Oakham Evangelical Church
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023
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1. Information
Trustees
Stephen Parkes (Pastor & Chair) Andrew Hayward Benjamin Knight Diane Parkes Peter Hayward Jonathan Timbrell Aimee Cains Andrew Parkes Leonard Timbrell
All the above trustees acted for the whole period.
Charity registration number 1186709
Address
Oakham Evangelical Church
City Rd, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1QZ.
2. Background
The Church was established in 1872 and has a long history of service to our community as a source for teaching the Christian Faith, a place of prayer and worship and a platform of activity and support for the community. The Church's work extends well beyond Sundays, providing regular Bible Studies, prayer and worship events and a programme of community activities for young people, children, families, senior citizens and the wider community. The Church provides a place to learn and express the Christian faith, a place for people to connect with one another, an opportunity for volunteering and a source of pastoral care and support.
The Church works well with a range of partners, in particular; Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, West Midlands Police Service, Grace Mary Primary School and the Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local.
The Church is led by our Pastor, who is both a paid employee and trustee together with the other trustees who meet on a monthly basis. They are also supported by over 30 volunteers in the work of the Church.
The period covered by this report has seen the completion of one major building project and the first phase of a second large scale project. In addition a new weekly activity has been added to our programme and the development of both our church services and community activities
3. Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that we have given due consideration to and complied with the Commission’s guidelines on Public Benefit. We bear this in mind when planning and delivering activities. We have addressed identifiable needs to individuals, specific groups and the wider community.
Much of the church's work involves social contact, providing many opportunities for people to meet one another, enjoy activities, build skills and engage in volunteering. Our activities within the church's services and our community work provides an opportunity to meet a wide variety of people from various ages and backgrounds. Isolation is reduced and a range of support given.As a church a range of worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship events encourage people to grow in faith. Pastoral care, mentoring and support are available for church attendees and the wider community.
A number of members of the church and its leadership are involved in supporting local organisations. Working closely with the Local Authority and Schools. The church provides not only a facility and resources. It also provides a pool of local knowledge, expertise, skills and connections for the local community and the organisations within it.
4. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives
The Church's objects and purposes are detailed in our constitution. Concisely they are to advance the Christian faith through teaching and experience, and to address need in order to improve the conditions of life. Our varied, flexible and often developing programme addresses both of these objects. The church is ideally located as a hub for the local community and platform of activity. Our premises are well resourced, flexible, spacious and suitable for a range of activities
The churches programme is flexible, a core of regular activities is often added to by one off and short term projects. The period 2022 to 2023 we were happy to be able to re-establish of our weekly children's activity the “Tuesday Kids Club”
Weekly activities
Sunday Worship
Each Sunday the church met together for worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship from 10.00 AM each Sunday. This session includes an informal time, refreshments are served prior to the Family Service, giving people time and space to connect, socialise and mix. Our Family Service follows, worship, prayer, sermons, communion, participation from a wide range of the congregation is a key feature that is encouraged. Running alongside this is our Kids church, a popular activity for children from toddler up to 11 years of age. Stories, songs, fun and craft activities make this very popular.
In addition occasional extra activities such as Sunday countryside walks and communal meals have been added from time to time.
Bible Study
A Bible based informal discussion is held each week giving an opportunity to explore the Christian faith, enhance understanding and share thoughts and insights. Most studies are based around Bible passages and have explored a variety of topics
Carer and Toddler group
A popular session each week giving children a chance to interact with each other, play with new toys and for Carers to meet, chat and connect. A large area gives plenty of space to play and move around. Our range of toys and educational materials provide a useful opportunity for children to explore new and often larger toys. All find it a useful break in their daily routine to meet other carers and chat over coffee and biscuits.Following its relaunch this group has worked on or near its capacity .
Kids Club
This was the final group to be relaunched following the Covid 19 shut down. This group provides a range of games and activities for 7 to 11 year olds. Children enjoy the activities, the chance to meet school friends, make new ones and do something different. Again this group runs at full capacity and has a waiting list
Worship Team
A weekly practice session for musicians to develop their skills, arrange music and blend as a team. New musicians are welcomed and support given. We have a long history of training, supporting and encouraging musicians to develop their skills
TLC
This group changed its format slightly, it now meets together for a weekly two hour session for senior citizens. Opportunity is given for chat, refreshments and taking part in a variety of activities and games.
