RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS
Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 5 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 -15 |
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
Psalm 100, ‘For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations’. This pandemic year has been unprecedented but we rejoice that we have known what the psalmist wrote 3000 years ago. God has been good to us; he has provided for our needs, both financially and spiritually, and we look forward to what he has for us in the years to come.
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31st December 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: applicable to charities preparing their financial statements on a Receipts and Payments basis CC16b.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and Aims
The trustees have based their report on the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The church’s objectives, activities and their decision making related to that are, in the opinion of the trustees, compliant with that guidance.
The primary objective of the church is the advancement of the Christian faith, both in the UK and overseas, by the teaching of the Bible and by promoting prayer and fellowship amongst Christian believers. The church also seeks the advancement of public benefit through religious education of the Christian faith.
The Church’s Pastoral Team
The church has a Pastor, Simon Ogbourn, an Assistant Pastor, Ian Randall and a Women’s Worker, Amanda Thompson, who together form the pastoral team of the church. At the end of 2021 Amanda Thompson relinquished her responsibility as the Women’s Worker.
The Church’s Ministries
The public meetings of the church are held at Sandringham School and at the Jersey Farm Community Centre. The Sunday morning services are also broadcast weekly on the church’s YouTube channel for the benefit of church members, who would otherwise be unable to attend, and anyone worldwide who chooses to join us. The advice from the FIEC (The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) was extremely helpful in guiding us through the government requirements of covid restrictions.
When we were permitted to meet face to face we did. We followed strictly the government guidelines throughout for social distancing, sanitising surfaces and face coverings. When singing out loud was not permitted we benefited from the ministry of several of our church members who recorded hymns for our services. It is now a great encouragement that we can sing the praises of our God with our hearts and our voices.
Our weeknight meetings continued throughout 2021, alternating small group Bible studies and church prayer meetings. When face to face meetings were not permitted we met using Zoom. Now that we are able to meet face to face without restriction we continue to use Zoom for occasional meetings: once a month we meet on Zoom for the Sunday evening service; every few months we meet for our weeknight church prayer meeting on Zoom; some weeknight Bible study groups use a hybrid arrangement, with
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some members meeting face to face and others joining using Zoom. This hybrid style meeting has meant that some church members who are confined to their homes can still meet face to face ‘virtually’ and enjoy the encouragement of meeting with other members of the fellowship.
Other ministry groups continued this year; meeting face to face when possible. The women’s Bible study groups; the men’s and women’s Saturday morning breakfast; and the monthly service at Parkside View, a sheltered housing facility.
The weekly cafe at the Jersey Farm Community Centre has continued to be a significant link with the wider community, with a good attendance on a Friday afternoon. The annual MacMillan Cafe in September raised £500 for the charity. To increase community involvement there is also a ‘Living Well’ element to the cafe in which topics of interest (e.g. plants and horticulture) are included, with experts from the church participating.
One notable change from mid 2021 has been the arrival of many Hong Kong families to St Albans. Some HK families started to attend our church services and it has been a privilege to welcome them to St Albans and to help them in their cultural adjustment to the UK. In September we held a ‘Lantern Festival’ and were surprised by the numbers of Hong Kongers attending and the overwhelmingly positive response. It is our intention to continue to help these families in their adjustment to life in England and we have planned a number of International Cafe (iCaf) events in 2022 covering such topics as idiomatic usage of English, what to do when you need medical help and what you should expect with the English education system.
It has not been possible to plan the usual programme of outreach and children’s events in 2021. However the greater familiarity with Zoom has allowed us to continue some of our events using that format. Our Friday evening ministry for Key Stage 2 children met on Zoom until August, when the decision was taken to close the ministry rather than go back to meeting in person. Online quizzes, craft events and Advent activities for adults and children have proved successful.
Grant Making
The church supports a number of individuals and organisations. We support a family living and working in Sapporo, Japan. The family are working there under the auspices of the OMF, a missionary organisation working in East Asia.
All grants are approved by the Church Business Meeting and are included in the annual budget. The grants are reviewed regularly to assess the needs of the recipients and the availability of funds.
