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← Christchurch Harpenden

2024-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1168847 (England and Wales)

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Mr Richard Clarke (Treasurer)
Mr Simon Anderson
Mr Andrew Cox
Mrs Lauren Cox (Chair of Trustees)
Mr Gharry Eccles
Mrs Rebecca Huntsman
Mr Philip Ioannou
Mr Nicholas Jelfs
Mr Edwin Kwok
Rev Gareth Loh
Rev Ian Randall
Mr Oliver Richardson
Dr Haydn Williams
Mrs Sarah Vickers
Mr Robert Booth (Appointed 28 May 2024)
Mrs Pauline Mills (Secretary to the
Trustees)
Staff team Rev Gareth Loh Senior Minister
Rev Ian Randall Associate Minister
Rev Philip Hammersley (resigned Assistant Minister
31.12.24)
Mr Rob Booth Operations Manager
Miss Deborah Goodhead Children's & Youth Worker
Mr Harry McCrossan Children's & Youth Worker
Mrs Allison Hilton Women's Worker
Mrs Janet Fawcett Office Manager
Charity number (England and Wales) 1168847
Principal address 4 Vaughan Road
Harpenden
Hertfordshire
AL5 4ED
Auditor Caladine Limited
Chantry House
22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 1BF
Bankers Lloyds Bank plc
120 Lewisham High Street
Lewisham
London
SE13 6JG

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 9
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 10
Independent auditor's report 11 - 13
Statement of financial activities 14
Balance sheet 15
Statement of cash flows 16
Notes to the financial statements 17 - 29

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".

Objectives and activities

The purposes of the Charity are defined in the Constitution as:

The Trustees consider our objectives and activities on an ongoing basis, to ensure they continue to reflect our aims and this includes consideration of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

ChristChurch Harpenden (“ ChristChurch ”) wants to be:

a Church for others . . . committed to reaching out in meaningful ways to friends and families with the good news of Jesus Christ;

a Church that grows . . . making and maturing disciples, meeting together in large and small groups to learn from the Bible, to encourage and motivate one another, and being equipped to serve;

a Church in the world . . . both challenging and attractive to our community and demonstrating practically the love of Christ, addressing everyone with a clear biblical perspective on the issues of the day, and sending out people to minister to our world.

In three words . . . Mission, Maturity, Ministry

Main Activities

ChristChurch is open to all, whether Christians or seekers, who wish to learn more about the Christian faith. We want our church to be accessible and welcoming. To this end we:

Congregation

ChristChurch has a congregation of approximately 400, including children, who attend regularly and are involved in the church’s activities.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Membership

ChristChurch extends fellowship to all who attend and we encourage all regular attendees to join us in membership so that they can play a full part in the life of the church, influencing the direction of the church through the regular members meetings and taking on roles with significant responsibility.

As at 31 December 2024 there were 181 members.

Grant making policy

ChristChurch is committed to supporting mission work both financially and through prayer and the practical support of its Mission Partners, both within and beyond the UK.

ChristChurch has an active Mission Committee who meet three times a year. The Committee reviews financial support of Mission Partners regularly. The Committee acts as a sounding board for those considering missions work and brings recommendations to the elders of the church about possible new mission partners or organisations.

Volunteers

ChristChurch encourages all members and attenders to be involved, on a voluntary basis, in the church’s activities, sharing their faith and skills with others – an ‘all-member ministry’. Volunteers are key within ChristChurch. All volunteers working with projects involving children or other vulnerable groups are DBS checked. There is also a Volunteer Management Policy and a Code of Conduct for Volunteers.

Achievements and performance

Significant activities and achievements against objectives

The Charity carries out a wide range of activities in pursuance of its charitable aims. The Trustees consider that these activities, summarised below, provide public benefit, both to those who worship at our church and the wider communities of Harpenden and the surrounding area.

Regular Religious Activities

Our church in Harpenden provides a centre for Christian worship and ministry and for the activities associated with our faith. We offer a range of religious services and activities including:

Services of Worship

Homegroups and book clubs

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Women's Work

Men's Work

Youth & Children's Groups

All of these groups are open to the general public, but the activities which take place on days other than Sunday are designed to be easier for those without a Christian background to access and children and families are encouraged to invite their friends along. Approximately 150 children take part in the church’s activities regularly and it is a joy to see them engaging with and enjoying the teaching about the Lord Jesus and the gospel.

Pastoral Care

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Prayer

Mission

Training People for Ministry

As a large and well-supported church, we believe that we have a responsibility to support smaller/other churches. The Rev Philip Hammersley (Assistant Minister) completed a training post within ChristChurch. Throughout this time ChristChurch has funded two days of study per week at the London Theological Seminary. At the end of the year, Phil left ChristChurch to go on to be a minister of another church in Dunstable.

