Lowestoft Community Church Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Charity no= 1181951 Contents Page Referen￿ and Administrative details Report of the Tnjstees Report ofthe Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the financial statements 11-16 Lowestoft Community Church Reference and Administrative details Name Lowestoft Community Church. often abbrevialed to LCC (registered charity number 1181951). Address of Charity 8 Hadenham Road, South Lowestoft Industrial Estate. Lowesloft. Suffolk, NR33 7NF. Trustees The trustees serving during the year were as follows.. P Hunt B Jenkins A Mileham B Parish B Warnes, Acting Chaiman T Willis Eldership Team M Aust M Bollinger B Parish (resigned 31 July 2023) Independent Examiner Cunningham's Chartered Accountants, 61 Alexandra Road. Lowestoft, NR32 1PL. Bankers CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent. ME19 4JQ Solicitors Edward Connor Solicitors, 10 The Point. Market Harborough, LE16 7QU Page 1 Lowestoft Community Church Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2024 The trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wilh the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's trusl deed. the Charities Act 2011, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2015. Reference and administrative details included on page 1 fomi part of this report. Structure Governance and Mana ement Constitution The charity is registered as a Charitable Incorporaled Organisation ICIOI and is govemed by a constitution dated 8 February 2019 The CIO was registered wth the Chanty Cofflmission on 8 February 2019., Ihe staff and activities of the charity (registered no. 10430051 transferred over lo the CIO on 31" August 2019 with the fixed assets being transferred on 30 November 2019. A resolution was passed by the previous charity's trustees on 20 January 2020 lo dissolve the charity. Organisational structure The Eldership Team provide spiritual leadership and direction. They also take pastoral responsibility for the members of the church. There are separate teams Ihat are responsible for various ministries within the church and they are accountable to the Eldership Team. The Trustees oversee Ihe government of the charrty. in temis of financial and administrative responsibility. Loweslofl Community Church is part of the Relational Mission family of churches and a member of the Evangelical Alliance. Trustee appointment Apart from the first charity trustees. every truslee musl be appoinled for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. The constitution states that there musl be at least four trustees. Page 2 Ob-ectives & Activities The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission's guidan￿ on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion when reviewing the church's aims and objectives. The Trustees have considered, and will continue to consider. how current and future activities will contribute to the aims and objectives set. The principal object of the Charity, as stated in the constrtulion, is "the advancement of the Christian faith in the UK and overseas" the advan￿ment for the public benefit of religious and alher education, and the relief of the aged. poor. sick, disabled and others in need." The website states.. "We are a Christian church that has been in Lowestoft since 1985. Our purpose is to live life the way that both Jesus modelled it and the Bible teaches il. We want lo be transformed by God's love and empower others to do the same as we understand who we are in Him through the teaching of His Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit." Activities The following is a summary of the main activities undertaken by the church in relation lo its aims and objectives= Sunday meetings Sunday Services involve a time of worship, teaching and activities for all ages", we ontinue to live-stream these seNices online_ Prayer events Regular prayer meetings continue lo be held.. these follow different themes and are led by different people from across the church. Midweek Groups Small groups of 10-15 church members, called Lrfe Groups. continue to meel most weeks in homes and online. The purpose of these groups is to provide spiritual, practical and social support. Children and youth programnFes Kidzone activities on Sundays {from age 3 up to school year 111 are provided whi15t the teaching for adutts is taking place in the main meeling. The aim of the groups is to provide a safe and interactive environment for children lo develop socially and spiritually. Tiny Tots toddler groups meet on a Tuesday and Thursday morning. They aim to provide a safe space for toddlers to play and to provide support to parents and carers. Reach kids club meet on Wednesday evenings for those aged 8-11 years. This group involves games, fun activities and a short "God slot" Midweek youth groups (for those in school years 7 10 111 meel occasionally to talk about issues of lrfe and faith. Page 3 Community activities CAP Debl SeNice - Ihis service works in conjuncb.on wth the national charity Christians Against Poverty. Clients who are in Iinancial debt refer themselves to our seNice via a national helpline and then they are contacted by our local Debt Service manager. The clients are then taken through either a personal debt repayment plan or helped lo apply for a debt relief order. They are also taught budgeting skills to help empower them lo live debt free_ Conversational English group - a weekly group run at a venue in central Lowestoft aimed al helping those people within the local community, whose first language is not English, learn basic conversational English skills. F.l.S.H. {Food In School Holidays) - Working in conjunction with other churches and organisalions in the town to provide either a breakfast or hol lunch each day of the school holidays to families in the area. Lowestoft Foodbank As part of the Trussell Trust Foodbank netsvork. we run the Lowestoft Foodbank lo provide emergency food par￿lS to people who are experiencing food poverty. We operate a self-referral system and use one single distribution point in the ￿ntre of Lowesloft. Alongside Ihe emergency food provision we have collaborated with Citizens Advice lo have an advisor present during the sessions to offer support on benefrts, debt and budgeting. Achievements and Performance Key developments.. Staff/Elders.' In April 2023 one of the elders ceased their employment lo take up full-time employment in the NHS. In November 2023 a new administrator was appointed working 20 hours per week. Training and input for slaff There have been various online conferenceslcourses that our staff have attended during this year including ones run by Jubilee Plus la community engagement charity} and Relational Mission_ Sunday meetings Sunday services have continued throughout the year with an average attendance of 120 - 150 people. Midweek Groups Life Groups have continued to meet throughout the year and have been an invaluable source of support and encouragement for many people. Children s and Youth programmes Reach kids club was launched in October 2022 on a Wednesday evening. attended by approximately 15 children. Both Tiny Tots groups are attended by 15-20 toddlers along with a parent or carer. The in-person youth meetings {years 7-111 gather approximately 10-15 young people when they meet. Page 4 Conversational English Group Thi5 is a group aimed at helping those people within the local community, whose first language is not English, leam basic conversational English skills. It is run by a team of volunteers (with teaching experience) and has been attended by over 20 different people. Lowestoft Foodbank During this period we fed 17,887 people with a 3-day emergency food par￿1., 11.865 were adults and 6,022 were children. In total we distributed 106,000 kgs of food. F.I.S_H (Food in the School Holidays) On average 200 people have received a meal each week throughout the school holidays. We have worked with 10-12 churches and partner organisations across the town to deliver this servi￿. CAP Debt SeNice Our seNice manager is able to take on 2 new clients each monlh, which she has done throughout this year and worked with them lo manage their debt through debt relief orders, repayment plans andlor budgeting. Financial Review This is the fourth full year in which the charity has operated as a CIO and il has been a challenging lime following the Covid-19 pandemic which affected Ihe charity's operations. Unrestricted Funds.. The charity received £187,480 {2022-23'. £196.3181 in general fund income-, 93.8 % 12022-23. 95.70/0} from donations and the associated gift aid. The church has experienced a decrease of 6.40A in its core giving due to the loss of some of its donofs. General fund expenditure amounted to £169,98312022-23. £175,286},' this is a 30A decrease from the previous year. There has been a further saving of £7,000 on salaries this year - part-time member of staff left in April 2023 but this was partly offset by a new Administrator being appointed in November 2023. The church also experienced a small increase in utilities, repairs and subscriptions A surplus of £17,497 12022-23.. £21.032). before fund transfers, has been recorded for the year ended 31" March 2024. Restricted Funds.. The church received £116,031 {2022-23'. £157,443) in restricted income; £59,793 (2022-23.. £44,740) in donations and £50,055 {2022-23.' £106.6021 in grants The charity's community projects have seen a significant 53 % decrease in grant funding during the year. this is largely due to the resignation of the elder who prepared the majority of the funding bids. Foodbank received total