As part of our concern for different causes, including local secular charities as well as Christian relief agencies, we have appeals at Christmas and at Harvest (September) to raise money for their support. (See page 13).
Receipt of Grants
In 2021 a grant of £5,000 was received to assist in the support of Ian Randall as Assistant Pastor.
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ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable Activities
The church has continued to focus on the teaching of the Bible and promoting prayer and fellowship through the teaching and outreach ministries outlined above.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Principal Funding Sources
Ridgeway Church St Albans continues to be primarily dependent upon the donations made by the church members. We are grateful to the Lord for the continued financial support from the Ridgeway Church fellowship throughout 2021.
Investment Policy and Objectives
The church’s sole property asset is a 74.55659% share in the home of the Senior Pastor.
Reserves Policy
It is not the policy of the church to increase general reserves. At the end of 2021 the church had reserves equivalent to an expenditure of 17 weeks. In our Balance Sheet we have a designated Building Fund Reserve which currently stands at £50,100.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The church’s governing document is the written Constitution approved at a church members’ meeting held on 3rd May 2018. The church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with registration number 1179002.
Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees
Recommendations to appoint new Trustees are brought to the Church Business Meeting by the Trustees. They are appointed at a church meeting by a resolution that must be passed by a majority of 75% of the quorum then present. The trustees comprise the Senior Pastor, the Assistant Pastor and three non-pastoral team members. The recruitment of trustees is set out in the church’s handbook and constitution. The non-pastoral team trustees are appointed for a five year term of office; the pastoral team trustees remain trustees until they resign as pastoral team members.
Recruitment and Appointment of the Treasurer
Recommendations to appoint a new treasurer are brought to the Church Business Meeting by the trustees. The treasurer is appointed at a church meeting by a resolution that must be passed by a majority of 75% of the quorum then present. The treasurer is appointed for a five year term of office.
Organisational Structure
The trustees and the treasurer regularly review and discuss the affairs of the church.
The agenda for the Church Business Meetings is set by the trustees; CBMs are held regularly throughout the year. At these meetings members review and make decisions in response to the leadership and work of the trustees and treasurer. All important matters concerning finance are brought to the church members for decision. The annual budget is approved by the Church Business Meeting normally held in November, before the start of our new financial year.
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One trustee meets regularly with the treasurer to discuss financial aspects of the church’s work. Another trustee has the responsibility for safeguarding; to ensure that the church complies with the policy approved by church members.
Induction and Training of New Trustees and Treasurers
New trustees and treasurers are briefed as necessary on their obligations under charity law, the Ridgeway Church St Albans Constitution and the decision-making processes of the church.
Risk Management
The trustees routinely assess the risks that the church faces: financial, pastoral and other risks. These include but are not limited to: completing Risk Assessment forms to cover each church activity; arranging appropriate insurance cover; safeguarding risks for church activities.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of all church members, particularly those involved in leading church ministries. The safeguarding training that each volunteer must attend emphasises the fact that each person has a responsibility for the care of each child and vulnerable adult. Every volunteer involved is routinely DBS checked and encouraged to sign up to the update service. Final responsibility for safeguarding ultimately lies with the trustees and safeguarding and the trustee responsible for safeguarding submits an annual safeguarding report to the trustees.
The church is a ‘Gold’ member of the Christian Safeguarding Services (https://thecss.co.uk/). The church’s safeguarding policy was rewritten in 2021 and was based on the model policy prepared by Christian Safeguarding Services. The church’s new policy was formally approved by CSS. The church uses CSS to do the Disclosure and Barring Service checks for volunteers. The gold membership of CSS also allows us to use the advice service offered by CSS.
The church has a GDPR policy and all data held by the church complies with the provisions of the policy.
