Light Church (Stoke) Registered Charity No 1178620
Trustees’ Report & Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2024
Light Church (Stoke)
| Registered Charity Number | 1178620 |
|---|---|
| Office Address | 2-10 Newcastle Lane |
| Penkhull | |
| Stoke-on-Trent | |
| ST4 5DR | |
| Governing Document | CIO – Foundation Model |
| Registered 4thJune 2018 (Constitution) | |
| Amended 6thSeptember 2019 | |
| Trustees | Daniel Chan* |
| Christopher Mountford | |
| Ivor Beeston** | |
| Peter Lea | |
| Secretary | Eleri Holmes |
| Bankers | Co-operative Bank |
| P.O. Box 250 | |
| Delf House | |
| Southway | |
| Skelmersdale | |
| WN8 6WT | |
| Independent Examiner | John Farrar F.M.A.A.T, DChA. |
| 211 Trent Valley Road | |
| Stoke-on-Trent | |
| ST4 5LF | |
| *Senior Minister, Chair & Paid Trustee | |
| ** Treasurer |
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| Content | Page |
|---|---|
| Objectives of the charity | 4 |
| Review of Activities | 5 |
| Financial Report | 7 |
| Receipts and Payments Accounts | 8 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 9 |
| Notes to Assets | 9 |
| Reserves Policy | 10 |
| Reserves Policy Management Action | 10 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 11 |
| Safeguarding Policy | 11 |
| Trustees Responsibilities | 11 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 12 |
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Objectives of the charity
Light Church (Stoke) is the charity name for Light Church.
The objects of the Church are for the benefit of the public:
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(a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the statement in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Church Council may from time to time think fit;
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(b) To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind including through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the church council from time to time think fit; and
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(c) To advance education in such ways and in such parts of the United Kingdom or the World as the church council from time to time may think fit.
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Review of Activities
The following activities take place;
Alpha Course is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is an opportunity to explore questions such as ‘What is the meaning of life?’ and is an effective tool to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Beloved is the women’s ministry of PCF. Meeting on various Saturdays throughout the year, there is a mix of socialising and Christian teaching to encourage friendship and spiritual growth.
Carers & Toddlers - the weekly stay and play club provides a space for social development in a child's early years as well as social interaction among parents and carers in the community.
Coffee Morning - is a weekly café styled morning for people to meet and socialise over a cup of tea and piece of cake.
Foodbank – Light Church is a distribution centre for the Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank. Light Church also provides donations of foodstuffs & toiletries provided by our members and congregation. Foodbank is a nationally recognised programme that is run by award winning charity, The Trussell Trust.
Kids Church – bible-based activities for children aged between 2-11 which takes place during our Sunday morning service.
All children and youth workers are subject to DBS checks in line with our safeguarding policy.
Missions - we continue to build working partnerships and support missions, missionaries and ministries.
Prayer – weekly and fortnightly gatherings for people to pray together for the needs of our congregation, church, community and beyond.
School Uniform Bank – new in 2024, we opened a school uniform bank, collecting donations of school uniform from the surrounding 5 primary schools and 3 high schools. These were then given away to children of families in need during the August Back to School period.
Small Groups - are various groups of people that meet in various locations, that look to encourage people within their faith and to offer pastoral support.
Sunday Worship – our Sunday morning service takes place each week which our community find both beneficial and spiritually fulfilling. All are welcome to attend our regular services. We continue to broadcast our Sunday morning services over the internet. This allows for congregation members who are unable to attend to join in corporate worship from home.
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Unite is the men's ministry of PCF. With Saturday breakfasts, maintenance mornings, curry nights and other events on the annual calendar, it’s a chance to build good friendships and encourage men in the faith.
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Finance Report 2024
Summary
Overall income for the year ending 31[st] December 2024 was £133,702 .
Overall expenditure for the same period was £113,453 , producing a Surplus of £20,249 .
Tithes & Offerings
General Tithes and Offerings (discounting special missions/ministry offerings) for 2024 was £93,279 an increase of £4,975 over 2023. Special Missions Offerings for 2024 came to £6,897 . This is a decrease of £2,850 on the previous year.
Gift Aid
The total Gift Aid we received from HMRC this year (2024) is £8,540 .
Missions Giving
In 2024 we were able to give a total of £18,529 in support of missions and ministry.
