Living Grace Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31st December 2024
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
COMPANY INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Trustees David Weston Mark Kinning Johnson Chayananickal Company Secretary Carla Merrey Key Staff David Weston Carla Merrey Governing Document Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 30th November 2016 Company Registration Number 9889362 Charity Registration Number 1171041 Principal Address 27 School Road Irchester, Wellingborough Northamptonshire, NN29 7AW Registered Office 27 School Road Irchester, Wellingborough Northamptonshire, NN29 7AW Independent Examiner Sarah Crispin ACA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB Bankers Barclays Bank 267 Wellingborough Road Northampton NN1 4EN
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Company Information | 1 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2-5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9-15 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities with Comparatives | 16 |
Page 1
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees, who are the charity's directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
Objects of the charity
The charity is a charitable company and is governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The objects of the charity, as set out in the governing document are:
a) To advance the Christian faith in Northamptonshire and in such other parts of the UK or the world as the Trustees may from time to time think fit.
b) To promote the Christian faith mainly, but not exclusively, by means of teaching, preaching, broadcasting, producing and distributing Christian messages and literature of an evangelistic nature in Northamptonshire and in other parts of the UK or the world for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures and public celebrations of religious festivals.
c) The relief of hardship or need such as poverty (which shall encompass financial, material, social and spiritual poverty), sickness, disability or impairment and bereavement by means of advice, assistance, pastoral support, care and where appropriate the provision of resources.
The objective of the charity, as stated in the trusts governing document, is the advancement of the Christian faith, the relief of poverty and sickness and of the aged, and the advancement of education on the basis of Christian principles without prejudice. In doing so, we aim to be a positive resource for the local area of the church in Northampton, being a centre of activity and support for the local community, bringing people together.
These objectives are driven by the leadership of the church and practised by the congregation. It is not only put into practise through Sunday worship and preaching, but in its day-to-day support to the local community and countries overseas. This includes providing education, poverty relief and emergency aid for all ages, races and creeds. The charity aims to provide support and advice to individuals and groups in need, covering areas as family relationships, parenting, children and youth education, support for the sick and much more. We seek to meet its need wherever we can do so appropriately.
Our vision
Or vision is to ' Make disciples of Jesus who encounter and demonstrate God's love, bringing transformation to people, families, communities and society' . To this end, we pursue God in order that we may reach and impact our local community and beyond, as we are able, with God's love and power. We equip church members in their discipleship journey, to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did. This takes the work of the church from inside the church walls and into the everyday world, spreading the transforming love of God into society and changing our town.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
Page 2
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Overview
2024 was a year of change, challenge and excitement for LGC. After the announcement at the end of 2023 that we were proposing to merge with New Life Church, much of the year was spent in planning and preparation for that. We led the congregation on a journey towards the transition, distributing materials, holding conversations and seeing people one-on-one. In the end, 3 members of our congregation moved on because of the merger, but everyone else committed to the journey. From September -December, we entered into an 'engagement period', acting as a third site of NLC in all but name and finance. This period was full of the legal work required for the merger, working with solicitors with the Asset Transfer, employment issues and the settlement for our Operations Manager, who retired after over 20 years of service. In all, it was a positive year, where we moved forward in our mission of reaching our local area and beyond with God's love.
Finances remained a challenge during 2024 and we made use of our reserves as we headed up to the merger with NLC. The trustees managed this throughout the year, and undesignated £4,104 of our building fund.
Sunday Services
We met every Sunday at Weston Favell Primary School to worship, hear teaching and to fellowship. We began to see some growth in the second half of the year, with new families joining us. We retained our strong sense of family and love, seeking together to fulfil our vision.
During these services we held our LGC Kids group for ages 4-12. The new leader came on board as the numbers in the group began to grow, and new workers were added to the team. We saw a growth also in our pre-school numbers, which became a challenge for us as the kids team sought to look after them. Our youth - aged 13-18 - left the main service every other Sunday for their own time together. A leader stepped back during the year, so another worker was recruited, plus we had someone from another NLC site join us to help build the team. Our youth also connected into the youth club run by NLC every Friday which proved to be profitable for those attending. We also provided toys and activities for creche aged children to be used in the hall during the service.
