River of Life Community Church Langney (formerly The Well Community Church)
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 March 2023
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
| ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | 7 Offham Close |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | ||
| BN23 8LU | ||
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT | CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 12 Nov 2018 | |
| CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER | 1180649 | |
| TRUSTEES | Kathy Long | |
| Flossie Hayllar (until 31 December 2022) | ||
| Janet Jobbins (until 31 August 2022) | ||
| Mark Hayllar | ||
| Patricia West (from 13 July 2022) | ||
| Robert Thorley (from 13 July 2022 until 7 October 2022) | ||
| Kevin Ashby (from 13 July 2022) | ||
| Barbara Ashby (from 13 July 2022) | ||
| BANKERS | Barclays Bank PLC | |
| Bexhill-on Sea | ||
| East Sussex | ||
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Archie McDowall BA CA | |
| Stewardship | ||
| 1 Lamb's Passage | ||
| LONDON | ||
| EC1Y 8AB | ||
| INDEX | ||
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details | |
| Pages 2-3 | Trustees' Report | |
| Page 4 | Independent Examiner's Report | |
| Page 5 | Receipts | and Payments Account |
| Page 6 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities | |
| Pages 7-8 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year to 31 March 2023.
Objects of the charity
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are:
a) the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith; and b) the relief of poverty
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities and achievements were as follows:
At the River of Life Community Church Langney, we reach out into our Community through being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Light Night
In October 2022 we were able to partner with St Richard’s Church in Langney by using their building and served over 200 adults with hot drinks and as many children with ‘Bags of Hope ‘ from United Christian Broadcasters which contained a few sweets, puzzles, the story of Jesus and an invite to our Christmas events in December.
We are planning another event with St Richards in October 2023.
Langney Chaplaincy
We have been able to continue our extended Tuesdays that started last year. We have a steady number of volunteers in the team which has enabled us to have three people on a shift, which means one person can walk around the shop units and check in with the shop keepers and also be a presence in the shopping centre away from the table.
The number of people who stop to chat has remained constant with some asking for prayer or taking phone numbers to seek further advice from agencies we have sign-posted people to.
Each Tuesday morning at the Langney Shopping Centre you will be greeted with a warm welcome and smiles.
At the end of 2022 one of the team was asked if they would take the funeral of a lady who had become a regular each Tuesday, chatting with the team and sharing problems, receiving prayer and emotional support. The funeral took place in April 2023 and the lady came to faith in Jesus before she passed away.
We are planning, with the shopping centre and British Royal Legion, to fund raise in the week leading up to Remembrance Day in 2023, by staffing a table for the week to sell Poppies and badges with the funds going to the British Legion. We are hoping to be able to engage with those buying the poppies by listening and offering prayer if they would like it. We will also be giving out copies of St John’s gospels to each person buying a poppy.
MakeLunch @ St B’s
2022 has seen us return to in person sessions with MakeLunch and we have a good nucleus of families returning each time. This year we held 12 sessions, fed 44 individual children, 24 individual parents/carers. That was 21 families who were fed, encouraged and looked after.
Every session there is a craft or activity for the children. Christmas and Easter are themed on the relevant bible stories and we provided food bags and easter eggs too. We have had some new families coming and we are building good relationships that are developing outside of MakeLunch and into church events too.
Carol Singing @ Langney Shopping Centre.
In December 2022 we gathered people from 5 local churches including our own, to sing Christmas Carols to the community of shoppers and shopkeepers, while handing out invitations to local Church Christmas Services and individually wrapped sweets and chocolates.
Shoppers and shopkeepers joined in with the singing and were uplifted by the smiles, laughter and warm greeting. Some folks came along to our Christmas events following the invitations at the Carol singing. We are doing this again in December 2023.
Mortain Place Care Home
We held a service once a month at this local care home. A number of residents attended the services and commented on how much they appreciated them.
Bridge Café
A social event was held every Friday afternoon at the Langney Community Centre which included offering drinks and small snacks, toys for children to play with, games and the opportunity for companionship and conversation.
Shinewater Fun Day
We ran the refreshment tent for the Shinewater Park Fun Day in July 2022. We served hundreds of drinks and lots of cake and biscuits. We were the nominated ‘lost child’ tent and were central to the activities on the day.
We had good opportunities to talk with people and had the chance to pray with some people too.
In 2023 we were able to provide refreshments for the fun day again in early July. It was a steady day with lots of people visiting and lots of good conversations about the church and our faith.
Page 2
Christmas Events
In December 2022 we ran a number of events leading up to Christmas and were able to engage with some folks, the attendance wasn’t as good as we had hoped for on some occasions due to the weather.
We also joined in with a local joint church initiative across Eastbourne called ‘Inspiring Angels’, where we ran a competition in the Langney shopping centre for Primary School aged children. 15 knitted angels were in the shop windows and the children had to find and name each one and then enter a prize draw.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
During the period the charity received £37,670 in regular income and £64,110 which was the bank account balance from Langney Community Church. The charity made payments of £53,991 in relation to its charitable activities, resulting in cash held by the charity of £88,032 at 31 March 2023. Excluding the influx of funds from Langney Community Church, when the churches joined together, there was a deficit over the period. Moving forward the trustees have taken steps to reduce some areas of expenditure but at the same time are prepared to invest in areas to fulfil the charity’s aims and to promote growth, which will increase income. Also, they recognise that the number of hours of paid employment may have to be reviewed if expenditure continues to outstrip income.
