2021-08-31-accounts - Hillside Church

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Hillside Church Annual Report 2020-21

This report covers the period 1[st] September 2020 to 31[st] August 2021[1]

Charity Name Hillside Church Charity Ref 1183957 Charity Address 37 Worple Road Wimbledon London SW19 4JZ Charity Trustees Philip Cockerill Martin Green Heather Hooper Susanna Thomas Nigel Eager (appointed Oct 2021) Fiona Ng (appointed Oct 2021) Governance Hillside Church is a CIO Foundation, registered with the Charity Commission since 18[th] June 2019.

This report covers the activities of Hillside Church over the period 1[st] September 2020 to 31[st] August 2021[2] .

1 Hillside Church uses the reporting period 'September to August'. This is based on historic precedent. Prior to formal registration with the Charity Commission in June 2019, Hillside Church had operated for many years using this financial period. 2

1. Objectives

The objects of Hillside Church are set out in the charity’s trust deed and are summarised as follows.

To advance the Christian faith for the public benefit in accordance with the statement of beliefs and practices in Wimbledon, the United Kingdom and the world.

2. Strategy

Our approach to meeting the objectives is as follows:

Church services are held every Sunday morning (online or at the church building)
We communicate with our church community through regular email messages which provide news, prayer points, teaching and series meditating on the Bible.
We maintain a website and use social media including Facebook and Instagram.
We have special events throughout the year, in particular at key dates in the Christian calendar.
We work with other local churches and charities on social responsibility projects.
The church building is used by a broad range of local charities, arts and sports clubs and small businesses.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic we have adapted the approach to providing services to the local community, using a combination of online/virtual methods and in person gatherings according to government guidelines.

3. Achievements and Performance

2020-21 was a challenging year for Hillside Church. The government restrictions around meeting together and people’s concerns about returning back to in-person gatherings meant that careful thought and planning had to be made to adapt and deliver our strategic objectives. Furthermore, in order to retain our pastor whilst we were financially constrained, we placed him on furlough (full time followed by part time) for a number of months.

The church received a certificate of recognition from the Mayor of Merton for its ongoing services to the community through the challenges of the COVID pandemic.

Worship, Teaching, Prayer and Community

Sundays are core to the Hillside Church community. During the COVID pandemic we combined online services with in person gatherings every Sunday morning subject to COVID rules and guidelines.

Our online services always included a Bible based message from our pastor and sometimes included items of worship. These were broadcast through an open Facebook portal, allowing people to view and comment online.

It is difficult to assess the impact of this approach but the videos are available online for viewing at any time and have received thousands of views.

Our usual approach to meeting as a church community is to meet in person, in the church building. As COVID restrictions eased, we reviewed what would be possible under the new guidelines. We also considered the views of regular attendees about meeting in person, seeking an approach that balanced the desire to return to in-person meetings whilst respecting people’s health concerns.

Our services are open to all and have a friendly and informal atmosphere. Attendees contribute providing worship music for the congregation, leading us in prayer, sharing views and experiences and regularly sharing communion. Our speaker on Sundays is pastor, Rev. Richard Thomas. We also invite guest speakers to teach the Bible and share their insights on faith.

Sunday mornings are a time of community. We share drinks and refreshments together and spend time chatting and praying for one another. We build friendships and learn how to support one another in our faith journeys and through the ups and downs of everyday life.

To complement our Sunday service, our pastor provided Bible reflections available online.

Children’s and Youth work

Children and young people are encouraged to be an active part of church life. On Sundays they join the adult congregation in worship, sharing experiences, praying and receiving teaching.

The COVID pandemic impacted the ability to provide activities specifically for children. We sought to meet the children’s need for community through sports activities including cycling, basketball and football. These were also opportunities to talk and pray together.

Pastoral support

Hillside’s pastor provides pastoral care to the church community through regular daily Bible reflections, prayer and visits. He also has strong connections with local hospitals. During the COVID pandemic he strengthened existing ties with Wimbledon YMCA and made himself available to provide pastoral support to residents.

Events

Our events calendar was significantly impacted by COVID restrictions. We were unable to hold a series of live events as we would usually do during the year.

