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2023-12-31-accounts

Grace Church, Boroughbridge

Trustees’ Annual Report (TAR) – Charity #1165072

Financial Year Ending 31 December 2023

Trustees

Josh Metcalfe Marcus Gurney Julian Crossley (resigned 12 January 2023) Toby Martin (appointed 12 January 2023) Warran Fawcett (appointed 12 January 2023) Mark Troughton (appointed 12 January 2023) Edward Fenning (appointed 12 January 2023)

Aims and Objectives

Grace Church, Boroughbridge is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the following stated purposes:

  1. the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, primarily, but not exclusively, within Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

  2. such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the charity trustees, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life;

provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Doctrinal Distinctives and Ethical Statements adopted by Grace Church.

Grace Church Boroughbridge CIO consists of three congregations: Grace Church Boroughbridge, Hope Church Easingwold and Grace Church Catterick.

Activities and Achievements

Promoting the Christian Faith in Public Meetings

We have continued to meet publicly in Boroughbridge and Easingwold each Sunday, and have started public meetings in Catterick Garrison at Grace Church Catterick. We have also run two holiday clubs for children, one in Easingwold and one in Boroughbridge, introducing them to the Christian faith, and a Light Party in Easingwold with the same aim. In addition to these, we have a weekly youth group in Boroughbridge, and we have run Discover Hope courses in Easingwold.

1

Promoting Church Planting Activity

Grace Church employs two church planters. Edward Fenning continues to lead Hope Church Easingwold which began public meetings in October 2021. Warran Fawcett began his role as church planter/pastor for Grace Church Catterick on 1[st] April 2022, and began public meetings of Grace Church Catterick with a soft launch in January 2023, and a public launch in September 2023.

Grace Church, Boroughbridge, promotes church planting on a wider scale through its participation in various organisations. Grace Church is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and participates in its local events. Toby Martin has been part of the steering group for The Rural Project, looking to support rural churches, including in the work of planting. Grace Church also contributes to Plant North Yorkshire and Gospel Yorkshire which are focused on church planting in Yorkshire.

Contributing to the Spiritual and Moral Education of Children

Grace Church contributes to the spiritual and moral education of children through our weekly Sunday school at Grace Church Boroughbridge and Hope Church Easingwold, through all-age involvement in our midweek gospel communities, and through our weekly youth groupin Boroughbridge. We also held a one day holiday bible club in Boroughbridge in the October half term for primary school aged children, and a three-day club in Easingwold at Easter. In all the opportunities the church has to invest in the lives of children, we adhere strictly to our annuallyreviewed Child Protection Policy, and have a pro-active Designated Safeguarding Lead for children and deputies in the church.

Identifying and Developing Leaders

Grace Church continues to train future leaders through personal investment. As well as appointing two church planters and committing to ongoing training for all our pastors and elders, we have run some study courses for those who are keen to develop their understanding of theology and mission. We are keen to identify further elders in each of our two plants, and are in the process of appointing two further elders in Grace Church Catterick.

Giving for Financial Relief

While the church encourages its members to donate directly to relief efforts, from time to time Grace Church uses its own general funds to this end. In particular, we took a harvest offering for the European Missionary Fellowship Ukraine appeal.

Advancing the Christian Faith in North Yorkshire and Beyond

Grace Church is working to advance the Christian faith in North Yorkshire, building links to other churches, providing teaching and being involved in Plant North Yorkshire. Grace Church sent a family in 2015 as missionaries to France and continues to provide funds to support their work. Grace Church supports mission partners who are advancing the Christian faith in North Africa, in France, in Italy and in the United Kingdom. We also support rural churches across the UK by involvement in the Rural Project.

2

Financial Review

The total receipts for Grace Church’s 2023 financial year were £134,848, of which £129,703 came as unrestrictive giving and £5,145 as restricted giving. Grace Church began the financial year with £288,444 and finished the year with £247,351 in the bank.

Grace Church is therefore currently in a strong financial position, although we do forecast a deficit of £67,000 this year. We have the reserves to sustain this level of deficit for three years, but we are encouraging our members to consider increasing their giving, and we are exercising restraint in our spending, and asking the Lord to continue to provide for all that we need. Grace Church rents a meeting room in Boroughbridge High School, one at Galtres Centre Easingwold, and one in Catterick Garrison.

Reserves Policy

Most of Grace Church’s income comes from regular giving, plus its corresponding Gift Aid. We are not dependent on grants which may not be renewed, nor are we dependent on fundraising ventures which may not be successful. Therefore, the income of Grace Church Boroughbridge is relatively predictable. Likewise most of our expenditure is predictable. As a consequence, the trustees see no need to hold large contingency reserves. We will aim, therefore, to have accessible reserves equivalent to three months expenditure for two reasons:

Our current reserves exceed this, but we are running a deficit budget to use these reserves towards church planting in Easingwold and Catterick.

Staff and Volunteers

Grace Church employs a full time pastor, and two full time pastor/planters. We also employ a parttime administrative assistant who looks after the accounts as well as other administrative tasks. The bulk of the church’s charitable work was done by a large group of enthusiastic volunteers. Most members of the congregations volunteered their time in serving others.