Reserves policy
For the year ended 31 March 2023 the trustees determined that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted cash of no less than £27,191 (which equates to about 12 months' of unrestricted essential expenditure) so that the charity could continue to operate should income and / or expenditure vary adversely. Essential expenditure includes operating costs, such as those relating to employment, as well as those required by law, such as the annual Independent Examination. This was increased by £9,088 in September 2022 after increases to essential expenditure. At the period-end, the charity held unrestricted cash of £83,185 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for making operating decisions rest with the trustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of the charity. New trustees are recruited and appointed by the existing trustees, with input from the leadership team, by a majority vote.
Risk statement
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees
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 a 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 and signed on their behalf by:
Kathy Long
Kathy Long
Date: 17 November 2023
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of River of Life Community Church Langney ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2023 on pages 5 to 8 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 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 2011 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: 1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall BA CA
Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: 20 November 2023
Page 4
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| Notes Income receipts Donations Grants Gift aid receipts Other income Interest Capital and similar receipts 6 Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Cash funds at this period end A Cash funds brought forward Cash received on the transfer of activities from Langney Community Church Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly |
Unrestricted Funds £ 27,555 - 4,162 1,150 179 33,046 64,110 64,110 97,156 39,258 10,082 49,340 47,816 0 47,816 35,369 83,185 |
Restricted Funds £ 4,024 600 - - - 4,624 - - 4,624 2,181 2,470 4,651 (27) 0 - (27) 4,874 4,847 |
Total 2023 £ 31,579 600 4,162 1,150 179 37,670 64,110 64,110 101,780 41,439 12,552 53,991 47,789 - 47,789 40,243 88,032 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,840 1,745 5,467 326 54 |
||||
| 29,432 | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| 29,432 | ||||
| 31,526 8,230 |
||||
| 39,756 | ||||
| (10,323) - |
||||
| (10,323) 50,566 |
||||
| 40,243 |
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 5
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| A Cash funds Bank operating accounts Bank deposits Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity C Liabilities Unbilled fee for Independent Examination PAYE due Unpaid expenses at period end Pension deductions due to be paid over D Assets retained for charity's own use Equipment |
Unrestricted funds £ 3,888 79,287 10 83,185 4,715 4,715 894 325 96 129 1,444 |
Restricted funds £ 4,847 - - 4,847 - - - - - - - |
Total 2023 £ 8,735 79,287 10 88,032 4,715 4,715 894 325 96 129 1,444 Value 2023 £ 11,550 11,550 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8,461 31,772 10 |
||||
| 40,243 | ||||
| 4,160 | ||||
| 4,160 | ||||
| 894 133 45 73 |
||||
| 1,145 | ||||
| Value 2022 £ |
||||
| 28,359 | ||||
| 28,359 |
The trustees have used insurance values as an approximation for current values.
E Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Kathy Long
Kathy Long
Date: 17 November 2023
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations and grants which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors and funders; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| General funds £ 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs (Note 4) 27,928 Premises hire 3,490 Church activities / ministry expenses 2,593 Teaching, training & conferences 160 Subscriptions 408 Travel 346 Repairs & maintenance incl. equipment 1,076 Administration costs 1,625 Insurance 738 Accounts and examination 894 'Make Lunch' costs - 39,258 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Overseas mission 9,922 Local mission 160 10,082 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 797 - - - - - - - 1,384 2,181 2,470 - 2,470 |
Total 2023 £ 27,928 3,490 3,390 160 408 346 1,076 1,625 738 894 1,384 41,439 12,392 160 12,552 |
Total 2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21,592 2,340 1,219 110 509 340 392 1,760 923 882 1,459 |
|||
| 31,526 | |||
| 8,110 120 |
|||
| 8,230 |
4 Transactions with related parties
The charity had two part time employees during the year. Its activities are generally carried out by volunteers.
Kathy Long, a trustee, received a sum of £960 (2022 : £1,200) for her role as Treasurer as permitted by the governing document.
No amounts were paid to any other trustee or to any person connected to them other than reimbursement of expenditure incurred on behalf of the church.
Page 7
RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH LANGNEY (FORMERLY THE WELL COMMUNITY CHURCH)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
5 Movement on funds
| Opening Balance £ Restricted funds Mission fund - Hardship fund 277 Langney Chaplaincy 413 'Make Lunch' project 4,184 Total Restricted 4,874 General Funds 35,369 Unrestricted, general funds 35,369 Total Funds 40,243 |
Receipts £ 2,470 318 - 1,836 4,624 97,156 97,156 101,781 |
Payments £ (2,470) (595) (202) (1,384) (4,651) (49,340) (49,340) (53,992) |
Transfers - 0 - - - (0) 0 0 - |
Closing Balance £ - - 211 4,636 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,847 83,185 |
||||
| 83,185 | ||||
| 88,032 |
The 'Make Lunch' project includes grant income for specific elements of the project; the charity has complied with all aspects of the funding.
6 Langney Community Church
Langney Community Church (the 'Trust') (formerly registered under charity number 1027435) was dissolved on 28 September 2022 and continue its activities through River of Life Community Church Langney. On 5 June 2022, the Trust transferred its activities and net assets to the CIO. The cash received from the Trust is shown separately in the Receipts and Payments accounts. In addition to cash, the following assets & liabilities were transferred from the Trust to the CIO:
----- Start of picture text -----
£ £
Fixed assets - estimated value of equipment 800 800
Other assets:
Gift Aid and GASDS recoverable -
-
Unbanked offering at 31 March 2019
-
800
Liabilities:
-
Unbilled fee for Independent Examination
PAYE due -
Creditors -
-
-
800
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