## Grace Church Sydenham
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2023
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
## **GRACE CHURCH SYDENHAM**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 18 Hillmore Grove London SE26 5RW GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO constitution dated 30 August 2017 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1174422 TRUSTEES Rev Timothy Iles Dr Richard Proctor Mrs Helena Talbot-Rice (appointed 1 September 2022) BANKERS Charities Aid Foundation 25 Kings Hill Avenue West Malling ME19 4JQ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
Page 1 Legal and Administrative Details Pages 2-4 Report of the Trustees Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 8 Notes to the Accounts
Page 1
**Grace Church Sydenham**
## **Report of the Trustees**
## **Year ended 31 August 2023**
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
## **Objects of the charity**
The objects of the charity are, for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith in such ways as the Trustees may from time to time decide.
## **Government**
The policy and operating decisions of the charity rest with the Trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity.
Every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as Charity Trustees, the Charity Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. All Charity Trustees must subscribe and adhere to, in belief and lifestyle, the Statement of Faith.
## **Review of activities**
The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are teaching from the Bible, the worship of God and the encouragement of the Church at regular Sunday services, weekday small group Bible studies and prayer meetings and other Christian ministry. The mission statement of the church is “to proclaim and live out the good news of Jesus Christ to the glory of God”.
We believe the good news of Jesus, as revealed in the Bible, transforms lives and we hold out this good news to all. We are starting a new youth group in collaboration with other local churches (Grace Church Brockley, New Life Church Catford, and Honor Oak Christian Fellowship). This will meet on a Friday evening every other week at the Honor Oak Christian Fellowship building. Our other group for teenagers (Teens On A Sunday Time - TOAST) has continued to meet throughout the year on a Sunday afternoon. This is attended by children from the church and their friends. They also enjoyed a weekend camping trip over the summer. During the Sunday service, to which all are welcome, we run age appropriate activities for children up to 13 years old. Children gather in crèche or Sunday Club part way through the meeting while the teenagers and adults are hearing God speak through the explanation of Bible teaching in the main meeting.
Adults have the opportunity for further Bible study and pastoral support in small groups that meet during the week in and around Sydenham. Many also take up the offer of meeting in pairs for mutual support and encouragement, Bible reading and prayer during the week. This provides, among other things, a knowledge of each other’s struggles and the opportunity for spiritual and practical support. We have run a Christianity Explored course for those looking into the Christian faith, and a week of events in partnership with Cornhill Bible School.
The Christians Against Poverty Job Club has continued, running three Job Club courses this year. These have encouraged and equipped those who have attended to succeed in their search for a job. This Job Club has run at the Forest Hill Community Church building where on other days there are drop in sessions which those attending the Job Club have also been able to attend.
This year was also GAFCON 2023 and the church was pleased to send Rev Tim Iles to Rwanda to join with the global Anglican community meeting there.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 2
## **Safeguarding**
An essential part of the way we fulfil our mission statement is our commitment to safeguarding, ensuring that we provide a healthy, safe and spiritually nurturing environment for everyone who engages with our church community.
Nicola Collett-White is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Helena Talbot-Rice is the Safeguarding Trustee. We have a Safeguarding Policy and Procedure which is reviewed annually.
In the year under review:
The DSL updated the Safeguarding Policy in line with the latest statutory guidance and in order to more accurately to reflect our practice. The policy was discussed and approved by the Church Council.
The DSL and Deputy DSL worked with the safeguarding leads of three other local churches in order together to agree the safeguarding practices and procedures to be followed in a joint youth venture between the four churches.
The DSL and Deputy DSL undertook Safeguarding Lead and Co-ordinator Training with Christian Safeguarding Services.
The Trustees undertook training in the Leadership, Oversight and Strategic Management of Safeguarding with Christian Safeguarding Services.
The DSL took advice from Christian Safeguarding Services and Southwark Children’s Services in relation to one significant safeguarding concern and followed that advice.
## **Achievements**
Each year, as well as celebrating the main church festivals of Christmas and Easter, we have celebrated someone’s baptism and this year again we had a baptism to celebrate.
The church is slowly growing, and remains thankful to God for His ongoing provision. We have grown the youth work further, maintained the regular activities of the church, and continued to have regular visitors join us on a Sunday morning.
## **Financial Review and Reserves Policy**
During the year income was £73,674 (2022: £88,333), which included restricted income of £1,425 (2022: £nil). Expenditure was £96,584 (2022: £73,989), which included restricted expenditure of £2,178 (2022: £1,966) . Therefore, overall, there was a net cash outflow of £22,910 (2022: a cash inflow of £14,344) and the cash held by the charity fell by this amount to £65,708. This comprised unrestricted cash of £65,041 and restricted cash of £667 held by the CAP fund.