Structure, Governance and Management

The structure and governance of Grace Church, Boroughbridge, is outlined in our CIO Governing Document. At the close of 2022 we had three trustees: Marcus Gurney, Josh Metcalfe and Julian Crossley, but at our first trustees meeting of 2023, four new trustees were appointed: Toby Martin, Edward Fenning, Mark Troughton and Warran Fawcett. Julian Crossley also resigned at that meeting, so we now have 6 trustees who are the elders of Grace Church Boroughbridge, Hope Church Easingwold and Grace Church Catterick.

In October 2021 we adopted a new Code of Conduct for Elders, Pastors and Ministry Staff and a Grievance Policy.

3

Independent examiner’s report on the accounts

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Grace Church Boroughbridge

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Respective Responsibilities of the Trustee and the Examiner

As the church's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Acts 2011 ("the Act").

I report in respect of my examination of your church's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act, and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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:

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

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Dudley Peacham 15/5/24
Dudley
Peacham
23 Park Street, Dunstable
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GRACE CHURCH BOROUGHBRIDGE

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Income receipts
Donations
Other
Gift aid receipts
Interest
Sub Total
Capital and similar receipts
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
Net
of
receipts
/
(payments)
before
Sale of fixed assets
Sale of investments
Loan repayments
Payments in relation to charitable activities
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
Purchase of fixed assets
Purchase of investments
Loans made		 General
Funds
£
94,009
910
30,660
4,124
-
-
-
-
-
-
129,703
-
-
-
-
129,703
164,966
-
9,830
-
174,796
-
-
-
-
174,796
(45,093)
(45,093)
287,644
242,551
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
5,145
-
-
-
5,145
-
-
-
-
-
5,145
-
1,145
1,145
-
-
-
-
1,145
4,000
4,000
800
4,800		 2023
£
99,154
910
30,660
4,124
-
-
-
-
-
-
134,848
-
-
-
-
-
134,848
164,966
10,975
175,941
-
-
-
-
175,941
(41,093)
-
(41,093)
288,444
247,351		 2022
£
85,490
72
1,614
-
-
-
-
-
-
87,176
-
-
-
87,176
117,668
37,733
155,401
-
-
-
-
155,401
(68,225)
-
(68,225)
356,669
288,444

The notes from sheet 4 form part of these accounts.

GRACE CHURCH BOROUGHBRIDGE

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
A
Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
Notice deposits
B
Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
C
Liabilities
Falling due within one year
Fee for Independent Examination
Total
D
Assets retained for charity's own use		 General
funds
£
107,646
134,905
242,551
18,648
-
18,648
175
175
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
funds
£
4,800
-
4,800
-
-
-
-
-		 2023
£
112,446
134,905
247,351
18,648
-
18,648
175
175		 2022
£
157,663
130,781
288,444
17,898
-
17,898
175
175

The charity does not own any assets.

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:

Edward Fenning

Toby Martin

Date:_____20/5/23

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20/5/23
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The notes on sheet 4 form part of these accounts.

GRACE CHURCH BOROUGHBRIDGE

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR 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. 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.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. 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.

2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Employment
Training
Administration
Venue Expenses
Ministry Costs
Insurance and Legal Fees
Other Costs
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants for:
EMF
FIEC
Acts29
SASRA
Serenissima
European Missionary
Hardship fund
Harvest

Simon Batchelor Donation
Support to charities		 General
funds
£
135,583

2,390

7,661

11,367

6,528

1,647

(210)

164,966

6,316

-

-

1,500
1,500
-
414
-
100		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
635
110
400		 Total
2023
£
135,583
2,390
7,661
11,367
6,528
1,647
(210)
-
164,966
6,316
-
-
1,500
1,500
-
414
635
110
500
10,975		 Total
2022
£
95,461
1,430
7,607
7,523
3,285
2,362
-
117,668
5,345
1,620
6,683
6,500
6,500
6,670
120
3,445
500
350
9,830
-		 1,145
-		 37,733

4 Transactions with related parties

Toby Martin, Edward Fenning, and Warren Fawcett served as church leaders and were paid £34920 and £31428 and £38810 (2022: £33985 and £29624 and £28183) plus pension contributions of £3350 and £6841.57 and £3846 (2022: £752 and £4072 and £705) respectively for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

Opening
balance
£
General funds
287,644
Restricted funds
-
Gift Ukraine (Calvary Chapel Har -
Gift Simon Batchelor
-
Gift Harvest
-
Gift for Catterick
-
Gift for Easingwold
800
800
Total funds
288,444		 Opening
balance
£
General funds
287,644
Restricted funds
-
Gift Ukraine (Calvary Chapel Har -
Gift Simon Batchelor
-
Gift Harvest
-
Gift for Catterick
-
Gift for Easingwold
800
800
Total funds
288,444		 Closing
Receipts
Payments
Transfers
balance
£
£
£
129,703
(174,796)
0
242,551
-
-
400
(400)
-
-
110
(110)
-
-
635
(635)
-
-
2,000
-
-
2,000.00
2,000
-
-
2,800.00
800 5,145
(1,145)
-
4,800
288,444 134,848
(175,941)
-
247,351

5 Movement of funds