grants of £36.815 to cover rent. staffing cosls {including the funding of a Citizen's Advice Bureau advisor) and food stock. Further grants were received for the CAP Debt service1£11,7401 and for the FISH projecl {£1.500) Restricted expenditure for the year amounted to £183,324 (2022-23.. £145.3191'. £45.524 in staffing costs and £137,800 in project running costs. This is a significant increase of 26 % frorn last year and the resulting deficit has been covered by reserves. Additional funding bids for 2024-25 have already been secured to SUPF)Ort the Foodbank Project in the next financial Page 5 year1£57,000 was received from The Trussell Trust on 10 April 20241 Foodbank has seen another significant increase in the amount of food it has needed lo purchase to meet the increased demand". £57,000 compared to £44,000 in the previous year. The Foodbank Project has also received significant grant funding to have a Citizen's Advice Bureau advisor on sile to assist users. A deficrt of £67.293. prior to fund transfers, has been recorded for the year ended 31. March 2024. Reserve5 policy and going concern." 11 is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately 3 months of unrestricted expenditure. Al this level, the Truslees feel that they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a signrficanl drop in funding. Page 6 Trustees, res onsibilities in relation to the financial statements The charty trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees. annual report and financial statements in accordan￿ wrth applicable law and Unrted Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting PraCti￿)- The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial staternents for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charity and of the incoming resources and application of resour￿$, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements. the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply Ihem consistently- obseNe the methods and principles in the Chanties SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. stale whether applicable UK accounting slandard5 have been followed, subject to any malerial departures disclosed and explained in the financial stalemenls.. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate lo presume that Ihe chartly will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose wilh reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of Ihe charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of Ihe Trusl Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other I￿egularitIes. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity s website in accordan￿ with legislation in the United Kingdom goveming the preparation and dissemination of financial statements. Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by= B Wames (Acting Chaimanl Date: ........... Page 7 Lowestoft Community Church Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees I report on the accounts of Lowestoft Community Church {CIO} for the year ended 31$1 Mar¢h 2024, which are set out on pages 1 to 16. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner: The charity s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Acl- to follow Ihe procedures laid down in the General Direclions given by th8 Charity Commission (under section 145(51{b) of the Charities Act- and to slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examinerfs Report: My examination was carried out in accordance wtth the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kepl by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with Ihose records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audil. and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the reporl is limited lo those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlnerfs statement: In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. {1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the aGGounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or (21 to whiGh, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the ac unts to be reached. Signed-. Date: Name: Page 8 Lowestoft Community Church Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2024 Unrestrictsd Funds Totsl 2023124 Totsl 2022123 No Funds Income: Income from donab'ons Income from charitsble activities In¢ome froin other trading activities Investment income Other income Note 2 177.850 3.969 3.733 1.828 100 109.848 6,183 287,698 10.152 3.733 1.828 100 339,287 10,031 3.848 597 Note 3 Nore4 Totsl income 187,480 116.031 303,511 353.761 Expenditure: Slaffing costs Tithe to Relational Mission & others Expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Professional fees Depreciation L055 on disposal of fixed assets es 81.074 20.700 27.408 25,283 648 14.849 21 45.524 126.598 20,700 158,575 