The Trustees aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £22,500, which an estimate of the amount that would be needed to wind down the charity should this ever become necessary. The Trustees are holding additional cash reserves to help meet the cost of employing the Children’s and Youth worker and the trustees expect the charity to use some of the excess over the coming year.
Page 3
**Trustees' Responsibilities**
Charity law requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
## Helena Talbot-Rice
…………………………………………. Helena Talbot-Rice – Trustee
Date: 20 February 2024
Page 4
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **GRACE CHURCH SYDENHAM**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Grace Church Sydenham (the charity) for the year ended 31 August 2023 on pages 6 to 8 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material 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 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
## Ajay Rajani
Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: 18 March 2024
Page 5
## **GRACE CHURCH SYDENHAM**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations and grants
Gift Aid
Interest
Other income
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
**Net receipts before transfers**
Transfers between funds
5
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
Payments in relation to charitable activities
undertaken directly
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities
undertaken by others|Unrestricted
Funds
£
59,066
11,699
469
1,015
72,249
92,906
1,500
94,406
(22,157)
627
(21,530)
86,571
65,041|Restricted
Funds
£
1,200
225
-
-
1,425
2,178
-
2,178
(753)
(627)
(1,380)
2,047
667|2023
£
60,266
11,924
469
1,015
73,674
95,084
1,500
96,584
(22,910)
-
(22,910)
88,618
65,708|2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||71,391
16,818
74
50|
|||||88,333|
|||||72,489
1,500|
|||||73,989
|
||||||
|||||14,344
-|
|||||14,344
74,274|
|||||88,618|
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
## **GRACE CHURCH SYDENHAM STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
|**A**
**Cash funds**
Held at bank
Cash in hand
**B**
**Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Deposit paid for 2024 church retreat
**C**
**Liabilities**
Independent examination fee for
preparing and examining the accounts
Pension contributions
Money received for 2024 church retreat
Annual contribution payable to AMiE
Other amounts payable
**D**
**Assets retained for charity's own use**
Computers and IT equipment (at cost)|Unrestricted
funds
£
65,013
28
65,041
4,701
1,400
6,101
960
609
500
1,800
-
3,869
528|Restricted
funds
£
667
-
667
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
462|2023
£
65,680
28
65,708
4,701
1,400
6,101
960
609
500
1,800
-
3,869
990|2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||88,590
28|
|||||88,618|
|||||1,983
-|
|||||1,983|
|||||888
-
-
-
89|
|||||977|
|||||990|
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by **Helena Talbot-Rice** -------------------------------------------Mrs Helena Talbot-Rice Trustee
date 20 February 2024
-------------
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **GRACE CHURCH SYDENHAM**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 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.
|**2**
**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Employment costs (note 4)
Venue hire
Christians Against Poverty Job Club
Safeguarding
Events
Other ministry expenses including conference expenses
Equipment
Insurance
Licences and subscriptions
Accounts preparation and examination
Payroll fees
Other costs
**3**
London City Mission (previously paid to an individual supported directly)
Crosslinks
**Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others**|Unrestricted
Funds
£
75,314
9,663
-
371
1,650
2,949
127
322
447
888
584
591
92,906
750
750
1,500|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
1,380
-
-
798
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,178
-
-
-|Total
2023
£
75,314
9,663
1,380
371
1,650
3,747
127
322
447
888
584
591
95,084
750
750
1,500|Total
2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||53,201
10,650
1,966
148
286
1,796
72
320
1,938
864
473
775|
|||||72,489|
|||||750
750
|
|||||1,500|
**4 Transactions with related parties** During the year the charity paid employment benefits totalling £52,268 (2022 : £50,499) to Rev T Isles, who is a trustee. Rev Isles is paid for serving as church Minister and is not remunerated for serving as a trustee; this is permitted by the charity's governing document.
## **5 Movement in restricted funds**
|Christians Against Poverty fund
Conference fund|Balance
at 1.9.22
£
2,047
-
2,047|Receipts
£
-
1,425
1,425|Payments
£
(1,380)
(798)
(2,178)|Transfers
£
-
(627)
(627)|Balance
at 31.8.23
£
667
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||667|
The restricted **Christians Against Poverty** fund was created from donations received to help support a Job Club operated in partnership with Christians Against Poverty.
The restricted **Conference** fund was created this year from donations received to help a minster attend a GAFCOM conference in Rwanda. With the agreement of donors, the unspent balance on the fund was transferred to unrestricted funds.
Page 8