as an induction. Encouraged to familiarise with information online and through e.g. Stewardship
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	Independent church governed by Elders, with one of the Elders currently appointed as Pastor. The Trustees care for the legal and statutory duties of the Charity. Member of organisations such as Evangelical Alliance Stewardship Partnership UK Thirtyone:eight
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Remarks about 2021		During the early part of the year, services were not able to take place in the building due to the ongoing restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Services in person recommenced in June 2021, and the progressive easing of restrictions meant that services could continue in the building, with some ongoing precautions still necessary. Equipment was installed to enable the continued broadcasting of services on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Some meetings continued to be held on Zoom, including weeknight prayer meetings and leadership discussions, as this had been found to be convenient and generally well supported. In-person Messy Church recommenced in the autumn, with a slightly reduced programme due to a reduction in staffing. Attendance has been reduced due to some members moving away, and some attenders not returning after the Covid restrictions were lifted. Ongoing maintenance and repairs to the building were undertaken, including repairs to external brickwork and pointing, and installation of a new window upstairs. Broadband connection was installed.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Southam Road Evangelical Church
Other name the charity uses
Registered charitynumber	1163217
Charity’s principal address	1 Cope Road Banbury Oxon OX16 2EJ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Mr David Shepherd	Chairman	Re-appointed 5.12.2021
Mr John Gardner		Re-appointed 23.7.2019
Mr Nic Oliver		Re-appointed 23.7.2019
Mr Ian Fleming		Appointed 12.3.2019
Mr Kevin Dale		Appointed 5.12.2021
Mr Wallace Farley		Appointed 5.12.2021

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser	Name Address	Name Address
Independent Examiner	Mr Andrew J Geary	Geary Partnership 159a Chase Side Enfield EN2 0PW

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
N/A

Other optional information

Mr David Shepherd continued to be paid as Pastor to the church on a part time self-employed basis. The Trustees have reviewed this arrangement in accordance with the Trust Deeds and advice from the Charity Commission and Stewardship, and have concluded that he may continue to act as a Trustee provided he absent himself from any discussions about his service and remuneration.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature	Full name
	David Shepherd
	Nic Oliver
	John Gardner
	Ian Fleming
	Kevin Dale
	Wallace Farley

Date

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