RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS
Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8 -14 |
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
Psalm 122 verse 1: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” We share that joy with the psalmist; it has been a great encouragement to us to return to our normal routine of meeting for public worship with no restrictions.
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31st December 2022. 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
Our pastoral team comprises a Senior Pastor, Simon Ogbourn and an Assistant Pastor, Charles Reid. Charles joined the team in August after our previous Assistant Pastor Ian Randall left to join Christchurch Harpenden.
The Church’s Ministries
The regular public meetings of the church are held at Sandringham School and at the Jersey Farm Community Centre and on an ad hoc basis other locations in and around St Albans.
The Sunday morning services at Sandringham School are also broadcast weekly on the church’s YouTube channel for the benefit of church members, who would otherwise be unable to attend, and for anyone worldwide who chooses to join us. During the morning service we run a creche for children up to nursery age, Bible club classes for primary aged children and Crossway for early secondary aged children (up to Year 9).
Our weeknight meetings continued throughout 2022, alternating small group Bible studies and church prayer meetings. 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 week night church prayer meeting on Zoom; some week night Bible study groups use a hybrid arrangement, with some members meeting face to face and others joining using Zoom. The hybrid style meeting allows all church members the opportunity to meet for Bible study and prayer and to enjoy the encouragement of Christian fellowship.
Other ministry groups continued this year: the women’s Bible study groups; the men’s and women’s Saturday morning breakfast. It was not possible to meet monthly at Park Side View residential care home and only four meetings were possible in 2022.
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 £404 for the charity.
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Through 2022 we have seen an increase in the number of Hong Kong families joining our congregation. We have had a number of events aimed at helping these families adjust to our culture. In February we hosted a Chinese New Year event to which more than 300 people came. This New Year event gave the church a greater visibility to the Hong Kong community in St Albans and we followed it up with three ‘International Cafe’ events (iCafe). These three events had the focus of: idiomatic use of English and greetings; accessing health care and the NHS; and the English education system. We used the experience of professionals in health care and education in our church fellowship to develop our own material for the iCafe events. The events were well received and provided some of the visitors with the cultural understanding and tools to flourish in St Albans.
We plan to continue to host New Year and iCafe events in 2023.
We had our church Away Day on 30th April 2022 at All Nations Christian College. Rev Dr Nick Tucker was the speaker for the event and he chose as his topic the theme of his recent book: ‘12 Things God Cannot Do’. The day was a time of great fellowship and stimulating teaching in the beautiful environment of the college.
We have for a number of years distributed invitations to the Marshalswick and Jersey Farm housing estates. At Christmas we added open-air carol singing to our distribution of invitations. We were very encouraged by the number of people who joined us in singing carols. Our annual carol singing at the Blackberry Jack pub in Jersey Farm was also very well attended.
Grant Making
The church supports a number of individuals and organisations. We support a family living and working in Japan; in Sapporo on the island of Hokkaido. The family are members of the OMF missionary organisation.
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 2022 grants of £9,000 were received to assist in the support of our Assistant Pastor.
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 God for the continued financial support from the Ridgeway Church fellowship throughout 2022.
Investment Policy and Objectives
The church’s sole property asset is a 74.55659% share in the home of the Senior Pastor.
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Reserves Policy
It is not the policy of the church to increase general reserves. At the end of 2022 the church had reserves equivalent to an expenditure of 14 weeks. In our Balance Sheet we have a designated Building Fund Reserve which currently stands at £50,431.
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 the 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 meet fortnightly alternating between prayer and church business. They also regularly meet with the treasurer to review and discuss the financial affairs of the church.
The agenda for the Church Business Meetings (CBM) 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.
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 including financial, pastoral and other physical 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.
