**Charity number: 1173023**
## **THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **UNAUDITED**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' Report**|2 - 4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6|
|**Balance Sheet**|7|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 - 14|
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
|**Trustees**|Okiemute Nesi Scott-Emuakpor|
|---|---|
||Ashetoritse Oritsedebi Ilo|
||Molagbemi Asenguah|
||Adewale Olumide Adesanya (appointed 15 September 2023)|
**Charity registered number** 1173023 **Accountants** Hedley Dunk Limited Chartered Accountants Trinity House 3 Bullace Lane Dartford Kent DA1 1BB
Page 1
## **THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the The Higher Place (Disciplies of Christ Bible Church) for the year 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Policies and objectives**
The advancement of the Christian Faith mainly but not exclusively by:
1. Means of broadcasting messages and music and teaching nature.
2. Connecting people to Jesus, life-giving relationships and God-given destinies for the benefit of the public in accordance with the teaching of Jesus Christ.
3. Supporting Christ followers/Christians for the benefit of the public through holding of prayer meetings, worship experiences and producing publications.
4. Provision of housing for vulnerable people.
5. Provision of relief for those in need due to age, ill-health, disability, financial or other disadvantages.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
## **Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit**
The Charity's activities are:
1. Religious activities
2. Other Charitable purposes
The Charity helps children/young people, the elderly, people with disabilities and the general public.
The Charity is involved in social outreach, youth work, evangelistic activities; holding events to connect people to Jesus, life-giving relationships and God-Given destinies in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We also support individuals and organisations.
## **Personnel**
Payment of staff salary, free-lancer individuals, and guest singers/speakers.
## **Facilities**
Payment of monthly rent, and any additional cost of ad-hoc hire space for meetings and events outside usual gathering time.
## **Welfare**
Payment for food, water, and other well-being items provided to members, volunteers and visitors. Payment given to support members with extremely dire situations e.g support with family food supplies, accommodation and travel.
## **Resources/ Equipment**
Payment towards equipment required for the smooth running of weekly Sunday gatherings e.g Sony Camera, tripods, microphones, and any additional resources including software
## **Promotion**
Payment for publicity campaigns including billboarding, leaflets, social media promotions, and consultations to increase engagement.
Payment of staff salary, free-lancer individuals, and guest singers/speakers.
Page 2
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **Achievements and performance**
## **Main achievements of the Charity**
• Launched a new forum called Teens Time to Talk which gives young teenagers in our community a safe space to talk through traumatising issues while building a personal relationship with our in-house counsellor. Over 10 young people have benefitted from the weekly meetings.
• Organised the Students Wellbeing Sunday, offering a safe and nurturing space for our student members to grow in faith and wellness. We had different corners set up after the service where young people could access free medical care, mental health counselling, food and fitness tips.
• Collected non-perishable food items for a local food bank in our community to support those in need, especially families struggling with the current cost of living crisis.
• Launched the Sponsor a Child campaign where members are now able to adopt and provide essential care for street children and kids with poor living conditions. We have members sponsoring children monthly and it is amazing to see the impact our charity is making in the community.
- Another milestone is our average weekly attendance growing from 36% last year to 54.8% this year.
- Community members have also continued to enjoy free mental health counselling, offered by our in-
- house counsellor, promoting emotional well-being and providing support during challenging times.
- Increase in number of volunteers by 45% from 20 serving between 2021 and 2022 to 29 serving in 2023.
## **Financial review**
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
## **Reserves policy**
A minimum of £7,500 must be in the current account at all times.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Constitution**
The Higher Place (Disciples of Christ Bible Church) is a registered charity, number 1173023, and is constituted under a Trust deed.
## **Methods of appointment or election of Trustees**
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
Page 3
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities**
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 & 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 its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and 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.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 20 December 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
**Okiemute Nesi Scott-Emuakpor**
**Adewale Olumide Adesanya**
Page 4
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Higher Place (Disciples of Christ Bible Church) ('the Charity')**
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 April 2023.
## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report**
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
The Charity has prepared the accounts 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).