Small Groups
A number of people met in our small groups, called DISC groups, made up of 2/3/4 people who help one another in their walk of following Jesus. This is a valuable source of support for those involved. We also prepared to launch 'Life Groups' at the beginning of 2025 - larger groups open to everyone in the church to support their discipleship journey.
We maintained our weekly prayer gathering online during 2024, meeting online and in-person at James Lewis Court Community Room. We also engaged in a month of prayer and fasting, including prayer walking around the area.
Community Work
Our Friendship Café, run for adults with learning difficulties and their carers, continued during 2024 and is very popular with the users. Run by two of our ageing volunteers, with the support of others, this provision continues to bring valuable support to those in need.
We also launched a Community Café in James Lewis Court Community Room, which is close to the school where we meet. Offering hot and cold drinks and cakes at no cost, we invited local people to join us. We struggled to make an impact however as footfall was low. By the end of the year we were questioning whether to continue this venture, noting our need for a permanent base in the community.
Page 3
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Mission
We continued to give 10% of our income to missions, both local and internationally, supporting food banks, schools work, education, relief of the poor, as well as supporting the persecuted church and missions into Asia. We updated the church monthly on where our giving was going.
As well as the café mentioned above, we also ran an Alpha Course in James Lews Court Community Room. This was attended by around 8 people, including one person who lived near the school and who had come back after being away from church for many decades. This was a great experience for us and we will look to do it again in 2025.
Following our work with refugees in the area, one of our congregation, in partnership with a couple of others outside the church, began to look into housing refugees, working with the charity 'Hope into Action'. This led to the decision to become a franchise of charity, called 'Wings of Hope Northampton', which our site will play a leading role in managing. This will come on stream in 2025.
Most the charity's activities are undertaken by volunteers and the charity could not operate effectively without their efforts.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Structure, Governance and Management
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rests with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. Responsibility for the day to day operation of the charity has been delegated to the pastoral and administrative staff led by Pastor Dave Weston, who is a trustee. He is assisted by Carla Merrey, who serves as Operational Manager and is secretary to the trustees. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees, by a majority vote.
Dave Weston who is the Pastor of Living Grace Church and paid by the church along with the Operations Manager, Carla Merrey, take no part in the final decisions regarding salaries.
Dave Weston was a trustee for Lighthouse Trust (Northampton) and was the Secretary. He resigned as a Trustee 31st December 2023. Living Grace Church gives monthly to the charity and the work helps us fulfil our own charitable aims. Dave receives no financial benefit from the charity and the decision to give to the charity is decided by the trustees as a group.
Financial review
During the year income received was by £98,843 and expenditure was £109,755. Net current assets decreased by £10,912, to £585,468
Page 4
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Reserves policy
The trustees have determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash to cover 6 months' running costs so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. At the year end, the charity held unrestricted cash in the bank and in investments of £512,512, of which £512,512 is held in Designated Funds for the purpose of a new church building. The Trustees are confident the reserves are adequate and are monitored.
Key risks and uncertainties
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees under company law
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether the applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Dave WESTON
Dave WESTON (Aug 27, 2025 09:29:52 GMT+1) _______ David Weston
Date: Aug 27, 2025
Page 5
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
LIVING GRACE CHURCH ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024 on pages 7 to 16 following, which have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out on pages 9 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Sarah Crispin
Sarah Crispin (Sep 15, 2025 16:35:57 GMT+1)
Sarah Crispin ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: Sep 15, 2025
Page 6
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 15 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 70,130 1,281 20,333 91,743 106,442 106,442 (14,698) - (14,698) (14,698) 527,209 512,511 |
Restricted Funds £ 4,413 - 2,687 7,099 3,313 3,313 3,787 - 3,787 3,787 69,170 72,957 |
Total Total Funds Funds 2024 2023 £ £ 74,542 86,471 1,281 1,249 23,019 16,470 98,843 104,190 109,755 98,295 109,755 98,295 (10,912) 5,895 - - (10,912) 5,895 (10,912) 5,895 596,379 590,484 585,468 596,379 |
|---|---|---|---|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing operations.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account required by the Companies Act 2006.
