LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW (registered charity no: 1166035)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2020
Trustees who managed the charity during this period:
Robert White (Chair)
Darren Morgan (resigned on 28 February 2020)
Jen White
Simon Horsfield
Geraldine Sullivan (appointed on 5 March 2020)
Roger Parker (appointed on 5 March 2020)
Structure, governance and management
The charity is constituted as a CIO. It has a written constitution which sets out, amongst other things, the charitable objects of the charity. The charity trustees manage the affairs of the charity. Day to day operational management of the church has been delegated to Paul Briers, who was appointed as church leader on 1 January 2020. As church leader, Paul Briers is also responsible for the spiritual leadership of the church.
Objects
The charity’s objects were amended in 2020 to reflect the evolving nature of our operations. The amended objects are the advancement of religion in Wilmslow and Cheshire East, the United Kingdom and globally through:
-
the provision of a place or places of Christian worship;
-
raising awareness and understanding of Christian beliefs and practices;
-
carrying out Christian devotional acts; and
-
carrying out and supporting community, missionary, relief and outreach work which is consistent with our Christian beliefs and practices.
The amended objects have been reviewed and continue to reflect the aims of the charity.
Summary of main activities
During the period covered by this report, our events and activities were impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. However, we were fortunate enough to have the necessary skills and technology to be able to ‘pivot’ to online events and worship without any interruption in our activities, which was a remarkable achievement.
As a result, we were able to continue with our weekly Sunday events, which were re-branded as ‘Life Streams’. The statistics from these online streams show that we were able to secure a good weekly attendance. We were also able to reach worshippers from beyond our locality and had a number of regular overseas worshippers, including from Amsterdam, South Africa and Brazil.
We continued with mid-week events in the form of Zoom meetings. We were able to use the breakout facility to continue small group discussions which was very valuable for connecting with others during the period of isolation which was caused by the lockdown.
We have continued to provide financial support to the work of Wilmslow Youth in partnership with Wilmslow URC. However, the work of that charity was inevitably impacted by the pandemic, resulting in fewer volunteering opportunities for our people.
Other achievements
The pandemic restricted our ability to repeat our Alpha courses and our Christmas event. However, we were able to run a successful online prayer course. We also continued to support those in need in our community through our Thunderbirds fund.
We have continued to support The Message Trust and Epiphany Arts Trust in their work.
Financial review
Our income increased compared with 2019, largely as a result of an increase in donations. At the same time, our expenditure also decreased (mainly as a result of us not incurring any costs for our weekly Sunday meetings for a large portion of the year). As a result, our reserves at the end of the year were £37,000. However, we anticipate that this reserve level will be significantly reduced in 2021 given the ongoing effects of the pandemic and an increase in expenditure as we emerge from it.
Reserves policy
We did not introduce a formal reserves policy in 2020, although we did keep the matter under review following the appointment of Paul Briers. A formal policy will be introduced in 2021.
Thanks
We would like to thank our Treasurer, Martin Ellison, who generously gives of his time on a voluntary basis as he manages our finances and prepares our accounts. We would also like to thank John Odell for generously providing his support as Independent Examiner on an ex gratia basis.
Our thanks also goes to those in the church who continue to give so generously of their time, their talents and their money.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that, to the best of their knowledge, this is an accurate report of Life Church Wilmslow and its activities.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
WILMSLOW LIFE CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020
| WILMSLOW LIFE CHURCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Restricted | ||
| funds | funds | Total funds | |
| 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | |
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Donations | 38230 | 0 | 38230 |
| Bank interest | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| Gift aid | 7263 | 0 | 7263 |
| Total receipts | 45508 | 0 | 45508 |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Costs of charitable activities | 39215 | 0 | 39215 |
| Total payments | 42575 | 0 | 39215 |
| Surplus/defcit for the period | 6293 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2020
| General | Restricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | Total funds | |
| 2020 | 2020 | 2020 | |
| ASSETS | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 28365 | 0 | 28365 |
| Gift aid tax recoverable | 9375 | 0 | 9375 |
| Total assets | 37740 | 0 | 37740 |
| LIABILITIES | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: The charity owns equipment eg IT/PA but this has not been valued.
Page I
Total funds
2019
32818 30 8079 40927
42575 42575 -1648
Total funds
2019 22072 7230
29302
0
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Life Church Wilmslow
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2020, which are set out on page 1.
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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
-
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 Commission. 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 next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
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
J A Odell FCA 28 Anglesey Drive Poynton Stockport SK12 1BU
5 September 2021