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Safeguarding is the responsibility of all church members, p8rtFcularty those involved in leading church ministries. The safeguarding training that eath volunteer must attend emphasises the fact that each person has a responsibility for the care of each child and vulnerable adutt. Every volunteer Involv is routinely DBS chked and encouraged to sign up to the DBS update service. Final responsibility for safeguarding ultimately lies with the trustees and the trustee responsible for safeguarding submits an annual safeguarding report to the trustees. The church is a 'Gold' memter of the Christian Safeguarding Services {hltPS liiecss co.uki . The church's safeguarding policy was reWsl in 2021, based on th8 model policy prepared by Christian Safeguarding SeNces, and is updated regularty based on advice from CSS. The gold membership of CSS also allows u¥ to u3e the advice se offered by CSS. The chur¢h ha$ a GDPR policy and all data held by the church complies with the provisions of the policy. Memborshlp of other oryanlsatlon8 Ridg8•My Church St Albans 18 a member of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churche$ (FIEC) and the Evangelical Allian (EA). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Raglstsred Charlty NuMr11790o2 Prlncipal Addro9$ 34 Wynchlands Crescent, St Albans, Hertfordshirè AL4 OXL Trustoes and elder4 Simon Ogboum, Senior P8Stor lan Randall, Assistant Pastor {resigned July 2022) Charfes Reid, Assislant Pastor (appointed August 2022) Peter Buckley {appointed May 2022 for a tem of 5 years) Jonathan Kefas (appointed May 2019 for a term of 4 years) Gift Mlalazi (appointed May 2019 for a temi of 5 years) Indepondont Examlnor P Dean F.C.l.E 7 Stiding Close Uxbridge Mlddlesex UB8 2BA Trnasurer Dawd INamer (appointed May 2019 for a temi of 5 years) Bankor8 Lloyds TSB Bank plc St. Albans Branch PO Box 1000 8x1 1LT Church Webslte www.rid ewa church.net FIEC Reglstratlon numbor 5364 EA Membornhlp number 240379 Approved by the Elders and Trustees and signed on their behalf by: ckle J Kefas Date:
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RIDGEWAY CHURCH. ST. ALBANS Charltsble Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002 I report on th8 accounts for the peri(MJ ended 31 December 2022 set out on pages 6 to 14. Respectlvo rnsponslbilfti08 of trustees and examlner The charity's trustee8 are responsible for the pparation of the accounts. The charity's truste8$ consider that an audit 1$ not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe Charities Actl and that an independent examination 18 required. It is my responsibilrty to.. examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission lunder Section 14515llb] of the Charities Act]; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of the 1ndendeftt examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in acrdanCe with the Gener81 Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes 8 VIeW of the accounting records kept by the chartiy and a comparison of the accounts pro$6nted wtih those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeknng explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not prowde all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the Stateftnts below. Indepondent oxamlnerfs statomont In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any material fespect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which aOrd with the ac£ounling records and to eomply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.. or [2] to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proFer understanding of the accounts to be reached. P Dean F.C.l.E 7 Stirting Close Uxbridge Middlesex U88 2BA
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 2022
| 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 2021 Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds 2022 2021 £ £ £ £ 120838 12148 132986 115927 965 965 448 4650 4650 1412 354 354 77 20 |
|---|---|
| 126807 12148 138955 117884 |
|
| 677 677 616 136517 5385 141902 129327 |
|
| 137194 5385 142579 129943 |
|
| [10387] 6763 [3624] [12059] 9176 [9176] |
|
| [1211] [2413] [3624] [12059] 318142 6703 324845 336904 316931 4290 321221 324845 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH. ST. ALBANS Charitsble Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 Unmtrlcted Restrtctod funds Income fundg 2022 20 Fixed assets Investments 227560 227560 Total fixedassots 227560 227560 2275r)O Curront assots Cash at bank and in hand 89371 4290 93661 97285 Total cumt assots 89371 4290 93661 Net ¢umt8ssets /DlabilitiesJ 89371 4290 93661 97285 Total assets n?n* Ilabllltles 316931 4290 321221 324845 Provlslons for Ilabllltles and charyes 316931 4290 321221 Funds of the Charlty Unrestrlcted funds Dèsignatsd funds Restr5cted Income funds 38940 277991 38940 277991 4290 277660 6703 4290 Total funds 316931 4290 321221 ?24845 Approved by tho Elders and Truste88 and signed on their behalf by". P Buckley J Kefas ?5