Membership of other organisations
Ridgeway Church St Albans is a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and the Evangelical Alliance (EA).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number 1179002
Principal Address 34 Wynchlands Crescent, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 0XL Trustees and elders Simon Ogbourn, Senior Pastor Ian Randall, Assistant Pastor Peter Buckley (appointed 2nd May 2019 for a term of 3 years) Jonathan Kefas (appointed 2nd May 2019 for a term of 4 years) Gift Mlalazi (appointed 2nd May 2019 for a term of 5 years)
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Independent Examiner Mr Philip Dean F.C.l.E 7 Stirling Close Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 2BA Treasurer David Wamer (appointed 2nd May 2019 for a tem of 5 years) Bankers Uoyds TSB Bank plc St. Albans Branch PO Box 1000 BX1 1LT Kingdom Bank Media House Padge Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 2RS Church Webslte church.net FIEC Registratlon number EA Membership number 240379 Approved by the Elde and Trustees and signed on their behalf by: P Bud(ley Date: Irf 702L-
INDEPENDEKf EXAMINER% REPORT TO THE TrUSTEES OF RIDGEWAY CHURCH. ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorpornted Organlsatlon no. 1179002 I report on the accounts for the pericxl ended 31 December 2021 set out on pages 7 to 15. Respetho rnsponslbllllles of tnMt••s and •xaminer The chaiyty's trLtst8es are resp)nsible for the preparation of the accounts. The chariws trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Chaiities Act 2011 [the Charities Act] and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: examine the a¢xounts under Section 145 of the Charities A(. to follow the pro(%dures laKI d(Avn in the General Directions giv8n by Charity Commission [under Section 145151[b] of the Charities Act],' and to stste whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of the independent examlnerfs rnport My examination was carried out in ac¢J)rdance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a of the accounting rerdS kept by the charity and a comparison of the acc£)unts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in Ihe acayJnts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees 1x)nMing any such tter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eden that would be required in an audit. and consequendy no opinion is given as to whether the aurrtS present a Irue arKI fair view ' and the rewt is linvied to those matters set out in the statements below. Indopendent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination. no matter has rne to my attention: [1] which gives me reasonatle wse lo believe that, in any material respect. thé requirements lo keep a(oUntIng re)rdS in accordan with Section 130 of the Charities Art and to prepare accounts which accord WTth the a¢(n11n0 rwds and lo Ix)mply with the accounting requirements of the Chaiities Act have not been n. or lo which, in my opinion, attention should be dralm in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounis to be reathed. P Dean F.C.l.E 7 Stirting Close Uxbridge Middl& UB8 28A
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
CHARITY COMMISSION STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES [INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT] FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
| Note Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Charitable Activities Income Investment income Building Reserve Total incoming resources 2 Resources expended Costs of Generating Funds Fundraising trading costs 3 Charitable activities 4 Total resources expended Net incoming / [outgoing] resources before transfers Gross transfers between funds 10 Net movement in funds Funds brought forward from 2020 Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 106012 9915 115927 131996 448 448 657 1412 1412 1327 77 77 27 20 20 20 |
|---|---|
| 107969 9915 117884 134027 |
|
| 616 616 420 121449 7878 129327 123198 |
|
| 122065 7878 129943 123618 |
|
| [14096] 2037 [12059] 10409 13158 [13158] |
|
| [938] [11121] [12059] 10409 319080 17824 336904 326495 318142 6703 324845 336904 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH. ST. ALBANS Charltable Incorporated Organisation no. 11791)02 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2021 funds income funds 2021 Flx•d assets Investments 227560 227560 227560 2Z1560 227560 CunBnt assets Cash at bank and in hand 90582 6703 97285 109344 90582 6703 97285 109344 Net eunt&s$8ts /llbullIe$l 90582 6703 97285 109344 318142 6703 324845 336904 Provlsions for IlablllU•s arKI charges 318142 6703 324845 336904 Funds of the Charlty Unrestrlcted funds Designated funds Restrlcted Income funds 40482 277660 41500 277580 17824 277660 6703 6703 Total funds 318142 6703 324845 336904 Approved by the Elders and Trustee8 arKI sign1 on their behalf by: P Buckley 11
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation
The 2021 accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
1.2 Funds
General funds represent those funds of the church that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use. Where general funds are set aside for a particular purpose, these funds are also unrestricted.