25,283 125,442 19,200 127.389 23.385 600 24,423 166 131.167 6,633 21,482 21 Totsl expenditure 169.983 183.324 353,307 320.605 Net incomellexpenditurel 17,497 167.2931 149,7961 33.156 Transfers between Funds Note 12 10.358 110.3581 Net movement in funds 27.855 177.6511 149.7961 33,156 Reconciliation of funds: Fund balances brought forward 259.025 667.426 926,451 893.295 Fund balances carried forward N)ie 12 286.880 589.775 876,655 926.451 Page 9 Lowestoft Community Church Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets Note 8 599.827 617.618 Current Assets Debtors Cash al bank and in hand Note 9 13.223 323,148 18,350 316,575 336,371 334,925 Creditors.. amounts falling due wÉlhin one year N¢Jie 10 {50,2101 112,7591 Net current assets 286.161 322,166 Total assets less current liabilities 885,988 939,784 Creditors.. amounts falling due after one year Nole 11 19.3331 {13,3331 Total Net Assets 876,655 926,451 The Funds ofthe Charity: Restricted funds.. New Building Fund Community Outreach projects Newday Friendship Club Lowestoft Foodbank CAP Debt Advisory Service Revaluation Reserve Note 12 9,626 14,610 1.597 464 24.505 9.626 5,951 1.594 518 98.748 952 550.037 Nole 12 Note 12 Nele 12 Nunl of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis linclusive of any VAT that cannot be recovered). Idl Rentals payable under operating leases are tharged to the Statement of Financial Ath"vities as inCUr￿d over the tem of the lease. lel Freehold land & propety has Wn valued ugrKJ the depreciated ￿placement cost approach. All olhef categories of tangible fixed assets ale caffled at depreaated historical cost. In All tangible fixed assets are capilalised and defNeciated over their eslimaled useful lives as follows.. Freehold propety Fixtures & Iitting5 Equipment Motor vehicles 2% straight line 33°A reducing balance 33.10 reducing balance 339A reducing balance Freehold land is not depreciated. Igl Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resour￿5 receivable or generated for the objects of the Charity wthout further specified purpose and are available as general funds. Ihl Designated funds are funds set aside by Ihe trustees out of unreslricled general funds for spe￿riC future purposes or projects. lil Reslncled funds are funds ihat can only be used for particular restri¢ied purposes within the objects of the charily. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor of when funds are raised for particular reslricled purposes. Page 11 Lowestoft Community Church Notes to the Accounts til Trade and other debtors are recognised al the setuement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued al the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. {kl Cash at bank and in hand is represented solely by cash held in bank and petty cash balances. 111 Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a P￿sent obligation ￿suIt1ng from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably_ Credrtors and provisions are nomially recognised al their settlement amount after allowng foi any trade discount5 due. Iml Lowestoft Community Church is a registered charrty and not subject lo Incoffle or Corporation Tax. Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Income from donations 2023124 2022123 Donations Gift Aid Grants 146.271 29.579 2.000 58.052 1.741 50.055 204.323 31.320 52.055 197.812 34.873 106.602 177.850 109.848 287,698 339.287 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Incofne from charitable activtbes 2023124 2022123 Children & Youth Activities Equipping & Training Church Events Communty Activities 2.597 636 386 350 6,183 8,780 636 386 350 7.309 2,627 95 3.969 6.183 10,152 10.031 Unrestricted Fund5 Restricted Funds Income from other trading activities 2023124 2022123 Building hi Photocopying & printing 3.610 123 3.610 123 3,780 66 3.733 3,733 3.846 Page 12 Lowestoft Community Church Notes to the Accounts Unrestricted Funds Restri¢ted Funds Staffing costs 2023124 2022123 Gross salaries & wages Social Security costs Ernployerfs pension contribub'ons 72,670 45.524 118,194 2.464 2.620 116,457 2,358 2,752 2.620 77.754 45.524 123,278 3,064 256 121,567 2.983 892 Travel & subsistence staff training 256 81.074 45,524 126,598 125.442 Number of employees No employee received employee benefils of more than £60.000 for the reporting period. Unrestricted Funds Restricted Fund5 Expenditure on Charitsble activities 2023124 2022123 Church meetings Children, Youth & Schools work Community work Evangelism, Cell & Equipping Church events Hardship Fund 22.909 2.568 267 385 1.279 22,909 8,748 125,254 385 1.279 26,418 7,907 92.244 74 331 415 6.180 124.987 27.408 131.167 158,575 127,389 vA￿trI¢l¢￿ Funds Restricied Funds Other expenditure 2023124 2022123 Admin & Office costs Light. heal. walei & waste dispw)sal Insurance Bank charges & interest Repairs & cleaning Memberships & subscripljons Miscellaneous 1.943 10.484 2.757 1.076 5.747 2.499 777 1,943 10.484 2,757 1,076 5,747 2,499 777 3,146 9,513 2,452 782 5,228 2.107 157 25.283 25.283 23.385 Page 13 Lowestoft CommunAty Church Notes to the Accounts F￿hold lan Freehold property Fixtures, fittings & Èquipment lok)tor vehicle5 Irestrictedl Total Tangible Fixed Assets Cost or valuation- Al 1 April 2023 Additions Disposa15 40.000 648.200 66.040 3.712 {3.4921 30.000 784,240 3,712 13,492} Al 31 Marth 2024 40.000 648.200 66.260 30.000 784,460 Accumulated depreciation: Al 1 April 2023 Charge for the pellod Disposals 95.712 11.964 61.010 2.885 {3.4711 9.900 6.633 166.622 21.482 13.4711 At 31 March 2024 107.676 60.424 16.533 184.633 Net Book Value: Al 31 March 2024 40.000 540,524 5,836 13,467 599.827 At 31 March 2023 40.000 552.488 5.030 20.100 617,618 Freehold land and property has been revalued using the depreoated replacement cost approach due lo the specialised nature of the property. The freehold property %Yas transferred from the Charity to the CIO at depreciated replacement cost on 30th November 2019. Freehold land Freehold property Historical cost note: Cost Less. accumulated depreciation 50.000 45,000 120,7001 50,000 24.300 At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments & accrued income Other deblors 475 12,748 5,385 12.965 13.223 18.350 Page 14 Lowestoft Community Church Notes to the Accounts At 31 March At 31 March 2024 2023 10 Credrtors.. amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals & deferred income Tax & social security Obligations due undef hire purchase Other creditors 1,785 40.953 2,387 4,000 1,085 1,605 4.842 1,733 4.000 579 50,210 12,759 At 31 March At 31 March 2024 2023 11 Creditors.. amounts falling due after one year Obligations due under hire purchase 9.333 13.333 At l April 2023 Incorning sources Outgoing resour¢e$ Transfers At 31 March 2024 12 Movements in funds Unrestricted funds: General Fund 259.025 187.480 1169.9831 10.358 286,880 Restricted funds- New Building Fund Community Outreach Newday Friendship Club Lowestoft Foodbank CAP Debt Advisory Servi RevalLJalion reserve 9.626 5.951 1.594 518 98.748 952 550.037 9,626 14,610 1,597 464 24,505 23.743 6.183 1,400 72.292 12.413 115.0841 16,1801 11.4541 1146,5351 114.0711 111,0641 538,973 667.426 116.031 1183.3241 {10,3581 S89,775 Total funds 926.451 303.511 1353.3071 876.655 Genetsl Fund. The fund rs for the general purpose of fvrthering the Charitys oL)jecls. New Building Fun(l.' The church was looking to purchase a larger building and several gifts had been given for this purw)se. It appears there is nothing su1t3ble and these gifts wll be held in the meantime until a suitable project arises. Community Outreach Fund." The church runs 8 numbei of project5 in the comrnunity". cOnve￿Il0￿al English classes to support individuals to learn conversational English. Foo(l in School Holidays IFISHI In partnership with other local churches to provide low-income families with food in the school holidays and Kirkley Outreach events. Page1S Lowestoft Community Church Notes to the Accounts Newd8y.' Newday is an annual youth bible week and any surplus ￿maIn1ng from the fees charged is rarried forwaTd lo ensure continued Inveslment in this event. Friendship Club.. Friendship Club is a monthly group that tuns fot the over 50's. particulady f￿ those older people who rnay feel socially isolated. Lowesloft Foodbank." The church run the Lowestoft Foodbank las part of the Trussell Trust networkl to provide emergency food parcels lo people who are experiencing food poverty. Along wlh donations. significant gonl funding was received from The Trussell Trust. Suffolk Community Foundalion and Kirkley Poors Land Estate to cover staffing costs. food stock and running costs_ CAP Debt Advisory Service.. This project is run in ¢onjuncb'on wtth the nab'onal charity'chrislians Again51 Povety" and il helps dients lo manage their debt and become debl-free. ReValuat￿n ReseThe.' In accordan￿ wilh the Companies Act 2006 the amount of revalued propety depreciab'on over the historic cost amount has been Iransferred from the revaluation reserve lo the general fund reserve. 13 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds Tangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Liabilibes over 1 year 5.836 291.009 19.9651 593.991 45.362 140.2451 19.3331 599,827 336.371 150,2101 19,3331 Net assets at 31 March 2024 286.880 589,775 876,655 14 Related party transactions Dijring the year. £23,35612022-23 £21,948) Wds ￿ceiVed from the Trustees. and their related parties. as donations wilhout Conditions (including corTespond1ng gift aid). One of the Trustees IB Parish) was employed by the CIO until 30th Apnl 2023 on a salary of £14.769 for 15 hours per week. No Trustee expenses have been incurred. Page 16