LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW
(Registered charity no: 1166035)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2021
Trustees who held office during this period:
Robert White (Chair – resigned 27[th] June 2021) Jennifer White Simon Horsfield (Chair from 27[th] June 2021 – resigned 5[th] July 2022) Geraldine Sullivan (resigned 13[th] April 2021) Roger Parker Alan Charlesworth (Appointed 14[th] October 2021)
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. As church leader, Paul is also responsible for the spiritual leadership of the church. Paul resigned on 1[st] July 2022.
Objects
The charity’s 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 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 continued to be impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various periodic restrictions on indoor gatherings. We continued in the first half of the year with online events and worship branded as ‘Life Streams’. The statistics from these online streams show that we continued to secure a good weekly attendance.
From the middle of the year we resumed in person Sunday meetings initially at the Rex Cinema and then, more permanently, at the Brewhouse & Kitchen.
There were three home groups in operation during the year meeting variously on Zoom, outdoors in person and then, latterly, indoors in person as the regulations would permit. The Trustees reduced the level of financial support provided to Wilmslow Youth during the year though the partnership with Wilmslow URC continued. This was due to the reduced availability of surplus finance.
We have continued to support The Message Trust and Epiphany Arts Trust in their work.
Financial review
Our income very slightly increased compared with 2020. Our expenditure increased primarily because the trustees decided to increase the hours Paul Briers worked for the church. As a result, our reserves at the end of the year decreased by £5,500 to £32,250.
Reserves policy
A formal reserves policy was introduced in 2021 which is to keep reserves at least equal to three-months’ expenditure. The reserves at 31[st] December 2021 complied with this policy
Post Year End Event
Paul Briers resigned as leader on 1[st] July 2022. Due to a reduction in income in the first half of 2022, the trustees have decided to not immediately appoint a replacement but to continue the church as a volunteer-led organisation for the time being. A transition team of trustees and other volunteers has been convened to implement this decision.
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 exgratia basis.
The trustees’ 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:
Date: 4[th] October 2022
| LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021 RECEIPTS Donations Bank interest Gift aid Total receipts PAYMENTS Costs of charitable activities Total payments Surplus/deficit for the period |
General funds 2021 36,830 2 9,418 46,250 50,849 50,849 |
Restricted funds Total funds Total funds 2021 2021 2020 0 36,830 38,230 0 2 15 0 9,418 7,263 0 46,250 45,508 0 50,849 39,215 0 50,849 39,215 -4,599 6,293 |
|---|---|---|
LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2021
| General | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| ASSETS | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,768 | 0 | 23,768 | 28,365 |
| Gift aid tax recoverable | 8,475 | 0 | 8,475 | 93,75 |
| Total assets | 32,243 | 0 | 32,243 | 37,740 |
| LIABILITIES | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Note: The charity owns equipment eg IT/PA but this has not been valued.
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:
-
a. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
- and
-
b. 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 Date: 4[th] October 2022