LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW
(Registered charity no: 1166035)
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2023
Trustees who held office during this period:
Jennifer White Roger Parker (Resigned 7[th] February 2023) Alan Charlesworth (Chair) Marion White Geoff Warr (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 a team of three volunteer leaders, Geoff Warr, Chris Whiteley and Mark Fellows. As church leaders, they were also responsible for the spiritual leadership of the church.
The term of service of these leaders expired on 30[th] June 2024 and the Trustees are in the process of finding and appointing a new leader or leaders in the autumn of 2024. In the meantime, the church is being led by the trustees with others co-opted as required. From May 2023, the church employed an administrator for one day a week. This was very helpful assisting the voluntary leaders carry out administrative tasks.
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 meetings took place at the Undercroft Café at the URC Church in Wilmslow in the afternoon until early September 2023 when we reverted
to meeting in the morning at Revolution Bar in the centre of Wilmslow. Unfortunately, Revolution Bar closed in the first week of January 2024 and the church is now meeting at Chorley Village Hall. As this is not in central Wilmslow, the trustees are keeping the possibility of moving back to the centre of the town under review and will act when a viable opportunity emerges. There has been a small reduction in attendance following this latest move.
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 decreased from 2022 but our expenditure decreased more. This led to a surplus of £4,546. With reserves of £33,894, the church is well-placed to appoint a leader on a paid basis when the opportunity arises. Should such an opportunity arise, there will be a fundraising campaign to support this work.
Reserves policy
The formal reserves policy is to keep reserves at least equal to three-months’ expenditure. The reserves at 31[st] December 2023 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.
We would like to thank our three volunteer leaders who gave so much time and effort to support the church throughout the year.
The trustees’ thanks also go 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: 9[th] September 2024
| LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 RECEIPTS Donations Bank interest Gift aid Total receipts PAYMENTS Costs of charitable activities Total payments Surplus/deficit for the period |
General funds 2023 26,919 180 7,669 34,768 30,222 30,222 |
Restricted funds Total funds Total funds 2023 2023 2022 0 26,919 35,453 0 180 13 0 7,669 8,641 0 34,768 44,107 0 30,222 44,252 0 30,222 44,252 4,546 -145 |
|---|---|---|
LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023
| General | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | |
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| ASSETS | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 28,169 | 0 | 28,169 | 23,623 |
| Gift aid tax recoverable | 5,725 | 0 | 5,725 | 7,403 |
| Total assets | 33,894 | 0 | 33,894 | 31,026 |
| 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 2023, which are set out on pages 3 and 4.
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: [ date] 2024