The notes on pages 9-15 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 9 Investments 10 Cash at bank and in hand 11 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets / (liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities CREDITORS: Amounts falling due 13 after more than one year TOTAL NET ASSETS FUND BALANCES 15 Unrestricted Funds General funds Designated funds Restricted Funds |
Unrestricted Funds £ 1,069 432,635 83,968 517,673 (5,162) 512,511 512,511 - 512,511 (4,104) 516,616 512,511 - 512,511 |
Restricted Funds £ 10 58,996 15,440 74,445 (1,489) 72,957 72,957 - 72,957 - - - 72,957 72,957 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 1,079 491,631 99,408 592,118 (6,650) 585,468 585,468 - 585,468 (4,104) 516,616 512,511 72,957 585,468 |
Total Funds 2023 £ 982 512,675 95,195 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 608,852 (9,177) |
||||
| 599,675 | ||||
| 599,675 (3,296) |
||||
| 596,380 | ||||
| 29,329 497,881 |
||||
| 527,210 69,170 |
||||
| 596,380 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 however, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011, the accounts have been examined by an independent examiner and their report has been included in these financial statements.
The directors (who are the charitable company's trustees for the purposes of charity law) acknowledge their responsibilities for:
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its net income or expenditure for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The financial statements may include differences of up to £1 owing to rounding.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and were signed on its behalf by:
Dave WESTON
Dave WESTON (Aug 27, 2025 09:29:52 GMT+1)
DAVID WESTON
Date Aug 27, 2025
Company number: 9889362
The notes on pages 9-15 form part of these accounts.
Charity number: 1171041
Page 8
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Statutory Information
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Company Information page.
2 Accounting Policies
These financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of certain assets, which are measured at fair value through the Statement of Financial Activities.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the "Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ("the Charities SORP"), with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"), with the Companies Act 2006 and with the Charities Act 2011. The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as set out in FRS 102.
The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
a) Going concern The Trustees (who are the charitable company's directors for the purposes of company law) have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events of conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees plan that the charity will merge with another charity from 1st January 2025 but after considering the charity's forecasts and projections and the possible implications should projected income and/or expenditure vary unexpectedly, the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate until that point. The Trustees have reviewed the assets of the charity and do not believe any impairment is necessary. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
b) Income Income including investment income is recognised in the period in which the charity becomes entitled to receipt, the amount receivable can be measured with reasonable certainty, and receipt is probable. For the most part, income is generally recognised when it is received. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Income from donations and legacies includes:
- i) Recoverable gift aid. This is recognised when the related donation is received. Gift aid that has not been recovered by the balance sheet date is included as a debtor.
The charity relies on volunteers to carry out many of its activities, particularly Community Projects and Ministry work. However, in accordance with the SORP, the value of these services has not been included in these financial statements as they cannot be reliably measured.
Investment income represents income generated by the charity's assets and includes income from bank interest.
c) Expenditure Expenditure, including irrecoverable VAT, is recognised when it is incurred or, if earlier, when a legal or constructive obligation for a payment arises provided that it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity makes grants to other institutions and individuals to further its charitable objectives. Grants payable are recognised as constructive obligations arise, which is generally when the charity expresses a commitment to the recipient that can be measured reliably and then only to the extent that any conditions associated with the grant are outside of the control of the charity.
The cost of raising funds is not significant and has not been separately disclosed.
Governance costs, which are included in expenditure on charitable activities but are identified separately in the notes to the accounts, includes costs associated with the independent examination of the financial statements, compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements and any other expenditure incurred on the strategic management of the charity.
d) Fund accounting General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
e) Tangible fixed assets Items purchased or donated for the charity's own use are capitalised when the cost of purchased items, or the fair value of donated items, is more than £1,000 and the item is expected to benefit the charity over more than one accounting period. Depreciation is charged on a straight line basis so as to write down the value of each asset to its estimated residual value (if any) over its expected useful economic life. To achieve this objective the following rates of depreciation are charged:
Equipment
Over 3 to 7 years
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment in periods when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Page 9
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
f) Investments Fixed asset investments are held to generate income and / or for their investment potential. Current asset investments are investments that are held specifically for sale or are investments that the charity expects to sell by the next balance sheet date. Investments, other than social investments (see below), are valued as follows: i) Investment property and listed investments are valued at their market value (fair value) at the balance sheet date.
