The Charity Registration Number is :- 1175397
NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Report and Accounts
31 December 2024
NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Reference and administrative details
The charity name.
The legal name of the charity is:- NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL.
The charity is also known by its operating name, N/A. The charity's areas operation and UK charitable registration. The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 1175397. The charity does not operate in any overseas jurisdictions.
Legal structure of the charity
The charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in England & Wales. The governing document of the charity is the constitution of the CIO as approved by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) .
There are no restrictions in the governing documents on the operation of the Charity or on its investment powers other than those imposed by Charity Law.
The trustees are all individuals.
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web addresses of the charity are:- Old School House Salisbury Road, Barton HILL Bristol, BR5 9UD
The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-
O. Odeyemi ; Mrs. V. Akuettah Kingsley Okonedo
The trustees who served as a trustee in the reporting period were as shown above, and there were no changes during the year, or in the period between the year end and the approval of the accounts.
All the trustees are also members of the charity.
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
Objects and activities of the charity
The purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document.
Objectives and aims
To advance the Christian Religion for the benefit of the public through the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebration of religious festivals, producing and distributing literature on the Christian Faith to enlighten others about the Christian Religion.
To prevent and relieve poverty for the public benefit by providing funds, goods and services in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees from time to time may think.
Significant activities
In addition to services where we all meet, the men, women and youths meet occasionally for separate fellowship to encourage and develop themselves in accordance to God's plan and purpose. It also provides a great opportunity for people to share common issues that may be gender, age, career or role specific. All our services are open to all people, without charge.
We often go out on evangelism to share the good news that God loves the world in our local community, we listen and offer prayers for everyone.
We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when carrying out activities to which it's relevant.
We have plans to implement several ideas for community transformation including Coffee Mornings, Food Bank as well as Breakfast and an After School Club when we move into our own Building.
The main activities undertaken during the year to further the charity's purpose for the public benefit.
Public benefit
The Board of Trustees are pleased to report as follows:
The Advancement of Christian Faith
The Trustees of the Charity having due regard for the reporting of public benefit provided by the Charity in line with the Charities Act 2011, are pleased to report that the church has commenced involvement with community focused events and projects providing direct benefit for the public in the UK and abroad.
Places of Worship
The Charity commits to the promotion of the Christian Faith by renting on a monthly basis a place in the centre of Bristol to provide the public with the ongoing opportunity to attend Church services enabling them to grow and develop in the Christian faith, teachings and Principles. The worship activities make provision for Christian Worship Services, teaching sessions, discipleship classes and prayer meetings throughout the week.
The Church also meets online via zoom on a weekly basis for bible study classes. This platform is open to non-members and provides an avenue to advance Christianity in the community on an informal basis.
Evangelism
Evangelism is a core value and outreach strategy of our Church to reach out to communities. We distribute Christian Tracts in the community, speak to people in parks and public places about the Christian faith, provide light refreshments in parks as we look to engage the community to drive forward the Christian faith. We also collaborate with local churches to promote picnics, BBQ outreach and summer family fun days where food and drinks are provided.
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity.
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
Structure, governance and management of the charity
The methods used to recruit and appoint new charity trustees.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
In making the appointments, the CIO's governing document is checked to ensure that the new trustees are appointed in a proper and legal way.
Preferred candidates, with the required expertise and skill set, are identified and invited to be the first charity trustees. (Subject to formal vetting and approval by the full trustee board.)
Potential trustees are vetted. Checks are carried out to ascertain candidates have not been disqualified from acting as trustees, and candidates are asked to confirm in writing that this is the case.
Candidates are asked to consider and declare any existing or potential conflicts of interest.
Appropriate checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service are conducted.
In the light of the checks and declarations, the trustees decide to go ahead and formalise the appointment of new trustees.
Trustees meet and decide on the appointment of each new Trustee and the office they hold.
All new trustees are given a copy of the CIO's governing document and all relevant documents and guides from the Charity Commission.
All new trustees are introduced to the church and the office they hold.
The charity's organisational structure.
Organisational structure
The trustee board is responsible for good governance and we strive to govern well.
Trustees are given an induction session along with going through the CIO's governing document and all relevant guides from the Charity Commission.
The CIO's governing document and all relevant guides from the Charity Commission are regularly consulted in enabling trustees.
New Covenant Church Bristol is part of the wider New Covenant Church UK, and trustees have attended meetings organised aimed at supporting and enabling trustees carry out their roles effectively.
The CIO consists of 3 trustees. There is a Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer.
New Covenant Church Bristol consists of a leadership team of three Pastors, two Elders and one Youth Leader. Within the church, there are various departments and committees, with each having a head of department.