1.3 Investments
Investments are carried in the Balance Sheet at cost.
1.4 Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the church. Gifts in kind for use by the church are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable.
1.5 Tangible fixed assets
Fixed assets are expensed in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year of acquisition. Items over £200 purchased in 2021 were Two Laptops for £963, streaming equipment balance £807, printer £1254, office furniture £568 and bookshelves £240
1.6 Pensions
The church contributes 6% of salary into the employee’s personal pension scheme. This is expensed as incurred.
1.7 Excepted charity status
The church obtained its own charity number 1179002 on 2[nd] July 2018 and the transfer of all net assets and liabilities to the C.I.O. was completed on 31[st] December 2018.
1.8 Grants received
In 2021 a grant of £5000 was received to support the appointment and training of an Assistant Pastor.
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
2. ANALYSIS OF INCOMING RESOURCES
| Giving Fellowship Fund Tear Fund Christmas Appeal Other Restricted Building Reserve Voluntary income Bookstall Other Income Activities for generating funds Interest received Investment income Tots Time Cafe Income Away Day Income Events Income Charitable Activities Income Assistant Pastor Grants received Non- recurring Income Total Incoming Resources |
2021 2020 £ £ 106012 116448 200 6006 1456 663 1759 1706 1500 7173 20 20 |
|---|---|
| 110947 132016 |
|
| 448 333 0 324 |
|
| 448 657 |
|
| 77 27 |
|
| 77 27 |
|
| 79 410 1333 370 0 547 |
|
| 1412 1327 |
|
| 5000 0 |
|
| 5000 0 |
|
| 117884 134027 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
3. FUNDRAISING TRADING COSTS
| Bookstall Newspaper for resale [Evangelicals Now] 4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Note Gifts / grants to Individuals 6 Gifts / grants to Institutions 6 Administration and support 5 Ass. Pastor College Expenses 5 Rent Insurance Equipment purchased & repairs Printing, stationery and office costs Website Refreshments Publicity and Books for general use Subscriptions and memberships Bible Club Youth work Visiting Preachers Events / Mission Travel & subsistence Repairs & maintenance Jersey Farm Community Cafe Away Day Tots Time Payroll services Professional fees 11 Bank charges Trustees meetings – hire of facilities |
2021 2020 £ £ 481 357 135 63 616 420 |
|---|---|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 2650 4628 17610 15239 7842870704 2862 6931 8181 4380 602 574 4326 6819 2332 1437 911 496 45 0 657 570 4005 4422 312 160 29 248 200 0 2159 278 670 510 693 1696 403 258 0 946 0 275 990 792 1140 1790 122 45 00 |
|
| 129327123198 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
5. STAFF COSTS
The staff costs during the year were:
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Salaries | 72800 | 66133 |
| Employers National Insurance costs | 1947 | 1713 |
| Pension costs | 3681 | 3368 |
| College Expenses Ass. Pastor | 2862 | 6931 |
| Total staff costs | 81290 | 78145 |
| 2021 | 2020 | |
| The average number of ministers and full-time equivalent | ||
| employees in the period was: | 2.3 | 1.7 |
No Trustees received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses in their capacity as Trustees.
Simon Ogbourn received remuneration for pastoral work, including a contribution of 6 percent of stipend into his own pension scheme. Ian Randall joined as part-time Assistant Pastor in September 2017 and received remuneration for pastoral work and 6 percent of stipend into the church pension scheme with NEST.
