Countess Free Church, Ely
(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation )
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2021
Address: 10 Chapel Street, Ely CB6 1AD Charity Number: 1166937 Bankers: Barclays Bank Plc, High Street, Ely
Independent Examiner: Matthew Lavis
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statement of the trust for the period
1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021.
Status
The Charity was incorporated on 5 May 2016 and registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the charity number 1166937. The charity is one of the churches of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion.
Trustees
The trustees are recognised by the membership, in roles of Minister, Elder or Deacon. The current trustees are:
Karl Relton Minister (Paid Position as permitted in the constitution) Helen Atkinson Elder Carol Fernandez Deacon Paula Gregory Deacon (Commenced June 2021) Jonathan Jessop Deacon Philip Murfitt Deacon Natalie Youssef Deacon Graham Jarrett Deacon (Retired July 2020)
Countess Free Church, Ely
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Objectives
The objects of the CIO for the public benefit are to advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs appearing in the Schedule hereto in Ely, Cambridgeshire and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the charity trustees may from time to time think fit.
Activities
As a church we have lived through the pandemic with a diversity of approaches and initiatives that has enabled us to continue in our lives of active worship, and continue serving the local community. Whole church physical gatherings have not been possible at any time, but many different gatherings have nonetheless taken place. These have included Zoom (plus YouTube Livestream), physical but with limited capacity and restrictions, and multi-venue outdoor gatherings (staying within legal limits).
Members of the church have been encouraged to take grass-roots initiative with neighbours, colleagues and friends. The church has supported and funded some of these, for example sending gift boxes with chocolate brownies to the staff at a local school. There have also been some initiatives seeded by the church centrally for all to take part in, for example bags of blessing given out at Easter. The church has invested in families, purchasing and producing its own family discipleship resources. The pandemic has brought an emphasis on home and family discipleship to the fore, which resonates with the strategic direction of the church.
Although the building has not been used to its full potential, it has never been shut with some kind of activity appropriately using the building through every week of the pandemic. As well as the Foodbank it has hosted support groups and activities for people in recovery from drug and alcohol dependency, as well as small church groups and their related initiatives.
Amongst Ely churches we were the first to be able to re-open, albeit with limitations, our parent and toddler group – providing a much needed lifeline to parents and their little ones. In some cases, this was the first socialisation the children had ever experienced, because of the pandemic. Our new 'Rich Tea Club' initiative, with a focus on people with Adult Learning Disabilities, has been able to take place on a few occasions by good liaison with local supported living staff – again providing a much needed outlet amongst difficult conditions.
The church has continued to work with people of all ages and from all backgrounds. We have maintained our youth work with both Zoom meetings as well as live socially distanced pizza and film nights. Maintaining continuity with younger children, and with our older members has proved much harder. Naturally the prolonged inability for us all to gather has impacted our sense of cohesion and togetherness as a church.
During the year our membership has remained stable at 79 members, but despite lockdown we have been able to welcome new people. During the year a number of newcomers have made contact and started engaging in different ways, including both Zoom and physical formats. We have seen people come to faith or closer to a living faith in Jesus – mostly through working alongside people in one to one or new small group settings.
We are grateful that the majority (over 80%) of the free-will giving to the charity is through donor regular standing orders and bank transfers which have increased slightly during the year. Many donors who would normally give via a Sunday collection have kindly sent in one-off donations in lieu of their traditional giving patterns. Our lettings income has partially recovered, but is still only 50% of pre-covid levels. This year we planned for a potential significant deficit, but through careful control of expenses the deficit has been contained to modest levels. This has enabled to give more away than planned through our World Vision fund, and do transfers to our Children and Young People fund and Renovation fund in anticipation of future activities.
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During the year the builders started and completed the manse refurbishment project. Including the new kitchen and various fittings this project totalled over £60K, but all the funds were already in place. This enabled us to turn our attention to the next project – to install bifold doors in the sanctuary area. This allows for an in-service creche area, as well as creating another meeting room for mid-week use. Listed Building Consent has been obtained, as well as commitments to grants totalling £3,250 to contribute to the expected cost of circa £15K for the project. We hope this project can go ahead in the early autumn of 2021.
We continue to save into our JM – Pioneer Fund to provision for future pioneer work, bringing its total to just over £18K. We continue to consider and pray about what these pioneer opportunities might look like as we go forward.
In the year ahead we anticipate another tight budget for the general fund, with possibly a modest deficit, but still leaving us with comfortable operating reserves.