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 that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Signed: Jack Fryer
Dated: 20 December 2023 ACA
Hedley Dunk Limited Trinity House 3 Bullace Lane Dartford DA1 1BB
Page 5
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Other trading activities
4
Investments
5
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
**Total expenditure**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**73,936**
**177**
**203**
**74,316**
**-**
**82,544**
**82,544**
**(8,228)**
**44,566**
**(8,228)**
**36,338**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**73,936**
**177**
**203**
**74,316**
**-**
**82,544**
**82,544**
**(8,228)**
**44,566**
**(8,228)**
**36,338**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_82,274_
_234_
_5_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_82,513_|
||||_411_
_57,987_|
||||_58,398_|
||||_24,115_|
||||_20,451_
_24,115_|
||||_44,566_|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 6
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 APRIL 2023**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
**Current assets**
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
13
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Net assets excluding pension asset**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
14
Unrestricted funds
14
**Total funds**|**38,071**
**38,071**
**(1,734)**|**2023**
**£**
**-**
**36,337**
**36,337**
**36,337**
**36,337**
**-**
**36,337**
**36,337**|_45,516_
_45,516_
_(950)_|_2022_
_£_|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||_-_
_44,566_|
|||||_44,566_|
|||||_44,566_|
||||||
|||||_44,566_|
|||||_-_
_44,566_|
||||||
|||||_44,566_|
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 20 December 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
## **Okiemute Nesi Scott-Emuakpor**
## **Adewale Olumide Adesanya**
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **1. General information**
The Higher Place is a charitable incorporated organisation which is incorporated in England. The principal place of business is Lower Deck Dreadnought Building, Greenwich Student Union, 30 Park Row, London.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statemen have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
he Higher Place (Disciples of Christ Bible Church) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
## **2.2 Income**
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
## **2.3 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 allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Page 8
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.4 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
## **2.5 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **2.6 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.
## **2.7 Financial instruments**
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2.8 Pensions**
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
## **2.9 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 and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
Page 9
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **3. Income from donations and legacies**
|Tithes & offerings
Grants
Gift aid|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
55,620
7,416
10,900
73,936|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**55,620**
**7,416**
**10,900**
**73,936**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_53,666_
_19,149_
_9,459_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_82,274_|
## **4. Income from other trading activities**
## **Income from fundraising events**
|Hoodie sales
**Investment income**
Interest|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
177
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
203|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**177**
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**203**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_234_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_5_|
## **5. Investment income**
Page 10
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **6. Expenditure on raising funds**
## **Costs of raising voluntary income**
||**Unrestricted**|**Total**|_Total_|
|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|_funds_|
||**2023**|**2023**|_2022_|
||**£**|**£**|_£_|
|Hoodie purchases|-|**-**|_411_|
## **7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Summary by fund type**
|Religious activities
**Analysis of expenditure by activities**
Religious activities|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
82,544
**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2023**
**£**
82,544|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
**82,544**
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**82,544**|_Total_
_2022_
_£_
_57,987_|
|---|---|---|---|
||||_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_57,987_|
## **8. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
Page 11
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of direct costs**
|Staff costs
Welfare support & community engagement
Videos, retreats & conferences
Meeting venue
Promotion & PPS
Accounts
Computer expenses
Staff training
Contractor costs
Team costs
**9.**
**Independent examiner's remuneration**|**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**6,549**
**20,620**
**12,567**
**21,840**
**9,853**
**990**
**2,158**
**465**
**4,922**
**2,580**
**82,544**|_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_8,628_
_19,820_
_1,710_
_9,824_
_15,135_
_690_
_2,180_
_-_
_-_
_-_|
|---|---|---|
|||_57,987_|
||||
||**2023**|_2022_|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|_£_|
|Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent|||
|examination of the Charity's annual accounts|**300**|_300_|
|Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner in respect of:|||
|All other services not included above|**690**|_390_|
## **10. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes|**2023**
**£**
**6,536**
**13**
**6,549**|_2022_
_£_
_8,585_
_43_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||_8,628_|
Page 12
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **10. Staff costs (continued)**
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
||**2023**|_2022_|
|---|---|---|
||**No.**|_No._|
|Employees|**1**|_1_|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
## **11. Pension commitments**
The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group to the fund and amounted to £13 (2022 - £43).
## **12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits _(2022 - £NIL)_ .
During the year ended 30 April 2023, no Trustee expenses have been incurred _(2022 - £NIL)_ .
## **13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|**2023**
**£**
**744**
**990**
**1,734**|_2022_
_£_
_950_
_-_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||_950_|
Page 13
**THE HIGHER PLACE (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST BIBLE CHURCH)**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2023**
## **14. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
|**Balance at 1**
**May 2022**
**£**
**Unrestricted funds**
General Funds 1
**44,566**
**15.**
**Summary of funds**
**Summary of funds - current year**
**Balance at 1**
**May 2022**
**£**
General funds
**44,566**
**16.**
**Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**
**Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year**
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**||**Income**
**£**
**74,315**
**Income**
**£**
**74,315**
_Endowment_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_45,516_
_(950)_
_44,566_|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(82,544)**
**Expenditure**
**£**
**(82,544)**
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
38,071
(1,734)
36,337
_Unrestricted_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_-_
_-_
_-_||**Balance at**
**30 April**
**2023**
**£**
**36,337**
**Balance at**
**30 April**
**2023**
**£**
**36,337**
**Total**
**funds**
**2023**
**£**
**38,071**
**(1,734)**
**36,337**
_Total_
_funds_
_2022_
_£_
_45,516_
_(950)_
_44,566_|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
|||||||
Page 14