- ii) Unlisted investments are measured at cost less impairment where it becomes apparent that the amount that could be realised is less than cost.
g) Pension scheme arrangements The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees. Obligations for contributions to these schemes are recognised as an expense when the liability arises. The assets of these schemes are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
h) Taxation The company is a registered charity; it has taken advantage of the various reliefs from taxation available to charities and no tax is payable on the charity's income.
i) Financial instruments The charity's financial assets and financial liabilities all qualify as basic financial instruments, as defined by FRS102. Except for loans, creditors and debtors are measured at their expected settlement value (normally the amount of cash that the charity expects to pay or receive). The charity recognises liabilities for the principal of those loans that remains outstanding at the year end (i.e. the liabilities exclude any interest chargeable on the loans in future years).
j) Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement
The charity has taken advantage of an exemption conferred by the Charities SORP and has not prepared a cash flow statement.
k) Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement In preparing financial statements certain judgements, estimates and assumptions have to be made that affect the amounts recognised in the financial statements. The trustees consider the constructive obligation for grants payable to be significant. This is based on an assessment of the likely duration of the supported activity. Again this estimate is re-assessed annually and the obligation is adjusted to reflect current expectations.
| 3 Donations Donations of cash and similar Income tax recoverable Grants Receivable 4 Income from charitable activities Community outreach programs Book sales 5 Investment income Investment Income Bank interest |
2024 £ 62,123 12,419 - 74,542 2024 £ 1,281 - 1,281 2024 £ 23,015 4 23,019 |
2023 £ 68,343 14,970 3,158 |
|---|---|---|
| 86,471 | ||
| 2023 £ 1,225 24 |
||
| 1,249 | ||
| 2023 £ 16,465 5 |
||
| 16,470 |
Page 10
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
6 Charitable expenditure
| a Costs incurred directly on specific activities Salaries, travel and expenses Telephone and utilities Outreach & Giving Costs Catering Venue hire Rent Conferences and training Miscellaneous expenses Ministry Expenses Grants payable (note 6c) b Costs incurred on support & administration Governance costs Independent examiner's fee Other Professional Legal Fees Printing, postage and stationery Subscriptions and professional fees Bank charges & investment fees Office Equipment Insurance Total expenditure |
2024 £ 74,905 637 1,628 549 7,250 276 - 445 3,871 89,561 6,156 95,717 1,386 - 1,386 7,263 7,263 857 1,819 729 414 1,570 14,037 109,755 |
2023 £ 62,466 623 1,200 840 7,800 1,152 46 - 2,399 |
|---|---|---|
| 76,526 16,167 |
||
| 92,693 | ||
| 1,320 | ||
| 1,320 - |
||
| - 426 1,633 733 - 1,489 |
||
| 5,601 | ||
| 98,295 |
Total expenditure
The fee payable to the independent examiner for examining the accounts was £1,386 (2023: £1,320); in addition the charity paid £70 (2023: £65) to Stewardship for consultancy services.
c Grants payable
| Grants for UK and overseas mission Grants for the relief of poverty Grants for education, including ministry training The comparatives for the previous year are as follows: Grants for UK and overseas mission Grants for the relief of poverty Grants for education, including ministry training |
Institutions £ 6,059 744 - 6,803 Institutions £ 6,865 888 - 7,753 |
Individuals £ - (647) - (647) Individuals £ - 8,314 100 8,414 |
2024 £ 6,059 97 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6,156 | |||
| 2023 £ 6,865 9,202 100 |
|||
| 16,167 |
During the year the grant obligation to individuals was reversed which has resulted in the above credit balance
The charity's principal grants to institutions comprised:
| Lighthouse Trust Asia Link Open Doors Utange Orphanage Kenya Grants to institutions for less than £1,000 each |
2024 £ 2,987 1,176 1,176 720 744 6,803 |
2023 £ 3,390 1,365 1,392 718 888 |
|---|---|---|
| 7,753 |
Page 11
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
7 Analysis of staff costs, the cost of key management personnel and trustee remuneration
The average monthly number of employees during the year was 2 (2023: 2.5). Most of the charity's activities are carried out by volunteers.
No staff received salaries at a rate of more than £60,000 per annum.
The charity's key management comprise the trustees and the key staff named on the Company Information page. Total employment benefits payable to key management for the year were as follows:
| Other Employer Wages & employment pension salaries benefits contributions Trustees: David Weston 45,095 2,654 Other members of key management 11,547 15,000 372 The following amounts were payable in the previous year: Other Employer Wages & employment pension salaries benefits contributions Trustees: David Weston 45,095 - 2,654 Other members of key management 11,403 - 361 |
2024 £ 47,749 26,919 |
|---|---|
| 74,668 | |
| 2023 £ 47,749 11,765 |
|
| 59,514 |
David Weston served as church leader and received the above payments for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; The charity's governing document does not allow for the employment of trustees in general, however the Charity Commission has authorised the employment of David Weston.