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Basis of preparation
The 2022 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 2022 were streaming equipment case £1104
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 2022 two grants of £5000 and £4000 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 2022
2. ANALYSIS OF INCOMING RESOURCES
| Giving Fellowship Fund International Cafe 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 |
2022 2021 £ £ 121463 106012 200 600 536 1456 586 1759 801 1500 20 |
|---|---|
| 123986 110947 |
|
| 657 448 308 0 |
|
| 965 448 |
|
| 354 77 |
|
| 354 77 |
|
| 0 79 2279 1333 1776 0 595 |
|
| 4650 1412 |
|
| 9000 5000 |
|
| 9000 5000 |
|
| 138955 117884 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
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 Account Independent Examination 11 Professional fees 11 Bank charges Trustees meetings – hire of facilities |
2022 2021 £ £ 574 481 103 135 677 616 |
|---|---|
| 2022 2021 £ £ 2322 2650 15490 17610 9059678428 0 2862 15025 8181 373 602 1288 4326 2384 2332 979 911 0 45 1051 657 3744 4005 266 312 22 29 430 200 379 2159 1473 670 2260 693 703 403 1804 0 0 0 450 990 718 1140 145 122 00 |
|
| 141902129327 |
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
5. STAFF COSTS
The staff costs during the year were:
| 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Salaries | 80812 | 72800 |
| Employers National Insurance costs | 2806 | 1947 |
| Pension costs | 4074 | 3681 |
| Other Expenses | 2904 | 2862 |
| Total staff costs | 90596 | 78145 |
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| The average number of ministers and full-time equivalent | ||
| employees in the period was: | 2.6 | 2.3 |
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. Ian Randall resigned on 31[st] July 2022 to take up a post at Harpenden Evangelical Church. Charles Reid was appointed Assistant Pastor from 1[st] August 2022 on a three year full-time contract, including a payment of 6% of stipend into the church pension scheme with NEST. Both the Pastor and Assistant Pastor received reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the charity.
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RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST ALBANS Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
6. GRANTS AND GIFTS
| Ukraine Tear Fund Zion Church St Ives - T Dennick St Albans & District Foodbank STEP Fellowship Fund Barnabus Preparation for Christian ministry OMF - John & Sian Newton OMF – L & A Blacker Friends International - Sarah Dawkins International cafe refund UCCF – S Redmayne 7. INVESTMENTS At cost 1 January 2022 balance brought forward 31 December 2022 |
Grants to Institutions Grants to Individuals 2022 2021 2022 2021 £ £ £ £ 401 0 536 1456 1000 1000 638 1704 300 300 350 1000 1822 1850 638 0 400 800 8400 8400 100 0 250 1500 2000 227 0 1500 1500 |
|---|---|
| 15490 17610 2322 2650 |
|
| 2022 2021 £ £ 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 2022
8. DESIGNATED FUNDS
| Fund names * 34 Wynchlands Crescent Building Reserve |
Funds Brought Forward 2021 Incoming resources Outgoing resources Transfers Fund balances carried forward £ £ £ £ £ 227560 - - 227560 |
|---|---|
| 50100 331 50431 |
|
| 277660 331 - 277991 |
- This reserve is maintained at an amount equal to the sum expended on the property at 34 Wynchlands Crescent.
9. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Fund names Fellowship Fund Christmas Appeal Other Restricted Tear Fund Assistant Pastor Grants International Cafe |
Funds Brought Forward 2021 Incoming resources Outgoing resources Transfers Fund balances carried forward £ £ £ £ £ 4355 2172 1812 3995 985 586 1276 - 295 0 801 801 0 0 536 536 - 0 1363 9625 - [10988] 0 600 600 |
|---|---|
| 6703 12148 5385 [9176] 4290 |
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.
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 £638 was made to St Albans and District Foodbank and £638 to Barnabus Fund from the 2021 Christmas Appeal.
Ian Randall was appointed as Assistant Pastor on 1[st] September 2017 working 3 days per week on a 3 year contract.
RIDGEWAY CHURCH, ST. ALBANS 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 Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1179002 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 2022
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 |
£ [1812] 0 10988 |
|---|---|
| 9176 |
11. PROFESSIONAL FEES
Professional fees are for the Independent Examination of the accounts £450 Payroll Services £594, ICO £35, DBS provider £49 and £40 Trustee training
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