2024-12-31-accounts - Louth Churches For Refugees

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Louth Churches for Refugees (Registered Charity No. 1177536) will take place in St James’s Church House, Louth, at 2pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Agenda :

Trustees’ Annual Report
Annual Statement of Accounts
Appointment of Trustees
Future Plans for the Charity

Refreshments will be served after the meeting.

Please note the following information:

The Trustees’ Annual Report and the Annual Statement of Accounts are available on the Louth Churches for Refugees website: - -
https://louthchurchesforrefugees.org/about us/latest news and some printed copies will be available at the meeting.
We invite anyone wishing to become a member of the charity to complete a membership application form on arrival. There is no charge for membership, and members sign to confirm that they support the aims and objectives of the charity.
Anyone wishing to be elected trustee should complete a nomination form on arrival which must include the names of a proposer and seconder who are members of the charity. If there are more nominations than places available then each candidate will be given two minutes to explain to those present why they wish to be elected as a trustee.

Overleaf for information: Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 19 March 2024.

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Louth Churches for Refugees

held in St James’s Church House, Louth at 2pm on Tuesday 19 March 2024

The meeting was chaired by Jane Fletcher. 12 members and supporters of the charity were present and apologies for absence had been received from 8 members. The meeting was opened in prayer.

The meeting received the Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended December 2023 (Proposed: K Mitchell Seconded: J Ballantyne).
The meeting received the Annual Statement of Accounts for the year ended December 2023 (Proposed: R Mansfield Seconded: J Ballantyne).
David Fidler had stepped down as a trustee earlier in the year and a farewell message from David was read to the meeting. Bryan Utteridge and Ros Malyon had been nominated for election as trustees. There being no further nominations, these nominees were declared elected.

The formal business of the meeting was concluded.

Thanks were expressed to supporters of Louth Churches for Refugees, including members of the charity’s ESOL team, for their valuable work during the year. An update was provided on the charity’s recent activities, including continued family support. In due course the trustees would return to considering the possibility of a third Community Sponsorship application and it was noted that the charity’s formal objectives enabled some flexibility in its work. Members and supporters were invited to pray for God’s guidance for the future work of the charity. The meeting discussed opportunities for future fundraising and for renewed engagement with local churches.

The meeting was brought to a close in prayer, including prayers for Rev David Newlove (founding trustee of the charity) following a sudden family bereavement.

The meeting was followed by further conversation over refreshments.

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 1 January 2024- 31 December 2024

Charity name: Louth Churches for Refugees Charity registration number: 1177536

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	The objects of the charity are to relieve financial hardship for: a) those seeking refuge from conflict in the Middle East, North Africa region; b) those granted refugee status and their dependents living in Lincolnshire and Louth in particular; and c) refugee children by the provision of holidays.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	The charity’s main activities during the year have included: • Continued support for two resettled refugee families in Louth, albeit our formal sponsorship responsibilities under the Community Sponsorship programme have now concluded. • Giving consideration to making an application to support a third family – and beginning to make preparations. • Ongoing communications to raise awareness of the activities of the charity and the global situation facing refugees; and encouraging prayer.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.	In all of the charity’s work, the trustees have been mindful of the need to fulfil the charity’s charitable purposes and to work for the public benefit. They believe that this has been the case, and that the activities represented by the summary above and in the report that follows demonstrate both the ways in which Louth Churches for Refugees has fulfilled its purposes of relieving financial hardship of those groups specified in its governing document and that this has been undertaken in a way that is demonstrably for the public benefit.

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document

The objects of the charity are to relieve financial hardship for:
a) those seeking refuge from conflict in the Middle East, North
Africa region;
b) those granted refugee status and their dependents living in
Lincolnshire and Louth in particular; and
c) refugee children by the provision of holidays.

Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.

The charity’s main activities during the year have included:
•
Continued support for two resettled refugee families in Louth,
albeit our formal sponsorship responsibilities under the
Community Sponsorship programme have now concluded.
•
Giving consideration to making an application to support a
third family – and beginning to make preparations.
•
Ongoing communications to raise awareness of the activities
of the charity and the global situation facing refugees; and
encouraging prayer.

Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit.

In all of the charity’s work, the trustees have been mindful of the
need to fulfil the charity’s charitable purposes and to work for the
public benefit. They believe that this has been the case, and that
the activities represented by the summary above and in the report
that follows demonstrate both the ways in which Louth Churches
for Refugees has fulfilled its purposes of relieving financial
hardship of those groups specified in its governing document and
that this has been undertaken in a way that is demonstrably for
the public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.

