LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW
(Registered charity no: 1166035)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2022
Trustees who held office during this period:
Jennifer White Simon Horsfield (Chair from 27[th] June 2021 – resigned 5[th] July 2022) Roger Parker (Resigned 7[th] February 2023) Alan Charlesworth (Chair) Marion White (Appointed 27[th] July 2022) Geoff Warr (Appointed 27[th] July 2022 – resigned 7[th] February 2023) Mark Owen (Appointed 18[th] April 2023)
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 was delegated to Paul Briers. As church leader, Paul was also responsible for the spiritual leadership of the church. Paul resigned on 1[st] July 2022. Following Paul’s departure, the church was managed by a team of volunteers including trustees. The trustees have retaken responsibility for the spiritual leadership of the church until 1[st] January 2023, when a small team of three volunteers were appointed as leaders of the church: Geoff Warr, Chris Whiteley and Mark Fellows. It is the intention of the trustees to find and appoint a new leader in due course.
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, Sunday morning meetings took place at the Brewhouse & Kitchen in Wilmslow. Following the closure of the Brewhouse & Kitchen in July
2022, the church changed to meet on Sunday afternoons at the Undercroft Café at the URC Church in Wilmslow. This is seen as temporary until a suitable morning venue can be found. Attendance remained constant despite the change.
There were two home groups in operation during the year meeting in person.
The Trustees continued to support Wilmslow Youth during the year though the partnership with Wilmslow URC.
We have continued to support The Message Trust, Epiphany Arts Trust and Hope Central in their work.
Financial review
Our income slightly decreased from 2021 but our expenditure decreased more. This led to a very small deficit of £145. The trustees anticipate that income will decrease further but also that expenditure will also decrease further in 2023.
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 2022 complied with this policy.
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: 3[rd] October 2023
| LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022 RECEIPTS Donations Bank interest Gift aid Total receipts PAYMENTS Costs of charitable activities Total payments Surplus/deficit for the period |
General funds 2022 35,453 13 8,641 44,107 44,252 44,252 |
Restricted funds Total funds Total funds 2022 2022 2021 0 35,453 36,830 0 13 2 0 8,641 9,418 0 44,107 46,250 0 44,252 50,849 0 44,252 50,849 -145 -4,599 |
|---|---|---|
LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2022
| General | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| ASSETS | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 23,623 | 0 | 23,623 | 23,768 |
| Gift aid tax recoverable | 7,403 | 0 | 7,403 | 8,475 |
| Total assets | 31,026 | 0 | 31,026 | 32,243 |
| 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 2022, 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: 27[th] August 2023