Special Events, activities and developments

Alongside our regular groups, 2024 was a vibrant year at Christchurch, where our church family came together for numerous one off events, to grow in faith and fellowship:

Children & Youth

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Supporting Families

Church-Wide Gatherings

Evangelism

Celebrating the Seasons

Property purchase

Community Activities and partnerships

Parent/Carer & Toddler Group (MaMites)

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Father/Carer & Toddler Group (Saturdads)

Ministry to the Elderly – Senior Citizens Tea Parties

St Albans & Harpenden Christian Education Project, Step

Jump!

Azalea

Harpenden Money Advice Centre (HMAC)

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Financial review

Reserves policy

At the end of the financial period the Charity had net current assets of £4,200,147. Restricted property funds totalled £3,659,771. The amount of liquid reserves the Charity holds after allowing for restricted funds is £295,376.

Apart from the restricted Property Fund, the Charity did not have any material amounts designated or otherwise committed at the end of the period.

The Trustees consider that the appropriate value of reserves that should be held by the Charity is £120,000 equivalent to three months of current expenditure. The actual level of unrestricted reserves, excluding those only realised by the sale of fixed assets, is more than this figure.

Principal funding sources

The principal funding of the Charity is voluntary donations by members, attendees at church services and other supporters. Total income in the Reporting Period amounted to £4,277,572, including Gift Aid.

The Charity does not have a defined benefit pension scheme and pension costs are not material to the Charity.

The Charity does not hold any financial investments other than monies held in a deposit account. Subject to the reserves policy, most of the Charity’s funds are spent in the short term to fulfil the Charity’s objectives.

Significant Events Affecting Financial Performance

The Trustees have identified that a reduction in donations resulting from either a decrease in the number of members or an average reduction in giving per member (and non-member givers) would be the principal financial risk to the Charity. This risk would be managed by reducing the Charity’s expenditure. This may include a review of staffing levels.

Total income for the reporting period increased by £3,652,861 (584.7%). Regular giving for general activities was £579,055, 30.1% higher than the prior year. Overall, the accounts show a total surplus for the year of £3,746,565.

Major risks

The Trustees assess the risks the Charity faces on an ongoing basis. This includes:

The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to manage the risks that have been identified and to identify any impending risks on the horizon.

Safeguarding risk is managed primarily by the Safeguarding Committee, a Trustee Committee which also includes non-trustee members with relevant knowledge to assist in this area. The Charity has a Safeguarding Policy, which is based on the thirtyone:eight model. The Policy sets out our procedures for the protection of children and adults at risk. It describes what the church and its appointed leaders will endeavour to do to protect the welfare of the children and adults at risk in church-linked groups. Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, supported by regularly reviewed policies and training, are made for all the Trustees and those who work with children or other vulnerable groups within the church.

Plans for future periods

Property: the church completed its purchase of the Harpenden Public Halls on 27 March 2025.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Structure, governance and management

ChristChurch is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and was registered with the Charity Commission on 22 August 2016 under Charity number 1168847. It is governed by a constitution dated 16 November 2015 and approved by the membership of the church at a meeting on that date. An updated Church Guide was also approved by the membership of the church at that meeting.

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr Richard Clarke (Treasurer) Mr Simon Anderson Mr Andrew Cox Mrs Lauren Cox (Chair of Trustees) Mr Gharry Eccles Rev Philip Hammersley (Retired 31 December 2024) Mrs Rebecca Huntsman Mr Philip Ioannou Mr Nicholas Jelfs Mr Edwin Kwok Rev Gareth Loh Rev Ian Randall Mr Oliver Richardson Dr Haydn Williams Mrs Sarah Vickers Mr Robert Booth (Appointed 28 May 2024) Mrs Pauline Mills (Secretary to the Trustees)

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Constitution identifies that the Church Officers (Elders and Deacons) are the Trustees of the church as a Registered Charity. Suggestions that a particular member should be considered for appointment as a Church Officer are made to or by the existing Trustees. If the proposed appointment is agreed and the candidate is not disqualified from office under section 178 of the Charities Act 2011 or under the Automatic Disqualification Rules 2018, then the proposal for them to become an Officer of the church and Trustee will be considered at a Members Meeting and thereafter voted on by members in accordance with the Constitution and Church Guide.

Appointments of Staff are considered and made by the Elders and Staff. Staff appointments are generally made for an indefinite period, unless specifically agreed otherwise.

