2024-12-31-accounts - City Life Church (Portsmouth)

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: - 01/01/2024 Period start date to: - 31/12/2024 Period end date

Charity name: CITY LIFE CHURCH (PORTSMOUTH)

Charity registration number: 1182810

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	City Life Church (CIO) exists for the public benefit, the advancement of the Christian faith according to the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s Declaration of Principle of 1873 as updated in 1904, 1906 and 1938. The CIO may also advance education and conduct other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the World. It exists to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ that through him we may have salvation and eternal life. This is done by loving God, reaching out and making disciples through various activities within our city, nation, and world.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Highlighting the achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society.	2024 was a year of that built on 2023 with the continuation of growth and re-establishing what was held back during the pandemic season. Our Regular services continued to grow towards attendance numbers to that prior to the national lockdowns. A pattern seen by many churches in our city and nation. Several courses were run and made available to the membership and to the wider community such as Alpha, Transformed Life and Freedom in Christ. With cooked meals provided. We continued to regrow our celebratory Sunday morning services and continued with the online provision via YouTube so that our regular attendees prior to the pandemic and new attendees could see a flavour of church life prior to in person attendance, this included events that celebrated various people groups such as international Sunday, Communion etc. Community based events such as All Treat No Trick, our alternative to Halloween, the Easter Extravaganza, Carol Services were run.

Summary of the purposes
of the charity as set out in
its governing document

City Life Church (CIO) exists for the public benefit, the
advancement of the Christian faith according to the
Baptist Union of Great Britain’s Declaration of Principle of
1873 as updated in 1904, 1906 and 1938. The CIO may
also advance education and conduct other charitable
purposes in the United Kingdom and/or other parts of the
World. It exists to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ that
through him we may have salvation and eternal life.
This is done by loving God, reaching out and making
disciples through various activities within our city, nation,
and world.

Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in particular,
the activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts. Highlighting the
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society.

2024 was a year of that built on 2023 with the
continuation of growth and re-establishing what was held
back during the pandemic season.
Our Regular services continued to grow towards
attendance numbers to that prior to the national
lockdowns. A pattern seen by many churches in our city
and nation.
Several courses were run and made available to the
membership and to the wider community such as Alpha,
Transformed Life and Freedom in Christ. With cooked
meals provided.
We continued to regrow our celebratory Sunday morning
services and continued with the online provision via
YouTube so that our regular attendees prior to the
pandemic and new attendees could see a flavour of
church life prior to in person attendance, this included
events that celebrated various people groups such as
international Sunday, Communion etc.
Community based events such as All Treat No Trick, our
alternative to Halloween, the Easter Extravaganza, Carol
Services were run.

Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Highlighting the achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society.	Our regular weekly events such as Love Family for babies, parents and toddlers, youth & student groups continued to be run in 2024. The group for Senior Citizens “Not Forgotten” flourished in 2024 with the provision of pastoral care, meals and days out giving enjoyment to all of those attending. The church would like to put on record their grateful thanks to the “Community Funding from the National Lottery” for their generous support for this weekly event. New events started in 2024 were “Refired” an event for men both retired and approaching retirement to share their concerns anxieties and to provide a support network. This is open to both church attenders and those from the wider community. You are not alone “YANA” was another important event started in 2024 for those dealing with loss and bereavement, providing a needed support network and pastoral care for some, again this is open to both the wider community and church attenders. Our annual conference "Gateway" was run in March 2024. This fulfils our mission of City Life Church being a church to churches as over thirty local churches were represented.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.	The trustees have regard for, and an understanding for the charity Commissions guidance on Public Benefit,
Policy on grant making.	City Life Church has no policy on Grant Making
Policy on social investment including program related investment.	City Life Church has no fixed policy with relation to social investment programs, however it works closely with local, national, and international organizations to meet needs and support programs which meet the purposes of the charity, defined within its governing document, where a financial need is required to be met. This at times is through funding centrally via the church itself or directly by the membership.
Contribution made by volunteers.	Regular giving by members and volunteers enables City life Church to meet the needs of its social investment policies, together with members additionally supporting as individuals’ social investment needs are drawn to their attention by the church or fellow members.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period.	The Charity remains in a solvent position financially, and together with along with other charities and businesses is positively working to recover post Covid 19 and the associated financial hardships.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held.	The charity operates a reserve policy which aims to hold an amount of cash to enable the running of the church for a period of 6 months in the unlikely event of all income being lost.
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.	With the generosity of our members and prudent fiscal management we see no prospect of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The Charities principal sources of funds is through the generous regular giving of its membership, and through the provision of received grants both from charity organizations and other external sources.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	With any organization in this current recovery period post pandemic, there is a heightened risk of financial insecurity facing many organizations, however with the generosity of our members and prudent fiscal management, we see no prospect of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees.	The Senior Leadership Team may at any time nominate a new charity trustee provided that the limit specified in clause 12.3 on the number of charity trustees would not as a result be exceeded. The members may appoint a new charity trustee nominated pursuant to clause 13.1(a) Elected charity trustees, shall serve for a 3-year term and may be reappointed for a further 3-year term, following which they will usually cease to be an elected charity trustee for at least 12 months.
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.	The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: - A copy of the constitution and any amendments made to it. A copy of the CIO's latest trustees' annual report and statement of accounts.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	City Life Church (Portsmouth)
Other name the charity	CLC City Life Church
uses
Registered charity number	1182810
Charity’s principal address	85 Tangier Road
	Baffins
	Portsmouth
	Hampshire
	PO3 6JH