The various departments and committees include the Pastoral Team, Choir, Welfare, Children Department, Youths, Young Adults, Ushers, Technical Team, Prayer and Intercessory Team, Welcome and Follow Up Team, Covenant Men, Covenant Women, Evangelism, Finance, and Building Committee.
New Covenant Church Bristol is part of New Covenant Church UK, with a signed document of association and collaboration.
The CIO has public liability and indemnity insurance policy up to date.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
Financial review
The charity's financial position at the end of the year ended 31 December 2024
The financial position of the charity at 31 December 2024 and comparatives for the prior period, as more fully detailed in the accounts, can be summarised as follows:-
| Called up share capital Share premium account Designated Revenue Funds Designated Fixed Asset Funds Total Unrestricted Funds Restricted Revenue Funds Restricted Fixed Asset Funds Total Restricted Funds Total Funds Net income Unrestricted revaluation reserve Unrestricted Revenue Funds available for the general purposes of the charity Restricted revaluation reserve |
2024 £ 40,285 - - 145,341 - - - 145,341 - - - - 145,341 |
2023 £ 52,528 |
|---|---|---|
| - | ||
| - | ||
| 52,528 - - - |
||
| 52,528 | ||
| - - - |
||
| - | ||
| 52,528 |
Financial review of the position at the reporting date, 31 December 2024 .
The trustees consider the financial performance by the charity during the year to have been satisfactory.
Details of The Independent Examiner
Theo Sehindemi Member of Certified Accountants 148 Sandy Lane South Wallington Surrey SM6 9NR
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations,the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), .
In particular, charity law requires the Trustees, if they prepare accounts on an accruals basis, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to :-
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2024
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to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of
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recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.
The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act 2011. 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.
The Trustees are also responsible for the contents of the Trustees' report, and the statutory responsibility of the Independent Examiner in relation to the Trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that , on the face of the report, there are no material inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 18 November 2025.
Kingsley Okonedo
Trustee
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of the charity on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the charity on pages 12 to 20 for the year ended 31 December 2024 which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) as modified by FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) , and under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out on page 19.
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent Examiner and the basis of the report
As described on page 9, you, the charity's Trustees, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and all other applicable law and with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, applicable to smaller entities, and for being satisfied that the financial statements give a true and fair view.
The Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Section 144(1) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) does not apply, and that there is no requirement in the Governing Document for the conducting of an audit. As a consequence, the Trustees have elected that the financial statements be subject to independent examination.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements are not required to be audited under any legal provision, or otherwise, and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:-
a) examine the financial statements of the charity under Section 145 of the Act;
b) follow the applicable procedures in the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement and scope of work undertaken
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under s145 of the Act. 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 setting out the duties of an independent examiner in relation to the conducting of an independent examination. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and of the accounting systems employed by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you, as Trustees, concerning such matters. The purpose of the examination is to establish as far as possible that there have been no breaches of charity legislation and that, on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures made, the financial statements comply with the SORP.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and information supplied by the Trustees in the course of the examination is not subjected to audit tests or enquiries and does not cover all the matters that an auditor would consider in arriving at an opinion. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements, and in particular, I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view of the affairs of the charity, and my report is limited to the matters set out in the statement below.
I planned and performed my examination so as to satisfy myself that the objectives of the independent examination are achieved and before finalising the report I obtained written assurances from the Trustees of all material matters.
Independent Examiner's Statement, Report and Opinion
Attention is drawn to the accounting policy stating that, notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, and in order to accord with current best practice, the Trustees have determined to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2019, applicable to all accounting periods beginning on or after 1st January 2019), (The SORP), . I concur with this approach, and any references in my report to the regulations should be read subject to this comment.
Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, I have completed my examination: and can confirm that:-
This is a report in respect of an examination carried out under 145 of the Act and in accordance with Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act which may be applicable;
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 financial statements to be reached.