Crafty Ladies
A monthly session providing contact, crafts, talks and refreshments for an intergenerational group of ladies. Sharing skills, working on individual and joint projects and connecting with one another.
Youth Club
Activities, mentoring and games for a large group of young people 11 years plus. This group has also worked at capacity and continues to grow. The safe, friendly environment it provides continues to provide a popular weekly meeting point for young people aged 11 to 18.
Special Events and Community Activities
A range of special and community events provide an opportunity for people to meet with others, develop interests and enjoy engaging in activities .
Childrens Winter Coats
Working in partnership with Sandwell MBC and the local community, this two day project received and distributed childrens winter coats. Coats were donated at the church on one day by the community and distributed from the church a few days later to those who needed them. This was a tremendous project with many coats donated,and demonstrated the local community working together and supporting one another to meet local needs.
Harvest Festival & Food Bank
Our Harvest Festival collected a large number of food donations which were then passed on to our local Food Bank. The Church continues to collect donations of food and toiletries each week which we then deliver to our local Food Bank.
The Big Feed
Working in partnership with the Grace Mary to Lion Farm Partnership our team of 18 volunteers assembled and distributed Christmas food hampers to local families who had registered a need.This marks the second time we have taken part in the project. It has proven to be a very popular and much needed help to local families
Christmas Film Festival
A Saturday afternoon/evening pre-Christmas event for families showing Christmas films and providing seasonal refreshments. Young families enjoyed watching films together and a range of snacks.
Golf Ball
Twice this year a group of up to 15 have organised a Golf Ball tournament. This has proven to be very popular and a great opportunity for community activity and building friendships.
Winter walks
An opportunity for people to meet, take some exercise and enjoy the countryside.
Queens Jubilee
This was a significant community event to celebrate the Jubilee. A large number of local residents and members of the church came to enjoy a buffet, live music, activities, a small fun fair and the visit of two dinosaurs.
Church Tidy Up
Work this year focused on two things: First, a deep clean of everything and a rigorous tidy up. Second, a general tidy up of the rear and side gardens in preparation for the major garden project that was scheduled to begin in late winter of 2023
Reflection
As we approached our 150th anniversary as a church, it is fair to say that Covid created one of the most severe disruptions in our work and ministry. Coming out of Covid, as things eased we were cautious and deliberate in rolling out our activities. We are pleased to note that this approach has been successful and that our core activities are now established, well supported and continuing to develop. Our connection with the community, individuals in the community and our partners continues to be strong and positive. The church is continuing to be a place to volunteer, receive help, discover new things to do and be involved in.
We have continued to provide pastoral support, our trustees performed several funerals and developed a social media presence. People regularly view our online services and listen to our podcasts. This online presence and service live streaming will continue to be developed to meet local needs.
Our programme of activity, community connections and soft presence in the community for many years has been a very real support to both individuals and the community. We have reached many people and given them the
opportunity to find faith, grow and express their faith. To develop skills, connections, develop friendships, express themselves and try new things. The Church is often active in signposting people to any services, help or support they need. We also act as an advocate for local needs.
Two Major Projects
This year we completed one major building project and completed the first phase of another. The building is a statement of longevity and presence, it is also something of a shop window. We were very happy to be able to see these projects completed and enhance the church.
Project One - New Roof
The roof had served us well for decades but this year we came to a point where radical action needed to be taken, to what was now a failing roof. After many conversations, visits and quotes we employed a well recommended firm to do the work. Re-roofing the Church, side room and rear roof. New guttering and fascias were also added. The church is now watertight, the roof secure and as a building it looks well cared for.
Project Two - Rear and side garden
We have a small area of land around the rear and side of the church. It has not been used very much and was often untidy and overgrown. The first phase was to build a boundary fence along our south and west boundaries to secure the rear and side of the church. This provided privacy and added security for our neighbours and ourselves and was completed in March 2023. The second phase will be to create a lovely garden space useful for a variety of activities.
5. Governance and Management
Constitution
The Church's governing document is our CIO constitution.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed in line with the specific guidelines given in our constitution
Structure and decision making
The Church employs a Pastor who contributes significantly to the churches teaching programme, provides pastoral care and shares with the trustees, the responsibility for the leadership and development of the Church and its work. The Trustees meet monthly to oversee the work, decision making and direction of the Church.