2024 marked two years since Louth Churches for Refugees
welcomed a second resettled family to Louth – this means our
formal “Community Sponsorship” responsibilities concluded in the
summer, though we have continued to provide support for the
family as they build their independence.
Meanwhile the need for migrant and refugee support continues to
grow, with the most recent release of United Nations data
indicating that, at the start of 2024, an estimated 117 million
people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to persecution,
conflict, violence, human rights violations and other events - with
the total now likely to have exceeded 120 million.
Following careful and prayerful consideration, later in 2024, the
trustees of Louth Churches for Refugees decided to make an
application to welcome a third resettled refugee family. Based on
our previous experience, the application process will take some
months. This means we are now in a phase of planning and
preparation, during which we are seeking support in prayer and
practical assistance.
Ahead of Refugee Week 2024 our group issued a collection of
prayer resources for use during the week – both by individuals
and in the context of church worship. These resources remain
available on our website.
Rev David Fidler stood down as a trustee of Louth Churches for
Refugees at the start of 2024. David made a significant
contribution within the activities of the charity, including a period in
the role of Lead Sponsor. Our sincere thanks go to David for his
work within our group and we pray for God’s continued blessings
in his life. Andrew Stratford, one of our trustees, sadly died in
June 2024. Andrew was very active in the work of the charity over
a number of years – both as a trustee and in particular within the
English Language teaching area of our work. We greatly valued
Andrew’s practical contribution in our activities – and his wise
insights as a trustee. We all miss Andrew and we pray for God’s
blessing on him and on his family – may he rest in peace.
At our 2024 Annual General Meeting we were delighted to
welcome Bryan Utteridge as a newly-appointed trustee, and to
reappoint Ros Malyon who is continuing as a trustee.
We appreciate all offers of help; contact can be made via our
website athttps://louthchurchesforrefugees.org/about-
us/contact-us. You may also like to follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/louthchurchesforrefugees

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	During 2024 the charity continued to raise funds towards its stated objectives. Expenditure slightly exceeded income during the year, as we continued financial support for a second family.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The charity does not hold significant reserves, with all monies held being required for its immediate charitable work. This is reviewed periodically by the trustees.
Details of fund materially in deficit	None
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	None

Structure, Governance and Management

Structure, Governance	and Management
Type of governing document	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Election by members (up to 6 trustees) Nomination by Churches Together in Louth & District (up to 2 trustees)

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Louth Churches for Refugees
Other name the charity uses	None
Registered charity number	1177536
Charity’s principal address	Church House 6 Upgate Louth LN11 9ET

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Bryan Utteridge	From 19.3.24	Elected by members
David Fidler	Until 9.1.24	Elected by members
Jane Fletcher		Elected by members
Ros Malyon		Elected by members
Julie Markham		Elected by members
Andrew Stratford	Until 13.6.24	Elected by members
Andrew West		Elected by members

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Andrew West

	Trustee
	4 February 2025
	4 February 2025

The Treasurer Louth Churches for Refugees Louth Methodist Church Nichol Hill Louth LN11 9NQ

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Louth Churches for Refugees

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Louth Churches for Refugees (the Charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Charity, 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 2011 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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matter 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.

Keith May ACMA CGMA Qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Keith May Accounting Services Ltd Aura Business Centre Heath Road Skegness Lincolnshire PE25 3SJ

26 February 2025

	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	Louth Churches for Refugees	CC16a
	For the period	01/01/2024	To

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricte d funds to the nearest £	Restricted funds to the nearest £	Endowment funds to the nearest £	Total funds to the nearest £	Last year to the nearest £
	4,489 - - - 4,489	- - - - - - - - -	-	- 4,489 - - - - - - 4,489	-
Donations			-		-
Other Income			-		-
Gift Aid			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
Sub total(Gross income for AR)			-		-

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see	- - -
		- - -	-	- - -
			-		-
Sub total			-		-
Total receipts A3 Payments
	4,489	-	-	4,489	-

Familysupport	4,532 80 - - 4,613	- - - - - - - - - -	-	4,532 80 - - - - - - - 4,613	-
Other Charitable Expenditure			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
			-		-
Sub total			-		-

A4 Asset and investment purchases,	- - -
		- - -	-	- - -
			-
Sub total			-		-
Total payments t of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between fu A6 Cash funds last yeare Cash funds this year end				4,613
	4,613	-	-		-

	- 123	-	-	- 123	-
	n - 16,847	- -	-	- 16,847	-
			-		-
	16,724	-	-	16,724	-

27/02/2025

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)