Signed:-
Theo Sehindemi - Independent Examiner
Certified Accountants
148 Sandy Lane South
Wallington Surrey SM6 9NR
This report was signed on 18 November 2025
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other Tax on surplus on ordinary activities Other taxation Total expenditure Net gains on investments Net income for the year Net income after transfers Other recognised gains/(losses) Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Net movement in funds |
Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 104,961 - - - - 104,961 - 64,676 - - - 64,676 - 40,285 40,285 40,285 52,528 92,813 |
Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 104,961 - - - - 104,961 - 64,676 - - - 64,676 - 40,285 40,285 40,285 52,528 92,813 |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 107,881 - - - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107,881 | ||||
| - 55,353 - - - |
||||
| 55,353 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 52,528 | ||||
| 52,528 | ||||
| 52,528 - |
||||
| 52,528 |
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Last year's SOFA - Analysis required by 4.2 of the SORP
| Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other Tax on surplus on ordinary activities Other taxation Total expenditure Net income for the year Net income after transfers Other recognised gains/(losses) Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Net movement in funds SORP Ref |
Prior Year Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ 52527.63 107,881 - - - - 107,881 - 55,353 - - - 55,353 52,528 52,528 - 52,528 - 52,528 |
Prior Year Restricted Funds 2023 £ |
Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 52,528 107,881 - - - - 107,881 - 55,353 - - - 55,353 52,528 52,528 - 52,528 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|||
| 52,528 |
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Movements in funds
Movements in revenue and capital funds for the year ended 31 December 2024
Revenue accumulated funds
| Accumulated funds brought forward (From)/To unrestricted revenue funds Closing revenue funds Costs of fundamental reorganisation or restructuring Recognised gains and losses before transfers Exceptional items Net actuarial realised gains on defined pension benefit schemes |
Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ 52,528 40,285 92,813 - - - - 92,813 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 52,528 40,285 92,813 - - - - 92,813 |
Last year Total Funds 2023 £ - 52,528 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52,528 - - - - |
||||
| 52,528 |
| Summary of Funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of funds Unrestricted and Designated funds 2024 £ Share capital and share premium - Revenue accumulated funds 92,813 Revenue designated funds - Fixed asset funds - Revaluation reserve fund - Total funds 92,813 |
Restricted Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2024 £ 52,528 - 92,813 - - - 92,813 |
Last Year Total Funds 2023 £ - 52,528 - - - 52,528 |
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Income and Expenditure account
NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2024 as required by the Companies Act 2006
| Income Income from operations Realised Gains on the disposal of investments Refunds from HMRC on gift aided donations Income from investments, other than interest receivable Interest receivable Other operating income Gross income in the year before exceptional items Exceptional items: Realised gains on disposals of tangible fixed assets held for the charity’s own use Realised gains on the disposal of intangible assets Realised net actuarial gains on defined benefit schemes Realised gains on disposals of social investments which are programme related Realised gains on disposals of heritage assets Spare heading for realised gains and losses- replace with text Gross income in the year including exceptional items Expenditure Charitable expenditure, excluding depreciation and amortisation Depreciation and amortisation Fundraising costs Governance costs Other expenditure Interest payable Total expenditure in the year Extraordinary items Tax on surplus on ordinary activities Gift Aid donations made Retained surplus for the financial year Net income after tax in the financial year Net income before tax in the financial year Investment income |
2024 £ 104,961 - - - - - 104,961 - - - - - - 104,961 64,457 219 - - - - 64,676 - 40,285 - 40,285 - 40,285 |
2023 £ 107,881 - - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 107,881 - - - - - - |
||
| 107,881 | ||
| 54,033 120 - 1,200 - - |
||
| 55,353 | ||
| - | ||
| 52,528 - |
||
| 52,528 - |
||
| 52,528 |
All activities derive from continuing operations
In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the headings and subheadings used in the Income and Expenditure account have been adapted to reflect the special nature of the charity's activities.
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Balance Sheet as at 31 December
| Fixed assets Intangible assets Tangible assets Heritage assets Investments held as fixed assets Social investments Total fixed assets Current assets Stocks - Debtors - Investments held as current assets - Cash at bank and in hand 92,154 Total current assets 92,154 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year - Net current assets Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisions for contingent assets C4 The total net assets of the charity Restricted funds Restricted Revenue Funds - Restricted Fixed Asset Funds - Restricted Revaluation Reserve - Unrestricted Funds Called up share capital - Share premium - Unrestricted Revenue Funds 92,813 Unrestricted Revaluation Reserve - The total net assets of the charity are funded by the funds of the Net assets Defined benefit pension scheme assets Net assets |
- - - 92,154 |
2024 2023 £ £ - - 659 878 - - - - - - 659 878 - - - 51,650 51,650 - 92,154 51,650 - - - - - - - - - - 92,813 52,528 - - - - - - - - 92,813 - charity, as follows:- |
|---|---|---|
| 92,154 - |
||
| - - 92,813 - |
||
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NEW COVENANT CHURCH - BRISTOL - Balance Sheet as at 31 December
Designated Funds Designated Revenue Funds - - Designated Fixed Asset Funds - - - - Pension reserve - - Total charity funds 92,813 52,528
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of charity legislation with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The Trustees are satisfied that, although the charity is not registered under the Companies Acts, if it were so registered, it would be eligible to prepare accounts in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Kingsley Okonedo Trustee Approved by the board of trustees on 18 November 2025
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