4. Community Activities

Our building consists of two halls and several smaller rooms which are a valuable resource to the local community. A range of activities regularly take place when COVID restrictions are not in place including:

●A Korean Church that holds services and prayer meetings
●Therapy and addiction support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous
●Sports clubs for children
●Choirs, music and dance groups
●An artists’ group
●Private psychotherapy
●Academic examinations

Unfortunately, all groups were impacted by the COVID pandemic over the year. We maintained contact with the groups, provided guidelines and ensured that the building was COVID guideline compliant (e.g. provision of hand sanitiser, increased cleaning).

Many groups faced financial difficulties over this period so we provided reductions in rental fees in order to support them to continue.

5. Financial Review

Overview

Total income in unrestricted funds for the period 1[st] September 2020 to 31[st] August 2021 was £41,162. The main sources of income were government furlough grants (£18,431), rental income (£14,751) from groups renting rooms and giving (£7,980). The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on income. Many groups who would usually rent rooms have not been able to meet or their activities have been severely limited due to lockdown restrictions.

Reserves Policy

Our reserves policy is to hold the equivalent of three months’ income in our account. This would currently equate to approximately £10,300. Our reserves at 31[st] August 2021 were less than £4,000. We recognise that this is not a healthy financial position and we will seek to build reserves as soon as possible.

Staf

We employ one pastor on a full time, permanent contract. Selfemployed staff provide cleaning, maintenance and administrative services on an as needed basis.

Volunteers

The work of Hillside Church would not be possible without the support of volunteers who organise events, manage finances, make music, clean the building, teach children, make refreshments and do many other things. We’re grateful to everyone who provides support to creating a wonderful church community.

6. Governance

The charity trustees are responsible for the general control and management of the charity. The trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or other financial benefits.

The trustees meet regularly as a broader Leadership Team which includes the pastor and people appointed to positions of leadership in the church (e.g. worship leader). To assist in the running of the charity, the trustees have appointed a finance team, led by the church treasurer. In addition to the Leadership Team meetings, the trustees also meet at least once a year for a Trustees Meeting.

The existing trustees are responsible for the appointment of new trustees but in doing so they seek views and recommendations of the pastor and other leaders in the church. In selecting trustees, we seek to identify individuals with a Christian faith who agree with our statement of beliefs, who regularly attend church events and who are willing to volunteer to serve the local community.

Hillside Church Statement of Financial Activities

for year ending 31st August 2021

Financial Reporting Period

Hillside Church uses the financial reporting period 'September to August'. This is based on historic precedent. Prior to formal registration with the Charity Commission in June 2019, Hillside Church had operated for many years using this financial period. The period was maintained following our registration in order to maintain consistency and ensure that there was no gap in reporting periods. This report includes income and expenditure over the period September 2019 to August 2020.

Income

----- Start of picture text -----
2019-20 2020-21
Giving
Gift aided giving (unrestricted) £8,865 £7,140
Non-Gift aided giving £1,850 £840
(unrestricted)
Rental
Room Rental £42,560 £14,751
Other
HMRC furlough grant £4,623 £18,431
Refunds £35 -
Bank interest - -
TOTAL £57,934 £41,162
----- End of picture text -----

In 2020/21 the church’s income was affected by the COVID epidemic. In order to retain our pastor who is a full time employee we applied for HMRC furlough grants. For a short period, the pastor was placed on full time furlough and on part time furlough for a prolonged period. This enabled us to continue to function as a church whilst retaining our pastor.

illside CHURCHWIMBLEDON

Expenditure

----- Start of picture text -----
2019-20 2020-21
People
Payroll £27,798 £28,331
Pension £1,801 £1,796
-
Expenses £1,266
Cleaner £1,000 -
Caretaker £3,060 £2,100
-
Building Manager £4,320
Property
Council Tax £1,835 £2,225
Electricity £1,589 £128
Gas £2,937 £100
Ground Rent £300 -
Water Rate £752 £691
Carpet Cleaning £476 -
Insurance £1,339 £1,244
Deposit refund £322 £100
Subscriptions £305 £312
Broadband & Phone £407 £353
Office Supplies £279 -
-
Mortgage £4,488
Repairs & Maintenance £1,131 £295
Refuse £278 £208
New Assets -
-
-
Legal £3,000
----- End of picture text -----

Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097	Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097	Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097
Website	-	-
Events
Christmas	£120	-
Merton Arts	£264	-
Pancake Sunday	£450	-
Other
Bank charges	£32	-
DBS	£132	£181

Total	£59,680	£38,065
Income minus expenditure	-£1,746	£3,097

Statement of Assets

Statement of Fixed Assets

Hillside Church owns a 2/3rds share of the church building at 37 Worple Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4JZ
Insured value of property = £1,530,000
(The other ⅓ is owned by the Church Growth Trust Ltd, charity ref 1138119)
Hillside Church owns 62% share (at July 2021) in the manse house property at 18 Sandbourne Avenue, London, SW19 3EN.The total (100%) value of the property is approximately £900,000. The property is shared ownership with five private owners. The share is calculated based on Hillside Church and other owners’ investments at purchase and subsequent investments in the improvement of the property.

Statement of Liabilities

As of 31st August 2021, Hillside Church had the following liabilities, totalling £35,702

Mortgage remaining on manse property, 18 Sandbourne Avenue = £6,649.30
Outstanding legal fees = £23,334.56
Outstanding maintenance costs = £3,100
Utilities = £2,618

Hillside Church Statement of Financial Accounts

for year ending 31st August 2021

Financial Reporting Period

Income

illside CHURCHWIMBLEDON

Expenditure

Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097	Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097	Website - - Events Christmas £120 - Merton Arts £264 - Pancake Sunday £450 - Other Bank charges £32 - DBS £132 £181 Total £59,680 £38,065 Income minus expenditure -£1,746 £3,097
Website	-	-
Events
Christmas	£120	-
Merton Arts	£264	-
Pancake Sunday	£450	-
Other
Bank charges	£32	-
DBS	£132	£181

Total	£59,680	£38,065
Income minus expenditure	-£1,746	£3,097

Statement of Assets

Statement of Fixed Assets

Hillside Church owns a 2/3rds share of the church building at 37 Worple Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4JZ
Insured value of property = £1,530,000
(The other ⅓ is owned by the Church Growth Trust Ltd, charity ref 1138119)
Hillside Church owns 62% share (at July 2021) in the manse house property at 18 Sandbourne Avenue, London, SW19 3EN.The total (100%) value of the property is approximately £900,000. The property is shared ownership with five private owners. The share is calculated based on Hillside Church and other owners’ investments at purchase and subsequent investments in the improvement of the property.

Statement of Liabilities

As of 31st August 2021, Hillside Church had the following liabilities, totalling £35,702

Mortgage remaining on manse property, 18 Sandbourne Avenue = £6,649.30
Outstanding legal fees = £23,334.56
Outstanding maintenance costs = £3,100
Utilities = £2,618

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Charty Namè Hillside Churth On accounts for the year endod 31 August 2021 Charity no (if any) 1183957 Set out on pages Iremernber to wrludE the paye numbers of addiknonal sheelsl l to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity fthe Trusf) for the year ended 31 December 2019. Responsibilltles and basis of report As the charitVs trustees. you are responsble for the preparation of the accnts in accordan wilh ts requirements of the Charities A¢X 2011 (Ihe Acn. I report in respect of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried oui urKler section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given ty the Charity Commission urKler sectbon 145(5)(b) of the A Independent I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have examinef s statement come to my attention in cOnnedic wrytty Ihe examination (other than that disdosed below") whith give$ me cause to believe Ihat in. any material Tespec the accounting records *ere not kept in accordan with sedion 130 of the Charities ACL or the accounts did not accord ¥th the accounting records" or the accounts did not crfjnply with Ihe applicable requirements conoming Ihe fom and conknt of accounts set in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the acojunts give a Irue and fairf view vthi¢h is not a matter considered as part of an independent examinatTron. I have no concems arKI have c(Yne across no other matters in connection with the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper Lmderthdiig of the accounts to be reached. . Please (b18te the in the bRckets rf they do not appty. Signed: Date: 22 July 2022 Name: Charles J Hazle Relevant professlonal qualifKation(s) or body (rf any): Address: Meadow Vale 109 Main Street Bonby