Payoll costs included redundancy and termination payments totalling £15,000 (2023: £nil) and comprise statutory payments and ex-gratia payments where this was considered appropriate. Redundancy and termination payments are charged when the liability or obligation arises.
8 Acting as agent
On occasion the charity receives money on behalf of other charities, which it banks and then pays out to these charities. This income is received as agent for these other charities and the income, and the related payments, are excluded from the Statement of Financial Activities; any money that has not been distributed by the year end is recognised as a creditor.
During the year the charity acted as agent for Wings of Hope Northampton and, in that capacity:
a) received £1,500 (2023: £0) and paid £60 (2023: £0)
b) at the year end the charity owed £1,440 (2023: £0) to Wings of Hope Northampton
9 Debtors
| 9 Debtors |
||
|---|---|---|
| Falling due within one year: Community Projects Tax recoverable Total debtors 10 Current asset investments Insignis Cash Solutions |
2024 £ - 1,079 1,079 1,079 2024 £ 491,631 491,631 |
2023 £ - 982 - |
| 982 | ||
| 982 | ||
| 2023 £ 512,675 |
||
| 512,675 |
Page 12
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
11 Cash at Bank and in Hand
| h at Bank and in Hand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cash at bank with immediate access itors: liabilities falling due within one year Trade creditors Taxation and social security Accruals Grant obligations Other Creditors itors: amounts falling due after more than one year Grant obligations |
2024 £ 99,408 99,408 2024 £ 5,210 - - 1,440 6,650 2024 £ - - |
2023 £ 95,195 |
| 95,195 | ||
| 2023 £ 1,498 867 1,320 5,493 - |
||
| 9,177 | ||
| 2023 £ 3,296 |
||
| 3,296 |
12 Creditors: liabilities falling due within one year
13 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
14 Pension commitments
During the year employer’s pension contributions totalling £3,025 (2023: £3,016) were payable to defined contribution personal pension schemes. No pension contributions were owing at the balance sheet date (2023: £0).
15 Funds
During the year the movements in the charity's funds were as follows:
| Designated Funds Building Fund Community Fund General Unrestricted Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Building Project Mission Giving Ministry Projects Men's Social Fund Welcome Churches Ministry Aggregate of funds |
Opening balance 2024 £ 497,881 - 497,881 29,329 527,210 69,550 - 170 30 (579) 69,170 596,380 |
Incoming resources 2024 £ 19,233 1,281 20,514 71,229 91,743 3,277 1,364 1,290 - 1,169 7,099 98,843 |
Outgoing resources 2024 £ (498) (1,281) (1,780) (104,662) (106,442) (70) (1,364) (1,290) - (589) (3,313) (109,755) |
Transfers in the year 2024 £ (4,104) - (4,104) 4,104 - - - - - - - - |
Gains and losses 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Closing balance 2024 £ 512,512 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 512,512 (0) |
||||||
| 512,511 | ||||||
| 72,757 - 170 30 (0) |
||||||
| 72,957 | ||||||
| 585,468 |
Page 13
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Analysis of net assets by fund
The assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
| Unrestricted | Funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Designated | Restricted | |||||
| funds | funds | funds | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Debtors | 1,069 | - | 10 | 1,079 | |||
| Investments held as current assets | - | 432,635 | 58,996 | 491,631 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | (118) | 84,087 | 15,440 | 99,408 | |||
| Creditors falling due within one year | (5,055) | (106) | (1,489) | (6,650) | |||
| Creditors falling due after one year | - | - | - | - | |||
| (4,104) | 516,616 | 72,957 | 585,468 | ||||
| In the previous year the movements in the | charity's funds | were as follows: | |||||
| Opening | Incoming | Outgoing | Transfers | Gains and | Closing | ||
| balance | resources | resources | in the year | losses | balance | ||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Designated Funds | |||||||
| Building Fund | 484,986 | 13,380 | (485) | - | - | 497,881 | |
| Community Fund | - | 1225 | (1,225) | - | - | - | |
| - | |||||||