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Daniel Paul Harman	Chair
Wynelle Burns Cowdery	Secretary	Removed 31/12/2022
David Welch	Trustee	Removed 31/12/2022
Laura Harman	Trustee
Steven Swales	Trustee	From 01/04/2023	Senior Lead Team
Kevin Hussey	Trustee

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Daniel Paul Harman Laura Harman Steven Swales Kevin Hussey	Office (if any)
	Chair
	Trustee
	Trustee
	Trustee

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date		L Harman
	Daniel Paul Harman	Laura Louise Julie Harman
	Chair of Trustees	Trustee
	22/10/2025
	22/10/2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES CITY LIFE CHURCH IPORTSMOUTHI 1182810 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from To 0110112024 3111212Q24 Section A Receipts and payments Unro$trlctsd fund5 Restrlcted fund8 Endovmiont funds Total lunds Last year to near•¥t to th• bwr•4t e to th• n4argBt£ t¢¥ the £ A1 Rocolpts Offering & Gift5 Gift Aided Offering5 Rental Ineom$ Inlerest Grant InMm• NF HMRC Gift AKS Appr8nti8hip Grants Other income 80,307 114.885 6.338 611,307 114.885 6.338 208 6,967 51.262 50,D73 83.$63 6,235 460 9,950 6,967 $1,262 688 Sub total(Gross incom8 forAR) 233,000 6.967 239,967 149.969 A2 A$$•t and InVtman1 salo8, ($88 tabl81. tota Total recelpts 233.000 6,967 239.967 149,969 A3Pa •nts Adfflinistration C8lering Buildings rnaintenancg Ministry Seryice8 Givin9 Not Foryotten Grant Application Cost Butkling Projocts 26.112 13.452 14.543 99.763 13,376 25,432 26.112 13.452 14.543 99,763 13.376 25A32 4.532 745 28.578 ,917 f3,133 80,235 12.219 20,227 6,458 1,493 23,92S 196.185 4.533 745 Sub total 193,423 4,533 197,9S6 A4 A•••t and Inv••tmont rchas•s s88 table BB Loan Ca ital R• ald Capltal Ao8et Purchdsè 30.000 Jo,000 10.000 1,274 11.274 Sub total 30,000 30,000 Totalpayments 223,423 4,633 227.956 207,459 hlet of roCe1p(payMen18J A5 Tran$f•r$ betwoon funds A6 Cash funds last ygar gnd Cash funds th1$ year end 9.1577 2,498 2.43 2,498 .75 3,89 12.011 57,490 ,714 20.224 28.$41 32.235

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr8strict•d funds Ro8trictod funds Endowment fund$ v DotailB BS Llabilities Si9n•d by one or trvst88s on behalf of all the trustees Date of roval Signature Print Nam8 DANIEL HARMAN LAURA HARMAN 3n2r25 3112r25

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of CITY LIFE CHURCH (PORTSMoiJfH) On accounts for the year endod 31 DECEMBER 2024 Charlty no {if any) 1182810 Set out on pages IAND2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in acwrdan¢e with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 ('the Act'}. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying OLrt my examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ib) of the Acl. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no materlal matters have come to my attention (other than that disGlosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me Cause to believe that in, any material respect.. aGGounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Art or the accounts do not aGGord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs stat8m8nt I have no Concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Ple8se delete the words in th8 brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Data: Name: WENDY HODGSON Relevant professlonal qualificationl$) or body Ilf any): FCA Addrèss.. 28 LANDPORT TERPACE PORTSMOUTH HANTS, P01 2RG IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of ¢oncèm (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018