Organisational structure

The Trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the Charity. The Trustees delegate the day to day running of the functions of the Charity to the Senior Minister and his Staff team and dedicated staff are responsible for particular areas of church life. Significant decisions regarding the Charity will be made by the Elders or Deacons (who are all Trustees) or by the Trustee body as a whole.

The Trustees meet together as a body to deal with church business monthly and formal Trustees meetings take place quarterly. All formal Trustee meetings are minuted. To assist in the smooth running of the Charity, the Trustees have set up a number of committees, which report back regularly to the Board of Trustees. Elder and Deacon meetings take place monthly.

The Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits for their work as Trustees. The three Ministers were employees of the Charity (as well as being trustees) and received remuneration in their role as employees. The three ministers also had the benefit of housing and thereby provided benefit for their respective families.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Staff team during the Reporting Period

Senior Minister - Rev Gareth Loh Associate Minister - Rev Ian Randall Assistant Minister - Rev Philip Hammersley (resigned [31.12.24) Operations Manager - Mr Rob Booth Children’s & Youth Worker - Miss Deborah Goodhead Children’s & Youth Worker - Mr Harry McCrossan Women’s Worker - Mrs Allison Hilton Office Manager - Mrs Janet Fawcett

Post Reporting Period - Staff Changes

Mathew Thomas was appointed Minister-in-Training as of 1st September 2025.

Induction and training of trustees

Prior to appointment, all Trustees are made aware of the scope of their responsibilities as trustees and are provided with relevant documentation for the Charity and Charity Commission publications. Trustees receive training on trustee duties and safeguarding following appointment and receive monthly Charity Bulletins from Trust Advice, an organisation providing advice to charities (in particular churches) as well as the Charity Commission regular ‘News’ publication.

During the reporting year 1 trustee attended online training for trustees run by Trust Advice.

Other matters

The Governance Committee (a committee of the Trustees) uses the Charity Governance Code for smaller charities to help the Trustees continuously strive for improvement in our standards of governance. It meets quarterly to review governance matters.

Relationship with wider network

ChristChurch is affiliated to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC). ChristChurch has long been the beneficiary of help, advice and legal services provided by the FIEC and from their conferences which have been attended by several Staff members over the years. Edward Connor Solicitors (a sister organisation to the FIEC) is a valued source of legal advice for the Trustees. ChristChurch also seeks advice from Stewardship and Trust Advice (formerly Advice for the Voluntary Sector) as appropriate.

ChristChurch is also affiliated to the Evangelical Alliance (EA).

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

..............................

Mr Richard Clarke (Treasurer)

Trustee

..............................

Mrs Lauren Cox (Chair of Trustees) Trustee

17/10/2025 Date: .............................................

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of ChristChurch Harpenden (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 27 to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

Audit response to risks identified

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships; tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;

assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and

investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and reviewing correspondence with HMRC and relevant regulators

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Other matters

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (as amended) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with current Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The corresponding comparative figures are unaudited.

Caladine Limited, Statutory Auditor Chartered Certified Accountants Chantry House 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1BF

20/10/2025 Date: .........................

Caladine Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
533,465
3,689,140
Charitable activities
4
19,430
-
Investments
5
11,097
9,377
Other income
6
15,063
-
Total income
579,055
3,698,517
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
7
490,288
40,719
Total expenditure
490,288
40,719
Net income
88,767
3,657,798
Transfers between
funds
20
-
-
Net movement in
funds
10
88,767
3,657,798
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 January
2024
2,098,381
1,973
Fund balances at 31
December 2024
2,187,148
3,659,771		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
4,222,605
420,899
162,987
19,430
10,343
-
20,474
7,601
16,747
15,063
6,134
-
4,277,572
444,977
179,734
531,007
470,925
35,155
531,007
470,925
35,155
3,746,565
(25,948)
144,579
-
965,841
(965,841)
3,746,565
939,893
(821,262)
2,100,354
1,158,488
823,235
5,846,919
2,098,381
1,973		 Total
2023
£
583,886
10,343
24,348
6,134
624,711
506,080
506,080
118,631
-
118,631
1,981,723
2,100,354

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 14 1,891,772 1,893,873
Current assets
Debtors 15 499,194 21,674
Cash at bank and in hand 3,875,035 224,975
4,374,229 246,649
Creditors: amounts falling due within 16
one year (174,082) (40,168)
Net current assets 4,200,147 206,481
Total assets less current liabilities 6,091,919 2,100,354
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year 17 (245,000) -
Net assets 5,846,919 2,100,354
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds 20 3,659,771 1,973
Unrestricted funds 21 2,187,148 2,098,381
5,846,919 2,100,354

17/10/2025

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................