6. Plans for the future
Moving into the future we continue to assess the types of activity we need to be rolling out in the future. In doing so we are bearing in mind our objects, our resources and the needs of the church, community and individuals around us.
We continue to listen to our community and service users and talk to our partners, in particular our local Authority, local schools, other churches and voluntary organisations.
The Church's presence in the community is an important asset, which requires ongoing upgrading and development. Phase two of the Garden Project is planned to be completed during 2023. This will provide a community garden and recreation space.
7. Financial Review
The main source of our income is from regular donations by bank standing orders and cash donations in the offerings box from those who attend and support the Church at our Sunday meetings. Our major expenditure of £42k was the replacement of the Church roof. This was funded from reserves set aside for this purpose plus a grant of £5k from Grace Mary to Lion Farm Big Local. As part of our community activities we also raised £125 for The Children's Society
8. Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Peter Hayward 18 January 2024
Andrew Parkes 18th January 2024
| Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church |
Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church |
Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church |
Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church |
Charity Name Oakham Evangelical Church |
No (if any) 1186709 |
No (if any) 1186709 |
No (if any) 1186709 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
Period start date 1 April 2022 |
To | Period end date 31 March 2023 |
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| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
| Regular Donations | 19,335 | - | - | 19,335 | 16,840 | ||||
| Offering Box | 8,364 | - | - | 8,364 | 8,688 | ||||
| Community Activities | 2,998 | - | - | 2,998 | 1,164 | ||||
| Tax Reclaim | - | - | - | - | 16,869 | ||||
| Grant (Roof) | - | 5,000 | - | 5,000 | 4,755 | ||||
| Grant (Garden area) | - | 5,000 | - | 5,000 | 3,645 | ||||
| Grant (Garden equipment) | - | 4,797 | - | 4,797 | - | ||||
| Other | 1,614 | - | - | 1,614 | - | ||||
| Sub total (Gross income for AR) |
32,311 | 14,797 | - | 47,108 | 51,961 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| A3 Payments Sub total Total receipts |
- | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 32,311 | 14,797 | - | 47,108 | 51,961 | |||||
| Payroll | 23,022 | - | - | 23,022 | 21,275 | ||||
| Utilities & Internet | 2,505 | - | - | 2,505 | 2,090 | ||||
| Consumables | 22 | - | - | 22 | 69 | ||||
| Insurance & Admin | 2,193 | - | - | 2,193 | 2,305 | ||||
| Legal | - | - | - | - | 962 | ||||
| Property Maintenance | 37,617 | 5,000 | - | 42,617 | 108 | ||||
| Media Plus | - | 943 | - | 943 | 343 | ||||
| Other | 125 | - | - | 125 | 133 | ||||
| Garden Area | - | 3,360 | 3,360 | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | 65,484 | 9,303 | - | 74,787 | 27,285 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||||
| A6 Vested funds A5 Transfers between funds Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds this year end |
- | - | - | - | |||||
| 65,484 | 9,303 | - | 74,787 | 27,285 | |||||
| - 33,173 |
5,494 | - | - 27,679 |
24,676 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| 59,021 | 13,621 | - | 72,642 | 47,966 | |||||
| 25,848 | 19,115 | - | 44,963 | 72,642 | |||||
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |||||||||
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
CAF Bank Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 25,848 - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 19,115 - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||
| CAF Bank | 25,848 | 19,115 | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| B2 Other monetary assets | Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
25,848 | 19,115 | - | |||||
| OK | OK | ||||||||
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||||
| - | - | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | funds | funds | |||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||||
| B1 | Cash funds | CAF Bank | 25,848 | 19,115 | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | ||||||
| Total cash funds | 25,848 | 19,115 | - | |||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments | ||||||||
| account(s)) | OK | OK | OK | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted funds | Endowment | ||||||
| funds | funds | |||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||
| B2 | Other monetary assets | - | - | - |
CCXX R accounts (SS)
| B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
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| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Details | Current value (optional) |
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| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Details | Current value (optional) |
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| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
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| Details | When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval | ||||
| Peter Hayward | 04/02/2023 | |||
| Andrew Parkes | 04/02/2023 | |||
CCXX R accounts (SS)
Dear Trustees,
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Oakham Church
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Oakham church for the period 1/4/2022 to 31/3/2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Church you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities 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 out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: C. Povey
Name: Claire Povey
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): N/A Address: 72 Tower Road, Oldbury, B69 1NA
Date: 28/08/2024