Kingdom Bank
Savings with Kingdom Bank stand at £147,973
We praise God for His provision and for your continued faithful and generous giving.
Ivor Beeston Treasurer
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Receipts and Payments Account
Light Church (Stoke)
----- Start of picture text -----
2024
INCOME £
Donations & Legacies £108,717.32
Investments £11,216.21
Other Income £13,769.07
TOTAL INCOME £133,702.60
EXPENSES
Departments £12,923.78
Employee Costs £43,209.87
Missions & Ministry £18,676.13
Insurance £1,849.73
Mini Bus £1,662.25
Office £3,129.48
Other Expenses £9,676.08
Repairs & Maintenance £17,270.50
Utilities £5,055.82
TOTAL EXPENSES £113,453.64
TOTAL SURPLUS £20,248.96
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Light Church (Stoke)
----- Start of picture text -----
Bank Accounts £
Current Account £43,349.95
Departments Holding Account £6,335.59
Building Fund £1,123.11
Savings/Reserve Accounts £147,973.00
TOTAL Bank Accounts £198,781.65
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Notes to Assets
The charity owns three properties;
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The Church Building at Franklin Road, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 5DS
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The Centre Building at 2-10 Newcastle Lane, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 5DR
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House at Princes Road, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7JS
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Policies
Other assets include a Mini bus, which is a 16 seater + driver mini bus with a value of c£600 and other various equipment, fixtures and fittings.
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Reserves Policy
As at 31[st] December 2024 the church had a Reserves Policy (Rev 3 - 12-12-2022), this was amended to Rev 4 on 9-9-2024 as defined by the Trustees.
Light Church (Stoke) Reserves Policy
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The Trustees have reviewed the need for reserves in line with CC19 (Charities’ Reserves) issued by the Charity Commission.
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Light Church exists to promote the Christian Religion and its associated values in Penkhull, Stoke on Trent, England and beyond. The income to achieve this is variable yet some of the expenses are not (Salaries, Mission Commitments, Office Costs, Insurance and Services). Reserves are required to ensure that these liabilities are met even when income is low.
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To ensure the financial viability of the fund and its ability to meet its on-going commitments the charity will endeavour to maintain, on average, sufficient reserves to cover eight months expenditure.
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Management action will be required should the value of the fund exceed twelve times the monthly expenditure, or fall below three month’s expenditure.
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The Trustees will continue to monitor actual income and expenditure against these projections on an annual basis (AGM).
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Funds held for projects (buildings, mission etc), or designated funds will not be counted in the overall reserves.
Reserves Policy Management Action
The sum of £130,000 is allocated, although not designated towards a building project yet to be determined and therefore not included in Reserve balance below as per point 6 above.
Reserves Balance £61,322
Q1 Is the Reserves Balance more than 3m expenditure? YES Expenditure 2024 £113,453 (3m £28,363)
If YES go to question Q2, if No go to Q4
Q2 Is the Reserves Balance more than 12m expenditure? NO Expenditure 2024 £113,453
If YES go to Q3, if No then go to Q6.
Q6 Is the Reserves Policy deemed fit for purpose. YES If YES then No Action Required as Reserves Policy Met. If No then review Reserves Policy.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Light Church (Stoke) is a CIO registered charity (No. 1178620) and is instituted by the Constitution registered on 4th June 2018 and amended 6[th] September 2019. Its registered address is 2 – 10 Newcastle Lane, Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent. ST4 5DR.
The charity is known as Light Church. Rules, Regulations and Objectives (RRO) document, Issue 3 March 2024. Copies of this document will be supplied to the Church Membership (as defined by Section 11 of the Constitution) and new members of the Church Membership. It is noted that the Constitution is the legal document and is superior to the RRO if there is any conflict.
Light Church (Stoke) known as Light Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God Incorporated, a company limited by guarantee (No. 2873415) registered in England, having its registered office at The National Ministry Centre, Gf/Fl2 No 1-2 The Cottages, Deva Centre, Salford Manchester M3 7BE, and is also a registered charity (No. 1032245).
Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Policy, Issue 3 version 1 Feb 2023 was adopted on 24/3/2023 and reviewed annually.
Trustees’ Responsibilities
Charity Law requires us as 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 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 on 17[th] October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr Daniel Chan Chair of Trustees Light Church (Stoke) known as Light Church
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Independent Examiners Report
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