.............................. .............................. Mr Richard Clarke (Treasurer) Mrs Lauren Cox (Chair of Trustees) Trustee Trustee

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
25
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing
activities
Financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings
Net cash generated from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2024
2023
£
£
£
£
3,234,586
118,939
-
(1,025,204)
20,474
24,348
20,474
(1,000,856)
395,000
-
395,000
-
3,650,060
(881,917)
224,975
1,106,892
3,875,035
224,975

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered with the Charity Commission in England & Wales, registered charity number 1168847. The charity is governed by its Constitution dated 16th November 2015.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following basis:

Freehold land and buildings Is not depreciated Garden Office Over 10 years Fixtures and fittings Over 4 years

The trustees consider that the residual value of the freehold properties owned by the charity are at least equal to their original cost and therefore no depreciation has been charged.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Donations and gifts
533,465
3,689,140
Donations and gifts
Donations
440,496
3,235,285
Income tax recoverable
92,969
453,855
533,465
3,689,140		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
4,222,605
420,899
162,987
3,675,781
346,105
147,148
546,824
74,794
15,839
4,222,605
420,899
162,987		 Total
2023
£
583,886
493,253
90,633
583,886

4 Income from charitable activities

Charitable activities
Church event & activities
Other income
Income from investments
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Interest receivable
11,097
9,377
Other income
Insurance claim		 Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
19,430
9,150
-
1,193
19,430
10,343
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
20,474
7,601
16,747
24,348
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
15,063
6,134

5 Income from investments

6 Other income

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Expenditure on charitable activities

Charitable Charitable
activities activities
2024 2023
£ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 200,838 186,728
Programmes 28,685 24,498
Church meeting costs 1,913 10,833
Other staff costs 18,973 25,690
Property costs 95,479 80,564
345,888 328,313
Grant funding of activities (see note 8) 67,516 118,686
Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)
Support 106,803 54,161
Governance 10,800 4,920
531,007 506,080
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general 490,288 470,925
Restricted funds 40,719 35,155
531,007 506,080

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8 Grants payable

Charitable Charitable
activities activities
2024 2023
£ £
Grants to institutions:
Azalea 1,800 3,000
Care2Share 1,800 1,800
Hook Evangelical - 1,500
UFM 3,000 3,000
Interserve - 2,080
Wyecliffe 9,720 9,720
Inter Team 6,900 6,000
STEP 3,400 3,400
ChristChurch Redbourn - 3,200
Veritas College re Nepal - 1,800
Kingsly Hall Church 3,840 3,840
London Bible Church - 8,091
Santuary Foundation - 3,985
Grants to institutions under £1,000 3,950 2,300
34,410 53,716
Grants to individuals 33,106 64,970
67,516 118,686

9 Support costs allocated to activities

Charitable
activities
2024
£
Staff costs
57,181
Depreciation
2,101
Other support costs
24,866
Other staff costs
22,655
Governance
10,800
117,603		 Total
2023
£
17,550
-
20,183
16,428
4,920
59,081

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

9 Support costs allocated to activities (Continued)

Governance costs comprise:
Audit fees (2023 Independent Examination fees)
Accountancy
10
Net movement in funds
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable to the charity's auditor:
- for the audit of the charity's financial statements
- for tax advisory services
- for other financial services
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets		 2024
£
7,800
3,000
10,800
2024
£
7,800
-
3,000
2,101		 2023
£
1,920
3,000
4,920
2023
£
1,920
893
3,000
-

11 Trustees

Rev Gareth Loh, Trustee, received total remuneration of £47,743 (2023: £45,900) during the year for their role serving as Senior Minister.

Rev Ian Randall, Trustee, received total remuneration of £32,506 (2023: £36,913) during the year for their role serving as Associate Minister.

Rev Philip Hammersley, Trustee, received total remuneration of £30,110 (2023: £28,722) during the year for their role serving as Assistant Minister.

In addition, the charity incurred expenditure totalling £45,088 (2023: £49,498) in respect of the customary provision of accommodation to Rev Gareth Loh, Rev Ian Randall and Rev Philip Hammersley (and their respective families) so they could better perform their duties.

These payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.

Dr Haydn Williams, Trustee, and his spouse received rent of £7,200 (2023: £7,200) from the charity for a property used by the charity to provide accommodation to a minister.

The charity received aggregate donations from Trustees and related parties of £1,164,599 (2023: £192,238) during the year.