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
6. GRANTS AND GIFTS
| Compassion UK Tear Fund Zion Church St Ives - T Dennick St Albans & District Foodbank STEP Fellowship Fund Smiles Foundation Preparation for Christian ministry OMF - John & Sian Newton OMF – L & A Blacker Friends International - Sarah Dawkins St Albans Refuge Mercy Ships UCCF – S Redmayne 7. INVESTMENTS At cost 1 January 2021 balance brought forward 31 December 2021 |
Grants to Institutions Grants to Individuals 2021 2020 2021 2020 £ £ £ £ 0 1456 663 1000 1000 1704 0 300 300 1000 1850 3828 0 800 800 8400 8400 250 300 2000 3300 388 388 1500 500 |
|---|---|
| 17610 15239 2650 4628 |
|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 227560 227560 227560 227560 |
The investment is the property situated at 34 Wynchlands Crescent, and is part-owned by Simon Ogbourn [Pastor-Elder]. The investment was transferred by the Independent Chapel [Spicer Street] on the church's formation, evidenced by a Deed of Assignment dated 13[th] December 2010. This represented the Independent Chapel's 74.55% interest in the property.
Since the investment property is occupied solely for church purposes, the Trustees and Treasurer consider the significant cost of an independent valuation at the year end to be excessive compared with the additional benefit derived by the users of the accounts in assessing the Trustees and Treasurer's stewardship of the asset. In the opinion of the Trustees and Treasurer the net realisable value, assuming vacant possession, of the property would exceed the book value shown in the accounts.
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
8. DESIGNATED FUNDS
| Funds | Fund | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brought | balances | ||||||
| Forward | Incoming | Outgoing | carried | ||||
| 2020 | resources | resources | Transfers | forward | |||
| Fund names | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| * 34 Wynchlands Crescent | 227560 | - | - | 227560 | |||
| Building Reserve | 50020 | 80 |
50100 | ||||
| 277580 | 80 |
- | 277660 | ||||
| This reserve is maintained | at an amount equal to the sum | expended on the | property at 34 | ||||
| Wynchlands Crescent. | |||||||
| . RESTRICTED FUNDS |
|||||||
| Funds | |||||||
| Brought | Fund | ||||||
| Forward | balances | ||||||
| 2020 | Incoming | Outgoing | carried | ||||
| resources | resources | Transfers | forward | ||||
| Fund names | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fellowship Fund | 5415 | 200 | 2850 | 1590 | 4355 | ||
| Christmas Appeal | 930 | 1759 | 1704 | - | 985 | ||
| Other Restricted | 618 | 1500 | 1868 | [250] | - | ||
| Tear Fund | - | 1456 | 1456 | - | - | ||
| Assistant Pastor Grants | 10861 | 5000 | - | [14498] | 1363 | ||
| 17824 | 9915 | 7878 | [13158] | 6703 |
- This reserve is maintained at an amount equal to the sum expended on the property at 34 Wynchlands Crescent.
9. RESTRICTED FUNDS
The Fellowship Fund is used to express love and concern for one another and others with whom the church are in touch. From the total of the giving to the church, 1.5 percent of undesignated gifts is transferred to this fund. A special appeal was made in 2020 to increase the Fund to help any in need due to the Coronavirus.
Tear Fund is a Christian organisation for whom the church collected specific donations from the congregation. The Christmas Appeal is allocated to Christian organisations nominated by the Elders and approved by members. A Payment of £1704 was made to St Albans and District Foodbank from the 2020 Christmas Appeal. A specific gift of £250 to OMF was also made in 2021.
A specific donation of £6873 was received in 2020 to purchase Streaming Equipment. A balance RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS of £618 remained to be spent and this was used for the equipment balance in 2021. A specific Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002 donation of £1250 was received in 2021 for a new office printer. The printer has been purchased. Ian Randall was appointed as Assistant Pastor on 1[st] September 2017 working 3 days per week RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS on a 3 year contract. Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002 The church agreed an extension to Ian Randall's contract to 31[st] August 2021 to enable him to study at London Seminary for 3 years commencing September 2018. In 2021 his contract was further extended to 31[st] July 2022 working 4 days per week.
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021
10. TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS
| From Fund To Fund Reason General Fellowship 1.5% of general funds transferred as per Constitution Other Restricted General Equipment purchase Assistant Pastor General Monthly salary transfer of grants General Fund movement |
£ [1590] 250 14498 |
|---|---|
| 13158 |
11. PROFESSIONAL FEES
Professional fees are for the Independent Examination of the accounts £1080, ICO £35 and DBS provider £25
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