| 484,986 | 14,605 | (1,710) | - | - | 497,881 | ||
| General Unrestricted Funds | 38,430 | 79,244 | (88,345) | - | - | 29,329 | |
| Total Unrestricted Funds | 523,416 | 93,849 | (90,055) | - | - | 527,210 | |
| Restricted Funds | |||||||
| Building Project | 66,908 | 2,708 | (67) | - | - | 69,550 | |
| Mission Giving | 0 | 450 | (450) | - | - | - | |
| Ministry Projects | 150 | 20 | - | - | - | 170 | |
| Men's Social Fund | 10 | 20 | - | - | - | 30 | |
| Welcome Churches Ministry | - | 7,143 | (7,723) | - | - | (579) | |
| 67,068 | 10,342 | (8,240) | - | - | 69,170 | ||
| Aggregate of funds | 590,484 | 104,190 | (98,295) | - | - | 596,380 |
Analysis of net assets by fund
In the previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as follows:
| ysis of net assets by fund e previous year, the assets and liabilities of the various funds were as |
follows: | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debtors Investments held as current assets Cash at bank and in hand Creditors falling due within one year Creditors falling due after one year |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 964 - 25,143 428,427 15,695 69,454 (9,177) - (3,296) - 29,329 497,881 Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 19 59,105 10,046 - - 69,170 |
2023 £ 982 512,675 95,195 (9,177) (3,296) |
|
| General funds £ 964 25,143 15,695 (9,177) (3,296) 29,329 |
||||
| 596,380 |
Page 14
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Designated Funds:
Building Fund - For the allocation towards a new church building Community Projects - income received and cost incurred due to community work
Restricted Funds:
Building Project - For the allocation towards a new church building Mission Giving - funds towards mission work
Ministry Projects - for the allocation of ministry within the church
Welcome Churches Fund - Funds given & used towards supporting the work of asylum seekers and refugees in Northampton Men's Social Fund - Funds to be used towards Men's social gatherings
Gifts - Funds to be passed on to specific person
16 Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity:
a) received donations totalling £18,867 (2023: £23,867) from related parties (which includes trustees, any other members of key management and anyone closely connected to them).
No expenses (2023: £0) were paid to, or for, the trustees.
Except as disclosed in note 7 'Analysis of staff costs', there have been no other transactions with related parties during the year.
17 Members
Each member of the company commits to contribute if the charity is wound up an amount of £10.
Page 15
LIVING GRACE CHURCH
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES WITH COMPARATIVES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income and endowments EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities: 6 Total Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds 15 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 15 |
General Designated 2024 2024 £ £ 70,130 - - 1,281 1,099 19,233 71,229 20,514 104,662 1,780 104,662 1,780 (33,433) 18,735 4,104 (4,104) (29,329) 14,631 (29,329) 14,631 29,329 497,880 (0) 512,511 Unrestricted funds |
Restricted 2024 £ 4,413 - 2,687 7,099 3,313 3,313 3,787 - 3,787 3,787 69,170 72,957 |
Total 2024 £ 74,542 1,281 23,019 98,843 109,755 109,755 (10,912) - (10,912) (10,912) 596,380 585,468 |
General Designated 2023 2023 £ £ 77,976 - 24 1,225 1,244 13,380 - - ~~-~~ ~~-~~ 79,244 14,605 - - 88,345 1,710 - - ~~-~~ ~~-~~ 88,345 1,710 - - - - (9,101) 12,895 - - - - - - (9,101) 12,895 - - (9,101) 12,895 - - - - 38,430 484,985 - - 29,329 497,879.69 Unrestricted funds |
Restricted 2023 £ 8,496 - 1,846 - ~~-~~ 10,342 - 8,240 - ~~-~~ 8,240 - - 2,102 - - - 2,102 - 2,102 - - 67,068 - 69,170 |
Total 2023 £ 86,471 1,249 16,470 - ~~-~~ 104,190 - 98,295 - ~~-~~ 98,295 - - 5,895 - - - 5,895 - 5,895 - - 590,484 - 596,380 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 16
Living Grace Church Accounts FY24_Final to sign
Final Audit Report 2025-09-15 Created: 2025-08-11 By: Lawrence Renn (lawrence.renn@stewardship.org.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAqDjZ10Y93NwFVgsdp8pcXQeoAgK432v1
Final Audit Report
"Living Grace Church Accounts FY24_Final to sign" History
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