## **LIFE CHURCH WILMSLOW**
## **(Registered charity no: 1166035)**
## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Trustees who held office during this period:**
Jennifer White (resigned 5[th] August 2024) Alan Charlesworth (Chair) Marion White Mark Owen Keith Hurd (Appointed 5[th] August 2024) Lydia Whitworth (Appointed 5[th] August 2024; resigned 13[th] June 2025)
## **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 until 30[th] June 2024. Thereafter leadership of the church has been carried out by a wider team of ten people including the trustees.
The church employs an administrator for one day a week. This is 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**
Sunday meetings take place 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. Attendance has been consistent during the year.
**Life Church Wilmslow Trustees’ Report and Accounts 31[st] December 2024**
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 2023 but our expenditure decreased more. This led to a surplus of £5,374. With reserves of £39,592, 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 2024 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: 20[th] October 2025
**Life Church Wilmslow Trustees’ Report and Accounts 31[st] December 2024**
## Life Church Wilmslow
Receipts and Payments Account For the Year Ended 31[st] December 2024
|**RECEIPTS**
Donations
Bank Interest
Gift Aid Received
Total Receipts
**PAYMENTS**
Cost of Charitable Activities
Total Payments
**SURPLUS FOR THE PERIOD**|Total Funds
2024
£
24,914
416
5,907
31,237
25,863
25,863
£ 5,374|Total Funds
2023
£
26,919
180
7,669
34,768
30,222
30,222
£4,546|
|---|---|---|
||||
**Life Church Wilmslow Trustees’ Report and Accounts 31[st] December 2024**
Life Church Wilmslow Statement of Assets and Liabilities At 31[st] December 2024
|**ASSETS**
Cash at Bank and in Hand
Gift Aid Tax Recoverable
Total Assets
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**RESERVES**
General Fund|Total Funds
2024
£
33,453
6,049
39,592
0
£**39,592**
£**39,592**|Total Funds
2023
£
28,169
5,725
33,894
0
£**33,894**
£**33,894**|
|---|---|---|
||£
£|£
£|
**Life Church Wilmslow Trustees’ Report and Accounts 31[st] December 2024**
## **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 2024, 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: 30 June 2025