Serious Incidents
The Trustees confirm that there are no serious incidents to report regarding operations in the period 20-21.
Risk Analysis and Reserves Policy
The Trustees confirm that major risks to which the Charity is exposed are reviewed regularly.
The Charity aims to hold unrestricted reserves sufficient to cover between 4 and 8 months of normal ministry expenditure, which at current estimates equates to between £17,500 (4 months) and £35,000 (8 months). This reserves level also gives sufficient cash to cover monthly giving and expenditure cash flow variations, and sufficient levels to cover unforeseen additional ministry expenditure. The lower amount would also cover obligations in the event of sudden unplanned closure. Currently our General Fund amounts to approximately £29,000, comfortable above the mid-range point.
Rev Karl Relton Dr Helen Atkinson (Minister) (Elder)
Countess Free Church, Ely
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE COUNTESS FREE CHURCH, ELY
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the period ended 30 June, 2021, which are set out on page 5 & 6
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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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 statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Matthew Lavis – Independent Examiner
Countess Free Church, Ely
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Countess Free Church Ely - 1166937
Statement of Financial Activities
For the period from 01 July 2020 to 30 June 2021
| **Unrestricted ** | **Restricted ** | Endowment | Total | Prior year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | total funds | |
| Income and endowments from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 62,936 | 2,136 | - | 65,072 | 64,980 |
| Other trading activities | 3,671 | - | - | 3,671 | 6,197 |
| Investments | 15 | - | - | 15 | 134 |
| Income from charitable activities | 525 | - | - | 525 | 1,687 |
| Other income | 1,500 | - | - | 1,500 | 15,370 |
| Total income | 68,647 | 2,136 | - | 70,783 | 88,368 |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | - | - | - | - | - |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 115,698 | 4,627 | - | 120,324 | 74,492 |
| Other expenditure | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total expenditure | 115,698 | 4,627 | - | 120,324 | 74,492 |
| Net income / (expenditure) resources before | |||||
| transfer | (47,050) | (2,490) | - | (49,541) | 13,876 |
| Transfers: | |||||
| Gross transfers between funds - in | 15,948 | 6,551 | - | 22,499 | 18,242 |
| Gross transfers between funds - out | (22,499) | - | - | (22,499) | (18,242) |
| Other recognised gains / losses | |||||
| Gains/losses on investment assets | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gains on revaluation, fixed assets, charity's | |||||
| own use | - | - | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | (53,601) | 4,060 | - | (49,541) | 13,876 |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 88,175 | 14,870 | - | 103,045 | 89,169 |
| Total funds carried forward | 34,573 | 18,931 | - | 53,504 | 103,045 |
Notes
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Other Income includes the substantial grant of £1,500 received from the All Churches Trust for the sanctuary bi-fold doors project.
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes £27,072 on stipend costs and £1,450 on manse utilities. These costs are for the employment of the Rev. Karl Relton as a paid trustee as per the provisions of charity constitution.
There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown
Countess Free Church, Ely
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Countess Free Church Ely - 1166937
Balance sheet (Summary) As at: 30 June 20201
| As at | As at | |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2021 | 30/06/2020 | |
| Fixed assets | ||
| - | - | |
| Current assets | ||
| Cash At Bank And In Hand | 53504 | 103085 |
| Debtors | - | (40.00) |
| 53504 | 103045 | |
| Liabilities | ||
| - | - | |
| Net current assets less current liabilities | 53504 | 103045 |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 53504 | 103045 |
| Liabilities | ||
| - | - | |
| Total net assets less liabilities | 53504 | 103045 |
| Represented by | ||
| Unrestricted | ||
| General (Unrestricted) | 28887 | 35066 |
| Designated | ||
| Designated - Children and Young | ||
| People | 820 | 684 |
| Designated - World Vision | 0 | 0 |
| Designated - Renovation | 4866 | 52424 |
| Restricted | ||
| Restricted - JM Pioneer | 18380 | 14226 |
| Restricted - Communion | 324 | 506 |
| Restricted - Christians against | ||
| poverty | 89 | 0 |
| Restricted - Ely College | ||
| Chaplaincy | 138 | 138 |
| Funds of the church | 53504 | 103045 |
Notes
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Debtors – for the previous financial period represents a single pre-payment for a lettings invoices falling in the this financial year (20-21).
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Cash at Bank and in hand – includes a no uncleared cheques as of 30[th] June.
There may be minor discrepancies in the totals if the pence are not being shown
Countess Free Church, Ely
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