12 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2024 2023
Number Number
9 8

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

12 Employees (Continued)

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
£
235,526
17,096
5,397
258,019		 2023
£
188,223
11,576
4,479
204,278

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

14 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land
and buildings
Garden Office
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
1,872,859
21,014
At 31 December 2024
1,872,859
21,014
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
-
-
Depreciation charged in the year
-
2,101
At 31 December 2024
-
2,101
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
1,872,859
18,913
At 31 December 2023
1,872,859
21,014
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Fixtures and
fittings
£
13,154
13,154
13,154
-
13,154
-
-
2024
£
67,507
431,687
499,194		 Total
£
1,907,027
1,907,027
13,154
2,101
15,255
1,891,772
1,893,873
2023
£
19,987
1,687
21,674

15 Debtors

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Borrowings
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
17
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings
18
Loans and overdrafts
Other loans
Payable within one year
Payable after one year		 2024
£
150,000
10,213
13,869
174,082
2024
£
245,000
2024
£
395,000
150,000
245,000		 2023
£
-
22,329
17,839
40,168
2023
£
-
2023
£
-
-
-

Borrowings represent a number of unsecured, interest free loans provided by Members of the Church to assist with the purchase and renovation of Harpenden Public Halls as detailed within note 23 of the financial statements. The majority of these loans are repayable on the completion of the sale of the current church building at 4 Vaughan Road, Harpenden.

Additional loans from members to the sum of £525,000 were agreed in the year, however were not received until after the year.

19 Retirement benefit schemes

Retirement benefit schemes
2024 2023
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 5,397 4,479

The charity contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

20 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At
Property fund
Pastoral fund
Hardship fund
Other restricted funds
Evangelical Outreach fund
Previous year:
At
Property fund
Pastoral fund
Hardship fund
Other restricted funds		 1 January
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
-
3,686,842
(35,756)
-
3,800
(3,338)
1,682
-
-
291
1,625
(1,625)
-
6,250
-
1,973
3,698,517
(40,719)
1 January
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
823,235
128,767
(3,972)
-
10,120
(10,120)
-
125
-
-
40,722
(21,063)
823,235
179,734
(35,155)		 Transfers
At 31
December
2024
£
£
-
3,651,086
-
462
-
1,682
-
291
-
6,250
-
3,659,771
Transfers
At 31
December
2023
£
£
(948,030)
-
-
-
1,557
1,682
(19,368)
291
(965,841)
1,973

Property Fund - Monies raised for the purchase of properties.

Pastoral Fund - Specific donations given for pastoral needs.

Hardship Fund - Monies raised to relieve hardship.

Other Restricted Funds - Specific one off appeals.

Evangelical Outreach Fund - Gifts to go towards events engaged in evangelical and general outreach.

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

21 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At
Church premises
General funds
Previous year:
At
Church promises
General funds		 1 January
2024
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
1,872,859
-
-
225,522
579,055
(490,288)
2,098,381
579,055
(490,288)
1 January
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
868,669
-
-
289,819
444,977
(470,925)
1,158,488
444,977
(470,925)		 Transfers
At 31
December
2024
£
£
-
1,872,859
-
314,289
-
2,187,148
Transfers
At 31
December
2023
£
£
1,004,190
1,872,859
(38,349)
225,522
965,841
2,098,381

Church Premises - The trustees desire is that whenever possible, the sale of any church property would be reinvested in another property.

22 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
At 31 December 2024:
Tangible assets
1,891,772
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
295,376
3,904,771
Long term liabilities
-
(245,000)
2,187,148
3,659,771		 Total
2024
£
1,891,772
4,200,147
(245,000)
5,846,919

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

22 Analysis of net assets between funds (Continued)

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
At 31 December 2023:
Tangible assets
1,893,873
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
204,508
1,973
2,098,381
1,973		 Total
2023
£
1,893,873
206,481
2,100,354

23 Events after the reporting date

On the 27 March 2025, the Church acquired Harpenden Public Halls for the sum of £4,300,000 plus legal fees. This was financed from Restricted giving as detailed within 20 of the financial statements, and loans as detailed in note 18 of the financial statements.

24 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

25
Cash generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Cash generated from operations		 2024
£
3,746,565
(20,474)
2,101
(477,520)
(16,086)
3,234,586		 2023
£
118,631
(24,348)
-
4,678
19,978
118,939

CHRISTCHURCH HARPENDEN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

26
Analysis of changes in net funds
At 1 January
2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand
224,975
Loans falling due within one year
-
Loans falling due after more than one year
-
224,975		 Cash flows At 31 December
2024
£
£
3,650,060
3,875,035
(150,000)
(150,000)
(245,000)
(245,000)
3,255,060
3,480,035

27 Non-audit services provided by auditor

In common with many organisations of our size and nature we use our auditor to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.